

DonTheDeveloper Podcast
Don Hansen
Helping aspiring developers get jobs and junior developers grow. Raw and unfiltered conversations with industry professionals that dive deep into how developers can find success and growth in their careers.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2025 • 13min
Agentic Coding IS NOT Software Engineering
Agentic coding isn't software engineering. If you've been coding for a while, it doesn't give you the same rewards. Yet some developers are all too eager to let their skills atrophy and outsource the fun parts of being a developer to an AI, instead of fixing the root issue - their skill issue. This is mainly targeted towards junior developers, but a lot of this applies to more experienced developers as well. Or it will, once they let their skills atrophy.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 30, 2025 • 30min
Lacking Motivation to Learn to Code?
Are you struggling with motivation on your learning to code journey? It could be poor goal setting. It could be that trying to find a job is suppressing your curiosity and excitement for coding. It could very well be that software engineering isn't what you initially thought it was. But almost certainly, what I share in this has or is hurting your motivation more than you think.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 27, 2025 • 26min
Do You Feel Like an Imposter as an Aspiring Developer?
Imposter syndrome as a junior developer has been normalized WAY TO OFTEN. Imposter syndrome is a signal that there's a more deeply rooted issue that needs to be resolved. Sometimes, and a lot of people aren't going to like this, it's actually just a skill issue.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 22, 2025 • 12min
Traits of the 3 Most Successful Developers I've Ever Worked With
I've worked with a lot of great developers, but 3 developers on 3 different teams really stood out to me. Here's what people admired about them.Always remember, there are MANY ways to be successful as a developer. It's okay to be socially awkward even. I know a ton of people are worried about their personality fitting in. You just have to make up for it in other ways...--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 16, 2025 • 17min
Are You Working Full-time AND Learning to Code?
Are you learning to code while working a full-time job, taking care of family, or other heavy responsibilities? We need to have an honest conversation. More importantly, I want to talk about the mindset that'll help you survive the journey.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 14, 2025 • 22min
How You Should Optimize Your Time Learning to Code
Have you ever wondered how much time you should invest into different things when learning to code? Then this one's for you. I also shared advice and most importantly the right perspective for standing out in the job search.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 11, 2025 • 30min
The MERN Stack Failed Junior Developers
The popular MERN stack tutorials and the larger JavaScript ecosystem in general has failed to prepare junior developers for professional jobs. This is a rant about that...--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Oct 8, 2025 • 11min
I Tried Linux Desktop for 2 Months...
I ran Linux desktop as my daily driver for 2 months - dev, streaming, gaming. Here’s the straight rundown: what worked, what broke, and what I’d do differently if I tried again.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Sep 29, 2025 • 13min
The Forgotten Truth About Being a Developer
The reality of being a dev is that you're capable of a future that goes way past the limits a company allows you to work within. Just in case devs forgot, I wanted to record this reminding them of that, and ultimately why I left the industry.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Sep 22, 2025 • 11min
I Tried Agentic Coding and I Hate It
Tried agentic coding while building a Twitch analytics feature for Twitch Sprout and... I hated it. It bloated the code, ignored library features, and turned me into a spec-writing code reviewer instead of a dev. I also shared where AI has helped as well.--------------------------------------------------- 👾 Join Discord - https://discord.gg/TpQe2k8Ab3💻 Learn Frontend (20% off): https://scrimba.com/the-frontend-developer-career-path-c0j?via=donthedeveloper⚙️ Learn Backend (25% off): https://boot.dev/?promo=DONTHEDEVELOPER🐱 Learn NestJS (free) - https://scrimba.com/nestjs-c0n7djgjma?via=donthedeveloper🧠 Advanced Coding (40% off) - https://app.codecrafters.io/join?via=donthedeveloper👥 1 on 1 Mentorship - https://cal.com/donthedeveloper/mentorship🐦 Follow on X - https://x.com/thedonofcodeDisclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.


