

The Stack Overflow Podcast
The Stack Overflow Podcast
For more than a dozen years, the Stack Overflow Podcast has been exploring what it means to be a developer and how the art and practice of software programming is changing our world. From Rails to React, from Java to Node.js, we host important conversations and fascinating guests that will help you understand how technology is made and where it’s headed. Hosted by Ben Popper, Cassidy Williams, and Ceora Ford, the Stack Overflow Podcast is your home for all things code.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 22, 2024 • 26min
The app that fights for your data privacy rights
Sukhi Gulati Gilbert, a Senior Product Manager for Permission Slip at Consumer Reports, discusses the crucial importance of digital privacy. She highlights her work advocating for consumer rights and the challenges of implementing privacy laws. The app, Permission Slip, empowers users to understand and manage their data rights easily. Sukhi also delves into the issues surrounding data breaches and the role of nonprofits in enhancing consumer protection. The conversation emphasizes the need for collective action and accessible tools to improve individual privacy management.

10 snips
Nov 21, 2024 • 33min
We'll Be In Touch: A New Podcast From Stack Overflow!
Yaakov Ellis, a Staff Engineer at Intuit with over 20 years in software development, shares his insights on navigating communication barriers in tech teams. He discusses the evolution from .NET Framework to .NET Core and the challenges of tackling imposter syndrome. The conversation delves into transitioning from monolith to microservices, emphasizing the need for documentation and standardization. Additionally, Yaakov highlights strategies for enhancing productivity and the importance of continuous learning, especially in maintaining system reliability.

6 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 27min
The open-source ecosystem built to reduce tech debt
Jonathan Schneider, Co-founder of Moderne and ex-contributor at Netflix, dives deep into the world of automated source code transformations. He discusses the challenges companies face when migrating Java applications and the critical role of Open Rewrite in easing the transition. Schneider emphasizes the importance of team collaboration for successful upgrades and tackles how AI is reshaping developer productivity. He also highlights the need for balance by advocating for breaks as essential for mental rejuvenation in tech.

Nov 15, 2024 • 22min
Meet the guy responsible for building the Call of Duty game engine
Chris Fowler, Director of Engine at Activision, shares his unique journey from marine biology to crafting the Call of Duty game engine. He dives into the exciting evolution of gaming bugs and easter eggs, revealing entertaining anecdotes from game development. Chris discusses the challenges of balancing innovation and stability in engine development, the transformative role of SSDs, and the significance of physics in games. He emphasizes community feedback and the collaborative spirit that drives the gaming industry forward.

Nov 12, 2024 • 35min
A student of Geoff Hinton, Yann LeCun, and Jeff Dean explains where AI is headed
Matt Zeler, Founder and CEO of Clarifai and a notable AI researcher, shares his journey through AI and computer vision. He discusses the evolution of neural networks and the significance of the ImageNet competition. The conversation focuses on the challenges of managing unstructured data in enterprise search and the shift toward on-premise AI solutions. Zeler emphasizes the importance of tailored AI systems for reliability and addresses ethical concerns surrounding data ownership and regulation, shedding light on the evolving landscape of AI.

Nov 8, 2024 • 34min
One of the world’s biggest web scrapers has some thoughts on data ownership
Or Lenchner, CEO of Bright Data, discusses the intricate world of data ownership and protection amidst a shifting regulatory landscape. He shares personal anecdotes highlighting the challenges of training data availability for AI. Lenchner delves into the balance between web scraping practices and the rights of content creators, emphasizing the need for transparency. Additionally, he explores the role of synthetic data in AI training while underscoring the importance of human oversight in innovation and the tech community's challenges and achievements.

4 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 26min
How Google is helping developers get better answers from AI
Logan Kilpatrick, a Senior Product Manager for Google AI Studio, shares his journey from OpenAI to Google and the evolution of developer tools. The discussion dives into the groundbreaking Grounding with Google Search feature that enhances AI response accuracy for developers. Logan highlights the importance of accessibility and transparency in AI technologies, addresses the cultural shift towards agility in product development, and emphasizes fostering a robust developer community. His insights offer a fresh perspective on navigating the evolving landscape of AI.

Nov 1, 2024 • 25min
How a creator of React is rethinking IDEs
Tom Okino, Chief Product Officer at Vercel and a key figure in React's creation at Facebook, shares his journey from a tech-savvy child to a pioneer in software development. He highlights the evolution of React from an internal tool to a beloved open-source project. The conversation dives into Next.js advancements and the balance between simplicity and complexity. Tom also discusses the transformative role of generative AI in software development and reimagining IDEs to enhance coding workflows with more interactive features.

Oct 30, 2024 • 31min
Life in the Fastlane: SDK tools built with developers in mind
In this engaging conversation, Sunny Patel, a software engineer at PayPal and leader of Fastlane, joins developer Kyle Prinsloo to discuss innovative e-commerce solutions. They dive into the creation of Fastlane, aimed at enhancing the online checkout experience by seamlessly integrating user-friendly payment options. The duo highlights how advanced error handling and AI-driven interactive tools improve developer experiences. They also share insights on simplifying payment processes for various skill levels and future enhancements to expand Fastlane’s global impact.

Oct 29, 2024 • 23min
How can you get your kids into coding? We asked an 8-year-old app builder.
Ricky Robinette, who leads developer relations at Cloudflare, teams up with his 8-year-old daughter, Faye, to discuss exciting ways to introduce kids to coding. Faye shares her adventure building a Harry Potter-themed chatbot using AI with the Cursor platform. They explore how modern tools like AI can ignite curiosity and make learning accessible. Ricky emphasizes the importance of quick engagement in coding, while Faye reveals her creative coding experiences, showcasing how gamified tasks can inspire young learners.