

Whiskey Web and Whatnot: Web Development, Neat
RobbieTheWagner, Charles William Carpenter III, Adam Argyle, and The Radcast Network
Veteran web developers RobbieTheWagner, Charles William Carpenter III, and Adam Argyle host this informal, whiskey-fueled fireside chat with your favorite web devs. They discuss all things web development including JavaScript, TypeScript, EmberJS, React, Astro, SolidJS, CSS, HTML, Web3, and more. They take a unique approach and focus on getting to know the human side of developers and their hobbies outside of work, all while sampling a new whiskey that they rate on their unique tentacle scale.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2024 • 1h 8min
Secrets of a JavaScript Guru: Natalia Venditto on AI, GraphQL, and More!
Join host Charles William Carpenter III and special guest host Adam Argyle as they welcome Natalia Venditto on this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot.
They dive into Natalia's background in JavaScript and her current work at Microsoft. The trio shares their impressions of Smooth Ambler's Contradiction Bourbon, discussing its unique blend of whiskeys, flavor profiles, and personal ratings.
The conversation shifts to hot tech topics, including inferred vs. explicit types in TypeScript, IDEs vs. text editors, and opinions on GraphQL and micro frontends. They also touch on the nuances between developer experience (DX) and user experience (UX), frameworks like Astro, and the inherent trade-offs in software architecture.
Wrapping up, Natalia shares insights about living in Barcelona and her background in architecture and filmmaking.
Key Takeaways
[00:00] - Welcome and Introductions
[00:49] - Whiskey Tasting: Smooth Ambler's Contradiction Bourbon
[04:51] - Rating the Bourbon
[08:07] - Tech Talk: AI, Blockchain, and JavaScript
[10:20] - Hot Takes: TypeScript, IDEs, and More
[23:03] - Microfrontends and Developer Experience
[27:47] - The Balance Between DX and UX
[34:13] - Dev Humor and Final Thoughts
[35:18] - Debating JSX and Single File Components
[36:26] - The Evolution of Web Development Frameworks
[38:23] - Living in Barcelona and Football Fandom
[40:27] - Culinary Adventures and Cultural Influences
[45:05] - Angular and the Framework Wars
[48:15] - Career Paths and Personal Interests
[59:34] - The Joys of Manual Cars and Quality Materials
[01:03:55] - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
Links
Natalia Venditto Twitter
Natalia Venditto LinkedIn
https://microfrontend.dev/
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Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

Jul 4, 2024 • 1h 4min
Exploring Bevvy's Whiskey App World with Nas Tonchev
We sit down with Nas Tonchev, CTO of Bevvy, a whiskey app for mobile and the web. We discuss features and functionalities of the Bevvy app, which helps users track, discover, and rate whiskeys. We also cover whiskey recommendations, the nuances of whiskey flavors, and the technical challenges of developing a whiskey-focused app. Additionally, we explore the influence of cultural aspects on consuming and collecting whiskey, with some tangents on career choices, hobbies, and the challenges of integrating AI and blockchain in business solutions.
Key Takeaways
[00:29] Who is Nas Tonchev?
[01:55] What does the Bevvy app do? Who is Bevvy for?
[05:18] Four Roses single barrel whiskey
[15:12] Hot take: Serverless bad?
[18:59] Why did you choose to go native on mobile for Bevvy?
[27:17] How do you handle items that aren't in your database yet?
[32:25] Have you been to tasting events?
[39:10] Do you like Mad Men?
[40:53] What is the story behind Bevvy's founding?
[42:45] How could AI integrate with an app like Bevvy?
[48:23] If you weren't in tech, what career would you choose?
[52:27] What hobbies do you have outside of tech?
[59:58] What soccer team are you a fan of?
Links
Atanas Tonchev
Bevvy | Cocktails, Spirits, and Drink Culture
Four Roses Sophistication
Mad Men
Son of the Beach
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

Jun 27, 2024 • 1h 17min
Understanding Whiskey with Prime Barrel's Michael Nagdi
Michael shares his transition from the corporate world to the whiskey industry, emphasizing whiskey’s role in building relationships. The discussion covers a range of fascinating topics: the nuances of whiskey blends, the unique properties of Amburana-finished rye whiskey, the innovative use of blockchain and NFTs for managing memberships and allocations, and discover how AI is streamlining Prime Barrel’s operations. The episode also highlights heartwarming community stories and practical applications of AI in marketing and business.
Key Takeaways
[00:26] Introducing Michael from Prime Barrell
[04:18] Rare Character 6 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
[07:35] Loving or Hating Wax Seals on Whiskey
[11:26] Learning how to taste our whiskey
[18:39] Amburana explained
[29:18] What is a cigar batch?
[34:46] Is ice evil for tasting real whiskey?
[37:11] How should you smell whiskey?
[47:31] How are NFTs going in the whiskey business?
[01:02:55] How are you integrating AI into your work?
[01:05:57] Is there a worst whiskey you've ever had?
[01:11:45] Where can people learn more about whiskey and Michael?
Links
Michael on LinkedIn
The Prime Barrel
Prime Barrel - Single-Barrel Picks Marketplace
Starlight Distillery Spirits
Joseph Magnus
Four Roses Bourbon
Discord invite
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up
some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

Jun 20, 2024 • 1h 19min
Oh My Zsh with Robby Russell
Explore the evolution of web development, Rails, and TypeScript, all while sipping Mortlach Single Malt Whisky. The discussion also covers vintage music formats like vinyl records and cassettes, the Tennessee whiskey scene, and modern bourbon regulations. Robby shares stories about maintaining legacy code, Oh My Zsh, starting a podcast, and The Mighty Missoula's upcoming album.
Key Takeaways
[0:00] Introducing Robby Russell
[02:41] Whiskey Tasting: Mortlach "The Wee Witchie" 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky
[09:19] Hot Takes
[12:05] Thoughts on ripping TypeScript out of projects
[19:15] git rebase or git merge?
[21:09] Left or right sidebar in VS Code?
[23:26] What do you think about nested ternaries?
[26:55] Is Rails going to be the best way to write web applications again?
[39:15] Any suggestions for podcasters?
[47:41] Pronouncing and working on Oh My Zsh
[49:51] The origin story of Oh My Zsh
Links
Twitter
Whiskey
Oh My Zsh
Maintainable Podcast
The Mighty Missoula
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up
some of our fresh merch at whiskey.fund.

Jun 13, 2024 • 41min
Unlocking the Secrets of AI in Tech with April Yoho
Join hosts Charles William Carpenter III and Adam Argyle for a riveting episode of 'Whiskey Web and Whatnot' featuring guest April Yoho.
Based in the UK and a seasoned developer advocate, April shares her extensive 25+ years of experience in tech while indulging in a tasting session of High West Double Rye whiskey.
Discover insights into cloud development, the intricacies of AI in coding, the debates of modern JavaScript practices, and much more. Tune in for a mix of whiskey evaluation, tech discussions, and amusing cultural anecdotes.
Key Takeaways
[00:00] - Introduction and Guest Introduction
[01:01] - Whiskey Tasting: High West Double Rye
[02:19] - Whiskey Rating System Explained
[02:38] - Tasting Notes and Impressions
[08:08] - Tech Talk: Let vs Const
[08:42] - Hot Takes: Tailwind, Git, and TypeScript
[13:53] - Infrastructure as Code: Terraform and Bicep
[17:42] - Kubernetes and Cloud Native Development
[19:06] - Flex and Serverless: A New Perspective
[20:32] - Overengineering in Tech
[20:46] - Nostalgia for Early Web and DIY Servers
[22:12] - On-Prem vs Cloud: The Debate
[23:37] - Data Residency Challenges
[27:43] - Living in the UK: Food and Culture
[36:08] - AI in Development: Embrace the Change
Links
April Yoho Twitter
April Yoho LinkedIn
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

Jun 6, 2024 • 1h 6min
Aspire to Greatness: .NET Innovations You Can't Miss! w/ David Fowler and Damian Edwards
Join Charles William Carpenter III and Adam Schmargyle in an engaging episode of 'Whiskey Web and Whatnot' as they welcome Damian Edwards and David Fowler from Microsoft.
Listen as David shares his journey from Barbados to becoming a distinguished engineer at Microsoft and Damian recounts his experience with web technologies from Australia. The discussion includes insights into .NET frameworks, HTML semantics, and their new project, Aspire.
The hosts also provide tips on integrating the Aspire dashboard with Otel tools, emphasizing hands-on experience. Amidst tech discussions, enjoy a light-hearted session of Japanese whiskey tasting, personal anecdotes, and dynamic software development perspectives. Subscribe for more!
Key Takeaways
[00:00] - Introduction and Guest Introduction
[00:31] - David Fowler's Background
[01:33] - Damian Edwards' Background
[02:44] - Evolution of the Web
[03:06] - Whiskey Tasting: Akashi White Oak
[05:06] - Whiskey Rating and Discussion
[16:06] - Hot Takes and Industry Insights
[32:33] - The Rise of Celebrity Developers
[32:50] - The Power of Strong Opinions
[33:32] - Implicit vs Explicit Types
[34:53] - The Evolution of .NET Frameworks
[36:04] - Introduction to Blazor
[41:08] - Understanding Aspire
[51:44] - Balancing Work and Personal Life
[52:39] - Sports and Hobbies
[57:59] - Reflections and Future Plans
Links
David Fowler Twitter
David Fowler LinkedIn
Damian Edwards Twitter
Damian Edwards LinkedIn
Aspire
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

May 30, 2024 • 1h 1min
AI vs Human: The Future of Job Interviews with Taylor Desseyn
Join hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter VIII on Whiskey Web and Whatnot as they welcome back Taylor Desseyn for another round of whiskey and engaging conversation.
Dive into discussions on the relevance of AI in hiring, the shift between remote and in-office work, and the changing trends in engineering specializations.
Plus, get to know more about Taylor’s life beyond tech, including his hobbies and family updates, and don't miss their entertaining whiskey tasting session featuring Tennessee blended bourbon Sweetens Cove!
Key Takeaways
[00:00] - Welcome to Whiskey Web and Whatnot
[01:34] - Introducing Taylor Desseyn
[02:38] - Tennessee Whiskey Tasting
[12:32] - Discussing Return to Office Policies
[29:44] - Exploring Lit and Ember
[30:12] - The Platinum Blonde Debate
[31:31] - AI in Hiring Processes
[32:25] - Humanizing Hiring
[35:55] - The Disconnect in Tech Hiring
[41:29] - Specialization in Tech
[45:02] - The Future of Blue Collar Jobs
[50:27] - Balancing Work and Personal Life
[55:40] - Preparing for Baby Number Two
[58:05] - Podcast and Merch Plug
Links
Taylor Desseyn Twitter
Taylor Desseyn LinkedIn
Gun.io
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
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Spotify
Overcast
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

May 16, 2024 • 1h 3min
Why Svelte Might Just Outdo React: Rich Harris Unveils Shocking Comparisons!
Special guest Rich Harris, creator of Svelte framework, discusses web development tools, TypeScript, and the balance between developer and user experience. The conversation also covers his journey in software development, love for cooking, and upcoming features in Svelte 5. The episode ends with insights into tech conferences and the upcoming Svelte Summit.

May 9, 2024 • 1h 7min
Flagging Features and Dropping Beats with Ben Rometsch
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III are joined by Ben Rometsch, CEO and co-founder of Flagsmith.
The discussion kicks off with a lighthearted conversation about the absence of landscapers at Chuck's house, leading into Ben's unexpected affinity for the New Orleans Saints due to a memorable game at Wembley in London.
Ben shares his journey from running a web agency for 23 years to starting Flagsmith as a side project, which has now become a growing business with 97 percent of its codebase being open-source.
The conversation shifts to a whiskey tasting of Redwood Empire's Lost Monarch, featuring a blend of aged bourbons and whiskey, followed by a discussion on various tech topics including AI in jobs, the value of front-end frameworks, and Git practices.
Later, Ben provides a detailed overview of Flagsmith, emphasizing its open-source nature, the importance of feature flags in development, and how the platform has evolved with contributions from the community, including paying customers. The episode wraps up with personal insights from Ben, including his dream of being an author and his fondness for the video game Parappa the Rapper.
Key Takeaways
[00:00] - Opening Banter and Landscaper Tales
[00:55] - Introducing Ben and Flagsmith
[03:02] - A Deep Dive into Whiskey Tasting
[10:31] - Hot Takes on AI, Frameworks, and Git Practices
[25:38] - Exploring Flagsmith: An Open Source Journey
[32:32] - The Challenges of Staging and Production Environments
[33:42] - The High Cost of Configuration Differences
[36:11] - The Evolution of Engineering Practices and Frameworks
[42:15] - The Business Value of Open Source and Commercial Software
[53:38] - Personal Passions: From Tech to Writing and Retro Gaming
Links
Ben Rometsch Twitter
Ben Rometsch LinkedIn
Flagsmith
Flagsmith GitHub
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
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Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund/.

May 2, 2024 • 55min
Secrets Exposed: The Art of Keeping API Keys Safe From Developer Slip-Ups with Dante Lex
Dante Lex, founder of Onboardbase and hi.new, discusses security infrastructure for distributed teams and the risks of trusting developers with sensitive API keys. The podcast also covers whiskey tasting, tech topics like TypeScript and Tailwind CSS, challenges of being a solo founder, and potential career choices outside of tech.


