

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

Feb 15, 2024 • 1h 9min
Chris Coyier on Embracing Technology and the Future of Web Development
Hosts Robbie Wagner and Charles William Carpenter III welcome special guest, Chris Coyier the co-founder of CodePen and an avid web enthusiast, to share his insights on the latest trends and happenings in the tech world.
Pondering over the pros and cons of GitHub desktop, discussing React's influence on teams and efficiency, grappling with the hot topics around CSS and Tailwind, and airing their thoughts on Apple's latest Vision Pro, the conversation bounces around delightfully.
All along, they’re savoring a pour from Barrell Craft Spirits and enjoying the occasional detour into pop culture, fitness, and more. Join them as they navigate through this tech-infused whirlwind with a dash of web nostalgia.
Key Takeaways
[00:48] - Discussing Movies and Pop Culture
[02:32] - Introducing the Guest: Chris Coyier
[03:05] - Chris's Journey with CodePen
[03:56] - Chris's Other Projects and Interests
[07:13] - Whiskey Tasting Begins
[07:57] - Discussing the Whiskey: Barrel Bourbon
[09:39] - Diving into Pop Culture: Movies and Celebrities
[11:02] - Back to Whiskey: Rating the Barrel Bourbon
[11:59] - Discussing Tech and Coding
[25:58] - Hot Takes: Tech Debates
[32:27] - Discussing the Evolution of Package Managers
[33:16] - Exploring the Transition from Node to Bun
[34:33] - The Impact of Vite on Development
[34:46] - The Quirks of Tech Terminology
[36:24] - The Shift from Global to Personalized Package Management
[36:41] - The Influence of Microsoft in the Tech World
[39:04] - The Evolution of Web Development and the Role of Abstractions
[57:12] - The Future of Web Development: AR, VR, and AI
[01:03:27] - The Impact of Tech on Everyday Life
[01:03:43] - The Future of CodePen and the Tech Industry
Links
Chris Coyier Twitter
Chris Coyier LinkedIn
CodePen
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
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/.

Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 6min
Upgrade Your Lifestyle: From the Ballmer Peak to High Tech Toilet Seats
In this episode, Robbie and Chuck discuss a variety of topics. They initially discuss a controversial tier list video from Theo. They criticize Theo's technology ranking, particularly his negative view of Ember and his endorsement of React and other frameworks. They also highlight the subjective nature of technology preference and suggest that Theo's tier list is more a reflection of his personal biases than an objective assessment of the tools' merits.
They move on to discussing Astro, a new static site builder they've been using. They praise Astro for its easy conversion process, quick build times, and the fact that it uses semantic HTML by default. They express their enthusiasm for Astro and mention how they are using it for their own websites.
Lastly, Chuck and Robbie deviate from tech talk and share about their Christmas experiences, with Chuck being especially thrilled about receiving a high-end Toto Washlet (bidet toilet seat) as a present. They end their conversation with a humorous debate about the merits of high-end toilet seats, with Robbie stating that the bidet's functions are surprisingly beneficial and make each bathroom visit enjoyable.
Key Takeaways
[01:29] - Whiskey Tasting: Sagamore Spirit Rye Cask Strength
[04:44] - Whiskey Rating and Discussion
[08:53] - Theo's Controversial Tech Tier List
[25:09] - The Balmer Peak: Is it Real?
[31:05] - Astro Framework Discussion
[32:58] - Discussing Fashion and Sponsorships
[33:49] - Exploring the Benefits of Astro
[34:37] - Debating the Merits of Pages Router vs App Router
[36:01] - The Influence of Ember on Modern Web Development
[40:15] - The Challenges of Remote Work and Office Politics
[45:03] - Deep Dive into Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism
[50:10] - The Joys and Challenges of Christmas
[58:50] - The Luxury of High-End Toilet Seats
Links
Sagamore Spirit
Astro
EmberJS
Toto Washlet
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
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/.

Feb 6, 2024 • 58min
A Deep Dive into Managed DNS with Jeff Cronstrom
Join hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III as they welcome Jeff Cronstrom, a DNS specialist with experience dating back to the 90s and the founder of CloudfloorDNS. In this episode, they dig into the ins and outs of managed DNS, the benefits it provides, and the distinguishing features of CloudfloorDNS.
The hosts also engage in lively discussions about technology, touching on various topics such as PHP, Python, DevOps, and the role of DNS in web development. Alongside the tech talk, the episode features a whiskey tasting session with Fort Hamilton rye whiskey.
Key Takeaways
[01:45] - Whiskey Tasting and Discussion
[11:00] - Hot Takes on Tech Topics
[27:07] - Deep Dive into CloudFloorDNS
[31:41] - Web Application Firewall and Cloudflare
[32:02] - Domain Registrations and DNS
[32:27] - Google's Shift from Domain Registration
[33:53] - Roles in Tech: Network Engineer, System Administrator, and More
[35:32] - The Rise of DevOps and DevSecOps
[36:28] - The Importance of Security in Development
[36:59] - Patch Tuesdays and Software Updates
[39:05] - The Syntax Podcast and Sentry.io
[39:49] - The Microsoft Debate
[42:59] - Boating and Fishing Adventures
[48:50] - The Phoenix Lights Mystery
[52:11] - Homemade Drink Smoker and Carpentry Skills
[54:02] - The Simulation Theory and Solar Flares
[53:30] - Choose Your Own Adventure Website Idea
[55:30] - Closing Remarks and CloudfloorDNS Plug
Links
Jeff Cronstrom Twitter
Jeff Cronstrom LinkedIn
CloudfloorDNS
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
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/.

Feb 1, 2024 • 1h 6min
The Missteps of GraphQL and the Promise of Progressive Enhancement
In this episode of 'Whiskey, Web, and Whatnot', hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III debate podcast names, discuss the feasibility of creating a company, and share insights on tech projects like Biome and Shepherd. They also talk about the importance of leveraging built-in features in tech systems, their take on tech wars, thoughts about the future of JavaScript, and more. Accompanying their tech-related discussions are whiskey tasting notes on Sweetens Cove, Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Key Takeaways
[00:37] - The Reality of Being a CEO
[01:39] - The Mystery of HTMX
[02:16] - Whiskey Tasting: Sweetens Cove
[03:06] - The Science of Whiskey Aging
[03:21] - The Curious Case of Soft Water
[03:42] - Pop Culture References and Whiskey
[07:33] - Whiskey Rating and Review
[15:52] - Tech Talk: GraphQL and Sidebar Placement
[20:23] - The Future of OpenAI
[26:47] - Social Media Algorithms and Engagement
[29:12] - Ubuntu Server and Daily Use Challenges
[30:08] - Exploring Framework Laptops and Modular Tech
[30:52] - The Linux User Experience: A Developer's Perspective
[32:32] - The Pros and Cons of Arch Linux
[33:31] - The Future of Linux and the Framework Laptop
[34:08] - The Struggles of App Development on Ubuntu
[36:27] - The Rise of New JavaScript Runtimes
[37:45] - Exploring Biome: A New Web API Framework
[49:39] - The Future of Shepherd: A Library for Web APIs
[55:19] - Christmas Shopping Habits and Affiliate Programs
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
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/.

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 7min
Monthly Malarkey: JavaScript Modules, HTML, and Ryan Reynolds
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III dive into their experiences with the Astro framework and discuss the challenges with JavaScript module types. They also share insights on managing work life around their families and house pets.
The casual conversation continues with a discussion on TV series like 'The Last of Us', 'The Changeling', 'Wednesday', and 'Black Bird', as well as an interesting back and forth about international and domestic flight experiences. They sign off with some conjecture about the potential for AI, promising a more detailed conversation about this in the next episode.
Key Takeaways
[01:11] - Discussing Podcast Popularity and Listener Appreciation
[01:39] - Exploring the Challenges of Explaining Podcasts to Older Generations
[02:25] - Whiskey Tasting Session: Never Sink Spirits Bourbon Whiskey
[11:27] - Diving into the Complexities of JavaScript Modules
[14:44] - Exploring the Potential of Astro for Web Development
[25:58] - The Power of Tailwind in Web Development
[26:24] - Offering Web Development Help to Local Fire Department
[28:44] - Discussing the Importance of SEO for Podcast Visibility
[30:23] - The Economics of Database Usage
[31:24] - The Business Model of Vercel
[32:40] - The Art of Infiltration and Persuasion
[34:20] - The Challenges of Switching to Vercel
[35:24] - The Entertainment Roundup
[35:46] - The Dark Side of the American Healthcare System
[47:29] - The Joys and Challenges of Hosting Christmas
[54:14] - The Pros and Cons of Moving to Italy
[01:00:34] - The Injustice of Airline Bailouts
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Promos
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/.

Jan 18, 2024 • 1h 7min
Bearded Talks on Beardless Hosts: VSCode Sidebars, AI, and GraphQL with Kelly Vaughn
In this episode, hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III invite guest Kelly Vaughn for a casual discussion over a glass of Bardstown Fusion bourbon. The conversation meanders around various topics including podcasting, the concept of artificial intelligence, their favorite Taylor Swift songs, and owning sports cars. Kelly also talks about keynoting the THAT Conference in Texas and shares a preview of her presentation. Keep listening for their hot takes on tech Twitter fights and some humorous discussions!
Key Takeaways
[00:05] - Introduction and Hosts' Banter
[00:48] - Guest Introduction and Previous Episode Recap
[02:00] - Whiskey Tasting: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
[04:11] - Whiskey Tasting: Flavor Notes and Ratings
[08:23] - Discussion on Whiskey Accessories and Sponsorships
[16:32] - Hot Takes: AI and Tech Debates
[22:49] - Hot Takes: GraphQL and Sidebar Placement
[31:44] - Cincinnati Chili Debate and Closing Remarks
[33:08] - A Tribute to Skyline Chili Employee
[34:20] - Fast Food Preferences and Discussions
[35:32] - Fast Food and Road Trips
[36:14] - Co-hosts Banter and Jokes
[37:05] - Upcoming Conference and Keynote Preparation
[39:55] - Car Enthusiast Conversations
[57:05] - Taylor Swift Fan Discussion
[01:01:15] - Work-Life Balance in Software Engineering
[01:02:43] - Closing Remarks and Future Plans
Links
Kelly Vaughn Twitter
Kelly Vaughn LinkedIn
Spot AI
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Promos
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/.

Jan 11, 2024 • 1h 1min
Tech Conferences, Remote Work and the Intersection of AI and Web Design with Clark Sell
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III invite Clark Sell onto the show. Clark, the founder of 'THAT Conference' and 'Unspecified', talks about the genesis of the conference, the current state of tech, and his use of artificial intelligence services likeGPT-3 and DALL-E.
The hosts and Clark also try out a new whiskey, discuss
football and their disdain for certain programming languages. Tune in to hear about the intersection of tech and whiskey, and get some insights into the future of AI and the tech industry.
Key Takeaways
[00:34] - Guest Introduction: Clark Sell
[02:05] - Whiskey Tasting Session
[07:11] - Hot Takes: Tech Debates
[17:08] - The Journey of That Conference
[23:45] - The Future of Tech and Conferences
[31:13] - The Reality of Being a Senior Developer
[31:26] - The Challenges of Job Hunting in Tech
[31:52] - The Impact of AI on Tech Jobs
[33:01] - The Shift to Remote Work
[34:05] - The Debate on Return to Office
[34:37] - The Rise of Online Personalities in Tech
[35:07] - The Influence of Social Media on Tech Careers
[35:42] - The Role of In-Person Interactions in Tech
[36:35] - The Controversy Around React
[37:30] - The Evolution of Web Development
[38:07] - The Debate on HTML as a Programming Language
[39:37] - The Impact of AI on Content Creation
[41:07] - The Influence of Cryptocurrency
[52:17] - The Role of AI in Education
[54:43] - The Future of AI in Content Generation
[58:37] - The Importance of Community Involvement in Tech
Links
Clark Sell Twitter
Clark Sell LinkedIn
THAT Conference
Unspecified
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Promos
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/.

Jan 4, 2024 • 1h 1min
Monthly Malarkey: Cat Pee Problems, French Cuisine and Halloween Costume Plans
Are you ready to swap the smooth strokes of a keyboard for the smooth taste of whiskey? Get set to be whisked away on a "Monthly Malarkey" adventure where H Derringer bourbon whiskey takes center stage, cork shaped like a trusty firearm and all. Sit back and sip along as we share our candid taste test findings, from the intricacies of its flavor profile to whether it truly deserves a spot on your top-shelf. But that's not all – join us as we dissect the online shopping landscape, hunting for those electrifying deals, and rev up the conversation with our thoughts on the latest electric vehicle trends.
Ever had a face-off with carpet stains and lived to tell the tale? In this episode, we share our own showdown with the notorious Stanley Steamer and our relentless pursuit to vanquish persistent pet odors. Parenting is tough enough without adding finicky food preferences into the mix, so we're also spilling the beans on our strategies for dealing with the dietary whims of little ones and the ever-present battle over screen time. Plus, we ponder the all-important question: To gaze or not to gaze into the camera? Your insights might just steer the future of our show.
As we roll out the red carpet for your ears, we recount an escapade through the cobblestoned streets of France, reliving the epicurean ecstasy and the occasional eyebrow-raising dish – oyster ice cream, anyone? We also get real about the pressures of dining in the lap of luxury and share a slice of our Halloween costume conundrums. So, whether you're here for the whiskey wisdom or to peek behind the curtain of our family dynamics, this episode is packed with laughter, revelations, and the kind of honest chatter that feels like a night in with your best pals.
Key Takeaways
[00:39] - Introducing a New Segment: Monthly Malarkey
[01:15] - Whiskey Web and Whatnot: Derringer Whiskey Review
[04:03] - The Whiskey Tasting Experience
[05:00] - Rating the Whiskey
[05:13] - The Price of Whiskey: Is it Worth it?
[08:11] - Moving into a New House
[08:56] - The Debate: Online Shopping vs In-Store Shopping
[15:06] - The Future of Electric Vehicles
[19:31] - The Stanley Steamer Story: A Moving Catastrophe
[27:40] - The Cost of Living and Inflation
[29:25] - Debate on Food Choices for Kids
[29:54] - The Struggles of Parenting Picky Eaters
[30:22] - The Challenges of Introducing New Foods to Kids
[30:59] - The Evolution of Kids' Food Preferences
[31:17] - The Dilemma of Meal Choices for Kids
[32:20] - The Impact of Screen Time on Kids
[33:12] - The Debate on Looking into the Camera
[34:13] - The Fun of Sending Unusual Gifts
[35:11] - The Benefits of Beflow Desks
[35:36] - The Importance of Cable Management
[37:59] - The Joy of Family in Lego
[42:59] - The Experience of Dining in France
[53:33] - The Excitement of Family Halloween Costumes
[57:39] - The Fascination of Kids with Video Games
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Ship Shape
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Promos
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/.

Dec 28, 2023 • 1h 20min
Hot Takes, Web Technologies, and Learning to Code with Ken Wheeler
Ken Wheeler is a software engineer with well over a decade of experience. He shares stories about his journey into tech, his life, and his hobbies.
Ken fell in love with coding as a kid, building his skills from QBasic to PHP and HTML. He recounts his transition from being a rap producer for a decade to stumbling upon a job listing for a web developer using Flash. After twisting the truth to get through the interview, he spent five years building local restaurant websites with Flash animations. Ken dives into some unfiltered hot takes from TypeScript to CSS and the ongoing debate of sidebar placement in VS Code. He shares his love for inferred types over explicit types, arguing in favor of TypeScript's Hindley-Milner type system.
In this episode, Ken talks to Robbie and Chuck about his thoughts on types, Tailwind and VS Code, his coding journey from QBasic to HTML as a kid, and his technique for landing his first job.
Key Takeaways
[00:48] - Introduction to Ken Wheeler.
[01:56] - A whiskey review: Basil Hayden Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
[19:03] - Tech hot takes.
[40:57] - Ken discusses his New Jersey roots and how he entered the tech field.
[49:51] - Chuck, Robbie, and Ken talk about cars.
[59:00] - Chuck’s plans to move to Italy.
[01:04:41] - Chuck, Robbie, and Ken discuss burgers and sandwiches.
Quotes
[19:20] - “Typescript is good. It's better than Javascript.” ~ Ken Wheeler
[34:50] - “A senior at dickhead.com is not the same as a senior at Google.com.” ~ Ken Wheeler
[37:48] - “Webpack actually isn’t that hard, believe it or not, if you just dig into it.” ~ Ken Wheeler
Links
Ken Wheeler LinkedIn
Ken Wheeler Twitter
OpenAI
Twitter
Formidable
Basil Hayden Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Pappy Van Winkle
Maker’s Mark
Coors Light
Topgolf
Crocs
Timberland
The Ritz-Carlton
DoorDash
Taco Bell
Tabasco
Cholula
Tailwind CSS
Vanilla CSS
NPM
Shepherd JS
YAML
Serverless UI
Syntax.FM
Beflo
Joe Rogan Podcast
All-In Podcast
Darknet Diaries
Google
Amazon
Webpack
ChatGPT
Vite
NextJS
Airbnb
Ruby on Rails
Django
National Geographic
Juul
Marlboro
Oracle
Salesforce
jQuery
Versace
The North Face
Red Wing Shoes
Thursday Boot Company
Porsche
Jeep
Volvo
Solo Stove
Flex Seal
Inter Milan
Five Guys
Jersey Mike’s USA
In-N-Out
Shake Shack
First We Feast
Arby’s
Burger King
McDonald’s
React Miami
The Primeagen
Chick-fil-A
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Ship Shape
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Promos
Top-Tier, Full-Stack Software Consultants
This show is brought to you by Ship Shape. Ship Shape’s software consultants solve complex software and app development problems with top-tier coding expertise, superior service, and speed. In a sea of choices, our senior-level development crew rises above the rest by delivering the best solutions for fintech, cybersecurity, and other fast-growing industries. Check us out at shipshape.io.

Dec 21, 2023 • 1h 2min
Open-Source, Payload, and Sim Racing with James Mikrut
The world of programming can be complex, but some developers find beauty in keeping coding clean, simple, and straightforward. This philosophy led developer James Mikrut to write his entire codebase in functional programming.
James is the founder and CEO of Payload, an application framework that he describes as a backend with an API and an automatically generated admin panel. The framework is built with React, Node.js, and Typescript. James reveals the evolution of his project from a licensed tool to a thriving open-source platform. He explains the pivotal decision to embrace open-source, and shares how user feedback steered Payload towards greater heights.
In this episode, James talks to Robbie and Chuck about the culture of open-source, the reason Payload switched to open-source, and the world of sim racing.
Key Takeaways
[00:39] - Introduction to James Mikrut.
[02:36] - A whiskey review: Coopers’ Craft Bourbon.
[17:47] - Tech hot takes.
[41:52] - Why Payload switched to open-source.
[55:18] - Chuck, Robbie, and James talk about gaming.
[57:37] - What career would James choose if he wasn’t in tech?
Quotes
[01:10] - “I saw the need for a proper application framework in Typescript and all the modern bells and whistles, and I started Payload.” ~ James Mikrut
[32:06] - “The web is winning, and I’m a big fan of that.” ~ James Mikrut
[48:25] - “Really, what Payload is, it's a back end with an API and an automatically generated admin panel.” ~ James Mikrut
Links
James Mikrut Twitter
James Mikrut LinkedIn
Payload
Coopers' Craft Bourbon
Old Forester
Brown-Forman Brand
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Woodford Reserve
New Holland Brewing
Founders Brewing Co.
Milwaukee's Best
Intuit
Internal Revenue Service
Drizzle
SST
React Miami
React
SvelteKit
Next.js
Angular JS
National Geographic
Backbone.js
ThePrimeagen
Next.js Conf
Counter-Strike
Tailwind CSS
Vanilla CSS
Reddit
Beekeeper Studio
Slack
Discord
Microsoft Teams
GitHub
NPM
FIFA 23
Twitter
Mac
Zoom
Cloudflare
Linux
Jira
Zendesk
WordPress
Fortnite
PUBG
iRacing
Connect with our hosts
Robbie Wagner
Chuck Carpenter
Ship Shape
Subscribe and stay in touch
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Promos
Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch
Need a last minute holiday gift and want to support the podcast? We have just the thing! Pick up a Whiskey Web and Whatnot Holiday Sweater on our new merch store: https://whiskey.fund/


