Overcommitted

SummaryJoin us for a conversation with Kate Holterhoff, an industry analyst at Redmonk who tracks developer trends from Reddit threads to conference halls. Kate shares her unique journey from earning a PhD in Victorian literature to becoming a self-taught developer and analyst, and discusses Redmonk's "new kingmakers" philosophy that recognizes developers as key decision-makers in tech adoption. We explore current industry trends including JavaScript bundlers, the real story behind AI and developer jobs, why communication skills matter as much as technical expertise, and her experiments with vibe coding across different IDEs.TakeawaysDeveloper-led adoption is the future - Redmonk's "new kingmakers" philosophy recognizes that developers, not executives, are increasingly making purchasing decisions for development tools and platforms.AI tools are becoming standard practice - Most developers now use AI code assistants and agentic IDEs, forcing organizations to adapt with proper guardrails and company plans rather than fighting adoption.AI isn't taking jobs (yet) - Current tech layoffs are more attributable to post-ZIRP (zero-interest-rate phenomenon) economics and offshoring than AI displacement, though AI has become a convenient scapegoat.JavaScript is getting massive - The recent explosion of bundlers like TurboPack, Vite, RS Pack, and Rolldown signals that JavaScript packages have grown significantly since Webpack's creation 10 years ago.Industry analysts live in developer watering holes - Understanding real developer sentiment means spending time where developers actually talk: Reddit, Hacker News, Bluesky, conferences, and podcasts.Communication skills are as critical as technical skills - Engineers who can bridge technical expertise with business communication and customer interaction have significant advantages in their careers.Alternative paths into tech are valuable - Kate's journey from Victorian literature PhD to developer analyst shows how diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives to understanding technology and its cultural impact.Teaching can make coding accessible - Using engaging content like comic books, steampunk, and Victorian literature can make technical concepts more approachable and help students see connections across disciplines.Vibe coding is promising but unpredictable - AI-powered development tools show incredible potential but remain inconsistent, with success depending on unclear factors like IDE choice, prompting technique, and model capabilities.We need more casual learning communities - The tech industry would benefit from more informal, non-commercial spaces for developers to share experiences, especially around emerging technologies like vibe coding.LinksThe Monkcast: https://redmonk.com/blog/2023/12/07/the-monkcast/Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateholterhoff/Kate on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kateholterhoff.comDwarkesh podcast with Andrej Karpathy: https://www.dwarkesh.com/p/andrej-karpathyHosts:Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com

Matt Sinclair, an acclaimed Australian software engineering leader and ex-VP at BCG Digital Ventures, delves into the power of storytelling in leadership. He emphasizes that effective leadership begins with a captivating narrative to inspire teams. The discussion highlights Elixir's advantages, like reducing bugs with immutable data and its future-proof capabilities. Matt also explores AI's role in coding productivity, sharing insights on using tools like Claude Code and the importance of intentional culture in tech teams.

Adrienne Braganza is a software engineer, international speaker, and author of "Looks Good to Me: Constructive Code Reviews." She shares insights on the human-centered aspects of code reviews, stressing that misunderstandings often lead to team friction. Adrienne highlights the importance of clear communication and establishing objectives to improve collaboration. She also discusses the role of AI in code reviews and the significance of emojis in conveying tone in remote work, making the conversation both informative and engaging.

Rick Turoczy, a key figure in the Portland startup scene and founder of PIE, shares his journey from hobbyist developer to mentor. He highlights the unique culture of Portland's tech community, marked by humility and creativity. Rick emphasizes the importance of mental health for founders, discussing the challenges they face and the supportive role of PIE. He also delves into the evolution of startup culture, the value of experimentation, and the distinction between wanting to build a product versus a company. Local gems in Portland are recommended for visitors.

SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Erika and Brittany delve into the concept of flow state in software development, exploring its significance for productivity and job satisfaction. They share personal experiences of achieving flow, discuss the balance between challenge and skill, and highlight the importance of psychological safety and team dynamics. The conversation also touches on managing interruptions, the role of pair programming, and strategies for improving flow state within teams. The episode concludes with a fun quiz to engage listeners in reflecting on their own flow experiences.TakeawaysFlow state is linked to enhanced productivity and job satisfaction.A balance between challenge and skill is essential for achieving flow.Cognitive overload can hinder the ability to enter flow state.Immediate control over tasks contributes to maintaining flow.Psychological safety within teams fosters better performance.Managing interruptions is crucial for maintaining focus.Pair programming can facilitate flow but may introduce challenges.Team dynamics significantly impact individual flow experiences.Investing in tools and environments can enhance flow state.Regular reflection on flow experiences can lead to improved productivity.LinksDeveloper flow article: https://leadership.garden/developer-flow/ Podcast: Neuroscience and Developer Productivity: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prefrontal-by-cortex/id1760813899?i=1000676601346Vibe Engineering by Simon Willison: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Oct/7/vibe-engineering/SPACE Metrics: https://getdx.com/blog/space-metrics/HostsOvercommitted Website: https://overcommitted.devBrittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.comEggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Bethany and Erika welcome Thomas Dohmke, former CEO of GitHub. They discuss Thomas's journey in software development, pivotal moments in his career, the importance of passion and continuous learning, and advice for overcoming career stagnation. The conversation also touches on the future of software development, particularly the impact of AI, and concludes with a fun round of questions about LEGO.TakeawaysThomas grew up in East Germany and discovered coding through a school lab.His passion for software development has been a constant throughout his career.Mentorship played a crucial role in his transition from university to the automotive industry.The importance of continuous learning in a fast-paced tech environment.Developers often feel stuck in their careers, but a growth mindset can help overcome this.Asking for help and having open conversations with managers can lead to new opportunities.Reading books on engineering and leadership can provide valuable insights.AI is set to revolutionize the software development landscape again.The journey of a developer is filled with ups and downs, but passion keeps them motivated.Thomas encourages developers to embrace change and stay curious.LinksThomas on GitHub: https://github.com/ashtomThomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtom/Thomas on X: https://x.com/ashtomThe Great Mental Models book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44245196-the-great-mental-modelsAn Elegant Puzzle by Will Larson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45303387-an-elegant-puzzleStaff Engineer by Will Larson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56481725-staff-engineerThe Engineering Executive's Primer: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199699997-the-engineering-executive-s-primerBricklink: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/main.pageHost: Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28Host: Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.comHost: Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Don MacKinnon, founder of Searchcraft and former CTO, shares his insightful journey in building developer-friendly search infrastructure. He discusses the benefits of using Rust for efficiency and simplicity, while detailing the two-year development challenge before launching. Don emphasizes making search accessible for non-technical users through a GUI and the pivotal role of AI in enhancing relevancy. He also reflects on the competitive search tool landscape and the importance of identifying real user pain points in product development.

SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Brittany Ellich and Erika engage with Brad Heller, co-founder and CTO of Tower, discussing his journey from software engineer to startup founder. They explore the evolution of software engineering careers, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the skills necessary for success in the tech industry. Brad shares insights on the importance of aligning passions with work, the realities of startup life, and advice for aspiring engineers. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on coding and the importance of understanding the fundamentals of software development.TakeawaysBrad's journey from corporate life to startups was driven by a desire for impactful work.Working at startups can provide invaluable learning experiences compared to big tech.Entrepreneurship requires aligning your passions with your work for true success.Delegating tasks is a crucial skill for founders, but often difficult to master.Understanding the entire business process is essential for engineers in startups.The tech landscape has changed, with many entering the field for financial reasons rather than passion.AI is transforming the coding landscape, but understanding the fundamentals remains critical.Networking skills developed in big tech can be beneficial in startup environments.It's important to recognize when to hire and delegate responsibilities as a founder.The romanticized view of entrepreneurship often overlooks the hard work involved.LinksBrad Heller on LinkedInTower.DevPaul GrahamWill Larson - A forty-year careerPIE PDXRick TuroczyHostsOvercommitted.devBrittany EllichEggyhead

SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany and Brittany discuss their experiences at recent tech conferences, including Cascadia JS and GopherCon. They reflect on their goals from the past quarter, sharing successes and challenges, and set new objectives for the upcoming quarter. The conversation also touches on the importance of community engagement and personal development in the tech industry, culminating in a fun segment where they share ideas for potential TED talks.TakeawaysThe importance of community in tech events.Reflecting on past goals helps in personal growth.Engagement in newsletters can shift focus from self-promotion to sharing others' work.Attending conferences can provide fresh insights and networking opportunities.Setting realistic goals is crucial, especially during busy times.Public speaking can be a rewarding experience despite initial anxiety.Finding enjoyment in activities is essential for long-term commitment.Quarterly retrospectives can help realign personal and professional goals.Exploring new interests can lead to unexpected opportunities.Community engagement is vital for mental well-being in remote work environments.Links⁠CascadiaJSGopherConMagnoliaConf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted.dev⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bethany Janos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommited podcast, the hosts engage in a deep conversation with Indrajith Premanath, an engineer at GitHub, who shares his journey of transitioning from an individual contributor to an engineering manager during an interim manager role while his manager was on leave. Indrajith discusses the challenges and lessons learned during his six-month stint as an interim manager, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics, transparency, and personal growth. The conversation also touches on career aspirations, technical interests, and the significance of building strong relationships within a team. Indrajith offers valuable advice for future managers and reflects on his childhood aspirations, providing a well-rounded perspective on his career journey.TakeawaysThe shift from coding to management requires a change in mindset and priorities.Building relationships with team members is crucial for effective management.Transparency in decision-making fosters trust within the team.Indrajith found that he became a better individual contributor after his management experience.Understanding team members' career goals enhances team dynamics.Indrajith emphasizes the importance of long-term planning in management.He advocates for rotation programs for aspiring managers to gain experience.The role of AI in coding is changing the landscape of software development.Indrajith's childhood aspiration was to be a theater kid, not a software engineer.LinksIndrajith Premanath LinkedInCharity Majors Engineer/Manager Pendulum Article⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech book club Repo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcommitted.dev⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brittany Ellich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eggyhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jonathan Tamsut⁠