Dr. Michael Hansen, a leading developer at Nabu Casa and the genius behind the Rhasspy voice assistant, joins the discussion on the future of open-source voice technology. He delves into the integration of Rhasspy and Home Assistant Voice, emphasizing user privacy and local processing. Discover how innovations like the Wyoming protocol can support underrepresented languages. Hansen also sheds light on the challenges of voice model training and the balance between accessible home automation and technical complexity.

Dr. Cat Hicks is a psychologist studying software teams, a research leader, an empirical interventionist, and a creative entrepreneur. She is the VP of Research Insights for Pluralsight, where she founded the Developer Success Lab, an empirical research lab creating open science for developers and their teams. She talks to Scott about how software teams work, learn, and innovate.https://www.drcathicks.com/https://www.pluralsight.com/developer-success-lab

Manton Reece, CEO and founder of Micro.blog, shares his insights on independent blogging and the digital landscape. He discusses the hurdles of domain registration and the need to maintain online spaces amid content degradation. Manton emphasizes the value of simple, affordable subscription models and how they combat the spam epidemic. He also explores the technical advantages of using Hugo for blogging and the importance of personal expression online, urging everyone to start sharing their stories without hesitation.

Dr. Carlotta Berry, a dynamic professor at the Rose-Hulman Institute, shines a light on making STEM education accessible. She discusses her innovative use of TikTok to engage underrepresented students and tackle burnout in education. The conversation explores the importance of creativity in STEM, the need to challenge societal gender perceptions, and the impact of technology on young learners. Carlotta emphasizes experiential learning and the exciting connection between art and engineering, advocating for a narrative shift in education.

Mark Downie, a Principal Product Manager at Microsoft and the lead maintainer of DasBlog-Core, discusses the evolving landscape of technical blogging. He emphasizes its significance in a world dominated by social media, highlighting the value of owning content and fostering community. Mark shares insights on how to write engaging technical blogs that resonate with developers, urging them to anticipate reader needs and cultivate meaningful connections. He also stresses blogging as a fulfilling tool for personal expression, regardless of audience size.

Christos Foray, an American computer scientist and quantum computing expert at Microsoft, joins the discussion to dive into the cutting-edge world of quantum technology. They explore the evolution of quantum computing from theory to practice, highlighting the unique properties of qubits and the importance of quantum error correction. The conversation touches on how quantum can tackle real-world issues like sustainability and its potential to enhance AI. Additionally, they discuss the challenges of noise in quantum systems and the hybrid workforce needed for progress.

Ash Hynie, CEO of CounterPoint and a seasoned technologist, discusses the evolving dynamics between managers and employees. He emphasizes the need for open communication and respect in performance reviews, challenging the prevailing perceptions within tech. The conversation touches on the struggles of high-performing engineers stepping into management roles and the importance of accountability to foster trust. Hynie advocates for a humanized management approach that balances professionalism with emotional expression and encourages genuine connections in corporate environments.

Tomáš Herceg is the CEO of Riganti and his company focuses on .NET and modernization. He chats with Scott about the excitement around updating to .NET 8 and 9. There's so many benefits to modern .NET but there's a lot of confusion about what's possible. Can you really update 5, 10, 20 year old apps and bring them into a modern cloud environment? Tomáš has written a new book on .NET Modernization that is available now!https://www.modernizationbook.com - Hanselminutes listeners can get 10% off with coupon HANSELMINUTES10 from Jan 10 to April 1, 2025https://www.riganti.cz/https://www.dotvvm.com/

Maggie Appleton, a Lead Design Engineer at Normalee, combines design, anthropology, and programming to enhance user experiences. She discusses how cultural factors influence technology interactions, particularly in the context of AI. The conversation tackles the digital divide and the role of AI in education, addressing fears and strategies for integrating AI tools into learning environments. Maggie also shares her thoughts on the complexities of advanced technologies and the potential of AI as a collaborative partner, advocating for deeper understanding in tech development.

Brian Douglas, Founder of OpenSauced and former GitHub advocate, shares insights on the transformative power of open source in personal and professional development. He details the evolution and challenges of OpenSaused, emphasizing community support and his recent acquisition by the Linux Foundation. The conversation also explores the balance between capitalism and ethical tech contributions, along with the mindset needed for startup founders. Lastly, Douglas discusses the exciting future of OpenSauced as it transitions into a community platform focused on developer experience.