Hanselminutes with Scott Hanselman

Safia Abdalla, a Principal Engineer at Microsoft, dives into the journey of building competence and confidence in tech. She discusses the value of pair programming, how stepping away from problems can spark solutions, and the pressure new engineers face in today's landscape. Safia highlights the critical role of mentorship in fostering trust and supporting early-career growth. They also explore the evolving relationship between engineers and AI, emphasizing the importance of code review skills in a world where AI-generated code is becoming common.

Mathias Biilmann, CEO of Netlify and a pioneer of the Jamstack movement, shares insights on the future of web development in an AI-driven landscape. He discusses how AI tools can democratize coding and amplify developers' roles, enabling non-developers to prototype changes. Mathias dives into Netlify's new AI Workflow, highlighting features like sandboxed agent runs and deploy previews that enhance collaboration. He emphasizes the need for intentionality in using AI tools to ensure effective results and streamline modern web development.

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman talks with Tuple engineer Johnny Marler about the craft and culture of pair programming. They explore how intentional collaboration can sharpen problem-solving, reduce context switching, and build trust between teammates—especially in remote environments. Johnny shares lessons from developing Tuple, developing with native code on Windows, insights from the Zig community, and why pairing remains one of the most underrated tools in a developer’s toolkit.https://tuple.app/hanselminutes

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman sits down with Adam Jacob, co-founder of SystemInit and creator of Chef, to explore the provocative question: Can AI save DevOps? Together, they unpack the growing complexity of modern infrastructure, the limits of human-scale operations, and how AI-driven systems might reshape the way we build, deploy, and maintain software. From declarative intent to autonomous remediation, Adam shares his vision for a future where DevOps isn't just automated—it’s intelligent.https://systeminit.com

In this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott sits down with Noel Berry, co-creator of Celeste, to explore his philosophy and process for making games in 2025, without relying on big commercial engines. Noel shares why he prefers building lightweight, custom tools over heavyweight platforms like Unity or Unreal, how modern C#, SDL3, and open‑source libraries empower small teams, and the creative freedom that comes from owning every layer of the stack. From crafting bespoke level editors to ensuring long‑term portability, Noel offers a candid look at the technical choices and personal values shaping his latest projects, including City of None.https://noelberry.ca/posts/making_games_in_2025/

Tyler Bushnell, founder and CEO of Polycade, is reimagining home arcades with a blend of retro charm and modern design, influenced by his family's Atari legacy. He discusses the success of Polycade's Kickstarter launch and the importance of face-to-face gaming experiences. The conversation highlights innovations in home arcade systems, including customizable controllers and enhanced retro gaming visuals. Tyler also reflects on community engagement and the nostalgia tied to arcade classics, illustrating how gaming's future may be more social.

Dr. Morgan Depenbusch, a people analytics expert at Snowflake, shares her insights on leading with value in the workplace. She emphasizes a mindset shift from self-promotion to actively listening and prioritizing the needs of others. The conversation touches on navigating workplace dynamics and the importance of building meaningful relationships for professional growth. Dr. Depenbusch also discusses the evolving perception of work passion and how supportive environments can align career ambitions with personal values.

Bria Sullivan, a developer and founder of Honey B Games, joins the conversation to discuss the remarkable rise of Focus Friend, the engaging productivity app she co-created with Hank Green. She reveals how a dinner talk sparked its development, transforming a simple focus timer into an interactive gaming experience. Bria dives into the importance of user feedback and empathy in design, sharing insights on creating ethical gaming that promotes well-being. Plus, she candidly reflects on the challenges of balancing app development with parenthood.

Aaed Musa, a talented Purdue engineering student and YouTuber, dives into the fascinating world of robotics. He shares his creative process, from building a Boston Dynamics-inspired robot to innovative concepts like 'nerd sniping'. Aaed discusses the balance between academics and his ambitious projects, highlighting critical material choices and prototyping. He also explores the transition from robotics to full-time content creation, emphasizing the joys of 3D printing and the mentorship that fuels his passion for engineering.

Steve Klabnik, a software engineering manager at Oxide and co-author of the Rust book, shares his journey from skepticism to embracing AI in coding. He hilariously reflects on how AI has transformed his workflow, allowing him to create and ship more effectively. The discussion touches on the ethical dimensions of AI, likening it to dietary choices, and explores its impact on creative technology and programming tools. Klabnik also humorously navigates the quirks of language models, making the tech world feel both relatable and entertaining.