In this episode, Dave and Matt dive into First LEGO League, where kids as young as third grade take on robotics and engineering challenges. Coach Dave drills one rule into his team’s brains (gently, of course): Keep it simple, keep it sturdy. Overcomplication? That’s for people who love redoing their work.Turns out, good engineering is a lot like picking the right tool for the job — go for the trusty hammer, not the Rube Goldberg contraption. Simple solutions just work. Fancy for the sake of fancy? Not so much.Dave credits his time at MIT for hardwiring this keep-it-simple philosophy into his brain. Since then, simplicity has been his not-so-secret sauce for reliable design. And as a LEGO League coach, his mantra "Boring is Best™" takes center stage. Why? Because dependable beats flashy every time. And, funny enough, the so-called "boring" solutions tend to rack up the biggest wins.But this isn’t just about gears and sensors — it’s about the people turning the wrenches. Coaching young engineers reveals an ultimate truth: The best engineering puts people first, solving real problems for real humans. (Not just impressing other engineers.)Key Takeaways:LEGO League 101: Where third graders gear up to build and program robots like tiny pros.Simple Wins: In engineering, simple and sturdy beats flashy but fragile every time.Dave's MIT Mantra: Inspired by his alma mater, Dave champions practical, reliable solutions.Power of Basics: Stick to the fundamentals, and you’ll go further than you think.Test, Tweak, Repeat: Early testing and iteration > chasing perfection out of the gate.This episode is proof that when it comes to engineering (and life), keeping it simple doesn’t just work — it wins.Timestamp🧩 0:32 – Coaching Kids in Engineering Through First LEGO League ⚖️ 5:31 – Balancing Simplicity and Creativity in Engineering Solutions 🤖 8:02 – Simplifying LEGO Robotics: Achieving Success Through Minimalism 🤿 10:54 – Innovative Solutions for Underwater Exploration Challenges 🏆 12:38 – Boring Solutions Win Engineering Competitions 🚀 15:45 – Balancing Innovation with Customer Needs in Tech Startups 🔄 17:35 – Embracing Iteration and Accepting Being Wrong for Faster Success 🛠️ 20:01 – Embracing Simplicity and Iteration in Product DevelopmentResources:Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com/The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie MartinAudio mastering by Chris Enns and Lemon ProductionsAurora Holiday DanceFont Awesome on the SocialsFirst LEGO League🌤️ Bluesky: @fontawesome.com🐦 Twitter/X: @fontawesome📸 Instagram: @font.awesome💼 LinkedIn:  Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

It’s finally happening! In this episode of Podcast Awesome, we sit down with Lea Verou to talk about all things usability, web standards, and her journey into tech. From childhood tinkering with imaginary product ads to shaping the future of CSS and web development, Lea has done ... a lot!You’ll hear about her work at MIT, her time on the W3C TAG, and what led her to join Font Awesome as Product Lead. Plus, we get into the finer points of her experience as a hardcore food blogger, and why Greek food just doesn’t do it for her anymore. Oh, and did we mention she may have been the first person to use an icon font on the web?Tune in for an insightful, nerdy, and entertaining deep dive into Lea’s world.Timestamp Summary🎙️ 0:01 | Welcome Lea Verou: The One We Finally Tracked Down 🤗 2:11 | Font Awesome’s Biannual Snuggle: Cozy or Creepy? 💡 3:28 | Lea’s Journey into Tech: The Love of Building Useful Things 💻 5:04 | From Visual Basic to Web Development: The Magic of the Web 🌍 8:49 | Web Standards & Lea’s Role in W3C’s TAG 🖍️ 12:31 | CSS Wizardry: The Inline If Function and Design Tokens 🛠️ 13:53 | How Font Awesome and Lea Crossed Paths 🔍 17:28 | The Truth About Font Awesome’s Licensing Model 🚀 18:18 | What Lea’s Working on at Font Awesome (Hint: Usability FTW) 👥 20:11 | Nerds Who Like People: The Importance of Human-Centric Design 🍜 25:52 | Lea’s Love for Cooking, Food Blogging, and Spicy Delights 🇬🇷 37:19 | Greek Food? Meh. Let’s Talk Global Cuisine 🥩 40:11 | The Steak That Changed Lea’s Life 🔥 42:02 | Favorite Font Awesome Icons? Dumpster Fire & Poo Storm, Obviously 🌐 43:34 | Where to Find Lea Online (Spoiler: Not on MySpace)Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com/The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin Audio mastering by Chris Enns and Lemon ProductionsFont Awesome on the Socials🌤️ Bluesky: @fontawesome.com 🐦 Twitter/X: @fontawesome 📸 Instagram: @font.awesome 💼 LinkedIn: /fontawesome🖥️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more nerdery, tech insights, and fun!Lea on the socials! 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/LeaVerou🌤️ Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/lea.verou.meStay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

It’s that time of year again! In this episode of Podcast Awesome, we’re reflecting on all the things that went down at Font Awesome in 2024. From expanding the Awesomeverse with Web Awesome and Eleventy to major product updates like the full release of Duotone Icons and shiny new branding, we cover it all.You’ll hear about the Web Awesome Kickstarter campaign (success!), the arrival of industry legends Lea Verou and Zach Leatherman, and the behind-the-scenes Font Awesome updates that made 2024 one for the books. As they say. Oh, and don’t miss Jory’s epic tale of a tuxedo kitten named Toast that could easily inspire a heart warming stop motion holiday movie.Tune in for a fun, nerdy recap of the year that was and a sneak peek at what’s in store for 2025.Timestamp Summary🎉 0:08 | Reflecting on 2024 and Font Awesome's Upcoming Plans 🐾 2:35 | A Christmas Miracle and a Chaotic Kitten Rescue 🌌 7:26 | Building the Awesomeverse: Font Awesome's Expansion and Success 🔧 10:28 | Web Awesome Simplifies Website Building with Reusable Components 🤝 13:12 | Exciting New Hires and Developments at Font Awesome 🎁 16:41 | Exciting Updates and Offers for Font Awesome Pro ✨ 18:51 | Font Awesome's Icon Expansion and Creative Uses 🎥 25:07 | Behind the Scenes of a New Font Awesome Video 🛠️ 27:57 | Customizing Font Awesome Kits for Optimal Website Performance 🌱 30:12 | Evolution ... It'll Save Your Life Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com/The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie MartinAudio mastering by Chris Enns and Lemon ProductionsAurora Holiday Dance Font Awesome on the Socials 🌤️ Bluesky: @fontawesome.com🐦 Twitter/X: @fontawesome📸 Instagram: @font.awesome💼 LinkedIn:   / fontawesome   🖥️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more nerdery, tech insights, and fun!Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

🍺 What’s the deal with the Ballmer Peak? Myth, meme, or just good old-fashioned developer humor? In this episode of Podcast Awesome, we unpack the hilarity and history behind this coding legend, complete with personal stories, team insights, and a responsible PSA. Whether you’re debugging at 3 a.m. or just love a good laugh, this episode has something for everyone. (And check out the episode on our YouTube for an even more fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb77NS_zFgQ)🍻 0:00 - Introduction to Ballmer's Peak  💡 1:31 - What Is Ballmer's Peak?  🎉 3:13 - Ballmer's Peak at Font Awesome Snuggle  ⚡ 5:15 - Steve Ballmer and Developer Energy  🚀 7:07 - Achieving Peak Developer Performance  🎶 8:32 - Real Developer Strategies for Peak Performance  🔬 9:06 - DIY Breathalyzer and Exploring Ballmer's Peak  🎬 10:23 - Conclusion and Credits  Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com/The Font Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie MartinAudio mastering by Chris Enns and Lemon Productions Font Awesome on Social  🌤️ Bluesky: @fontawesome.com 🐦 Twitter/X: @fontawesome 📸 Instagram: @font.awesome💼 LinkedIn:   / fontawesome   🖥️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more nerdery, tech insights, and fun!Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

In this episode of Podcast Awesome, Matt chats with Font Awesome co-founder Dave Gandy about building a workplace that doesn’t just work — but works for everyone. Whether you’re hustling in a startup, navigating open-source communities, or just trying to figure out if your boss actually values your humanity, this one’s for you.  Dave dishes on the magic of finding the right co-founder (hint: they need to tell you when you're off your rocker), why open-source is about more than just writing code, and how empathy might just be the ultimate leadership hack.  So, if you’re dreaming of cultivating a positive work culture — or just want to avoid soul-sucking jobs — this episode is for you. Timestamp Summary 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 0:15 | Finding Balance and Empathy in Co-Founder Relationships  🏢 6:04 | Finding a Workplace That Values Employees as Human Beings  🌐 14:56 | The Value of Empathy and Community in Open Source  💡 19:29 | Empathy and Leadership: Building Teams That Care  🎙️ 24:27 | Behind the Scenes of Podcast Awesome Production   Key Takeaways:  The Co-Founder Code: Pick a partner who balances your strengths and isn’t afraid to call out your crazy ideas (yes, you have them).  Open Source Awesomeness: It’s not just about profit—it’s about passion, collaboration, and making something bigger than yourself.  Empathy is Everything: Forget power suits; your best leadership tool is actually understanding your team.  Work-Life Reality Check: When scouting a new job, look for a place that respects *you*, not just what you produce.  Leadership Done Right: The best managers focus on building teams that are better than them at what matters most.  Notable Quotes:  💡 “You need someone next to you that’s going to tell you when you’re crazy—or not—and that is of *such* extreme value.”  💖 “Empathy is your qualification for leadership.”  🚀 “Management is more about how you inspire and execute, not just delivering outcomes.”  🏆 “The best managers hire people who are better than them at the job that needs to be done.”  🌟 “You call it a lifestyle company like it’s a bad thing. Spoiler: every company is a lifestyle.”  Resources:  🎨 Font Awesome: FontAwesome.com  🐦 Twitter: @fontawesome 📸 Instagram: @font.awesome 🌌 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fontawesome.com 🎶 The Podcast Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/ 🎵 Music interstitials by Zach Malm: https://muzach.bandcamp.com/ 🎛️ Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/ Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

Ready to geek out? In this episode of Podcast Awesome's Nerd Show and Tell, Matt sits down with none other than Zach Leatherman, the tech dynamo and creator behind Eleventy — the static site generator that’s got web devs buzzing. Zach’s tech-world experience is a wild ride of innovation, grit, and love for the open web. With a little help from our team here at Font Awesome, Zach’s pushing to make open-source sustainable and bring back the glory days of personal websites, free from algorithm overlords.Zach gets real about the rollercoaster ride of building Eleventy and why owning your corner of the internet is more important than ever. Expect some hot takes on the tech industry, social media, and how platforms like Eleventy could just be the ticket to a new wave of web independence. Plus, you’ll get a peek into the collaborative brainpower with our founders Dave and Travis backing Zach’s mission. Hold onto your icons — this one’s packed!Key Takeaways:Eleventy: Zach’s creation was inspired by Jekyll, but it’s packed with unique features — no messy databases or plugins here! Simple, secure, and seriously impressive.Sustainable Open Source: Zach’s career shines a light on the need for open-source projects to be sustainable, allowing devs to thrive without burning out.Browser Dev Tools Love: Remember Firebug? Zach does. He spills on how these tools have shaped modern web development practices.Indie Web Comeback: Forget the social media maze. Zach’s all about owning your digital real estate, championing a return to independent web publishing.Font Awesome Collab: It’s a team effort! With the support of our founders and a shared mission, we’re backing Zach and Eleventy for a brighter, algorithm-free web future.Timestamp Summary  🚀 0:00 | Zach Leatherman Discusses Eleventy and Open Source Challenges  💸 1:59 | Navigating the Challenges of Open Source Project Funding  ⚖️ 13:04 | Balancing Open Source Passion with Sustainable Business Models  🌟 20:15 | The Joy of Building Websites and Creative Storytelling  🧻 25:26 | Debating the Proper Way to Hang Toilet Paper  🌌 26:27 | Eleventy's Future and Integration into the Awesome Universe  Links and Resources:Twitter: @fontawesomeInstagram: @font.awesomeEleventy DocumentationZach Leatherman on GitHubCredits:Theme music by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/Music interstitials by Zach Malm: https://muzach.bandcamp.com/Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

🎙 In this episode, Font Awesome founder Dave Gandy joins our host Matt Johnson for an honest, unfiltered convo about what it means to build a *lifestyle company* (and wear that badge proudly 💪). This isn’t your typical startup hustle. We’re diving into the “people-first” culture that makes Font Awesome a standout, from character-driven hiring to redefining what success means beyond growth on charts and graphs. 🏆💼As Dave says, instead of climbing someone else’s ladder, Font Awesome is building its own way up, with purpose, transparency, and some solid work-life balance goals. Here’s why we believe that putting *people* over profit isn’t just good business — it’s just the way the work should be. 🌱💼  🔑 Key Takeaways:Lifestyle Company, Proudly: We’re embracing the “lifestyle” label, focusing on growth, happiness, and well-being over sky-high returns. 📈💆‍♂️Character > Skills: At Font Awesome, character-first hiring = trust, respect, and people who actually *want* to stick around. 🫶✨ VC Vibes Not Required: Font Awesome skips the “thousand-X-or-bust” mentality for a sustainable, fulfilling work culture. 👋💸  Life Outside Work Matters: The best parts of life are outside the office—so why not bring those values in? 🏠🌅 The Right Partner in Crime: Success means finding a partner who balances your quirks. 👯‍♂️ The perfect co-founder is a friend, critic, and cheerleader rolled into one.Timestamp Summary0:12 | 🌱 Building a Lifestyle Company Focused on Well-Being and Growth  6:52 | 💼 Creating a People-First Company Against Conventional Practices  12:04 | 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Human-Centric Product Design and Company Culture  15:59 | 🤝 The Importance of Balanced Partnerships in Business  20:38 | 🫶 Embracing a People-First Culture at Font AwesomeLinks and Resources:Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/Font Awesome Hiring Philosophy: https://blog.fontawesome.com/company-culture/Twitter: @fontawesomeCredits:Theme music by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/Music interstitials by Zach Malm: https://muzach.bandcamp.com/Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

In this edition of Podcast Awesome, Matt sits down with Font Awesome founder, Dave Gandy, at the 2024 Snuggle in Bentonville, Arkansas. Between karaoke sessions and Hoobastank choruses (blame Ed), Matt and Dave discuss a topic on a lot of minds lately: How do you build a company where people actually want to stick around?With a tech industry average of just 18 months at a job, Font Awesome breaks the mold — no one has left in over 10 years. Dave and Matt dive into Font Awesome’s  hiring philosophy, the importance of building a people-first culture, and how giving employees autonomy and treating them like adults might just be the magic recipe for success. Key Takeaways:Loyalty Beyond the Paycheck: At Font Awesome, it’s about treating people as humans first — loyalty comes from loyalty. Simple, right?Hire for Character: Skills are important, but character and culture fit are what truly makes a team thrive.Autonomy Matters: Give people the freedom to make decisions, and watch creativity and innovation skyrocket.It’s Not Just Business: A company’s culture is built on everything someone brings from outside of work, not just the hours they log in the office.Timestamp Breakdown:0:05 | 🎤 Welcome to the Snuggle: Karaoke, Game Nights, & Company Culture2:30 | 🏢 The Importance of Building a People-First Culture in Tech6:45 | 🧠 How Loyalty and Trust are Built When You Hire for Character11:10 | 👨‍💻 Autonomy is Key: Why Giving Employees Freedom is Essential15:55 | 💡 Solving Problems vs. Solving Interesting Problems: Finding the Balance21:30 | 🚀 How Font Awesome Created a Company People Want to Stick WithLinks and Resources:Podcast Awesome: https://www.podcastawesome.com/Font Awesome Hiring Philosophy: https://blog.fontawesome.com/company-culture/Twitter: @fontawesomeCredits:Theme music by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/Audio mastering by Chris Enns at Lemon Productions: https://www.lemonproductions.ca/Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!

Dive into the evolution of web icons, from the pixelated past of Geocities to the sleek era of web fonts and SVGs. Discover how web fonts transformed performance on retina screens while SVGs brought unparalleled flexibility and crispness. The discussion tackles the pros and cons of each, emphasizing accessibility and user experience. Plus, learn about Font Awesome Kits as a tool for optimizing your icon choices. Ultimately, the decision between web fonts and SVGs hinges on your project's unique needs.

💩⚡️ Hold onto your butts, folks, because this episode of Behind the Icon on Podcast Awesome is about to get ...  messy! We’re diving headfirst into the iconic history of one of Font Awesome’s quirkiest creations — the Poo-Storm icon. But if not for the creation of a stinker of a particular emoji, the poo-storm icon may never have come to fruition. It all starts with the legendary rise of the poo emoji, a cultural masterpiece that has made its way into countless texts, memes, and conversations (whether you admit it or not). 💬This episode is packed with everything you never knew you needed to know about emoji and icons, including a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at how Jory Raphael, Font Awesome’s own Icon Making Boss, got an icon mash-up idea. From the humble beginnings of the cloud icon to its thunderous twist into a storm of poo, Jory breaks it all down with plenty of laughs and middle-school humor. ✨💩And yes, "icon creation", "poo emoji origin", and "Font Awesome magic" are the real stars here. Whether you're a design nerd or just here to catch a case of the goofballs, this episode is sure to entertain. 💥Key Takeaways:💩 The history of the poo emoji dates back to the late '90s in Japan 🇯🇵, thanks to Shigetaka Kurita, who basically invented emoji communication as we know it.⚡️ And when boredom and eye-crossing monotony set in on a particularly long day of icon design, Jory Raphael mashed up the poo emoji into something even more fun — thus the Poo-Storm icon was born. 💡 Humor + design is the name of the game at Font Awesome!🌍 Thanks to the Unicode Consortium, the poo emoji officially went global in 2010, becoming the symbol for all things cheeky and lighthearted in digital communication.🎨 Font Awesome’s philosophy? Playful design with a side of absurdity — the Poo Storm icon embodies this perfectly.🚽 Pro tip: The Poo Storm icon isn’t just for giggles — it’s been spotted in the wild at a plumbing company, proving even the weirdest icons have a purpose!Timestamp:0:09 - The Evolution and Cultural Impact of the Poop Emoji 💩4:58 - The Creation of the Poo Storm Icon ⚡️8:04 - The Perfect Use of a Fun Icon 🚽10:20 - Clever Use of Poo Storm Icon on a Home Inspections Website 🏠12:26 - Awesome Theme Song and Video Editing Credits 🎶Notes:💡 Shigetaka Kurita: https://emojipedia.org/shigetaka-kurita/ 🔤 Unicode Consortium: https://unicode.org  💩 The Poo-storm Icon: https://fontawesome.com/icons/poo-storm?f=classic&s=solid  🏠 ROI Home Inspections: https://roihomeinspections.com/ 🎨 Font Awesome: https://fontawesome.com  🐦 Twitter: @fontawesome: https://twitter.com/fontawesome  📸 Instagram: @font.awesome: https://www.instagram.com/font.awesome 💬 Threads: @font.awesome https://www.threads.net/@font.awesome  💼 LinkedIn: Font Awesome: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fontawesome  🎶 The Podcast Awesome theme song was composed by Ronnie Martin: https://ronniemartin.org/Stay up to date on all the Font Awesomeness!