The Programming Podcast

Discover the excitement of the AI Engineer World’s Fair as insightful minds share innovations from the event. Learn how tiny tech teams are rapidly transforming ideas into successful startups using AI. Explore real-world applications of AI agents, from meal ordering to finance audits. Delve into the evolving Model Context Protocol and the push for industry standards. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming tech conferences and valuable career tips for navigating technology job markets.

Is HTML, CSS, and JavaScript still enough to land a job in 2025 — especially with AI reshaping everything? Danny and Leon go all in on this question with unfiltered, experience-backed advice that every aspiring developer needs to hear.🔥 Topics we dive into:The real expectations for entry-level devs in today’s marketWhy listing HTML on your resume might actually hurt youHow to develop confidence through "evidence"Why AI tools aren’t the shortcut you think they areWhat actually sets you apart from the competitionAnd why taste, design, and judgment are becoming the new moatWhether you're just starting out or trying to level up, this is the episode that clears the fog and gives you direction.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you found value!00:00 - The Job Market Is a Fight — Are You Ready?01:20 - The Cost of Wasting Resume Real Estate02:00 - What Employers Assume You Know03:45 - Danny and Leon Introduce the Show05:00 - The Big Question: Is HTML/CSS/JS Still Enough in 2025?06:30 - Leon’s Take: “Yes, but...”08:20 - Danny’s Take: “No, and here’s why...”10:00 - Why Most People Asking This Question Are Stuck in JS11:00 - The Decline of Frontend-Only Roles12:20 - Fullstack Is the New Baseline13:30 - What Grads from 100Devs & Resilient Coders Are Actually Learning14:15 - HTML/CSS on Resumes? It’s a Red Flag16:00 - Focus on Achievements, Not Basics17:30 - Why TypeScript and Deeper Skills Matter More Than Ever19:00 - If You’re Missing Resume Wins… Go Make Them20:00 - Why We're Blunt: It's About Getting You Hired21:00 - AI Tools Won’t Replace Hard Work22:30 - Designers & Frontend Devs Are About to Thrive Again24:00 - Taste and Judgment Will Be the Competitive Edge25:00 - Software’s Moat Is Still There — Use It to Your Advantage26:45 - Ask Danny & Leon: “How Do I Fit In as a 19-Year-Old?”28:00 - Confidence Comes from Evidence29:40 - Stop Applying for Internships if You're Not in College31:00 - New Blood and Enthusiasm Are Valuable in Tech32:00 - Final Words: Be Unapologetically Hungry

In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Leon Noel and Danny Thompson dive deep into how to get the most out of tech conferences — including unique strategies used at Commit Your Code, what it really takes to build a network from scratch, and how AI is completely changing the developer landscape.From portable mini golf to prompt cards that kickstart conversations, Danny unveils how CYC is engineered to spark real connections — not just QR-code scans. Then, the duo unpacks Google I/O 2025, including wild use cases for AI-generated video, Android XR glasses, and what companies are really doing with AI budgets (spoiler: it’s not layoffs).Whether you're a developer looking to network better, a freelancer trying to close more deals, or just someone curious about how AI is disrupting everything — this episode is for you.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!🔥 Real advice. Real experience. Real value. Hit that like & subscribe button to support more episodes like this!💡 Sponsor: Level Up Financial PlanningChanging careers or increasing your income? Get financial clarity with Level Up Financial Planning—helping early and mid-career tech professionals secure their financial future. Visit LevelUpFinancialPlanning.com for a free consultation!NEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Chapters:00:00 - Strategy for Building Real Connections at Conferences 01:45 - Introducing Commit Your Code & This Year’s Upgrades 03:10 - Mini Golf as a Networking Tool? Here’s Why 04:30 - Free Professional Headshots & The Morning Connect 05:25 - Prompt Cards & the “Start in the Middle” Philosophy 06:15 - The 5-Minute Pass System for Intros 07:50 - How Employers Are Involved at CYC 09:40 - Leon’s Early Networking Strategy: Never Eat Alone 11:00 - The Power of Volunteering at Conferences 13:00 - Shifting the Focus from Collecting Contacts to Creating Relationships 14:15 - “Read the Room” & Breathers During Conversations 15:30 - Making Conferences Less Awkward and More Genuine 16:55 - Transitioning from Online to In-Person Relationships 18:00 - From CYC to Google I/O: Huge Shifts in Tech 20:10 - AI-Generated Video and the Wild Future of Media 21:55 - AI Search and the Changing Behavior Around Google 23:30 - Real-Time Translation with Android XR Glasses 25:05 - Will Smart Glasses Finally Go Mainstream? 27:00 - Google’s Ecosystem Advantage in AI Integration 29:00 - Why Google Glass Was Too Early 30:50 - Stripe Sessions & Corporate AI Investments 32:30 - AI as a Productivity Tool, Not a Layoff Excuse 34:15 - Freelance Client Discovery: Ask the Right Questions 36:00 - What Makes a $30K+ Project Work 37:40 - From $1.8K Projects to $275K+ Consulting Deals 39:10 - Auditing AI-Generated Code Responsibly 40:15 - Why Now Is the Time to Learn AI Tools as a Developer 42:00 - Final Thoughts: Real Problems great than Shiny Tech 43:00 - Ask Danny & Leon: Questions to Ask Freelance Clients

Discover the secrets to landing your first tech job with insights from industry experts. Uncover the importance of recruiter relationships and personalized narratives. Get tips on mastering behavioral and technical interviews while avoiding common salary negotiation pitfalls. Learn about the significance of networking and maintaining multiple opportunities in a dynamic job market. Plus, hear personal stories that highlight both community support and competitive challenges in the tech world.

Dive into the world of AI and its impact on developers! Explore whether AI can truly replace coding roles or simply enhance productivity. Learn about embeddings, vector databases, and their critical role in AI. Discover real-world applications like automating document workflows with AI and enhancing childcare technology using TinyML. Get insights into the evolving landscape of developer tools and find out how you can start using AI effectively today. Ideal for anyone curious about the future of development!

Zac Wilson is a contractor at Meta and SaaS founder who transitioned from restaurant management. Leah Thompson is a front-end engineer at Laravel, previously a high school geometry teacher. Pariss Chandler is the CEO of Black Tech Pipeline, with a background as a wax specialist. Jeremy Parker, who works at Apple, shifted from learning and development, while Yoo Jin Bae moved from project management to software engineering. They discuss the importance of mentorship, resilience in job searches, and adapting to AI's role in tech careers.

qIn this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive into the challenges of learning and teaching coding, especially in the era of AI-assisted development and vibe coding. From real stories inside their cohorts to practical Git strategies (merge vs rebase), they unpack what it takes to grow as a developer, the dangers of disconnection as you level up, and why some tools can actually hurt your learning if used incorrectly.They also take a passionate stance on the AI hype cycle, including a fiery response to the claim that “AI will write 100% of code in a year.” Tune in for a raw, thoughtful, and energizing conversation that covers practical dev advice, community insight, and why mentorship still matters more than ever.🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode- The real difference between Git merge vs Git rebase — with analogies that finally make sense- How to teach complex technical concepts without "drawing the owl"- Why junior developers struggle with AI tools (and how to actually learn from them)- The rise of vibe coding and where it actually works — and where it fails- How to write effective commit messages using professional Git conventions- The danger of using Git GUIs without understanding terminal commands- How AI falls short when it comes to code maintenance and debugging- Why most AI-generated code isn’t production-ready without developer intervention- The role of structured team collaboration in mastering version control- What real-world developer workflows look like in enterprise-level software development- Why companies still haven’t adopted AI — and what that says about AI in the workplace- A breakdown of how to use AI terminals like Warp.dev to avoid Git mistakes- Honest commentary on the AI hype cycle, vibe coding trends, and the future of development⏱️ Chapters0:00 – The Disconnection of Expertise: Remembering what it’s like not to know1:18 – Vibe Coding and the "Death of Excuses"2:03 – Inside the Cohort: Crunch Time & Team Struggles3:01 – Weekly Demos and Learning Through Exposure3:53 – Merge Conflict Chaos: Why Git Rebase vs Merge5:14 – Teaching Git Rebase: Deck of Cards Analogy9:01 – Git for Teams: Saving Points, Commit Hygiene & Strategy12:46 – Push Your Commits! And Why Local-Only Isn’t Enough14:58 – The Merge vs Rebase Breakdown (Visual Metaphor)17:00 – When Rebase Becomes Default: Real Org Examples18:49 – Don’t Fear Git: Every Dev Messes It Up Sometimes20:05 – Learn Git in Context: Work with Teams, Not Solo21:19 – Commit Message Best Practices (And Why They Matter)24:26 – GitHub Integration Tips & the Power of Structured Messages25:03 – Should Juniors Use GUI Git Tools? Pros & Cons25:52 – How to Use AI Correctly as a Junior Developer27:00 – The Rise of Vibe Coding: What Works, What Doesn’t28:03 – Maintenance with AI? Not Even Close Yet29:16 – The Anthropic CEO Hot Take & Dev Skepticism30:29 – AI Hype and the Dev Community’s Trust Problem31:06 – Devs Know Better: Why AI Claims Don’t Land32:07 – Shoutout to Indian Rapper Whankind & Community Uplift32:49 – $25/Week Discord Groups?! Rant Incoming34:03 – Free is better than Paid: Why We’re Building a Better Community35:03 – Real Vibe Coding Test at This Dot Labs36:40 – Vibe Coding Is Fun, But Logic Is Still King38:00 – Final Thoughts on Vibe Coding: MVPs vs. Long-Term Projects39:01 – What’s Next: Choosing Tools That Help You Grow

In this episode of The Programming Podcast, hosts Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive deep into the art and science of professional networking. Whether you’re just building relationships or in “hit listing” mode to land your next job, learn why cold DMs rarely work—and what does. From warming up prospects with genuine engagement and “nerd bait” to volunteering and shared interests, Danny and Leon share real-world examples of outreach tactics that actually get responses. Plus, discover how to add value in every interaction, transition seamlessly from casual conversation to asking for a call, and keep your network “hot” even when you’re not job hunting. Stick around for our Ask Danny & Leon segment, where we tackle listener questions on maintaining strong connections during turbulent times.🔥 Real advice. Real experience. Real value. Hit that like & subscribe button to support more episodes like this!NEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!What you will learn in this episode:- Networking Modes: Understand the two distinct phases—general networking for relationship-building vs. hit listing when you’re actively job hunting- Cold DM Strategy: Learn why cold outreach often flops and how to avoid the “ask-first” pitfall- Lead Warming: Master warming up leads via strategic content engagement (likes, comments) before sliding into DMs- Value-Driven Outreach: Craft value-first messages that show clear benefits to your contact- Visibility Amplification: Boost your presence and social proof through consistent public engagement- Long-Term ROI: Discover why ongoing relationship building drives outsized returns over time🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell icon for more insights from industry leaders.Chapter0:00 Intro & Networking Modes 1:31 Messaging Mistakes & Disconnects 5:04 Warming Up: The Art of the DM 12:17 Volunteering & Shared Interests 15:03 Nerd Bait: Sparking Conversations 20:52 Value-Driven Outreach 28:01 Hit Listing: Job-Seeker Phase 37:55 Ask Danny & Leon: Keeping Networks Warm 44:27 Outro & Key Takeaways

In this powerhouse episode of The Programming Podcast, hosts Danny Thompson and Leon Noel sit down with Mark Techson — DevRel at Google and a longtime educator — to dive deep into Angular, DevRel, tech education, and how to create transformational learning experiences. From Google I/O prep to why Angular still thrives in enterprise environments, Mark opens up about his journey from teaching in churches to influencing thousands of developers globally. Whether you're React-curious, Angular-biased, or figuring out your tech journey — this episode will challenge how you think about frameworks, developer growth, and what success really looks like in this industry.🔥 Real advice. Real experience. Real value. Hit that like & subscribe button to support more episodes like this!NEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!💡 Topics covered:What DevRel actually does at GoogleAngular’s evolution and futureSignals, hydration, and bleeding-edge web techDeveloper education and breaking down hard conceptsThe mindset shift from junior to impactful developerPowerful personal stories on teaching, mentorship, and legacy in tech0:00 Intro01:05 - Meet Your Hosts: Danny, Leon, and Mark02:00 - What is DevRel *Really*?05:00 - A Day in the Life of DevRel at Google08:00 - Why Fortune 500 Companies Still Use Angular10:35 - Modernizing Angular: Signals, Hydration & More13:10 - How Google Listens to the Developer Community15:25 - Angular's Opt-In Philosophy & Avoiding Breaking Changes16:45 - What Caused the Angular Perception Problem?19:45 - Rebuilding Angular’s Image & Modern Relevance22:00 - Transformational Education: Teaching Angular Differently25:00 - Creating Talks That Change Worldviews27:00 - From Church to Code: The Roots of a Great Communicator29:00 - Evolving Notions of Success in Tech Careers32:00 - Life Lessons: From Struggle to Strategic Planning36:30 - Impact Through Mentorship & Developer Cohorts40:10 - Cohort Project Spotlight: Smart Tenant Solution42:00 - The Power of Being a Hard Worker with a Plan44:00 - Learning to Learn: Avoiding Accidental Days46:05 - Teaching Moments: Students Who Were Meant for This47:00 - Listener Question: How Far Down the JavaScript Rabbit Hole?50:00 - Why JavaScript + TypeScript Still Makes Sense54:00 - Danny’s Rant: Don't Just Trust Random Internet Advice56:30 - Final Thoughts & Farewell

Welcome to this power-packed episode of The Programming Podcast featuring hosts Leon Noel and Danny Thompson with special guest Andy Wong. In this in‐depth conversation, the trio dives into what it really means to be a mature engineer—one who not only masters technical skills but also leads by advocating for junior engineers. They share personal experiences from diverse tech backgrounds (from startups and boot camps to big tech giants like Meta, Google, Amazon, and Wayfair), discuss the art of “two‐way door engineering” (making decisions that are reversible versus irreversible), and explore career strategy in an ever-evolving industry.🔥 Real advice. Real experience. Real value. Hit that like & subscribe button to support more episodes like this!NEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at dannyandleonspodcast@gmail.com!Throughout this 73‑minute episode, you’ll hear about:• Mentorship & Advocacy: How investing in your juniors and empowering teams can drive both personal and organizational success.• Career Growth & Decision-Making: The importance of taking risks, learning iteratively, and knowing when a decision is reversible—what Andy calls “two‑way door engineering.”• Navigating Different Work Cultures: The trade-offs between startup agility and the structure of big tech, including insights into job hopping and innovation.• Work-Life Balance & Burnout Prevention: Real talk about managing your time, setting boundaries, and keeping the passion alive without burning out.• Listener Q&A: A candid response to a listener’s question about whether it’s too late to start learning tech later in life.If you’re passionate about personal growth, leadership in engineering, and practical career advice—all delivered with honesty, humor, and a genuine commitment to helping others—this episode is for you.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell icon for more insights from industry leaders.Chapters0:00 – Intro1:16 – Meet the Hosts & Guest: Andy Wong2:47 – Why Andy Was Requested (and Requested Himself)4:10 – The Many Faces of Andy Wong6:05 – The Boston Connection & Early Days7:00 – Mentorship Through Wayfair & Lab Zero10:46 – Teaching SQL and Explaining Backends13:18 – Internal Advocacy and Following Up15:20 – The Senior Engineer's Real Role: Advocacy18:29 – Defining Seniority vs. Management19:48 – Startups vs. Big Tech: Myths & Trade-offs25:17 – Job-Hopping and Career Longevity26:32 – Startups and the Illusion of Innovation30:06 – The Power of Risk: Two-Way Door Engineering33:32 – How Meta Encourages Fast Iteration38:05 – Personal Risk Tolerance & Career Strategy41:06 – Keeping Your Head on Straight44:42 – Avoiding Burnout & Setting Boundaries46:09 – The Grind for Early-Career Devs50:58 – The Truth Behind 1:1s & Early Confidence54:00 – You Don’t Need Permission to Grow56:03 – Rest vs. Recovery: Knowing the Difference58:17 – Motivation, Momentum & Being Petty1:05:00 – Building Projects for Impact (and Spite)1:08:03 – Too Old To Code?!