The Programming Podcast

Struggling to land software engineering interviews—or worse, landing them but not getting the callback? In this game-changing episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel break down the THRIVE framework—a strategy designed to help you crush behavioral interviews and stand out as a top-tier candidate.Danny reveals his THRIVE acronym:Targeted ResearchHonest NarrativesResults FocusInteractive EngagementValidation of AlignmentElevate Impact & Extend the DialogueThey walk through real-world examples, mock interview experiences, storytelling mistakes, and practical ways to improve your resume, LinkedIn, one-on-ones, and technical communication.You'll learn how to:Own the “Tell Me About Yourself” questionUse STAR/CAR frameworks to articulate your impactRead between the lines for team pain pointsTurn interviews into conversations, not interrogationsFollow up like a pro and leave a lasting impressionIf you're tired of sending resumes into the void or bombing interviews despite knowing your stuff—this is the episode you bookmark. Whether you’re a junior dev, mid-level engineer, or transitioning into tech, this episode is packed with actionable strategies that can change your job hunt trajectory.🧠 Bonus: We also answer a question on how to break into global remote jobs as a junior developer.🎙️ Subscribe for more developer career advice, technical breakdowns, and real talk from Leon and Danny.📍 Chapters / Timestamps0:00 - Intro: Why You're Not Getting Interview Callbacks1:16 - Real Stories from Struggling Devs2:14 - Why Behavioral Interviews Matter More Than You Think4:55 - Introducing the THRIVE Framework5:17 - T = Targeted Research: Dig Deeper into the Company13:03 - H = Honest Narratives: Tell Stories with Purpose24:00 - Using STAR and CAR Frameworks for Impact28:07 - R = Results Focus: Show Business Impact with Metrics32:26 - The Developer Log: Document Your Wins Weekly35:00 - Use 1:1s to Get Promoted, Not Just Managed36:59 - I = Interactive Engagement: Make It a Conversation43:04 - Practice Interviewing Like Sales Conversations45:03 - Why Sales & Communication Skills Matter in Tech46:11 - V = Validation of Alignment: Are You the Fit They Need?48:22 - Advocating for Yourself in Interviews52:08 - E = Elevate Impact & Extend the Dialogue54:00 - What to Say When They Ask: “Do You Have Any Questions?”56:45 - Bookending Interviews to Leave a Strong Final Impression1:01:27 - Effort-to-Reward Ratios in Job Hunting1:04:01 - Ask Danny & Leon: Can You Land a Global Remote Job?1:10:14 - Final Thoughts & Outro: Play the Game, Don’t Just Watch

Join hosts Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) on The Programming Podcast as they dive into the AI-powered tools transforming their daily workflows—everything from productivity boosters and prompt engineering to hands-free coding and customizable models. They reflect on why "strong opinions held weakly" is a winning mindset, the integration of tools like Whisper Flow, Superhuman, Claude Code, Cursor, Warp, and more, each tailored to their distinct working styles and unique needs. Stay tuned as they unpack how AI is not here to replace developers, but to accelerate them, and demystify which tools offer real ROI versus mere hype. Plus, hear insightful advice on re-entering front-end development, guided by real-world experience from the Dallas tech landscape. Whether you’re an entry-level coder or a seasoned engineer, you’ll walk away ready to rethink your toolbox and workflow in today’s AI-infused environment.⏱️ Chapters & TimestampsTime Segment0:00 Intro: expectations & mindset of “strong opinions held weekly”0:51 Hosts’ intros: Danny & Leon—what they do3:34 Why healthy debate matters—on the podcast and in teams4:27 AI adoption: evolve when evidence shows a better way5:21 Overview: today’s topic — their AI stacks6:08 Leon: AI saving him from legacy code headaches7:39 Tools Leon uses: Whisper Flow, prompts, local LLMs10:06 Leon’s AI-enhanced code stack: Canva, Remove BG, Cursor12:54 Danny: voice-to-text workflows, prompt strategy14:00 AI for communication tone-checking18:18 Superhuman: email automation and sponsorship workflow21:51 Concerns & control: bring-your-own AI models at work24:00 Danny’s model breakdown: strengths of GPT, Anthropic30:58 Claude Code: top performer for coding31:59 DIY dev experience: VS Code + Root Code extension34:45 Copilot resurgence: Microsoft’s comeback36:26 Cursor Web wins: background agents & ADHD workflow40:27 Warp terminal: infrastructure that keeps tasks running43:45 How they evaluate AI tools—time savings, not perfection46:56 Context & prompt engineering: build better templates first48:51 Q&A: returning to front-end—React + Next.js advice50:31 Market demand: full-stack vs. front-end only roles51:50 Learn by doing: tutorials + personal projects52:40 Outro & farewell🔗 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Whisper FlowSuperhuman (via Grammarly)Claude Code (Anthropic)Cursor & Cursor WebRoot Code extension (VS Code)GitHub CopilotWarp terminal & AI agentsPrompt templates and AI Dev Task repo👍 If you found this discussion helpful:Hit LikeSubscribe for weekly episodesDrop your thoughts or questions in the commentsFollow us on [Twitter X] for updates & bonus content🎧 Available on: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Google Podcasts • YouTube

In this special three-act deep dive of The Programming Podcast, hosts Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) unpack the roller-coaster saga of Windsurf’s attempted acquisition.- Act I covers the OpenAI offer, a jaw-dropping $3 billion deal that promised to supercharge OpenAI’s IDE ambitions, only to be derailed by Microsoft’s pre-existing IP clause granting co-ownership of any new code.- Act II explores Google’s strategic “halo hire”, where Verun Moan sidestepped a full buyout in favor of a $2.4 billion non-exclusive licensing deal that bolsters Gemini without triggering antitrust alarms. - Finally, in Act III, we analyze Cognition.ai’s employee-first acquisition, where key Windsurf engineers joined the Devon team under an ownership-stake model, keeping Windsurf alive and profitable.Stick around for our “Ask Danny & Leon” segment, where we lay out an actionable AI roadmap from advanced prompting techniques and RAG/vector database strategies to core programming principles to help you stay relevant in today’s AI-driven dev landscape.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 / Timestamps0:00 Intro & Three-Act Structure Overview 1:04 Act I Meet Windsurf (What & Why It Matters) 3:47 OpenAI’s \$3 B Acquisition Talks & Market Context 6:01 Windsurf’s \$100 M ARR & IDE Wars Dynamics 8:38 Microsoft’s Hidden IP Co-Ownership Clause Explained 11:40 Deal Collapse: 48 Hours to Ruin 12:05 Act II Google’s “Halo Hire” Strategy 13:27 Licensing vs. Acquisition: Financials & Antitrust 19:03 Google’s Non-Exclusive License & Gemini Integration 23:04 Impact on Enterprise Adoption & Customer Base 24:09 Act III Cognition.ai Acquires Key Talent 26:00 “Aqua Hire” vs. Full Buyout: Talent Over IP 29:03 Employee-First Ownership Model & Vesting 30:52 Meta & the Broader AI Talent Arms Race 33:43 What This Means for AI Tooling Market 36:52 “Ask Danny & Leon” Building Your AI Roadmap 44:03 Deep Dive: Prompting, RAG, Caching & Pre-Fetching 49:08 Core Dev Principles for Effective AI Use 53:12 Sneak Peek: *Practical Developer’s Guide to AI* 54:01 Outro, Viewer Giveaway & Next Episode Teaser

Is it WRONG to work at 4 different tech companies at the exact same time!? This is a very spicy episode, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive into the viral story of Soham Parekh—the engineer who somehow landed four tech jobs at the same time., multiple times. We unpack:Ethics & Overemployment: Is it right or wrong to juggle multiple full-time roles?Viral Playbook: How Soham’s informal outreach email and Harvard-style resume “gamed” early-stage startups.Interview as a Game: Why knowing the rules—and playing them—is your biggest advantage.Networking Secrets: Low-noise, high-signal tactics that beat out 60,000 applicants.Audience Q&A: Your burning questions on representing yourself vs. outright lying in interviews.💡 Want more insider tips? Hit Subscribe, smash that Like button, and drop your questions in the comments below!00:00 Intro & Episode Overview 02:27 Meet Your Hosts: Danny & Leon 04:04 Who Is Soham Par? 05:07 Viral Mixpanel Tweet Breakdown 09:36 Anatomy of the Outreach Email 13:40 Why Early-Stage Startups? 17:05 Can You Really Juggle Four Tech Jobs? 19:28 The Interview Process as a Game 23:50 Deep Dive: Soham’s Resume 29:11 Power of Referrals vs. 60,000 Applicants 32:09 Low-Noise, High-Signal Networking 35:04 Authenticity & Human Connection 46:26 Leading Cohort Teams: Tips & Tactics 55:34 Ask Danny & Leon: Your Questions 56:05 Q&A: Representing Yourself vs. Lying 59:48 Q&A: Humble Bragging & Self-Promotion 1:00:42 Outro & Closing Remarks

In this episode, Danny and Leon are joined by James Quick, Head of Developer Experience at BigCommerce, to unpack all the major announcements from Vercel Ship 2025. We cover: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!💡 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!https://www.levelupfinancialplanning.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!- The new AI Gateway and what “no vendor lock-in” really means- Active CPU pricing and how it can save you real money at scale- Rolling Releases vs. A/B testing for safer, incremental deployments- Bot ID: Vercel’s AI-powered bot protection for logins, checkouts, and expensive LLM endpoints- Micro-frontends and how they fit into your Next.js apps- Sandboxes for isolated testing of AI agents and prototypes- Plus, stick around for our Ask Danny & Leon Q&A on building a stand-out portfolio and getting your first software role👍 If you enjoyed this deep dive, hit Like, Subscribe, and ring the 🔔 to never miss an episode!💬 Drop your questions for the next Ask segment in the comments.🌐 Follow us on Twitter: @DThompsonDev | @LeonNoelTimestamps00:00 – Welcome & Host Introductions01:42 – Overview of Vercel Ship 202507:08 – AI Gateway: One Endpoint for Every Model10:22 – Active CPU Pricing: Pay Only for What You Use14:46 – Rolling Releases: Safer, Incremental Deployments20:52 – Rolling Releases vs. A/B Testing Explained24:47 – Bot ID: Invisible AI-Powered Bot Protection30:03 – Sponsor Break: Level Up Financial Planning33:07 – UX & Partnership: Why Vercel’s Strategy Matters36:05 – Sandboxes: Isolated AI & Code Testing40:03 – The Shift to AI Cloud & Future Workflows44:47 – Ask Danny & Leon: Portfolio, LinkedIn & Landing Jobs53:30 – Wrap-Up & What’s NextEnjoy the show!

In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive deep into three key topics that every developer should know right now:Vercel’s Fluid Compute — What it is, why it matters, and how a single toggle can slash your cloud costs.JavaScript .map() explained — Not just for beginners! Real-world enterprise use cases and how it protects your original data.New CSS features — Danny brings in a fresh concept that blew his mind over the weekend.They also share powerful insights on how to build momentum after a tech conference, including actionable tips to turn casual conversations into long-term relationships.Finally, Danny shares his AI prompting technique that radically improves the quality of responses from ChatGPT and other tools — and you’ll want to steal this trick.💡 Whether you're junior or senior, working on side projects or leading enterprise teams, this episode packs in practical advice, strategy, and laughs.👇 Chapters below — don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review (or hit dislike twice 😉)!⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:0:00 – Intro and janky apps vs. enterprise hacks1:00 – Podcast kickoff & thank you for 219 5-star reviews2:30 – Vercel Fluid Compute: Why this one toggle changes everything4:45 – Multi-threading explained with real examples7:00 – Impact on React apps, cost savings, and AI workloads10:00 – Enterprise-scale architecture shifts11:00 – JavaScript .map() – Real-world usage breakdown13:40 – Map vs. original data: what juniors often miss15:00 – Data protection and use cases with sensitive info16:50 – Why .map() is like let for arrays17:30 – React, enterprise component architecture, and separation of concerns19:00 – CSS concept teaser (covered later or in next episode)37:00 – How to improve your AI prompts dramatically38:10 – Danny’s exact prompt to get better ChatGPT responses39:30 – Ask Danny & Leon: How to keep momentum after a tech conference41:00 – Leon’s tips: Thank-yous, Twitter lists, and coffee chats42:00 – Danny’s pre-conference strategy and post-event follow-up44:00 – Junior vs. senior approaches to networking46:00 – Funny origin story: How this podcast started from a conference joke47:00 – Building genuine relationships with thoughtful follow-ups49:00 – Outro – Thanks for tuning in!

Struggling to learn JavaScript in 2025? You're not alone—and it's not your fault. In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Leon Noel and Danny Thompson break down the real strategies for mastering JavaScript (and TypeScript) in today’s dev landscape. From avoiding tutorial hell to embracing project-based learning, we cover everything you need to finally make progress.Whether you're just starting out or restarting your coding journey, this episode is packed with hard truths, practical tools, and motivational gems to keep you going—even when it gets tough.We talk about:Learning strategies that actually workWhy visual wins matterWhen to start learning TypeScriptWhy floats still get taught?!How to avoid false expectations (aka thinking you’re job-ready after one birdhouse)🔔 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:0:00 – Intro: Two kinds of projects0:50 – Learning how to learn: Dr. Barbara Oakley4:15 – Active recall & spaced repetition7:30 – Building through pain (the right kind)10:00 – Why JavaScript feels hard12:00 – JavaScript vs HTML/CSS: Mental shift13:10 – Should you start with TypeScript in 2025?16:00 – Project-based learning: The underrated MVP18:30 – Learning through fumbling: Leon’s take on floats21:00 – The ES6/legacy debate: Var vs Let/Const25:00 – Principles over implementation in the AI age28:00 – Starting with early wins and momentum31:00 – Why visual feedback is addictive for beginners34:00 – Learning from different teachers36:00 – Debunking "learning styles"?40:00 – Why some formats (like video) just don’t work for everyone42:30 – Must-know JavaScript resources in 202547:00 – FreeCodeCamp, HeroDev, The Odin Project, Full Stack Open50:00 – Freelancing and the 100-Hour Project52:30 – Aligning effort with expectations54:00 – Birdhouses and burnout: Understanding trade-offs57:30 – Build your learning identity59:00 – Ask Danny & Leon: Should I travel 3 hours for a first-round interview?1:05:00 – How to ask for help (and not sound rude)

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