The Programming Podcast

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?!

Discover effective strategies for improving your job search by focusing on networking instead of just clicking 'apply.' Learn about the importance of consistency in both education and career growth, along with powerful adult learning techniques like active recall. Hear insights on bouncing back after layoffs and managing your time effectively to prevent burnout. The hosts dive into listener questions, sharing real-life experiences and actionable advice to navigate the tech world with confidence.

What’s it like working at Netflix, Apple, Amazon, AND now??? 🤯In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel sit down with Robbie Wagner—Ember core team member, Staff Engineer at HashiCorp, and co-host of Whiskey Web and Whatnot—to talk about his journey through some of the world’s most recognized tech companies.Grab a glass (of whiskey or water), and let’s go deep on career, code, and community.🎧 Follow Robbie and his podcast: Whiskey Web and Whatnothttps://www.youtube.com/@UCogup1kGwxzjKjkAwUhVYEw https://open.spotify.com/show/19jiuHAqzeKnkleQUpZxDfFollow Robbie!https://x.com/RobbieTheWagnerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiethewagner/https://bsky.app/profile/robbiethewagner.devStay 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!They cover:- The future of AI-generated code (and whether it’s useful)- Why Robbie still loves EmberJS- What it actually feels like to leave your "dream job"- How to prepare for FAANG (or Manoma) interviews- Why mentorship may be the real key to success⏱️ Chapter Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Meet Robbie Wagner (Netflix, Apple, Amazon, HashiCorp)02:00 – The “Manoma” Acronym Explained03:42 – AI Will Write 90% of Code? Our Hot Takes07:00 – Where AI Fails and Why Documentation Still Matters10:55 – How AI is Changing the Code Economy13:17 – EmberJS, Framework Evolution & Why React Might Be Subpar18:30 – Are We Chasing Hype Instead of Building Real Things?21:00 – Working at Amazon, Apple, Netflix: Pros & Cons26:35 – The Toxic Culture That Made Him Quit29:00 – Interview Prep for Big Tech (LeetCode, STAR, and Strategy)32:45 – What HashiCorp’s Interview Process Got Right34:00 – Advice for People Who See FAANG as the Dream36:00 – Defining Success Later in Your Career37:10 – Mentorship, Scaling Help, and Developer Growth39:08 – Preparing for a “Manoma” Interview41:40 – Final Thoughts & Closing Thanks

Discover how to enhance your job search with engaging coffee chats and networking tips that genuinely connect you with potential employers. Learn the secrets to optimizing your LinkedIn profile and crafting stellar resumes that showcase your strengths. Unpack effective interview strategies and understand the nuances of job postings that often mislead candidates. Dive into alternative platforms and community resources that can reveal hidden job opportunities. With a few key adjustments, you can transform your approach and stand out in the competitive tech landscape!

Explore the nuances of technical interviews and discover why networking is crucial in landing a job in tech. Learn how coffee chats can open doors and why skills are vital for success. Dive into strategies for creating impactful programming projects that showcase your expertise. The importance of practicing on platforms like LeetCode becomes evident, along with techniques for mastering communication during interviews. Mindset shifts are discussed, explaining what separates successful candidates from the rest. Tune in for practical career insights!

Ever felt overlooked at work? Struggled with technical interviews? Wondering how to stand out in your career? We’ve got you covered!📢 In this episode of The Programming Podcast, hosts Danny Thompson, Leon Noel, and special Co-host James Q Quick dive deep into overcoming fear, taking action in your career, and the immense value of networking in tech. 🚀Connect with James Q Quick!https://x.com/jamesqquickhttps://www.youtube.com/c/jamesqquickhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesqquick/https://www.jamesqquick.com/https://www.compressed.fm/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:- The importance of being vocal about your work- Why quiet wins often go unnoticed in the workplace- How networking changed our careers (and how it can change yours)- Preparing for technical interviews & overcoming fear- James Q Quick’s journey into full-time content creation & the struggles behind it- The reality of career ups and downs in techAnd much more!⏰ Chapters & Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction & What Networking Really Means2:10 - James Q Quick Joins the Podcast5:50 - The Power of Work-Life Balance in Tech10:21 - Overcoming Fear & The Impact of Taking Action15:08 - The Importance of Being Vocal About Your Work19:50 - James Q Quick’s Journey to Full-Time Content Creation25:26 - The Challenges & Reality of Content Creation30:45 - Why Networking is a Cheat Code for Career Growth35:41 - Real Stories of How Networking Landed Jobs38:12 - How to Overcome Fear in Technical Interviews42:27 - Practical Strategies for Crushing Coding Interviews47:03 - Closing Thoughts & Commit Your Code Conference Announcement📌 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more career advice, tech insights, and programming discussions! 🚀

Today we break down why problem-solving skills—not just syntax—get you hired and how you can level up your ability to tackle challenges on your own. This is how to problem solve in a better way!💡 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!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!🚀 Key topics include:✅ How to shift from "asking for help first" to independent problem-solving✅ The importance of system design for career growth✅ Why reading code, exploring open-source projects, and practicing real-world coding scenarios is crucial✅ How to improve your technical interview strategy with step-by-step breakdowns✅ The power of community, learning resources, and mentorshipIf you're looking to stand out as a developer, whether you're a junior breaking into tech or a mid-career dev leveling up, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to develop the mindset of a problem-solver!📌 Chapters & Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction: Are You Over-Reliant on Help?1:04 – Meet the Hosts: Danny & Leon’s Take on Problem Solving2:44 – Seeing the Bigger Picture: Jeep Wranglers, Coffee & Coding4:06 – The Key to Nailing Technical Interviews: Process Over Syntax8:02 – Scaling Up: Thinking Beyond the Code You Write12:17 – Sponsor Break: Level Up Financial Planning14:00 – Why System Design Matters & How to Get Started16:00 – How to Improve Your Debugging & Researching Skills25:04 – The Role of Community & Networking in Becoming a Stronger Dev32:02 – Q&A: My Boss Said I Need to Be More Independent—What Should I Do?38:00 – Final Thoughts: Building Long-Term Career Success

Join hosts Danny Thompson, Leon Noel, and Shruti Kapoor as they dive into the secrets of professional growth in tech. In this episode, they explore why networking is your greatest asset—even if you only have 15–30 minutes a day—and how to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced industry. From navigating the hidden job market to leveraging React 19’s game-changing features like streamlined forms, actions, and the useOptimistic hook, this episode is packed with actionable tips for developers at every level.Connect with Shruti!https://x.com/shrutikapoor08https://www.youtube.com/@shrutikapoor08https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrutikapoor08/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!Learn how to:- Maintain and grow your network even with a busy schedule- Use React 19’s new capabilities to simplify your code and improve UI responsiveness- Strategically migrate legacy codebases to React 19 without major disruptions- Adopt better design patterns and custom hooks to write scalable, maintainable code- Build a personal “brag book” and living document to track your career achievements- Find fulfillment both at work and beyond by taking ownership of your professional growthWhether you’re a junior developer looking to break into tech or a seasoned pro aiming to stay ahead, these insights will help you navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape.Chapters & Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction: The Power of Networking & 15-Minute Growth Hacks1:09 – Host Introductions & Email Story: Losing Momentum in Your Network4:33 – Why Maintaining Your Network is Crucial for Job Opportunities5:39 – Networking Strategies: 15-Minute Daily Tasks to Stay Top of Mind9:01 – The Hidden Job Market: How Networking Opens Doors in Tech14:03 – React in 2025: Is It Still the Go-To Technology?18:55 – React 19 Spotlight: Streamlining Forms with Actions24:05 – Understanding useOptimistic: Instant UI Feedback & Faster Experiences27:03 – Migrating to React 19: A Step-by-Step Approach for Large Codebases31:01 – Design Patterns & Custom Hooks: Building Better, Scalable Code36:42 – Optimizing Performance: React Profiler & Avoiding Excessive Prop Drilling42:58 – Audience Q&A: Improving Yourself in a Small Company46:03 – Brag Book & Living Document: Tracking Your Achievements48:02 – Finding Fulfillment Beyond Your Day Job: Mentorship & Volunteering50:00 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up: Taking Ownership of Your Career

"Single flight mutations can literally cut your app’s response time in HALF!""Web performance should come first—everything else is secondary."Welcome to The Programming Podcast! In this episode, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel are joined by Dev Agrawal, core maintainer of Solid JS and organizer of Momentum Conference. This conversation dives deep into modern web development, performance optimizations, and community building.Connect With Dev Agrawal!https://www.youtube.com/@UCDXzM8ijdxkVA6NbQiQCKaghttps://x.com/devagrawal09https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-agr/Solid JS Docshttps://www.solidjs.com/Topics Covered in This Episode:- Why Volunteering at Conferences is a Cheat Code – Learn how volunteering can help you level up in tech.- Solid JS vs. React – A deep dive into why Solid JS is shaking up frontend development.- Single Flight Mutations – A game-changing performance technique that reduces request latency by 50%.- The Rise of Signals – What makes Signals so revolutionary in web frameworks like Angular and Solid?- Conference Organization & Sponsorships – Insights into running a successful developer conference.- Using AI for Learning – Should you feel bad for using ChatGPT to learn coding? (Spoiler: Absolutely not!)- How to Stay on the Cutting Edge of Tech – The mindset and resources that keep top engineers at the forefront.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!Whether you're a frontend developer, a conference organizer, or just passionate about new trends in web development, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real talk from some of the best minds in tech.📖 Chapters & Timestamps:⏱️ 0:00 – Volunteering at Conferences: The Ultimate Cheat Code⏱️ 1:03 – Meet Your Hosts & Guest: Danny, Leon, & Dev⏱️ 2:01 – The Tweet That Started It All: The Importance of Nuance in Dev Discussions⏱️ 2:17 – Why Should You Use Solid JS? A Core Maintainer’s Perspective⏱️ 4:04 – React’s Mental Model vs. Solid’s Fine-Grained Reactivity⏱️ 6:18 – Why Solid JS Isn’t Mainstream (Yet) & Its Developer-First Approach⏱️ 8:09 – Performance-First Development: The Ryan Carniato Philosophy⏱️ 8:55 – Single Flight Mutations: How They Double Your Performance⏱️ 10:16 – Web Frameworks are Like a D&D Party: Why We Need Different Approaches⏱️ 11:38 – Why Top Devs Are Excited About Signals⏱️ 12:04 – Explaining Signals: The Future of State Management⏱️ 17:48 – The Angular Signals Effect: How It Revitalized Angular’s Reputation⏱️ 20:17 – The Story of Commit Your Code Conference: Running a Dev Conference on a Budget⏱️ 24:26 – The Reality of Sponsorships: Why Companies Struggle to Define ROI⏱️ 28:42 – Organizing a Developer Conference: Lessons from the Field⏱️ 32:07 – Should You Feel Bad for Using ChatGPT to Learn Code?⏱️ 42:45 – The Best Way to Learn Advanced Concepts in Programming⏱️ 46:37 – How to Stay on the Cutting Edge: Reading, Coding, & Experimentation⏱️ 49:09 – Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts & Podcast Outro