Pybites Podcast

In this episode, we dive into AI’s impact on software development with Matt Makai, VP of Developer Relations at DigitalOcean and creator of Full Stack Python. We explore how AI tools are changing coding workflows—from elite devs like Miguel Grinberg and Armin Ronacher to Matt’s own work on the AI-powered PlushCap app. While some see friction, others embrace AI as a co-pilot. Matt shares why staying hands-on with code is key for tech leaders, and why, despite the hype, AI won’t replace developers—it’ll just reshape how we work. Connect with Matt on socials:X: https://x.com/fullstackpythonGithub: https://github.com/mattmakaiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmakai/Matt's projects:Plushcap: https://www.plushcap.com/ Full Stack Python: https://www.fullstackpython.com/DigitalOcean: https://www.digitalocean.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/digitalocean___Blogs mentioned:https://blog.miguelgrinberg.com/post/why-generative-ai-coding-tools-and-agents-do-not-work-for-mehttps://lucumr.pocoo.org/2025/6/12/agentic-coding/ ___💡🧑‍💻Level up your Python skills in just 6 weeks with our hands-on, mentor-led cohort program. Build and ship real apps while gaining confidence and accountability in a supportive community. Join an upcoming Pybites Developer Cohort today! 🌟✅___If you found this podcast helpful, please consider following us!Start Here with Pybites: https://pybit.esDeveloper Mindset Newsletter: https://pybit.es/newsletter 💡Pybites Books: https://pybitesbooks.com/Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbelderbos/Julian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliansequeira/Twitter: https://x.com/pybitesApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pybites-podcast/id1545551340Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sJnriPKKVgPIX7UU9PIN1

In this episode, we share our own experiences of what it’s like to code in isolation — and why it held us back more than we realised at the time. When you're working solo, it’s easy to miss out on learning opportunities, fall into unhelpful habits, or lose momentum altogether.But when you start coding alongside others, everything shifts. We talk about how code reviews gave us instant feedback, how collaborating with other devs helped us level up faster, and how the simple act of being part of a team made coding more enjoyable — and a lot less lonely.Whether you're freelancing, working remotely, or just feeling a bit disconnected, we share some practical ways to break out of that bubble. We also talk about how the PyBytes community has grown to nearly 1,400 developers, all sharing ideas, swapping feedback, landing jobs, and building real connections.If you’ve been feeling stuck or isolated in your coding journey, this episode might be the nudge you need. Because trust us — once you stop coding alone, everything changes.Join our Circle Community today! https://pybites.circle.so/c/start-here___Books mentioned:Reinventing The Store: https://pybitesbooks.com/books/lFI3EQAAQBAJMagician's End: https://pybitesbooks.com/books/nKHPc2SQqScC___💡🧑‍💻Level up your Python skills in just 6 weeks with our hands-on, mentor-led cohort program. Build and ship real apps while gaining confidence and accountability in a supportive community. Join an upcoming Pybites Developer Cohort today! 🌟✅___If you found this podcast helpful, please consider following us!Start Here with Pybites: https://pybit.esDeveloper Mindset Newsletter: https://pybit.es/newsletter 💡Pybites Books: https://pybitesbooks.com/Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbelderbos/Julian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliansequeira/Twitter: https://x.com/pybitesApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pybites-podcast/id1545551340Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sJnriPKKVgPIX7UU9PIN1

Dive into the world of Python with key strategies for developers! Discover how to avoid common mistakes and turn scattered efforts into focused growth. Learn the importance of mentorship and seeking support within a community. Explore engaging project ideas and book recommendations that inspire both coding skills and storytelling. Tackle impostor syndrome and embrace lifelong learning in the tech landscape. The journey doesn't have to be lonely—find camaraderie and motivation in every challenge!

Sebastián Ramírez returns in this episode to share the evolution of his journey from open-source developer to company founder, with the launch of FastAPI Cloud. After creating tools used by developers worldwide, Sebastián explains how he found a critical gap in the app creation process - the painful transition from local development to production deployment. Throughout our conversation, we hear how Sebastián and his team are working to remove this obstacle.We also hear some of the amazing ways that FastAPI has been adopted in mission-critical systems worldwide. From powering image generation in ChatGPT to controlling particle accelerators at CERN and managing data from the James Webb Space Telescope, FastAPI has found its way into diverse applications that impact our daily lives and scientific understanding.To join the FastAPI Cloud waiting list, visit https://fastapicloud.com/.You can also reach out to Sebastián on the following platforms:X profile: https://x.com/tiangoloGithub profile: https://github.com/tiangoloTo read the book Sebastián mentioned, visit https://sre.google/books/_______💡🧑‍💻Level up your Python skills in just 6 weeks with our hands-on, mentor-led cohort program. Build and ship real apps while gaining confidence and accountability in a supportive community. Join an upcoming Pybites Developer Cohort today! 🌟✅___If you found this podcast helpful, please consider following us!Start Here with Pybites: https://pybit.esDeveloper Mindset Newsletter: https://pybit.es/newsletter 💡Pybites Books: https://pybitesbooks.com/Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbelderbos/Julian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliansequeira/Twitter: https://x.com/pybitesApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pybites-podcast/id1545551340Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sJnriPKKVgPIX7UU9PIN1

In this insightful discussion, Robin Beer, an energy data scientist at Flexa, reveals how the startup is transforming energy consumption through the creation of virtual power plants. He explains how consumers can optimize energy use with solar and battery resources while benefiting from market trends. The conversation dives into the technical aspects of using Python and machine learning for energy trading and emphasizes the importance of a diverse skill set for developers in fast-paced startup environments. Robin also shares his experiences fostering innovation in Munich's vibrant startup scene.

Huy Nguyen, a close friend of Julian and former AWS colleague, took a career break in 2024 to focus on human connection. They discuss the importance of being present, using the motto 'show up and be curious.' Huy shares insights on combating disconnection and why reaching out isn’t as daunting as it seems. Their conversation emphasizes connection as self-care, the joy of rekindling relationships, and the power of community. With warm anecdotes, this discussion is a heartfelt reminder to prioritize genuine human connections.

In this episode, Andrea Gosselink, career coach and former HR executive, joins us to unpack the complicated feelings that arise when we find ourselves at a career crossroad. Drawing from both her personal journey and client experiences, Andrea shares why so many successful people still feel unfulfilled despite achieving traditional markers of career success.We explore the fascinating psychology behind career transitions, including the paralyzing effect of the sunk cost fallacy ("I've already invested so much in this path"), fear of judgment from peers and family, and the limiting belief that there's only one "right" way to progress professionally. Andrea shares actionable frameworks to help evaluate whether a career change is right for you.___Andrea GosselinkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-gosselink-cpc-8919027 Website: https://careerlinkcoach.com/____💡🧑‍💻Level up your Python skills in just 6 weeks with our hands-on, mentor-led cohort program. Build and ship real apps while gaining confidence and accountability in a supportive community. Join an upcoming Pybites Developer Cohort today! 🌟✅___If you found this podcast helpful, please consider following us!For more Pybites:Pybites Books: https://pybitesbooks.com/Developer Mindset Newsletter: https://pybit.es/newsletter 💡Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbelderbos/Julian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliansequeira/Bob BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bbelderbos.bsky.socialJulian BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/juliansequeira.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pybites/Twitter: https://x.com/pybitesApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pybites-podcast/id1545551340Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sJnriPKKVgPIX7UU9PIN1

The tech job market has become increasingly challenging with ongoing layoffs and strong competition for available positions. How can developers stand out when everyone seems to have the same credentials? This episode tackles the essential strategies needed to navigate this difficult landscape. We discuss how imperfect positions can still offer growth, and how enthusiasm, coupled with demonstrated skill, can help employers pick you as a candidate who will bring true value to their organisation.Join our community at pybites.circle.so to continue the conversation, expand your network, and access more resources to advance your Python career journey!___Level up your Python skills in just 6 weeks with our hands-on, mentor-led cohort program. Build and ship real apps while gaining confidence and accountability in a supportive community. Join an upcoming Pybites Developer Cohort today!Carlton Gibson's article:  https://buttondown.com/carlton/archive/if-i-were-starting-out-now/___If you found this podcast helpful, please consider following us!For more Pybites:Pybites Books: https://pybitesbooks.com/Developer Mindset Newsletter: https://pybit.es/newsletter 💡Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbelderbos/Julian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliansequeira/Bob BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bbelderbos.bsky.socialJulian BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/juliansequeira.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pybites/Twitter: https://x.com/pybitesApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pybites-podcast/id1545551340Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sJnriPKKVgPIX7UU9PIN1

Rye Whalen sees profound connections between nature and software development that many developers miss. With expertise in hardware, software, and teaching cybersecurity, they uncover how natural systems can inspire better software-building strategies.Rye explains how they approach algorithmic thinking by focusing on foundational base cases and how they encourage their students to visualise problems before writing code. This teaching strategy bridges abstract concepts with practical understanding by tapping into natural visual processing abilities and familiar patterns from the world around us.Beyond technical skills, Rye emphasises the value of creativity and balance. They explain how engaging in activities like photography and music can nurture problem-solving skills and significantly enhance our ability as developers. ___Contact Rye on our Circle Community: https://pybites.circle.so/u/5eb35e0bRye Whalen - https://wentcloud.com/___If you found this podcast helpful, please consider following us!For more Pybites:Pybites Books: https://pybitesbooks.com/Developer Mindset Newsletter: https://pybit.es/newsletter 💡Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbelderbos/Julian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliansequeira/Bob BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bbelderbos.bsky.socialJulian BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/juliansequeira.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pybites/Twitter: https://x.com/pybitesApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pybites-podcast/id1545551340Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1sJnriPKKVgPIX7UU9PIN1

Exciting new cohort-based coaching brings affordable learning to aspiring coders, fostering community engagement and collaboration. A revamped book platform focuses on user privacy and gamification to motivate readers. The hosts discuss the integration of AI in coding, emphasizing the need to uphold fundamental skills while using AI as a supportive tool. They also celebrate their community, recommend a fascinating Japanese book, and invite listeners to join their growing Python development network.