Pybites Podcast

Tim Hopper, a machine learning engineer at Spotify and author of the Python Developer Tooling Handbook, shares his insights on modern Python development tools. He highlights the impact of UV, a fast package manager, on enhancing user experience. The conversation also covers the importance of open-source contributions and the challenges of job searching in tech. Tim links programming to his passion for wildlife photography, emphasizing practice and iteration. It's a fantastic blend of practical advice and inspiration for any Python enthusiast!

In this engaging discussion, Jeroen Janssens, a developer relations engineer at Posit, and Thijs Nieuwdorp, a data scientist at Xomnia, explore the revolutionary power of the Polars library in Python data processing. They share insights on its impressive speed boosts, thanks to GPU collaboration, and why it outperforms traditional tools like Pandas. The duo also discusses their journey co-authoring 'Python Polars: The Definitive Guide,' including the challenges of technical writing and the significance of understanding user needs.

Robin Quintero, creator of Complexipy, shares insights from his journey in developing an ultra-fast cognitive complexity analyzer for Python, built in Rust. He discusses how his frustrations with slow tools inspired the project and the positive feedback from teams using it for quicker, clearer code reviews. The conversation also touches on future enhancements like multi-language support and AI-driven features, along with the challenges and benefits of integrating Rust with Python. Robin emphasizes the importance of maintainable code and community collaboration.

Join Rodrigo Girão Serrão, a Pythonista from Portugal with a knack for teaching, as he shares his transformation from mathematician to Python expert. He dives into the influence of APL on his coding style, emphasizing list comprehensions and functional patterns. Rodrigo reveals his intriguing side project—a Python bytecode compiler—and explores the intricacies of decorators and dunder methods. With insights on effective public speaking and the importance of community learning, this conversation inspires all programmers to deepen their Python appreciation.

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.