

Ladybug Podcast
Emma Bostian, Kelly Vaughn
Back after a two-year hiatus, engineering leaders Emma Bostian and Kelly Vaughn return for Season 7 of the Ladybug Podcast, giving you a deep dive into all things engineering leadership.
With nearly 1 million total listens, Ladybug Podcast covers tech, career, and code, bringing unique viewpoints from a variety of guests and co-hosts.
Check out our website!
With nearly 1 million total listens, Ladybug Podcast covers tech, career, and code, bringing unique viewpoints from a variety of guests and co-hosts.
Check out our website!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 16, 2021 • 43min
Getting Started with TypeScript
TypeScript is an open-source programming language built on JavaScript that provides static type definitions. It has taken the front-end development community by storm over the past few years and today we’re going to give you a beginner-level rundown on the language.
Show Notes
[02:07] What is TypeScript?
[06:46] What is our experience working with TypeScript?
[08:35] Is TypeScript a replacement for JavaScript?
[11:11] Advantages of TypeScript
[13:09] Core Types
[15:19] TypeScript Types
[28:34] Union Types
[30:29] Literal types
[32:30] Aliases
[35:40] Function Return Types
[38:41] Unknown Type
[39:23] Resources for learning TS
[40:21] Shoutouts
Resources
Ladybug JS episode
TypeScript in 50 lessons
Crying in H Mart
People we meet on vacation
Transcript
This week's Transcript

Aug 9, 2021 • 1h 12min
How to Create a Study Plan
What is it about sitting down building a good study plan that... kinda sucks? Is it the planning? The execution? The Time commitment? Are we committing to learn too much? Regardless of this answer, today we’re sitting down to talk about how to better prepare to learn, how to execute a study plan to meet your goals, build better habits to help you learn and some of our own experiences learning how to learn.
Show Notes
[05:22] What is a study plan?
[14:25] How Do You execute it?
[29:05] Learning how to learn
[42:48] Make a todo list
[47:32] Start with something small
[53:06] At least touch it once a day
[1:02:03] Analyzing Your habits
[1:03:40] Showing or sharing your progress & results
[1:05:39] What If You get Stuck?
[1:09:16] Shoutouts
Resources
How to create a study plan video
Atomic Habits
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Learning How To Learn Ladybug Episode
Coursera's Learning How To Learn
Make It Stick
Moonwalking With Einstein
The Power of Habit
Why We Sleep
Tiny Habits
Trello
Todoist
Asana
Ali’s trello set up
Badass Habits by Jen Cincero
You are a Badass by Jen Cincero
DynamoDB book by Alex DeBrie
Getting Started In Tech
Wellington Johnson
The Beginning Software Engineer’s Playbook
Amy Cruz
Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD, 2nd Edition
Transcript
Here is this episode's transcript

Aug 2, 2021 • 1h 13min
How to Choose a Tech Stack
Welcome back to the 6th season of the Ladybug Podcast!! In this episode, we’ll be chatting about choosing a tech stack for your project is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an engineer. It will determine many aspects of your app, from development speed, to scalability, to the cost to run it. We’ll talk about how to choose technologies from two angles: one from an individual developer’s perspective: how do you decide what to learn? And the second from an architectural perspective: how do you decide what technologies to use for your project?
Show Notes
[02:53] What is a tech stack?
[06:01] What are some main points to think about when choosing what to learn?
[13:11] Look at job posts in your area
[19:49] How to deal with overwhelm
[25:28] Think Through your app
[31:01] Your engineering resources
[39:51] Is the technology production ready?
[52:18] Technical concerns
[1:00:09] Other important thoughts
[1:08:52] Shoutouts
Resources
Ladybug interview episode
Ladybug resume episode
Ladybug learning path episode
Core-js Article
Colby Fayock
Ladybug Systems Design Episode
Lodash vs. underscore
StackShare
Transcript
This episode's Transcript

Apr 5, 2021 • 0sec
So You've got a Job Offer, Now What?
You studied a bunch, landed the interview, passed the whiteboarding exercises, nailed the behavioral interview, and finally got the job. Congratulations on your new position! So now what? Today we’re sharing some of our experiences to help your job transition happen smoothly. Let’s get into it.
Show Notes
[01:54] Salary Negotiation
[11:43] What to do in the first two weeks
[50:42] Shoutouts
Resources
Grammarly - https://www.grammarly.com/
5 Reasons Why Spotify’s onboarding is better than yours - https://compiled.blog/blog/five-reasons-why-spotifys-onboarding-is-better-than-yours
Cross-cultural Communication - https://www.ladybug.dev/episodes/cross-cultural-communication?rq=culture
Crucial Conversations - https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/1469266822
Gusto - https://gusto.com/
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/70-so-you-got-a-job.md

Mar 22, 2021 • 0sec
Getting Hooked on React Part 2
React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces and is one of the most widely used libraries to date. Last season we discussed the basics of React and today we’re going to dive into the more advanced aspects of the library. Let’s get started.
Episode Notes
[04:16] React Hooks
[22:28] State Management
[26:43] Design Patterns
[40:39] Performance
[49:33] Testing
[51:15] Prop types and TypeScript
[55:21] Shoutouts
Resources
Getting Hooked On React - https://www.ladybug.dev/episodes/getting-hooked-on-react?rq=react
React patterns - https://reactpatterns.com/
React Chrome Developer Tools - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/react-developer-tools/fmkadmapgofadopljbjfkapdkoienihi
react-window - https://react-window.now.sh/#/examples/list/fixed-size
react-virtualized - https://bvaughn.github.io/react-virtualized/#/components/List
Methods of Improving & Optimizing Performance In React Apps - https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2020/07/methods-performance-react-apps/
React Testing Library - https://testing-library.com/docs/react-testing-library/intro/
Enzyme - https://enzymejs.github.io/enzyme/
Jest - https://jestjs.io/docs/en/getting-started
A Complete Guide to useEffect - https://overreacted.io/a-complete-guide-to-useeffect/
Use Refs Sparingly - https://blog.logrocket.com/why-you-should-use-refs-sparingly-in-production/
Presentational and Stateful components thoughts - https://medium.com/@dan_abramov/smart-and-dumb-components-7ca2f9a7c7d0
Episode with Angie - https://www.ladybug.dev/episodes/teaching-code
Kent C. Dodd’s Testing React - https://testingjavascript.com/
TypeScript book Stefan Baumgartner - https://typescript-book.com/
Playground Inspector Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lukedonkin/video/6898240190133980418?lang=en
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/69-intermediate-react.md

Mar 15, 2021 • 0sec
An Introduction to E-Commerce
2020 was one of the biggest years in the history of e-commerce. In fact, the pandemic spurred such a growth in e-commerce that the industry as a whole moved forward about 10 years in 3 months’ time. Whether you’re interested in starting your own store or learning how to develop for e-commerce, this week on the podcast we’re breaking it all down for you.
Episode Notes
[02:40] Platforms
[07:22] Why e-commerce over brick & mortar
[11:08] Starting your own store
[41:16] Developing for e-commerce
[49:03] Shoutouts
Resources
The Originals - https://www.amazon.com/Originals-How-Non-Conformists-Move-World/dp/014312885X
The Power of Habit - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X
Printful - https://www.printful.com/
Printify - https://printify.com/
TeeLaunch - https://teelaunch.com/
Creative Market - https://creativemarket.com/
Steve Schoger's Episode - https://www.ladybug.dev/episodes/design-for-devs?rq=design
Placeit.net - https://placeit.net/
Jenna Kutcher Writing a Bio - https://jennakutcherblog.com/5-ways-write-better-bio-page/
Accessibility Episode - https://www.ladybug.dev/episodes/web-accessibilitiy?rq=accessibility
Growth Hacker Marketing - https://www.amazon.com/Growth-Hacker-Marketing-Primer-Advertising/dp/1591847389
Such a Fun Age - https://www.amazon.com/Such-Fun-Age-Kiley-Reid/dp/052554190X
Think Again - https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107
Jamstack Ecommerce - https://github.com/jamstack-cms/jamstack-ecommerce
Next.js Ecommerce Starter - https://nextjs.org/commerce
Shopify.dev - https://shopify.dev/concepts/shopify-introduction
Shopify Devs Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/shopifydevs
Shopify Partners - https://www.shopify.com/partners
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/68-ecommerce.md

Mar 8, 2021 • 35min
Cryptography
Cryptography is a method of protecting information and communication through the use of code so only those for whom the information is intended can read and process it. Cryptography is used for many things from online banking to GitHub commits. Today we’ll dive into the basics of cryptography. Let’s get started!
Show Notes
[0:25] Our experience with cryptography
[03:08] What is cryptography?
[04:21] Four objectives of cryptography
[09:44] Types of cryptography
[23:34] Historical Cryptography
[30:54] How to learn cryptography
[32:34] Shoutouts
We got this note about RSA private/public keys from a listener:
"The point of having public and private keys is that the public key can only encrypt a message, and only the private key can decrypt the message. So the public key is safe for anyone to have, since you can’t use it to read anyone else’s message. The private key needs to stay private so only you can read messages encrypted by the public key"
Thanks for the clarification, Brad!
Resources
Coursera course - https://www.coursera.org/learn/crypto#syllabus
Crash course - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhXCTbFnK8o
Khan academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/cryptography
Passport JS - http://www.passportjs.org/
OAuth - https://oauth.net/2/
Episode with Tailor Tolliver on security - https://www.ladybug.dev/episodes/web-security?rq=security
The Code Book by Simon Singh - https://www.amazon.com/Code-Book-Science-Secrecy-Cryptography/dp/0385495323
Carcassonne - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/822/carcassonne
Auth0 - https://auth0.com/
Amazon Cognito - https://aws.amazon.com/cognito/
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/67-cryptography.md

Mar 1, 2021 • 46min
Financial Planning
It’s no secret that a major perk to working in development is the salary. Developers are often paid higher than the average salary, and as you move up in a company, you can see significant growth in your income. We all know financial literacy is often skipped in early education, which is why this week we’re talking all things financial planning with our special guest, Shannon Lee Simmons, to teach you what you need to know about managing your finances as a high earner.
Show Notes
[0:41] Tell us about yourself and what you do
[02:00] Where to find a financial advisor?
[03:48] What does it mean to be a high earner?
[06:47] One of the biggest questions I see asked is whether you should save your money or pay off your debt first. How do you decide what to do with your money?
[10:57] What benchmarks exist for net worth? Should we care?
Where should you keep your money? How much should be kept in cash vs. investments?
[19:14] How should you balance your lifestyle with wealth building? How do you recommend avoiding lifestyle creep but on the flip side, how do you make sure you’re allowing yourself to enjoy your money while also saving for the future?
[23:09] We have an international audience so without getting too specific about different types of retirement accounts, what general advice can you give to those looking to save for retirement?
When is the right time to see a financial advisor
[28:27] What are your thoughts of the FIRE movement?
[32:28] What are options and restricted stock units/RSUs? When should I consider taking equity for a lower salary?
[36:04] Do you have any thoughts/ advice to any of these Wall Street Bets people investing in GME stocks?
What tools do you recommend to people to help manage their finances?
[41:42] Shoutouts
[44:29] Where can our listeners find you on the internet?
Resources
New School of Finance - https://newschooloffinance.com
Worry-Free Money - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07169VZRM
Financial Starter Kit - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B2LQ98X
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/66-personal-finance.md

Feb 22, 2021 • 48min
Getting Started With The Cloud
Episode Notes
You may have heard about the Cloud and thought, what do the fluffy things in the sky have to do with computers? Today’s episode is all about what the cloud is, how you can use it, and common cloud services.
Show Notes
2:29 - What is the cloud?
14:09 - Benefits of cloud vs. physical servers
23:06 - Four types of cloud computing
28:42 - Cloud providers
32:39 - Gettings started with AWS
36:33 - Big services
Resources
AWS Six Advantages of Cloud Computing - https://docs.aws.amazon.com/whitepapers/latest/aws-overview/six-advantages-of-cloud-computing.html (some phrasing from the benefits section is from this article)
Pummelling the Platform–Performance Testing Shopify:
https://shopify.engineering/performance-testing-shopify
Explain the Cloud Like I'm 10: https://www.amazon.com/Explain-Cloud-Like-Im-10-ebook/dp/B0765C4SNR
97 Things Every Cloud Engineer Should Know - https://www.amazon.com/Things-Every-Cloud-Engineer-Should/dp/1492076732
A Cloud Guru - https://acloudguru.com/
AWS Heroes - https://aws.amazon.com/developer/community/heroes/
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/65-cloud-101.md

Feb 15, 2021 • 0sec
Writing Ebooks
Last season we discussed the broader topic of creating digital content. This week on the podcast we’re doing a deeper dive into e-books: our experience with writing and releasing them, the tools you need to write your own ebook, and best practices for marketing and selling your book.
Episode Notes
[1:33] Our experience with E-books
[6:05] Self-published vs. Publisher
[11:20] Software for creating an E-book
[15:49] Where can I sell my E-book?
[25:01] Pricing
[34:51] Top tips
[43:00] Shoutouts
Resources
Canva - https://www.canva.com/
Bookwright - https://www.blurb.com/bookwright
Leanpub - https://leanpub.com/
Shopify - https://www.shopify.com/
Payhip - https://payhip.com/
Podia - https://www.podia.com/
How I Made $40,000 Off An E-Book Before I Published It - https://compiled.blog/blog/how-i-made-40000-dollars-on-a-book
10 Things I Wish I knew before learning to code - ebook.welearncode.com
The Beginner’s Guide To Blogging - https://payhip.com/b/FX8C
Start Freelancing Today - https://startfreelancing.today/
De-Coding The Technical Interview Process - https://technicalinterviews.dev/
Adobe Indesign - https://www.adobe.com/products/indesign.html
Otter.ai - https://otter.ai/
Send Owl - https://www.sendowl.com/
Nikema's Book - https://nikemaprophet.com/
Mailchimp - https://mailchimp.com/
ConvertKit - https://convertkit.com/
Stripe - https://stripe.com/
Sendy - https://sendy.co/
Transcript
https://github.com/ladybug-podcast/ladybug-website/blob/master/transcripts/64-ebooks.md