Distributed.

How do you foster collaboration and trust in distributed engineering teams? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Jack Hannah talks with Valentina Servile, Lead Software Developer at Thoughtworks and author of Continuous Deployment. Valentina shares how her teams leverage practices like pair programming, collective code ownership, and streamlined processes to succeed in a remote-first world.They also discuss managing cognitive load, communicating effectively across time zones, and her strategies for replacing outdated practices like pull requests with more dynamic approaches.Highlights:Why pair programming improves team dynamics and code qualityThe role of trust and alignment in distributed teamsAutomating quality gates for faster, safer workflowsHow to foster collective code ownership in remote teamsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Valentina Servile(01:59) – The Realities of Remote Work at Thoughtworks(02:13) – How Kickoffs Build Trust and Clarity in Remote Teams(04:22) – Structuring In-Person Meetings for Maximum Impact(08:20) – Effective Communication Between Distributed Teams(12:00) – A Cautionary Tale: When Remote Work Fails(16:02) – Pair Programming as a Management and Productivity Tool(21:55) – Why Collective Code Ownership Improves Team Performance(26:13) – Rethinking PR Reviews: Avoiding Bottlenecks in Remote Development(38:41) – The Struggle to Disconnect: Managing Notifications and OverloadReferenced:Lean Inception by Paulo Caroli: https://caroli.org/en/livro/lean-inception-how-to-align-people-and-build-the-right-product/Where to connect further:Connect with Valentina on LinkedInCheck out Valentina’s book, Continuous DeploymentEmail Valentina at valentina.servile@gmail.com More about ThoughtworksFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah

How do relationships shape success in software development?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah talks with Kent Beck, renowned software engineer and signer of the Agile Manifesto, to explore how fostering relationships and psychological safety drives long-term success. Kent shares lessons from his career, including insights from Facebook and Gusto, emphasizing the role of empathy and collaboration in building sustainable practices.Kent also shares his perspective on strengthening team connections, building effective routines for remote work, and balancing productivity with well-being to help teams thrive.Highlights:Building psychological safety by addressing relationship challenges and fostering trustKent’s experiences at Facebook and Gusto: lessons on balancing technical ambition with human connectionEstablishing team rituals like daily and weekly check-ins to strengthen cohesion in remote settingsThe impact of creating an environment where collaboration and empathy drive better outcomesExploring how relationships and thoughtful communication shape software development practicesIn this episode, we cover:((00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Kent Beck(00:54) – Helping Geeks Feel Safe: Kent’s Mission and Perspective(05:51) – Software Design as Human Relationships: The Tidy First Approach(09:43) – Lessons from Facebook: Managing Relationships and Overcoming Resistance(13:58) – Building Credibility Through Contribution and Apprenticeship(19:01) – Remote Work Rituals: Fostering Connection and Collaboration(25:49) – Balancing Productivity with Teaching: Strategies for Distributed Teams(30:25) – Mentorship in Remote Work: The Value of Generational Knowledge(37:30) – The Forest vs. The Desert: How Environments Shape Creativity and Output(48:25) – Creative Leverage: Big Wins Through Collaboration and VisionWhere to connect further:Connect with Kent Beck on LinkedIn and his WebsiteFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah

How do you maintain a balance between deep work and collaboration in a remote-first world? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Host Jack Hannah sits down with Blake Irvin, Observability Engineering Lead at SumUp, for his insights into how developers and teams thrive remotely. Blake shares how SumUp approaches distributed work, the importance of clear communication, and why protecting focus time is critical. From balancing asynchronous and synchronous collaboration to using tools like Honeycomb, Incident.io, and Tuple, Blake offers a practical look at what makes remote teamwork successful.Highlights:Reducing friction - how to choose between synchronous and asynchronous communication Why meaningful connections during work hours can transform team dynamicsBlake’s strategies to protect focus and unlock deeper, more meaningful workHow the right tools can create a culture of seamless collaboration even in distributed environmentsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Blake Irvin(01:10) – The Role of Observability in Remote Engineering(04:48) – What a Healthy Remote Work Culture Looks Like(08:23) – Rethinking Urgency in Team Communication(12:58) – Collaboration Tools That Make Remote Work Easier(18:02) – Why Pairing is Essential for High-Performing Teams(22:10) – Async vs. Sync: When to Use Each for Maximum Impact(27:48) – How In-Person Connection Strengthens Remote Teams(32:49) – Lessons from Scaling a Startup to Millions of Users(37:04) – The Power of Experimentation in TeamworkReferenced:37signals blog post: Group Chat: The Best Way to Totally Stress Out Your TeamPaul Graham’s essay: Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s ScheduleHoneycomb.io for distributed tracingIncident.io for collaborating on incident responseTuple’s Pair Programming GuideWhere to connect further:Connect with Blake Irvin on LinkedIn and GitHubMore about SumUpFollow @tupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah

How do great teams build better software? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah speaks with Josh Kerievsky, founder and CEO of Industrial Logic and one of the earliest pioneers of Agile software development. Josh shares insights into the practices that help teams thrive, including sufficient design, pairing, ensembling, and continuous deployment. He also advocates for a balance between in-person and remote collaboration, the evolving role of AI in software development, and why a focused approach is what matters most for success. Highlights:The concept of sufficient design and why perfection isn’t always necessaryHow pairing and ensemble programming improve knowledge transfer and help develop stronger teamsThe role of continuous deployment in elevating software delivery practicesBalancing in-person and remote collaboration to support team mental healthThe potential and challenges of AI in software developmentIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Josh Kerievsky(01:05) – When Agile Clicked: Lessons From the 90s(05:05) – Sufficient Design: Knowing When Good Enough Is Enough(09:50) – Remote, Hybrid, and In-Person Work: Finding the Right Balance(12:27) – Social Programming: Why Pairing and Ensembling Matter(20:43) – The Making of a High-Performing Software Team(30:11) – AI, Specification-Driven Development, and the Future of Coding(33:46) – Josh’s Advice: Collaborate More, Code BetterReferenced:Agile Manifesto: https://agilemanifesto.org/Where to connect further:Connect with Josh Kerievsky on LinkedInMore about Industrial LogicFollow @tupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah

How do soft skills shape success in a remote-first world?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Host Jack Hannah chats with Callie Buruchara, Senior Software Engineer at Uplift Agency, to explore how mastering communication and emotional intelligence (particularly in a remote work setting) can transform your career. Callie shares her journey from high school English teacher to software engineer and how her people-first approach became her superpower. Plus, hear Callie’s take on balancing deep work, managing expectations, and why some of the toughest lessons often come from unexpected places.Highlights:Navigating remote work dynamics and adapting to different communication styles to foster collaboration and reduce misunderstandingsThe power of emotional intelligence in building trust and resolving conflict within distributed teamsCallie’s strategies for balancing prioritization, managing time effectively, and protecting mental healthWhy addressing friction early and practicing honest communication strengthens team dynamicsHow soft skills, like empathy and vulnerability, often play a pivotal role in technical successIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Callie Buruchara(01:12) – Why Soft Skills Define the Majority of Work(03:27) – The Real Challenge in Tech: It’s Not JavaScript, It’s People(08:06) – How to Navigate Conflicting Communication Styles at Work(12:16) – Managing Priorities in a Remote Setting Without Explicit Cues(17:59) – Handling Workplace Conflict: Say Something Before Anger Takes Over(22:23) – When Ignoring Friction Backfires: A Story of Team Breakdown(28:33) – The Hidden Struggles of Remote Work: Loneliness and Lost Signals(33:46) – The Feedback Litmus Test: How to Grow in Communication Skills(39:54) – The Hardest Part of Remote Work: Recreating SpontaneityWhere to connect further:Connect with Callie Buruchara on LinkedIn and her WebsiteEmail Callie at callie.buruchara@hey.com More about Uplift Agency Ltd. More about firstpromo.devFollow @tuple

Remote work isn’t just a shift in where we work… It's changing how we work. The Distributed podcast, from Tuple, focuses on the realities of remote software development, unpacking the tools, strategies, and mindsets that help teams thrive in a distributed world.In this trailer, host Jack Hannah sets the stage for what’s ahead: candid conversations with engineers and leaders navigating the complexities of remote work, sharing their stories, and offering actionable insights to help you and your team succeed. From balancing focus to building strong team dynamics, this podcast is here to help you make the most of remote work.Hear how some of the brightest minds in tech are solving remote challenges. Listen and subscribe to the Distributed podcast wherever you get your podcasts.