Distributed.

Carlos Rosão, Director of Software Engineering at NewStore, discusses creating high-performing remote engineering teams. He emphasizes the balance between autonomy and standardization, highlighting how pair programming fosters collaboration and reduces miscommunication. Carlos shares insights on prioritizing customer feedback for product innovation and the significant role of in-person meetups in building trust and cohesion. He offers practical strategies for improving communication and ownership in distributed teams, making remote work not just effective, but empowering.

How do feedback loops shape high-performing engineering teams?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah talks with Ben Grohbiel, Staff Engineer at Snyk, about the interplay between leadership, technical excellence, and collaboration in remote teams. Ben shares his journey from running a web dev shop to leading platform teams and eventually transitioning from engineering management back to an individual contributor role.Ben also discusses the habits and rituals that help teams stay aligned, the importance of feedback loops in decision-making, and how structuring remote teams for success requires more than just good tooling—it’s about fostering the right culture.Highlights:Transitioning from engineering manager to staff engineer: what changed and whyThe role of SpeedBacks and pairing in driving continuous team improvementHow Snyk structures its remote teams for collaboration and efficiencyThe debate around remote vs. hybrid vs. in-person setups—and what really mattersNavigating autonomy and accountability in startups vs. scale-upsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking things off with Ben Grohbiel(03:39) – Transition from engineering management to staff engineer(04:27) – Challenges of managing a large remote team(07:10) – The importance of feedback loops in high-performing teams(10:40) – "Speedbacks": A unique approach to rapid peer feedback(14:09) – Effective communication between teams through pairing(17:17) – A startup experience where everything clicked(23:00) – The very first team experience on Snyk(27:09) – The debate around remote, hybrid, and in-office work(30:18) – Driving effective information flow in remote teams(34:14) – The future of remote work: Unanswered questionWhere to connect further:Connect with Ben Grohbiel on LinkedIn and check out SnykFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah

What’s the right way to operate as a hybrid team in today’s engineering landscape? In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Jack Hannah speaks with Cassia Scheffer, Staff Software Engineer at Wealthsimple, to explore her best practices for mentoring and collaborating in a remote-first environment. Cassia shares insights on balancing hybrid work cultures, the power of pair programming, and how distributed ownership empowers engineers to make better decisions. She also reflects on the challenges of feeling disconnected in hybrid setups and how Wealthsimple prioritizes customer-focused values to align teams.Highlights:The importance of balancing hybrid work cultures to foster a sense of belongingHow schema validation enables distributed ownership and better decision-makingWhy mentoring and pair programming improve collaboration and learningStrategies for driving alignment through clear documentationThe role of curiosity in planning, problem-solving, and building strong teamsIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Cassia Scheffer(00:45) – Wealthsimple’s Hybrid Model and Remote-First Approach(02:38) – Why Pair Programming is Essential for Remote Engineering(04:56) – How Wealthsimple’s 400-Person Engineering Team Stays Aligned(06:58) – Scaling Communication: From Growing Pains to Real-Time Decision Making(10:18) – A Leadership Crisis and the Culture Clash That Followed(13:48) – How Hybrid Work Creates Visibility and Belonging Challenges(19:00) – API Platform Engineering: Driving Adoption Across 30 Teams(30:42) – Coaching Engineers: Pairing as a Tool for Growth and Problem-Solving(38:52) – Final Takeaway: Curiosity as the Key to Effective CollaborationReferenced:Organizational Culture and Leadership by Edgar H. Schein: https://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Leadership-Jossey-Bass-Business-Management/dp/1119212049Where to connect further:Connect with Cassia Scheffer on LinkedInMore about Cassia on her websiteMore about WealthsimpleFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah

Dave Farley, a pioneering software engineer and author renowned for his expertise in continuous delivery, delves into the crucial role of human connection in software development. He champions pair programming as a key practice for boosting productivity and code quality. Farley discusses the trade-offs of remote work, emphasizing the importance of building and maintaining trust among distributed teams. He also explores AI's evolving impact on software engineering, warning against neglecting teamwork in the face of technological advancements.

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

Callie Buruchara, a Senior Software Engineer at Uplift Agency and founder of Majority of Work, shares her unique journey from high school English teaching to tech. She emphasizes how soft skills, especially emotional intelligence, are crucial in remote work. Callie discusses the challenges of navigating different communication styles and the importance of building trust within distributed teams. She offers strategies for prioritizing tasks and protecting mental health, highlighting how empathy and vulnerability can significantly enhance collaboration and technical success.

Blake Irvin, Observability Engineering Lead at SumUp, shares valuable insights on thriving in remote work environments. He discusses balancing deep work with meaningful collaboration and the importance of communication clarity. With tools like Honeycomb and Tuple, Blake emphasizes reducing friction in team interactions. He also highlights strategies for protecting focus time and fostering connections within teams. His approach transforms remote dynamics, ensuring that both individual productivity and team spirit flourish in a distributed setup.

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

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.