
The Scrimba Podcast
Learn from inspiring developers about how they found meaningful and fulfilling work that that also pays them well. On The Scrimba Podcast, you'll hear motivational advice and job-hunting strategies from developers who've been exactly where you are now. We talk to developers about their challenges, learnings, and switching industries in the hopes of inspiring YOU. This is the podcast that provides the inspiration, tools, and roadmaps to move from where you are to work that matters to you and uniquely fits your strengths and talents.
Latest episodes

Jan 16, 2025 • 9min
End of Season One, and a Message from Alex Booker
So this is goodbye. But do not unsubscribe!It's the end of what will now be known as Season One of the Scrimba podcast! And Alex Booker is stepping down as its host.Over the past 160+ episodes, we have helped you learn to code and land your first job in tech. If you've missed any episodes, now is the time to go and listen to them. If you're new to the show, just start listening from the very beginning! The archive isn't going anywhere, and we aimed to create an evergreen podcast where you can find useful takeaways and inspiring stories for years to come.Stay tuned for Season Two! And in the meantime, browse through our past shows, or:🔗 Connect with Alex👨💼 LinkedIn🐤 Twitter👋 Say hi to Jan The Producer👨💼 LinkedIn🐤 Twitter🌐 Personal WebsiteSee you :)

Sep 19, 2024 • 43min
Why Open Source Can Be the Perfect Place for New Developers – and How to Get Started, with Deb Goodkin from the FreeBSD Foundation
Meet Deb Goodkin! Deb is the Executive Director of the FreeBSD Foundation. The Foundation supports the FreeBSD project and community. FreeBSD is a powerful open-source operating system known for its reliability and security and used by companies like Netflix to power their servers and networks.With a strong background in engineering, Deb is passionate about open-source technology, and after this episode, you might become passionate about it, too! In this episode of the Scrimba podcast, you'll learn how a complex project like FreeBSD works from an organizational standpoint, why open-source is a great place for even newer developers, what are the key differences between community-driven projects and working for a corporation, and where should you start if you're looking to get into open-source.🔗 Connect with Deb👩💼 LinkedIn⏰ TimestampsWhat is FreeBSD? (01:19)What is the FreeBSD Foundation? (02:49)Open-source projects vs. commercial projects (04:04)Open source is a nourishing place (07:04)Some original BSD developers are still working on the project decades later! (07:46)Open source is a community (09:35)How can contributing to open source help a newer developer advance their career? (11:25)Community break! (14:08)What skills do you need to join an open-source project? (16:23)Start with documentation! (18:42)How do you interact with others working on an open-source project? (21:20)Are people more likely to help others who help themselves? (24:05)Quick-fire questions! (27:26)How does an open-source project like FreeBSD run?If you're listening and want to get into open source, do this! (38:13)🧰 Resources mentionedFreeBSD FoundationFreeBSDJon 'maddog' Hall on Linkedin and TwitterKirk McKusick on YouTubeMichael W Lucas on Mastodon⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so they can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏

Sep 5, 2024 • 45min
Tangible Benefits: Why AI Is Here to Stay and How New Developers Can Find the Right Balance, with Sam Julien from Writer
Sam Julien is the director of Developer Relations at Writer and an advocate for developers seeking to enhance their skills. He discusses why AI is a game-changer in software development and how it’s reshaping job opportunities in the field. Sam shares his personal journey from skepticism to embracing AI, emphasizing the value of networking and adaptability. He also touches on significant job market discrepancies and the importance of mastering fundamental skills while leveraging AI tools for future success.

Jul 17, 2024 • 37min
Learn to Advocate for Yourself with Developer Advocate Rizel Scarlett
Meet Rizel Scarlett 🇺🇸, a Staff Developer Advocate, who shares her journey from psychology to coding. She discusses the importance of internships, personal branding, and networking for career growth. Rizel also gives tips on writing, public speaking, and building a personal brand in tech.

4 snips
Jul 10, 2024 • 42min
Career Progression Decoded: Angie Jones' Expert Tips for Entering the Tech Industry and Forging Your Unique Path
Angie Jones, a seasoned software developer and Developer Relations executive, discusses her journey from coding to teaching. She emphasizes the benefits of studying computer science, the importance of relatable examples in teaching, and navigating different tech career paths. Angie also shares her love for Java, decentralized technologies, and the significance of patents and networking in career development.

Jul 3, 2024 • 31min
Scrimba v2 is Here! Create Your Own Scrims, Use the Advanced Code Editor, and Learn Coding the Right Way, with Per Borgen
Scrimba v2 is here! And you probably already know this if you've visited our website recently. Scrimba cofounder and CEO Per Borgen 🇳🇴 is joining us to reveal what this update is all about. You might have noticed the redesign - but the update is not just on the surface. Scrimba has been rewritten from the ground up to support further development, and you can already enjoy a lot of new features. The platform is no longer a closed platform, which means you can make your own scrims, create and follow profiles, and make use of numerous templates. You can also use Scrimba's code editor to create your own projects - even if you're not following a course. It even features an advanced version control! Per and Alex also talk about AI and how it will change the way we learn coding and which AI features are already being worked on at Scrimba.🔗 Connect with Per👨💼LinkedIn🐦 Twitter⏰ TimestampsScrimba v2 is a complete rewrite of the entire platform (01:00)"We also rebuilt the tools to build Scrimba" (02:45)What are Templates? (05:49)You can now use Scrimba as an online code editor (07:34)You can also add commits! (08:31)Scrimba is now open to anyone to create content and scrims (09:15)Scrimba profiles (10:59)The future of pedagogy on Scrimba (13:02)Backend courses are coming! (14:40)Visual rebrand: is Scrimba still playful? (17:12)The state of using AI to learn to code (24:44)🧰 Resources MentionedScrimba v2⭐️ Leave a ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review here and tell us who you want to see on the next podcast.You can also Tweet Alex from Scrimba at @bookercodes and tell them what lessons you learned from the episode so that he can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏 Or tell Jan he's butchered your name here.

Jun 13, 2024 • 43min
The Four Stages of Interviewing: How to Conquer the Hiring Process Step by Step, with Ryan Talbert
Entrepreneur turned developer Ryan Talbert shares his journey from being scammed by a developer to breaking into tech. He breaks down the interview process into four stages to pinpoint where you fail and improve. Learn how to make learning to code more manageable and rewarding, and get insights on acing job interviews with tips on resume optimization and practicing technical skills.

4 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 40min
What's New in React 19 (and What That Means for You), with Dev Agrawal
Dev Agrawal, a React expert, discusses the exciting features of React 19, such as the new React Compiler for performance optimization, Server Components for faster page loads, and new hooks. He shares insights on the release timeline and how these features enhance developer experience. Explore the evolution of React tooling, form handling improvements, and valuable learning resources in this informative episode.

6 snips
May 29, 2024 • 35min
The Secret to a Meaningful Portfolio: Solve a Real-world Problem, with Scrimba Student Kevin
Meet Kevin Tanzyl, a former English teacher in Japan turned React app creator. Learn about his transition into coding, the importance of basic programming principles, dealing with bugs, and the differences in work culture between Japan and the West. Discover how Kevin's portfolio project landed him his first developer job and valuable insights for aspiring developers.

May 22, 2024 • 43min
"No" Is Always Guaranteed... So Strive for a "Yes", with the Coding Mermaid Monica Fidalgo
Meet Monica Fidalgo, front-end product engineer at Cloudflare with a unique background in marine biology and scuba diving. She shares her inspirational journey of overcoming a car accident, learning to code, and transitioning into tech. Monica discusses motivation, job application tips, evaluating coding schools, and how her accident changed her outlook on life.
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