
Thinking Elixir Podcast
The Thinking Elixir podcast is a weekly show where we talk about the Elixir programming language and the community around it. We cover news and interview guests to learn more about projects and developments in the community.
Whether you are already experienced with Elixir or just exploring the language, this show is created with you in mind. We discuss community news, Functional Programming, transitioning from OOP, coding conventions, and more.
Guests visit the show to help challenge our assumptions, learn about new developments and grow in the process.
Subscribe to join us on this journey!
Latest episodes

Oct 29, 2024 • 22min
226: GPUs, DNS, and Igniting Elixir Dreams
Dive into the latest on Elixir 1.18, showcasing its enhanced type system and testing framework. Discover HAWC, a DSL for GPU programming that won accolades at the Brazilian Symposium, enabling developers to harness GPU power seamlessly. Explore exciting advancements in Elixir's DNS clustering, making microservice integration smoother. Plus, get the scoop on new features in the Toucan plotting library and ongoing discussions about privacy in error tracking. It's a vibrant mix of innovation and community insights!

Oct 22, 2024 • 21min
225: A BeaconCMS of Hope
Discover the latest features in Elixir v1.18, including enhanced type systems and new JSON support. Dive into the launch of Beacon CMS, an open-source content management system designed with Phoenix LiveView that promises SEO boosts. Explore the innovative HexDeck tool for seamless navigation through HexDocs. Hear how SQL Format is elevating code quality and get ready for exciting upcoming events in the Elixir community, including Codebeam NYC Lite. Plus, enjoy light-hearted discussions on remote work and work-life balance strategies!

4 snips
Oct 15, 2024 • 18min
224: Language Server Leak and Stream Week Reveals
Discover the latest enhancements in ElixirLS 0.24.0, featuring an upgraded code intelligence engine and the buzz around the new Expert language server. Dive into the upcoming Elixir Stream Week, which offers cutting-edge discussions led by top experts, exploring topics like Elixir lisps and WebRTC. Exciting advancements in Elixir’s machine learning libraries, including NX and Axon, are also highlighted. Plus, learn about NervesHub 2.0's new features for managing IoT devices, aimed at empowering developers.

Oct 8, 2024 • 22min
223: A Boost for Nx, Lib Updates, and Passion Projects
Discover the groundbreaking collaboration between José Valim and Chris McCord on AI GPU clusters with Fly.io. Learn about Nx's selection for Mozilla's Builders Accelerator, which comes with a $100,000 prize. The podcast also highlights PostgreSQL 17 enhancements and a major Cachex library update. Dive into the latest tools like Phoenix Test and its new file upload feature. Plus, explore Elixir's innovative role in SUSE’s Trento for Linux management and Kamal, a user-friendly deployment pipeline for Ruby.

Oct 1, 2024 • 19min
222: OTP Update and Deprecating Unless
Dive into the latest updates with OTP 27.1, showcasing enhancements in the Zip module and important fixes for Windows users. The deprecation of the 'unless' keyword in Elixir 1.18 sparks discussions around coding practices. Discover the introduction of data channels in Elixir WebRTC and strategies for handling flaky tests. Learn about a new Mix test flag for optimizing test efficiency and hear how Discord slashed WebSocket traffic by 40%. Plus, there are insights on memory allocation and an introduction to the new community podcast, Elixir Friends!

Sep 24, 2024 • 28min
221: From Keynotes to Job Listings
José Valim, a pivotal figure in the development community known for his work on Elixir, dives into exciting developments in the Elixir ecosystem. He discusses the recent release of ErrorTracker with enhanced features, the potential of the Phoenix sync project, and innovative approaches to ChatGPT UX using Phoenix LiveView. Valim also touches on job openings that highlight Elixir's prominence in tech, community events like Alchemy Conf, and technical challenges that developers face today in the ever-evolving landscape.

Sep 17, 2024 • 59min
220: The EEF Has Your Regulatory Back
Alistair Woodman, a board member of the Erlang Ecosystem Foundation, discusses pressing regulatory challenges for developers. He highlights shifts in legislation that could impact developers in the US and EU. Alistair emphasizes the importance of the EEF's initiatives to support the community amidst these changes. The conversation delves into software quality regulation, addressing recent incidents that stress the need for compliance. He advocates for community involvement to adapt to evolving standards and enhance innovation in the Elixir ecosystem.

Sep 10, 2024 • 37min
219: Coming Out of ElixirConf
In this engaging discussion, José Valim, the driving force behind the Elixir programming language, shares insights from ElixirConf, including a groundbreaking proof of concept for Phoenix Sync. Sean Moriarity sheds light on the future of powerful tools like Nx, Axon, and Bumblebee, emphasizing their role in the evolving landscape of development. The duo also explores the excitement surrounding Elixir's new type system and innovative real-time video streaming projects. This conversation is a treasure trove for Elixir enthusiasts!

Sep 3, 2024 • 18min
218: Creating an Opening
Discover the latest advancements in Livebook and Elixir, including new signed installers for Windows. Learn about the significant updates in Telemetry documentation and its role in performance monitoring. The hosts unveil LiveView Native version 0.3 and discuss a Google research paper on a new SQL syntax. Dive into the fascinating use of FFmpeg for media conversion while exploring recent changes in non-compete agreements. Finally, gain insights into the regulatory challenges facing major tech companies in today's landscape.

Aug 27, 2024 • 19min
217: One Language Server to Rule Them All
German Velasco, creator of a new macro-inspired video, joins authors Alex Koutmos and Hugo Baraúna, who are releasing the 'Elixir Patterns' book. They discuss the launch of an official Elixir Language Server team and its potential impact on the community. They dive into the significance of enhancing database resilience with the latest Oban update, which adds automatic transaction retries. Additionally, Velasco shares insights on the unquote splicing technique in Elixir, sparking excitement for the upcoming CodeBEAM Lite conference.