Modern Web

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson talk with Corbin Crutchley — founder of Playful Programming, Microsoft MVP, GitHub Star, and maintainer of multiple TanStack libraries including TanStack Form, Store, and Config.They dive into Corbin’s work maintaining open source at scale, what makes TanStack Form different (and a bit esoteric), and why the design decisions behind it matter, especially for enterprise teams. They also unpack the tradeoffs of abstraction, type safety in large-scale apps, and best practices for migrating form logic.Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to Corbin’s nonprofit and developer education philosophy: why Playful Programming focuses on deep conceptual understanding over task-based tutorials, how AI is changing how people learn, and what’s next for guiding developers from beginner to intermediate and beyond.Key points from this episode:– Corbin explains how TanStack Form’s architecture, though verbose and esoteric, enables strong type safety, SSR support, and integration with modern frameworks like Next.js and Remix.– The group discusses common pain points in migrating from other form libraries, especially around type inference and validation layers, and how TanStack Form encourages a clean separation of concerns.– Maintaining open source at scale requires balancing community feedback with a strong guiding philosophy; Corbin highlights the importance of civility and staying true to the project’s design principles.– Playful Programming focuses on deep, conceptual education over task-based tutorials, aiming to help learners move from beginner to intermediate with free, accessible content and personalized learning in the future.Chapters0:00 – Why TanStack Form Is Built This Way1:06 – Meet Corbin Crutchley and the TanStack Ecosystem3:34 – How Corbin Joined and Shaped TanStack Form6:17 – Why Use TanStack Form (Despite the Verbosity)10:28 – Type Safety, Generics, and Enterprise-Ready Patterns14:50 – Validation Best Practices and SSR Integration18:45 – Handling Feedback in Open Source21:22 – Playful Programming: Teaching Concepts Over Tasks27:33 – Bridging the Developer Education Gap35:54 – Is It Still Worth Learning Programming?38:25 – The Evolving Role of Developers and Soft Skills41:57 – Wrap-Up and Where to Connect OnlineFollow Corbin Crutchley on Social MediaLinkedin:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/corbincrutchleyX/Twitter: https://x.com/crutchcornSponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

Ben Peeri, Lead Solutions Architect and entrepreneur, shares his expertise on the evolving landscape of AI tools in software development. He discusses the strengths and limitations of platforms like v0, Bolt, and Replit. Ben reveals his innovative use of local LLMs for secure pen testing and emphasizes the need for effective prompting strategies. He also highlights the changing role of junior developers, urging them to adapt by refining AI-generated code rather than starting from scratch, fundamentally shifting how teams approach building software.

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson get real about the current state of AI in software development. They talk about what’s working, what’s frustrating, and why so much of the conversation around AI feels repetitive or disconnected from reality. They explore how AI is actually being used day to day—and where it still falls short. They also discuss the risks of relying too heavily on AI, especially for junior devs, and why understanding fundamentals still matters. Keypoints from this episode:- AI fatigue is setting in among developers, with many eager to move beyond hype and explore tools that solve real problems and deliver everyday value.- Danny built a conversational AI agent named Nexie, trained specifically on Next.js and Vercel documentation, showing how personalized agents can provide focused, meaningful assistance.- Over-relying on AI can backfire for junior developers. Using it to generate code without understanding the underlying logic undermines learning and growth.- AI tools are starting to shift how we think about software quality. In some cases, speed and cost-effectiveness may outweigh traditional goals like maintainability.Chapters00:00 – Should Juniors Use AI?01:04 – Real Talk on AI Conferences03:00 – Building Nexi: A Personal Dev Agent05:13 – Beyond the Hype: Finding Real AI Use Cases09:36 – Why Senior Devs Struggle with AI Tools15:55 – Mentorship, Theory, and Learning the Right Way21:10 – When to Use AI (and When Not To)26:50 – The Growing Gap in Dev Skills30:31 – AI Is Redefining “Good Software”32:09 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find UsFollow This Dot Media on Twitter/X: x.com/thisdotmediaFollow Danny and Rob on Twitter.Sponsored by This Dot: thisdotlabs.com

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson get real about the current state of AI in software development. They talk about what’s working, what’s frustrating, and why so much of the conversation around AI feels repetitive or disconnected from reality. They explore how AI is actually being used day to day—and where it still falls short. They also discuss the risks of relying too heavily on AI, especially for junior devs, and why understanding fundamentals still matters. Keypoints from this episode:- AI fatigue is setting in among developers, with many eager to move beyond hype and explore tools that solve real problems and deliver everyday value.- Danny built a conversational AI agent named Nexie, trained specifically on Next.js and Vercel documentation, showing how personalized agents can provide focused, meaningful assistance.- Over-relying on AI can backfire for junior developers. Using it to generate code without understanding the underlying logic undermines learning and growth.- AI tools are starting to shift how we think about software quality. In some cases, speed and cost-effectiveness may outweigh traditional goals like maintainability.Chapters00:00 – Should Juniors Use AI?01:04 – Real Talk on AI Conferences03:00 – Building Nexi: A Personal Dev Agent05:13 – Beyond the Hype: Finding Real AI Use Cases09:36 – Why Senior Devs Struggle with AI Tools15:55 – Mentorship, Theory, and Learning the Right Way21:10 – When to Use AI (and When Not To)26:50 – The Growing Gap in Dev Skills30:31 – AI Is Redefining “Good Software”32:09 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find UsFollow This Dot Media on Twitter/X: x.com/thisdotmediaSponsored by This Dot: thisdotlabs.com

Join hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson for another episode of the Modern Web Podcast, where they sit down with Brad Garropy, senior front-end engineer at Stripe, YouTuber, and all-around tech enthusiast.Brad shares insights from his journey through big tech—from Dell to Adobe, Atlassian, and now Stripe—while discussing the challenges of scaling front-end engineering across different companies. The conversation covers TypeScript’s major performance boost, the Go vs. Rust debate, and how engineering teams are evolving their tooling for speed and efficiency.They also explore Remix, why Brad prefers building projects with minimal dependencies, and his approach to self-hosting and keeping costs low for side projects. He reflects on balancing breadth vs. depth in a career, how developers can shape their personal brand, and the importance of learning through building.Key Points from this Episode:- TypeScript’s shift to Go has resulted in massive performance improvements, highlighting the impact of language choice on tooling speed and efficiency.- Scaling front-end engineering in big tech comes with unique challenges, and each company operates differently despite similarities in structure.- Keeping projects lean with minimal dependencies and self-hosting can reduce costs and provide greater control over development.-Balancing breadth vs. depth in a career is crucial, as developers must decide whether to specialize deeply or explore a wide range of technologies.Chapters0:00 – Intro: Tailwind, Remix, and Thin Abstractions1:09 – Meet the Hosts & Guest: Brad Garrapy2:16 – Brad’s Career Journey: Dell → Adobe → Atlassian → Stripe3:34 – TypeScript Gets 10x Faster: Why Go?7:55 – Performance, Tooling, and Multi-threading Insights14:59 – Why Remix? Building with Thin, Flexible Stacks16:56 – Deployment Strategies & Avoiding SaaS Lock-in19:57 – Cost, Free Tiers & the Case for DIY Infrastructure28:13 – Creator Goals: Streaming, Tutorials & Building in Public33:12 – Identity, Community, and Being Known for Something38:23 – Where to Find Brad Online + ClosingFollow Brad Garropy on Social MediaYouTube - https://youtube.com/bradgarropyBluesky - https://bradgarropy.com/blueskyTwitter - https://x.com/bradgarropyWebsite - https://bradgarropy.comSponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, hosts Rob Ocel, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson, examine the technical side of modern web development with guest Dennis Ivy, a developer advocate at Appwrite. The discussion explores HTMX, its approach to extending HTML for dynamic UIs, and how it challenges the dominance of JavaScript-heavy SPAs. They examine where HTMX fits in the web ecosystem, its strengths and limitations, and its potential for enterprise applications. The conversation then shifts to backend-as-a-service platforms, with Dennis breaking down how Appwrite provides authentication, databases, and real-time updates as an open-source alternative to Firebase and Supabase. They discuss performance considerations, architectural trade-offs, and the evolving landscape of server-side development.Keypoints for this Episode- HTMX and Its Role in Web Development – The discussion explores how HTMX extends HTML to enable dynamic UIs without heavy JavaScript frameworks, making it a compelling option for certain applications, particularly for backend developers and server-rendered apps.- Backend-as-a-Service with Appwrite – Dennis Ivy explains how Appwrite offers authentication, databases, and real-time eventing as an open-source alternative to Firebase and Supabase, highlighting its performance advantages and developer-friendly approach.- Trade-offs in Modern Web Architectures – The group discusses the evolution of SPAs, the resurgence of server-side rendering, and how tools like HTMX and backend-as-a-service platforms challenge traditional frontend-heavy workflows.- Performance and Scalability Considerations – The conversation touches on Appwrite's efficient architecture compared to other backend solutions, examining how its lightweight design impacts real-world applications and developer experience.Chapters0:00 - Introduction 0:35 - Welcome to the Modern Web Podcast 1:26 - Dennis Ivy’s Journey into Tech 4:03 - Selling a Project for $40K+ 6:39 - Different Paths into Development 8:49 - Learning Through Building 11:16 - The Importance of Side Projects 14:05 - Introduction to HTMX 16:41 - HTMX for Enterprise and Scalability 19:34 - The HTMX Learning Curve and Adoption 24:41 - Comparing Modern Web Development Approaches 27:12 - Introduction to Appwrite's Features 30:46 - Appwrite vs. Competitors like Firebase and Supabase 33:41 - Appwrite's Performance and Scalability 37:49 - Where to Find Dennis Ivy Online 38:54 - Podcast Wrap-Up and ClosingFollow Dennis Ivy on Social MediaTwitter: https://x.com/dennisivy11Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ivanov/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.coFollow This Dot Labs on Social MediaThis Dot Media X: https://x.com/ThisDotMediaThis Dot Labs X: https://x.com/ThisDotLabsThis Dot Labs Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thisdotlabs/This Dot Labs BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisdotlabs.bsky.social

Søren Bramer Schmidt, CEO and Founder of Prisma, shares his journey of transforming Prisma from Graphcool to a leading ORM trusted by Fortune 2000 companies. He discusses balancing open-source growth with enterprise needs and introduces Prisma Postgres, a user-friendly managed database. Søren also tackles the N+1 query problem and highlights the shift from Rust to TypeScript for enhanced performance. With AI shaping development, he emphasizes how Prisma is evolving to meet modern demands, making database interactions simpler and more efficient.

On this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Adam Rackis talk with Noah Harris, Senior Engineering Manager at Launch, to discuss the impact of mob programming and how it can transform engineering teams. Noah shares how pairing and mobbing helped him rapidly level up in his early career, how it fosters stronger communication, and why it’s particularly valuable for remote teams.The conversation also explores engineering leadership, breaking past career plateaus, and the importance of soft skills in advancing your career. Noah shares insights on servant leadership, how engineers can take ownership without waiting for permission, and the role of code reviews in shaping strong technical leaders.Key Points Mob Programming for Team Growth – Noah explains how mob programming enhances collaboration, speeds up knowledge sharing, and improves code quality, especially in remote teams. The Role of Pair Programming in Skill Development – Pairing with experienced engineers helped Noah rapidly learn JavaScript and asynchronous programming, reinforcing the importance of hands-on mentorship. Breaking the Engineering Career Ceiling – Engineers looking to step into leadership roles need to be proactive, take ownership, and engage in code reviews to build influence and credibility. Servant Leadership & Soft Skills Matter – Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about removing blockers, supporting the team, and improving communication. Engineers who master this mindset naturally transition into leadership roles.Follow Noah Harris on Social MediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nharris31/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/nharris31.bsky.social

On this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson sit down with Marc Backes, a freelance full-stack engineer with a wild journey through Vue.js, Nuxt, and DevRel. Marc shares what makes the Vue community stand out, why DevRel often misses the mark, and how Wikipedia uses Vue 3 to scale content across thousands of languages.Then, things get real. Marc opens up about a $250,000 startup disaster that changed his view on business forever. Meanwhile, Danny breaks down what it takes to run a tech conference on a shoestring budget—and why developers hate traditional marketing.Key Points from this episode:- The Power of Vue & Nuxt – Marc shares why he chose Vue.js, how he built his website with Nuxt, and what makes the Vue community unique.- DevRel: Hype vs. Reality – A discussion on whether DevRel is truly valuable for companies, how it's often misused, and what actually works in developer advocacy.- A $250K Startup Mistake – Marc’s story of losing $250,000 in a failed startup and the crucial lesson about contracts and trust in business.- Scaling Tech & Community – Insights on Wikipedia’s use of Vue 3 for translation, plus Danny’s experience running a tech conference with limited resources.Chapters0:00 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Failure 0:43 - Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome 4:25 - Mark’s Experience in the Vue Community 9:22 - Working with Large-Scale Organizations 13:05 - Transitioning Between Developer and DevRel 19:00 - Is DevRel Worth It? 24:25 - The Challenges of Running a Tech Conference 26:02 - Lessons from Entrepreneurship 30:56 - The Emotional Toll of Failure 35:03 - Revisiting the $250,000 Grant Story 39:42 - Handling Failure and Moving Forward 41:14 - Where to Find Mark OnlineFollow Marc Backes on Social MediaTwitter: https://x.com/themarcbaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarcba/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

In this discussion, guest Abdel Sghiouar, a Cloud Developer Advocate at Google and CNCF Ambassador, shares insights from his tech journey spanning Morocco to Europe. He dives into the transformative role of AI in cloud development, making tooling more efficient while clarifying misconceptions about job automation. Cultural differences in tech shape his perspective on collaboration and work dynamics. Abdel emphasizes the need to understand cloud fundamentals as AI simplifies tasks, ensuring developers remain relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.