
Modern Web
The modern web is changing fast. Front-end frameworks evolve quickly, standards are emerging and old ones are fading out of favor. There are a lot of things to learn, but knowing the right thing is more critical than learning them all. Modern Web Podcast is an interview-style show where we learn about modern web development from industry experts. We’re committed to making it easy to digest lots of useful information!
Latest episodes

May 10, 2023 • 56min
The Day-to-Day of Developer Advocacy with Sam Julien
In this episode, Jesse Tomchak is joined by Sam Julien, Director of Developer Advocacy, for Auth0 at Okta. What is the day to day of someone in developer advocacy outside of what we see from blog posts and conference talks? Sam is passionate about helping developers become the best versions of themselves through Tiny Experiments book, and his current newsletter, Developer Microskills. We dive into the idea of self taught developers, developer productive that is actually effective, sustainable progress, and so much more.
GuestSam Julien - Director of Developer Advocacy, Auth0 at Okta
HostJesse Tomchak - Architect and Engineering Lead at ThisDotLabs - @robocell
Developer Microskills newsletter (https://developermicroskills.com) Sam's website (http://www.samjulien.com/) How to Finish What You Start article (https://www.samjulien.com/how-to-finish-what-you-start) Guide to Tiny Experiments book (https://learn.samjulien.com/guide-to-tiny-experiments)Getting Started in Developer Relations book (http://www.gettingstartedindevrel.com)
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Apr 26, 2023 • 56min
State Machines for your Mind with Jenny Truong
In this episode, Rob Ocel is joined by Jenny Truong, Head of Operations and Developer Relations at Stately, to talk about state machines, XState, and mental health. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of starting a company from an open-source project, the benefits of user research and how Stately has used it to develop their new stately studio, and they extensively discuss Jenny's recent talk at AgentConf on looking at moods, burnout, and stress through the lens of state machines. Finally, they talk about the fun of being a doughnut connoisseur.
GuestJenny Truong- Head of Operations and Developer Relations at Stately
HostRob Ocel - Architect and Engineering Lead @ThisDotLabs - @robocell
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Apr 12, 2023 • 51min
Maintaining a Successful Open-source Project with Dominik Dorfmeister
In this episode, Rob Ocel is joined by Dominik Dorfmeister (Frontend Tech Lead at Adverity and Maintainer of TanStack Query), to talk about open-source software, TanStack Query, and more! They discuss the rapid growth of the TanStack, how Dominik first became involved as a core team maintainer and the challenges he's faced, the future of the TanStack and data-management as a driving force in front-end framework development, using TanStack in other frameworks, and the joys of skiing.
Guest Dominik Dorfmeister, Frontend Lead at Adverty and Maintainer for TanStack Query
Host Rob Ocel, Software Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Mar 29, 2023 • 1h 9min
Building the TanStack with Tanner Linsley
In this episode, Jesse Tomchak is joined by Tanner Linsley of smash hits like TanStack Table, Query, and Router, for a discussion about Tanner's latest project: TanStack Start. Tanner discusses the problems he’s trying to solve, how building on existing ideas in the community has accelerated development pace, and how he went about solving it in a very "TanStack" fashion.
Guest Tanner Linsley, Co-Founder at nozzle.io and Creator of TanStack
Host Jesse Tomchack, Software Architect at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Mar 15, 2023 • 50min
Being Yourself, For Fun And Profit ft. Trecia Kat
In this episode, Rob Ocel, is joined by Trecia Kat, to talk about breaking into tech, building a social media following, and finding community. They discuss how to find a niche through being yourself on social media, choosing between DevRel and engineering career paths, CSS, and even their hopes and fears for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Guest
Trecia Kat, Self-Taught Developer and DevRel Engineer
Host
Rob Ocel, Engineering Lead & Software Architect at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Mar 1, 2023 • 1h 17min
Understanding Svelte and Ramping Up from React ft. Scott Spence
On this episode of The Modern Web, we catch up with Scott Spence, Developer Relations Engineer at Storyblok, and SvelteSociety London meetup organizer. We dive into the ins and outs of Svelte, ramping up from React, what’s it like to a second career developer, and the importance of paying it forward to developers who are new to the community.
Guest
Scott Spence, Developer Relations Engineer at Storyblok
Host
Jesse Tomchak, Software Architect at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Feb 15, 2023 • 1h 9min
Native Apps with Embedded Web Technologies ft. Alyssa Nicoll
This week on Modern Web Alyssa Nicoll from Progress takes the web out of the browser and into native apps. Bringing you the cutting edge of native applications with embedded web technologies, Angular offers the best of both worlds. We take some minor detours into learning backend technology stacks as a long life JavaScript developer, and the awesome communities and friends we’ve made along the way. Join us for a spectacular journey and a couple tangents.
Guest
Alyssa Nicoll, Sr. Developer Advocate at Progress
Host
Jesse Tomchak, Software Architect at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Feb 8, 2023 • 54min
Deep Learning about React Native and AI with Gant Laborde
In this episode, Rob Ocel is joined by Gant Laborde (CIO @infinite_red, Author of “Learning TensorFlow.js: Powerful Machine Learning in JavaScript”, Chain React organizer), to talk about React Native, conference organizing, and the promise of AI in development. They discuss the flexibility and power of hybrid native apps, the upcoming new architecture of React Native, the trials and tribulations of organizing conferences, the state of AI tooling and education, and the opportunities and challenges for developers in a future working alongside AI.
Guest
Gant Laborde - CIO at Infinite Red, Author of “Learning TensorFlow.js: Powerful Machine Learning in JavaScript”, Chain React organizer, Google GDE and Microsoft MVP
HostRob Ocel - Architect and Engineering Lead ThisDotLabs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Feb 1, 2023 • 1h 15min
Making Your Websites ”Qwik” with Shai Reznik
In this episode, Rob Ocel, is joined by Shai Reznik, Founder and CEO at HiRez.io and Community DevRel at Qwik, to talk about Qwik. They discuss the history of front-end development and frameworks, what has led to this recent surge in framework development, what architectural principles Qwik values most, how Qwik and QwikCity differ, how to build Qwik apps, and so much more!
Guest
Shai Reznik- Founder and CEO at HiRez.io and Community DevRel at Qwik
Host
Rob Ocel- Software Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Jan 25, 2023 • 57min
Component Testing with Cypress ft. Jordan Powell
In this episode, Rob Ocel is joined by Jordan Powell, Developer Experience Engineer Cypress, to talk about Component Testing in Cypress. They discuss the explosive recent growth of Cypress, the exciting new features just launched in recent versions, and the changing shape of the testing “trophy”. Then, they dive deeply into component testing in Cypress: motivations, best practices, tips, and so much more!
Guest
Jordan Powell- Developer Experience Engineer at Cypress
Host
Rob Ocel- Software Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs