
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

Dec 18, 2024 • 38min
Next.js and Makeswift for Dynamic Web Experiences with James Q. Quick
Join James Q. Quick, Head of Developer Experience at Makeswift, as he bridges the gap between no-code and full-code development. He shares insights on the seamless integration of Makeswift with Next.js, making dynamic web experiences accessible for both marketers and developers. The discussion dives into the latest innovations from Next.conf, including caching APIs and server components, while touching on the challenges of learning Next.js in today's rapidly evolving landscape. If you're looking to enhance your web development skills, this is a must-listen!

Dec 16, 2024 • 28min
The Problem with Open Source and How to Fix It with Max Howell, Founder of Tea Protocol
In this engaging conversation, Max Howell, the founder of Tea Protocol and creator of Homebrew, discusses his journey in open source development. He highlights the financial and emotional struggles that maintainers face, arguing for sustainable funding models. Max introduces Tea Protocol, a unique system using tokenomics to support developers while preserving open source values. They explore the implications of losing open source and reflect on the sacrifices made by dedicated contributors, offering valuable advice for aspiring developers.

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Dec 6, 2024 • 27min
The Ethical Dilemma of Unethical UX Design with Bermon Painter
Join Bermon Painter, Composable Platforms Leader at Slalom and an expert in behavioral economics and ethical UX design, as he dives into the intricate relationship between user experience and ethics. He discusses real-world applications, including how continuous glucose monitors can improve health outcomes. Bermon also tackles the ethical challenges posed by dark patterns and emphasizes the importance of transparency in design. Plus, he shares insights on fostering global UX that respects cultural differences and his unique open office hours for aspiring designers.

Dec 5, 2024 • 34min
Leverage Multiple Database Models in One Platform with SurrealDB ft. Tobie Morgan Hitchcock
Tobie Morgan Hitchcock, co-founder and CEO of SurrealDB, dives into the world of modern database solutions. He discusses the innovative multi-model approach of SurrealDB, which combines relational, graph, and document models into one platform, simplifying data management. Tobie highlights the fascinating 'time travel' feature for retrieving historical data and shares insights on the challenges of building a new database from scratch. He emphasizes the enthusiastic response from developers and the need for education around these new tools.

Dec 4, 2024 • 27min
Transforming Data with MongoDB: Jesse Hall on Document and Vector Databases
Jesse Hall, Staff Developer Advocate at MongoDB, dives into the future of databases and development. He discusses MongoDB's latest innovations, emphasizing the shift toward document and vector databases. The conversation covers the integration of AI for data retrieval and how it's reshaping developer tools. They explore current front-end frameworks like Svelte and Next.js, highlighting a trend towards financial motivations over community-driven projects. Jesse emphasizes the need for developers to adapt to AI advancements, embracing low-code solutions to stay relevant.

Nov 27, 2024 • 22min
Reducing Fatigue for On-Call SWEs with AI, Mentorship, & More with Dr. Sally Wabha
Dr. Sally Wahba, a Principal Software Engineer at Splunk, tackles the pressing issue of on-call fatigue for software engineers. She shares innovative strategies for reducing burnout through automation and effective communication. Dr. Wahba also highlights the significance of mentorship and continuous learning for junior engineers. The discussion dives into optimizing observability to enhance system performance and addresses the growing skills gap in tech talent, emphasizing the need for supportive environments for newcomers.

Nov 20, 2024 • 38min
How Nuxt Studio is Redefining Developer and User Experience with Baptiste Leproux & Ferdinand Coumauith
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson sits down with Ferdinand Como and Baptiste Leproux from Nuxt Labs to uncover the story behind Nuxt Studio, a tool that's transforming how developers and non-technical users interact with Nuxt applications.
Ferdinand and Baptiste share how Nuxt Studio bridges the gap between developer customization and user-friendly content management. Built to empower agencies, freelancers, and their clients, Nuxt Studio combines powerful features like live previews, Vue component integration, and schema-driven forms to make managing content seamless.
The conversation also explores the broader mission of Nuxt Labs—building sustainable open-source tools that enhance developer experience and meet real-world needs. With insights into the future of Nuxt Studio and its potential to scale for larger organizations, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation in web development.
Chapters
1. Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:00:00)
2. The Vision Behind Nuxt Studio (00:03:10)
3. Nuxt Studio’s Core Features (00:08:45)
4. Challenges in Building Nuxt Studio (00:16:20)
5. Target Audience and Use Cases (00:22:35)
6. Sustainability in Open Source (00:29:00)
7. The Future of Nuxt Studio (00:35:10)
8. Nuxt Studio’s Role in the Nuxt Ecosystem (00:42:30)
9. Closing Thoughts and What’s Next (00:48:00)
10. Sponsor Shoutout and Wrap-Up (00:53:20)
Follow Baptiste Leproux and Ferdinand Coumau
Baptiste Twitter: https://x.com/_larbish
Ferdinand Twitter: https://x.com/CoumauFerdinand
Baptiste Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baptiste-leproux-618842b0/Ferdinand Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferdinand-coumau-nuxt/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

Nov 14, 2024 • 37min
Vaadin for Java on the Frontend with Lawrence Lockhart
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson chat with Lawrence Lockhart, Developer Advocate at Vaadin, about using Java on the front end. Lawrence introduces Vaadin’s frameworks, Flow and Hilla, which empower Java developers to build full-stack applications without needing JavaScript. They discuss Vaadin's web components, built-in accessibility, seamless integration with Spring Boot, and how it simplifies complex web applications for enterprise use.
Chapters
00:03 - Introduction
01:02 - What is Vaadin and Full-Stack Java
03:12 - Why Use Vaadin?
05:58 - Vaadin’s Communication Layer
08:13 - Vaadin vs. Traditional Front-End Frameworks
11:04 - Flexibility and Support for Web Components
15:14 - Micro Front-Ends and Cross-Team Collaboration
17:57 - Accessibility in Vaadin
19:27 - Sponsor Break
20:37 - Vaadin’s Backend Integration
22:39 - Power of Web Components in Vaadin
24:07 - Open Source and Community
26:15 - Testing with Vaadin
27:02 - Success Stories with Vaadin
30:09 - Customization and Theming in Vaadin
32:51 - Danny’s Perspective on Vaadin
34:02 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks
Follow Lawrence Lockhart on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/LawrenceDCodes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencelockhart/
Github: https://gist.github.com/lawrencedcodes/forked
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

Nov 12, 2024 • 35min
Learning Paths for Next.JS Developers with Ankita Kulkarni
Rob Ocel and co-hosts Tracy Lee, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson talk with tech educator Ankita Kulkarni about her journey from engineering leader to full-time educator. Ankita shares insights on teaching Next.js, bridging practical knowledge gaps, and helping developers tackle real-world challenges. They discuss Next.js as a React-based framework, its benefits, and the challenges it presents for beginners.
Chapters
Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 00:01
Meet Ankita Kulkarni, Tech Educator 00:26
Ankita's Transition to Full-Time Education 01:41
Teaching Practical Knowledge in Next.js 03:19
Effective Methods for Teaching Next.js 05:27
Challenges of Being a Full-Time Educator 07:48
Balancing Broad and Specific Examples 09:54
Embracing Mistakes as a Teaching Tool 12:13
Pair Programming and Mentorship 14:00
Discussion on Next.js and Framework Adoption 16:48
Advantages and Challenges of Next.js 18:12
Choosing the Right Framework for Your Needs 20:35
Impact of Next.js in React Documentation 22:26
Learning Paths for New Developers 23:24
The Rise of Full-Stack Web Development 25:09
Benefits of Frameworks Abstracting Complexity 26:27
OpenNext and Deployment Flexibility 28:06
Ankita's Excitement for New Next.js Features 30:35
The Future of Next.js Without Vercel 32:16
Final Thoughts and Where to Find Everyone Online 34:21
Follow Ankita Kulkarni on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/kulkarniankita9
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kulkarniankita
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co

Nov 6, 2024 • 39min
Fly.io for Easier Cloud Deployment with Annie Sexton
Annie Sexton, Developer Advocate at Fly.io, to discuss Fly.io’s approach to simplifying cloud deployment. Annie shares Fly.io's unique position as a public cloud that offers the flexibility of infrastructure control with a streamlined developer experience. They explore Fly.io’s private networking and distributed app capabilities, allowing developers to deploy applications close to users worldwide with ease. Annie also addresses common challenges in distributed systems, including latency, data replication, and the balance between global reach and simple, single-region projects.
Chapters:
- 00:00 - 01:32 Introduction to the Modern Web Podcast and Guests
- 01:33 - 04:00 Overview of Fly.io and Annie’s Role as Developer Advocate
- 04:01 - 06:35 What Makes Fly.io Stand Out Among Cloud Platforms
- 06:36 - 08:57 Distributed Applications: Benefits and Use Cases
- 08:58 - 11:28 Understanding Distributed Web Servers and Private Networking
- 11:29 - 13:49 Challenges in Distributed Data and Replication Techniques
- 13:50 - 16:12 Fly.io’s Unique Solutions for Data Consistency
- 16:13 - 18:34 When to Consider a Distributed Setup for Your Application
- 18:35 - 20:35 Tools and Tips for Evaluating Geographical Distribution Needs
- 20:36 - 22:22 Simplifying Global Deployment with Fly.io’s Command Features
- 22:23 - 24:18 Considerations for Latency and Performance Optimization
- 24:19 - 26:45 Balancing Simplicity with Advanced Control for Developers
- 26:46 - 29:04 Easy Deployment for Hobbyists and Smaller Projects
- 29:05 - 31:27 Getting Started on Fly.io with Fly Launch
- 31:28 - 33:48 Developer Advocacy and Meeting Diverse Needs in the Cloud
- 33:49 - 36:15 Catering to Beginners and Experienced Developers Alike
- 36:16 - End Closing Remarks and Where to Find Fly.io and the Hosts
Follow Annie Sexton on Social Media
Twitter:https://x.com/_anniebabannie_
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-sexton-11472a46/
Github: https://github.com/anniebabannie
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