
The Real Python Podcast
A weekly Python podcast hosted by Christopher Bailey with interviews, coding tips, and conversation with guests from the Python community.
The show covers a wide range of topics including Python programming best practices, career tips, and related software development topics. Join us every Friday morning to hear what's new in the world of Python programming and become a more effective Pythonista.
Latest episodes

36 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 45min
Comparing Real-World Python Performance Against Big O
Christopher Trudeau, a contributor to PyCoder's Weekly, dives deep into the real-world performance of algorithms versus Big O expectations. He discusses how Python can compete with compiled languages like Go through practical profiling. Listeners learn about fascinating topics such as detecting vowels in strings, the ordered nature of Python dictionaries, and the significance of using enums for better code organization. Trudeau also highlights innovative community projects and recent developments in the Python ecosystem, showcasing the ever-evolving landscape of programming.

30 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 1h 13min
Solving Problems and Saving Time in Chemistry With Python
Ben Lear, a chemistry professor at Penn State, and Christopher Johnson, an associate professor at Stony Brook University, explore the intersection of coding and chemistry in their discussion. They dive into the motivations behind scientists learning Python, emphasizing its role in streamlining workflows and data visualization. The duo shares their insights on the challenges of teaching coding to chemists, the impact of AI tools in education, and effective strategies to engage students. They also touch on programming environments and the importance of reproducibility in scientific research.

79 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 54min
Structuring Python Scripts & Exciting Non-LLM Software Trends
Learn how to craft effective Python scripts by structuring code and managing dependencies using PEP 723. Discover the importance of inline script metadata for improved automation and maintainability. Explore exciting software trends like local-first software that prioritizes personal data processing. Dive into the resurgence of SQLite, advancements in mobile development, and tools enhancing Django management. Additionally, get insights into a new data science IDE and efficient pattern searching techniques with the Aho-Corasick RS algorithm.

45 snips
Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 5min
Scaling Python Web Applications With Kubernetes and Karpenter
Calvin Hendryx-Parker, Co-founder and CTO of Six Feet Up, shares his expertise on scaling web applications using Kubernetes and Karpenter. He discusses the importance of robust architectures for real-time features and introduces a project bootstrap tool for streamlined development. The conversation covers tools for managing Kubernetes, including Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), while exploring strategies for performance monitoring and dynamic scaling. Calvin also shares insights from his recent presentation on AI code assistants, diving into their role in modern development.

36 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 52min
Starting With marimo Notebooks & Python App Config Management
Christopher Trudeau returns with insights on Marimo notebooks, perfect for creating interactive dashboards while addressing the limitations of traditional notebooks. He discusses managing configuration settings in Python, comparing file formats and environment variables for storing credentials and deployment details. The conversation also touches on the growing debate around AI in programming, weighing its benefits against concerns, and includes a roundup of intriguing articles and projects from the Python community.

25 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
Rodrigo Girão Serrão: Python Training, itertools, and Idioms
Rodrigo Girão Serrão, a passionate Python blogger and educator, shares his insights on advancing Python skills using the itertools library. He highlights his unique blog approaches, including the 'Today I Learned' series, and discusses the 'Pydon’ts' for mastering core features. The conversation dives deep into the practical applications of itertools for efficient looping. Additionally, they explore the concept of programming idioms and their role in enhancing fluency, making coding more intuitive and expressive.

26 snips
May 30, 2025 • 35min
Python Thread Safety & Managing Projects With uv
Discover essential techniques for managing multithreaded code in Python, including synchronization methods and race condition handling. Dive into a tutorial on using the uv tool for efficient project management, from initialization to dependency management. Explore exciting community updates, like advancements in PIP and new features in Python 3.14, including T-strings for enhanced logging. Plus, learn about innovative data visualization libraries and tools for maintaining data integrity, ensuring your projects are both powerful and reliable.

20 snips
May 23, 2025 • 57min
DjangoCon Europe 2025: Live Recording From Dublin
Dive into the fascinating world of Django development! Learn about the creation of video courses and the complexities behind building installable Django apps. Discover insights from DjangoCon Europe, including community challenges and decision-making processes. The hosts reflect on audience engagement with cool Q&A moments, while highlighting innovations in database management and tutorials for all skill levels. Plus, enjoy the thrill of recording live in Dublin for an unforgettable experience.

53 snips
May 16, 2025 • 1h 32min
Going Beyond requirements.txt With pylock.toml and PEP 751
Brett Cannon, a Python Core Developer and packaging expert, joins to discuss his journey with PEP 751 and the new pylock.toml format. He highlights the importance of evolving beyond requirements.txt for better dependency management. Cannon shares insights into the influence of lock files on project reproducibility and the collaborative challenges faced by the Python community in standardizing practices. He also reflects on the historical shift toward security-focused packaging, showcasing the growth in Python's ecosystem.

122 snips
May 9, 2025 • 59min
Experiments With Gen AI, Knowledge Graphs, Workflows, and Python
Raymond Camden, a developer evangelist focused on APIs and AI, shares his adventures in Python and innovative projects. He discusses building a generative AI resume review system and an automated sentiment analysis tool using Diffbot's knowledge graph. Raymond dives into the challenges of learning Python, the importance of documenting his journey, and how he integrates his streaming content with his blog. The conversation also highlights the creative uses of AI in coding, emphasizing collaboration and thoughtful implementation to enhance user experiences.