

The Real Python Podcast
Real Python
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 50min
Exploring Mixin Classes in Python
Discover how mixin classes enhance code reuse in Python through multiple inheritance. Dive into challenges with async programming and learn about the new capabilities in CPython's JIT builds. Explore the latest trends from the 2024 Python Developer Survey and hear about innovations like the Leopards library for efficient querying. Plus, get insights on optimizing Python practices and the exciting new video course on object-oriented programming principles. Engage with the vibrant Python community that's shaping the future of development!

54 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 11min
Travis Oliphant: SciPy, NumPy, and Fostering Scientific Python
Travis Oliphant, the creator of NumPy and SciPy, shares his pivotal journey from biomedical imaging to leading the scientific Python community. He discusses the development of powerful open-source tools that data scientists rely on daily. Travis dives into the upcoming Python documentary, community engagement, and the challenges of sustaining open-source projects. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and education, while reflecting on healthier lifestyle choices and aspirations for the future.

17 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 46min
Selecting Inheritance or Composition in Python
Christopher Trudeau, a recurring guest and author of 'Django in Action,' dives into the nuanced battle of inheritance versus composition in object-oriented programming. He discusses a thought-provoking article that uncovers the deeper reasons behind choosing one over the other. The conversation also touches on recent Python community updates and intriguing projects like converting HTML to markdown and a library for audio processing. Plus, Trudeau highlights why understanding dunder methods is essential for effective Python coding.

57 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 15min
Harnessing the Power of Python Polars
Jeroen Janssens and Thijs Nieuwdorp, authors of 'Python Polars: The Definitive Guide', share their journey with Polars, a powerful DataFrame library for Python. They discuss its advantages over pandas, the significant speed improvements they've encountered, and the transition from R to Python. The duo elaborates on the differences between lazy and eager APIs, offering practical tips for users. Their insights on collaborative writing highlight the importance of community in technical literature and learning, making this a fascinating listen for data enthusiasts.

24 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 49min
Design Patterns That Don't Translate to Python
Christopher Trudeau returns with insights from PyCoder's Weekly, tackling the applicability of traditional design patterns in Python. He reveals that many patterns from the Gang of Four are often unnecessary in Python’s dynamic world. The conversation highlights more Pythonic solutions to common problems while emphasizing the new features in Python 3.14, including template strings. Trudeau also explores the importance of understanding built-in exceptions and the concept of 'expert generalists' in tech, advocating for versatility in coding skills.

16 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 50min
Supporting the Python Package Index
Maria Ashna, the inaugural PyPI Support Specialist at the Python Software Foundation, shares insights from her journey in supporting the Python Package Index. She discusses tackling account recovery backlogs and the complexities of PEP 541 requests. Maria emphasizes the importance of curiosity and willing to ask questions within the programming community. Highlighting her creative background, she challenges stereotypes about who can contribute to tech, advocating for diversity and inclusivity in programming. Her passion shines through as she prepares for upcoming talks at PyCon and EuroPython.

38 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.

80 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.

55 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.