

Python Bytes
Michael Kennedy and Brian Okken
Python Bytes is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Kennedy and Brian Okken. The show is a short discussion on the headlines and noteworthy news in the Python, developer, and data science space.
Episodes
Mentioned books

41 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 39min
#455 Gilded Python and Beyond
 Discover Cyclopts, a CLI library that enhances usability compared to Typer. Explore the exciting future of GIL-free Python, potentially transforming web services with enhanced performance. Learn about the practical benefits of free-threaded GC and how it dramatically speeds up ASGI applications. Delve into lazy imports for better package management. Plus, enjoy a humorous take on AI surgeons! Tune in for insights into programming innovations and some light-hearted banter. 

16 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 29min
#454 It's some form of Elvish
 Discover the intriguing djrest2 library for creating minimal REST APIs in Django, and explore the trade-offs of using different frameworks. Dive into the powerful GitHub CLI, allowing seamless management of pull requests and repositories directly from the terminal. Learn about caniscrape, a tool to analyze website anti-bot protections, and unravel the complexities of lazy imports. Enjoy a humorous take on programming with a joke that cleverly compares perplexing code to Tolkien's Elvish—coding can be quite the adventure! 

37 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 36min
#453 Python++
 Explore the innovative features of PyPI+, enhancing package discovery with dependency graphs. Learn about uv-ship, a CLI tool that simplifies and secures the release process. Get insights into Python 3.14's performance benchmarks and improvements. Discover 'Air', a new web framework, and its unique approach to HTML. Plus, hear tips on testing against new Python versions and a light-hearted Linux joke to wrap it all up. 

21 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 41min
#452 pi py-day (or is it py pi-day?)
 Discover the latest in Python with highlights from the recent release of Python 3.14, including template string literals and improved REPL features. Learn about a tool that checks library compatibility for free-threaded Python, making life easier for developers. Hear insights on the Claude Sonnet 4.5 and the new lazy imports proposal that could speed up your code! Plus, enjoy some laughter with humorous takes on project time estimates. A delightful blend of tech updates and light-hearted fun! 

29 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 24min
#451 Databases are a Fad
 PostgreSQL 18 is here, boasting faster text handling and smoother upgrades! Testing skills are revealed to be more critical than data structures for most jobs. Discover Pyrefly's cool new features for better code navigation. Brian shares joyful pytest and Playwright techniques that are game-changers for debugging. Plus, a dive into the upcoming Python 3.14 release and Django 6 alpha features. Finally, enjoy a funny joke about a database mishap that didn't go quite as planned! 

24 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 33min
#450 At-Cost Agentic IDE Tooling
 Discover the exciting new pd.col expressions coming to pandas, designed to simplify dataframe contexts! Dive into Cline, a free agentic IDE tooling that enhances your coding experience across various platforms, including VS Code and JetBrains. Plus, enjoy Rodrigo's compact uv cheatsheet for managing projects and dependencies effortlessly. The hosts also touch on the innovative Ducky network UI and delve into the latest changes in static site hosting with Netlify. Tune in for tech insights and a sprinkle of humor! 

18 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 31min
#449 Suggestive Trove Classifiers
 Discover how a recent antitrust ruling ensures Mozilla's financial future while shaking up its historic ties with Google. Dive into the innovative troml tool that optimizes trove classifiers for Python projects, making package management easier. Learn about the advantages of Parquet files over traditional formats for handling complex datasets. Plus, catch a glimpse of exciting developments coming with Python 3.14 and get ready for the upcoming PyBay conference, where tech meets fun! 

Sep 8, 2025 • 39min
#448 I'm Getting the BIOS Flavor
 Discover the innovative tool, prek, a Rust alternative to pre-commit that boosts efficiency without the hassle of Python installations. Explore TinyIO, a lightweight async approach simplifying concurrency in Python. Dive into the power of Python's print function and the crucial responsibility developers have when using AI. Laugh along as the hosts discuss a major AI settlement and the humorous mishaps that come with tech. And don't miss their playful banter on Slurpee flavors and the quirks of AI communication! 

Sep 2, 2025 • 36min
#447 Going down a rat hole
 Discover the benefits of a lightweight reverse proxy tool called rathole, designed for seamless access to local web applications. Learn how to optimize server resources and enhance tool installations with pre-commit and UV integration. Dive into the exciting features of Python 3.14, especially functools placeholders, and hear about the challenges of migrating old blog content using AI. Plus, explore innovative podcasting techniques and the fun of dynamic QR codes while reminiscing about movie nights and coding mishaps. 

36 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 31min
#446 State of Python 2025
 Discover the thrilling resurgence of pypistats.org, which now features a CLI tool to check Python package download stats. Dive into the evolving Python landscape, focusing on trends in data science and the significance of using updated versions. Explore the functionalities of the wrapt module for decorators and monkey patching, ensuring code integrity. Get insights into performance tools like PySentry, while enjoying humorous takes on summer heat and a playful critique of JavaScript's reign in web development. 


