Front End Happy Hour

Kent C. Dodds, a passionate educator and entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from programming at PayPal to developing successful educational platforms like Epic React. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to solo work and the importance of work-life balance. Kent reflects on the significance of taking mental breaks for clarity and performance, and he highlights his approach to teaching through project-based learning. His story emphasizes resilience, growth, and the joy of teaching, making it a must-listen for aspiring developers.

Discover the vibrant life in Silicon Valley, where tech culture collides with unique workplace dynamics. Panelists discuss the excitement and challenges of working in an environment defined by constant innovation and high expectations. From the intense pressure and competitive spirit to the allure of flexible hours and networking opportunities, they share personal stories that reveal both the ups and downs. Plus, tips for new arrivals and insights into educational justice add depth to this engaging conversation.

Shashi Lo, a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft and mentor for self-taught developers and bootcamp graduates, shares valuable insights on the post-bootcamp journey. He discusses the common skill gaps graduates face and the importance of practical experience in landing tech jobs. The conversation highlights the need for mentorship and community support in navigating the transition to real-world roles. Shashi also recommends resources like Frontend Mentor to enhance coding skills and delves into innovative tech like a spoon that promotes healthier eating.

Angie Jones, the Global VP of Developer Relations at Block, shares her inspiring career journey from software engineering at Twitter to her current leadership role. She delves into the evolving landscape of developer relations and discusses the importance of empathy and communication in tech. Angie emphasizes community engagement and mentorship for growth while tackling challenges in fintech, including compliance and international payments. Her insights on legacy code upgrades and the need for supportive tech communities are both timely and practical.

In this episode, we dive into the topic of taking a sabbatical and its impact on personal and professional life. Our special guest, Jennifer Tieu, a front-end developer at a Web3 agency, joins us to share her experience of taking a break from work, the challenges she faced, and the insights she gained. Panelists Ryan Burgess and Cole Turner also discuss their own sabbatical journeys, offering valuable advice on managing burnout, prioritizing personal well-being, and navigating the transition back to work. Whether you're considering a sabbatical or just curious about its benefits, this episode provides thoughtful reflections and practical tips. Guests: Jennifer Tieu - @jennifer_tieu Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Cole Turner - @coleturner Picks: Jennifer Tieu - Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life https://www.amazon.com/Ikigai-Japanese-Secret-Long-Happy/dp/0143130722?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=frontendhappy-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=e062900575dea0ba9cf089cbcf0633eb&camp=1789&creative=9325 Ryan Burgess - Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc Cole Turner - Supergoop Sunscreen https://www.amazon.com/Supergoop-Unseen-Sunscreen-SPF-1-7/dp/B08CFVM1TT?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=frontendhappy-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=e062900575dea0ba9cf089cbcf0633eb&camp=1789&creative=9325 Cole Turner - Koko Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/normalize-taking-a-break

While the Front End Happy Hour crew takes a much needed summer break, we revisit the topic of online education with Josh W. Comeau, who’s had a lot of experience teaching courses to help share his knowledge with us on how we can create an online course. Items mentioned in the episode: Josh W. Comeau, Josh’s online courses, Hands-Free Coding Guests: Josh W. Comeau - @JoshWComeau Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung Picks: Josh W. Comeau - Make it Stick https://www.amazon.com/Make-It-Stick-Peter-C-Brown-audiobook/dp/B00M1Z2THY?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=frontendhappy-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=e062900575dea0ba9cf089cbcf0633eb&camp=1789&creative=9325 Josh W. Comeau - Cozy science fiction Ryan Burgess - Beep’s Burgers https://www.beepsburgers.com/ Ryan Burgess - The Pitch - Kimoyo: Is This African Startup Venture Backable? https://www.thepitch.show/116-kimoyo-is-this-african-startup-venture-backable/ Jem Young - Extraction 2 https://www.netflix.com/title/81098494 Jem Young - Valley Silicon: Bugatti Scooter https://store.millermotorcars.com/products/bugatti-electric-scooter-agile-bleu?variant=45020143845658 Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/summer-vacation-online-teaching-courses

In this latest episode of our 'Sips of Wisdom' series, Ryan Burgess sits down with Shaundai Person, Senior Software Engineer at Netflix. Shaundai shares her inspiring journey from a career in sales to becoming a senior software engineer at one of the world's leading entertainment companies. With her unique background and experience, Shaundai discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced while transitioning into tech. She offers valuable insights into navigating career changes, building technical skills, and the importance of perseverance. Shaundai also shares personal stories and professional advice on thriving in the tech industry.

Join us as we welcome Robert Balicki, the creator of Isograph, to discuss how this innovative UI framework can transform your development projects. Robert shares key use cases, tips for leveraging Isograph, and a sneak peek at upcoming features. Guests: Robert Balicki - @StatisticsFTW Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung Stacy London - @stacylondoner

In this latest episode of our 'Sips of Wisdom' series, Ryan Burgess sits down with April Wensel, founder of Compassionate Coding. April shares her unique journey from software engineer to teaching emotional intelligence and compassion in tech. With a background in computer science and experience in Bay Area startups, April discusses the importance of integrating emotional intelligence into software development. She provides valuable insights on managing burnout, fostering empathy, and improving team dynamics. April also shares personal anecdotes and professional advice for creating healthier, more inclusive work environments. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about the human side of software development. Items mentioned in the episode: CompCompassionate Coding, Ryan's Engineering Management Resources, Cat Hicks, Ph.D, Self-Compassion - Kristin Neff, Ph.D Guests: April Wensel - @aprilwensel Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/sips-of-wisdom-interview-with-april-wensel

In this episode of the Front End Happy Hour podcast, we are excited to welcome special guests Brian Holt and Marco Bambini. Join us as we delve into the advantages of leveraging SQLite in the cloud. Discover how this powerful database technology can enhance your projects with its simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility. Brian and Marco share their expertise, real-world examples, and best practices to help you get the most out of SQLite in your cloud-based applications. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, this episode is packed with valuable insights and tips you won't want to miss.