Chats with Kent C. Dodds

In this final episode of season five, Kent C. Dodds recaps the enriching conversations with the speakers of Epic WebConf 2024, expressing gratitude and excitement for the upcoming event in April. He encourages listeners, whether planning to attend the conference or not, to revisit the season's episodes for timeless web development advice. While season six remains unplanned, Kent thanks his audience for their continued support and hints at future engagements, urging them to stay tuned. Meet Kent at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this episode, Kent C. Dodds interviews Dan Farrelly, the CTO and co-founder of Jest, about his journey from front-end engineer to CTO, the challenges of scaling a tech company, and the importance of staying small to maintain agility and innovation. Farrelly shares insights into the evolving challenges of a tech team, from infrastructure to front-end development, and emphasizes the value of a generalist approach in a small, dynamic team. The conversation also delves into Farrelly's upcoming conference talk on improving long-standing APIs and his enthusiasm for learning from and contributing to the developer community. Watch this episode. Meet Dan at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Dan Farrelly @djfarrelly@djfarrellydanfarrelly.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this podcast, Zeno Rocha, open-source advocate and founder of Resend, joins host Kent to discuss the dynamic world of web development and the shift towards SDK-first strategies. They reflect on the evolution of developer tools and the significance of user experience in product development. Rocha and Kent stress the necessity of high standards to stand out in web development, and they also touch upon the value of developer conferences for fostering relationships and collaborations. They look forward to engaging with peers at an upcoming event in Park City, Utah, and consider potential topics like the tech industry comparison between Brazil and the US, initiating open-source projects, and strategies for growing a user-base. Watch this episode. Meet Zeno at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Zeno Rocha @zenorocha@zenorochazenorocha.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In the podcast, Simon, an advocate for Tailwind CSS, shares his insights on its impact on web development and design. Tailwind CSS serves as a facilitator between design and development teams, streamlining collaborations and enabling quick translation of design concepts into code. He highlights how it enhances learning, boosts efficiency, and, despite some tradeoffs, provides significant workflow benefits by integrating design tool shortcuts. Simon also teases an upcoming conference where the potential of Tailwind CSS will be further explored. Watch this episode. Meet Simon at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Simon Vrachliotis @simonswiss@simonswisssimonswiss.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this episode, host Kent and Madison Kanna, the upcoming MC for Epic WebConf, discuss the benefits of attending conferences like Epic WebConf beyond just the informational content. They delve into how conferences can be a goldmine for networking, transforming online contacts into real-world connections. Madison explains her path and how initiatives such as her Sunday book club can cultivate community and continuous learning. Kent offers advice to introverts on navigating networking at these events, and together, they highlight their excitement for the Epic WebConf, underscoring the professional and personal growth opportunities it promises, further amplified by Madison's promotional efforts for the conference. Watch this episode. Meet at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Madison Kanna @MadisonKanna@MadisonKanna@MadisonKannamadisonkanna.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this episode, Tyler Benfield, a staff software engineer at Prisma, joins Kent to explore the world of databases and their critical role in full-stack development. Tyler shares insights from his journey from front-end development to mastering database performance and optimization, while also touching on the trend of front-end developers upskilling to become full-stack, leveraging languages like JavaScript and TypeScript. The conversation concludes with a preview of Tyler's session at the upcoming Epic Web Conference where he will cover topics such as SQLite, varying database types, performance tuning, and share personal anecdotes, offering an engaging learning opportunity for web developers. Watch this episode. Meet Tyler at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Tyler Benfield @rtbenfield@rtbenfieldtylerbenfield.meHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In the podcast episode featuring Sunil Pai, a former member of the React.js core team and developer at Cloudflare, the focus is on PartyKit, his new project set to transform real-time application development. PartyKit introduces features like real-time updates and server-rendering, aimed at facilitating the creation of dynamic, chat-GPT-like AI experiences. Sunil intends to showcase real-time apps and PartyKit at Epic WebConf, emphasizing the event's value in fostering networking and the exchange of industry insights for enhancing user experiences. Watch this episode. Meet Sunil at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Sunil Pai @threepointone@threepointonesunilpai.devHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In a conversation with Kent, Una, an expert in UI and a presenter at the upcoming EpicWebConf, delves into the dynamic world of modern web development. She underscores the importance of keeping up with the advances in UI capabilities and CSS, the shift towards more declarative techniques, and the necessity of adapting to new web standards. Una champions the vital role of community input in shaping web development and looks forward to the invaluable exchanges that come from in-person interactions, especially as the industry anticipates returning to face-to-face events post-pandemic. Her discussion calls on developers to remain adaptive, engage actively with their peers, and embrace the continual evolution of the web. Watch this episode. Meet Una at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Una Kravets @Una@unauna.imHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In the latest podcast, Glauber Costa, CEO of Turso and an ex-Red Hat contributor, speaks with Kent about the often overlooked yet robust SQLite database technology. Sharing their personal experiences with SQLite, they discuss its functionality, suitability in production, and the importance of version control in document evolution. Costa encourages developers to recognize SQLite's potential and looks forward to learning more about real-world challenges at the upcoming web development conference, promising insights into effectively utilizing databases in technology projects. Watch this episode. Meet Glauber at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Glauber Costa @glcst@glommerturso.techHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In the podcast hosted by Kent C. Dodds, Michael Chan, celebrated as Chantastic, shares his insights on the evolution of web development and the critical role of design systems. He discusses how design systems should evolve with product development, the importance of documentation, and the dynamic nature of design systems contrary to the belief that they are static. Michael advocates for the empowering aspect of creating personal software and looks forward to the future where emerging tools will not only prevent breaks but also enhance development workflows. The conversation ends with a positive outlook on the web’s future and the excitement for the Epic WebConf, seen as a springboard for new ideas and community engagement. Watch this episode. Meet Michael at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Michael Chan @chantastic@chantasticchan.devHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In a conversation with Kent, Ryan Florence, co-creator of Remix and React Router, discusses how web development and user experience intersect, and the impact of personal interaction at events like the upcoming Epic WebConf. He updates listeners on the Remix singles project, which integrates extensive open-source work with his business ventures, and tackles the complexities developers face when merging existing React applications with new frameworks. Ryan also addresses the double-edged nature of bundlers in web development, providing performance benefits while obscuring the underlying API. The episode concludes with a call for web applications to prioritize reliability, speed, and intentional design, as Ryan emphasizes the consequences of misleading UX design, highlighting the overarching goal of enhanced user experiences in the web development sphere. Watch this episode. Meet Ryan at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Ryan Florence @ryanflorence@ryanflorenceryanflorence.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In a thought-provoking dialogue, Front-end Engineer Sandrina Pereira explores the importance of web accessibility and how remote work is shaping the future of the tech industry. She discusses her role in crafting server-side validations for forms and her company's initiative to formalize a web accessibility statement, underscoring Remote.com's commitment to standards and improvement. Pereira also teases her upcoming presentation at Epic WebConf, aiming to demystify web accessibility with real-world examples and advocate for the consideration of diverse user abilities. Additionally, she reflects on the positive impact of remote work on inclusive hiring practices and the democratization of the tech field, as well as the significance of personal interactions at tech conferences. Watch this episode. Meet Sandrina at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Sandrina Pereira @a_sandrina_p@sandrina-psandrina-p.netHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this episode, Kent and Mark Techson, from Google's Angular team, traverse the expansive terrain of web development, drawing parallels between coding and music. Mark, blending his industry wisdom with musical passion, provides an intriguing perspective on the structural similarities between the two. He also explores the vital role of an MC in enriching event experiences and fostering engagement. Throughout the conversation, Mark’s candidness about his personal journey as a developer and parent adds a relatable dimension, painting a rich, holistic picture of life in tech. Watch this episode. Meet Mark at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Mark Techson @marktechson@marktechsonmarktechson.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

Developer and freelancer Jacob Paris delves into his personal evolution from game to web development, noting the core similarities like database interactions that tie different development fields together. He spotlights the efficacy of Remix in streamlining web development, particularly in UI and database interactivity, which he will explore further at Epic WebConf. Paris reflects on the critical nature of understanding the historical context of technology choices and advocates for well-justified selections in tech stacks. His upcoming conference presentation will dissect CRUD operations for effective application development, underlining the necessity of anticipating application demands for a more deliberate architectural approach. Paris looks forward to Epic WebConf both as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering valuable community connections within the Remix sphere. Watch this episode. Meet Jacob at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Jacob Paris @jacobmparis@JacobParisjacobparis.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this enlightening conversation, Kent C. Dodds shares his transition from a full-stack web developer to a renowned educator and community influencer within the web development sphere. He recounts his initial steps into public speaking, his experiences with rejection and eventual success in the conference circuit, and the pivotal role these platforms have played in his career. Kent also delves into his work on creating and promoting quality web development education through platforms like testingjavascript.com, epicreact.dev, and his involvement with the Remix community. The discussion further touches on his anticipation for the upcoming Epic Web Comp, his thoughts on the evolution of web technologies like React server components, and his commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative community through in-person events. Kent's story is not just about technical achievements but also about the power of community engagement and the impact of sharing knowledge and opportunities within the tech ecosystem. Watch this episode. Meet Kent at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.devHost: Shaundai Person @shaundai@shaundai

In the podcast, Michelle Bakels, a seasoned software developer and the Program Director for Developer Health at G2i, joins Kent to explore the necessity of balancing a tech career with personal life to ensure overall well-being. Drawing on her experience with health challenges stemming from work stress, Michelle underscores the importance of the Developer Health Operating System initiative, which aims to promote healthier working habits in the tech world. They discuss the pitfalls of self-imposed stress, the need for effective resource management, and the role of communication in navigating the ever-evolving realm of software development, with a particular nod to the complexities of React. The session wraps up with a commitment to further discuss the crucial topic of developer health in future talks. Watch this episode. Meet Michelle at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Michelle Bakels @MichelleBakels@MichelleBakelsmichellebakels.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In a thought-provoking podcast with Kent, Barry McGee from Shopify shares insights on the integration of AI in web development and the evolving landscape of remote work. Having transitioned to remote working in 2016, Barry brings a wealth of experience from significant tech companies and discusses the future of web performance, AI's role in enhancing user experiences like the context-aware search in Shopify's Shop App, and the strategies for maintaining application performance at scale, including the importance of caching. As web development continues to evolve, Barry's perspectives offer a glimpse into the symbiotic relationship between AI advancements and efficient remote work practices. Watch this episode. Meet Barry at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Barry McGee @barrymcgee@barrymcgeebarrymcgee.co.ukHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In this illuminating episode, Scott Hanselman, with over 30 years in the tech industry, including a significant tenure at Microsoft, delves into the impact of AI on web development. He reflects on his technological journey from the early days of the internet and explores AI's potential in automating routine development tasks. Scott advises on the ethical use of AI and stresses the importance of understanding technology's fundamentals for mastery. He also touches on the personal side of tech work, advocating for empowerment, authenticity, and emotional health in the field. The podcast wraps with a call to highlight positive narratives that contribute to a supportive tech community. Watch this episode. Meet Scott at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Scott Hanselman @shanselman@shanselmanhanselman.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

In the podcast, Saron Yitbarek, the founder of Code Newbie, shares insights into empowering developers through enhanced learning resources, financial opportunities, and community building. With Code Newbie evolving into a comprehensive media company and her successful venture into designing The Story Graph, Saron highlights the importance of newsletters for personal engagement and the benefits of fostering a learning-centric community. Additionally, she underlines her commitment to financial empowerment for developers via the "Big Cash Money" community, paving the way for broader discussions at the Epic Web Dev conference. Watch this episode. Meet Saron at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Saron Yitbarek @saronyitbarek@saronybigcashmoney.comHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev

Lina Mahrouch, a software engineer, recounts her transition from professional gaming to web development and her subsequent mastery of Remix for full-stack applications. The podcast highlights Remix's strengths in data handling, caching, and SEO, while also pointing out common pitfalls in its use. Kent and Lina stress the importance of networking in career advancement, particularly through conferences like the upcoming Epic WebConf. Discussions also touch on the exciting potential of AI in web development and the enduring value of personal interactions in the tech industry. Watch this episode. Meet at Lina Epic Web Conf. Guest: Lina Mahrouch @lina_mahrouch@LinaMahrouch@elina_csHost: Kent C. Dodds kentcdodds.com@kentcdodds@kentcdoddsKent C. Doddsepicweb.dev