For software engineers ready to level up. Learn from CTOs, principal engineers, and tech leaders about the skills beyond coding: from technical mastery to product thinking and career growth. Created by Patrick Akil
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What if the standard 6-person software team is now obsolete? AI tooling isn't just a productivity booster; it's fundamentally blurring the lines between product and engineering, enabling smaller, more powerful teams to achieve what once took an entire department. We're joined by Kate Ivanova, a Product Manager with years of experience building AI products at Big Tech companies, to discuss this tectonic shift. She explains why the traditional handoff between disciplines is breaking down and what ...
What if you could turn a weekend project into a core product feature at a major tech company? We sit down with Behrouz Pooladrak, a software engineer and hackathon legend at Booking.com, to uncover how these intense competitions can fast-track your skills, career, and impact. He shares the mindset and strategies that took his ideas from a one-day build to a real-world product used by millions. In this episode, we cover: How to treat your hackathon project like a mini-startup to guarantee success...
What if the biggest obstacles to AI innovation aren't what you think? Deeploy CEO Maarten Stolk shares his controversial but effective strategies for building successful AI products and ecosystems, challenging the common wisdom around bottom-up initiatives and regulation. In this episode, we cover: Why bottom-up initiatives fail without strong top-down vision. The surprising benefits of the EU's AI Act for innovation. How to build a thriving AI ecosystem from the ground up. The single most impor...
As a developer, you're trained to think in rows and tables. But what if that's the exact reason you're missing the most powerful connections in your data? There's a fundamental "Graph Problem" hiding in plain sight in almost every application, and once you see it, you'll wonder how you ever missed it. In this episode, we reveal this "obvious" secret and show you how to leverage it to build smarter, more accurate, and context-aware AI. In this episode/video, we cover: The "Graph Problem" explain...
It takes just three seconds for AI to steal your voice and impersonate you in a way no one can detect. How can you protect yourself, your family, and your finances when seeing and hearing is no longer believing? In this episode, deepfake expert Parya Lotfi reveals the shocking reality of AI-driven scams, from fraudulent bank transfers to fake kidnapping calls. We uncover how criminals operate and what you can do to spot the lies before it's too late. In this episode/video, we cover: - How crimin...
What does it take to build AI features at the scale of Microsoft Copilot? Senior Product Manager Stéphanie Visser reveals the massive shifts in product development, from focusing on pixels to tokens and embracing a culture of rapid, data-driven experimentation. Learn how the roles of PMs, engineers, and scientists are evolving and what it takes to succeed. In this episode, we cover: The shift from UX-focused products to output-quality-focused AI. How to run experiments and decide when an AI feat...
As AI accelerates development, many companies are halting junior hiring, believing AI tools can replace them. Shahin Shahkarami, Director of Data & AI at Ikea Retail, argues this is a massive mistake and that now is actually the best time to invest in new talent. In this episode/video, we cover: Why companies should hire junior talent despite the rise of AI. How the role of a data scientist is evolving with generative AI. The most valuable business use cases for AI beyond chatbots. This conv...
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant change in software engineering? After 25 years in the industry, CTO Joris Kuipers shares a pragmatic roadmap to not just survive, but achieve true mastery in your craft, whether you're a junior developer or a seasoned architect. In this episode, we cover: How to focus your learning when new technologies emerge daily The ideal environments for junior and senior engineers to thrive Why rapid, frequent deployment is SAFER than slow, careful releases The critical ...
Time is your most finite resource; once you spend it, you can never get it back. In this conversation, co-founder and Senior Product Manager Joseph Hill reveals the mindset and systems he uses to be intentional with his time, manage his focus, and stay productive without burning out. In this episode, we cover: How to be intentional with your time and challenge unnecessary meetings. The right tools for knowledge and task management (Obsidian, Jira, etc.). A simple daily logging method to boost aw...
Dario Gieselaar, Principal Software Engineer from Elastic gets brutally honest about what it really takes to succeed in a top tech company. We uncover the uncomfortable truths about the promotion game, why direct feedback is crucial (even when it hurts), and why a "winning" mindset is everything. This is the conversation about career growth they don't have in HR meetings. In this episode, we cover: Navigating promotion cycles and advocating for yourself Giving and receiving critical feedback wit...
The most common question I get is "How do I land a remote or international tech job?" In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact roadmap I would follow, from building core skills to the one thing you MUST do to get noticed by recruiters. This isn't just about resumes; it's about building a career that opens global doors. In this video, we cover: Why your first job should be local (and in-office). How to build a "social presence" that gets you hired. The right way to message recruiters so they ...
Maximiliano Neustadt, CTO and co-founder of Polarsteps, shares the incredible journey of building a travel app from 5 people to over 15 million users. From surviving as a travel company during the worst possible timing to scaling without hustle culture, Maxi reveals the key decisions, hiring practices, and leadership lessons that drove their success. Learn how they built strong company values, made tough product choices, and why they spend a full day with every hiring candidate as part of the in...
Pauline Vos (Senior Software Engineer at MongoDB) reveals how software culture evolved from its counterculture, DIY, and anarchist roots to what we see today. We explore: The original hacker mindset and why it mattered How open source was always political Why 2017-2018 changed everything Where to still find real hacker culture (hint: hacker camps, FOSDEM) The difference between building puzzles vs. building APIs From Anonymous protests to battle snake competitions, from lockpicking to the lost i...
Search is just about Google? Think again. In this conversation with Pratim Bhosale (Senior Developer Experience Engineer at Treblle), we discuss how search technology secretly powers nearly every app you use daily. What we discuss: - Why Netflix recommendations are actually reverse search - How dating app swipes and e-commerce filters are sophisticated search in disguise - The evolution from keyword matching to semantic understanding - Why JavaScript developers are writing the most insecure code...
Samuel Beek, Chief Product Officer at VEED, joins me to share how their team ships AI-powered features in days, not months. We explore VEED’s product strategy, how they stay close to users, and what it really takes to build fast without breaking things. If you're building with AI or working in product, this episode is packed with useful takeaways. Topics include: Shipping AI features at startup speed Embedding user feedback into product decisions Building for scale and testing fast Balancing inn...
How do you cut through the AI hype and successfully deploy AI products at scale? In this episode, Sohrab Hosseini (co-founder of Orq) shares practical insights into overcoming common challenges of AI production: model hallucinations, cost management, maintaining observability, and scalability. Discover the realities of putting AI into practice and learn what truly matters for achieving real-world results. Essential listening for anyone looking to deploy AI effectively and sustainably. 🎧 Connect...
Patrick Akil and Lydia Hallie discuss the anticipated React Compiler, highlighting how it alleviates the developer burden of manual memoization and significantly boosts performance, particularly on low-end devices. They cover its setup, integration, and Meta's impressive internal results. The conversation then shifts to the current state and impact of AI-generated code, with Lydia expressing reservations about its production readiness and the potential for developer disconnect.
Is AI a productivity tool or a dangerous shortcut for developers? In this episode, Stacy Cashmore, Product Lead at OmniPlan , joins us to discuss the practical realities of integrating AI into software engineering. Stacy shares real-world insights from developing AI-driven products, highlighting both the powerful benefits and significant pitfalls developers face when using tools like Claude and GitHub Copilot. Key topics include: ✅ Practical lessons from building and launching AI products. ✅ How...
AI is reshaping software engineering—but are developers getting better or worse? In this episode, Borislav Nikolov and Rares Mirica join me to discuss the identity crisis facing software engineers due to AI-driven tools. We explore the balance between increased productivity and potential intellectual decline, and what developers can do to stay ahead in a rapidly changing field. Topics include: ✅ Pros and cons of relying on AI tools in coding. ✅ The importance of maintaining critical thinking ski...
In this episode, Dennis de Reus, co-founder of Stellar and former Head of AI at ABN Amro , reveals how AI-driven voice technology is redefining customer interactions. We discuss practical experiences, real customer feedback, and the capabilities of AI compared to human support agents. Topics include: ✅ How Stellar uses AI to improve customer support experiences. ✅ Real-world scenarios where customers prefer AI over human interactions. ✅ The strengths and limitations of AI in customer service. ✅ ...
Great leaders don’t manage—they inspire, coach, and build trust. In this episode, Ray Bogman (Head of Innovation at Alumio) shares his experience leading a global team of 75 people and discusses why traditional management doesn’t work in today’s diverse, remote-driven world. We dive into how empathy, psychological safety, and relationship-building are essential leadership tools that prevent burnout and create highly productive, happy teams. Topics covered: ✅ Leading through empathy and coaching ...
"Vibe coding" —it’s the buzzword you might not have heard yet, but it could change your entire workflow. In this episode, Zowie Langdon explains exactly what vibe coding is: a modern approach that pairs developers with powerful AI tools (such as GPT-4, Cursor, Claude, and Gemini) to rapidly accelerate software development. We discuss how this innovative technique helps you code faster, experiment effortlessly, and overcome common coding frustrations. Key topics covered: ✅ Clear explanation of vi...
Ever considered speaking at a tech conference but felt unsure or overwhelmed? In this episode, Bert-Jan Schrijver, CTO at OpenValue , shares invaluable insights on why public speaking is one of the most powerful ways developers can grow their careers, sharpen their skills, and expand their professional networks. Bert-Jan provides practical advice for overcoming common hurdles, selecting impactful talk topics, and explains the broader benefits of community involvement and knowledge sharing. What ...
Can learning Rust boost your software engineering career? Absolutely. In this episode, Stephan Dilly, Rust expert and seasoned game developer , discusses why Rust has quickly become a critical skill in the industry. He shares insights on Rust’s challenging learning curve, why it’s worth mastering, and how it positions you as a highly sought-after engineer. We also explore the world of game development, examining why Rust adoption in games is growing, yet still challenging. Key Takeaways: ✅ How R...
Can bad team structures lead to bad software? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, André Borgonovo (Engineering Manager at GoodHabitz) joins me to discuss how team restructuring, Conway’s Law, and domain-driven design impact software development. We explore why engineering teams succeed or struggle based on how they’re structured —and what leaders can do to improve collaboration and efficiency. Key Topics: ✅ How Conway’s Law affects software design in large companies. ✅ The challenges...
🔥 How do top software engineers stay ahead—no matter how fast technology evolves? The tech industry is constantly shifting, and staying relevant as a software engineer isn’t just about learning the latest frameworks. In this episode, we dive into:** ✅ How to master your tools & become highly efficient ✅ The mindset shift every engineer needs to stay adaptable ✅ Why incremental learning beats future-proofing every time ✅ The growing role of AI (and why it won’t replace good engineers) ✅ The ...
What separates elite software engineers from the rest? It’s not just coding skills, it’s how they think, make decisions, and collaborate. In this episode, we dive deep into: 🔥 The mindset shift that unlocks next-level engineering success 🤝 How co-creation and transparency lead to better products 🚀 Why top developers rethink roadmaps and challenge priorities 🧠 The hidden power of A/B testing in decision-making 📈 How to influence without authority and actually drive change You’ll walk away wi...
Many think breaking into tech is just about learning to code—but the reality is far more complex. In this episode, I sit down with Ornella to dive into the unexpected lessons she learned from transitioning into tech. We talk about why mindset matters as much as technical skills, the power of feedback in career growth, and the surprising truths about working in diverse teams. 🎧 Tune in to hear their journey—and what you can take away from it. Connect with Ornella: https://ornella.xyz https://www...
Are you eager to climb the tech career ladder while maintaining a healthy work-life balance? In this insightful episode of Beyond Coding , we uncover the essential strategies for effective leadership hiring and explore how these practices can accelerate your professional growth. What You'll Learn: Leadership Hiring Secrets: Dive into key tactics and best practices for attracting and selecting top leadership talent in the tech industry. Career Growth Strategies: Discover actionable insights on na...
Scaling a startup is harder than it looks. From hiring and funding to execution, most founders underestimate what it really takes to grow a business. In this episode, Bob van Luijt, CEO & co-founder of Weaviate , shares his hard-earned lessons from building an AI-native database company that has scaled to 100+ employees worldwide . What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why your ability to sell a vision matters more than the idea itself ✅ How open source can fuel startup adoption before moneti...
