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
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Why Coding Skills Won’t Get You To Staff Engineer (00:56:43)
Are you just executing tickets, or are you driving business impact?In this episode, Praveen Murugesan (VP of Engineering at Samsara) breaks down why the best engineers don't just write code and why "coding skills" alone won't get you there.He explains the critical shift from "software engineer" to "product engineer," why you shouldn't wait for permission to solve problems, and how to de-risk high-stakes projects like a true owner.In this episode, we cover:The difference between a "Ticket Taker" and a Product Engineer Why Product Managers should NOT be doing project management How to grow to Staff Engineer without managing a large team The exact interview questions to ask to test a company’s culture A real story of an engineer telling a VP: "That's not an important problem"Connect with Praveen Murugesan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveenmurugesanTimestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:55 - Product Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What’s the Difference? 00:06:20 - Why Product Managers Should Not Do Project Management 00:11:06 - The Danger of "Flying Blind" Without Business Context 00:15:24 - Why Curiosity Is the Ultimate Leverage in the AI Era 00:25:06 - Why the Best Ideas Must Win Regardless of Hierarchy 00:27:43 - The #1 Interview Question to Test for Engineering Ownership 00:32:12 - How to Test a Company’s Culture Before You Join 00:36:04 - Why You Don't Need to Be Senior to Be a Product Engineer 00:40:46 - Managing High-Stakes Projects and De-risking Failure 00:43:56 - What I Learned From Breaking Production at Salesforce 00:48:29 - The Myth About Staff Engineering and Managing Teams 00:51:59 - The Engineer Who Told the VP: "That's Not an Important Problem"#SoftwareEngineering #StaffEngineer #CareerGrowth
Forward Deployed Engineer: The Role Up 800% (And How to Get It) (00:45:33)
Traditional software engineering job listings have dropped by 70%, yet Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) roles have exploded by over 800% this year. We sit down with Mo Fagir, Principal Technical Consultant at ServiceNow, to break down exactly why this shift is happening and how you can pivot your career to ride this AI adoption wave.In this episode, we cover:The massive market shift: Why "pure coding" jobs are declining while FDEs are booming.The exact technical stack and soft skills required to land these high-paying roles.How to overcome imposter syndrome and build a portfolio that gets you hired, even as a junior.Why this isn't just a trend, but the future of how engineering delivers value.Connect with Mo Fagir:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-nour-tarigTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:14 - Why software jobs dropped 70% while FDEs grew over 800%00:02:55 - Why companies can't implement AI without Forward Deployed Engineers00:05:36 - Is this career path safe for traditional software engineers?00:07:54 - The exact technical stack you need to master today00:10:48 - Moving from engineering scope to product centric thinking00:16:15 - Can juniors and early career devs get hired as FDEs?00:19:12 - How to build a portfolio that gets you hired00:22:17 - Why passion and attitude beat experience in the AI era00:24:33 - How to train yourself to have a sense of urgency00:29:05 - Can introverts succeed in client facing engineering roles?00:32:17 - Lessons learned from interning at NASA and researching AI00:35:09 - Are we in an AI bubble that will burst soon?00:40:34 - Does becoming an FDE risk vendor lock-in for your career?00:43:36 - Final advice for engineers entering the 2025 job market#ForwardDeployedEngineer #FDE #SoftwareCareers
AI Won't Replace Software Engineers, But This Might (CEO Perspective) (00:36:49)
If you think your value as a software engineer comes just from writing code, you're already at risk.In this episode, Outsystems CEO Woodson Martin reveals why AI isn't the real threat to your career. Irrelevance is. He explains that writing code is now only 20% of the job, and the engineers who thrive are the ones who master the other "80% that matters."We cover:The billions of lines of ungoverned code AI is creatingWhy the "Forward Deployed Engineer" model is changing team structuresThe 80% of engineering work that AI cannot replaceHow to shift from coder to problem solver who drives business revenueA CEO's advice for building a lasting engineering careerThis is a reality check for developers, tech leads, and architects who want to stay relevant as agentic AI reshapes the industry.Connect with Woodson:https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodsonmartinTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:56 - How Agentic AI keeps the human in the loop00:01:55 - Real-world example: Automating the grunt work00:04:17 - How engineers are using agents internally00:05:52 - Blending Low-Code and High-Code for complex systems00:08:28 - Is a Low-Code career a trap for engineers?00:10:50 - Will AI make software engineering obsolete?00:12:09 - The 80/20 Rule: Why code is only 20% of your job00:13:14 - Layoffs vs. the rise of the solo entrepreneur00:15:18 - Career advice for a volatile tech market00:17:02 - How to retain top talent and keep them happy00:20:10 - Why we radically changed our engineering team structure00:24:33 - The "Forward Deployed Engineer" model explained00:27:08 - Outsystems vs. OpenAI: The future of platform building00:31:45 - The tech debt problem no one's talking about00:34:23 - The one thing that keeps you from becoming irrelevant#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #AIAgents
How We Get More Done with Fewer Engineers (00:28:52)
What if you could build a multi-million dollar software company where only 10% of your employees are developers? AFAS, a company with hundreds of millions in revenue, does exactly that with a lean team of just 70 engineers. In this episode, Engineering Manager Michiel Overeem pulls back the curtain on their unconventional strategies for achieving massive productivity with a surprisingly small team.In this episode, we cover:Why standardization is their secret weapon for efficiency.How they thrive without traditional Scrum ceremonies.The two distinct types of engineers they hire for success.The surprising details of their 4-day work week (paid for 5).This video is for engineering leaders and software developers who want to learn proven, counter-intuitive strategies to build hyper-effective teams and get more done, regardless of team size.Connect with Michiel:https://www.linkedin.com/in/movereemTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:22 - The "10% Engineering" Paradox at a €100M+ Company00:03:20 - How Standardization Allows a Small Team to Do More00:04:27 - The Two Types of Engineers Every Successful Company Needs00:06:46 - Why Feeling Responsible is More Powerful Than Being Responsible00:09:33 - The Secret Sauce of High-Performing Engineering Teams00:11:52 - A Simple Method to Keep Engineers Connected to Customers00:14:22 - What We Look For When Hiring New Engineers00:17:09 - The #1 Red Flag That Will Get You Rejected in an Interview00:19:33 - Why We Don't Use Scrum (And What We Do Instead)00:22:51 - The Power of Strong, Decisive Leadership00:24:13 - How Our 4-Day Work Week Actually Works00:26:55 - Our Approach to Adopting AI Tools like Copilot00:28:19 - Final Advice: The Best Way to Grow Your Career#EngineeringCulture #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment
How to Think About System Design (GitHub Engineer's Perspective) (00:46:01)
System design interviews often focus on theoretical complexity, but how do Senior Engineers at GitHub actually approach scaling? In this episode, Bassem Dghaidi breaks down how to think about system design when real business impact is on the line.We discuss why "simple is complicated enough," the dangers of premature scaling, and why vertical scaling often beats complex distributed systems. If you want to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and understand how to design software that actually serves the business, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:- The "Order of Magnitude" rule for scaling systems- Why GitHub often runs millions of requests on simple architecture- How to communicate technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders- Why 90% of Bassem's code is now written by AI agentsConnect with Bassem Dghaidi:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassemdghaidyTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:48 - Theory vs. Practice in System Design00:02:06 - The Startup That Almost Failed via Kubernetes00:03:33 - How GitHub Scales (It's Simpler Than You Think)00:05:20 - The Underrated Power of Vertical Scaling00:08:23 - Why Big Tech Interviews for Scale You Don't Need Yet00:10:39 - Software Evolves, It Isn't Just "Built"00:11:53 - Only Design for the Next Order of Magnitude00:15:39 - Stop Building Generic Frameworks00:18:17 - "Hacking" the System Design Interview00:21:29 - Translating Tech Problems to Business Risks00:27:37 - Layoffs & Engineering Efficiency00:29:41 - Proving Your Impact with Numbers00:31:00 - Professional Engineering vs. Hobby Coding00:32:19 - "Simple is Complicated Enough"00:35:03 - The Rise of AI Coding (The Motorcycle Analogy)00:37:30 - "90% of My Code is Written by AI Agents"00:41:04 - How to Become a Great Engineer#SystemDesign #SoftwareEngineering #GitHub
From Backend Engineer to Head of Mobile (Lessons from Uber) (00:58:34)
What does it take to build a career as a mobile engineer when AI is changing everything? Pasha Mazurin shares how he went from Java backend engineer to Head of Mobile, why he only joins mobile-first companies, and how AI-assisted development brought the joy back to his work. This isn't theory, it's real lessons from 15+ years in the field and now learning Android at a senior level.In this episode, we cover:AI-assisted mobile development workflow (the four-window tmux setup)Why mobile-first companies operate completely differentlyHiring for strengths, not lack of weaknesses (lessons from Uber)Leading as a hands-on engineer who stays in the trenchesWhy React Native doesn't feel native and when to go fully nativeWhether you're building your mobile engineering career or figuring out how AI changes your workflow, this conversation offers practical perspectives on staying effective and making intentional career choices.Connect with Pasha:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kovpasTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:13 - Using AI as Your Junior Engineer Teammate00:02:33 - The Four-Window Tmux Setup for AI-Assisted Development00:04:29 - Managing Multiple Features with Git Worktrees00:05:52 - Why AI Makes You a Better Code Reviewer00:08:07 - Setting Up Markdown Files for AI Context00:11:54 - Small Teams vs Big Companies: Where Mobile Engineers Thrive00:16:26 - The Mobile-First Company Filter That Shapes Every Career Move00:18:31 - Being Nice: The Underrated Career Skill00:20:29 - Pick Your Battles: When to Disagree and Commit00:22:52 - Hire for Strengths, Not Lack of Weaknesses00:25:16 - Is Software Engineering Still a Good Career Choice?00:28:19 - How I Accidentally Became a Mobile Engineer00:31:41 - Why I Only Work on Apps That Matter to People00:35:08 - Joining Uber During the Big Mobile App Rewrite00:39:12 - Leading Without Rank: Managing as a Hands-On Engineer00:43:01 - How AI Changed Mobile Development in 12 Months00:46:09 - The Communication Skills That Make or Break Engineers00:49:59 - It's Okay to Say You Don't Understand00:51:30 - Working on Payments: Building Critical App Infrastructure00:53:25 - Why React Native Doesn't Feel Native (And What Works Better)00:55:36 - Can You Switch Specializations Without Taking a Pay Cut?00:57:02 - How Learning Android Brought the Joy Back
How to Stay Relevant in Tech (25+ Years of Lessons) (00:59:35)
Worried about staying relevant as AI and new tools keep changing tech? The answer isn't chasing every new framework, it's treating your career like an engineering problem you can solve.In this episode, we cover:Why staying relevant isn't about the tools (and what it's really about)The 3 essential career management tools: Brag Doc, Competency Framework, and MentorsHow to get promoted when you're already doing the workNavigating salary negotiations and knowing when to leaveBuilding a career plan that gives you permission to relaxIf you're an engineer who wants to take control of your career instead of letting it happen to you, this episode gives you the frameworks and tactics to do it.Connect with Özgen Güngör:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozgengungorTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:46 - The Biggest Challenge for Tech Careers Today00:01:33 - How to Stay Relevant in the Age of AI00:03:46 - The Coming Commoditization of Coding00:05:29 - How to Move Up the Value Stream as an Engineer00:07:35 - Your First Tech Job is a Throwaway (And That's OK)00:09:24 - The Power of Breaking Down Your Career Plan00:11:44 - You Work 13% of Your Life: Why Intentionality Matters00:13:56 - I Have Too Many Career Options. What Do I Do?00:15:34 - The "5 Whys" Exercise for Your Career00:19:38 - How to Get Your Manager to Be Your Ally00:22:15 - The Truth About Big Tech's Broken Promotion Process00:24:43 - The #1 Person Who Cares About Your Career00:28:48 - Why You MUST Keep a "Brag Doc"00:34:08 - How to Avoid Falling Behind in Promotions00:37:33 - What is a Competency Framework?00:40:34 - How to Map Out Your Own Career Ladder00:44:35 - The Silent Factor That Kills Engineering Performance00:48:31 - Your Career Transcends Your Company00:52:40 - The 5-Year Plan That Changed My Career00:56:18 - 3 Essential Tools for Total Career Management#TechCareer #SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice
Promotions, Salary & Leadership: I Answer Your Toughest Tech Career Questions (00:57:10)
You asked, I answered. In this Q&A episode, I tackle the toughest career questions you submitted: from getting promoted when the process feels political, to negotiating salary, to leading projects as an IC.In this episode, we cover:* Holding peers accountable when you're not their manager* Navigating promotions when the process is political or unclear* Increasing your salary with strategic job offers* Building real authority and getting noticed by leadership* Staying relevant in the age of AI without burning outThis is for software engineers who want practical strategies to level up their careers, increase their earning potential, and make real impact without the fluff.Join me at React Advanced and Tech Lead Conf in London:https://ti.to/gitnation/react-advanced-london-2025/discount/CODING20Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:19 - Holding Peers Accountable When Managers Won't Help00:03:58 - The Surprising Truth About Code "Quality"00:05:43 - Scaling Accountability Across Large Teams00:07:50 - When Climbing the Career Ladder Feels Political00:12:37 - How to Stay Relevant in Tech Without Burning Out00:14:49 - The Key to Learning Without Feeling Overwhelmed00:15:18 - The Real Difference for Engineers Working Globally00:17:44 - What to Do When You Get a Better Job Offer00:20:51 - Finding Motivation Beyond a Higher Salary00:21:41 - How to Build Real Credibility and Authority00:25:31 - The Advice I'd Give My Junior Developer Self00:29:05 - The Art of Effective Delegation00:31:47 - Why Delegation Is Really an Act of Trust00:32:21 - Team Player vs. Individual Star: A False Choice?00:34:43 - The #1 Personal Development Skill for Engineers00:37:11 - The Hidden Dangers of Relying on AI Tools00:40:08 - Is Volunteering at Tech Conferences Worth It?00:42:50 - My Personal Struggle with Embracing Change00:45:32 - The Career "Regret" I Don't Actually Regret00:46:45 - How to Stay Productive While Dealing with Grief00:49:08 - My Process for Finding Great Podcast Guests00:50:48 - The Secret to Making Guests Feel Comfortable00:52:06 - How Podcasting Transformed My Communication Skills00:53:35 - Handling Guarded or Difficult Podcast Guests00:56:11 - Final Thoughts & How to Support the ChannelGot questions for the next Q&A? Drop them in the comments 👇#SoftwareEngineering #CareerGrowth #TechLeadership
What Separates Good Engineers from Great Ones (00:38:04)
What's the real difference between a good software engineer and a truly great one? It’s more than just coding skill. It's a specific mindset, a disciplined approach to technology, and a deep understanding of core principles. This is the roadmap to leveling up your career.In this conversation with Sander Mak, Director of Technology at Picnic, we discuss the methods they use to train world-class engineers. You will learn:The "under the hood" knowledge that truly matters.Why great engineers often choose "boring," proven technology.The critical transition from being a coder to a product-focused engineer.The most common pitfall that holds good developers back.If you're a software developer looking to move beyond "good enough" and achieve greatness in your craft, this is the episode for you.Connect with Sander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandermakTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:30 - Building Picnic's Tech Academy for New Engineers00:04:37 - The Key Mindset of a Successful Junior Engineer00:08:01 - A Look Inside the Engineering Training Curriculum00:12:19 - The Common Pitfall of Copying Without Understanding00:14:10 - How Deep "Under the Hood" Knowledge Should Go00:17:41 - Why Great Engineers Value "Boring" Technology00:21:44 - Improving Developer Experience and Team Productivity00:30:02 - The Transition from Coder to Product Engineer00:34:18 - Key Advice for Self-Taught Developers00:35:41 - Using AI for Learning vs. for Code Generation#SoftwareEngineering #DeveloperCareer #Coding
From 6 Engineers to 2: Why Product and Engineering Are Merging (00:49:24)
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 the new, merged "product-engineer" role looks like.In this episode, we cover:- Why AI enables smaller teams to have a massive impact- The merging roles of Product, Engineering, and Design- What skills make you one of the indispensable "2 engineers"- How to structure and manage a hyper-efficient, AI-native teamThis is a must-watch for founders building lean companies, and for engineers and PMs who want to understand their evolving role in the age of AI.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:57 - Are Agile Processes Obsolete in the Age of AI?00:02:46 - Why Product Managers Are Redefining Team Processes00:04:35 - The Mindset You Need for AI Product Development00:07:54 - How AI Is Forcing Product and Engineering Closer Together00:11:26 - Using AI as Your Personal Feedback Co-Pilot00:15:23 - The Critical Mistake to Avoid When Using AI for Product00:20:45 - The Ideal AI Product Team Composition of the Future00:26:10 - The New Expectations for Software Engineers in the AI Era00:32:05 - A Better Way to Manage Tech Debt and Developer Happiness00:34:46 - What Truly Makes Developers Happy at Work00:37:43 - Co-Creating a Vision That Actually Motivates Your Team00:40:59 - How to Receive Tough Feedback as a Growth Opportunity00:45:37 - The Painful Decision to Kill a Failing Project00:48:44 - The Most Important Skill for the AI Era
How Hackathons Make You a Better Software Engineer (00:42:27)
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.The surprising skills you gain from short-term projects that your daily job can't teach you.How companies like Booking.com use hackathons to innovate and train new talent.Why personal projects are the secret weapon for career growth.This episode is for any software engineer looking to distinguish themselves, learn new technologies rapidly, and make a real impact in the tech industry.Timestamps:00:00:49 - The Mindset of a Prolific Builder00:02:42 - How AI Helps You Build an MVP in One Day00:06:26 - Why This Engineer is a Hackathon "Living Legend"00:07:41 - From Hackathon Idea to Real AI Product00:11:42 - The Secret to Winning: Treat it Like a Startup00:17:22 - How Booking.com Onboards Juniors with a 4-Week Hackathon00:20:25 - Why We Still Need Junior Engineers in the Age of AI00:26:57 - The #1 Struggle Teams Face in Hackathons00:31:04 - The Real Reason to Join a Hackathon (It’s Not the Prize)00:35:46 - How to Start and Finish Your Personal Projects00:40:12 - The Feedback Loop Between Your Job and Hobby Projects#SoftwareEngineering #Hackathon #CareerGrowth
AI Startup CEO Reveals What Really Kills AI Projects (00:44:08)
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 important metric for AI observability.This conversation is for tech leaders, founders, and engineers who want to move beyond AI experiments and build real-world, production-ready systems.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:45 - Why Maarten Started a Dutch AI Hub00:02:15 - The "Flywheel" Effect Crucial for AI Success00:04:42 - The Hard Truth: Why the Netherlands is Lagging in AI00:07:52 - A Controversial Take: The EU AI Act is Actually Good for Everyone00:11:26 - The Real Bottleneck to Innovation Isn't Regulation00:14:25 - From POC to Production: Why Top-Down Vision is Non-Negotiable00:17:13 - A Wake-Up Call for Inexperienced Leadership Teams00:20:30 - How Winning Companies Use AI to Dominate Their Market00:23:44 - The Right Way to Learn From Your Competitors00:27:30 - Maarten Outsourced Core Development to an AI Company00:31:59 - The #1 Metric You Must Track for AI Observability00:36:03 - Open-Source vs. Closed-Source: Which AI Model Will Win?00:40:23 - The Inevitable Crisis That Will Force Innovation00:42:19 - The Power of Having a Long-Term Personal Vision#AIStrategy #TechLeadership #Innovation
The Graph Problem Most Developers Don't Know They Have (00:54:38)
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" explained: Why you have more graph problems than you think.Why basic RAG isn't enough, and how Graph RAG provides the context your AI is missing.How to uncover the hidden relationships in your unstructured data and build a knowledge graph.Real-world examples (from Amazon to your own notes) that reveal the graph structure all around you.The #1 reason knowledge graph projects fail and how to avoid it.This conversation is for any developer who feels their projects are hitting a wall. If you're ready for the "aha!" moment that will change how you look at data forever, this episode is for you.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:39 - From Unstructured Data to a Knowledge Graph00:02:00 - The Experiment: What Happens When You Break a Knowledge Graph?00:05:41 - What Are Ontologies in the Graph World?00:07:35 - The Graph Problem You Didn't Know You Had00:09:09 - Why Graphs Are So Good for GenAI Context00:10:10 - The Best Way to Create Vector Embeddings for Graphs00:12:50 - Using Graphs to Solve Extreme Corporate Complexity00:17:14 - Real-World Problems That Are Actually Graph Problems00:19:31 - How to Find The Right Expert in Your Company00:23:33 - The Rise of Federated RAG Agents00:25:31 - The #1 Reason Knowledge Graph Projects Fail00:29:37 - A Standard Query Language for Graphs (GQL)00:32:53 - Why Teams Are Moving From RAG to Graph RAG00:34:34 - Should Your Company Build Its Own AI Assistant?00:38:28 - The "Fear of Missing Out" Driving Bad AI Projects00:40:21 - The Dangers of Chaotic vs. Laser-Focused Company Priorities00:44:05 - Why Gantt Charts Don't Work for Software00:47:08 - How Top Engineers Actually Learn New TechnologiesGuests on this podcast express their own views and do not represent their employers.#GraphDatabase #KnowledgeGraph #SoftwareArchitecture
How Deepfakes are Evolving (And What You NEED to Know) (01:02:30)
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 criminals use 3-second voice clones for scams- The shocking story of a North Korean deepfake spy- Why facial and voice ID are no longer secure- How to use AI to detect other AI fakesThis video is for anyone who wants to understand the real-world dangers of deepfake technology and learn actionable steps to protect themselves in our new "fake reality."Connect with Parya:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paryalotfiTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:35 - The Scary Reality of AI-Generated Videos00:02:32 - The Dangerous Side of Facial & Voice Biometrics00:03:45 - The Disturbing Reality of Voice Cloning Scams00:06:46 - How to Use AI to Catch AI-Generated Fakes00:10:11 - Solving AI's "Black Box" Problem with Explainability00:12:10 - The Different Types of Deepfakes Criminals Use00:14:15 - How Deepfakes Are Used to Launder Millions From Banks00:18:18 - Inside the Darknet's "Deepfake-as-a-Service" Business00:22:32 - Why Banning Deepfake Technology Is Impossible00:24:58 - How Deepfakes Are Being Weaponized in Global Conflicts00:27:30 - Red Teaming: How to Think Like a Deepfake Criminal00:29:09 - The North Korean Spy Who Used a Deepfake to Get a Job00:31:54 - The Ultimate Goal: A Deepfake Detector for Everyone00:37:23 - The Future That Scares Me: AGI and Self-Aware Robots00:44:33 - The Journey of Building a Deepfake Detection Company00:47:42 - The Surprising Reason Deepfake Detection Is So Hard00:54:44 - Who Is Responsible When You Get Scammed by a Deepfake?00:58:25 - The Rise of AI Influencers and Their Tragic Consequences#Deepfake #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence
From Pixels to Tokens: UX Is Not Enough Anymore (00:47:41)
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 feature is ready to ship.The changing roles and expectations for PMs, engineers, and data scientists.Building trust and a strong product culture in a distributed AI team.This episode is a must-watch for product managers, engineers, and tech leaders looking to adapt their processes for the age of AI and accelerate their delivery cycles.Timestamps:00:00:00 - How Microsoft Builds AI Features00:00:49 - The #1 Thing That Changed for Product Managers01:28 - From Pixels to Tokens: The AI Product Shift02:58 - Why AI Is All About Output Quality, Not UX04:46 - When Is an AI Feature "Good Enough" to Ship?06:45 - The "Non-Embarrassment Bar" for Releasing AI09:07 - Why Old User Feedback Methods Don't Work for AI12:28 - The New Expectations for Software Engineers in AI15:33 - When to Involve Engineers in the Product Process17:43 - How Microsoft Structures Its AI Product Teams20:40 - Why 3-Month Planning Is Obsolete in the AI Era22:42 - How to Remove Bias From Your Product Decisions25:36 - Balancing Data vs. User Intuition in AI27:44 - The Biggest Bottleneck in AI Experimentation31:12 - How to Define the Right Metrics for Your AI Product33:39 - Building Trust and Culture in a Remote Team37:47 - The Most Underrated Skill for Product Managers40:57 - How to Cultivate a Strong Product Culture44:32 - The AI Tools a Microsoft PM Actually Uses46:29 - How to Manage the Expanding Scope of the PM RoleConnect with Stéphanie Visser:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievisserConnect with Patrick Akil:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-akilhttps://twitter.com/PatrickAkil_Sponsors:Xebia - https://xebia.com#ProductManagement #AI #Microsoft
Stop Hiring Junior Engineers Because of AI? (00:49:41)
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 conversation is for tech leaders, hiring managers, and aspiring developers looking to understand how to build and grow their careers in the age of AI.Connect with Shahin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahin-shahkaramiFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/Jui-8Lx6kvkBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!Timestamps:0:00:00 - Why Now Is The Best Time to Hire Junior Talent00:01:46 - The Massive Mistake Companies Make with AI Hiring00:03:11 - How Junior Talent Can Stand Out in 202500:04:39 - Why Senior-Only Teams Can Become Negative00:05:56 - The ROI Problem: What If Your Junior Talent Leaves?00:07:44 - How Companies Can Actually Retain Top Talent00:11:06 - How AI Has Changed Personal Productivity for Leaders00:15:34 - How the Role of a Data Scientist Is Evolving00:18:28 - The 80/20 Rule of Building AI Products00:21:37 - The Rise of the "AI Engineer" and What It Means00:23:37 - A Simple Strategy for Personal Growth in Tech00:28:46 - Where Generative AI Delivers Real Business Value00:32:37 - Why You Must Differentiate Your Business With AI Now00:38:09 - A 2-Fold Strategy for Prioritizing AI Projects00:40:41 - The Power of a 20% Experimentation Culture00:43:10 - The Problem With Chatbots as a First AI Project00:46:20 - The Danger of Releasing an 80% Good AI Product#AI #TechCareers #DataScience
How to Master Software Engineering (From Junior to Architect) (00:52:48)
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 dailyThe ideal environments for junior and senior engineers to thriveWhy rapid, frequent deployment is SAFER than slow, careful releasesThe critical feedback loops you must have to accelerate your careerHow to move beyond rigid processes like Scrum to deliver real valueThis is for any software engineer who wants to stop just "doing the work" and start building a deeply fulfilling and successful career by mastering their craft.Connect with Joris:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkuipersFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/pNtkOZuWetgBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!Timestamps:00:00:00 - The #1 Thing That Gives a 25-Year CTO Energy00:02:39 - How to Maintain Mastery When Tech Constantly Changes00:05:30 - The Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Learning on the Job00:08:49 - What Junior Developers Should Master First00:11:39 - The Danger of Starting Your Career at a Small Startup00:14:45 - How to Persuade Senior Engineers to Change Their Ways00:17:33 - Why I Don't Want to Be a Full-Time Coder Anymore00:20:14 - The Right Way to Ask Your Senior for Help00:22:42 - Why We Stopped Doing Story Point Estimations00:25:39 - The Problem with Managers Who Lack Technical Depth00:29:26 - Why Integration is the Future of Software Engineering00:33:11 - The Dark Side of Accessible Cloud Infrastructure00:35:34 - Why You MUST See Your Code Running in Production00:37:35 - Should Developers Be On-Call for Their Own Code?00:41:38 - The Surprising Reason Faster Deployments Are Safer00:45:57 - Why Small, Frequent Changes Reduce Your Risk00:49:09 - How Your Environment Makes or Breaks Your Career00:52:10 - The Good News: Learning Gets Easier Over Time
The Simple Daily Habit That Unlocks Your Productivity (00:44:42)
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 awareness and reflection.Why experimenting with your processes is crucial for career growth.How to overcome FOMO and take control of your workload.This episode is for any professional who feels overwhelmed by their to-do list and wants actionable strategies to reclaim their focus and energy.Connect with Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillmeisterFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/9r2_49wW2xUBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!Timestamps:00:00:00 - The #1 Realization About Your Time00:00:44 - My New Approach to Knowledge Management00:02:10 - The Surprising Reason I Use Jira for Personal Tasks00:04:03 - Why You Should Experiment (Even If It Fails)00:06:40 - How to Challenge Processes Without Being Flaky00:08:56 - How to Say "No" to Meetings Early in Your Career00:11:57 - The Only Person Who Can Manage Your Time00:13:13 - How AI Is Changing Meeting Productivity Forever00:16:24 - Is Your Team Using Async Communication Correctly?00:19:25 - How We Track and Limit Context Switching00:21:29 - The Simple Trick to Managing an Overwhelming Workload00:24:08 - The Hard Truth About Dropping Tasks You Enjoy00:26:49 - Giving Yourself Grace: You Don't Have to Be a Superhuman00:28:29 - Why We Don't Value Our Own Time (And How to Fix It)00:30:23 - The Daily Logging Habit That Creates Insane Awareness00:33:48 - My Sunday Ritual for Weekly Reflection and Micro-Goals00:36:21 - The One Daily Question That Brings Me Joy and Energy00:38:20 - How I Keep My Work and Personal Knowledge Separate00:41:24 - The Power of Analyzing Yourself to Improve Your Life
Principal Software Engineer: Democracy at Work is Overrated (01:04:06)
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 yourselfGiving and receiving critical feedback without being seen as "negative"The importance of accountability and managing low-performing colleaguesWhy a top-down approach can be more effective than team democracyHow to "disagree and commit" to keep projects moving forwardThis video is for any software engineer who wants to level up their career, navigate corporate dynamics, and become a high-impact performer in a competitive environment.Full episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/1q7Jjbi5GJ4Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!Timestamps:00:00:00 - Career Progression for Software Engineers in Big Tech00:00:28 - The Pain and Frustration of a Missed Promotion00:03:44 - The "Classic Game" of Asking Your Manager for a Promotion00:05:38 - When Salary Becomes a Trigger for Your Motivation00:08:09 - Why Recognition is More Important Than Money00:11:09 - The Challenge of Giving Positive vs. Critical Feedback00:13:26 - Is Your Critical Feedback Being Labeled as "Negative"?00:15:36 - When Being Indirect Wastes Everyone's Time00:17:44 - Why Direct Disagreement Leads to Better Decisions00:20:16 - The Surprising Impact of Meeting Colleagues In-Person00:22:43 - How Reorgs Destroy High-Performing Teams00:25:59 - Why the World's Biggest Codebase is Embarrassing00:27:58 - Should You Let Your Team Make Their Own Mistakes?00:30:47 - The Unique Challenge of Building Enterprise Software00:34:16 - A Hard Lesson: When Your Directness Hurts a Colleague00:38:45 - The Uncomfortable Truth About Managing Low Performers00:43:21 - Why High Performers Leave Teams That Tolerate Coasting00:47:05 - A Contrarian Take: Is Workplace Democracy Overrated?00:50:54 - How to "Disagree and Commit" Without Wasting Time00:55:52 - The #1 Instinct to Control When Receiving Feedback01:01:43 - Mindset Shift: Treating Software Engineering Like a Competitive Sport
How to Get a Remote or International Tech Job (Complete Guide) (00:30:15)
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 actually reply.How to prepare for modern tech interviews that go beyond LeetCode.My personal story of failing a dream job interview and what it taught me.This guide is for any software engineer or tech professional, from early-career to experienced, who wants to break into the remote or international job market. You'll learn the actionable steps to stand out, get your foot in the door, and ultimately land the job.Full episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/GtPyXqFbCusBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!Timestamps:00:00:00 - The #1 Question You Must Answer First00:01:08 - Why Your First Tech Job Should Be Local00:03:14 - The Surprising Benefit of Working In-Office00:05:17 - The Easiest Path to an International Role00:07:09 - Mastering English: The Underrated Skill00:11:23 - How to Stand Out in the Age of AI Resumes00:14:31 - Proving Your Worth with a Strong GitHub Portfolio00:17:37 - Build Your Network Through Community and Content00:20:13 - The Right Way to Message Recruiters on LinkedIn00:23:20 - How Tech Interviews Are Changing (Beyond LeetCode)00:26:41 - What I Learned from Failing My Dream Job Interview00:28:08 - Your Complete Roadmap to Landing the Job#TechCareers #RemoteJobs #SoftwareEngineer
Tech Founder: From 0 to 15 Million Users. Here's What We Learned (00:45:43)
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 interview.Connect with Maximiliano Neustadt:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximiliano-neustadt-90137b2Full episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/3ZLmpggjcUYBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!OUTLINE00:00:00 - Introducing Maximiliano Neustadt, CTO of Polarsteps00:00:46 - The founding story of Polarsteps00:03:21 - The early days and first key hires00:05:48 - The unique Polarsteps hiring process00:15:15 - Transitioning from CTO to CEO during COVID-1900:19:37 - Rejecting startup hustle culture00:22:51 - Balancing employee freedom and company direction00:29:05 - Polarsteps' five core company values00:33:04 - Balancing user data and intuition in decision making00:38:24 - The approach to adopting new tech like AI00:44:13 - How Polarsteps fosters innovation
Software Engineering Went From Hacker Culture to... (00:50:48)
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 matteredHow open source was always politicalWhy 2017-2018 changed everythingWhere to still find real hacker culture (hint: hacker camps, FOSDEM)The difference between building puzzles vs. building APIsFrom Anonymous protests to battle snake competitions, from lockpicking to the lost idealism of the early web - discover what software engineering lost and where you can still find it."Open source culture goes back to the 70s... quite a few of them see free information, open information, accessible information as a human right." - Pauline🔗 Connect with Pauline:https://pauline-vos.nlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinepvosFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/0fIoRVlObNoBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!OUTLINE: 00:00:00 - The Origins of Software Culture00:02:13 - The Shift to a Profit-Focused Culture00:03:48 - The Reality of Production and the Need for Guardrails00:05:32 - Contrasting Modern Startup Goals with Hacker Culture00:07:16 - The Role of Architects and Pragmatic Design00:09:46 - The Anti-Capitalist Roots of DIY Culture00:11:52 - Open Source: Political Roots and Business Models00:15:28 - The Thriving and Misunderstood PHP Ecosystem00:21:23 - Why Open Source Lacks User Experience Professionals00:23:36 - The Decentralized Web and The Fediverse Explained00:30:12 - The Web's Original Vision vs. Its Current State00:33:09 - The Impact of AI on How We Use the Internet00:36:07 - AI-Generated Code: A Goldmine for Hackers00:40:47 - "Slop Squatting": A New AI-Related Security Threat00:43:03 - How to Find and Engage with Hacker Culture Today00:46:20 - Gamifying Software: Battle Snake, CSS Battles, and the Demoscene00:50:04 - Final Advice and How to Get Involved
Search Is In Everything You Build (And You Probably Don't Know It) (00:49:10)
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 (surprising data)- How AI is changing what brings developers joy- The authenticity crisis in tech content (and why Pratim blocks AI-generated responses)Key takeaways:- Every filter, recommendation, and personalization feature you build involves search- Modern search goes way beyond text - it's about context, location, and intent- The developer experience is fundamentally changing with AI tools🔔 Subscribe for more Beyond Coding episodes💬 What hidden search problems have you discovered in your projects?Connect with Pratim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhosalepratimhttps://x.com/BhosalePratimFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/X4CxFXTpcBQBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!OUTLINE00:00:00 - The Evolving Magic of Search00:03:28 - From Physical Files to Contextual AI00:05:00 - Why All Developers Should Care About Search00:08:28 - Unlocking New Possibilities with Hybrid Search00:12:40 - The Developer Advocate's Dilemma: Depth vs. Breadth00:15:05 - The Joy of Fast Feedback in Backend Development00:18:01 - How AI is Reshaping Creativity and Joy00:21:17 - AI's Impact on Code Generation and Security00:24:57 - Programming Languages and Code Quality00:29:05 - Picking Up New Languages in the Age of AI00:33:12 - The Rise of AI-Generated Content on Social Media00:38:52 - When to Use AI in Your Content Creation00:42:15 - Why Empathy is The Most Valuable Skill for the Future00:45:52 - The Future Value of Human Experiences
Inside VEED’s AI Product Strategy: Speed, Scale, and User Feedback with Samuel Beek (00:40:39)
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 speedEmbedding user feedback into product decisionsBuilding for scale and testing fastBalancing innovation and executionConnect with Samuel Beek:https://samuelbeek.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelbeekFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/UgFbZhWCrGcBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!
From AI Hype to Real-World Results! Getting AI into Production with Sohrab Hosseini (00:41:02)
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 with Sohrab Hosseini:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohrabhosseiniFull episode on YouTube ▶️https://youtu.be/WKySqx2OPhQBeyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick AkilPowered by Xebia!!
