The Programming Podcast

• Devs Are Losing Job Offers Due to THESE Common Mistakes!

  In this power-packed episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) break down everything you need to know to get your first job in tech.We go deep on:- Recruiter secrets- Nailing behavioral interviews- Technical interview mindset- Salary negotiation mistakes- Job hunt strategy- Real stories from our own journeysWhether you're just getting started or stuck mid-hunt, this episode is your ultimate job search survival guide—with no fluff, just the actionable truth.We also share what it's like building free communities like 100Devs and Commit Your Code, why most people aren't prepared for their interviews, and how vibes (yes, vibes!) play a bigger role in hiring than you think.NEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!🎙️ Subscribe for more real talk about tech, careers, and making it in software.⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why We’re Still Not Monetized01:03 – Do NOT Sign Exclusive Recruiter Agreements02:17 – Why Some Get Jobs Fast (And Most Don’t)03:36 – Reflections on the Biggest Guest Episode Ever05:00 – What Recruiters Really Do & Why They Can’t Mentor You09:48 – How to Prepare for Interview #112:00 – What “Being One of the Two” Really Takes14:45 – Honest Audit: Are You Actually Job Ready?17:00 – How to Strategize Your Resume & LinkedIn for Interviews21:00 – Behavioral Interview Tips That Actually Work23:00 – The Power of “Tell Me About Yourself”26:00 – Why You Must Research Companies Before Interviewing28:00 – Turning Interviews into Conversations30:00 – Asking the Right Questions (and the Wrong Ones)34:00 – How to Practice Behavioral Interview Questions36:00 – The Ball Rolling: Following Up the Smart Way38:00 – Momentum is Everything (Don’t Overinvest in One Job)40:00 – The Sales Mentality Behind a Successful Job Hunt42:00 – Technical Interviews: Think Out Loud or Fail Silently45:00 – The Real Point of the “Soft Tech / Half-Behavioral” Round48:00 – Storytime: Danny’s YouTube Startup Interview51:00 – Salary Negotiation on Your First Job54:00 – Why Your 3rd Job Will Always Outpay Your First58:00 – The Six-Figure First Job Trap (And Why It’s Misguided)1:01:00 – Optimize for the Long Game, Not the Big Number1:04:00 – Listener Question: Finding Your Why & Your Path1:07:00 – Time Management & Tech as a Launchpad1:10:00 – Why You’re Struggling with JavaScript Right Now1:13:00 – Building Something Real While Still Learning1:15:00 – Never Overpromise to Clients1:17:00 – Why Motivation Won’t Save You—Discipline Will1:18:20 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

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  1:18:23
• The Software Developer's AI Cheat Sheet Revealed

  In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel are joined by special guest Santiago, a machine learning engineer and teacher of the Machine Learning School cohort, for one of the most actionable and grounded AI discussions in tech today.We cut through the hype and dive deep into:- How AI is (and isn’t) replacing developers- Using AI as a co-pilot vs letting AI drive- Vector databases, embeddings, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)- Model Context Protocol (MCP), agent-based systems, and why no one agrees on what an agent is- The underhyped power of edge ML and TinyML- Real-world agent use cases (like automating DocuSign workflows)- Getting started with AI as a developer today — beyond building chatbotsFollow our Guest Co-host:https://x.com/svpinohttps://www.ml.school/https://www.youtube.com/@UCgLxmJ8xER7Y7sywMN5SfWg This episode is loaded with insights for junior devs, industry veterans, and anyone curious about building real AI-enhanced applications.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more developer-first conversations!⏱️ Timestamps & Chapters:0:00 – Will AI Replace Software Developers?0:45 – Embracing AI as a Developer Tool2:00 – Meet the Hosts and Guest (Danny, Leon, Santiago)3:20 – Leon’s AI Skepticism Journey4:30 – Why “AI Won’t Replace You, But Someone Using It Might”6:30 – Becoming a Solo Builder at Scale with AI8:15 – Real Examples of Using AI to Get More Done9:45 – AI and the Power of Prototyping11:00 – AI Co-pilot vs. You Co-piloting AI13:00 – Future of Tools Built for AI (MCP, A2A)14:40 – Shifting Between Developer Modes with AI17:00 – Intro to Vector Databases & Embeddings20:45 – What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)?23:00 – Large Context Windows vs RAG: Is RAG Still Relevant?25:30 – Indexing Speed & Clustering Explained with Spice Rack Analogy27:50 – Why Grounding Matters (Reducing Hallucinations in LLMs)31:00 – The Importance of the Ingestion Layer32:10 – Other Crucial AI Trends: MCP, Agent-to-Agent33:00 – Defining AI Agents (Why No One Agrees)35:00 – The Browser Wars of Agent Definitions36:30 – Overhyped vs Underrepresented AI Concepts38:00 – Specialized Tools for AI Builders39:45 – Agents Will Be the Next Microservices41:00 – Real-World Example: AI + DocuSign + Slack + Asana Integration43:00 – Underhyped: TinyML and AI on Edge Devices45:00 – Apple’s Adapter Strategy with LoRA Models47:00 – Companies Aren’t Ready to Train Custom Models Yet48:30 – Santiago’s Current AI Stack: Cursor, Windsurf, Tracer, and More50:30 – Specialized Tools for GitHub Issues, Jupyter Notebooks52:20 – Fine-Tuning Tools & Lightweight Model Training (DPO, RLHF)54:00 – Ask Danny, Leon & Santiago: How to Get Started in AI55:00 – First Project Ideas: RAG with YouTube, Building MCP Servers58:00 – Easy Agent Idea: Email Filter for Promotions59:00 – Leon’s Learning Stack: FastAI, MCP Docs, Replicate1:00:00 – Danny’s Favorite Beginner Project: Alt Text Generator1:00:25 – Wrap-Up and Goodbye

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  1:00:32
• The Truth About Breaking Into Tech (They’re Not Telling You This)

  "It's Not Just You!" This is one of our most powerful episodes yet.🔥 Real advice. Real experience. Real value. Hit that like & subscribe button to support more episodes like this!Follow our guest cohosts!Jeremy Parker:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrobinparker/Pariss Chandler:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pariss-chandler/Black Tech Pipeline: https://blacktechpipeline.com/Leah Thompson:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtcodeshttps://x.com/leahtcodeshttps://twitch.tv/leahtcodes/Yoo Jin (Yoon) Bae: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bae-yoojin/Zac Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachery-wilson-792bb01b5/https://seedgeni.usNEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel are joined by an all-star panel of developers who broke into tech from completely non-traditional paths. From wax specialists and restaurant managers to teachers and project managers, this group didn’t just survive—they thrived.We get raw, real, and ridiculously honest:The lowest moments in their journeyWhy failing interviews was the best thing that ever happenedHow to navigate the AI wave without getting left behindThe truth about DevRel, layoffs, and today’s job marketHow networking, community, and building in public changed everythingIf you're learning to code, changing careers, or struggling to break into tech—this episode is for you. You'll walk away with not just hope, but a blueprint.🔥 Subscribe to The Programming Podcast for more real talk like this.🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.⏱️ YouTube Chapters0:00   The Truth About Breaking into Tech  1:14   Meet the Co-Hosts & Guests  3:21   How Everyone Got Into Tech  13:14  “Rock Bottom” Moments That Changed Everything  25:01  What They Wish They Learned Earlier (Hint: Testing & Fundamentals)  30:46  How AI Is Changing Tech Careers (And What to Do About It)  32:23  Smart Ways to Upskill with AI  39:17  Mental Health, Burnout, and Bad Weeks in Tech  45:47  How to Actually Break Into Tech in 2025  48:53  The Power of Networking & Building in Public  51:05  Unexpected Job Wins Through Community  54:00  Real Talk: The Market Has Changed (And Won’t Go Back)  58:45  Are You Ready for the New Reality of Tech Hiring?  1:04:00  “You Just Bombed Your Interview”—What We’d Say on the Bus  1:11:55  Final Stories, Motivation, and Getting That Bread

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  1:13:34
• Stop Blaming Git! You’re Just Not Using It Right (Here’s How)

  qIn this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive into the challenges of learning and teaching coding, especially in the era of AI-assisted development and vibe coding. From real stories inside their cohorts to practical Git strategies (merge vs rebase), they unpack what it takes to grow as a developer, the dangers of disconnection as you level up, and why some tools can actually hurt your learning if used incorrectly.They also take a passionate stance on the AI hype cycle, including a fiery response to the claim that “AI will write 100% of code in a year.” Tune in for a raw, thoughtful, and energizing conversation that covers practical dev advice, community insight, and why mentorship still matters more than ever.🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode- The real difference between Git merge vs Git rebase — with analogies that finally make sense- How to teach complex technical concepts without "drawing the owl"- Why junior developers struggle with AI tools (and how to actually learn from them)- The rise of vibe coding and where it actually works — and where it fails- How to write effective commit messages using professional Git conventions- The danger of using Git GUIs without understanding terminal commands- How AI falls short when it comes to code maintenance and debugging- Why most AI-generated code isn’t production-ready without developer intervention- The role of structured team collaboration in mastering version control- What real-world developer workflows look like in enterprise-level software development- Why companies still haven’t adopted AI — and what that says about AI in the workplace- A breakdown of how to use AI terminals like Warp.dev to avoid Git mistakes- Honest commentary on the AI hype cycle, vibe coding trends, and the future of development⏱️ Chapters0:00 – The Disconnection of Expertise: Remembering what it’s like not to know1:18 – Vibe Coding and the "Death of Excuses"2:03 – Inside the Cohort: Crunch Time & Team Struggles3:01 – Weekly Demos and Learning Through Exposure3:53 – Merge Conflict Chaos: Why Git Rebase vs Merge5:14 – Teaching Git Rebase: Deck of Cards Analogy9:01 – Git for Teams: Saving Points, Commit Hygiene & Strategy12:46 – Push Your Commits! And Why Local-Only Isn’t Enough14:58 – The Merge vs Rebase Breakdown (Visual Metaphor)17:00 – When Rebase Becomes Default: Real Org Examples18:49 – Don’t Fear Git: Every Dev Messes It Up Sometimes20:05 – Learn Git in Context: Work with Teams, Not Solo21:19 – Commit Message Best Practices (And Why They Matter)24:26 – GitHub Integration Tips & the Power of Structured Messages25:03 – Should Juniors Use GUI Git Tools? Pros & Cons25:52 – How to Use AI Correctly as a Junior Developer27:00 – The Rise of Vibe Coding: What Works, What Doesn’t28:03 – Maintenance with AI? Not Even Close Yet29:16 – The Anthropic CEO Hot Take & Dev Skepticism30:29 – AI Hype and the Dev Community’s Trust Problem31:06 – Devs Know Better: Why AI Claims Don’t Land32:07 – Shoutout to Indian Rapper Whankind & Community Uplift32:49 – $25/Week Discord Groups?! Rant Incoming34:03 – Free is better than Paid: Why We’re Building a Better Community35:03 – Real Vibe Coding Test at This Dot Labs36:40 – Vibe Coding Is Fun, But Logic Is Still King38:00 – Final Thoughts on Vibe Coding: MVPs vs. Long-Term Projects39:01 – What’s Next: Choosing Tools That Help You Grow

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  39:55
• The Art of the DM: Proven Networking Hacks That Actually Get Replies

  In this episode of The Programming Podcast, hosts Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive deep into the art and science of professional networking. Whether you’re just building relationships or in “hit listing” mode to land your next job, learn why cold DMs rarely work—and what does. From warming up prospects with genuine engagement and “nerd bait” to volunteering and shared interests, Danny and Leon share real-world examples of outreach tactics that actually get responses. Plus, discover how to add value in every interaction, transition seamlessly from casual conversation to asking for a call, and keep your network “hot” even when you’re not job hunting. Stick around for our Ask Danny & Leon segment, where we tackle listener questions on maintaining strong connections during turbulent times.🔥 Real advice. Real experience. Real value. Hit that like & subscribe button to support more episodes like this!NEW SITE https://www.programmingpodcast.com/Stay in Touch:📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!What you will learn in this episode:- Networking Modes: Understand the two distinct phases—general networking for relationship-building vs. hit listing when you’re actively job hunting- Cold DM Strategy: Learn why cold outreach often flops and how to avoid the “ask-first” pitfall- Lead Warming: Master warming up leads via strategic content engagement (likes, comments) before sliding into DMs- Value-Driven Outreach: Craft value-first messages that show clear benefits to your contact- Visibility Amplification: Boost your presence and social proof through consistent public engagement- Long-Term ROI: Discover why ongoing relationship building drives outsized returns over time🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the bell icon for more insights from industry leaders.Chapter0:00 Intro & Networking Modes 1:31 Messaging Mistakes & Disconnects 5:04 Warming Up: The Art of the DM 12:17 Volunteering & Shared Interests 15:03 Nerd Bait: Sparking Conversations 20:52 Value-Driven Outreach 28:01 Hit Listing: Job-Seeker Phase 37:55 Ask Danny & Leon: Keeping Networks Warm 44:27 Outro & Key Takeaways

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