The Programming Podcast

Where should you invest YOUR time in tech? Are you trying to break into tech, learn to code, or just stay ahead in a rapidly evolving AI landscape? Key Topics Covered: Why consistent, daily coding practice beats “cramming” How to effectively network and stand out at meetups and hackathons The importance of learning fundamentals like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Linux, SQL, and Git Whether (and when) to dive into AI, LLMs, and machine learning Why “free” doesn’t mean “low quality” and how freeCodeCamp remains a top resource for millions How to pace your job search timeline—and why 6 months might be too short The future of AI, job prospects, and how to keep your skills relevant Enjoy the discussion, and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into coding, careers, and the tech industry! In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel sit down with Quincy Larson, founder of freeCodeCamp.org. This is the first guest episode we have ever had! We discuss the realities of learning to code, the importance of fundamentals, how to navigate AI hype, the true value of “free” educational resources, and much more. 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 00:00 – Introduction 02:06 – The Power of Consistent Daily Practice 05:21 – Auditing Your Local Job Market 08:03 – Fundamental Skills vs. Frameworks 11:05 – The Evolving Complexity of React & Next.js 13:29 – How Quincy Got His First Dev Job 17:02 – Networking & Meetups: A Game Changer 19:07 – Today’s Job Market & ‘Impossible’ Myths 24:27 – College, Costs & Alternative Pathways 27:24 – “I Need a Dev Job in 6 Months!” 31:06 – Reframing Disappointment & Burnout 35:50 – Why ‘Free’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Low Quality’ 40:08 – Ask Quincy: AI & Building Your Own LLM 44:20 – The Future of AI & Open-Weight Models 48:30 – AI in Search, Ads & Monetization 51:30 – The Bottom Line on AI & Dev Careers 53:00 – Conclusion & Final Shout-Outs 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]!

Ever wondered what it takes to plan a tech conference in just THREE MONTHS? 🤯 Join Danny Thompson and Leon Noel as they break down their experience organizing the Commit Your Code conference – from shoestring budgets and last-minute speakers to the surprising strategies that led to its success! Join Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) and Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) as they take you behind the scenes of organizing a tech conference from scratch! 🚀 Last week we just hosted the Commit Your Code Conference with over 60 speakers! We trended Globally even though we were doing our conference the same week as AWS Re:invent! Here's how Danny Thompson did it. In this episode, Danny shares the journey of planning the Commit Your Code Conference, highlighting the challenges, lessons, and surprises along the way. From securing sponsors to managing a $11K budget, and ensuring accessibility for all attendees, this episode is packed with insights for aspiring community organizers and tech enthusiasts. 🖥️✨ 🔍 What we cover: How a one-time idea turned into a game-changing conference 💡 The secrets to creating an inclusive, affordable event! Unique strategies that kept the vibes fun and the networking meaningful 🤝 Hilarious behind-the-scenes moments and lessons learned along the way 🎉 Whether you're a conference attendee curious about what happens behind the curtain, or someone considering starting your own tech event, this episode has something for everyone. Plus, stay tuned for exciting updates about Commit Your Code 2025! 🎉 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 0:00 Intro 1:18 The Spark: How It All Began 2:51 One and done conference, The Logistics 5:01 One speaker at the conference went through our cohort 6:25 Conference Sponsorships are not for the faint of heart 8:20 The Food and logistics for it 10:10 How can We create MORE organic conversations? 13:50 Shorter speaking times 17:01 Three Track Conference, Java, JavaScript and Cloud 18:30 We Trended Globally! 21:00 Community Building: Networking and Engagement 19:30 Two Conversations: Chris DeMars aka Saltnburn & Ghana Speaker Nii! 21:00 I want to address all pain points I have had at a conference 27:00 My strategy in planning 31:00 professional photographer giving headshots to attendee 35:35 Leon and Danny Laughing with an attendee 38:15 The Sponsors felt like they were PART of the event and not salesy 38:55 Educational Resources should be available for everyone 41:13 Ideas that were cut because of budget that we hope to do at CYC 2543:00 What if someone wants to start their own conference?51:06 Won't be shocked if this episode does bad lol 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]!

Are you struggling to stand out in today’s competitive tech job market? In this episode, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel discuss why companies claim there isn’t a “talent shortage” but rather a shortage of qualified talent. They dig into the importance of business use cases, how to continue growing your skills (both on and off the job), and why knowing the local tech stack matters. Plus, they introduce a new segment—Ask Danny & Leon—answering questions on how to leave a new job for a better opportunity and how to land your first freelance client. If you want to fast-track your career in tech, this is the episode for you! Topics Covered: Why there’s no shortage of junior developers—but there is a shortage of “qualified” devs How to demonstrate your qualifications and meet business needs The importance of continuous growth and staying current with market demands Navigating the 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year benchmarks in a new tech role Choosing the right tech stack based on your local market How to (tactfully) leave a brand-new job for a better offer Proven strategies to land your first freelance client 🔍 What you'll learn: - Why businesses often struggle with hiring "qualified" talent - How to align your skills with the needs of the market - Insights into creating a network of tech leaders and decision-makers - The importance of solving business problems as a developer - Real stories about freelancing, landing clients, and building value 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://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]! Chapters & Timestamps 0:00 Intro & Welcome 1:02 Forming a Meetup for CTOs & CEOs 3:15 Talent Shortage vs. Qualified Talent Shortage 6:04 The Cost of a Bad Hire 8:07 Landing a Job vs. Building a Career 11:59 Understanding 3, 6, and 9-Month Benchmarks 14:21 Aligning Skills with Local Tech Demands 20:03 New Segment: Ask Danny & Leon 20:58 Q1: Leaving a Job After Only 1 Month 29:20 Q2: Finding Your First Freelance Client 37:00 Wrap-Up & Next Steps Join hosts Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Resilient Coders) as they dive into the challenges and strategies of breaking into the tech industry and building a lasting career. 🚀 In this episode, Danny and Leon tackle one of the most pressing issues in tech today: the gap between available talent and qualified talent. They explore what it means to be a "qualified" candidate at all levels—junior, senior, and beyond—and share actionable tips for improving your marketability and career growth. 💡 Whether you're a new developer looking to get hired, a seasoned dev seeking to level up, or someone interested in the intersection of community building and career growth, this episode is packed with valuable advice and engaging stories. 💼✨

In this episode, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders and Founder of 100Devs) dive deep into how to stand out in today’s competitive tech job market. They discuss common mistakes, the importance of qualifying yourself before you even get to the technical interview, the power of referrals, and what hiring managers are really looking for. They also share practical tips on: Customizing your résumé for every job application Leveraging LinkedIn and networking strategically Building real, impactful projects instead of generic tutorials Using volunteering and freelancing to strengthen your credibility Navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) If you’re frustrated by endless applications and zero callbacks, this conversation is a must-watch. It’s time to learn how to play the game—rather than be mad at it—and land that role you’ve been dreaming about! Highlights: Why being “mad at the game” isn’t going to help (and what to do instead) How to ensure your résumé, GitHub, and portfolio align with your desired role Why networking and asking for genuine referrals can change your career The importance of real-world projects and problem-solving in your job hunt A preview of the Commit Your Code Conference, benefitting charitable causes 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://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]! Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & “Learn to Play the Game” 0:36 – Meet Danny & Leon 1:07 – Why Job Seekers Are Frustrated 2:03 – Common Mistakes with Résumés & Portfolios 3:19 – How to Stand Out Quickly 5:00 – Why Generic Projects Hurt You 9:02 – Referrals & Building Proof 11:45 – De-Risking Yourself for Recruiters 14:01 – Freelancing vs. Volunteering vs. Open Source 18:02 – Networking & Meetups: The Game-Changer 24:00 – ATS: Applicant Tracking Systems Explained 26:57 – Customizing Your Résumé (Stop Spray & Pray!) 32:01 – Insights from CEOs & CTOs on Hiring 36:02 – Qualifying Yourself Beyond Skills 38:04 – Commit Your Code Conference & Final Thoughts 39:55 – Wrap-Up & Next Episode Preview