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 feedback loops you must have to accelerate your career
How to move beyond rigid processes like Scrum to deliver real value
This 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/jkuipers
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Thing That Gives a 25-Year CTO Energy
00:02:39 - How to Maintain Mastery When Tech Constantly Changes
00:05:30 - The Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Learning on the Job
00:08:49 - What Junior Developers Should Master First
00:11:39 - The Danger of Starting Your Career at a Small Startup
00:14:45 - How to Persuade Senior Engineers to Change Their Ways
00:17:33 - Why I Don't Want to Be a Full-Time Coder Anymore
00:20:14 - The Right Way to Ask Your Senior for Help
00:22:42 - Why We Stopped Doing Story Point Estimations
00:25:39 - The Problem with Managers Who Lack Technical Depth
00:29:26 - Why Integration is the Future of Software Engineering
00:33:11 - The Dark Side of Accessible Cloud Infrastructure
00:35:34 - Why You MUST See Your Code Running in Production
00:37:35 - Should Developers Be On-Call for Their Own Code?
00:41:38 - The Surprising Reason Faster Deployments Are Safer
00:45:57 - Why Small, Frequent Changes Reduce Your Risk
00:49:09 - How Your Environment Makes or Breaks Your Career
00:52:10 - The Good News: Learning Gets Easier Over Time
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/hillmeister
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Realization About Your Time
00:00:44 - My New Approach to Knowledge Management
00:02:10 - The Surprising Reason I Use Jira for Personal Tasks
00:04:03 - Why You Should Experiment (Even If It Fails)
00:06:40 - How to Challenge Processes Without Being Flaky
00:08:56 - How to Say "No" to Meetings Early in Your Career
00:11:57 - The Only Person Who Can Manage Your Time
00:13:13 - How AI Is Changing Meeting Productivity Forever
00:16:24 - Is Your Team Using Async Communication Correctly?
00:19:25 - How We Track and Limit Context Switching
00:21:29 - The Simple Trick to Managing an Overwhelming Workload
00:24:08 - The Hard Truth About Dropping Tasks You Enjoy
00:26:49 - Giving Yourself Grace: You Don't Have to Be a Superhuman
00:28:29 - Why We Don't Value Our Own Time (And How to Fix It)
00:30:23 - The Daily Logging Habit That Creates Insane Awareness
00:33:48 - My Sunday Ritual for Weekly Reflection and Micro-Goals
00:36:21 - The One Daily Question That Brings Me Joy and Energy
00:38:20 - How I Keep My Work and Personal Knowledge Separate
00:41:24 - The Power of Analyzing Yourself to Improve Your Life
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 without being seen as "negative"
The importance of accountability and managing low-performing colleagues
Why a top-down approach can be more effective than team democracy
How to "disagree and commit" to keep projects moving forward
This 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 ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Career Progression for Software Engineers in Big Tech
00:00:28 - The Pain and Frustration of a Missed Promotion
00:03:44 - The "Classic Game" of Asking Your Manager for a Promotion
00:05:38 - When Salary Becomes a Trigger for Your Motivation
00:08:09 - Why Recognition is More Important Than Money
00:11:09 - The Challenge of Giving Positive vs. Critical Feedback
00:13:26 - Is Your Critical Feedback Being Labeled as "Negative"?
00:15:36 - When Being Indirect Wastes Everyone's Time
00:17:44 - Why Direct Disagreement Leads to Better Decisions
00:20:16 - The Surprising Impact of Meeting Colleagues In-Person
00:22:43 - How Reorgs Destroy High-Performing Teams
00:25:59 - Why the World's Biggest Codebase is Embarrassing
00:27:58 - Should You Let Your Team Make Their Own Mistakes?
00:30:47 - The Unique Challenge of Building Enterprise Software
00:34:16 - A Hard Lesson: When Your Directness Hurts a Colleague
00:38:45 - The Uncomfortable Truth About Managing Low Performers
00:43:21 - Why High Performers Leave Teams That Tolerate Coasting
00:47:05 - A Contrarian Take: Is Workplace Democracy Overrated?
00:50:54 - How to "Disagree and Commit" Without Wasting Time
00:55:52 - The #1 Instinct to Control When Receiving Feedback
01:01:43 - Mindset Shift: Treating Software Engineering Like a Competitive Sport
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 ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Question You Must Answer First
00:01:08 - Why Your First Tech Job Should Be Local
00:03:14 - The Surprising Benefit of Working In-Office
00:05:17 - The Easiest Path to an International Role
00:07:09 - Mastering English: The Underrated Skill
00:11:23 - How to Stand Out in the Age of AI Resumes
00:14:31 - Proving Your Worth with a Strong GitHub Portfolio
00:17:37 - Build Your Network Through Community and Content
00:20:13 - The Right Way to Message Recruiters on LinkedIn
00:23:20 - How Tech Interviews Are Changing (Beyond LeetCode)
00:26:41 - What I Learned from Failing My Dream Job Interview
00:28:08 - Your Complete Roadmap to Landing the Job
#TechCareers #RemoteJobs #SoftwareEngineer
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-90137b2
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 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://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinepvos
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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/bhosalepratim
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 innovation and execution
Connect with Samuel Beek:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelbeek
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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/sohrabhosseini
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
This was a special episode, recorded at React Summit in Amsterdam! Curious to hear your feedback!
The next edition of the biggest React conference will be in New York, on November 18 & 21, and Early Bird tickets are out if you're interested: https://reactsummit.us/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=beyondcoding
The utm tags are only to gauge interest :)
I really enjoyed the conference and might see you there if you're going! Excited about the lineup as well: Addy Osmani (Google), Shaundai Person (Netflix), Ken Wheeler (REDACTED), and more.
Connect with Lydia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-hallie
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 can both improve and hinder developer productivity.
✅ Critical considerations for ensuring maintainable, high-quality code when using AI.
✅ The balance between automated productivity and intellectual growth in software development.
Essential listening for developers and tech leaders who want to leverage AI effectively while avoiding common pitfalls. 🎧
Connect with Stacy Cashmore:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacycash
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 skills as a software engineer.
✅ Real-world examples of AI’s impact on productivity and software quality.
Tune in to understand the challenges and opportunities AI brings to software engineering and discover how to adapt effectively. 🎧
Connect with Rares Mirica:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raresmirica
Connect with Borislav Nikolov:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/borislav-nikolov-328ba221a
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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.
✅ Building a successful AI startup from the ground up.
Discover where AI excels, where human interaction is still essential, and how technology is reshaping customer service. 🎧
Connect with Dennis de Reus:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisdereus
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 rather than traditional management.
✅ Identifying and addressing burnout before it's too late.
✅ Creating psychological safety in diverse and global teams.
✅ Effective strategies for building trust and long-lasting relationships remotely.
Whether you're currently leading a team or aspiring to, this episode provides practical guidance on how to lead with authenticity, empathy, and effectiveness. 🎧
Connect with Ray Bogman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raybogman
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
"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 vibe coding and its benefits.
✅ Real-life experiences with AI-assisted development.
✅ Practical guidance to master vibe coding effectively.
✅ Insights into how AI tools will shape software development going forward.
Whether you're just starting out with AI-assisted coding or looking to boost your development skills, this conversation will inspire and equip you for the future of software engineering. 🎧
Listen now and subscribe for more tech trends and career insights!
Connect with Zowie Langdon:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zowielangdon
What Zowie is building:
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 you'll learn:
✅ Why public speaking accelerates career growth.
✅ How to choose compelling conference topics and prepare talks effectively.
✅ The surprising benefits of networking at industry events.
✅ The evolving role of architects and the importance of communication skills in tech.
✅ Strategies to overcome the fear of speaking in public.
This episode is a must-listen for any tech professional looking to step up their career game through public speaking and community engagement. 🎧
Connect with Bert-Jan Schrijver:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjschrijver
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 Rust can make you a better, more marketable software engineer
✅ Why the game industry is uniquely challenging and rewarding
✅ Rust’s potential in game development—and what’s holding it back
✅ Leveraging open-source projects to advance your tech career
✅ How side projects can give you a critical advantage in the job market
Whether you're an aspiring Rust programmer, curious about game development, or focused on career growth—Stephan’s insights offer clear, actionable advice for anyone in tech. 🎧
Connect with Stephan Dilly:
https://linkedin.com/in/stephandilly
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 of team restructuring & avoiding common pitfalls.
✅ Why software complexity often reflects organizational complexity.
✅ How to balance stable teams vs. adapting to business needs.
✅ Lessons from real-world engineering leadership experiences.
Whether you're a developer, engineering manager, or CTO, this episode provides valuable insights into building teams that actually work. 🎧
Connect with André Borgonovo:
https://linkedin.com/in/azborgonovo
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
🔥 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 underrated skill that separates great engineers from the rest
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to future-proof your career, this episode is packed with real-world insights to help you navigate change and keep growing. 🚀
👂 Tune in now & take your engineering career to the next level!
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
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 with actionable insights to level up your career—whether you're a junior dev or a seasoned engineer.
Connect with Fardjad:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fardjad
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
