Beyond Coding

Latest Episodes:

The Identity Crisis of Software Engineers in the Age of AI with Borislav Nikolov & Rares Mirica Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

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 ▶️

https://youtu.be/RO--t77O4HE

Beyond Coding Podcast with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙Patrick Akil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Can AI Really Replace Human Customer Support? Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

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 ▶️

https://youtu.be/M_iqxMVB_vs

Beyond Coding Podcast with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙Patrick Akil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Leadership, Burnout & Building Global Teams with Ray Bogman May 14, 2025

Show notes

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://raybogman.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raybogman

Full episode on YouTube ▶️

https://youtu.be/fm7nui9WUcQ

What is Vibe Coding? The New Way Developers Build Software with Zowie Langdon May 07, 2025

Show notes

"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://eclecticrhetoric.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zowielangdon

https://x.com/zowielangdon

What Zowie is building:

https://integrate.fyi

Full episode on YouTube ▶️

https://youtu.be/pTOGG8uK6XY

Public Speaking, Networking & the Role of Architects with Bert-Jan Schrijver May 01, 2025

Show notes

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

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Beyond Coding Podcast with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎙Patrick Akil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Rust, Game Development & Career Growth with Stephan Dilly Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

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

Why Your Org Chart is Breaking Your Software Mar 16, 2025

Show notes

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

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How to Stay Ahead as a Software Engineer - No Matter What Changes! Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

🔥 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 ▶️

https://youtu.be/54HyRePTTSQ

0:00 - Intro - Q&A #12: Software Engineering, Career Growth & Podcasting!

0:43 - What skills makes a great software engineer?

2:50 - How do you stay relevant in tech?

4:41 - What is the biggest mistake junior developers make?

7:49 - The best programming advice you've ever received?

13:08 - How do you choose the correct tech stack for new projects?

15:50 - What is the one thing you wished you knew earlier in your career?

18:36 - Should every developer strive to be a tech lead?

22:25 - How do you handle imposter syndrome as a developer?

31:14 - What are the best habits for long term career success in tech?

32:00 - The importance of relationships

33:50 - What to remember about what you're doing?

36:06 - How do you come up with podcast ideas?

38:56 - What is the hardest part of running a podcast now?

41:52 - Biggest lesson learned from doing this podcast

44:10 - Conclusion & Call to Action: Ask Your Questions!

How Elite Developers Think Differently (And How You Can Too) Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

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.fardjad.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fardjad

Full episode on YouTube ▶️

https://youtu.be/R31bfG0jYfA

Breaking Into Tech Changed Everything. This Is Why | With Ornella Friggit-Konaté Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Many think breaking into tech is just about learning to code—but the reality is far more complex. In this episode, I sit down with Ornella to dive into the unexpected lessons she learned from transitioning into tech. We talk about why mindset matters as much as technical skills, the power of feedback in career growth, and the surprising truths about working in diverse teams.

🎧 Tune in to hear their journey—and what you can take away from it.

Connect with Ornella:

https://ornella.xyz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ornellaf

Full episode on YouTube ▶️

https://youtu.be/i_vXItYgsZc