Book Overflow

Latest Episodes:

Building a Culture of Candor - Radical Candor by Kim Scott Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss the second half of Radical Candor by Kim Scott! Join them as they discuss what makes a good boss, what makes up good feedback, and more!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

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Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Radical Candor

https://amzn.to/3HXRukj

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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Book Overflow is a podcast for software engineers, by software engineers dedicated to improving our craft by reading the best technical books in the world. Join Carter Morgan and Nathan Toups as they read and discuss a new technical book each week!

The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

Your Boss Has Read This Book - Radical Candor by Kim Scott Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss the first half of Radical Candor by Kim Scott! Join them as they discuss what makes a good boss, what makes up good feedback, and more!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Radical Candor

https://amzn.to/3HXRukj

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00:00 Intro

02:07 About the Book and Author

03:06 Initial Thoughts on Radical Candor Part 1

13:00 The Four Quadrants Framework

21:26 Ruinous Empathy - The Career Destroyer

32:39 Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

46:36 Rock Stars vs Superstars

1:03:18 Hot Takes

1:08:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

The Weirdest Book We've Read? - Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse! Join them as they discuss the difference between finite and infinite games, the book's philosophy, and how on earth this all relates to software engineering.

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse

https://amzn.to/4649Fg4

Lecture referenced in the episode:

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Finite-and-Infinite-Games-Audiobook/1615449906

Comments section that includes Mitchell Hashimoto AI discussion

https://lobste.rs/s/pqy0pp/where_s_shovelware_why_ai_coding_claims

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00:00 Intro

00:57 About the Book and Author

03:35 Initial Thoughts on Finite and Infinite Games

10:33 The Core Thesis - Finite vs Infinite Games

21:37 The Genius of Myself

34:50 The Sexuality Chapter Discussion

45:15 Machines vs Gardens - Control and Nature

56:30 Waste as Product

1:03:52 AI and Tech Debt - Trading Drudgery

1:11:25 Hot Takes

1:17:33 Final Thoughts

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

Staff-Level Impact - Staff Engineer by Will Larson Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss Staff Engineer by Will Larson! Join them as they discuss what it means to have staff-level impact, how being a staff engineer differs from being a senior engineer, and more!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Staff Engineer by Will Larson

https://amzn.to/4p67dOU (Paid Link)

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00:00 Intro

01:08 About the Book and Author

03:34 Thoughts on Staff Engineer

09:29 Staff Engineer Archetypes and Organizational Dynamics

23:17 What Staff Engineers Actually Do

38:57 Soft Power and Cross-Team Impact

52:42 The Reality of Staff Engineering Work

1:03:16 Hot Takes - Silicon Valley and Career Paths

1:12:50 Final Thoughts

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

Jason Fried Reflects on ReWork Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan are joined by Jason Fried, CEO of 37Signals and author of ReWork! Join them as Jason reflects on how to make great products, sticking to your guns, and having the courage to blaze new trails!

Get 25% off Tusk AI!

https://bit.ly/tusk-bookoverflow-2

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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ReWork by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

https://amzn.to/43vgO7T (paid link)

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00:00 Intro

01:27 Welcome to Jason Fried

01:32 About Rework and the Industry in 2010

07:43 Remote Work

16:16 What Still Resonates

31:39 Making a Dent in the Universe

40:00 Culture is a Moving Average

49:43 Business Media and Startup Culture

53:48 Book Recommendations

59:54 Resources and Closing

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

Carter's Favorite Book? - Made To Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss the second half Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath! Join them as they discuss how to make an idea credible, the power of stories, and how to "spot" sticky ideas in the wild!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

----------------------------------------------------------

Made To Stick

https://amzn.to/3UTzcmR (Paid Link)

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00:00 Intro

02:30 About the Book and Authors

03:34 Initial Thoughts on Made to Stick Part 2

14:00 Credible - Building Trust Without Authority

24:26 Emotional - Making People Care

37:37 Stories - The Power of Narrative

51:45 Hot Takes and the Jared Story

56:30 Final Thoughts

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

What makes ideas "sticky?" - Made To Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath! Join them as they discuss what it means for an idea to be "sticky," what patterns sticky ideas follow, and how this all applies to software engineering!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

Coming soon!

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

----------------------------------------------------------

Made To Stick

https://amzn.to/3UTzcmR

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00:00 Intro02:09 About the Book and Authors04:53 Initial Thoughts on Made to Stick10:22 The SUCCESS Framework17:06 Simple - Commander's Intent31:26 Unexpected - Breaking Patterns45:31 Concrete - Making Ideas Tangible1:00:18 Hot Takes, AI and the Future of Software Engineering1:15:11 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

Not For Us! - 99 Bottles of OOP by Sandi Metz, Katrina Owen, & TJ Stankus Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss 99 Bottles of OOP by Sandi Metz, Katrina Owen, & TJ Stankus. Join them as they critique the coding philosophy, discuss the merits of OOP, and ponder how AI is shaping coding standards!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1

Nathan

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/nathan-t-2

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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99 Bottles of OOP

https://sandimetz.com/99bottles

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0:00 Intro

00:53 About the Book and Authors

02:10 Initial Thoughts on 99 Bottles of OOP

10:03 Diving into the book

11:29 Shameless Green Solution

16:07 SOLID Principles Overview

21:15 Abstraction vs Simplicity Debate

38:10 Testing Philosophy and Abstractions

45:42 Object-Oriented Programming Critique

50:03 Does Any of This Matter Anymore?

1:05:43 Final Thoughts

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

How Linus Torvalds Created Linux - Just for Fun by Linus Torvalds and David Diamond Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan discuss Just for Fun by Linus Torvalds and David Diamond. Join them as they discuss the origins of Linux, Linus's life philosophy, and Linus's legacy!

-- Want to talk with Carter or Nathan? Book a coaching session! --

----------------------------------------------------------

Carter

https://www.joinleland.com/coach/carter-m-1/software-engineering

Nathan

Coming soon!

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Just for Fun

https://amzn.to/4mdZaNE (paid link)

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00:00 Intro

02:08 About the Book and Author

05:06 Initial Thoughts on Just for Fun

10:33 Linus's Theory of Life: Survival, Social Order, Entertainment

17:01 Rejecting Money and Power

24:53 Humble Beginnings

42:29 Linux's Success and Predictions

55:33 Mindful vs Mindless Entertainment

01:01:54 Final Thoughts

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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The full book schedule and links to every major podcast player can be found at https://www.bookoverflow.io

Shifting Left on Security - The DevOps Handbook Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Book Overflow, Carter and Nathan finish their discussion of the DevOps Handbook with parts 5 and 6! Join them as they discuss how security practices relate to DevOps, managing security without sacrificing speed, and more!

-- Books Mentioned in this Episode --

Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

----------------------------------------------------------

The DevOps Handbook

https://amzn.to/44tGqlX (paid link)

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kj6DLCEWR5nHShlSYJI5L

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-overflow/id1745257325

X: https://x.com/bookoverflowpod

Carter on X: https://x.com/cartermorgan

Nathan's Functionally Imperative: www.functionallyimperative.com

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