Chats with Kent C. Dodds

Latest Episodes:

Product sense, restraint, and OpenCode with Dax Raad Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Dax has spent years building tools developers actually use; on OpenCode he's thinking hard about product process while the space moves at breakneck speed. This episode is a practical look at product deterioration (not just code rot), bottom-up adoption for dev tools, and how coding agents change who decides what gets built—without replacing the need for taste, restraint, and clarity about what problem you're solving.

You'll hear concrete examples from OpenCode's terminal UI and onboarding, parallels to Kent's Epic Workshop app, and a grounded take on inference pricing, hype, and when "ship messy and fix later" does and doesn't hold up.

Homework

Convince yourself that getting good at product really matters—Dax says there's a lot in the culture that tries to tell you it doesn't, and you need that commitment because the belief will be challenged.
If you don't already believe it, figure out how to make yourself believe it matters (Kent's recap of the guest's action).

Resources

Guest: Dax Raad

Company: OpenCode
GitHub: @thdxr
X: @thdxr

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
X: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
Youtube: Kent C. Dodds

Video

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Become a Product Engineer - Introducing Season 7 Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Software keeps changing, and a lot of the spotlight is on AI—but the shift Kent cares about is bigger than models and agents. Implementation is increasingly delegated to tools that will keep improving; quality, review, and craft still matter, but the gap that won’t go away is product: understanding users, clarifying problems, and shipping what actually helps.

This season is a deliberate tour of product engineering: conversations with people who blend product judgment with technical depth—including PMs and engineers who’ve crossed that line. The goal is the same as it’s always been for Kent’s teaching: give you durable skills. Right now, that means leveling up how you think about product, not just how you type code.

Homework

Write down one product decision you influenced (or wish you had) in the last month—what would you validate earlier next time?
Pick an app you use weekly: what problem is it really solving for you, and where does it feel like the team lost the plot?
Subscribe or follow Chats with Kent so you don’t miss the guest episodes in season 7.

Resources

Chats with Kent on kentcdodds.com

Video

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Wrapping up Season 6 of Chats with Kent Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Kent says goodbye at the end of another season of the "Chats with Kent" podcast, which featured interviews with speakers for the upcoming Epic Web Comp 2025 conference in Salt Lake City. The host, Kent C. Dodds, expresses excitement about the lineup of speakers and encourages listeners to attend the conference in March 2025. He also mentions that the talks will be available on the EpicWeb.dev platform for those who miss the live event.

Meet at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Of Things Epic: The Principles Behind Great Decisions with Kent C. Dodds Mar 09, 2025

Show notes

Kent C. Dodds sits down with Jason Lengstorf to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Of Things Epic, where he dives into the principles behind effective decision-making in web development. Rather than focusing on which tools to pick, Kent emphasizes the need for a framework that enables developers to make confident decisions that scale. He draws from his experience with the Epic Stack, highlighting the importance of clear reasoning behind technical choices.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Why decision paralysis is unnecessary in modern web development.
How the Epic Programming Principles provide a solid foundation for making smart tech choices.
Why Laravel's opinionated approach has been so successful and what we can learn from it.
The importance of structuring your projects so they can evolve without unnecessary rewrites.
How in-person conferences create opportunities for career growth and deeper relationships.

Kent also shares his excitement about the hallway track at Epic Web Conf, encouraging attendees to come talk to him about real-world experiences with the Epic Stack, scaling web apps, and even personal interests like family life, one-wheeling, and snowboarding.

Watch this episode.

Meet Kent at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Host: Jason Lengstorf

Website: CodeTV.dev
𝕏: @jlengstorf
GitHub: @jlengstorf
YouTube: CodeTV

Epic Image Optimization with Andre Landgraf Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Andre Landgraf joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Image Optimization. In this conversation, they explore the challenges and trade-offs of optimizing images for the web, particularly when handling large numbers of event photos or user-generated content. Andre shares how building his own image optimization pipeline gave him a deeper understanding of the process, allowing him to make more informed decisions when choosing external services.

Kent and Andre also discuss:

The evolution of All Things Web, a meetup Andre organizes in the Bay Area.
The importance of community in web development and how in-person meetups have shaped his career.
His experience working with Ember at LinkedIn and his upcoming career shift.
Why diving deep into a problem—like image optimization—makes you a better engineer.
How Epic Web Conf has become a must-attend event for those passionate about web technologies.

Andre brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the conversation, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their approach to image handling in modern web applications.

Watch this episode.

Meet Andre at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Andre Landgraf

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Building, Learning, and Networking with Jason Lengstorf at Epic Web Conf Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Jason Lengstorf, creator of CodeTV and the Web Dev Challenge, joins Kent to discuss:

His background in engineering, developer relations, and open-source at companies like IBM, Gatsby, and Netlify.
The Web Dev Challenge, a fast-paced, team-based competition that brings developers together to solve unique coding challenges in just four hours.
The free Epic Web Conf hackathon happening the day before the conference, where attendees can join the challenge, build something cool, and showcase their work.
His philosophy on career growth, taking calculated risks, and building a career you truly enjoy.
Why in-person conferences are critical for networking and how making friends, rather than “networking,” can be the key to long-term success. Jason shares why he prioritizes being in physical spaces with other developers, how meaningful relationships have shaped his career, and why he believes success comes from showing up, trying hard, and having the courage to take chances.

Watch this episode.

Meet Jason at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Jason Lengstorf

𝕏: @jlengstorf
GitHub: @jlengstorf
BlueSky: jason.energy
Website: codetv.dev

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Remix, React, and the Web Platform with Ryan Florence Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Ryan Florence, co-creator of Remix and React Router, joins Kent to talk about the evolving landscape of web development. He shares insights on:

The motivation behind moving core Remix features into React Router.
The rising importance of AI-driven development and how it affects frameworks.
Betting on the web platform as a long-term strategy for performance, portability, and future-proofing applications.
How Remix is being reimagined with a focus on web-native capabilities.
The role of conferences in building meaningful career relationships. Ryan also shares his personal reflections on balancing career, family, and the desire to step back from the spotlight. Whether you're a Remix user, a React developer, or just curious about where the web is heading, this discussion offers a fascinating look at the future of frameworks and the web.

Watch this episode.

Meet Ryan at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Ryan Florence

𝕏: @ryanflorence
GitHub: @ryanflorence

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

JavaScript: The Origin Story with Annie Sexton Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Annie Sexton joins Kent to talk about her upcoming talk at Epic Web Conf, JavaScript: The Origin Story. In this discussion, she shares her love for history and why documenting the evolution of programming languages is so important. They dive into:

The rushed creation of JavaScript and how it shaped the language.
Competing languages of the era and how JavaScript won out.
The unexpected ways JavaScript evolved into a web powerhouse.
Why software history often gets overlooked and why it matters today.
How understanding the past helps developers write better code for the future.

Annie’s talk will be a must-watch for developers who want to gain a deeper appreciation of JavaScript and its unique journey. Expect to walk away with a richer perspective on the language that powers the modern web.

Watch this episode.

Meet Annie at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Annie Sexton

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Epic Federation: Scaling Web Infrastructure with Zackary Jackson Feb 09, 2025

Show notes

Zackary Jackson joins Kent to discuss his upcoming talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Federation: Scaling Web Infrastructure. As an expert in large-scale web architecture, Zack has helped build critical tools like Module Federation and RSPack, both of which power ByteDance’s global infrastructure.

In this conversation, Kent and Zack cover:

The challenges of managing thousands of developers and repos across multiple teams.
Why ByteDance chose to build its own bundler in Rust instead of adopting an existing solution.
The impact of slow build times on product velocity and how tooling improvements significantly reduce development friction.
The role of Module Federation in solving organizational scale problems, allowing teams to ship independently.
How AI-powered tools are shaping the next generation of developer workflows.

Zack also shares his thoughts on why meeting open-source maintainers and industry leaders in person can unlock collaboration opportunities that aren’t as easily accessible online.

Watch this episode.

Meet Zackary at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Zackary Jackson

𝕏: @ScriptedAlchemy
GitHub: @ScriptedAlchemy

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Epic Bets: Practical Tips for Betting on Yourself with Aaron Francis Feb 08, 2025

Show notes

Aaron Francis joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Bets: Practical Tips for Betting on Yourself. In this conversation, Aaron reflects on his non-traditional path into tech, his experience being laid off, and how he prepared himself to be resilient in the face of career uncertainty. He shares insights on why developers should focus on skill stacking, personal branding, and long-term sustainability in their careers rather than chasing trends.

Kent and Aaron also explore:

How to future-proof your career without falling into the trap of chasing hype.
Why writing and sharing your knowledge can open unexpected doors.
The importance of building a professional network before you need it.
How to balance ambition with family life and personal values.
Why giving your absolute best—both professionally and personally—is always worth it.

Aaron’s perspective is both practical and inspiring, offering a roadmap for developers who want to take control of their future without sacrificing what truly matters.

Watch this episode.

Meet Aaron at Epic Web Conf.

Guest: Aaron Francis

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Website: kentcdodds.com
𝕏: @kentcdodds
GitHub: @kentcdodds
YouTube: Kent C. Dodds
Epic Web: epicweb.dev

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Guest: Dax Raad

Host: Kent C. Dodds

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Guest: Kent C. Dodds

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Kent C. Dodds

Host: Jason Lengstorf

Guest: Andre Landgraf

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Jason Lengstorf

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Ryan Florence

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Annie Sexton

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Zackary Jackson

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Aaron Francis

Host: Kent C. Dodds

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Our TOPPODCAST Picks

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Chats with Kent C. Dodds

Homework

Resources

Guest: Dax Raad

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Video

Homework

Resources

Video

Guest: Kent C. Dodds

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Kent C. Dodds

Host: Jason Lengstorf

Guest: Andre Landgraf

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Jason Lengstorf

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Ryan Florence

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Annie Sexton

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Zackary Jackson

Host: Kent C. Dodds

Guest: Aaron Francis

Host: Kent C. Dodds

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