Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany, Brittany, and Erika are joined by Cassidy Williams, Senior Director of Developer Advocacy at GitHub. They discuss Cassidy's journey in the Developer Relations (DevRel) space, her philosophy of lifting others as she climbs, and the evolution of DevRel in the tech industry. Cassidy shares insights on content creation, the importance of community, and her personal experiences with mentorship. The conversation also touches on the challenges and changes in the DevRel landscape, as well as Cassidy's passion for keyboards and her dream typing experience.

Takeaways

• Feedback, even when rough, is a valuable gift for growth.
• DevRel is evolving, adapting to new technologies and community needs.
• Companies should prioritize understanding the developer mindset over follower counts.
• Listening to developers is crucial for effective advocacy and content creation.
• Human problems in tech are often more complex than coding challenges.
• Cassidy's journey showcases the blend of engineering and advocacy roles.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in career development and guidance.

Links

• Cassidy’s website: https://cassidoo.co/
• Microjournal Blog Post: https://cassidoo.co/post/micro-journal/
• Keycaps: https://drop.com/buy/drop-dsa-astrolokeys-keycaps-by-sailorhg-and-cassidoo?defaultSelectionIds=966968
• Cassidy’s mechanical keyboard recs: https://github.com/cassidoo/ama?tab=readme-ov-file#what-mechanical-keyboard-should-i-buy

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Brittany, Bethany, and Erika engage in a deep conversation with Piotr Sarna, co-author of 'Writing for Developers.' They explore the journey of co-authoring a book, the importance of writing in engineering, and the challenges and joys of technical writing. The discussion also touches on the significance of blogging as a continuation of learning and sharing knowledge, as well as the role of writing culture in engineering teams. The crew kicks off the next book club, where the Overcommitted engineers will be reading Writing for Developers together over the next 2 months!

Takeaways

• Writing a book can be seen as a series of extended blog posts.
• There is a gap in resources for writing engaging blog posts for developers.
• Good writing in tech should have an educational aspect.
• Writing culture in engineering teams enhances clarity and collaboration.
• The book 'Writing for Developers' fills a niche in technical writing resources.
• Embracing cringe-worthy writing experiences is part of the learning process.

Links

• Piotr Sarna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarna-dev/
• Cynthia Dunlop on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiadunlop/
• Piotr and Cynthia's first book: Database performance at scale: https://bookshop.org/p/books/database-performance-at-scale-a-practical-guide-cynthia-dunlop/f384c1f0d973803c?ean=9781484297100&next=t
• Writing for Developers book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/writing-for-developers-blogs-that-get-read-cynthia-dunlop/af343340c60cd806?ean=9781633436282&next=t
• Write that blog!: https://writethat.blog/
• Writing for Developers GitHub Repo: https://github.com/scynthiadunlop/WritingForDevelopersBook
• Discord community for Overcommitted: https://discord.gg/fxvEjs7f

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany, Brittany, and Erika engage in a deep conversation with Jason Lengstorf about the concept of being unreasonable in the tech industry. Jason shares his journey of embracing unreasonableness to pursue big ideas, the importance of community and networking, and how to navigate risks in career decisions. They discuss the value of non-traditional backgrounds in tech, the process of learning and consolidating information, and the creative approaches that can lead to innovative projects. The conversation wraps up with Jason sharing his future projects and reflections on the tech landscape.

Takeaways

• Being unreasonable and having big audacious goals can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Surround yourself with ambitious people that can inspire growth.
• Recognize when to pivot in your career.
• Networking is often more valuable than formal education.
• Learning is an active process, not just passive consumption.
• Creative coding can lead to innovative solutions.
• Take (calculated) risks. It can help you achieve your goals.
• Community support is crucial in navigating career changes.
• Being slow to adopt new technologies might not be a bad thing.

Links

• Jason Lengstorf: https://jason.energy
• CodeTV: https://codetv.dev
• All things open talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goVNPN6fVwQ
• Bytes.dev: https://bytes.dev
• Char Stiles: https://www.instagram.com/charstiles
• Builtin: https://builtin.com

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Erika and Brittany discuss the evolving landscape of AI agents and their implications for security and identity management. Joined by expert Dan Moore, they explore the challenges posed by non-deterministic agents, the importance of granular permissions, and the need for developers to be aware of security practices as AI technology advances. The conversation also touches on industry standards, the role of developers in navigating these changes, and personal reflections on the future of AI.

Takeaways

• AI agents are changing the landscape of software development.
• Non-deterministic agents present new security challenges.
• Granular permissions are essential for securing AI agents.
• Developers must be aware of security practices in AI.
• Industry standards for AI security are still evolving.
• Separation of concerns can enhance security for agents.
• The role of identity and authorization is critical in AI.
• Business implications of AI agents are significant.
• Developers should stay close to business needs and problem-solving.
• The future of AI will require new skills and awareness.

Links

• Dan Moore on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mooreds/
• Dan Moore on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mooreds.com
• Simon Willison - The Lethal Trifecta: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/16/the-lethal-trifecta/
• FusionAuth: https://fusionauth.io/
• AGNTCY: https://agntcy.org/
• Amazon Bedrock AgentCore: https://aws.amazon.com/bedrock/agentcore/
• FusionAuth Guide to OAuth: https://fusionauth.io/articles/oauth/modern-guide-to-oauth
• MCP and OAuth: https://aaronparecki.com/2025/04/03/15/oauth-for-model-context-protocol
• MCP Specification: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-06-18/basic/authorization

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

Join us for a conversation with Kate Holterhoff, an industry analyst at Redmonk who tracks developer trends from Reddit threads to conference halls. Kate shares her unique journey from earning a PhD in Victorian literature to becoming a self-taught developer and analyst, and discusses Redmonk's "new kingmakers" philosophy that recognizes developers as key decision-makers in tech adoption. We explore current industry trends including JavaScript bundlers, the real story behind AI and developer jobs, why communication skills matter as much as technical expertise, and her experiments with vibe coding across different IDEs.

Takeaways

• Developer-led adoption is the future - Redmonk's "new kingmakers" philosophy recognizes that developers, not executives, are increasingly making purchasing decisions for development tools and platforms.
• AI tools are becoming standard practice - Most developers now use AI code assistants and agentic IDEs, forcing organizations to adapt with proper guardrails and company plans rather than fighting adoption.
• AI isn't taking jobs (yet) - Current tech layoffs are more attributable to post-ZIRP (zero-interest-rate phenomenon) economics and offshoring than AI displacement, though AI has become a convenient scapegoat.
• JavaScript is getting massive - The recent explosion of bundlers like TurboPack, Vite, RS Pack, and Rolldown signals that JavaScript packages have grown significantly since Webpack's creation 10 years ago.
• Industry analysts live in developer watering holes - Understanding real developer sentiment means spending time where developers actually talk: Reddit, Hacker News, Bluesky, conferences, and podcasts.
• Communication skills are as critical as technical skills - Engineers who can bridge technical expertise with business communication and customer interaction have significant advantages in their careers.
• Alternative paths into tech are valuable - Kate's journey from Victorian literature PhD to developer analyst shows how diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives to understanding technology and its cultural impact.
• Teaching can make coding accessible - Using engaging content like comic books, steampunk, and Victorian literature can make technical concepts more approachable and help students see connections across disciplines.
• Vibe coding is promising but unpredictable - AI-powered development tools show incredible potential but remain inconsistent, with success depending on unclear factors like IDE choice, prompting technique, and model capabilities.
• We need more casual learning communities - The tech industry would benefit from more informal, non-commercial spaces for developers to share experiences, especially around emerging technologies like vibe coding.

Links

• The Monkcast: https://redmonk.com/blog/2023/12/07/the-monkcast/
• Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateholterhoff/
• Kate on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kateholterhoff.com
• Dwarkesh podcast with Andrej Karpathy: https://www.dwarkesh.com/p/andrej-karpathy

Hosts:

• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com

Summary

In this episode of Overcommitted, hosts Erika and Brittany interview Adrienne Braganza, the author of the book Looks Good to Me. The conversation delves into the critical role of communication in code reviews, emphasizing that misunderstandings often lead to issues. It highlights the importance of understanding the purpose behind code reviews rather than just focusing on tools and speed.

Takeaways

• Misunderstandings are at the heart of code reviews.

• It's important to understand the purpose of code reviews.

• Focusing on tools can distract from the main goals.

• Collaboration is key in software development.

• Clear communication can prevent many issues.

• Taking time to reflect on processes is valuable.

• Agreeing on objectives enhances team alignment.

• Code reviews should foster learning and improvement.

• Understanding each other's perspectives is crucial.

• • Effective communication leads to better outcomes.

  Links

  • Adrienne’s Website: https://adrienne.io/

  • Adrienne on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/abt.bsky.social

  • Adrienne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennetacke/

  • Book: Looks Good to Me: https://www.manning.com/books/looks-good-to-me

  
  

  Hosts

  • Overcommitted Website: https://overcommitted.dev
  • Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
  • Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead

Summary

In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, host Bethany and co-hosts Erika and Brittany welcome Rick Turoczy, a veteran in the Portland tech startup scene. They discuss Rick's journey from a hobbyist developer to a key supporter of startup founders, the unique culture of Portland's tech community, and the importance of mental health for founders. Rick shares insights on the challenges of being a founder, the evolution of startup culture, and the role of PIE in supporting startups. The conversation also touches on local recommendations and the vibrant community in Portland.

Takeaways

- Learning how to learn is a crucial skill for navigating the startup world.

- Portland's tech scene is characterized by a unique culture of humility and creativity.

- Founders often face significant mental health challenges and need support systems.

- The PIE initiative aims to foster collaboration between startups and established organizations.

- Mistakes are a part of the learning process for founders, and experimentation is key.

- The startup landscape has evolved, making it easier to build products but harder to sell them.

- The challenges of being a founder are often underestimated, leading to burnout.

- Understanding the difference between wanting to build a product and wanting to build a company is crucial for founders.

Links

• Rick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turoczy/

• • Rick's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky.social
  • Rick's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@turoczy_

• PIE Cookbook: https://github.com/piepdx/pie-cookbook/blob/master/docs/pie-cookbook-0.9.md

• Powell’s City of Books: https://www.powells.com/bookstore/powells-city-of-books?srsltid=AfmBOoqCGKjvdY5g6DowX0ReNqRlLARxeI5WKwGyc8P0Pq3O8j9Fd0NQ

• Deadstock Coffee: https://deadstockcoffee.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopNiNhvGUigNJxASlm97jUCcSb6l36xCJ6sZF6mRIkyIseejJQy

• • Podcast recommendation from Erika ​​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/237-mistake-it-till-you-make-it-learn-faster-and-fail-smarter/id1494989268?i=1000732814742
• 
  

Hosts

• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
• Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead