This special episode of The Mob Mentality Show is a cross-post from Tuple’s podcast/videocast Distributed, where Chris and Austin join host Jack Hannah for an in-depth conversation about mob programming, agile leadership, and the evolving role of AI in software development.

Originally recorded for Distributed, this discussion brings a fresh outside perspective to topics Chris and Austin have explored in over 300 episodes of The Mob Mentality Show—but here, they dive even deeper into the origins of mob programming, how it spread across the organization, and what it takes to protect team culture while scaling.

Listeners will hear stories about early experiments—like rearranging office spaces to make pairing/mobbing possible—navigating challenging product owner relationships, and using “cellular division” to grow teams without losing their collaborative spirit. The conversation also covers AI in social coding, from generating code in domain-specific languages to treating AI as another member of the mob, plus honest thoughts on whether AI could ever replace pair or mob programming.

Key Topics in This Cross-Post Episode:

• How one team’s mob programming experiment became an org-wide practice

• Lessons from creating and sustaining 300+ agile/XP episodes

• Office and workflow changes that enable collaboration at scale

• Maintaining team culture through growth and change

• Where AI fits (and doesn’t) in mob and pair programming

• Practical advice for teams without internal XP mentors

• The future of AI in collaborative software development

If you’re interested in agile leadership, developer experience, extreme programming, or the human side of software engineering, you’ll get proven strategies you can apply immediately—plus inspiration from seeing how practices spread beyond their starting point. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/Cd0L4jyaUIg

What does it really look like when Agentic AI systems are integrated into some modern software teams? In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with David Hirschfeld—founder and CEO—to unpack real-world experiences with Agentic AI, prompt engineering, and workflow automation in dev environments. This is not a theoretical discussion. David brings firsthand stories of building and deploying AI-powered agents. We explore the hands-on challenges and breakthroughs that come with treating AI like a junior developer, giving it structured workflows, and designing systems that can improve with feedback. Highlights include:

• Is “prompt engineering” dead?

• What Agentic AI is doing right now to reduce busywork and boost flow and what are the current shortcomings

• How AI agents can integrate with tools like Jira and Slack

• The cultural shifts needed to make AI part of your agile team

• Pitfalls of over-reliance on AI and the importance of confidence thresholds (e.g., big bang AI slop vs. small batch AI with verified output)

• How voice and vision AI are expanding what’s possible in software development

• When to automate, when to augment, and when to stay manual

• The surprising power of “smart laziness” in engineering productivity

• Lessons from real teams automating their development processes

Whether you’re a dev, product manager, or just AI-curious, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how agentic systems are being used today—not in the future—to transform engineering work. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/cMhnIeGu3Js

How do you scale an agile team without sacrificing collaboration, flow, or developer experience?

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we’re joined by Brice Ruth—engineering leader at Flexion and ensemble programming advocate—for a deep dive into what it takes to build high-functioning, adaptable software teams through a concept he calls “mob meiosis.”

We explore Brice’s journey from solo coding to full-time mob programming, and how his experience in the industry and in government contracts shaped his philosophy on team dynamics, learning cultures, and system design. If you’re looking for actionable insights into building fast feedback loops, enhancing developer onboarding, or evolving your mob into multiple autonomous mobs, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

🔍 What you’ll learn:

• What “mob meiosis” is and how it enables team scaling without silos

• How to engineer feedback loops that operate across code, communication, and team structure

• Why ensemble programming improves developer flow, learning, and job satisfaction

• Lessons from transitioning into mobbing full-time—and how to make it sustainable

• Tips for fostering a culture where pairing, mobbing, and continuous improvement thrive

Whether you’re an agile coach, engineering manager, or developer looking to elevate your team’s practices, Brice brings a sharp, experience-backed perspective on what it means to lead with feedback, prioritize team health, and scale with purpose.

🎙️ Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show for more episodes on ensemble programming, agile culture, and modern software team dynamics. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/W0eJFMzbBME