Three hundred episodes in, and here we stand at the precipice of a momentous pause – a time to reflect on the profound connections and conversations that have shaped this podcast's journey. From the early days of syncing episodes with the first iPod Nano, I've walked a path of personal and professional evolution alongside DevJourney. Each recording…

Ever found yourself at the crossroads of passion and profession, wondering if your varied experiences could weave into a successful career tapestry? John Chan's story is a testament to that possibility. From a high school enthusiast tinkering with CSS to a Taekwondo black belt with international laurels, John's eclectic background illustrates the v…

Have you ever wondered how a symphony of ones and zeros harmonizes with the delicate touch of piano keys? Our latest guest, Denzil Eden, an MIT and Harvard alum with a storied tenure at Microsoft, bridges this seemingly vast chasm with grace. In a heart-to-heart, she illuminates the intricate dance between her love for AI and the creative pulse of …

Meet Brit Myers, VP of Engineering at System Initiatives, who turned her late start into a celebrated career in software engineering. She swaps stories about the self-doubt she wrestled with, the internship that fueled her passion, and how she discovered that forging ahead and tempering expectations can unearth success. Brit's insights are a treasu…

Have you ever wondered what it takes to shatter the mold and passionately pursue a career in tech? Katherine Lewis joins us to share her extraordinary journey in software engineering, offering a candid look at the trials and triumphs that have defined her path. From overcoming gender stereotypes to the pivotal advice that changed her career traject…

Embark on a remarkable tech odyssey with Elise Carmichael, whose formative years tinkering with a Commodore 64 paved the way to her influential tenure as CTO at Lakeside. Throughout our conversation, Elise's melodious passion for music intertwines with her tech expertise, illustrating how harmonious blends of interests can propel one's career traje…

When his father cracked open the case of a Vic-20 computer, little did he know he was setting the stage for a lifelong tech odyssey. Fast forward, and here he is, sharing laughs and wisdom, demystifying the tech world one byte-sized lesson at a time. This episode peels back the layers of computer operation, programming, and the inestimable value of…

Have you ever wondered how a passion for video games might ignite a career in the high-stakes world of tech? Joshua Duffney, Microsoft's cloud advocate extraordinaire, joins us to share his incredible transformation from teenage gamer to industry expert. Our conversation delves into the nuances of his technical odyssey, starting with a Christmas gi…

Picture this: a high schooler with a lawnmower turns his grass-cutting gig into a landscaping empire, only to sell it all and jump headfirst into the tech ocean, without even a floatie of coding knowledge. That's the story of Bryan Clayton, CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, who joins us to share the gripping tale of his entrepreneurial metamorphosis.…

Unlock the secrets to thriving in tech leadership with the insights of Mark Herschberg, whose own leap from physics aficionado to influential CTO unveils the vast scope of skills beyond engineering might. As Mark joins us, he lays bare the complex tapestry of success in the tech industry, pointing to the indispensable value of capabilities like lea…

Join the ranks of tech aficionados and entrepreneurial spirits as we unpack the riveting tale of Dave van Beekum, the brain behind Tweeva. Dave's trajectory is nothing short of inspiring from dismantling household appliances as a curious kid in New Jersey to orchestrating the growth of a digital marketing empire in Florida. Through a nostalgic trip…

From the clattering coins of casino games to the complex coding at Netflix, our guest Sneha Inguva has a career narrative that's as unconventional as it is inspiring. Walking her cat Gatsby might be her quirky pastime, but it's her methodical approach to workplace challenges that sets Sneha apart. Tune in for a candid conversation where she unpacks…

Embark on a riveting odyssey with Steven Schkolne, a polymath whose professional course has been as diverse as it is deep. As he shares tales from his early days dabbling in BASIC and Logo, you'll find yourself immersed in the nostalgia of programming's past, drawing unexpected connections to the complex dance of modern development. Listen and be i…

Have you ever considered the human story behind the code that powers our daily digital experiences? I had the pleasure of sitting down with William A. Adams, whose journey from a 12-year-old self-taught programmer to a key player at Microsoft is as inspiring as it is instructive. As we traverse William's path, you'll be enthralled by tales of innov…

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of passion and professionalism, wondering if it's too late to change paths? Brian's story is a beacon of hope for career changers everywhere, as he shares his incredible shift from being an outdoor guide to a software engineering maven. With a candid discussion on the art of scaling impact, Brian's insights on …

Get ready for an engrossing episode, as we sit down with the remarkable Valarie Regas. Known for her passion in the tech industry, Valarie’s journey from a stay-at-home mom to a thriving DevOps engineer and full stack developer is a story that will leave you inspired. She opens up about her experiences navigating the tech world, the value in her un…

Imagine attending a summer camp at the tender age of six that sparks a lifelong love for software development. That's the journey our esteemed guest, Moriel, embarked on, leading her to explore the complexities of right-to-left language support and localization, and ultimately landing her a coveted position at Wikipedia. Moriel shares her gripping …

Have you ever wondered about the journey of a software developer from the early days of coding to launching successful startups? We delve into this intriguing topic with our guest, Chris Simon, a startup CTO coach who shares his rich and varied experiences in the tech industry. From his early days of coding on an Apple Fat Mac, Chris has always had…

Let's set off on an awe-inspiring journey with our guest, Cecilia Martinez, who, armed with self-awareness and an appetite for growth, has carved out a successful career in software development. Starting from her high school days, designing layouts for myspace pages, Cecilia's trajectory includes journalism, web development, and a self-discovery of…

From the moment his father handed him an IBM PC with the simplest of instructions - "Play with it, don't be afraid" - Aral Balkan's worldview was forever changed. Our chat with this developer, professional speaker, consultant, and serial entrepreneur takes us on an enlightening journey through his life, shaped by his early immersion in technology's…

Can one's fascination with technology begin with a childhood story of a laptop reward? For our guest Sophie Obomighie, that was indeed the case. From there, Sophie describes her journey through the tech world, from building a website on halitosis to participating in Google developer group events. Despite her medical background, she found a way to m…

Join us on an enlightening tech odyssey with Coleen Shane, a trans woman who's made her mark in the realm of information security and networking. From the humble beginnings of tinkering with a Texas Instruments TI-99 in the 80s to a successful career at the VA hospital in Indianapolis, Coleen's journey is an inspiring tale of determination and pass…

Who says a childhood dream can't shape your adult career? Dr. Jodie Burchell would undoubtedly argue it can. As a data science advocate at JetBrains, she's living proof that a meandering career path can lead to extraordinary places. Join us for a heartwarming journey that starts with her fascination for paleontology, travels through studying psycho…

What does it take to transition from a life in pharmacy, business, and PR to becoming a successful software developer and business owner? Alexandra Spalato, our guest for this episode, has done just that. Her unconventional journey, fueled by a passion for learning, has led her through many roles - from actress to Developer Relations (DevRel) Engin…

What happens when a gaming enthusiast transitions into the world of tech, data science, and community management? That's the intriguing journey we explore with Chuck Ting Hall, a Community Manager at OpenSSF and prolific contributor to various tech libraries. From her early love for gaming, Chuck's passion for technology took a unique turn, leading…

Ever wondered how a software developer's journey unfolds? Well, today, we have a story that is sure to inspire. Join us as we explore the life of Aleksandra Sikora, a software engineer based in Wrocław, who shares her journey from learning to code in primary school to becoming a full-stack developer. A poignant chapter of her journey delves into th…

From humble beginnings to scaling the corporate ladder, Ori Keren's career in the tech industry is nothing short of inspiring. His passion for software development and team dynamics shines through as he recounts the challenges and rewards of evolving in the ever-changing tech world. Ori’s experiences have shaped not only his professional life but a…

From graphic design to coding, Anna Sala's foray into software development was anything but conventional. Anna's initial curiosity was sparked by a chance conversation with a tennis player who shared insights about the world of development. This unexpected interaction set Anna on a transformative career journey, combining her unique design backgrou…

Una Kravets's journey in the tech world has been nothing short of captivating. From her dedication to creating and enhancing the user interface space to her insightful perspectives on the ever-evolving challenges of web development, Una's story is one of passion, innovation, and unwavering dedication. Her experiences span a wide range of tech endea…

From facing unexpected challenges in his school days to rising to the occasion as a software developer, Tejas Kumar's journey is nothing short of remarkable. He candidly speaks about facing adversity and how those experiences shaped his perspective, even leading him to unexpected avenues in the world of tech. Tejas placed the start of his journey w…

From humble beginnings working on a spreadsheet application to grappling with the rapid transformations in the developer industry, Lilly Chen's journey through the software realm has been nothing short of fascinating. With experiences ranging from the challenges of being a first-time manager to the profound influence of mentors who "lifted as they …

Stepping into the tech world is one thing, but embracing it with a passion for teaching and enhancing the way technology is learned represents a calling of a different order. Felienne Hermans' life has been a vibrant blend of software development, advocating for better ways of teaching coding and recognizing the importance of guiding the young gene…

In the ever-evolving realm of software development and testing, it's rare to encounter someone with as vast and varied an experience as Steve Upton. From his early foray into quality assurance to his insights on teamwork and agile methodologies, Steve's journey offers a lens into the nuanced world of development from a quality-first perspective. St…

The realm of software development is as vast as it is intricate. For Cory O'Daniel, it's been a journey marked by coding and understanding the deeper nuances of being a software developer. Cory took a detour, discovering that there's more to the world of tech than just writing code – there's a profound beauty in problem-solving, connecting with pee…

Unfolding the story of a truly diverse career trajectory, Mirjam Aulbach joins us to share her captivating journey from pursuing an accounting career and dog training to evolving into a full-fledged software developer. Mirjam's tale isn't just about career changes; it's about her lifelong passion for coding and how she kept it alive while juggling …

Nnenna Ndukwe is a seasoned software developer who profoundly understands the essence of community and its value in shaping one's career journey. In a world often dictated by individual prowess, Nnenna's story is a testament to the power of shared wisdom and the transformative capacity of communal learning in the tech industry. With a passion for c…

Phil Alves, founder of DevSquad and LiveStats, is a software entrepreneur driven by building impactful solutions. From his humble beginnings, coding at age 12, to becoming a leader of development teams, his path has been marked by curiosity, determination, and a desire to improve developers' lives. Phil placed the start of his journey with Flash an…

Join us in this enlightening conversation with Chris Zimmerman, the co-founder of Sucker Punch Productions, the powerhouse behind globally successful games like Infamous and Ghost of Tsushima. Chris started his journey as a software developer and evolved into a trailblazer in the gaming industry, showing the same resilience and innovation in his ca…

Chelsea Troy, an inquisitive software engineer, data scientist, and respected educator, passionately shares her story, from the impactful challenges she faced in the nascent stage of her journey to her growth into a successful developer and teacher. Chelsea found her love for software development and data science in a winding path full of determina…

Sev placed the start of her journey back in China as a child passionate about maths and logic. She then described how she struggled to find her way through education after losing her hearing. She talked about how she could go to the USA and study Information Technology at Gallaudet University. She then spoke about the Microsoft Explorer Program, wh…

Larysa placed the start of her journey in the country she was born in, the Soviet Union, with her discovery of those books filled with 0s and 1s that she could not understand. Fast forward a few years, and she is hooked by Maths and Computer Science and doesn't want to do anything else. After her Master's degree in Odessa, she moved to Germany and …

From a trainee reconversion program in the early 80s, Lisa took us on a fantastic testing journey. From discovering Agile before its time, living through highly collaborative Waterfall projects, to embracing XP and being one of the first to challenge the absence of "Testers" in the first installments of the method. Lisa spoke of how she came to wri…

Emmanuel placed the start his journey in the 80s in a computer club. He described how he learned GW-BASIC and became hooked. He told about his love for music and how his parents encouraged him to pursue "real studies." He explained how he went to the USA to study Computer Science, music, and Japanese... and became a theater composer. He discussed h…

Krisztina placed the start of her journey by writing a few lines of PHP on a website and being hooked. But then we rolled back to hear about her life behind the iron curtain in her home country of Romania. We discussed her first career as a mechanical engineer and how this led her to write her first BASIC lines of code, move to Germany, and start f…

Tomas placed the start of his journey in high school, where he was part of a group of friends interested in computers. His interest in "understanding what's under the hood" ignited there. He explained how working in the open, publishing small open-source components got him to "professional development" alongside his university studies. Then we talk…

Marjorie placed the start of her journey during her work as an agronomist when she wrote her first R lines of code. She explained how her childhood in southern France brought her to study plants, create a hydroponic startup, work on risk and project management, and slowly become interested in web development. We spoke of her Bootcamp and how she fo…

Mathias placed the start of his journey with both hands on a TRS-80 computer and no other games to play than a compiler and the BASIC language. But fast forward a few years, we spoke about his music studies, his work creating music for ads and movies, and how programming came back as a hobby, which finally took precedence. We then jumped with both …

Diana placed the start of her journey with her grandmother and maths, and having the feeling that she loved the wrong things. We discussed how she discovered computers but didn't embrace them for a long time. Diana explained how she wanted to become a writer, moved to Montana, and opened a bookshop. We talked about isolation and rediscovering progr…

Aida wanted to place the start of her journey three years ago when she started being a developer at ThoughtWorks. But then she went back more than a decade and started talking about her programming classes at university and how her first job was a manual QA Engineer job. Ensued a learning journey, trying to get into QA automation, thinking about go…

Bobbi placed the start of her journey with the absence of a gaming console and the presence of a family computer instead. She spoke about exploring and solving minor problems. But also about how music was her world as a teenager, she talked about ADHD/ADD and how her love for music brought her to a rabbi school in Israel. She explained how she lear…