Open Channels FM Growth, Hackathons, and Gratitude Lessons from an Eventful 2025
14 snips
Dec 9, 2025 Zach and Carl reflect on their transformative year in 2025, sharing insights from major industry events like CloudFest. They discuss the dynamic formats of hackathons and the launch of their new partnership with BuiltFast. AI's influence on coding workflows and the evolving WordPress ecosystem also takes center stage. Personal growth journeys, including health improvements and setting boundaries, are explored. As they look ahead to 2026, they emphasize the importance of gratitude and continuous learning.
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Human Negotiation Trumps Paperwork Alone
- Carl described negotiating an exclusive partnership and how transparency and shared constraints built trust with a small team.
- He found human, honest negotiations more effective than purely legal maneuvers when both sides were self-funded.
AI Accelerates Tooling Turnover
- Both hosts noted AI's rapid integration into tools and the web, accelerating development workflows and shifting competitive advantage.
- They observed fast-moving AI adoption means yesterday's tooling can become obsolete within months.
Pick A Stack And Stick For Awhile
- Don't chase every new tool; pick a comfortable stack and stay with it long enough to be effective.
- Focus on consistent progress instead of perpetual tool hopping to avoid FOMO burnout.
