Convos.dev

In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris tackle the gray areas of AI ethics — not the big global questions, but the personal ones. When is it okay to use AI for writing? What do you lose when you stop crafting sentences yourself? They get into the guilt of using AI-generated art, whether companies should get a pass on AI ads, and whether "taste" is the new differentiator when everyone can build anything.

In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris dive into the world of hiring and interviewing for tech roles. Chris shares what he's learning from screening 300+ applicants for a technical writer role at Resend — from red flags in applications to the culture-fit questions he's found most revealing. Jess brings the skeptic's take, drawing on her experience with mock interviews and candidates who game the system. They also discuss AI in interviews, the difficulty of predicting long-term fit, and why hiring is one of the most expensive decisions a startup makes. Plus: a rant about the lack of good AI slide tools, Claude Island, and some fun show & tell.

Two contrasting learning styles clash: one curates high-quality inputs and builds an Obsidian second brain, the other uses ADHD-friendly osmosis and background consumption. They explore empathy and fiction as tools for product thinking. Practical tactics include friction logs, first-time user testing, and an iterative AI agent loop called the Ralph Wiggum technique.

Practical tips for starting a new role, including how to size up company power dynamics and spot broken processes. Using onboarding to span functions and gather first-impression friction. Ways to capture and share onboarding confusion tactfully. Early strategies for building workplace relationships while keeping healthy boundaries. Handy tools and habits to boost focus and clean up developer machines.

A lively chat about small versus large language models and when compact models outperform giants. They dig into running multiple AI agents in parallel and the headaches of coordinating changes. Context windows, compression, and sharing project memory across agents get practical attention. They finish with neat tool show-and-tell like a Pomodoro timer and a retro Mac clock.

Dive into the synergy between sports and tech! The hosts share personal stories of how playing sports has bolstered their teamwork and strategic thinking in the tech world. Discover how individual and team sports enhance leadership skills and empathy among colleagues. They discuss the psychological benefits of sports, including mental clarity and confidence. Plus, learn practical tips for incorporating exercise into your routine, alongside a fun show-and-tell of Lego builds and personal achievements.

They discuss unplugging from work during holidays while keeping intentional productivity. Jess explains negotiating extended time off and structuring sabbaticals to avoid guilt. Chris shares his planning-day method with roles, big rocks, and tracking time for family. They contrast trips versus vacations and demo handy tech like email printing, ChatGPT formatting prompts, and focus tools.

Launch weeks are intense. Chris just finished a six-day launch at Resend, doubling their API endpoints and coordinating blog posts, videos, and a professional shoot in San Francisco. Jess shares Warp's multi-video approach, from marketing cowboys to deep technical demos. They discuss the real cost of launches: when to invest in production, how to balance new vs existing users, and why internal relationships matter more than the perfect edit. Learn their hard-won lessons on scope management, video production, and what actually resonates with developers.🛠️ Tools- Rectangle App: window management tool for macOS with automated layouts- Raycast: productivity app with window setup automation- Frame.io: video collaboration and review platform- Flask: Video collaboration tool with screen recording and annotation- Davinci Resolve: professional video editing softwareSubmit questions and feedback at ⁠Convos.dev⁠.

In this episode of Convos.dev, the hosts dive into their experiences with events and conferences, reflecting on their recent meetup in Seattle. They explore the challenges and joys of attending such events, especially for introverts in the tech industry. The conversation touches on the value of genuine connections over traditional networking, emphasizing the importance of asking good questions and being genuinely curious about others. This approach not only enriches personal interactions but also builds trust within the developer community.The hosts also share personal insights into balancing introversion with the demands of a DevRel role, discussing how confidence and a shift in mindset can transform the conference experience. They highlight the significance of storytelling in tech talks and the benefits of informal interactions at after-parties. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted segment on personal projects and hobbies, including knitting and journaling, portraying how these activities can parallel and enrich the development process.🛠️ Tools- Kiro- DayOneSubmit questions and feedback at ⁠Convos.dev⁠.

The podcast episode from "Convos.dev" features a discussion between two friends, Jessica and Chris, who delve into topics related to development, life, and their experiences in creating video content. This particular episode is special because they received their first email from a listener named Gaurav, who is starting out in Developer Relations (DevRel) and is curious about how Jessica and Chris became adept at making video content, particularly regarding animations.🛠️ Tools- Descript- DistillSubmit questions and feedback at ⁠Convos.dev⁠.