Chats with Kent C. Dodds

Annie Sexton joins Kent to talk about her upcoming talk at Epic Web Conf, JavaScript: The Origin Story. In this discussion, she shares her love for history and why documenting the evolution of programming languages is so important. They dive into: The rushed creation of JavaScript and how it shaped the language. Competing languages of the era and how JavaScript won out. The unexpected ways JavaScript evolved into a web powerhouse. Why software history often gets overlooked and why it matters today. How understanding the past helps developers write better code for the future. Annie’s talk will be a must-watch for developers who want to gain a deeper appreciation of JavaScript and its unique journey. Expect to walk away with a richer perspective on the language that powers the modern web. Watch this episode. Meet Annie at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Annie Sexton 𝕏: @anniebabannie Website: anniesexton.com Bluesky: anniesexton.com Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Zackary Jackson joins Kent to discuss his upcoming talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Federation: Scaling Web Infrastructure. As an expert in large-scale web architecture, Zack has helped build critical tools like Module Federation and RSPack, both of which power ByteDance’s global infrastructure. In this conversation, Kent and Zack cover: The challenges of managing thousands of developers and repos across multiple teams. Why ByteDance chose to build its own bundler in Rust instead of adopting an existing solution. The impact of slow build times on product velocity and how tooling improvements significantly reduce development friction. The role of Module Federation in solving organizational scale problems, allowing teams to ship independently. How AI-powered tools are shaping the next generation of developer workflows. Zack also shares his thoughts on why meeting open-source maintainers and industry leaders in person can unlock collaboration opportunities that aren’t as easily accessible online. Watch this episode. Meet Zackary at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Zackary Jackson 𝕏: @ScriptedAlchemy GitHub: @ScriptedAlchemy Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Aaron Francis joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Bets: Practical Tips for Betting on Yourself. In this conversation, Aaron reflects on his non-traditional path into tech, his experience being laid off, and how he prepared himself to be resilient in the face of career uncertainty. He shares insights on why developers should focus on skill stacking, personal branding, and long-term sustainability in their careers rather than chasing trends. Kent and Aaron also explore: How to future-proof your career without falling into the trap of chasing hype. Why writing and sharing your knowledge can open unexpected doors. The importance of building a professional network before you need it. How to balance ambition with family life and personal values. Why giving your absolute best—both professionally and personally—is always worth it. Aaron’s perspective is both practical and inspiring, offering a roadmap for developers who want to take control of their future without sacrificing what truly matters. Watch this episode. Meet Aaron at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Aaron Francis 𝕏: @aarondfrancis GitHub: @aarondfrancis Website: aaronfrancis.com Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Fran Zekan, an engineer from Croatia with experience in hardware, robotics, and web development, joins Kent to discuss his talk, Shipping Reusable Full-Stack Components. Fran explains how React Server Components (RSCs) allow developers to build truly self-contained, reusable full-stack features—something that has long been a staple in the Rails ecosystem with Rails Engines. In this conversation, Fran and Kent discuss: How RSCs simplify full-stack development by eliminating the need for multiple setup steps. Comparisons between RSCs and Rails Engines, and how they bring backend-like encapsulation to React. Real-world examples, including a Stripe Checkout component that can be dropped into any app. The evolution of scaling strategies across different web frameworks, from serverless to Astro’s CDN-first approach. The future of modular, scalable web apps and the potential for Rails-to-React migration. Fran also shares why he prioritizes in-person conferences, the value of deep technical discussions, and why he believes the Epic Web Conf community is a perfect space for these conversations. Watch this episode. Meet Fran at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Fran Zekan 𝕏: @Zeko369 GitHub: @Zeko369 Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Josh Cirre, a developer advocate and content creator, joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf: "Learning-Driven Development." Josh shares his philosophy on learning by doing—where the best way to master new technologies is by applying them to real-world projects rather than passively consuming tutorials. Josh and Kent discuss: The importance of curiosity in learning and how small observations can spark deeper exploration. Why focusing on what you want to build rather than what you want to learn leads to better retention. The challenges of transitioning from acting and comedy to tech, and how performance skills translate into developer advocacy. The power of in-person conferences in forging deeper relationships and improving professional growth. Josh also shares his love for Svelte, cameras, music, and Broadway musicals—so be sure to find him at Epic Web Conf to geek out on any of those topics! Watch this episode. Meet Josh at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Josh Cirre 𝕏: @joshcirre YouTube: Josh Cirre Website: joshcirre.com Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

In this episode, Kent is joined by Kira Corbett, an AI-focused developer educator with deep experience in robotics, simulation, and human-computer interaction. Kira discusses her background in building real-world systems and how her transition to web development has shaped her approach to optimizing user experiences. Her talk at Epic WebConf, "Building an AI Assistant to Deliver Your Best Presentations," explores how AI can enhance communication skills, streamline productivity, and create better engagement in various fields—not just software engineering. Without spoiling too much, Kira hints at an interactive experience that will challenge the audience’s expectations about AI-powered tools. They also discuss the benefits of conferences, from gaining fresh insights to making meaningful professional and personal connections. As an avid mountain biker and skier, Kira is also excited to hit the slopes at the unofficial Epic WebConf ski day. Watch this episode. Meet Kira at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Kira Corbett 𝕏: @TheRealKiraAI Website: kiracorbett.com GitHub: @TheRealKiraAI Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Taylor Desseyn, VP of Global Development at Torque.dev and host of the Guidance Counselor 2.0 podcast, joins Kent to discuss his role as an emcee at Epic WebConf and the importance of networking in tech. Taylor shares insights on how developers can maximize their time at conferences, from preparing in advance to actively building meaningful connections. Taylor emphasizes the value of in-person events, explaining how they provide an opportunity to deepen online relationships, connect with industry leaders, and open doors to new career opportunities. He also shares practical career advice, including how to effectively network, follow up after events, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to build professional relationships. Kent and Taylor also discuss the role of an emcee in setting the tone for a conference, the importance of humor and energy in engaging an audience, and Taylor’s excitement to bring his hosting experience to Salt Lake City for Epic WebConf. Watch this episode. Meet Taylor at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Taylor Desseyn LinkedIn: Taylor Desseyn 𝕏: @tdesseyn Bluesky: @tdesseyn Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Mark Techson, a developer advocate at Google working on Angular, joins Kent to discuss the intersection of AI and developer productivity. His Epic WebConf talk, "Beyond Code Assist: Driving Impact as a Next-Gen Developer," explores how developers can go beyond using AI for simple code assistance and instead integrate AI into their workflows to accomplish more. Mark emphasizes that the world of software development is evolving, and AI tools are becoming integral to the way we work. He shares insights on how developers can position themselves to thrive, avoid stagnation, and embrace the opportunities AI provides. Kent and Mark also discuss the importance of standing out in an increasingly automated world, the power of adding a personal touch (like Mark’s unique video talk proposal), and why in-person conferences like Epic WebConf provide irreplaceable professional connections. Watch this episode. Meet Mark at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Mark Techson 𝕏: @marktechson YouTube: Mark Techson Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Shruti Kapoor, a frontend engineer at Slack and an Epic Web instructor, joins Kent to dive into the intricacies of accessibility in web development. With over a decade of experience, Shruti has dedicated herself to educating developers on building accessible and inclusive applications. Her Epic WebConf talk, "Building Accessible Web Apps," will focus on real-world accessibility challenges, showcasing a live demo where she transforms a web app to improve usability for all users. She emphasizes how accessibility is more than just ARIA labels—it requires a thoughtful UX approach, including proper focus management, screen reader behavior, and inclusive interaction patterns. Kent and Shruti also discuss her experience traveling globally for conferences, how different regions approach web development, and why she prioritizes in-person events like Epic WebConf. They wrap up by exploring imposter syndrome, mentorship, and how developers can take their first steps into public speaking. Watch this episode. Meet Shruti at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Shruti Kapoor 𝕏: @shrutikapoor08 YouTube: Shruti Kapoor Website: shrutikapoor.dev Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Eva Ferreira, a frontend engineer, educator, and design systems expert, shares insights into what makes or breaks a design system. As a tech lead at Mable and a long-time web development instructor, Eva brings years of experience building UI components, optimizing accessibility, and implementing robust frontend architectures. Her talk at Epic WebConf, "Bulletproof Design Systems," dives into the biggest challenges teams face when adopting a design system. She covers topics like onboarding new users, proving the system’s value with measurable success metrics, and avoiding the trap of a single maintainer. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to make their design systems more sustainable and widely adopted. Kent and Eva also discuss the importance of sharing failures as well as successes in tech, the struggle of maintaining focus while learning online, and why in-person conferences provide an unmatched experience for both education and networking. Watch this episode. Meet Eva at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Eva Ferreira 𝕏: @evaferreira92 LinkedIn: Maria Evangelina Ferreira Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev