Chats with Kent C. Dodds

Eve Porcello, an experienced educator and speaker, shares her insights on AI-powered presentation tools and communication skills for developers. With years of experience teaching JavaScript, React, and GraphQL, Eve now focuses on how AI can assist in learning, teaching, and public speaking. Her Epic WebConf talk, co-presented with Kira Corbett, explores the development of an AI assistant to enhance presentation delivery. They’ll showcase AI-powered tools like ml5 for voice recognition and interactive elements that can make presentations more engaging and accessible. Kent and Eve also discuss the evolving role of AI in web development, the importance of strong communication skills for engineers, and why in-person conferences provide an unmatched experience. Plus, they talk about skiing in Utah and the unofficial ski day after Epic WebConf! Watch this episode. Meet Eve at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Eve Porcello 𝕏: @eveporcello Website: moonhighway.com GitHub: @eveporcello Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Jared Forsyth, a front-end infrastructure engineer at Khan Academy, shares insights into type inference and programming language design. With nearly a decade of experience working with React and React Native, Jared has a deep appreciation for tooling and developer experience. His Epic WebConf talk, "Hindley and Milner Walk Into a Bar," will break down type inference algorithms and how they improve developer ergonomics by reducing the need for excessive type annotations. Jared and Kent discuss the practical benefits of understanding language internals, including how it can improve debugging, enhance problem-solving skills, and make learning new languages easier. They also talk about Jared’s passion for local-first web development, functional programming, and how in-person conferences help build lasting relationships. Watch this episode. Meet Jared at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Jared Forsyth 𝕏: @jaredforsyth Bluesky: @jaredforsyth.com Website: jaredforsyth.com Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Madison Kanna, a full-stack developer and community builder, shares her insights on the importance of learning out loud and building an authentic personal brand. In her Epic WebConf talk, “Why You Should Learn Out Loud in 2025,” Madison emphasizes the growing need to differentiate yourself in an AI-driven world by sharing your work and building genuine connections. She discusses her experiences as a full-stack developer using TypeScript and Python, as well as her journey running coding communities and fostering accountability. Madison highlights how meeting people at conferences has transformed her online relationships into real friendships and career opportunities. Watch this episode. Meet Madison at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Madison Kanna 𝕏: @Madisonkanna Substack: madisonkanna.substack.com Website: learn0utloud.com Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Leah Thompson, known online as LeahTCodes, shares her experience as a career switcher and how live streaming on Twitch became a vital part of her career journey. Leah explains how streaming not only helped her connect with others in tech but also directly led to job opportunities. Her talk at Epic WebConf will explore the unique value of Twitch for building professional relationships and standing out in the tech industry. Leah also touches on her love of math, her background as a high school teacher, and her passion for helping others break into tech. Whether you're looking for ways to build a network, share your learning journey, or feel more connected in a remote-first world, Leah's insights offer actionable steps to use Twitch as a tool for growth and connection. Watch this episode. Meet Leah at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Leah Thompson 𝕏: @LeahTCodes Website: leahtcodes.com Twitch: LeahTCodes Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Dax Raad, known for his work on SST and the creator of OpenAuth, shares his passion for improving the developer experience with authentication and infrastructure. OpenAuth offers developers an alternative to AWS Cognito, enabling self-owned, spec-compliant OAuth systems that are easy to deploy and maintain. In this episode, Dax talks about: The problems with AWS Cognito and the motivation behind OpenAuth. The simplicity and power of constrained environments like terminal UIs. The value of focusing on infrastructure and developer control over essential services. Dax also touches on his upcoming talk at Epic WebConf and shares his excitement about meeting other developers in person. Watch this episode. Meet Dax at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Dax Raad 𝕏: @thdxr Website: thdxr.com GitHub: thdxr Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Brooks Lybrand, Developer Relations Manager for Remix at Shopify, joins Kent to explore the impact of React 19 on React Router and modern web development. In his talk "What React 19 Means for React Router," Brooks will highlight React 19's integration with server components, web component support, and simplified APIs for meta tags, links, and more. These updates promise to enhance developer experience and streamline app-building processes. Brooks shares his insights on the evolution of Remix, Shopify's stewardship of the project, and the shift towards unifying React paradigms for better portability. He also discusses his passion for building communities, user feedback, and the importance of in-person connections for professional growth. Watch this episode. Meet Brooks at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Brooks Lybrand 𝕏: @BrooksLybrand GitHub: @brookslybrand YouTube: Brooks Lybrand Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Alex Anderson, a local Salt Lake City developer and creator of the spaceship simulation game Thorium Nova, shares his passion for pushing the limits of web technologies. Alex previews his Epic WebConf talk, "The Weird Web," which showcases creative uses of web APIs such as the GamePad API, Web Serial API, and Web Audio API. These tools allow developers to build interactive, user-friendly, and immersive experiences. Alex explains how these APIs can be leveraged in both creative and practical ways, from video games to more accessible web applications. He also highlights the value of in-person conferences, emphasizing the connections and inspiration gained from engaging with the developer community. Watch this episode. Meet Alex at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Alex Anderson 𝕏: @ralex1993 Website: thoriumsim.com GitHub: @alexanderson1993 Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Devon Neill, a software developer and solopreneur from Cape Town, South Africa, shares his experience navigating solopreneurship, including learning the ropes of marketing, user engagement, and copywriting. Devon highlights the importance of streamlining development workflows with AI tools and introduces his Epic WebConf talk. His talk explores diving into the AI hype, comparing various tools, and integrating them with the Epic Stack to take ideas from concept to production in just 20 minutes. Devon and Kent also discuss the benefits of attending in-person conferences, from building meaningful connections to feeling part of the tech community. Devon shares how attending Epic WebConf and similar events has inspired his career and provided invaluable opportunities. Watch this episode. Meet Devon at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Devon Neill 𝕏: @devneill Website: devneill.com GitHub: @devneill Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Joel Hooks, a seasoned software developer and co-organizer of Epic WebConf, delves into his experience building personalized AI workflows. Joel introduces his talk on constructing a “hoard of AI minions” to enhance productivity and automation, using his app JoelFit.app as a case study. The app integrates AI routers and workflows for managing health and fitness goals, demonstrating how developers can adopt similar approaches for professional and personal projects. Joel emphasizes the importance of attending in-person events like Epic WebConf to foster meaningful human connections and exchange ideas. As a veteran of conferences, he shares how relationships built at these events have significantly impacted his career, providing inspiration, professional opportunities, and friendships. Watch this episode. Meet Joel at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Joel Hooks Website: joelhooks.com 𝕏: @jhooks GitHub: @joelhooks Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Bree Hall, a frontend software engineer and developer advocate at HubSpot, emphasizes the role of creativity in coding and professional growth. Bree discusses how personal projects like CSS art, including her recreation of a Nintendo Switch, help her stay inspired and improve her technical skills. She and Kent reflect on the unique value of in-person conferences for building professional and personal relationships, highlighting Epic WebConf as a hub for inspiration and community. As one of the emcees for Epic WebConf 2025, Bree looks forward to connecting with attendees and hearing from an incredible lineup of speakers. Bree also shares her passion for video games, board games, and connecting with women in tech. Whether the conversations center on technical topics, career growth, or shared hobbies, Bree invites everyone to reach out at the conference. Watch this episode. Meet Bree at Epic Web Conf. Guest: Bree Hall 𝕏: @bytesofbree Website: bytesofbree.com YouTube: Bytes of Bree Host: Kent C. Dodds Website: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev