ConTejas Code

Links- CodeCrafters (Sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters- Guest Socials (Paul Aragones):Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prequalizer/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PinoyHusbands- Gottman Institute (The Four Horsemen): https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/- Cal.com (Peer Richelsen): https://cal.comMentioned Episodes- DiaznoSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4i4txd4HhngCGAtDWt0JZF?si=h-LM6LEPQGeh8Hsu2s5N4wApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/diazno-how-to-unlock-creativity-taste-and-effective/id1731855333?i=1000747678547YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8azxbxYBAc&list=PLEJpU2pV0Lie1VWU1unMg_7FRQ1gqFmAZ&index=4&t=5888s&pp=iAQBsAgCSummaryIn this episode, I sit down with Paul Aragones, an embedded Linux engineer who made the fascinating pivot to becoming a marriage coach. We explore the surprisingly deep parallels between building stable software systems and engineering a divorce-proof marriage. We discuss why marriage is actually the ultimate operating system for life, how to create a 'spec sheet' for your partner to avoid compatibility bugs, and why your friend circle might be increasing your divorce risk by 75%. Paul also opens up about his own journey through poverty and near-divorce, and we debate the controversial role of submission and servant leadership in modern relationships.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:05:05 Marriage as an Operating System00:08:28 Building the Spec Sheet: Requirements for a Spouse00:13:38 Why Marry? The Societal & Financial API00:18:45 The Danger of Being Too Picky (The "Feature Creep" Problem)00:22:14 Defining Your 3 Non-Negotiables00:27:46 The "Timeout" Clause in Dating00:33:13 The Shock of v1.0: Early Marriage Bugs00:39:20 The 75% Rule: How Friends Influence Divorce Risk00:47:23 Implementing CI/CD: Continuous Improvement in Marriage00:54:30 Overcoming Male Pride & Finding Mentors01:01:15 Identity Stack: Husband > Father > Businessman01:06:11 Addressing Religious Trauma & Misconceptions01:19:58 The Four Horsemen: Predicting Divorce with 90% Accuracy01:27:08 Emergency Protocols: Saving a Dying Marriage01:37:41 Why It's All Worth It: The Highest Form of Satisfaction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They break down what AI engineering looks like in 2026 and why reliability, observability, safety, and cost matter. Topics include battling hallucinations, building real-time knowledge with tool-augmented truth, and engineering context packets. The conversation explores agent runtimes, the Model Context Protocol, SKILL.md, and why multi-agent concurrency and device-local runtimes like OpenClaw are rising.

Links- CodeCrafters: https://codecrafters.io- Kyle Simpson (You Don't Know JS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEMG7Oxuan8- Josh Goldberg (CFP Advice): https://www.joshuakgoldberg.com/blog/how-i-apply-to-conferences/- JSHeroes CFP Guide: https://jsheroes.io/ (See blog section)- CFP.watch (by Roudy): https://cfp.watch- confs.tech (mentioned at ~00:34): https://confs.tech- Guillermo Rauch Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NzkPBjwpwLmhIntEUB95x?si=51ac6de6d8fa4f8e- Santosh Yadav Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HIl3zqyDd3cZDmJLzKR58- Jeff Escalante Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2E3dWfK3k- System Design in 15 Minutes (Hello Interview): https://www.hellointerview.com/learn/system-design/in-a-hurry/introduction- Mikhail Korolev (X/Twitter): https://x.com/mkrl__- Mikhail on GitHub: https://github.com/mkrl- Mikhail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrl/- Mikhail on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mkrl.xyzSummaryI sat down with Mikhail "Misha" Korolev to discuss a reality many engineers face but rarely talk about: how to get into rooms where you technically "don't belong." We explored his journey from being unemployed after Toptal to networking his way into VIP dinners and eventually landing a role at Tekmetric. We dug deep into the "Pac-Man Rule" for networking, why I believe you shouldn't pursue DevRel jobs at companies with unfinished products, and the specific "cheat codes" Misha used to bypass standard interview gates—including how he used ChatGPT to speed-run a LeetCode assessment. If you're currently navigating the job market or trying to pivot from engineering to public speaking, this conversation is a masterclass in making your own luck.Chapters00:00:00 Intro & Sponsors00:02:45 The "VIP Dinner" Strategy00:06:00 How to Enter Rooms You "Don't Belong" In00:12:20 The Pac-Man Rule for Networking00:15:00 Dealing with Competitive Networking (The MKBHD Effect)00:20:00 Why You Shouldn't Idolize Tech Celebrities00:28:00 How to Start Speaking at Conferences (CFP Hacks)00:35:00 Live Coding vs. Pre-recorded Demos00:43:00 The Truth About DevRel vs. Engineering00:58:00 Misha's Accidental Path to Engineering (Quake & Turbo Pascal)01:07:30 Job Hunting in a Brutal Market01:13:30 Using ChatGPT to Pass LeetCode Interviews01:20:00 Getting Referrals (The Supabase Story)01:27:00 Closing Advice: Just Go Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Science-backed systems for clarity, trust, and energy in interpersonal and public communication. How to listen better with the 4 L's and craft a one-sentence thesis to make ideas stick. When to use reasons versus cues for persuasion and a four-beat storytelling formula. Practical delivery tips: cut fluff, use gestures, control breath, and practice deliberately to build confident performances.

They explore how to turn ideas into finished work by overcoming the fear of commitment. The conversation covers building decision muscles through reps and consistency. Creativity as a life cycle and spotting design in everyday acts come up. They dig into taste versus talent, earning trust to gain buy-in, cross-cultural communication, servant leadership, and how AI reshapes musical craft.

Isaac Akinsete, licensed trainer, CrossFit coach and pro footballer with sports science training, breaks down how sitting wrecks posture and what to do about it. Short, practical routines for zero-equipment travel. Why mobility beats passive stretching. How to trigger afterburn with high-intensity circuits. Practical fixes for tech neck, hip flexors, and sustainable training for busy desk workers.

Links- Codecrafters (sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters- Become a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/wMqBmVhuzL46Ha3P7- ZurichJS Discount: https://conf.zurichjs.com?utm_source=contejas&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=zurichjs-conf-2026- Faris on X: https://x.com/farisaziz12- Faris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12/- ZurichJS: https://zurichjs.com- SmallPDF: https://smallpdf.comWhat does it take to become an Engineering Manager at 21? How do you rebuild your identity when a chronic illness takes away your physical strength? In this episode of ConTejas Code, I sit down with Faris Aziz, a Staff Engineer at Smallpdf and the lead organizer of ZurichJS. At just 25 years old, Faris has lived a career’s worth of highs and lows. From failing his first coding bootcamp module to building a career ladder for a fintech startup, and from ranking as the 2nd fittest CrossFit athlete in Switzerland to being bedridden by an autoimmune condition, Faris shares the mindset required to navigate extreme volatility.This conversation moves beyond technical skills into the "internal garden"—how emotional regulation, sleep, and nutrition directly impact your ability to lead others. Faris breaks down his philosophy on "Peace of Mind" as the primary metric for promotion, why invisible work builds character, and how to steward authority without intimidation. Whether you are an aspiring manager, a developer looking to level up, or someone navigating a personal setback, this episode offers a blueprint for resilience and professional excellence.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:04:33 Getting into Tech at 1900:08:12 Failing (and Surviving) Bootcamp00:11:00 Building a CrossFit App During Lockdown00:13:38 Getting Hired Without Writing Code00:18:49 Accidental Managers: Leading at 2100:22:19 Choosing a Pre-seed Startup Over High Salary00:28:53 Red Flags in Leadership00:33:41 Tending the Garden: Balancing Work & ZurichJS00:42:51 Health Crisis: From Top Athlete to Bedridden00:48:51 Emotional Regulation & Bio-Hacking00:59:36 Mindset: Gratitude vs. Bitterness01:07:44 Invisible Work & Building Character01:11:18 How to Get Promoted: Giving Peace of Mind01:17:28 Confidence vs. Arrogance01:21:42 Owning Mistakes Confidently01:25:38 Stewarding Authority (The Kent C. Dodds Example)01:28:06 Don't Just Be an Engineer: Solve Business Problems01:35:02 Managing "Diva" 10x Engineers01:40:12 Organizing the First ZurichJS01:46:30 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links- Codecrafters (sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters- Clerk: https://clerk.com- Auth0: https://auth0.com- Arctic (OAuth Library): https://arctic.js.org- Lucia (Session Library): https://lucia-auth.comWhy do we still use passwords in 2026? In this episode of ConTejas Code, we tear down the complex world of digital identity. From the horror story of getting hacked at a hookah bar to the mathematical elegance of public-key cryptography, we cover how the internet knows who you actually are.Let's break down the history of web authentication, explain why "logging in" is so much harder than it looks, and demystify the new standard taking over the web: Passkeys (WebAuthn). Whether you are a developer looking for an implementation playbook or just curious why your banking app requires a fingerprint, this deep dive explains the difference between Identity, Identifiers, and Credentials—and why you should stop rolling your own auth immediately.Chapters00:00:00 Welcome to ConTejas Code00:01:06 Sponsor: CodeCrafters00:01:42 Why Authentication Matters (High Stakes vs. Low Stakes)00:07:30 Storytime: Getting Hacked at a Shisha Bar00:19:48 The Vocabulary: Identity, Identifiers, and Credentials00:27:45 The Three Factors (Something You Know, Have, Are)00:34:28 Real World Analogies: House Keys, Speak-easies, and Hotel Cards00:41:10 A History of Web Auth: From Basic Auth to the "Social Login" Mess00:49:15 Authentication vs. Authorization vs. Accounting00:57:00 The Problem with Passwords & MFA Fatigue01:00:40 How Passkeys Work: Public Key Cryptography Explained01:07:00 Under the Hood: WebAuthn, FIDO2, and The "Ceremonies"01:13:40 Synced vs. Device-Bound Passkeys01:16:30 The Playbook: How to Design Auth for SaaS, Mobile, and B2B01:21:00 The Golden Rule: Don't Roll Your Own Crypto01:23:00 Libraries & Tools You Should Use (Clerk, Auth0, Arctic)01:28:40 The Minimum Viable Security Checklist01:32:30 The Future of Passwordless Identity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links- Codecrafters: https://tej.as/codecrafters- Why We Sleep: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144316- Matthew Walker's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aIVAabjRjnmiouX0zCzF3- Sleep latency paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33865376/#:~:text=Oral%20magnesium%20supplementation%20for%20insomnia,insomnia%20symptoms%20in%20older%20adults- Glycine for sleep: https://glowable.com.au/blogs/news/glycine-the-calming-nutrient-for-soothing-anxiety?srsltid=AfmBOor_YWMUUsqdS9AJjfSJLQb1F0CSEKrbw-0AhjCVkXCcHdjPGtWq#:~:text=of%20Pharmacological%20Sciences%20found%20that,often%20closely%20linked%20to%20anxiety- Dr. Andy Galpin's podcast: https://performpodcast.com/- Detachment paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19592515/#:~:text=Results%3A%20%20Higher%20PEAT%20scores,of%20depression%20and%20negative%20affect- Quantified Scientist: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheQuantifiedScientistIn this episode, we learn how to engineer better health outcomes for ourselves to live fitter and healthier than ever before drawing on the latest research.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:05:24 Episode Outline00:12:08 Sleep Architecture: Deep and REM00:24:17 How to Sleep Well00:34:31 My Routine with Sleep00:39:25 Using Temperature to Sleep Well00:41:55 Eating before Bed00:45:14 Getting more Deep Sleep and REM Sleep00:52:49 How to Eat Well00:56:05 How to Lose Fat01:02:35 How to Gain Muscle01:07:47 Vices: Alcohol, Nicotine, etc.01:10:28 Loneliness and Social Connection01:18:34 How to Develop Quality Social Connections01:25:54 Maximizing Productivity and Work/Life Balance01:33:36 Psychological Detachment01:36:33 Dealing with Getting Sick01:42:08 How to Avoid Jetlag and Travel Well01:46:14 Heart Rate Variability: Managing Stress and Recovery01:50:53 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links- CodeCrafters (partner): https://tej.as/CodeCrafters- Pratim on X: https://x.com/bhosalepratim- Tejas on X: https://x.com/tejaskumar_SummaryIn this conversation, we explore the journey from backend development to becoming a Google Developer Expert in Golang. We discuss the significance of microservices architecture, the importance of search technologies, and the development of Cargo Chat, a tool for searching codebases. Pratim shares insights on building effective search pipelines, Matryoshka embedding models, and the integration of hypothetical documents in search processes. The conversation concludes with a discussion on a mental health journaling app that connects personal reflections with religious texts for encouragement. Chapters00:00 Pratim Bhosale02:19 Introduction05:16 The Shift to Backend Development and Golang08:16 Becoming a Google Developer Expert11:20 Understanding Microservices Architecture14:19 Building Innovative Tools: Cargo Chat17:12 Search Technologies and Their Applications20:15 The Search Pipeline and Embedding Models29:49 Building a Vector Database33:13 Local First Movement and Security34:14 Understanding Hyde: Hypothetical Document Embeddings36:48 Matryoshka Embedding Models41:59 The Search Problem in AI43:57 Developing a Mental Health App48:02 Comparing Approaches to Vector Search52:56 Developer Experience and Product Growth01:02:52 Understanding Developer Experience Levers01:04:32 Making API Products Click01:07:40 The Role of Developer Advocacy01:11:06 Navigating Career Paths in Tech01:13:58 Finding Your Niche in Developer Relations01:20:18 Work-Life Balance and Avoiding Burnout01:24:01 The Importance of Mentorship01:27:07 Emerging Technologies and Trends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.