Development
Building software: programming, developer tools, APIs, deployment and DevOps, and building with AI (agents, MCP servers, RAG, AI coding tools). An extra channel alongside an episode's main one, so AI engineering episodes sit in both.
#1705: Microsoft's Phi: The Small Model Bet for Agentic AI
Microsoft is pushing small language models like Phi for agentic AI. Here’s why that strategy matters for speed, cost, and edge computing.
#1700: Can LLMs Learn Continuously Without Forgetting?
We explore a new approach: micro-training updates every few days to keep AI knowledge fresh without constant web searches.
#1697: Automated Security for Solo Developers
Stop shipping secrets and PII to GitHub. Here's how pre-commit hooks automate security for solo developers.
#1666: The Agent Mesh: Shared Context That Changes Everything
Grok 4.20’s native multi-agent architecture cuts token costs by 75% and enables real-time cross-agent reasoning.
#1657: Solo Devs: When to Dockerize (and When Not To)
Is Docker worth it for solo devs? We compare raw Python, Docker, and dev containers with real setup times and tradeoffs.
#1656: The VPS Relay: Secure Home Server Access Without Port Forwarding
Learn how to securely expose home servers to the internet using a VPS relay, avoiding risky port forwarding.
#1654: Home Lab Security: Locking Down Your Smart Home
Learn how to prevent a single compromised container from taking over your entire home network and smart devices.
#1652: AI Gateways: The Nginx for Your AI Stack
Why agentic AI needs a unified control plane to route models, aggregate tools, and cut costs.
#1649: The Vendor SDK Moat: Real or Illusion?
Is the vendor lock-in real, or just good marketing? We dissect the trade-offs between vendor SDKs and agnostic frameworks.
#1647: Monorepos: Better Modularity Than Multi-Repos?
Why putting all your code in one repository can actually enforce better boundaries than separate repos.
#1629: From DAGs to Loops: Why Agents Need Stateful Cycles
Stop building linear chains and start building cycles to create agents that can reason, self-correct, and maintain complex state.
#1620: Why VRAM Is the Wrong Way to Measure Your AI PC
Forget VRAM—bandwidth is the new king. Discover why your local AI feels slow and how to build a true "agent computer" for professional coding.
#1618: The Rise of AI Microservices: Beyond the Mega-Prompt
Say goodbye to mega-prompts. Explore the shift toward modular AI microservices, agentic hierarchies, and high-signal control artifacts.
#1614: Beyond the .env: Mastering Public and Private Code
Stop paying the "dual-repo tax." Learn how to manage public code and private secrets in a single, secure repository.
#1612: The End of Apps: Why Agents Are Replacing Your Desktop
Is the era of the app over? Explore how AI agents are transforming operating systems from static tools into proactive digital partners.
#1606: DeepSeek’s Return: V4, R2, and the AI Pricing War
DeepSeek returns with a trillion-parameter model and rock-bottom pricing. Explore the tech behind V4 and the mystery of the Hunter Alpha leak.
#1603: Fire Your Software Subscriptions and Just Code the Vibe
Tired of the SaaS tax? Discover how AI is turning software from a product you buy into a capability you manifest.
#1600: The Digital Tofu Crisis: Saving the World’s Scripts
Why does Bigfoot have an emoji while millions can’t type in their native script? Explore the hidden battle to save the world's writing systems.
#1597: Why AI Teams Are Hiring Digital Middle Managers
AI agents are hitting a "coordination depth wall." Learn how hierarchical middle management is saving agentic workflows from total collapse.
#1596: Why Your AI Agent Needs a Ticket System, Not a Chatbox
Stop confusing your AI agents. Learn how context compaction and ticket-driven development are ending the era of "vibe coding" for good.