Shows
Launch School PodcastCapstone 2026 Updates: Adapting to a Changing MarketLaunch School has been investing in students and AI while adapting to the evolving software engineering landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Chris to discuss what Capstone students can expect in 2026.
Tune in for a discussion on:
Moving from three Capstone cohorts per year to two
New open source initiatives and internship opportunities to help grads build experience
Strategies and logistics for managing a longer job hunt
How the core curriculum has been evolving alongside Capstone over the years
Chris’s perspective on the future of software engineering
In a rapidly changing market sh...
2025-08-181h 02Launch School PodcastMajor Curriculum Updates with ChrisIn this session, we covered three big updates happening at Launch School.
First, we introduced the new LSBot feature, which provides code reviews for exercies to help fill in support gaps. Chris touches on interesting questions surrounding both LSBot and AI in general, like if LSBot is intended to replace human TAs.
Next, we talked about the shift away from written assessments. Instead, students will now complete quizzes and interview-style assessments, to better prepare for real-world interviews and to adapt to the rise of AI tools. This also brings up the discussion of how AI...
2025-04-261h 01
The Life Lessons CollectiveEpisode 12 - Kathleen SeeleyIn this episode, Michael is joined by Kathleen Seeley, an executive coach with nearly 30 years of experience working with thought and business leaders, including her thirteen-year collaboration with Jack Canfield, "America's Number One Success Coach." Kathleen shares insights on the power of self-awareness, how conflict can be a catalyst for growth, and the importance of aligning leadership with core values. Kathleen also shares a key, seemingly contrarian philosophy of how goals, while useful, can sometimes limit potential, instead encouraging a more fluid and open approach that embraces presence and the power of taking "one step small enough to get...
2024-10-041h 27Launch School PodcastS5E16: Student Spotlight - Battling Self-Doubt, A Student Transformation with ShereceIn this episode, Brandi has a conversation with Sherece, a current student nearing the end of the core curriculum.
They spend the first part of the conversation discussing how Sherece managed to overcome her extremely low confidence to not just progress through the core curriculum, but to even enroll amid self-doubt and fear of failure. Though she was an incredibly curious and eager-to-learn child, life circumstances meant that Sherece lost this part of herself for many years. After developing an interest in software and spending several years dabbling in the prep course, she finally took on Launch...
2024-06-1036 minLaunch School PodcastS5E14: Student Spotlight - The Ups and Downs of the Core Curriculum with PatrickIn this episode, Brandi chats with current student Patrick about his journey thus far through the core curriculum. They discuss what it's like coming from a background of feeling completely incompetent with a computer to gaining the confidence to lead SPOT sessions and encourage other students to do the same.
Patrick also shares some of the more difficult hurdles he's faced. His initial plan and schedule for moving through the core curriculum were too rigorous, resulting in burnout and ultimately a false start where he paused his subscription while adjusting his expectations. After successfully restarting, as with...
2024-05-1358 minLaunch School PodcastS5E13: Setting Students up for Success - Smooth Start Program with KarisSign-ups for Smooth Start 5 are open now! Read more and Apply here
In this episode, Brandi has a conversation with Karis about Smooth Start. Karis is part of the Launch School staff and is largely responsible for creating Smooth Start, an introductory program to help students overcome common hurdles that are often faced at the early stages of Launch School.
They discuss why Smooth Start was created and new students' struggles, whether they're in the prep course trying to gauge how to take the plunge into the core curriculum, or fresh into the core curriculum...
2024-04-2956 minLaunch School PodcastS5E11: Student Spotlight - From Coasting to Excelling, a Student Transformation with NickIn this episode, Brandi has a conversation with Nick Perry, a current student and active member of the Launch School community. Nick shares his background and how he was never a 'good' student previously in high school and university. When he began Launch School, like many students, he wasn't sure if he could succeed and had to reevaluate his perception of his abilities both technically and as a dedicated student. He discusses reshaping his study habits, confidence, and dedication not just to succeed, but to become a leader in the community with a trusted network of support around him.
2024-04-0141 minLaunch School PodcastS5E9: Student Spotlight - Climbing the Learning Curve as a New Student, with KatelynIn this episode, Brandi interviews Katelyn, a current student finding her footing in the first few courses of the core curriculum. Katelyn is in a career transition, with a background in project and construction management, having majored in civil engineering in college.
We reached out to Katelyn to see if she wanted to share her story after she wrote and shared an article about her experience receiving a 'Not Yet' on an assessment. Every student has a different approach when they don't pass an assessment, but most approaches don't involve telling everyone in the community how and...
2024-03-0440 minLaunch School PodcastS5E7: Launch School Explained with Chris LeeIn this episode, recorded at the end of 2023, Brandi asks Chris the most frequently asked questions that current and potential students have.
Chris starts the episode with a recap of the story of Launch School, and how his journey into teaching software over 10 years ago led to the Launch School curriculum as we know it now. This story explains how the curriculum is chosen and why adding assessments was a necessary step in the evolution of his teaching platform.
The story of Launch School gives a lot of insight into why things are the way...
2024-02-051h 23Launch School PodcastS5E5: Student Spotlight - Imposter Syndrome and Recovering From a 'Not Yet', with TrishaIn this episode, Brandi interviews Trisha, a current student who is about two-thirds finished with the core curriculum.
Trisha opens up about receiving a 'Not Yet', a non-passing grade, on her first assessment over a year ago. She talks about the aftermath of doubt and insecurity. Trisha's trajectory changed drastically when she immersed herself into the community, finding a supportive group of peers to help her stay motivated, push her technically, and gauge her readiness for assessments.
This is a positive first-hand account of how your study habits can make or break your success at...
2024-01-0835 minLaunch School PodcastS5E2: Student Spotlight - ADHD and Parenthood with BenjaminIn this episode, Brandi has a conversation with Benjamin Walker, a current student, nearing the end of the back-end portion of the curriculum. They discuss Benjamin's approach to balancing full-time parenthood and his journey as a neurodivergent student.
Benjamin was a high school math teacher for 12 years. After becoming a father, he decided he was ready for a career change. He talks about how he decided to study at Launch School and the considerations this involved, given his prioritization of parenthood. Later on, he talks about what it's like to have ADHD and the strategies he employs...
2023-11-2737 minLaunch School PodcastS5E0: Welcome to Season 5!A quick introduction to this season with a peek at what's to come.
2023-11-1001 min
Functionally AutoimmuneThe World of Coffee W/ Colin & Matt of Iron MuleSend us a textColin Seeley is the founder of Ironside Roasting Co. and COO of Iron Mule. He holds both a BA from University of Idaho and Master's degree in Food Science from Cornell.Matt Bishop is the CEO of Iron Mule, and the founder of Cafe' Mule' Coffee, he is a United States Veteran and holds an MBA degree from Georgetown. Find them @https://www.ironmulecoffee.com/On Instagram @richardthemuleor in stores across the west coast. Find locations on the website. In partnership wi...
2023-04-1033 min