Shows
Pybites Podcast#193: Why coding alone sucks!In this episode, we share our own experiences of what it’s like to code in isolation — and why it held us back more than we realised at the time. When you're working solo, it’s easy to miss out on learning opportunities, fall into unhelpful habits, or lose momentum altogether.But when you start coding alongside others, everything shifts. We talk about how code reviews gave us instant feedback, how collaborating with other devs helped us level up faster, and how the simple act of being part of a team made coding more enjoyable — and a lot less...2025-06-2320 min
Pybites Podcast#192: Coding smarter not harder - 5 key ways to succeed as a developerAre you ready to level up your Python skills? In this episode we share the five common mistakes that hold learners back, and how to avoid them. From setting clear goals to building simple, impactful projects, we’ll show you how to turn scattered effort into strategic growth. Learn to stay focused in a world full of distractions, seek mentorship confidently, and reframe challenges as stepping stones. Whether you're stuck in tutorial loops or just getting started, this guide will help you build momentum, boost confidence, and thrive as a developer. Books:Effective Pyth...2025-05-3133 min
Pybites Podcast#191: Code, click, cloud - how Sebastián Ramírez is taking FastAPI to the next levelSebastián Ramírez returns in this episode to share the evolution of his journey from open-source developer to company founder, with the launch of FastAPI Cloud. After creating tools used by developers worldwide, Sebastián explains how he found a critical gap in the app creation process - the painful transition from local development to production deployment. Throughout our conversation, we hear how Sebastián and his team are working to remove this obstacle.We also hear some of the amazing ways that FastAPI has been adopted in mission-critical systems worldwide. From powering image generation in Chat...2025-05-2345 min
Pybites Podcast#190: The power shift - Flexa’s data-driven energy revolutionWhat if you could tap into a more affordable and efficient energy system, all while supporting grid stability? Tune in to our fascinating conversation with Robin Beer, energy data scientist at Flexa, a startup revolutionising the way we consume electricity. Robin shares the process of creating a virtual power plant that enables consumers to utilise solar and battery resources while strategically managing when to buy and sell electricity based on market conditions and weather forecasts. Not only does this system promise reduced costs, but it also enhances grid stability, offering a win-win solution for consumers and the w...2025-05-1433 min
Pybites Podcast#189: The Year of Oui: Huy Nguyen on Connection, Community and Showing UpThis episode is a bit special. Julian is joined by one of his closest friends and former AWS colleagues, Huy Nguyen, to talk about something we often overlook in our careers and lives — the power of genuine human connection.In 2024, Huy made an unusual choice. He chose to get off the hamster wheel and take a career break to focus the entire year on being present with friends and community. From a Big Fat Greek wedding in Greece to conversations on balconies in Vietnam, his travels weren’t about sightseeing. They were about belonging.Together, Huy...2025-05-0849 min
Pybites Podcast#188: Career crossroads - navigating the path to job fulfillmentIn this episode, Andrea Gosselink, career coach and former HR executive, joins us to unpack the complicated feelings that arise when we find ourselves at a career crossroad. Drawing from both her personal journey and client experiences, Andrea shares why so many successful people still feel unfulfilled despite achieving traditional markers of career success.We explore the fascinating psychology behind career transitions, including the paralyzing effect of the sunk cost fallacy ("I've already invested so much in this path"), fear of judgment from peers and family, and the limiting belief that there's only one "right" way to...2025-04-2936 min
Pybites Podcast#187: Beyond the resume - how to stand out in the competitive world of techThe tech job market has become increasingly challenging with ongoing layoffs and strong competition for available positions. How can developers stand out when everyone seems to have the same credentials? This episode tackles the essential strategies needed to navigate this difficult landscape. We discuss how imperfect positions can still offer growth, and how enthusiasm, coupled with demonstrated skill, can help employers pick you as a candidate who will bring true value to their organisation.Join our community at pybites.circle.so to continue the conversation, expand your network, and access more resources to advance your P...2025-04-1720 min
Pybites Podcast#186: Rethinking the art of codingRye Whalen sees profound connections between nature and software development that many developers miss. With expertise in hardware, software, and teaching cybersecurity, they uncover how natural systems can inspire better software-building strategies.Rye explains how they approach algorithmic thinking by focusing on foundational base cases and how they encourage their students to visualise problems before writing code. This teaching strategy bridges abstract concepts with practical understanding by tapping into natural visual processing abilities and familiar patterns from the world around us.Beyond technical skills, Rye emphasises the value of creativity and balance. They explain how...2025-04-1031 min
Pybites Podcast#185: Expanding the world of Pybites with cohort coaching, book platforms and more!PyBytes is taking an exciting step forward with the introduction of cohort-based Python coaching, creating an accessible learning pathway for developers worldwide. After five successful years working with over 200 clients through 1:1 coaching, this new model provides opportunities for collaboration, networking, and group problem solving - skills that translate directly to professional development environments.Beyond coaching, we're partnering with "Explore With Us" to give university students across Australia a 50% discount on the PyBytes platform, and we've also completely revamped PyBytes Books - with a sleek new interface, custom reading lists, and gamification elements.With so many...2025-04-0526 min
Pybites Podcast#184: The pathway to success - how an open mind can lead to your dream jobThe road to landing a dream developer job is often paved with persistence, continuous learning, and a willingness to look beyond traditional tech hubs. In this episode, CJ Stein shares his journey from mechanical engineer to software developer at a cheese manufacturing company.Throughout our conversation we're reminded that developer jobs exist everywhere – not just at tech giants and startups. By expanding where you look and having confidence in your ability to learn, you might just find your perfect role in the most unexpected place.___Pybites Circle Community: https://pybites.circle.so/...2025-03-1435 min
Pybites Podcast#183: AI’s silent takeover - are we losing our programming skills?Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of coding, raising vital questions about our approach to software development. In this episode, we unpack the implications of AI on programming skills and the future of learning to code. As AI increasingly handles various programming tasks, some developers are concerned that new, and even seasoned, coders may be losing touch with critical programming skills. While AI offers opportunities to streamline processes, we highlight the necessity of engaging with coding on a fundamental level.Throughout the episode, we celebrate successes from our coding community, and highlight that while the j...2025-03-0537 min
Pybites Podcast#182: Coding for a cure - how Victoria Kolmac is shaping the future of bio-medical engineering with PythonMeet the incredibly talented Victoria Kolmac, a university student with a passion for the intersection of biomedical engineering and computer science.Victoria shares her fascinating journey with us, outlining how she and her team built a pulse oximeter from scratch using Python and ESP32 microcontrollers, as well as her work on an advanced project aimed at non-invasively detecting thoracic pressure changes related to sleep apnea. We also delve into the world of quantum computing, exploring the basics of qubits and superposition and how Python is used for predictive modeling in this space. With personal stories o...2025-02-1255 min
Pybites Podcast#179 - AI, Developers, and the Future of CodeCould AI make developers a thing of the past in the world of coding? Join us on the Pybites Podcast as we, Julian Sequeira and Bob Beldebos, explore this compelling question and share our personal experiences with AI's integration into our Python projects.After we quickly recount our holiday experiences, we kick off the new year with reflections on the mindset and habits necessary for success.Moving onto AI, we discuss its dual nature—great for boosting productivity but fraught with limitations when tackling complex tasks. We explore Julian’s journey of building a web app...2025-01-2232 min
Pybites Podcast#174 - Mastering Productivity: How Tanner Martin Takes Control of His TimeWelcome back to the Pybites Podcast! This week, Julian talks with Tanner Martin, a Python developer and valued graduate and community member of our Pybites Developer Mindset (PDM) program.In this episode, Tanner shares insights on productivity, mindset, and personal growth. He reflects on his journey to transform his productivity approach, reduce anxiety through weekly planning, and embrace self-kindness. Tanner and Julian also dive into strategies for setting priorities, managing time, balancing personal and professional life, and share book recommendations.Plus, hear about Tanner's current project with his coach Robin in...2024-10-2538 min
Pybites Podcast#173 - Pybites Platform 2.0 is here!Welcome back to the Pybites podcast! Today we have some really exciting news: we’ve just launched our brand-new coding platform!Check it out here.After nearly 7 years and almost 50K sign-ups on v1 (codechalleng.es), the design started to show its age. That’s why we did a complete overhaul to create our new 2.0 platform. It's faster, cleaner, more responsive, and more affordable.In this episode, Bob and Julian discuss why v2 is such a big improvement, the motivation behind the rewrite, behind-the-scenes insights into how it all came together, some technical chal...2024-10-1129 min
Pybites Podcast#168 - Machine Learning and Purely Python Coding with Joao Pedro ChaibA brief description for the time being for episode 168:In this episode Julian interviews Joao Pedro Chaib (JP), a Software Engineer based in Sydney, Australia. JP achieved what so many people dream of every day: transitioning from another industry into the Tech Industry, all while moving countries!Listen to JP's story where he shares the journey, the many mindset hurdles that he overcame along the way, and tips for others looking to make this change. As always, mindset plays a BIG part!If you'd like to follow JP you can catch him here:2024-08-1940 min
Pybites Podcast#160 - Unpacking Pydantic's Growth and the Launch of Logfire with Samuel ColvinJoin our Pybites Community for free hereWe coach people with their Python, developer and mindset skills, more info here.---This week we have an exciting interview with Pydantic's creator Samuel Colvin. ---NOTE that it's best to watch this episode on YouTube, because Samuel demos Pydantic's new Logfire product as well as a bit of FastUI. 💡 💪 😍---Delving into the origins, Samuel shares with us how Pydantic was conceived to streamline data validation, drawing inspiration from similar tools but quickly exceeding expectations in popularity and adoption. 📈Samuel t...2024-05-0344 min
Pybites Podcast#159 - How Luis Palacios Transitioned from Blue Collar to Tech with Python & MindsetJoin our Community for free hereGet your personal coach here---In this episode Julian speaks with Luis Palacios, an IT Analyst and aspiring Cloud Architect.What makes this conversation extra special is that Luis shares his journey from a traditionally "blue collar", labour intensive role, to his first job in I.T. Full disclaimer: he achieved this after completing our PDM Program.Luis shares how learning Python and Mindset skills built his confidence such that he was able to apply for his first tech role and then continue pushing...2024-04-2935 min
Pybites Podcast#158 - Navigating Layoffs: Adopting the Right Mindset for Career ResilienceJoin our Community for free hereGet your personal coach here---In this episode, Bob and Julian explore the challenges of being laid off and discuss strategies for adopting the right mindset to effectively navigate this difficult phase. They provide practical advice on taking decisive action and continuing to build a meaningful career.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:11 - Wins: veterans program and Pybites AI07:04 - Lay off experience Julian 14:09 - Lean on your network and be proactive with your career18:00 - Books20:20 - Wrap and outro2024-04-1821 min
Pybites Podcast#157 - Code, Music, and Python Education: A Conversation with Christopher BaileyJoin our Community for free here.Get your personal coach, check out our coaching options here.---🎶 Dive into the intriguing journey of Christopher Bailey, video tutorial producer at Real Python, host of their weekly podcast, and an advocate for learning and teaching Python. 🐍 😍In this episode Christopher shares his unique path from music to programming, illustrating how his passions for music, education, and coding have intertwined to shape his career in tech.From early coding fascinations and playing in a band to becoming a key figure in Python education, discover how Chris...2024-04-1141 min
JD's JournalJulian Sequeira: Python and Mindset MasteryHave you ever wondered how a tech enthusiast morphs into an influential mindset coach? That's the story of Julian Sequeira, our guest whose journey from AWS professional to empowering leader is nothing short of remarkable. His insights on personal growth and the seamless transition from technical expertise to nurturing others' potential are a beacon for anyone seeking to redefine their career trajectory.This episode peels back the layers of empowerment, as Julian and I discuss how acknowledging and leveraging our strengths can propel us toward success. We laugh, share wisdom, and talk candidly about the dynamic synergy...2024-04-111h 02
Pybites Podcast#154 - Mindset Lessons From Building Pybites and Its Future VisionIn this episode coach Hugh sits down with Julian, co-founder of Pybites, to delve into the heart of what makes Pybites more than just about Python. Julian shares the triumphs and trials of building Pybites, highlighting the significant milestones from the first subscriber to facing the tech industry's fast-paced and evolving landscape. 💡More than coding, Julian emphasizes the critical role of mindset in overcoming obstacles and achieving growth, not only within Python but in personal and professional realms. 📈With insights into Pybites' vision for the future, innovative initiatives for veterans, and efforts...2024-03-0654 min
Pybites Podcast#152 - Will AI Replace Us Developers? No! But Using AI Tools Will Give You an Edge ...And we're back, Julian and Bob this time! We're hearing some people being worried about AI and its impact on developer roles, even to the extent of being skeptical to move in or keep progressing into our field.Hence we thought it would be good timing to discuss the current state of AI tools, their strengths + weaknesses, and how to effectively use them.We don't think they will replace us developers because in this episode we come to the conclusion that so much in software development is (and will be) human. 2024-02-2042 min
Pybites Podcast#149 - Jacob Moyers: Motivation is Temporary, Discipline and Disagreeing With YourselfLearn how Pybites can help you succeed in your Python journey 🐍 💪Join our Python Developer Community for free here 🌐👋---Welcome back to our podcast, where we delve into extraordinary journeys of transformation and achievement.This week, we're thrilled to feature Jacob Moyers, a friend of Julian from the AWS Data Centre days, who's here to share his remarkable transition from mechanical engineering to Cyber Security, paralleled by his success in powerlifting.Jacob’s story is a testament to setting ambitious goals and achieving them with grit and perseverance, offering profound lessons for Py...2024-02-0153 min
Python PeopleJulian Sequeira - Pybites, Australia, Mindset, and Teaching New ProgrammersJulian Sequeira is a cofounder of Pybites. He's a Python coach, a podcaster, a career mindset advocate, and is learning guitar.Topics include:Learning guitarVacationing in CanadaPybitesSplitting finances with BobBuilding a community and a teamCoachingConscious positivityAustralia is full of animals that want to kill you. Except kangaroos.Teaching Python to non-technical people
The Complete pytest CourseLevel up your testing skills and save time during coding and maintenance.Check out courses.pythontest.com
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
2024-01-1354 min
Pybites Podcast#144 - Cassandra Babilya's Career Change ChecklistWelcome back to the Pybites podcast. In this episode we have Cassandra Babilya back to talk about changing jobs + pivoting careers. She shares personal stories, practical advice as well as her Career Change Checklist which we highly encourage you go through over the upcoming holidays ... We hope this episode helps you reflect on your current career and make changes where necessary. Good luck!Chapters:00:00 Introduction episode and topic02:44 Welcome back Cassandra + introduction04:04 Overview of "Make Work Suck Less"07:22 Career change checklist intro07:50 The job cycle10:40 3 stressful things...2023-12-2156 min
Pybites Podcast#143 - Mastering Python with Łukasz Langa: The Story Behind Core Development and BlackJoin us in this intriguing podcast episode where we delve into the world of Python with Łukasz Langa, a key figure in the Python community. This episode, packed with technical insights and personal anecdotes, covers a range of topics from Łukasz's groundbreaking work with Python to his musical journey. Enjoy!Chapters:00:00 Intro00:53 Guest intro + win of the week05:27 Łukasz' new podcast core.py06:22 Black - what inspired you + how does it work12:30 Is its success thanks to a lack of config?17:00 About code line length18:07 Challenge of getting def...2023-12-1155 min
Pybites Podcast#142 - Will Frey: Becoming a Coach, Generators and Design PatternsThis week we have Will Frey back on the show. We talk about Will's transition into coach for our Pybites Developer Mindset program. Will shares his journey with Python, his recent move to South Korea, and the joy of welcoming his first child. We also delve into Python's technical aspects like Will's passion for the type hint system (also central to his previous episode #82) and his practical application of generator expressions in a project refactoring, involving XML and CSV files. He also discusses upcoming Python developments, including improvements to the type system and...2023-12-0721 min
Pybites Podcast#140 - Salary Negotiation Tips (Taken From the PDM Mindset Hacking Calls)In this week's podcast episode we tune into a PDM Mindset Hacking call where Julian offers the group some valuable tips when it comes to negotiating your salary when applying for jobs. These tips will help you determine what your worth is and better negotiate as a professional developer.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:59 Preparation, do your research03:30 Have your portfolio ready04:13 Know your worth05:58 What do you need?08:20 Good prep instills confidence09:40 Other benefits and perks10:46 Advocate for yourself based on evidence12:45 Understanding the role you’re going for...2023-11-1715 min
Pybites Podcast#128 - Harnessing Downtime: The Power of DisconnectingIn this episode of the Pybites podcast, we dive into the power of stepping back from the daily grind, whether that's coding or career-focused 🧘Drawing insights from Julian's month-long trip to Canada, we discuss how disconnecting can provide clarity and inspiration for personal growth, and how it can inform decisions in our professional journeys 💡And of course there are the books we're reading 📚Join us for a journey of reflection, discovery, and a touch of humor 😎---Chapters:00:00 Intro00:46 Welcome back (re-introducing) Julian!01:58 Wins of the week03:10 Ju...2023-08-2323 min
Pybites Podcast#121 - What to do after being made redundant or laid offThis week we have Emily Wilcock on the show, recruitment manager and Pybites career coach 😍Emily delves into a topic close to her heart: navigating the job search journey after a redundancy. She was affected herself by a recent layoff and has distilled 7 practical tips that helped her, and will help you, get back on track faster.Summary of Emily's 7 tips:1) After been laid off, take a break to reset.2) Make the most of your job search time.3) Seek a support group.4) Your CV! Get feedback, use "outplacement" + friends / family.5) Lin...2023-07-0440 min
Pybites Podcast#118 - Veterans in the workplace, challenges and tipsIn this podcast episode, Julian interviews Isaac Smit, a former member of the US Navy and current program manager at Amazon.He discusses the challenges faced by veterans in the workplace and how we can support them better.Isaac highlights two main difficulties veterans encounter: dealing with ambiguity and managing invisible disabilities like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The transition from a highly structured military environment to a more ambiguous corporate setting can be challenging for veterans.Additionally, the invisible disabilities that many veterans have may affect their cognitive abilities, including memory...2023-06-0747 minPybites Podcast#111 - Julian asks Bob about his use of ChatGptWelcome back to our podcast. In this episode Julian interviews Bob about his recent adoption of ChatGpt in his daily work.A bit hesitant at first he has fully embraced the tool and already noticed a significant increase in his productivity as a developer.We also highlight some possible concerns and how experience still matters a lot.As always we also discuss some wins and books / resources we're consuming.Enjoy and hit us up on our Slack if you have any feedback.2023-04-2021 min
Pybites Podcast#102 - How Michael Knott used Python to enhance his sports coaching careerWelcome back to the Pybites podcast. This week we have a wonderful chat with Michael Knott.We talk about the most valuable things about Michael's Python journey, including what he achieved through our PDM program. We talk about:- Michael's work as a fitness coach and how he got into Python as a tool to automate repetitive tasks in his daily work. - How he improved his Python and developer skills in PDM with us.- What challenges he faced when started his programmer journey.- Some really cool technologies he...2023-02-0239 min
Pybites Podcast#099 - Goal setting tipsHappy New Year and welcome back to the Pybites podcast. This week Julian and Bob talk about setting goals for this year 2023:- How to set your goals this year.- When and where you begin to setting your goals- How to set realistic goals that are achievable and sustainable.- How to set goals you can control.- How to love the process towards your goals.- What actions should you take to enable you to reach your goals.- How goal-setting processes can help you find purpose a...2023-01-0834 min
Pybites Podcast#095 - Software Engineering and EntrepreneurshipThis week we talk with Yujian, software developer and entrepreneur.We dive into: - His background. - Why he uses Python and the switch from Java. - His core Python focus these days + cool side projects he's maintaining. - How entrepreneurship is fundamentally different from software engineering. - His viral post on certificates vs the reality of looking things up as a programmer.- Book tips (The hard things about hard things, The startup of you and Grit).- And of course the importance of mindset as a developer (we...2022-11-1534 min
Pybites Podcast#091 - Technology and Mindset with new PDM Coach Hugh TippingThis week we welcome Hugh Tipping, our newest Pybites Developer Mindset (PDM) Coach, to the podcast!These 34 minutes are packed full of inspiration and insight into Hugh's motivations as a coach.Hugh shares his thoughts on many of the concepts that we actually address within PDM so if you've been wondering what it's like, this is a great one to listen to.Building your portfolioBlogging"Overcoming" Imposter SyndromeNavigating public feedbackStoicismCommunity in codingCreativity and codingYou can follow Hugh here:https://linktr.ee/htippingBooks Mentioned:...2022-10-1234 min
Pybites Podcast#088 - Tips for Navigating the Job Hunt with Rhys PowellThe job hunt is on! With so many people looking to change things up with work, whether it be a new role, a new company, remote work - you name it - we decided it was time to talk a little about the Job Hunt.This week, I.T veteran and long-standing Pybites Community Member, Rhys Powell joins me (Julian!) to share some tips around searching and applying for jobs these days.Rhys brings a wealth of experience from both sides of the fence as someone seeking a change in I.T and also as...2022-09-2242 min