Shows
Pybites Podcast#205: Building reactive Python notebooks with MarimoMarimo is redefining what a Python notebook can do—bringing structure, version control, and interactivity together. In this episode, we chat with Akshay Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of Marimo, about how their reactive Python notebook fixes hidden state, keeps outputs in sync, and makes reproducible, reviewable code the norm.Akshay shares Marimo’s origin story, how its reactive DAG turns notebooks into clean, Git-friendly tools, and why teams are ditching Jupyter-to-Streamlit pipelines for simpler, reactive workflows. We also dive into performance, data handling with pandas/Polars via Narwhals, and SQL reactivity with DuckDB.Join us in t...
2025-11-1753 min
Pybites Podcast#204: The science of open science - with Leah Wasser, founder of pyOpenSciWhat if the most valuable part of your research isn’t the paper, but the package that made it possible? In this episode, we talk with Leah Wasser, Executive Director and Founder of pyOpenSci, a nonprofit working to make scientific Python more inclusive, reproducible, and discoverable.We explore what “open science” really means in practice: transparent workflows that others can rerun, review, and extend. Leah explains how pyOpenSci’s peer review process helps turn lab scripts into reliable, citable Python packages with better documentation, testing, and credit through the Journal of Open Source Software (JOSS).We also...
2025-11-0952 min
Pybites Podcast#203: Automating API Documentation with ZylosystemsIf you’ve ever stayed up late churning out API docs when you’d rather be anywhere else, you’ll relate to this week’s guest. Nick Park felt that same pain as a server engineer, which pushed him to build Zylo-docs, an AI tool that takes the grunt work out of documentation.Nick’s journey has been anything but linear—from AWS trainer to experimenting with generative AI in the fashion world, before realising his real passion was helping developers. In this episode, we talk about following your passion, finding product-market fit, and being open to pivot...
2025-10-0249 min
JD's JournalFrom Corporate Chains to Entrepreneurial Freedom: Julian Sequeira's JourneyTake a journey with Julian Sequeira as he shares the raw, unfiltered reality of leaving his corporate Amazon career to build PyBites, a Python education company now making waves globally. This conversation captures the entrepreneurial rollercoaster – from the freedom of working beachside to the late nights questioning everything. Julian candidly describes how his purpose has evolved from broadly helping people learn Python to specifically targeting underrepresented communities who would never otherwise have access to coding education. Through strategic partnerships with companies like AWS and Microsoft, PyBites is breaking cycles of limited opportunity in communities worldwide.Wha...
2025-09-251h 21
Pybites Podcast#202: Behind the scenes at Pybites with Bob and JulianIn this episode we share some of the exciting things happening behind the scenes at Pybites. From our new partnership in South Africa to coaching success stories that showcase real-world career transformations, we reflect on how far we've come in making Python accessible, building community, and helping developers grow. We also talk about our expanding cohorts in Rust, AI, and Django, the power of our accountability sessions, and why we’ve chosen to keep our platform AI-free. Join us as we look at how Pybites is continuing to grow globally while building the community we all...
2025-09-1538 min
Pybites Podcast#201: Transforming military discipline into Python skills with PDIChristina Lang’s journey from nearly two decades in the military to becoming a DevOps architect shows how discipline, persistence, and a growth mindset can drive career transitions. She shares how the Pybites PDI course helped her rapidly level up her Python skills, the importance of being “humble but hungry” when learning, and how mentorship and structured practice make tackling new challenges achievable. Christina also discusses the unique hurdles veterans face when moving into civilian tech, from cultural adjustments to communication styles, and how their dedication and resilience make them valuable team members once they adapt.Today...
2025-08-2234 min
Pybites Podcast#200: Celebrating 200 episodes of our Pybites journey 🎉What started as a simple idea to “chat more” became Pybites — a global Python learning platform transforming how developers build skills. In this special 200th episode, co-founders Bob and Julian share their journey from corporate life to creating a build-focused, mindset-driven approach that’s helped thousands worldwide.In this episode we hear inspiring stories of schoolkids in Florida, developers in Pakistan, and countless others who’ve grown their skills — and their confidence — through Pybites. Bob and Julian reveal why “people come for the Python and stay for the mindset,” their thoughts on Python’s future, and the secret to lasting su...
2025-08-1348 min
Pybites Podcast#199: Charlie Marsh on ty, uv, and the Python tooling renaissanceCharlie Marsh returns to Pybites to introduce ty —Astral’s bold new take on Python type checking. Built from the ground up for speed and developer experience, ty is both a command-line tool and language server, powered by Rust's Salsa framework. We dive into how it enables lightning-fast incremental analysis, smarter diagnostics inspired by Rust, and a reimagined type-checking workflow for modern Python projects. Charlie also shares how Astral is tackling broader ecosystem challenges alongside Meta and NVIDIA. Curious? Just run 'uv x ty' and join the future of Python type checking. For more in...
2025-08-0653 min
Pybites Podcast#198: Tim Hopper on UV and smarter Python developmentPython development has changed a lot over the years, and Tim Hopper has been right there with it. In this episode, we chat about the tools that are shaping modern Python workflows—like UV, a fast package manager aiming to improve the developer experience. Tim also tells us about creating the Python Developer Tooling Handbook, a practical resource full of short, easy-to-follow guides for developers at any level. We dig into his open source contributions, the ups and downs of job searching in tech, and the small tooling choices that can have a big impact on how we...
2025-07-3040 min
Pybites Podcast#197: Polars with Jeroen Janssens and Thijs NieuwdorpPolars is changing the game in Python data processing – and fast. In this episode, we chat with Jeroen Janssens and Thijs Nieuwdorp, authors of Python Polars: The Definitive Guide, about how this DataFrame library is revolutionising workflows. From its origins at Dutch firm Xomnia to GPU-powered speed boosts and a behind-the-scenes look at writing their 500-page book, this episode is packed with insights on why Polars is winning over data teams. Check out Python Polars: The Definitive Guide - https://polarsguide.com/Find Jeroen and Thijs online:Thijs Linke...
2025-07-2350 min
Pybites Podcast#196: Robin Quintero on ComplexipyIn this episode, we talk with Robin Quintero, creator of Complexipy —an ultra-fast cognitive complexity analyzer for Python code, powered by Rust. Robin shares how frustration with slow tooling led him to build Complexipy in Rust, how it's helping Python devs write clearer code, and why teams are loving it for faster, cleaner pull requests. We also dig into the future of the project—from multi-language support to AI-powered refactoring. Check out Robin's latest updates on his socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-hafid/https://x.com/hafitoalimaniahttps://github...
2025-07-1636 min
Pybites Podcast#195: Patterns, paradigms, and pythonic thinking with Rodrigo Girão SerrãoIn this ep, we chat with Rodrigo Girão Serrão about his journey from mathematician to Pythonista. What started as a colleague’s tip turned into 11 years of Python exploration. Rodrigo shares how his background in APL reshaped the way he writes Python, helping him embrace list comprehensions and functional patterns more intuitively.We dig into his latest side project—a bytecode compiler written in Python—and what that reveals about how Python really works under the hood. Rodrigo unpacks dunder methods, decorators, and how Python’s consistent design makes building elegant, expressive code a joy.He al...
2025-07-0851 min
Pybites Podcast#194: Evolution, not extinction: why developers still matter in the age of AIIn this episode, we dive into AI’s impact on software development with Matt Makai, VP of Developer Relations at DigitalOcean and creator of Full Stack Python. We explore how AI tools are changing coding workflows—from elite devs like Miguel Grinberg and Armin Ronacher to Matt’s own work on the AI-powered PlushCap app. While some see friction, others embrace AI as a co-pilot. Matt shares why staying hands-on with code is key for tech leaders, and why, despite the hype, AI won’t replace developers—it’ll just reshape how we work. Connect with M...
2025-07-0139 min
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 outro
2024-04-1821 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