Shows
Make it a Pear!Done is better than perfect.Why do I love this phrase so much, I would put it on my tombstone?
How did my art wind up in the Burlington, Vermont Art Hop?
Listen to Find out.
Thank you to everyone at SEABA and the City of Burlington who made this Art Hop possible. You’ve filled my heart and are keeping my art practice going!
Link to SEABA and the Art Hop
https://www.seaba.com/arthop
Want to support a burgeoning artist? Buy some of my framed art from the art ho...2024-09-1515 min
Make it a Pear!I found my he(art) in San FranciscoThe tale of an artist finding her he(art) in San Francisco.
TH3RE'S A VIDEO...
In case you start listening and want to see what I'm talking about. https://youtu.be/OrO8YO1XrMQ. AND A PLAYLIST on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48h6T7vQ5yFPb7quiELaGF
A few other links:
More about the Coit Tower Frescos
More about David Hockney's A Bigger Exhibition
Sketchnote School2024-04-1230 min
Make it a Pear!The Social Decade ProjectIn this episode, I begin sharing a project I've been working on for the past few months. Hear my thoughts about the social decade and how my inner visual artist has been playing with it.2024-01-1615 min
Make it a Pear!Peak SF: Fat in San FranciscoToday I'll be talking about my journey with my body, how that was impacted by living in San Francisco and where I am today.
Big trigger warning: I'll talking about weight, body image, eating, and all of that.
This episode was inspired by Jennette McCurdy -- "I'm Glad My Mom Died"2023-04-0519 min
Make it a Pear!No Tears for the Tech Bro BankLet's rant about the VC finance machine in general and the Silicon Valley Bank in particular. 2023-03-1312 min
Make it a Pear!Don't Be That GuyTwitter is back in the headlines as the shiny object of Elon Musk must have in his possession.
It is also one of anchors if not “the” anchor of the San Francisco tech scene in the 2010’s.
This week, I'll explain why I think Elon Musk has a 50/50 chance of being Twitter's "great savior," and why his purchase of Twitter is really about an "edit" button.
2022-05-3118 min
Make it a Pear!You have arrived.Have you ever struggled to feel like you belong? Most everyone does, but it's worth examining the moments we get, and most of us do have these moments when you feel like you've arrived. If we think back, they might be small, they might not be noticeable to anyone but you, but they do happen. And this type of moment doesn't just happen for us. When does a city arrive? When does a decade arrive?2022-05-0210 min
Let's Talk DocsAisha Blake
Sponsored by Document Write · EthicalAds · Sourcegraph
Panelists
Portia Burton | Eric Holscher
Guest
Aisha Blake
Show Notes
Hello and welcome to Let’s Talk Docs, a show where we explore the intersection of technical docs, open source, and community. Today, we have joining us Aisha Blake, Director of Developer Relations at Pluralsight, as well as a theater kid turned tech community leader, speaker, conference organizer, and teacher. Aisha explains how a Developer Relations Engineer is one flavor of a whole range of titles. She shares her...2022-04-0138 min
Make it a Pear!Escaping the Overwork TrapTech is known to have many different types of overwork traps. This week I talk about some of them, and how I avoid them.2022-03-2216 min
Make it a Pear!The InterviewHear what it’s like to fly to San Francisco for an interview at a cool tech company.
Want to hear what I was listening to at the time? Here's a Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4LqPo085gOln18qG3m6M0S?si=951bdddd5a03424f2021-11-1115 min
Make it a Pear!#PeakSFJoin me for Season 3 of "Make it a Pear!" Hear about what's in store for this upcoming season and a little life update about where I am today.
If you want pics, follow me on Instagram. 2021-11-0405 min
Make it a Pear!The Why of Wavelength Part 3 -- The hardest thing to shareClick here to buy your Wavelength Ticket or Donate a Ticket today!
https://wavelengthconf.com/shop/2021-08-2513 minMake it a Pear!The Why of Wavelength Part 2 -- Can you have an online conference without a screen?Click here to find out more about the Wavelength Zine Exchange & Tech Conference.
Zines that are not just for kids:
Your Black Friend by Ben Passmore
I couldn't afford therapy so I made this zine by Lawrence Lindell
Bubblesort Zines by Amy Wibowo (aka SailorHG)
For more cool zines, click to check out appearworks.shop.2021-08-0314 min
Make it a Pear!The Why of Wavelength: Part 1This is the first of a three part series that goes behind the scenes of the Wavelength Zine Exchange & Conference.
What happens when you realize the the roadmap you have no longer shows the road in front of you?
Click here to find out more about the Wavelength Zine Exchange & Conference.2021-07-2910 min
Make it a Pear!How to start making your zineThis week, it's all about how to get started making a zine.
If you'd like to join a free, online workshop to get started, I'm running 3 of them in the month of July.
Click here to get more info and sign up. 2021-07-0107 min
Make it a Pear!It's not you, it's them!!!!You really *are* enough, you know.
Click here to sign up for Wavelength conference announcements.
Interested in what else is happening and where you can follow me? Click here.
Photo credit to María Noel Rabuñal Cantero on Unsplash.2021-06-1508 min
Make it a Pear!Eclipse in the desertFor patrons, Click here to link to the post I mention in the podcast.
Art by Wilson Ye. Thanks for capturing Furnace Creek better than I ever could.
2021-06-0908 min
Make it a Pear!What is Wavelength?Sign up here to be notified when tickets go on sale.
What's Let's Sketch Tech? Click here to find out more.2021-06-0112 min
Greater Than Code236: Connecting Arts and Technology – The Power of Print with Marlena Compton01:07 - Marlena’s Superpower: Bringing the Arts to Tech
Coming Into Tech as a Creative
04:42 - Parallels Between Art and Computer Science/Software Engineering
System Architecture
Spatial Thinking & Representation
Mind in Motion: How Action Shapes Thought by Barbara Tversky
Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff & Mark Johnson
09:33 - Sketchnoting and Zines
The Sketchnote Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Visual Note Taking by Mike Rohde
14:19 - DIY Publishing and Physicality – The Power of Print
The Pamphlet Wars
20:33 - Zines at Work & Zines in Professional Settings
Slowing Down Our Thought Processes
Usin...2021-05-261h 08
Make it a Pear!Practice is the journeyIt's time to get your creative process together. In this episode we talk about the three basic pieces of creative practice according to Beth Pickens, author of "Your Art Will Save Your Live" and, more recently, "Make Your Art No Matter What."
Even though the context for these is artists making art, we explain the solid connection with building for tech and what that means for you.
The Writing Salon -- Where I worked on a novel that will never see the light of day, lol.
Exercism.io -- Level...2021-05-1811 min
Make it a Pear!All of Tech's a Stage!Let's dive into the artistic process of producing and play and how it's connected to what you do everyday at a software job.
Are you ready to bring more art into the tech you build?
Join me next Tuesday, May 11. Click here to find out more.
What's all this about and who are you?2021-05-0414 minMake it a Pear!After AgileSo what happens after everything burns?
Hear the backstory of the talk I did at Agile Deliver and why it's blowing up on twitter.
Are you a new follower? This episode is a great introduction to what I'm about.
Twitter thread
My Totally Unwelcome and Utterly Fantastic Agile Deliver Keynote Talk
Support me and my community building.2021-04-2709 minMake it a Pear!RGB.TXTThis month, Let's Sketch Tech! is taking a deep-dive into the world of color and what that means for tech. Today, we hear about two color origin stories that couldn't be more different. We begin at the Imperial Palace in Beijing and then traipse over to the West Coast and learn about the origin stories of color in CSS.
Join the meetup on May 11, 2021.
Explore "Let's Sketch Tech!".
Imperial Yellow: A Costume Colour at the Top of the Social Hierarchy
Portrait Dowager Empress Cixi by Katherine Carl.
2021-04-2006 minMake it a Pear!The date of expiration in techContent warning: workplace abuse
Chani Nicholas/Astrology app (not paid, I just like it) -- https://chaninicholas.com/chani-app/
btw, as of this post, they are looking for mobile developers.
Join our meetup tomorrow (Tuesday, April 6) -- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/145167719557
What's all this about? -- https://appearworks.com/link-tree/2021-04-0515 minMake it a Pear!Fun is not optional, joy is not a luxury.Click to join us next week! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/145167719557
Beth Pickens: https://www.bethpickens.com/
What is Let's Sketch Tech? -- https://appearworks.com/link-tree/2021-03-2907 minMake it a Pear!A simple technique for a self-care breakthroughHow to do the 3 day challenge:
1. Spend 3 minutes massaging, moisturizing and caring for your hands.
2. Give them some gentle stretching.
3. Use your hands to write your name, and slow it way down.
Click here to check out our next meetup.
Click here to find out what "Let's Sketch Tech!" is all about.2021-03-2307 minMake it a Pear!What the C?Here's all you need to know... https://appearworks.com/link-tree/
The 3 question survey I talk about is here: https://forms.gle/eR3n2PGpcRGvW3qj72021-03-1618 minMake it a Pear!My depression story and how zines helped me out of itContent warning. In this episode I share some parts of my journey with depression/anxiety. Also, I'm not a doctor or therapist. I'm speaking about my own personal journey, and if you know someone who needs to hear this, I hope you'll share it.
If you are a Patron or received the Let's Sketch Tech survey, please fill out.
Want to know about the Patreon? Click here. Or signup for the free Let's Sketch Tech! newsletter.
Click to join our zine meetup tonight. (March 9)
Or to find out a...2021-03-0909 minMake it a Pear!Telling your story with ZinesIn this episode, we talk about why it's so important to find your story and how the free-form format of zines can help.
Explore the world of zines and make a small business-owner's day by purchasing some zines to check them out. Not sure what you want? Call up and ask for a $20 random assortment. Here are links to some of our favorite zine stores. These aren't affiliate links, we just think they're great.
Silver Sprocket
Books with Pictures
Floating World
Microcosm
2021-03-0315 minMake it a Pear!Drawing Cute Robots and ComputersA little bit of news and lots of fun.
Learn how to sketch cute computers and robots the easy way!
2021-02-2331 minMake it a Pear!What is "Let's Sketch Tech!" doing this year?Plans are happening for 2021. Find out what's in store and how we're tailoring it just for you!2021-02-1610 min
Make it a Pear!Fresh air for the new year!In this episode we go through an exercise of talking about what we wish we knew last year, and what we'd like to know about the coming year.2021-02-0911 min
Make it a Pear!Can we talk about JanuaryWe're 3 days into February. How can we even process January?
I talk about this and what a vision board of January could look like. 2021-02-0313 min
Cucumber PodcastAgility in a BIG OrganisationWhat happens when you transition to agile practices at a big organisation? How can you do agile software development at scale? This month Sinead Shackley (https://twitter.com/smshackley) and Dave Anderson (https://twitter.com/davidand393) from Liberty IT and Paul Shepheard (https://twitter.com/HamletArable) from Deutsche Bank share their stories.
** CukenSpace Charlotte - December 12th-13th 2018 **
A special BDD conference for testers, developers and BAs. Keynote from Ellen Gottesdiener on creating structured conversations to break down your product backlog. Matt Wynne, Steve Tooke, George Dinwiddie, Marlena Compton and other agile and BDD practitioners will be there.
Book w...2018-11-0844 min
Tech Done RightEpisode 48: Meetings and Inclusion with Katie Gore and Mark RickmeierMeetings and Inclusion with Katie Gore and Mark Rickmeier
The inclusion card deck discussed in this episode is now live on Kickstarter. Go to https://www.tablexi.com/kickstarter to get your deck.
TableXI is offering training for developers and product teams! For more info, got to http://tablexi.com/workshops or email workshops@tablexi.com.
Guests:
Mark Rickmeier: CEO of Table XI.
Katie Gore: Founder and Director of speech IRL.
Summary
Today we are talking about meetings. Any group software activity is going to have meetings, and...2018-10-2738 min
Tech Done RightEpisode 48: Meetings and Inclusion with Katie Gore and Mark RickmeierMeetings and Inclusion with Katie Gore and Mark Rickmeier
The inclusion card deck discussed in this episode is now live on Kickstarter. Go to https://www.tablexi.com/kickstarter to get your deck.
TableXI is offering training for developers and product teams! For more info, got to http://tablexi.com/workshops or email workshops@tablexi.com.
Guests:
Mark Rickmeier: CEO of Table XI.
Katie Gore: Founder and Director of speech IRL.
Summary
Today we are talking about meetings. Any group software activity is going to have meetings, and...2018-10-2738 min
Tech Done RightEpisode 40: Diversity and Inclusion at Small Companies with Meara Charnetzki, Michael Donnelly, and Elena ValentineDiversity and Inclusion at Small Companies with Meara Charnetzki, Michael Donnelly, and Elena Valentine
TableXI is now offering training for developers and products teams! For more info, email workshops@tablexi.com.
Get your FREE career growth strategy information and techniques!
Summary
What can a small company do to improve its diversity and inclusion practices when your company just isn't changing personnel quickly enough to improve via hiring? Here to discuss this are Meara Charnetzki from Table XI, Michael Donnelly from the FWD Collective and Elena Valentine from Skill Scout. We'...2018-06-2038 minTech Done RightEpisode 40: Diversity and Inclusion at Small Companies with Meara Charnetzki, Michael Donnelly, and Elena ValentineDiversity and Inclusion at Small Companies with Meara Charnetzki, Michael Donnelly, and Elena Valentine
TableXI is now offering training for developers and products teams! For more info, email workshops@tablexi.com.
Get your FREE career growth strategy information and techniques!
Summary
What can a small company do to improve its diversity and inclusion practices when your company just isn't changing personnel quickly enough to improve via hiring? Here to discuss this are Meara Charnetzki from Table XI, Michael Donnelly from the FWD Collective and Elena Valentine from Skill Scout. We'll all...2018-06-2038 min
Tech Done RightEpisode 38: Diverse Agile Teams with Marlena Compton, Betsy Haibel, and Jennifer TuDiverse Agile Teams with Marlena Compton, Betsy Haibel, and Jennifer Tu
TableXI is now offering training for developers and products teams! For more info, email workshops@tablexi.com.
Get your FREE career growth strategy information and techniques!
Guests
Marlena Compton: Organizer of PearConf.
Betsy Haibel: CTO at Cohere.
Jennifer Tu: Co-Founder at Cohere.
Summary
How do common Agile practices like pair programming and retrospectives work when you have diverse teams? How can you make sure that underrepresented team members have their voices heard, and how does doing so improve...2018-05-2347 minTech Done RightEpisode 38: Diverse Agile Teams with Marlena Compton, Betsy Haibel, and Jennifer TuDiverse Agile Teams with Marlena Compton, Betsy Haibel, and Jennifer Tu
TableXI is now offering training for developers and products teams! For more info, email workshops@tablexi.com.
Get your FREE career growth strategy information and techniques!
Guests
Marlena Compton: Organizer of PearConf.
Betsy Haibel: CTO at Cohere.
Jennifer Tu: Co-Founder at Cohere.
Summary
How do common Agile practices like pair programming and retrospectives work when you have diverse teams? How can you make sure that underrepresented team members have their voices heard, and how does doing so improve...2018-05-2347 min
Movie Meltdown91.1: Pure Gold from the Butts of HollywoodMovie Meltdown - Episode 91.1
This episode includes our new and fabulous geek activities, buzz of the week and many rants (most of which come from Jay) and stories of humping (most of which come from Marlena.) Plus our interview with actor William Ragsdale! Star of Fright Night, Justified and quite a handsome man as we are told.
Plus we eventually get around to discussing...The Runaways, being pinned down in a Nerf battle, Daybreakers, Til Schweiger, Scarlett Johansson rockin’ Tom Waits, who’s the bitch? Scout Taylor-Compton or Lita Ford?, what kid gives a f**k abo...2010-08-181h 25