1
Portraits of an Artist
54 min
311/18/2025This is a special episode featuring an interview with Shirley Wu from a brand-new podcast series, Portraits of an Artist. In this new series, Ryan Burgess explores the creative journeys of artists—diving deep into their process, inspirations, and the stories behind their work. In this conversation, Shirley shares her transition from software engineering to full-time data visualization artist, what it means to balance structure and creativity, and how moving to Tokyo has influenced her artistic perspective. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Portraits of an Artist on Spotify & Apple Podcasts to follow along for more conversations with incredible artists.
2
Beyond the Bingo Card: Leadership Lessons with Karen Catlin
52 min
311/18/2025In this episode of Front End Happy Hour, we’re joined by Karen to dive into an essential conversation about allyship and inclusion in the tech industry. We discuss what it means to actively support underrepresented groups, the challenges of fostering genuine inclusivity, and practical ways to make an impact as allies. From actionable advice to thought-provoking insights, Karen shares her experiences and perspectives, making this episode a must-listen for anyone committed to building a more inclusive tech community. Join us as we explore how we can go beyond the surface and drive real change in tech. Guests:Karen Catlin Panelists:Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan
3
Revisiting Server-Driven UI: Scalable Approaches in Large Companies
57 min
311/18/2025In this episode of Front End Happy Hour, we explore the benefits and challenges of Server-Driven UI, especially in the context of large-scale applications. Join us as we discuss how this approach impacts front-end development, enhances flexibility, and scales effectively within big companies. Whether you’re curious about its implementation or looking to optimize your own tech stack, this conversation is packed with valuable insights. Tune in for a deep dive into Server-Driven UI and its role in shaping the future of user interfaces.
4
Recruiting to Global Leadership: Taylor Desseyn Interview
57 min
311/18/2025In this episode of Front End Happy Hour’s Sips of Wisdom, Ryan Burgess sits down with Taylor Desseyn, a long-time recruiter turned leader, to discuss his exciting new leadership role and his approach to building global communities. Taylor shares insights from his 13+ years of experience recruiting engineers and how he’s transitioned into a role focused on community building at scale. He talks about partnering with engineering leaders to hire top talent, the challenges of scaling himself through content creation, and his vision for creating high-quality, meaningful content that fosters community. Whether you’re interested in recruitment, leadership, or content creation, this conversation offers valuable takeaways on staying curious, evolving your career, and creating impact through authentic connections.
5
Scaling Startups and Navigating Product-Market Fit with Emre Baran
50 min
311/18/2025In this episode of Front End Happy Hour, we sit down with Emre Baran, Co-founder and CEO of Cerbos, to dive deep into the world of startups, product-market fit, and scaling a tech company. With over 20 years of experience, Emre’s journey includes building Turkey’s largest social network, contributing to $1 billion in revenue at Google, and now tackling one of the most critical parts of the devops stack—authorization. Emre shares his insights on being a ‘Chief Everything Officer,’ balancing technical and business challenges, and the importance of a well-thought-out go-to-market strategy. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned engineer, or looking to grow your startup, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and invaluable lessons on leadership, scaling, and staying agile. Tune in for an inside look at what it takes to build and grow a successful tech company in 2024.
6
Amazon’s Office Mandate: The End of Remote Work?
44 min
311/18/2025We dive into Amazon’s recent decision to end its hybrid work policy and require employees to return to the office five days a week. We discuss the impact of this decision on both Amazon employees and the broader tech industry. Is this the beginning of the end for remote work, or will other companies continue to offer flexibility? Join Ryan, Jem, and Stacy as they share their thoughts on Amazon’s move, its implications for talent retention, company culture, and the future of work in tech. Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung Stacy London - @stacylondoner Picks: Ryan Burgess - The Perfect Couple https://www.netflix.com/title/81474158 Ryan Burgess - Tires https://www.netflix.com/title/81758875 Jem Young - Kaos https://www.netflix.com/title/80997258 Jem Young - Valley Silicon: AMG speaker https://luxuryofhomes.com/en-us/products/amg-performance-luxury-audio Jem Young - https://open.spotify.com/album/2so1waMMbnpnxmycHyvw24?si=UWxetBE4RRi0D5WiExUt1g Stacy London - In My Dreams by Four Tet & Ellie Goulding https://soundcloud.com/four-tet/four-tet-ellie-goulding-in-my-dreams Stacy London - Waited All Night by Jamie xx feat. Romy, Oliver Sim & The xx https://jamiexx.bandcamp.com/track/waited-all-night Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/amazon’s-office-mandate-the-end-of-remote-work
7
Episode 211 - Ken Wheeler Unfiltered - Sips of Wisdom Interview
54 min
311/18/2025In this episode of Front End Happy Hour, Ryan Burgess sits down with Ken Wheeler for a no-holds-barred conversation about the tech industry’s evolution and what it really takes to succeed. From starting out as a butcher and telemarketer to making waves in Silicon Valley, Ken shares his unfiltered thoughts on everything from early career struggles to how today’s tech salaries can hit $700K. We dive into the future of AI, the front-end landscape, and the ever-changing world of web development. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in the industry, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a whole lot of real talk. Guests: Ken Wheeler - @ken_wheeler Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/ken-wheeler-unfiltered-sips-of-wisdom-interview
8
Episode 210 - Film to Tech - Jason Torres Sips of Wisdom Interview
47 min
311/18/2025In this Sips of Wisdom episode of Front End Happy Hour, Ryan Burgess interviews Jason Torres, who made the bold leap from a 15-year career in the film industry to becoming a software developer. They discuss the surprising similarities between film and tech, the challenges of transitioning careers, and how Jason’s creative skills translated into the tech world. They also dive into how AI is reshaping the creative landscape and what it means for the future of both industries. Guests: Jason Torres - @TasonJorres Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/film-to-tech-jason-torres-sips-of-wisdom-interview
9
Episode 209 - How promotions really work in tech
46 min
311/18/2025In this episode of the Front End Happy Hour podcast, we’re diving deep into the realities of getting promoted in the tech industry. It’s not just about writing great code or being the smartest person in the room. Jem Young, Augustus Yuan, and Ryan Burgess break down the misconceptions around promotions, the skills that actually matter, and why navigating the process can sometimes feel more political than technical. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion or just curious about how it all works behind the scenes, this episode offers candid advice and strategies for advancing your career. Plus, we discuss what to do if your manager isn’t advocating for you, and the right (and wrong) ways to pursue your next big step. Tune in to hear the honest truth about climbing the tech ladder! Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung Augustus Yuan - @augburto Picks: Ryan Burgess - Presumed Innocent https://tv.apple.com/us/show/presumed-innocent Ryan Burgess - ChatGPT for Mac https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ai-chat-ask-chatbot-assistant/id6447419372 Jem Young - The best mouse jiggler methods https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/best-mouse-jiggler-methods Jem Young - Atlas https://www.netflix.com/title/81012048 Augustus Yuan - Ikeryou https://ikeryou.jp/ Augustus Yuan - pwnisher https://www.youtube.com/@pwnisher Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/how-promotions-really-work-in-tech
10
Episode 208 - Why most new developers struggle: The missing skills you need
49 min
311/18/2025In this episode of Front End Happy Hour, Ryan Burgess, Jem Young, Brian Holt, and Dan DiGangi dive deep into the challenges faced by junior developers as they embark on their coding journeys. From the importance of curiosity and continuous learning to the often overlooked non-technical skills, our panelists discuss the common gaps that new developers experience. Whether you’re a beginner looking to navigate your first job or a senior engineer mentoring others, this conversation offers valuable insights to help bridge the gap between education and real-world success. Guests: Brian Holt - @holtbt Dan DiGangi - @dandigangi Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung Picks: Ryan Burgess - Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life https://www.amazon.com/Ikigai-Japanese-Secret-Long-Happy/dp/0143130722?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=frontendhappy-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=e062900575dea0ba9cf089cbcf0633eb&camp=1789&creative=9325 Ryan Burgess - Jem Young - Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-People-Tactics-Management-Building/dp/1953953212?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=frontendhappy-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=e062900575dea0ba9cf089cbcf0633eb&camp=1789&creative=9325 Jem Young - Movement, Before All Flowers - Max Richter https://open.spotify.com/album/1HrFsljwk4wUHrPPOGkSbN Brian Holt - Minnesota State Fair https://www.mnstatefair.org/ Brian Holt - Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers https://store.steampowered.com/app/2400510/Dungeons__Degenerate_Gamblers/ Brian Holt - Electric SQL https://electric-sql.com/ Dan DiGangi - Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Spirituality-Without-Religion/dp/1451636024?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=frontendhappy-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=e062900575dea0ba9cf089cbcf0633eb&camp=1789&creative=9325 Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/why-most-new-developers-struggle-the-missing-skills-you-need