Code with Jason

In this episode I talk with Eleni Arvanitis Konior, returning to the show, about the downsides of AI: people using it to reinvent the wheel, AI slop in code and on social media, the hype, and rising costs. We also discuss why proven practices like TDD still matter, and how to guide AI toward writing better tests.

Links:
- Eleni's personal website
- Martin Fowler's testing resources
- Nonsense Monthly

In this episode I talk with Irina Nazarova, CEO of Evil Martians and organizer of SF Ruby, about the 2026 San Francisco Ruby Conference. We get into her plan to make structured networking half the program: intros on stage, matching people into small groups, and sessions that connect startup founders with engineers. We also talk about why Ruby hiring feels broken for both employers and job seekers, the conference's free startup job board, and why San Francisco has more Ruby companies than anywhere else.

Links:
- Evil Martians
- SF Ruby Conference
- San Francisco Ruby Meetup
- Nonsense Monthly

In this episode I talk with Adam Dawkins about the paradigm shift in development with AI, how expectations have changed, and the essential principles of good software design. We discuss the balance between AI-generated and manually crafted solutions, and the importance of iterative design.

Links:
- Dragon Drop
- Adam Dawkins' Website
- Nonsense Monthly

In this episode I talk with Mike Bowler about teaching psychological safety in teams, using affect labeling to manage stress, and exploring motivation models like self-determination theory. We also discuss Mike's approach to organizational consulting and his experiences with corporate training.

Links:
- Mike's website
- Nonsense Monthly

In this episode I talk with Will Carey, CTO of Brand New Box, about evolving software development practices, the shifting role of AI in coding, and the importance of understanding client needs. We also dive into Will's unique code editor project, Reins, and the importance of observability in development.

Links:
- Will Carey on Twitter
- Brand New Box
- Reins on GitHub
- Nonsense Monthly