The Programming Podcast

• How to ACTUALLY Freelance and get a paying client

  In this episode, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at ThisDot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) dive deep into the realities of freelancing as a web developer. They discuss how to land your first clients, effectively communicate your value, set prices (and get paid!), use contracts to protect yourself, and grow your network so that freelancing becomes a reliable source of income. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your freelance hustle to the next level, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and real-world experiences. What You’ll Learn: - Why the hardest part of freelancing isn’t coding—it’s finding clients. - Proven strategies to identify potential clients in your existing network and local community. - How to confidently discuss budgets and pricing (including when and how to ask for deposits). - Why clear communication and regular updates with clients are crucial. - How to scale your freelance business from small gigs to larger, high-paying projects. - Tips on contracts, scope, and protecting yourself legally. - Balancing building new features vs. maintaining projects—and deciding which is best for you. - If you’ve been unsure about how to start freelancing or how to level up your current freelance work, this video is for you. Shout out to our Sponsor Level Up Planning, Lucas Casarez https://www.levelupfinancialplanning.com/ Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Chapters & Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & The Hardest Part of Freelancing Danny and Leon share their thoughts on why actually getting clients is tougher than the coding or deployment work itself. 2:01 – Why Freelancing is a Crucial Skill Leon explains why freelancing can be life-changing and why every developer should consider it. 3:05 – Cold Calling & First Client Strategies They discuss the reality of cold calling, the grit required, and how to improve your pitch to win your first projects. 4:00 – Start with Your Existing Network Learn why your friends, family, and local connections are often the best way to find your initial freelancing gigs. 8:01 – Figuring Out Budgets & Pricing How to talk about money without scaring away clients—and why you should ask the client for their ballpark budget. 9:00 – Danny’s First Paid Gig Story Hear how Danny sold his very first website to a local restaurant and what he learned in the process. 11:55 Sponsor Lucas Casarez 18:25 – Transitioning from Small to Large Projects Danny shares how his freelancing evolved from smaller projects to more complex (and better-paying) contracts. 23:30 – Setting Payment Terms & Deposits Why you should always ask for a deposit and how it filters out difficult clients. 28:00 – Contracts & Legal Protection Key contract clauses to include, such as ownership of work until final payment and liability protection. 33:10 – Maintaining vs. Delivering & Walking Away Deciding whether you want to offer ongoing maintenance plans or simply provide a project handoff. 40:00 – Turning One-Off Clients into Evergreen Clients Practical tips on establishing long-term relationships and retaining clients for continuous work. 47:00 – Q&A: Being the Solo Dev in a Company Advice for someone struggling with skill growth when they’re the only developer at their workplace. 52:02 – Final Tips: Tackle the Hard Stuff First Danny shares his strategy for handling the most challenging tasks early in the day to boost productivity and confidence.

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• TAKE ACTION: Overcoming Fear and Building a Tech Career That Lasts

  In this episode of The Programming Podcast, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel dive deep into the topics of consistency, networking, and the actionable steps that can help you achieve your career goals in tech. Whether you’re trying to break into the industry, level up to a senior role, or simply stay on track with your New Year’s resolutions, this episode is packed with advice, real-world anecdotes, and motivational insights to keep you moving forward. We cover: The power of networking: Why building connections is critical, how to send effective messages, and what you should avoid. Consistency and goal-setting: How writing down your goals and staying accountable can create lasting change. Overcoming fear and self-doubt: Tips to push through the fear of rejection and take the first step toward success. Real-life success stories: Hear how people have transformed their careers with simple but effective actions. The importance of action: Why taking even small steps daily can create exponential growth over time. If you’ve ever wondered how to get a coffee chat, write a cold message that gets a response, or break through the mental blocks holding you back, this is the episode for you. Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Share, and Subscribe for more tech career insights and tutorials.

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• Front-End vs. Full Stack: The TRUTH About Your First Coding Job

  In this episode, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders) tackle a big question: Is front-end development alone enough to land your very first job in tech? They discuss the pros and cons of front-end–only roles, why understanding the full stack can open more doors, and how crucial it is to balance skill-building with networking. They also share common mistakes junior developers make—from not reading error messages to failing to ask questions on the job—and offer strategies for building a strong portfolio and passing the “smell test” in interviews. Plus, they answer a listener’s question about average recruiter response times and how to handle being left in the dark after an initial screen. Whether you’re just starting your coding journey or already in a junior role, this conversation will help you navigate the job hunt and thrive in your first developer position. Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Share, and Subscribe for more tech career insights and tutorials. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Why Your Summary Statement Matters 1:07 – Meet the Hosts (Danny & Leon) + Episode Introduction 1:45 – Is Front-End Development Enough for a First Tech Job? 9:50 – Skills vs. Networking: Which Unlocks More Opportunities? 14:30 – Building Fundamentals & Avoiding ‘Tutorial Hell’ 17:00 – Common Junior Mistake: Not Reading Error Messages 20:00 – Why ‘Calculator Apps’ & ‘Weather Apps’ Aren’t Enough 21:00 – Perception & Passing the ‘Smell Test’ 27:00 – Reading Documentation & Understanding the Full System 33:00 – Ask Questions or Lose Your Job: Communication Is Key 36:00 – Finding Your Niche & Taking Ownership 38:00 – Q&A: Average Wait Time for Recruiter Responses 45:10 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

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  48:57
• How YOU Can Learn To Code in 2025 Part 2

  In this Part 2 discussion, Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This.Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders & founder of 100Devs) share their insights on how to start learning to code, the best free resources, and the power of community. They tackle whether coding bootcamps are worth it, why free platforms like FreeCodeCamp and 100Devs can be game-changers, and how to overcome the common pitfalls (like tutorial hell). They also talk about building real projects, finding your support network, and carving out time to invest in your future self. Topics Covered in This Video: Why you don’t have to break the bank to learn to code The pros and cons of bootcamps Essential resources like FreeCodeCamp, 100Devs, CS50, and more Learning how to learn: active recall, spaced repetition, and building projects Setting aside “4% of your day” to code The importance of community and cohort-based learning Overcoming fear, anxiety, and impostor syndrome to reach your goals Mentioned Resources & Links: FreeCodeCamp 100Devs (Discord: discord.gg/100Devs) CS50 (Harvard’s Intro to Computer Science) Learning How to Learn (Coursera) Anki (Spaced Repetition Software) The Odin Project MOOC.fi (University of Helsinki) About the Speakers: Danny Thompson: Director of Technology at This.Dot Labs, previously worked in gas stations, self-taught coding journey, and now a community leader helping others break into tech. Leon Noel: Managing Director of Engineering at Resilient Coders, founder of 100Devs, and former Distinguished Faculty at General Assembly. Dedicated to making coding education accessible to everyone. Stay in Touch: 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]!Danny Thompsonhttps://x.com/DThompsonDevhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDevwww.DThompsonDev.comLeon Noelhttps://x.com/leonnoelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/https://100devs.org/📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business?Email us at [email protected]! If you enjoyed this video, please Like, Share, and Subscribe for more tech career insights and tutorials. Chapter Timestamps 0:00 Introduction & Part 2 Overview 1:07 Why Bootcamp Owners Get Mad About Free Options 2:20 The Value of Free Resources (FreeCodeCamp, 100Devs, CS50) 8:05 Beware of Predatory Bootcamps & ISAs 12:35 Cohort-Based Learning & Community Support 19:10 Tools for Learning: Git, Terminal, & UI Tools 26:00 The “4% Rule” – Making Yourself a Priority 31:40 Building Real Projects (Avoiding Tutorial Hell) 35:10 Additional Free Resources (MOOC.fi, etc.) 36:20 Importance of Community & Finding Your Tribe 43:00 Work Ethic, Motivation, & Overcoming Obstacles 49:00 Q&A: Doing It Afraid vs. Honoring Your Feelings 56:45 Closing Thoughts & Goodbyes

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  56:56
• How YOU Can Learn To Code in 2025

  In this episode, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel tackle the hot topic of AI “replacing” developers and why that’s not happening any time soon. They discuss the right mindset for learning to code, tips for staying motivated (even if friends and family don’t get it), and what to focus on in your very first tech job. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the hype or needed clarity on how to progress in your coding journey, this episode is for you. Key Topics: Why just “prompting AI” isn’t enough—and how real coding skills still matter How to stay motivated when your family or friends don’t understand your new path The difference between hype and actual skills needed for a successful tech career Strategies for learning to code efficiently (and what to avoid) What to focus on in your first six months as a developer (the four key pillars) Enjoy the conversation, and let us know if you want a deeper dive in a Part 2! 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at [email protected]! Chapters 00:00 – Intro & The 4 Things in Your First 6 Months Danny outlines the four key items you must focus on when starting your first dev role. 04:15 – How AI Hype Misleads New Developers They share why simply prompting AI tools isn’t a valid substitute for real coding logic. 11:05 – Overcoming Excuses & Bad Advice Learn why AI is the latest excuse stopping people from ever finishing their coding goals. 20:05 – Will AI Replace Devs in 5 Years? A realistic look at timelines, corporate adoption, and why coding skills remain essential. 25:00 – Setting the Stage for Learning Leon shares the mindset shifts you need for effective studying, plus dealing with life pressures. 35:00 – Build Projects to Truly Learn They stress how applying newly learned concepts in your own projects cements long-term knowledge. 49:00 – Part 2? They discuss whether to record a deeper follow-up; share your feedback in the comments. 50:30 – Ask Danny And Leon Danny breaks down code, process, team, and value—crucial focuses for your first six months. 57:40 – Relationship Building & Documentation Leon’s tips on never eating lunch alone, documenting questions, and setting review goals. 1:00:05 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Closing remarks on staying motivated, focusing on evidence-based growth, and letting them know if you want more.

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