This 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.

In 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

In 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.

In 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.

In 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.

We 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

In 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