Best Creator of the ESCAPE Stack Podcasts (2025)

1
Helping a Dev Manager Fix Team Culture 50:34

6d ago50:34

50:34

In this real coaching session, I talk with John, a developer-turned-manager, who’s navigating the messy middle of leadership. He’s caught between two teams, two continents, and shifting expectations. Sound familiar? We dig into: The difference between managing people and leading culture Why growth-stage teams break without intentional leadership Ho…

1
Helping a Dev Double Down on Creativity 57:37

13d ago57:37

57:37

Ever feel like tech work has turned you into a robot? Just crank out code, stay in your lane, and don’t ask too many questions? Yeah—same. → Find Out If You're Ready To Go Solo in Tech In this real, unfiltered coaching session, I work with Charlie—a creative technologist who’s been wrestling with how to bring *real* artistry back into his work. Aft…

1
Helping a Dev Rediscover His Entrepreneurial Drive 1:06:31

27d ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Today, I’m sharing a real conversation I had with Matt—an experienced developer who’s been wrestling with where to take his career next. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck doing the same thing over and over, or like your potential is being wasted, this episode is for you. → Find Out If You're Ready To Go Solo in Tech Matt’s been on a journey to …

1
5 Signs You Shoulda Quit the Tech Grind YEARS Ago 17:44

1M ago17:44

17:44

Ever feel like you're living in the tech job twilight zone? One minute you’re daydreaming about quitting, selling everything, and disappearing into the mountains. The next? You’re convincing yourself, “Eh… it’s not that bad.” Yeah—I’ve been there. → Find Out If You're Ready To Go Solo in Tech For years. I spent nearly a decade gaslighting myself ou…

1
Helping a Dev Manager Focus on Action—Not Fear 1:15:56

1M ago1:15:56

1:15:56

Ever feel stuck in analysis paralysis, trying to figure out if you should go solo or stick with a stable tech job? In this live coaching session, I help Ben—a seasoned engineering manager and Agile coach—shift his focus away from fear and toward action. → Find Out If You're Ready To Go Solo in Tech We break down: Why even a stable tech job can stil…

1
Loving Money Makes You a Perfect Programmer Slave 18:32

2M ago18:32

18:32

Most people get into software development for the money—and hey, I get it. The tech industry can be insanely lucrative. But if your end goal is to break free from the corporate grind and work for yourself, could a high income actually be holding you back? Grow Faster in Your Tech Career: https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching Join the Thriving T…

1
Programmer Employees Don't Have a Career Anymore 11:15

2M ago11:15

11:15

The days of stable employment in tech jobs as a career is over. I don't say this to scare you, but so you take some action to be less dependent on companies that couldn't care less about you! Grow Faster in Your Tech Career: https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching Join the Thriving Tech Community: https://thrivingtechnologist.com/community In thi…

1
Stop Solving Problems for Your Development Team! 37:17

5M ago37:17

37:17

Are you helping or holding your team back? In this episode, I explore why sharing technical answers with your development team might not be the best way to help them grow. Instead, learn how to use resourceful questions to empower your team members to think critically, solve problems independently, and build long-term confidence. This coaching stra…

1
Can Employees REALLY Set Boundaries With Managers? 13:47

6M ago13:47

13:47

Ever had a manager who expects you to be Superman? No matter what you do, they keep asking for "more, more, more." Earlier in my tech career, I thought it was my manager's fault. But when I learned the art of setting healthy boundaries at work, I realized that the power to push back was in my hands. Grow Faster in Your Tech Career: https://thriving…

1
Does Corporate Culture KILL Creativity in Tech? 17:44

6M ago17:44

17:44

Are you a tech professional who feels your creativity is being stifled by corporate culture? In this episode, I explore the impact of corporate culture on creativity in the tech industry. I share my personal journey—from leaving behind my passion for music to embracing programming as a new creative outlet, only to find that corporate constraints in…

1
If Your Tech Job is Comfortable, You're in Danger 21:21

6M ago21:21

21:21

Is your tech job feeling a little too comfortable? You might be unknowingly putting your career at risk. In the fast-paced world of technology, complacency can lead to career stagnation, limiting your earning potential and jeopardizing your job security. Grow Faster in Your Tech Career: https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching Join the Thriving Te…

1
Think Your Corporate Job Is Secure? Think Again 24:40

7M ago24:40

24:40

What if the real risk isn't leaving your corporate job, but staying in it? If you’re comfortable in your tech job today, layoffs aren’t the only risk you face. The myth of job security is a common cause for staying stuck and growing complacent. 7 years ago my life was turned upside down when I realized for the first time - just how trapped I’d beco…

1
The Secret to Finding Profitable Software Ideas 13:55

7M ago13:55

13:55

Thinking of quitting the tech industry grind to start a profitable software business yourself? Before you take the plunge, don't make the same mistakes I did! The secret to finding a profitable software idea, is that it must come from your customers. Unless you know a real pain that people who would use your software are experiencing, you can easil…

1
Real 10x Programmers Are SLOW To Write Code 15:04

7M ago15:04

15:04

If you've ever been jealous of programmers who seem to write code faster than you - take heart. The myth of the "10x programmer" is misunderstood in many software teams and tech companies. What's important to companies is NOT that you're actually 10x faster at writing code. It's that you help the company produce features 10 times faster. Wake up ca…

1
How To ACTUALLY Get Your Boss To Listen 18:52

8M ago18:52

18:52

If you've ever been on a software project and you can't get your boss to listen, I've been there. Many of us are technical types, so we often think facts are enough to convince management to support us. In this episode, I share 4 strategies I've used to actually get your boss to listen. These take some patience, but if you want to see real results …

1
A TRUE Software Project Horror Story 32:19

8M ago32:19

32:19

Have you ever felt like your software project was doomed from the start, almost as if it were the plot of a bad movie? Well, if so, you're not alone. I've been through my share of nightmarish projects, but one in particular stands out. It involved shady characters, SWAT teams, and a project that was destined for disaster from the beginning. If you'…

1
Does LinkedIn Brainwash You Into Hating Your Job? 18:46

8M ago18:46

18:46

LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with people, but it can also cause serious mental health challenges - and even lead to burnout. If you're looking for a job or just trying to find customers, there are some features of LinkedIn that can ruin your personal peace and drive your anxiety through the roof. In this episode I share some ways I'v…

1
Programmers HATE When Managers Do This 22:03

9M ago22:03

22:03

Are you a programmer, or in any individual contributor tech role really? Considering switching into management? Be VERY careful. Most companies will not prepare you for what it takes to really be an effective manager. If you've ever been upset with a manager or felt like they weren't equipped to do their job, it's probably because they were promote…

1
Are You Truly Motivated To Change Your Tech Career? 6:30

9M ago6:30

6:30

If your tech career isn't what you want it to be, it could be a mild annoyance - or something urgent. Knowing how ready you are to actually make a change is important before you take any action that could change the course of your life and career. When I started career coaching, I noticed sometimes tech professionals would come to me frustrated abo…

1
"Agile Signaling" is Gaslighting The Tech Industry 22:16

10M ago22:16

22:16

Today most tech companies engage in agile signaling - without even knowing it. They do nothing to make it easy to adapt to change, but put on a show to pretend they're agile. Many software developers and other professionals in the industry, even those with long careers, have never been on project with a truly agile software development process. And…

1
When Should a Programmer Become a Manager? 15:29

10M ago15:29

15:29

Does programming ever get tiring? Are you frustrated by being left out of key decisions by the company? You may begin to wonder if you should become a manager. In this episode I'd like to share 5 important considerations before switching from being a programmer to management. It's common advice that "all programmers must become managers eventually"…

1
Why Do Programmers Accept Being Stuck in Their Career? 27:37

10M ago27:37

27:37

Many programmers are stuck in their career today, but they place the blame on everyone else. Yes, there are some difficult things going on in the tech industry. But one of the biggest reasons programmers stop growing, is they don't get help. In this episode, I'd like to share the things I've learned after coaching over 100 software professionals th…

1
10 Steps to Becoming a Solo Technology Consultant 35:15

10M ago35:15

35:15

Want to quit working for companies as an employee, make more money, and choose the clients you work with? It might be time to go solo - as a technology consultant. To be successful, you need to be smart about how you start. In this episode, I share the exact steps I took to become a solo technology consultant offering software architecture and a va…

1
Can a Programmer's Mind Become Their Prison? 23:52

11M ago23:52

23:52

Programmers have to learn an incredible amount of information to even BEGIN to be effective at their job. So it's only natural that we don't like to find out something we learned - is wrong in a different context. With so much invested, being open to the possibility that there's a better way to do things can be hard. In this episode, I share some m…

1
Why Tech Consultants Have Management's Ear (And You Don't) 31:36

11M ago31:36

31:36

Ever seen management bring in a technology consultant, and suddenly they're open to ideas you've been telling them all along? When this first happened to me, I figured technology consultants were probably just better at selling snake oil. But halfway into my career I became a software development technology consultant, and I learned they were maste…

1
Why are Programmers Terrified of Self-Employment? 16:08

11M ago16:08

16:08

Most programmers have considered self-employment at one time or another, but fear grips them when they think about how to even get started. When I began working for myself 7 years ago, I had no idea how to transition to being self-employed, but I knew I couldn't stand working for corporations any longer. In this episode, I'll share the most common …

1
Your Project Is FAKE Agile, What Now? 23:16

11M ago23:16

23:16

It's finally sinking in. Your software project is FAKE agile. Is there anything you can really do about it? The sad reality is that more companies have fake agile software development processes than those that are authentic. You can fight tooth and nail to try and change the system, or you can accept when there's nothing you can do. Being a truly a…

1
My Vision of Hope For the Tech Industry's Problems 15:05

12M ago15:05

15:05

If you're bothered by the problems in the tech industry, I am too. But while every day we seem to hear more and more negative news about it - we're actually paying attention to the wrong problems. There are many things wrong with the software industry, but very few we can control. And one thing we can control, is how much we understand each other. …

1
Learning Addiction Keeps Programmers in Chains 18:14

12M ago18:14

18:14

Learning new technologies, frameworks, and processes as a programmer gives you a feeling of accomplishment. But unchecked, learning can become a dangerous addiction that damages your software development career. In this episode, I share how software engineers can cap their earning potential if they fall into common traps when learning is the absolu…

1
This Is Why Managers Don't Trust Programmers... 28:18

12M ago28:18

28:18

Have you ever seen another programmer who wasn't as skilled as you get promoted? Did you tell yourself management was making a mistake? Earlier in my career I didn't realize I was doing some things that caused managers to lose confidence in me. I would spend all my time writing code and never think about how I came across to other people. In this e…

1
Only Developers Who Know This Should Post on Social 33:52

1y ago33:52

33:52

Making videos, podcasts, or blogs could be just what your career as a programmer needs. But it could also be a complete waste of time. Many programmers become influencers, but there are two very different reasons for doing so. In this episode, I share the difference between being a pure influencer, or posting online for content marketing. Content m…

1
How I Hacked My Sleep as a Programmer 36:05

1y ago36:05

36:05

Six years ago I was suddenly struck with chronic insomnia where I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours a night. This lasted for nearly 3 years, and I struggled through sleep studies, behavioral changes, and all the typical tips you read online about overcoming insomnia. Working as a programmer in the tech industry can create a lot of anxiety because we…

1
Can a "DIY Mindset" Keep Programmers From Growing? 14:17

1y ago14:17

14:17

We programmers love to "do it ourselves", and this can help us stay productive and keep ourselves busy. But the dark side of this tendency, is that it can make it harder to get help - when we actually need it. In this episode, I share some ways I've learned that software engineers are trained by society, the workforce, and the software industry to …

1
Why Nobody's Buying Your Ideas in Tech 28:11

1y ago28:11

28:11

Ever try to sell someone on why you're the right person for them to hire in tech? Or maybe you have a software product or offer freelance IT consulting services you need to sell? I'll bet you've run into the situation where the other person you're talking to doesn't seem to "get" why you're the best solution to their tech problems. In this episode,…

1
Should You Fight Dirty to Climb The Tech Ladder? 21:07

1y ago21:07

21:07

On the first software project of my career, I thought doing a good job was all that mattered to move ahead. And while I was successful, I was manipulated by many other programmers through political games. After that experience, I was tempted many times in my career to fight dirty. And sometimes, I made the wrong decision. In this episode, I share t…

1
Do Programmers Confuse Intelligence with WISDOM? 28:22

1y ago28:22

28:22

After my first decade of coding, I learned so much I thought: "I must be at least somewhat intelligent, right?". But there was something more valuable I lacked - wisdom. Without wisdom, you'll make decisions in your career that look right in the short term - but turn out disastrous over time. Wisdom is the ability to make decisions when the rules d…

1
Why Most Programmers DON'T Last 19:10

1y ago19:10

19:10

If you want a lasting career in software development, you've got to be wiser than your average coder. There's a lot of advice that promotes short-term thinking around programming, and if you aren't careful you can burn your bridges before you reach the finish line. In this episode, I share what I've learned about why most programmers don't last in …

1
Is Your Tech Job Really Bad Enough To Quit? 28:08

1y ago28:08

28:08

The familiar question "should I stay or should I go?" is common to programmers, or really anyone in a tech job. But it's tempting to just bail the moment you don't like some aspect of the job, hoping for greener pastures. The flipside of this is when you probably should have left a long time ago but you stick around! Hey, I've been there. It's easy…

1
Is Working in Tech Hurting Your Romantic Partner? 26:18

1y ago26:18

26:18

You already know working in tech while staying in a romantic relationship is hard if you spend a lot of time on the computer. But there are other even more dangerous aspects of a tech job that can risk losing your romantic partner if you aren't careful. In this episode, I share lessons I've learned while married for 25 years to the same woman - and…

1
Why Do So Many Programmers Use Drugs? 35:21

1y ago35:21

35:21

If you've never been an addict, you may be surprised to know many programmers (and other people in tech job roles) struggle with drug use. Nobody working in tech is a stranger to stress and pressure! But sometimes the ways we cope are unhealthy. If you're currently using, I've been honest and transparent with you - I've been there. I was a marijuan…

1
How Hard Tech Projects Make You a Stronger Person 30:40

1y ago30:40

30:40

The popular thing to do when faced with a toxic software project - is to complain until you get out. But a healthier alternative, is to use it as an opportunity to get stronger in your tech career. In this episode I share some things I learned by reflecting back on my career through the lens of the book of Proverbs from the Christian Bible. It show…

1
Why Do Most Programmers Who Start Companies Fail? 28:11

1y ago28:11

28:11

If you're a programmer tired of the corporate grind, and thinking about starting a software company - watch out. I tried this twice and failed, but the third time went much better. Here are some practical tips to avoid pitfalls as a software engineer if you want to start a software company - and be successful! Join my Patreon: https://thrivingtechn…

1
Do Programmers Actually ENJOY Being Miserable? 32:01

1+ y ago32:01

32:01

The software industry may be messed up, but I need to be straight with you. You're resisting help! If you really want your job and life to get better, and to achieve better things in your software career - the complaining needs to stop. You need to stop resisting the things you already know you should do - and DO them. You can't solve all these pro…

1
Can You See The Red Flags Of A Toxic Tech Company? 29:35

1+ y ago29:35

29:35

If you're about to get a new tech job, sometimes the red flags are obvious. But what happens when you want the gig anyway? The temptation to take a job when the pay is high, there's prestige, or it's a promotion are strong. In this episode I share some things I've learned about spotting these red flags, and resisting the temptations that come with …

1
3 Ways Programmers Escape The Corporate Grind 39:59

1+ y ago39:59

39:59

If you're tired to the deadlines, pressure, and unrealistic expectations - it may be time to take programming for money into your own hands. In this episode, I share 3 ways you can escape the corporate grind and make money in tech yourself. Being a solopreneur isn't easy, but it's very rewarding if you're willing to learn things like digital market…

1
Is Programming Stealing Your Life Away? 30:09

1+ y ago30:09

30:09

Programming starts out like any other career - then one day you wake up addicted. In this episode, I share big problems with programming's impact on your work/life balance, and offer solutions. As a software developer, it's easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of coding and problem-solving, often at the expense of personal time and well-being…

1
How To Stop Getting Overwhelmed By Your Tech Job 24:58

1+ y ago24:58

24:58

Feeling swamped in your tech job? You're not alone! In this episode, I dive into the heart of what makes our programming world so overwhelming and, more importantly, how you can navigate it with ease. In this episode, I'm not just talking at you; I'm talking with you. We'll explore the common pitfalls that lead to feeling overwhelmed in tech jobs a…

1
Don't Believe The AI Hype! Do This Instead... 23:52

1+ y ago23:52

23:52

Let's get real about AI and how it impacts programming. There's a lot of propaganda and fear being thrown around related to artificial intelligence (especially in software development and engineering) - so let's cut through the noise together. I made this video for all you software developers, engineers, and programmers out there who want to get a …

1
Why Programming Might Not Feel Fun Anymore 11:53

1+ y ago11:53

11:53

If you've been programming for a while and it doesn't seem as fun as it used to be, maybe it's time to take a step back and look at why. In this episode I'd like to help you figure out what the the root cause of your frustration with coding might be. It's only natural that if you started off writing code and eventually got good at it, you'd come to…

1
What Software Architects Do That Programmers DON'T 12:51

1+ y ago12:51

12:51

How does being a software architect differ from a typical programmer? In this episode, I share the 10 aspects I've approached software architecture from that I learned over 20 years of doing it. I was promoted to be a software architect at just 20 years old, and while I was qualified with some aspects of software engineering - I didn't really know …

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