THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 25
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
How maximalism creeps into places where it doesn’t belong, finding mentors, following what energizes you, and the power of Ping Pong.
About The ReadME Podcast
On The ReadME Podcast, we take a look behind the scenes of the most impactful open source projects and the developers who make them happen. Our guests are coding in public, creating firmware, designing hardware, researching security vulnerabilities, creating art and music, and making phenomenal scientific discoveries. They’re also working on the periphery of open source, taking time to consider how we think about technology. In sharing these stories, we hope to provide a spotlight on what you don’t always see in the lines of code, and what it takes to build the technology that inspires us all.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 24
Let the games begin
Getting real about VR, the role of open source in game dev, a new perspective on functional programming, and more
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 23
Cue the command line
The thrill of a blinking cursor, using the community as a mirror, managing a business on open source, and more.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 22
Code like it’s 1995
Go back to basics, tips on securing your OSS project, developer happiness with GitHub’s CEO, and more.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 21
Build your own luck
A new co-host, a new format, a functional programming renaissance, and strategies to increase your luck.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 20
Hosts in the hot seat
Neha and Brian turn the interview tables on each other.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 19
freeCodeCamp: For curious people, by curious people
Founder Quincy on his journey from journalist to OSS pioneer.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 18
Firestarter: Keeping creativity alive while managing workloads
Jani embraces his limits and is drawn to human-centered projects.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 17
Three careers and motherhood are just the start
Salma on staying visible, advocating for accessibility, and coding for a better future.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 16
Where utility meets beauty: Hoppscotch
Liyas blends a passion for art with a talent for coding.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 15
Giving 110% in the right place at the right time
Astro founder Fred on luck, motivation, and breaking into OSS.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 14
A master in both piano and WordPress
How Helen found herself at the inspiring intersection of music and open source software.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 13
Python enthusiast, Twitch streamer, et. al.
Anthony on the importance of learning, teaching, and communicating.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 12
Prioritizing empathy and taking risks to build Chakra UI
Founder Segun Adebayo on creating opportunities.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 11
Creating space and opportunity with She Code Africa
Founder Ada Nduka Oyom on giving women the tools to thrive as developers.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 10
Changing the hardware development game at Adafruit
How Limor Fried paves the way for millions of makers.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 9
From comics in Virginia to React Core at Facebook
How Rachel Nabors brought the developer world to them.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 8
curl: 25 years and 200 releases later
Creator and maintainer Daniel Stenberg on his user-driven journey.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 7
Quitting a steady job to chase intuition
Babel maintainer Henry Zhu on taking a leap of faith with open source.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 6
From a master’s thesis to a global go-to
webpack’s maintainer Tobias Koppers on continuous innovation, open collaboration, and flexibility.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 5
Keeping the lights on with Home Assistant
Maintainer Paulus Schoutsen balances function, innovation, and playfulness.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 4
Humanizing bots and building community
A Python core developer, Mariatta Wijaya is right where she belongs.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 3
Taking Das Blog into the future
Maintainers Scott Hanselman and Mark Downie on breathing new life into old software.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 2
How one idea grew into a popular JavaScript ecosystem
Creator of Vue, Evan You is building an accessible framework for developers, and the door is always open.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 1
From a 3D side project to the dream job
A full-time, community-backed maintainer, Gina sets boundaries but stays visible.
About The
ReadME Project
Coding is usually seen as a solitary activity, but it’s actually the world’s largest community effort led by open source maintainers, contributors, and teams. These unsung heroes put in long hours to build software, fix issues, field questions, and manage communities.
The ReadME Project is part of GitHub’s ongoing effort to amplify the voices of the developer community. It’s an evolving space to engage with the community and explore the stories, challenges, technology, and culture that surround the world of open source.
Nominate a developer
Nominate inspiring developers and projects you think we should feature in The ReadME Project.
Support the community
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