Chats with Kent C. Dodds

Kent says goodbye at the end of another season of the "Chats with Kent" podcast, which featured interviews with speakers for the upcoming Epic Web Comp 2025 conference in Salt Lake City. The host, Kent C. Dodds, expresses excitement about the lineup of speakers and encourages listeners to attend the conference in March 2025. He also mentions that the talks will be available on the EpicWeb.dev platform for those who miss the live event.Meet at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com𝕏: @kentcdoddsGitHub: @kentcdoddsHost: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com𝕏: @kentcdoddsGitHub: @kentcdoddsYouTube: Kent C. DoddsEpic Web: epicweb.dev

Kent C. Dodds sits down with Jason Lengstorf to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Of Things Epic, where he dives into the principles behind effective decision-making in web development. Rather than focusing on which tools to pick, Kent emphasizes the need for a framework that enables developers to make confident decisions that scale. He draws from his experience with the Epic Stack, highlighting the importance of clear reasoning behind technical choices.Key topics in this conversation include:Why decision paralysis is unnecessary in modern web development.How the Epic Programming Principles provide a solid foundation for making smart tech choices.Why Laravel's opinionated approach has been so successful and what we can learn from it.The importance of structuring your projects so they can evolve without unnecessary rewrites.How in-person conferences create opportunities for career growth and deeper relationships.Kent also shares his excitement about the hallway track at Epic Web Conf, encouraging attendees to come talk to him about real-world experiences with the Epic Stack, scaling web apps, and even personal interests like family life, one-wheeling, and snowboarding.Watch this episode.Meet Kent at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev Host: Jason LengstorfWebsite: CodeTV.dev 𝕏: @jlengstorf GitHub: @jlengstorf YouTube: CodeTV

Andre Landgraf joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Image Optimization. In this conversation, they explore the challenges and trade-offs of optimizing images for the web, particularly when handling large numbers of event photos or user-generated content. Andre shares how building his own image optimization pipeline gave him a deeper understanding of the process, allowing him to make more informed decisions when choosing external services.Kent and Andre also discuss:The evolution of All Things Web, a meetup Andre organizes in the Bay Area.The importance of community in web development and how in-person meetups have shaped his career.His experience working with Ember at LinkedIn and his upcoming career shift.Why diving deep into a problem—like image optimization—makes you a better engineer.How Epic Web Conf has become a must-attend event for those passionate about web technologies.Andre brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the conversation, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their approach to image handling in modern web applications.Watch this episode.Meet Andre at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Andre LandgrafWebsite: andrelandgraf.dev 𝕏: @andrelandgraf94 GitHub: @andrelandgraf Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

In this conversation, Jason Lengstorf, creator of CodeTV and the Web Dev Challenge, joins Kent to discuss:His background in engineering, developer relations, and open-source at companies like IBM, Gatsby, and Netlify.The Web Dev Challenge, a fast-paced, team-based competition that brings developers together to solve unique coding challenges in just four hours.The free Epic Web Conf hackathon happening the day before the conference, where attendees can join the challenge, build something cool, and showcase their work.His philosophy on career growth, taking calculated risks, and building a career you truly enjoy.Why in-person conferences are critical for networking and how making friends, rather than “networking,” can be the key to long-term success.Jason shares why he prioritizes being in physical spaces with other developers, how meaningful relationships have shaped his career, and why he believes success comes from showing up, trying hard, and having the courage to take chances.Watch this episode.Meet Jason at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Jason Lengstorf𝕏: @jlengstorf GitHub: @jlengstorf BlueSky: jason.energy Website: codetv.dev Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

In this conversation, Ryan Florence, co-creator of Remix and React Router, joins Kent to talk about the evolving landscape of web development. He shares insights on:The motivation behind moving core Remix features into React Router.The rising importance of AI-driven development and how it affects frameworks.Betting on the web platform as a long-term strategy for performance, portability, and future-proofing applications.How Remix is being reimagined with a focus on web-native capabilities.The role of conferences in building meaningful career relationships.Ryan also shares his personal reflections on balancing career, family, and the desire to step back from the spotlight. Whether you're a Remix user, a React developer, or just curious about where the web is heading, this discussion offers a fascinating look at the future of frameworks and the web.Watch this episode.Meet Ryan at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Ryan Florence𝕏: @ryanflorence GitHub: @ryanflorence Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Annie Sexton joins Kent to talk about her upcoming talk at Epic Web Conf, JavaScript: The Origin Story. In this discussion, she shares her love for history and why documenting the evolution of programming languages is so important. They dive into:The rushed creation of JavaScript and how it shaped the language.Competing languages of the era and how JavaScript won out.The unexpected ways JavaScript evolved into a web powerhouse.Why software history often gets overlooked and why it matters today.How understanding the past helps developers write better code for the future.Annie’s talk will be a must-watch for developers who want to gain a deeper appreciation of JavaScript and its unique journey. Expect to walk away with a richer perspective on the language that powers the modern web.Watch this episode.Meet Annie at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Annie Sexton𝕏: @anniebabannie Website: anniesexton.com Bluesky: anniesexton.com Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Zackary Jackson joins Kent to discuss his upcoming talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Federation: Scaling Web Infrastructure. As an expert in large-scale web architecture, Zack has helped build critical tools like Module Federation and RSPack, both of which power ByteDance’s global infrastructure.In this conversation, Kent and Zack cover:The challenges of managing thousands of developers and repos across multiple teams.Why ByteDance chose to build its own bundler in Rust instead of adopting an existing solution.The impact of slow build times on product velocity and how tooling improvements significantly reduce development friction.The role of Module Federation in solving organizational scale problems, allowing teams to ship independently.How AI-powered tools are shaping the next generation of developer workflows.Zack also shares his thoughts on why meeting open-source maintainers and industry leaders in person can unlock collaboration opportunities that aren’t as easily accessible online.Watch this episode.Meet Zackary at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Zackary Jackson𝕏: @ScriptedAlchemy GitHub: @ScriptedAlchemy Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Aaron Francis joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf, Epic Bets: Practical Tips for Betting on Yourself. In this conversation, Aaron reflects on his non-traditional path into tech, his experience being laid off, and how he prepared himself to be resilient in the face of career uncertainty. He shares insights on why developers should focus on skill stacking, personal branding, and long-term sustainability in their careers rather than chasing trends.Kent and Aaron also explore:How to future-proof your career without falling into the trap of chasing hype.Why writing and sharing your knowledge can open unexpected doors.The importance of building a professional network before you need it.How to balance ambition with family life and personal values.Why giving your absolute best—both professionally and personally—is always worth it.Aaron’s perspective is both practical and inspiring, offering a roadmap for developers who want to take control of their future without sacrificing what truly matters.Watch this episode.Meet Aaron at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Aaron Francis𝕏: @aarondfrancis GitHub: @aarondfrancis Website: aaronfrancis.com Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Fran Zekan, an engineer from Croatia with experience in hardware, robotics, and web development, joins Kent to discuss his talk, Shipping Reusable Full-Stack Components. Fran explains how React Server Components (RSCs) allow developers to build truly self-contained, reusable full-stack features—something that has long been a staple in the Rails ecosystem with Rails Engines.In this conversation, Fran and Kent discuss:How RSCs simplify full-stack development by eliminating the need for multiple setup steps.Comparisons between RSCs and Rails Engines, and how they bring backend-like encapsulation to React.Real-world examples, including a Stripe Checkout component that can be dropped into any app.The evolution of scaling strategies across different web frameworks, from serverless to Astro’s CDN-first approach.The future of modular, scalable web apps and the potential for Rails-to-React migration.Fran also shares why he prioritizes in-person conferences, the value of deep technical discussions, and why he believes the Epic Web Conf community is a perfect space for these conversations.Watch this episode.Meet Fran at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Fran Zekan𝕏: @Zeko369 GitHub: @Zeko369 Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev

Josh Cirre, a developer advocate and content creator, joins Kent to discuss his talk at Epic Web Conf: "Learning-Driven Development." Josh shares his philosophy on learning by doing—where the best way to master new technologies is by applying them to real-world projects rather than passively consuming tutorials.Josh and Kent discuss:The importance of curiosity in learning and how small observations can spark deeper exploration.Why focusing on what you want to build rather than what you want to learn leads to better retention.The challenges of transitioning from acting and comedy to tech, and how performance skills translate into developer advocacy.The power of in-person conferences in forging deeper relationships and improving professional growth.Josh also shares his love for Svelte, cameras, music, and Broadway musicals—so be sure to find him at Epic Web Conf to geek out on any of those topics!Watch this episode.Meet Josh at Epic Web Conf.Guest: Josh Cirre𝕏: @joshcirre YouTube: Josh Cirre Website: joshcirre.com Host: Kent C. DoddsWebsite: kentcdodds.com 𝕏: @kentcdodds GitHub: @kentcdodds YouTube: Kent C. Dodds Epic Web: epicweb.dev