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In this episode of Convos.dev, Chris and Jess delve into the intricacies of side projectsāwhy they do them, how they find the time, and the various motivations behind each endeavor. They explore the balance between professional commitments and personal passions, highlighting how side projects serve as a playground for learning new skills and tackling intriguing challenges. Whether it's vibe coding a fun app for their kids or automating tasks to boost productivity, the duo shares how these projects fuel their creativity and technical growth.The conversation also touches on the tools and frameworks they use to streamline their side projects, including CLAWed automations and Raycast extensions. They discuss the challenges of managing numerous automations without losing track, emphasizing the importance of creating systems that are both effective and easy to maintain. If you've ever struggled with finding time for side projects or wondered how to make your automations work for you, this episode is filled with practical advice and relatable insights.Chapters:00:00 Intro02:15 The Motivation Behind Side Projects05:45 Solving Complex Problems with Consulting10:30 Balancing Consulting with Creative Projects14:00 The Role of Automations in Side Projects18:20 Tools for Task Management and Productivity22:45 Using Keyboard Maestro for Efficiency27:00 Challenges with AI and Automations31:15 Allocating Time for Side Projects36:40 Exploring OpenCLAWed and Cloud Automations41:20 Fun with French Beaded Flowers45:30 Recommended Reads: "How to Think" by Alan Jacobs50:00 Outro and Listener EngagementLinks / tools mentioned:- Raycast: URL- Hazel: https://www.noodlesoft.com/- Keyboard Maestro: https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/- Advent of Astro: https://adventofastro.com/- How I Built This podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297- How to Think by Alan Jacobs: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Survival-Guide-World/dp/0451499603
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In this episode of Convos.dev, the Chris and Jess reflect on their growth since their first discussion on the topic, especially in the context of AI's impact on tech startups. Both hosts share the unique challenges of being the only DevRel in their teams, highlighting the importance of automating repetitive tasks to reduce friction and free up time for more strategic projects. From creating scripts for video content to automating changelog processes, they reveal how AI tools have become indispensable in their daily routines.The conversation also delves into the personal side of DevRel, discussing the art of prioritizing tasks and the power of saying no. They explore how personal interests can drive career growth and prevent burnout, drawing inspiration from industry peers and their own experiences. Whether you're a DevRel pro or just curious about the role, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for thriving in the fast-paced tech world.Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:45 Revisiting DevRel in the Age of AI06:30 Automating with AI: From SRT Files to Changelogs11:50 The Challenge of Being a Solo DevRel15:40 Conversation with an AI Researcher from Apple20:15 Balancing Multiple Roles in DevRel24:50 The Importance of Saying No in DevRel30:25 Personal Growth and Career Development in Tech35:40 Taking Breaks and Avoiding Burnout40:15 Hiring Challenges and Lessons Learned46:00 Tool Show and Tell: GSD and Paper.design51:20 Fun Projects and Side Hustles56:00 Closing Thoughts and Community Feedback RequestLinks / tools mentioned:- Resend: resend.com- GSD (Get Shit Done):https://github.com/open-gsd/get-shit-done-redux- Paper.design: paper.designSubmit questions and feedback at https://convos.dev
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In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris dig into how they're actually using OpenClaw ā at work, at home, and in some weirdly elaborate personal setups. Chris walks through his team's multi-agent deployment at Resend, his personal Obsidian-vault task manager run entirely over Signal text messages, and the Mac OS "Claudagotchi" app he built in a weekend to babysit Claude Code. Jess shares her more permissions-cautious approach, pushes back on the complexity, and they compare notes on context, cost, and where this stuff actually earns its keep.
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In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris share what they learned giving their first dev talks. They trade tips on prep, managing nerves, and why giving people something tangible to take away matters more than you think.
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In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris tackle the gray areas of AI ethics ā not the big global questions, but the personal ones. When is it okay to use AI for writing? What do you lose when you stop crafting sentences yourself? They get into the guilt of using AI-generated art, whether companies should get a pass on AI ads, and whether "taste" is the new differentiator when everyone can build anything.
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In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris dive into the world of hiring and interviewing for tech roles. Chris shares what he's learning from screening 300+ applicants for a technical writer role at Resend ā from red flags in applications to the culture-fit questions he's found most revealing. Jess brings the skeptic's take, drawing on her experience with mock interviews and candidates who game the system. They also discuss AI in interviews, the difficulty of predicting long-term fit, and why hiring is one of the most expensive decisions a startup makes. Plus: a rant about the lack of good AI slide tools, Claude Island, and some fun show & tell.
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In this episode of convos.dev, Jess and Chris tackle a listener question about building mindset (so exciting)! They share their contrasting learning styles: Chris's approach of curating high-quality inputs and using Obsidian as a second brain, versus Jess's ADHD-ish osmosis method of consuming high volumes of content in the background. They also discuss the underrated role of empathy in product work, fiction as a tool for personal growth, and friction logs for improving developer experience. Plus: a dive into the Ralph Wiggum AI agent technique, AI skills for React Email, and some fun show & tell picks.
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In this episode of Convos.dev, Jess and Chris share their tips for starting a new role. They discuss how to understand company dynamics, identify what's working (and what isn't), and the importance of maintaining fresh eyes during onboarding. Chris shares Resend's friction log practice, and they debate the balance between building work relationships and maintaining work-life boundaries.
Links
- Moledisk cleanup CLI tool
- Otter.ai: transcription app
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In this episode of Convos.dev, Jess and Chris delve into the latest developments in AI. Jess shares insights into small language models (SLMs) and their efficiency compared to large language models (LLMs), highlighting how SLMs can be more accurate and cost-effective for specific tasks. They also discuss the challenges and innovations in parallelizing AI agents, exploring how multiple agents can work together without conflicts.
They share their personal experiences with AI tools, including a CLI tool and the complexities of context windows in AI models. The episode wraps up with a "show and tell" segment featuring a Pomodoro timer and a retro Macintosh clock, along with discussions on Astro Editor and the challenges of creating educational content.
š ļø Tools
- Astro Editor
šŗ Show and tell
- MacLock Clock
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In this episode, the Chris and Jess explore the connection between playing sports and working in tech. They discuss how sports offer valuable lessons in team building, strategy, and personal development, which can be applied to the tech industry. Both hosts share their personal sports journeys and how these experiences have influenced their professional lives.
The conversation highlights the psychological and physical benefits of sports, emphasizing the importance of strategy and team dynamics. They also delve into how individual and team sports can enhance leadership and communication skills, providing insights into managing teams and projects effectively. The episode concludes with a "show and tell" segment, sharing personal achievements and fun projects.
š ļø Tools
- Silly Software Club
- OpenArt.ai
šŗ Show and tell
- Lego GameBoy
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In this episode, Jess and Chris dive into how to unplug from work during the holidays while maintaining productivity and intentionality. Jess announces her career move to BrainTrust and shares insights from negotiating two months off between jobs. Chris walks through his planning day philosophy, including his approach to roles, big rocks, and the critical difference between trips and vacations. They discuss why structured time off can be more restorative than aimless relaxation, how to track what truly matters, and finding the right balance between productivity and rest. Plus, they show off some fun tech: Chris demos a physical printer powered by Resend's inbound email API, Jess shares her ChatGPT document formatting setup, and they explore Focus Friend and chest-mounted cameras for sports.
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Launch weeks are intense. Chris just finished a six-day launch at Resend, doubling their API endpoints and coordinating blog posts, videos, and a professional shoot in San Francisco. Jess shares Warp's multi-video approach, from marketing cowboys to deep technical demos. They discuss the real cost of launches: when to invest in production, how to balance new vs existing users, and why internal relationships matter more than the perfect edit. Learn their hard-won lessons on scope management, video production, and what actually resonates with developers.
š ļø Tools
- Rectangle App: window management tool for macOS with automated layouts
- Raycast: productivity app with window setup automation
- Frame.io: video collaboration and review platform
- Flask: Video collaboration tool with screen recording and annotation
- Davinci Resolve: professional video editing software
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In this episode of Convos.dev, the hosts dive into their experiences with events and conferences, reflecting on their recent meetup in Seattle. They explore the challenges and joys of attending such events, especially for introverts in the tech industry. The conversation touches on the value of genuine connections over traditional networking, emphasizing the importance of asking good questions and being genuinely curious about others. This approach not only enriches personal interactions but also builds trust within the developer community.
The hosts also share personal insights into balancing introversion with the demands of a DevRel role, discussing how confidence and a shift in mindset can transform the conference experience. They highlight the significance of storytelling in tech talks and the benefits of informal interactions at after-parties. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted segment on personal projects and hobbies, including knitting and journaling, portraying how these activities can parallel and enrich the development process.
š ļø Tools
- Kiro
- DayOne
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The podcast episode from "Convos.dev" features a discussion between two friends, Jessica and Chris, who delve into topics related to development, life, and their experiences in creating video content. This particular episode is special because they received their first email from a listener named Gaurav, who is starting out in Developer Relations (DevRel) and is curious about how Jessica and Chris became adept at making video content, particularly regarding animations.
š ļø Tools
- Descript
- Distill
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Email overwhelm is real for developers. Chris manages 14 separate email inboxes while Jess struggles with categorization in Superhuman. They share practical email management strategies, from Chris's ruthless unsubscribe philosophy to voice-to-text workflows and split inbox configurations. Learn how to stop email from taking over your life.
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Jess and Chris dive deep into work-life balance strategies for busy developers who take on multiple projects. They share their personal productivity systems, time management techniques, and how they handle the constant juggle between work commitments and personal life. From daily shutdowns to "Chris's Planning Day," discover practical approaches that actually work.
Links:
- OmniFocus: Chris's task management system
- Lo.cafe: Ambient desktop overlay app
- Base44: AI app builder
- Therabody JetBoots: Leg compression recovery
- Shakti Mat: Acupressure mat
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Chris and Jess dive into the controversial AI startup Cluely and its provocative "cheat on everything" marketing strategy. They explore the company's viral tactics, including hiring content creators, buying ghost accounts, and using rage bait to drive engagement.
Topics covered: AI marketing ethics, viral growth strategies, product-market fit, transparency in AI assistance, sustainable business models.
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In this episode of Convos.dev, Chris and Jess discuss strategies for onboarding onto a new large codebase, emphasizing the importance of patience and thorough understanding before making changes. They share practical tips such as utilizing internal documentation and writing down friction points to help future developers. The conversation also explores the role of AI in documentation and the emerging economy around AI observability tools, highlighting the potential benefits of using AI to automate maintenance tasks.
Join the conversation and drop your thoughts in the comments ā weād love to hear your take!
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In this episode of Convos.dev, Jess and Chris dive into how AI is changing the way developers learn to code ā the pros, the pitfalls, and everything in between.
We chat about curiosity, prompt engineering, and turning coding rules into workflows.
Plus, we share new tools weāve been testing (Yaak, Bright Data) and a couple fun show-and-tells outside of coding.
š ļø Tools
- Yaak
- Bright Data
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In this episode, hosts Jess (DevRel Engineer at Warp) and Chris (DevRel Engineer at Resend) dive deep into the world of Developer Relations, sharing insights from their experiences at relatively small startups.
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