Episodios
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I dive deep into various AI tools, market conditions, and exciting topics around AI. I start by discussing the Descript editing tool, its capabilities, and how it streamlines podcast creation. Then I cover Cursor, a fork of VS Code, and its role in automated coding with insights into its privacy and security features. Additionally, I touch on Gartner's Hype Cycle and its stages, offering perspectives on where AI stands today. Finally, catch a preview of upcoming content and an announcement about attending the Southern California Annual Linux Expo.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter atâ â â â â â â Wahl Networkâ â â â â â â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:13 New YouTube Content and AWS Course
01:58 Exploring Descript for Content Creation
06:44 Cursor: AI-Powered Coding Tool
12:44 Gartner Hype Cycle and AI Expectations
14:50 Upcoming Conference and Conclusion
Links & Resources:
AWS and Terraform Essentials Course on YouTube
AWS and Terraform Essentials Course on SlideShare
Cursor Security Page
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A pivotal experience from 1999 involving a PowerMac G4, college, and a costly mistake. This isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's a raw and honest look at a time when a 'personal supercomputer' dream turned into a financial and technical nightmare. I'll detail the financial pitfalls I fell into, the hard lessons I learned about companies and marketing, and how I ultimately took control of the situation. If you've ever felt misled by a company or made a costly tech purchase, this episode offers valuable insights.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter atâ â â â â â Wahl Networkâ â â â â â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 The Road to Chicago and a Budding Mac Fan
06:05 The PowerMac G4 Dream and Disaster
10:53 Major lessons learned
12:23 Building My Own & Escaping the Lemon
Links & Resources:
Quote: "âMy biggest issue was counting on future earnings to pay for current costs. Bad idea."
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¿Faltan episodios?
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Letâs explore the complexities of choosing and adopting new technical tools in your tech stack. Weâll discuss the importance of evaluating a tool's overall value, including its benefits, drawbacks, and long-term implications. We delve into the essential components of getting buy-in from your team, writing comprehensive Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), and the pros and cons of making versus buying tools. Additionally, we scrutinize the use of Terraform Automation and Collaboration Software (TACOS) and infrastructure wrappers like Terragrunt and Atmos, weighing their potential benefits against the added complexities they introduce.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â â â â Wahl Networkâ â â â â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:02 Evaluating the True Value of a Tool
01:33 The Ripple Effect of Tool Adoption
02:09 Tool Sprawl and Its Impact
03:07 Building vs Buying Tools
04:31 Getting Team Buy in and Documentation
08:14 Exploring Terraform Automation and Collaboration Software
13:11 The Case Against Infrastructure Wrappers
14:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Links & Resources:
Reshape your AWS CloudFormation stacks seamlessly with stack refactoring on AWS Blog
Quote: "âTools should enable you to do your job better, not become the job itself."
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I'll take you on a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s. We'll explore the early days of computing and gaming, talk about the Apple IIe and Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs), and delve into the exciting world of making games. Whether you're a seasoned tech enthusiast or simply curious about the origins of the digital age, this episode is for you.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â â â Wahl Networkâ â â â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:02 The Apple IIe
05:38 Bulletin Board Systems
08:36 Making games
10:32 Where to start
Links & Resources:
â BASIC Computer Games on Wikipedia
Quote: "Never stop asking 'why?' and 'how?' The tech and gaming worlds thrive on innovation, and curiosity is the engine of that. Don't be afraid to tinker, experiment, and push the boundaries of what's possible."
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We're diving deep into the concept of technical debt. I'll explore what it is, where it comes from, and most importantly, how to manage it effectively. I'll discuss strategies for using technical debt as a tool without letting it become a burden, and how to balance the need for progress with the importance of maintaining a healthy codebase. Join me as I navigate the complexities of technical debt and keep projects on track.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â â â Wahl Networkâ â â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
04:33 Leveraging debt
05:26 Tracking and paying debt
11:09 Where to start
13:31 Getting your team involved
Links & Resources:
Identifying and Paying Off Technical Debt on Wahl Network
The other infinite loop that all coders fear by CommitStrip
Frequency Reduces Difficulty by Martin Fowler
Quote: "âGood ideas on paper don't always translate into good ideas in reality. It's best to nip those debt issues in the bud early. "
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From the shocking realities of technical debt in major companies to my first big win as both designer and implementer, this is my origin story as a "Technologist as a Service." I share key lessons for aspiring consultants, including the importance of listening, writing, and networking.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â â â Wahl Networkâ â â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:45 The Consulting Life
05:26 Learning to Design and Deliver
11:09 Key Lessons for Consultants
Links & Resources:
Technologists as a Service by Wahl Network
Every engineer should do a stint in consulting by Forrest Brazeal
Quote: "I donât need to be the expert in all things; I just need to know who the experts are."
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How do platform engineers become the "keymakers" of modern technology? In this episode, I break down the principles of platform engineering through the lens of product developmentâprototyping, scaling, and abstracting. You'll learn how to design platforms that empower teams to build, test, and deploy at scale while maintaining consistency and reliability across environments. From modular design to service contracts and pipelines, this episode dives into creating platforms that truly unlock success.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â â Wahl Networkâ â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
04:16 Where to start
07:32 Scaling the platform
11:16 Abstracting the platform
Links & Resources:
How to Improve Documentation Practices in Engineering Teams on Wahl Network
â Platform Engineeringâ topics on Wahl Network
The Matrix Reloaded IMDB Page
Quote: "Platforms are the right way to build if you want it done right."
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Lessons in leadership, collaboration, resilience, and knowing when to pivotâdrawn from the highs and lows of leading World of Warcraft guilds and raidsâprove that even unexpected experiences can shape your career and life.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â â Wahl Networkâ â â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Raid leader
05:05 Guild leader
08:25 The pivot
Links & Resources:
World of Warcraft: Official Site
Dragon Kill Points (DKP)
Zanzerâs Z Hunter Mod: Archived Mod Information
Quote: "Donât take your situation for granted. It can always get worse, and you rarely know you're in the good times until those good times are gone."
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Understanding every layer of an organizationâits processes, people, and challengesâunlocks the path to strategic leadership and impactful solutions, blending the power of Kaizen with practical insights for crafting technology strategies and building cohesive teams.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â Wahl Networkâ â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Nissan and kaizen
04:02 Returning to college
08:36 Learning the business
Links & Resources:
Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense Approach to a Continuous Improvement Strategy on Amazon
Office Space IMDB Page
Deep Workâ â â by Cal Newport on Amazon
Quote: âSurround yourself with good people and success will follow.â
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Redefining goals, eliminating distractions, and embracing deep work pave the way for intentional growth, impactful leadership, and a career built on focus and meaningful progress.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â â Wahl Networkâ â . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:49 What is deep work?
06:50 Why pursue deep work?
10:59 Where to begin
Links and Resources:
An Intentional Focus on Deep Work
Deep Workâ â by Cal Newport on Amazon
Start With Why by Simon Sinek on Amazon
Quote: âIf you want to win the war for attentionâŠlet that terrifying longing crowd out everything else.â â Cal Newport
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This debut episode dives into the transformative journey of leading a multi-million dollar programâfacing fear, building teams, and harnessing the power of mentorship and collaborationâwhile setting the stage for a podcast dedicated to exploring leadership, tools, and frameworks that drive meaningful change.
Thoughtfully Critical is a weekly podcast created by Chris Wahl. You can find out more about Chris by reading his newsletter at â Wahl Networkâ . Please subscribe and leave a review to help shape the conversation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
04:45 Podcast goals
Links and Resources:
Timothy Cain on YouTube
Quote: âIf you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.â
