Gratitude and Growth: A Thanksgiving Special on Building Better Developers
Posted on Holiday Specials

Gratitude and Growth: A Thanksgiving Special on Building Better Developers

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Building Better Developers, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche celebrate gratitude and growth—the cornerstones of personal and professional success. With a blend of humor, heartfelt stories, and reflections, they share the joys of the holiday season, lessons learned throughout the year, and what they’re thankful for as developers and individuals. Embracing Gratitude in Thanksgiving Traditions Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on life’s blessings, and Rob opened the episode by embracing its quintessential traditions. Rob highlighted the joy in small moments, from indulging in food-filled kitchens and sharing laughs with loved ones to enjoying long, bear-like naps after turkey dinners. For Michael, gratitude is also found in the hilarity of imperfect holiday moments, like... Read more

Building Better Developers: A Guide to Holiday Planning and Reflection
Posted on Holiday Specials

Building Better Developers: A Guide to Holiday Planning and Reflection

As we approach the end of the year, the Building Better Developers podcast presents a special Thanksgiving edition focused on holiday planning and reflection. Hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche share insights into their personal and professional journeys this year, offering practical tips on balancing work, rest, and goal-setting during the holiday season. Whether navigating challenges or celebrating wins, this episode inspires listeners to use this reflective time to recharge and prepare for a successful 2025. The Challenges and Opportunities of 2024: A Holiday Planning and Reflection Overview Rob Broadhead shared his candid experiences from a year that brought its share of business challenges. The road has been rocky, from promising projects losing momentum due to market uncertainty to unforeseen... Read more

DP820_S23E11 Personal Branding and Resumes Building Your: Professional Story
Posted on Building Better Habits

Personal Branding and Resumes: Building Your Professional Story

In Season 23, Episode 11 of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive into a critical career-building topic: personal branding and resumes. This episode focuses on cultivating habits that help you stand out professionally, ensuring your unique skills and experiences consistently shine through. The Importance of Personal Branding Rob and Michael emphasize that personal branding is more than just having a polished resume or LinkedIn profile—it’s about telling your professional story in a way that resonates with your audience. Your brand reflects who you are, what you do, and the value you bring. Whether you’re job hunting, building a consulting business, or expanding your professional network, your personal brand is what makes you memorable. A key... Read more

Criticism and Code Reviews: Building Better Developers, One Habit at a Time
Posted on Building Better Habits

Criticism and Code Reviews: Building Better Developers, One Habit at a Time

The latest episode of Building Better Developers, Season 23’s “Building Better Habits” series, dives into one of the most sensitive yet vital aspects of personal and team growth: giving and receiving criticism. Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore how developers can better approach feedback loops in professional settings, mainly focusing on code reviews—a microcosm for the challenges and rewards of constructive criticism. Why Criticism Matters Criticism can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for personal growth and team efficiency. Whether you’re offering or receiving feedback, how you engage in the process directly impacts your productivity, your team’s dynamics, and the quality of your work. Rob opens the discussion by pointing out that criticism—especially in code reviews—isn’t an attack on your ability... Read more

Meeting Prep for Developers: Simple Habits to Enhance Focus and Reduce Stress
Posted on Building Better Habits

Meeting Prep for Developers: Simple Habits to Enhance Focus and Reduce Stress

Welcome to Episode 9 of the Building Better Developers podcast, Season 23. Hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the crucial habit of meeting preparation. This season focuses on building better habits as developers. In this episode, they explain how solid meeting prep can streamline projects and reduce stress. Why Meeting Prep Matters Rob and Michael start by acknowledging a common challenge in the developer world: meeting frequency and their often chaotic nature. Meetings are an essential part of any team-based workflow. However, when ill-prepared, they can disrupt productivity and lead to a cycle of “meetings about meetings.” Many developers frequently toggle between intense coding sessions and strategic discussions. This constant switch in focus can be exhausting and detrimental to... Read more

Taking Breaks to Boost Developer Health and Productivity
Posted on Building Better Habits

Taking Breaks to Boost Developer Health and Productivity

In Episode 8 of Building Better Developers Season 23, hosts Rob and Michael explore the importance of taking breaks for health. This episode, part of the “Building Better Habits” season, offers strategies for integrating breaks throughout the workday. From using the Pomodoro Technique to taking short, mindful walks, Rob and Michael show how stepping away can prevent burnout and improve focus. Using the Pomodoro Technique for Structured Breaks Rob begins by sharing his success with the Pomodoro Technique—a method of focused work intervals with short breaks. This approach helps him boost productivity and mental clarity during the day. Pomodoro’s structured work blocks break tasks into manageable chunks, creating a rhythm for distracted developers. Rob explains how each break keeps him... Read more