Goal Setting and Habits: The Keys to a Productive New Year
Posted on Holiday Specials

Goal Setting and Habits: The Keys to a Productive New Year

Happy New Year, developers! As 2025 begins, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche, the voices behind the Building Better Developers podcast, bring you a special New Year’s Day episode. This isn’t the launch of a new season but a unique pause to reflect, reset, and ready ourselves for the year ahead. With a mix of humor, personal anecdotes, and practical insights, Rob and Michael discuss goal setting, incremental progress, and the importance of building habits that energize rather than drain us. Building Momentum Through Goal Setting Rob emphasizes the idea of incremental steps. Goal setting can feel overwhelming, especially when staring down big, audacious tasks. By breaking goals into smaller, actionable pieces, you make progress manageable. Whether it’s building better software,... Read more

Wrapping Up 2024: Building Better Developers New Year’s Eve Special
Posted on Holiday Specials

Wrapping Up 2024: Building Better Developers New Year’s Eve Special

The Building Better Developers podcast closes out the year with a reflective and inspiring New Year’s Eve special. Hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche guide listeners through the process of wrapping up 2024, offering insights, lessons, and actionable strategies to prepare for a successful 2025. Here’s a look at the key takeaways from this episode focused on reflection, planning, and progress. Reflecting and Wrapping Up 2024 Rob and Michael kicked off the episode with a personal and professional review of their year. Rob described 2024 as a year of transformation, highlighted by milestones like shifting to video podcasting, which brought a fresh perspective to the format. For Michael, 2024 was a rebuilding year for his business, culminating in a complete... Read more

The Magic of Christmas Movies: A Heartwarming Tradition
Posted on Holiday Specials

The Magic of Christmas Movies: A Heartwarming Tradition

The holiday season isn’t complete without the joy and nostalgia of Christmas movies. In this Building Better Developers 2024 Christmas Special, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche share their favorite festive films and discuss how these timeless classics and modern hits add a little extra sparkle to the most wonderful time of the year. From iconic blockbusters to cozy Hallmark flicks, this episode celebrates the tradition of Christmas movies and the heartwarming connections they foster. Christmas Movies: Timeless Holiday Favorites Rob and Michael dive into the classics that have become must-watch holiday movies for families everywhere. These films capture the essence of the holiday spirit and continue to bring people together year after year. Discovering New Christmas Movies for the... Read more

Holiday Gaming Gift Guide: The 2024 Christmas Special from Building Better Developers
Posted on Holiday Specials

Holiday Gaming Gift Guide: The 2024 Christmas Special from Building Better Developers

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and your loved ones to some gaming cheer. In this year’s Building Better Developers Christmas Special, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive into their ultimate Holiday Gaming Gift Guide, filled with ideas to make this season merry and bright for gamers and developers alike. A Season of Reflection and Self-Care Before diving into gift recommendations, the hosts emphasize the importance of self-care during the holidays. Developers often work long hours and juggle heavy responsibilities, making it essential to carve out time for hobbies and relaxation. Gaming, they note, can be the perfect way to unwind and recharge. Top Picks for Holiday Gaming Gift Guide The... Read more

AI Habits to Embrace for Efficiency and Growth
Posted on Building Better Habits

AI Habits to Embrace for Efficiency and Growth

In the latest Building Better Developers podcast season, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive deep into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on developers’ habits. In this episode, the focus isn’t just on using AI but on leveraging it to enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities. The AI Revolution: Why Developers Should Care AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s an integral part of the developer’s toolbox. Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and IntelliJ IDEA’s AI-powered suggestions transform workflows from generating boilerplate code to aiding testing and planning. As Rob Broadhead pointed out, AI’s potential extends far beyond novelty. It’s about using AI to “do better what you are already doing” rather than treating it as a... Read more

Agile Developer Habits: Simple Practices for Big Development Wins
Posted on Building Better Habits

Agile Developer Habits: Simple Practices for Big Development Wins

Agile has become a cornerstone of modern development, yet the essence of its value often gets overshadowed by procedural or tool-based interpretations. In the recent Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche delve into the foundational principles of Agile and its relevance to building better developer habits, emphasizing adaptability and continuous improvement. Here’s a summary of their key insights and practical takeaways for cultivating an Agile mindset. Understanding Agile: A Framework, Not a Formula Agile isn’t a fixed set of tools or methodologies but a mindset underpinned by the Agile Manifesto’s four core values: These values encourage focusing on people and outcomes, not rigid structures. Agile allows flexibility in navigating challenges, fostering collaboration, and driving solutions that truly... Read more