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Develop Yourself

Brian Jenney

Practical and actionable things you can do to get hired, stay hired and learn to code.

brianjenney.substack.com
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  • Oct 16, 2025 · 28 min

    #280 - The Missing Guide to AI for Web Developers

    I just quit my job as a senior AI developer, and while helping hire my replacement, I realized how few people actually know how AI apps work. In this episode, I walk through Retrieval-Augmented Generation step by step—the same system I built at work—and show you the real skills developers need right now. 👉 Grab a hands-on project with a video you can follow along with here 👈 Hold your spot in the January cohort and become the go-to person in your organization for integrating AI into your web applications. Hold spot here Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Oct 13, 2025 · 44 min

    #279 - Recruiter Exposes the Truth About Junior Developer Jobs

    Just give up? Everyone says no one’s hiring junior developers anymore — but is that actually true? In this episode, I sit down with recruiter David Roberts to uncover what’s really happening in the job market, why most applicants are getting filtered out, and what you can do differently to land your first role. We break down the biggest myths about entry-level tech jobs, how recruiters actually think, and the skills that make you stand out in 2025. Don't learn to code, learn to build complex software and get hired: https://parsity.io Already know how to code? Get help landing your first role: https://crushing.digital/ Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Oct 9, 2025 · 12 min

    #278 - AI Does NOT Replace Junior Developers, Here's Why

    Every headline says AI is eating developer jobs. But spend a week in production and you’ll see the opposite: brittle code, flaky tests, and tools that look fast until you actually ship something. In this episode, I break down why the “AI replaces engineers” story sells so well—to investors, to execs, and to lazy headlines—but falls apart in the real world. We’ll talk through a Cornell + METR study showing seasoned devs got 19% slower using AI (even though they thought they were faster), and why that tracks with what I’ve seen on real teams. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Oct 6, 2025 · 36 min

    #277 - RAG: The Only AI Skill Web Devs Need to Learn in 2026

    I thought Ben was a troll when he slid into my DMs after a LinkedIn argument. Turns out, he’s building some of the most practical AI systems I’ve seen. In this episode, we talk about how that disagreement turned into a friendship—and why Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) might be the skill every developer needs in 2026. Connect with Ben here Check out Lobi Software here Finally - if you want to go deeper with RAG, I have a tutorial I made just for you: https://parsity.io/ai-with-rag Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Oct 2, 2025 · 16 min

    #276 - Claude Code Failed: What Anthropic’s Postmortem Means for Developers

    Ever had your AI pair programmer stop helping and start breaking everything? I did—and this time, the data proves it wasn’t just me. Claude fell off. TypeScript that wouldn’t compile, migrations stuck in loops, refactors that went completely sideways. Turns out Anthropic’s own postmortem revealed three separate bugs causing degraded output—context routing issues, output corruption, and TLA-X blah blah blah error. Let's dive in. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 29, 2025 · 17 min

    #275 - Terrible Advice for Software Developers (that you're hearing in 2025)

    After 11 years helping hundreds of career changers switch into software development, I've found the hardest part isn't teaching technical skills but rewiring brains from misleading online advice that hurts new developers. Much of this advice is well-intentioned, but some is designed purely for clicks and engagement. • "Don't chase titles!" • "Don't build CRUD apps!" • "Coding bootcamps are a scam!" Take all advice (including mine) with a grain of salt. Your path is unique, and a personalized approach to career development is more effective than generic advice. Question everything, take what makes sense, and leave what doesn't. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 25, 2025 · 18 min

    Developer Career Change Hotline: Networking, Breaking In, and Not Giving Up

    Let's tackle three of the most common struggles career changers face: 1. Breaking into tech from another field 2. Networking without feeling fake 3. Staying motivated when the job search drags on. If you’re wondering how to make the leap, keep connections warm, or simply not burn out—this one’s for you. Got a question of your own? 👉 Drop it here 👈 Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 22, 2025 · 20 min

    #274 - The Cost of Being Nice: Why Good Developers Don't Get Promoted

    Have you ever wondered why some developers keep getting promoted while others stay stuck at the same level despite their technical skills? The answer might surprise you. Through practical, actionable steps, I break down exactly how developers at any level can strategically increase their influence and advance their careers. You'll learn how to gain credibility before speaking up, frame concerns as questions rather than criticisms, and pair problem identification with solution proposals. For junior developers and career changers, I offer specific guidance on leveraging your unique perspective and starting with low-risk moments of leadership. The truth is that being universally liked feels safe, but being honest and solution-oriented makes you invaluable. Your career won't skyrocket by becoming infinitely better at your tech stack—it will accelerate when you thoughtfully challenge the status quo and offer solutions to problems others see but are afraid to address. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 15, 2025 · 18 min

    #273 - When You Don’t Know What to Build—Build This

    Breaking into software development isn’t about finishing another tutorial—it’s about building something that matters. In this episode, I’ll show you how to choose a side project that proves your skills, keeps you motivated, and actually impresses employers. You’ll learn: Why great data makes or breaks your app How to apply the 80/20 rule—stick with tech you know, sprinkle in something new Picking a project you’re emotionally invested in (so you don’t abandon it) Tools that make you look sharp fast—React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and smarter database picks Adding AI functionality to make your project stand out Building a real MVP, deploying with Vercel or the cloud, and estimating time like a pro Here's the link for the free APIs on GitHub: https://free-apis.github.io/#/browse And—don’t miss it—we’re giving away a full Parsity scholarship. 👉 Apply here 👈 Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 11, 2025 · 14 min

    #272 - The State of the 2025 Tech Job Market: Is AI Helping or Hurting Us?

    The tech job market is sending seriously mixed signals in 2025. While social media overflows with doom and gloom about hiring freezes and impossible entry barriers, actual data tells a surprisingly different story. Job openings are trending upward, with big tech companies like Meta, Google, and Apple actively expanding their engineering teams. What's really happening is a massive shift in what companies need from their developers. "AI engineering" positions have exploded, increasing 5-6x since 2023 alone. But here's the critical insight most are missing: these roles don't primarily require deep machine learning expertise or data science backgrounds. This represents a golden opportunity for software developers willing to expand their skills in the right direction. Let's explore. Here's the link to the original article: https://substack.com/inbox/post/172584839?utm_source=unread-posts-digest-email&inbox=true&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=true Apply for Parsity's AI Developer Program: https://www.parsity.io/ai-developer Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 8, 2025 · 37 min

    #271 - The Physics of Career Change: How Long It Actually Takes to Become a Software Developer

    Remember when coding bootcamps promised you could learn to code and land a job in just three months? That golden era of easy entry into tech has fundamentally changed, yet the marketing hasn't caught up with reality. In this eye-opening conversation, ex-Google engineer Zubin and host Brian cut through the hype to deliver a reality check about what it actually takes to transition into software development in 2025. What separates those who succeed from those who don't? It's rarely about raw talent or technical aptitude. Instead, it's about creating systems that allow for consistent practice despite life's inevitable challenges. "I've seen computer science grads fail and French fry cooks succeed" Let's dig into why. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 4, 2025 · 20 min

    #270 - Coding in the Age of AI: What No One’s Telling You

    AI is changing coding faster than anyone expected. Two years ago, autocomplete felt wild—now people with zero dev experience are shipping apps over a weekend. The question isn’t “is AI replacing developers?” It’s “how do you actually use it without wrecking your codebase?” In this episode, I’ll break down when to use AI (and when not to), why Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is the real game-changer, and how you can stay valuable as a new developer in a world full of hype. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Sep 1, 2025 · 12 min

    #269 - I'm Burnt Out! The 3 Worst Parts About Being a Software Developer (and why I still love it)

    It’s Labor Day weekend and, honestly? I’m burned out. Maybe this isn’t the best business move, but I’d rather keep it real with you than fake the whole “everything is great in tech” narrative. I’ve been plenty vocal about why AI isn’t about to replace us all tomorrow, much to the dismay of to all the AI bros out there. But here’s the other side: being a developer is nothing like those “day in the life” TikToks where someone shows up to the office around 10AM, gets a fancy coffee, fixes a UI bug and then gets a 400K salary with stock options. So here it is—my three worst parts of being a software developer. ... and why I still enjoy what I do. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 28, 2025 · 12 min

    #268 - An AI Agent Horror Story: What Happens When AI Runs a Business?

    What happens when you give an AI agent full control over a small business? I mean, what could go wrong? Things started off rough and then got down right creepy near the end of this experiment. You can read the original article here: https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-1 Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 25, 2025 · 24 min

    #267 - Step-by-Step: Build a Real AI Project with Next.js & RAG

    What does it actually mean to be an “AI Engineer”? Honestly—not much. The title is overloaded and vague. But what is meaningful right now is knowing how to build real projects with AI that go beyond toy chatbots and portfolio fluff. In this episode, I walk you through the exact project I’ve been building at two different AI startups: a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) app. You’ll learn how to: Scrape and store content in a vector database Use embeddings to turn your text into something a model can understand Stream responses back to your frontend with Next.js + TypeScript Reduce hallucinations and add structured, reliable outputs Understand why this is the skillset employers are actually hiring for right now 👉 Check out the repo and code from this episode here: https://www.parsity.io/ai-with-rag If you’ve been wondering how to actually learn AI engineering skills that matter in 2025, this is the place to start. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 21, 2025 · 41 min

    #266 - Startups 101: Insider Secrets for Aspiring Developers

    In this episode of Develop Yourself, I sit down with Gabe Rucker, CEO of Founding Titans, to discuss everything from entrepreneurship and building startups to the practical side of networking and getting money from thin air. We also dive into how Parsity students gained valuable, hands-on experience through an internship with Founding Titans, working alongside a real AI startup team. Topics we cover include: Gabe’s journey from coder to founder—and what he’s learned along the way How to raise capital, attract the right investors, and avoid common startup pitfalls Validating your ideas and building a minimum viable product (MVP) that people actually want Why networking is critical—for both startups and job seekers The role of AI in software development today—and its limitations Behind-the-scenes: how our internship with Parsity students worked in a live startup environment Connect with Gabe Rucker on LinkedIn: → Gabriel Rucker (CEO, Founding Titans) Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 18, 2025 · 19 min

    #265 - Why JavaScript Feels So Hard To Learn: You're Making One of These Mistakes

    When I first tried to learn JavaScript, I hated it so much I told myself I’d just be an HTML and CSS developer and never touch it again. Of course, my first job threw me straight into Angular, C#, SQL, and a mountain of JavaScript I wasn’t ready for. In this episode, I share what made JavaScript so brutal for me (and for almost every student I’ve worked with), the mistakes that keep people stuck, and the science-backed strategies that actually helped me go from totally lost to confident. If you’ve been banging your head against for loops, callbacks, or just “getting it,” this one’s for you. Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 14, 2025 · 22 min

    #265 - The 4 Databases Every Developer Should Know (Including 2 You Probably Don't)

    When your only tool is a hammer - everything looks like a nail. 2 of these database I'm sure you've heard and 2 might be completely new to you. Let's go past MongoDB and SQL to learn what tool is best for what job and what's the database choice for AI in 2025. If you're interested in learning SQL, check out this episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/69BHCbRAl6rHT9LlNhFWUy Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 11, 2025 · 28 min

    #264 - Stack Overflow's 2025 Developer Survey: Surprising Takeaways on AI, Coding Languages and Work

    Every year, Stack Overflow surveys nearly a 100,000 developers to learn what technologies, languages and tools are trending. The answers here might surprise you, especially when it comes to AI tools. You can check out the survey here: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2025/developers/ Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

  • Aug 7, 2025 · 12 min

    #263 - They're Lying to You About AI Productivity: Hype vs Reality for Coders

    Maybe I'm just coping. Maybe. I’ve been pretty vocal about the over-hype of AI coding tools and I always get the same responses from AI bros: “YoU gOtta PrOmpt bEtteR!” “This iz a skillz issue dawg”“I’m using [x] and it works perfectly” “I’m a super duper senior architect and I’ve replaced my entire team with AI agents. You’re coping.” I’d be lying if I said I didn’t doubt myself. Maybe they’re right, maybe I’m just not using these tools correctly. Let’s take a look at some big fax and small fax to understand where the truth ends and the hype begins. Sources: TrueUp Software Engineering Job Trends (June 2025) Business Insider: Google engineers just 10% more productive with AI (June 2025) Computerworld: Minimal productivity gains from AI chatbots TechRepublic: IBM Study on AI ROI (2025) https://metr.org/blog/2025-07-10-early-2025-ai-experienced-os-dev-study/ Send us a text Shameless Plugs 👉 Build Your First Website in 30 minutes 👈 ✉️ Got a question you want answered on the pod? Drop it here 🧑‍💻 Apply for 1 of 12 spots at Parsity - Become a full stack AI developer in 6-9 months. Get full access to Develop Yourself at brianjenney.substack.com/subscribe

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