The [REFACTORED] Podcast

Refactored 042: "Fun and Games"

Wherein Frank backs metroidvania games and Chris hates Candyland.

Show Notes

• The Rona is rounding Castle Koehl, and the guys wind up discussing the different learning styles of their kids… the stubborn little adorable petri dishes that they are.
• Frank talks about some of the games he’s backed on Kickstarter (shout out to Ender Lilies), and professes his love for the Metroidvania genre. Breath of the Wild is mentioned.
• Frank learns that woodworking is a lot more common than he thought amongst techies. Chris claims it’s something to do with the tangible work product.
• Chris points out an alternate definition for “escapism” which can actually be super beneficial for work/life balance.
• “Strength and comfort cannot coexist,” said…no one, cause Frank screwed up the phrase. It’s “Growth and comfort cannot coexist.”
• Can you teach motivation? The guys debate.
• The pick of the week is a wireless availability indactor called the Luxafor Switch.
• … and much more!

games gear leadership mental-health psychology woodworking work-life-balance

Refactored 041: "Knowing your Core Business"

Wherein Chris won't let Frank finish a thought and both guys care more about anonymous strangers than their current team.

Show Notes

• Chris needs sleep like a little tiny baby ever since he got a creature comfort patch into Rails.
• The guys agree that contrary to popular opinion, most attorneys are actually wonderful humans; they’re lovely colleagues who just want to do the right thing.
• The guys discuss NDAs - particularly around startup ideas - and how they prevent others from stealing all your related future profits and sexytime.
• Regarding FLOSS in the corporate environment, Frank wants to know, why would/wouldn’t a company publish more Open Source software? The guys come up with a few common excuses, and each is worse than the others:
  • ownership (e.g. IP rights)
  • liability
  • security
  • reputation
• The guys talk a bit about Coopetition - probably something your team could use a bit of.
• The pick of the week is Home Assistant, a central command and control system for smart homes that’s pretty sweet.
• … and much more!

automation code culture documentation law licenses open-source security

Refactored 040: "Paying People in Des Moines"

Wherein the guys clumsily talk past each other like two drunken ships in the night.

Show Notes

• Audio production turns out to be kinda hard. The guys wonder aloud whether anyone makes a living specializing in this stuff.
• Donut gave Frank the opportunity to chat about geographical pay differentails. The guys unpack some longer-term market predictions.
• Chris barely avoids a longform rant about the modern consequences of Second World War wage freeze policies.
• Management is solving people problems, stupid. What the hell is wrong with you people!?
• Frank starts a discussion about the tactics of transitioning a contributor into management.
• There are - wait, is this correct? TWO picks? Chris picks both the Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Magsafe Charger and the Ship It! podcast.
• … and much more!

career culture hiring leadership pay-and-benefits remote tooling