Episodes

Paul Wiedel joins the podcast team to discuss the reality of managing multiple clients simultaneously, ranging from handling two or three accounts to juggling double-digit workloads, and how success depends heavily on planning, scheduling discipline, and constant context switching across responsibilities

AI can be incredibly useful—and occasionally incredibly confident while being completely wrong. In this episode, Eric and Dean join Peter and Kyle to unpack the fear, hype, and reality surrounding AI. from job replacement and energy consumption to hallucinations, bias, and the challenge of knowing when to trust the machine.

Consulting comes with plenty of unwritten rules: own your mistakes, communicate thoughtfully, document your work, and maybe don’t come in hot on day one. In this episode, we unpack the habits that help consultants build trust, navigate client environments, and become the kind of partner people actually want on their team.

This episode is Part 2 of Who Owns The Code. The team explores how “vibe coding” with AI is reshaping who can build software inside organizations, and what happens when prototypes start drifting toward production without traditional engineering guardrails. The group unpacks ideas like “golden paths” and controlled playgrounds for innovation, where non-engineers can safely build and test ideas while still ensuring anything valuable can be reliably transitioned into production-grade systems.

In this episode, the team dives into the reality of onboarding—when starting a new role can mean anything from a perfectly prepared desk and ready-to-go laptop to sitting in a lobby wondering where to even begin. They share stories from both ends of the spectrum: seamless welcomes that make you feel instantly part of the team, and the more chaotic starts where access, equipment, and even basic instructions take days to fall into place.

Camille Westfall joins Allison, Peter, and Kyle to dive into the world of accessibility—from web design to physical spaces. Discover why shifting accessibility left in your process saves time and money, how universal design benefits everyone, and what new legal standards mean for your business. Whether you're a designer, developer, or business leader, this episode will help you make your products and services more inclusive for all.

Passwords have had a good run—but their days may finally be numbered. This episode dives into the rise of passkeys, why they're more secure than traditional passwords, and why adopting them isn't always as simple as clicking "Enable."

This episode explores the intersection of AI-driven "vibe coding" and traditional low code tools, discussing how platforms like Microsoft Power Apps and Copilot are making app development more accessible, the challenges of governance and reliability, and the evolving role of citizen developers in organizations.

The episode covers the behind-the-scenes of the Open Source North Conference, featuring Jeff, Avery, Jona, and Kyle discussing event growth, logistics, volunteer coordination, intern experiences, sponsor highlights, and the importance of community in the Twin Cities tech scene.

In this episode, the team dives into the Dead Internet Theory, AI-generated content, bot armies, and the increasingly blurry line between authentic and artificial online experiences. Along the way, they share stories of fake reviews, questionable influencers, and the ongoing quest to find actual humans on the internet.

Dungeons & Dragons meets modern technology as Steve, Kyle, Allison, and Peter explore how digital tools, AI, and streaming have transformed gameplay, making character creation, campaign management, and remote play easier—while still valuing the magic of in-person sessions, physical dice, and collaborative storytelling.

A Practical Conversation on Mental Health

The episode explores the controversies and misconceptions around data centers, focusing on their environmental impact, especially water and power usage, and community concerns like noise and job creation. James Kirwin and Eric Schneider join Kyle to discuss practical solutions for making data centers more sustainable, and debate the future demand for data centers driven by AI, the risks of overbuilding, and the need for balancing technological progress with community well-being.

As AI-powered "vibe coding" puts app development into the hands of non-engineers, organizations face a new challenge: balancing innovation with governance. The team explores the opportunities and risks of citizen development, from shadow IT and security concerns to the guardrails, processes, and partnerships needed to turn AI-generated ideas into scalable, production-ready solutions.

John Brindel joins Chad and Peter to dive into the world of sports statistics. They explore how baseball metrics have evolved from batting averages to advanced analytics like WAR and exit velocity and discuss the impact of Moneyball, the rise of sports gambling, and how data-driven decisions are changing both game rules and fan experiences.

The team discusses Cory Doctorow's "Enshittification," exploring how companies like Amazon and Google shift from customer-focused to profit-driven, leading to worse experiences. They share personal anecdotes about shrinking products and dynamic pricing, debate the challenges of breaking up monopolies, and highlight solutions like government action and the right for users to easily leave platforms with their data.

This episode explores how COVID has reshaped everyday life, from digital menus and hybrid work to evolving social habits and tipping culture. The group discusses which pandemic-driven changes are worth keeping, shares personal anecdotes about adapting to new norms, and debates the impact on community, convenience, and customer service.

The team candidly discusses the realities of "AI brain fry"—the exhaustion from rapid AI-driven workflows, tool overload, and the loss of mentoring satisfaction. They share personal experiences with Copilot, Claude, and Figma, debate the challenges of reviewing AI-generated code, and reflect on the need to preserve the human element in tech as AI transforms their daily work.

In this episode, the team explores how AI is transforming their daily work—from streamlining project management and design to accelerating code reviews and troubleshooting. They share practical examples, discuss customization and responsible use, and highlight both the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into professional workflows.

AI and copyright law are at a crossroads: the team explores how recent rulings mean works created solely by AI can't be copyrighted, sparking debate about the role of human creativity versus machine-generated content. The conversation highlights unresolved legal risks, ethical dilemmas, and the evolving boundaries of originality in the digital age.

Linear programming may sound complex, but it’s all about solving real-world problems. The team shares how LP powers everything from ad spend optimization to supply chain decisions, clears up common misconceptions, and talks about the real challenges—messy data, tricky constraints, and turning business knowledge into math. Along the way, they highlight the teamwork that make tough problems worth solving.

Consultants from the Learning Lab community share insights on the importance of soft skills, authentic communication, and building trust when joining new teams. They discuss practical strategies for navigating challenging client environments, managing personal and professional boundaries, and the unique aspects of consulting work, including feedback, adapting to new roles, and the realities of project transitions.

Allison Lorenzo joins the team to explore how storytelling and empathy shape great products. From personas and journey maps to lessons learned the hard way, the group explores how empathy shapes better outcomes, where AI fits in, and why human connection—and shared stories—still do the real heavy lifting.

The team shares stories from their favorite projects—highlighting tough technical challenges, real-world impact, and the relationships that made the work meaningful. A quick look at what turns good projects into great ones (plus a nod to breakfast sandwiches).