A few weeks ago I decided to be bold and put out there that I had itches I wanted to scratch. It isn't something I normally do, as I usually reject myself before allowing others to do so. So, after the Wonders of Web Weaving podcast was published, I rejoiced online and said that I was grateful for how, in 2026, I'd experienced a couple of things for the first time: being an MC at a conference and being a guest on a podcast, and that I was keen for more. So I was invited to chat on the codebar Stories podcast!
That episode is now live, and I am pleased with how far more relaxed I think I sounded. When we finished recording, I remember starting to overthink how I sound in one-to-one conversations versus group settings, particularly at conferences and other tech events. Believe it or not, I do tend to feel anxious, and I want to come across as "cool" and chill, and I'm sure that often it's the opposite that ends up accidentally coming across.
This episode goes a little into depth about my origin story as a developer and how it all started with fan sites as a young teenager, and I've wondered whether the fact that I've been building websites for more than half my life creates a preconception that I am smarter than I actually am. Let me make it clear: I am really good at what I do because I went full niche on the things I really like doing. What people call front-end has changed a lot in the past decade. There are many things in the "website-making world" that I don't really know much about. I've done the full-stack developer role before and, yes, I did the job well, but I wasn't necessarily happy. I am often filled with dread and fear when I compare myself with people who have been developers for fewer years than me but who haven't really touched CSS, HTML, or other front-endy things, because they do all the other things I haven't mastered (yet). But if I have to, I will. I suppose the perk of being around for so many years is the number of frameworks and libraries I've seen come and go, and having had to work with many of them.
Anyway, have a listen if you fancy!