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The ReadME Podcast

Your favorite open source projects, and the developers who make them happen. Listen in.

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THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 33

Powering public goods

Exploring developer happiness through the vibrant Laravel community and the impact of digital public goods on open source, AI models, Wikipedia, and more.

About The ReadME Podcast

On The ReadME Podcast, we take a look behind the scenes of the most impactful open source projects and the developers who make them happen. Our guests are coding in public, creating firmware, designing hardware, researching security vulnerabilities, creating art and music, and making phenomenal scientific discoveries. They’re also working on the periphery of open source, taking time to consider how we think about technology. In sharing these stories, we hope to provide a spotlight on what you don’t always see in the lines of code, and what it takes to build the technology that inspires us all.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 32

(De)coding conventions

The evolution of TypeScript and the future of coding conventions, AI’s role in improving accessibility, and practical advice on encouraging non-code contributions.

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Bridging code and community

Navigating open source in a regulated environment, the crucial role of non-code contributions to open source success, and lessons from scaling projects like Kubernetes.

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Kelsey Hightower—Present

Kelsey shares his origin story, insights on the future of Kubernetes, and advice on making complicated technology easier to understand.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 29

The open/closed equilibrium

Striking a balance between openness and control in open source projects, preserving the integrity of community insights, and how humor can transform communities.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 28

Fusing tech and progress

How open source is powering nuclear fusion research, advise for fortifying your career against change, and practical tips to get going with Git and GitHub.

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Innovation without barriers

Reframing disability and accessibility, playing Minecraft with your eyes, and what AI means for the future of accessibility.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 26

Co-maintaining openness

The benefits of collaborative maintainership, lessons learned from vintage technology, and tips for getting started with community building.

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Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

How maximalism creeps into places where it doesn’t belong, finding mentors, following what energizes you, and the power of Ping Pong.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 24

Let the games begin

Getting real about VR, the role of open source in game dev, a new perspective on functional programming, and more

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 23

Cue the command line

The thrill of a blinking cursor, using the community as a mirror, managing a business on open source, and more.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 22

Code like it’s 1995

Go back to basics, tips on securing your OSS project, developer happiness with GitHub’s CEO, and more.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 21

Build your own luck

A new co-host, a new format, a functional programming renaissance, and strategies to increase your luck.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 20

Hosts in the hot seat

Neha and Brian turn the interview tables on each other.

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freeCodeCamp: For curious people, by curious people

Founder Quincy on his journey from journalist to OSS pioneer.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 18

Firestarter: Keeping creativity alive while managing workloads

Jani embraces his limits and is drawn to human-centered projects.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 17

Three careers and motherhood are just the start

Salma on staying visible, advocating for accessibility, and coding for a better future.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 16

Where utility meets beauty: Hoppscotch

Liyas blends a passion for art with a talent for coding.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 15

Giving 110% in the right place at the right time

Astro founder Fred on luck, motivation, and breaking into OSS.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 14

A master in both piano and WordPress

How Helen found herself at the inspiring intersection of music and open source software.

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Python enthusiast, Twitch streamer, et. al.

Anthony on the importance of learning, teaching, and communicating.

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Creating space and opportunity with She Code Africa

Founder Ada Nduka Oyom on giving women the tools to thrive as developers.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 8

curl: 25 years and 200 releases later

Creator and maintainer Daniel Stenberg on his user-driven journey.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 7

Quitting a steady job to chase intuition

Babel maintainer Henry Zhu on taking a leap of faith with open source.

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From a master’s thesis to a global go-to

webpack’s maintainer Tobias Koppers on continuous innovation, open collaboration, and flexibility.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 5

Keeping the lights on with Home Assistant

Maintainer Paulus Schoutsen balances function, innovation, and playfulness.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 4

Humanizing bots and building community

A Python core developer, Mariatta Wijaya is right where she belongs.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 3

Taking Das Blog into the future

Maintainers Scott Hanselman and Mark Downie on breathing new life into old software.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 2

How one idea grew into a popular JavaScript ecosystem

Creator of Vue, Evan You is building an accessible framework for developers, and the door is always open.

THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 1

From a 3D side project to the dream job

A full-time, community-backed maintainer, Gina sets boundaries but stays visible.

About The
ReadME Project

Coding is usually seen as a solitary activity, but it’s actually the world’s largest community effort led by open source maintainers, contributors, and teams. These unsung heroes put in long hours to build software, fix issues, field questions, and manage communities.

The ReadME Project is part of GitHub’s ongoing effort to amplify the voices of the developer community. It’s an evolving space to engage with the community and explore the stories, challenges, technology, and culture that surround the world of open source.

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