10x Insights

Ep. 10: Brave New World in the Age of AI with Tom Cools

This episode of 10X Insights, Kadi McKean and Steve Poole sit down with Tom Cools —Belgian Java User Group organizer and DevRel—to unpack what it really takes to grow as a developer during massive industry shifts. Tom shares his path from teaching into software development, why curiosity and “tinkering” are career superpowers, and how the current AI wave feels eerily similar to the early microservices hype cycle. The conversation covers AI as a coding assistant, the risks of blindly trusting generated code, and what Tom learned from reviewing university projects where LLMs improved code quality—but not always understanding. You’ll leave with practical mindset shifts for navigating change, staying relevant, and becoming a more effective developer without burning out. Tune in to hear our conversation for Summer 2025. Join us as we unpack: * AI can improve code quality fast — but understanding still matters more than output. * Use AI like a teammate for boilerplate + reviews, not a replacement for thinking. * “Copy/paste dev behavior” is riskier now because AI makes it easier to ship code you don’t understand. * Every hype wave has a “microservices moment” — the key is learning the tradeoffs early. * The best long-term skill: learning how to learn (with curiosity + experimentation). * Empathy + curiosity + bravery are essential traits for navigating big tech change. * To be 10x, do less: focus beats chasing every tool, model, and trend (and helps prevent burnout).

Ep. 9: New Year, New Vibe

Join Kadi McKean and Steve on the 2026 edition of 10 X Insights as they discuss the integration of AI tools for podcast editing, changes from 2025, and optimistic prospects for 2026. They explore critical topics such as the importance of supporting end-of-life software, legislative impacts on software security, developer responsibilities, and evolving threats in the tech landscape. Anticipate future episodes featuring career advice, the ethics of AI, community building, historical computing, and the ever-changing threat landscape. This episode sets the stage for an exciting 2026. See you soon at FOSDEM!

Episode 8: Quantum-Safe and Sound: Why Reliability Still Rules with Jules May

In this episode of 10X Insights, hosts Kadi McKean and Steve Poole sit down with software engineer Jules May for a conversation that bridges the gap between today’s reliable code and tomorrow’s quantum possibilities. From airplanes to AI, Jules shares what it takes to build software that doesn’t just work—it lasts. Key Takeaways & Learnings: 🛫 Reliability > Speed: Building software for critical systems means writing code that won’t blow up mid-flight—literally. Jules argues that reliability should trump speed when lives (or data) are on the line. ⚙️ Exceptions Aren’t Always Exceptional: Rethink how your code handles errors. Jules makes the case for fewer surprises and more predictability in how systems fail—and recover. 🧠 Human Understanding Still Wins: Even as AI gets smarter, human intuition, empathy, and contextual understanding remain core to great software design. 🔮 Quantum Computing Demystified: Jules breaks down how quantum computing flips classical logic on its head and why it could revolutionize AI and encryption. 🧩 The Future of Security: Quantum breakthroughs could upend how we think about secure systems—time to start preparing your mental models (and your encryption keys). 💡 Engineering Philosophy: Great engineers don’t just optimize performance; they optimize trust. Episode Resources Extreme Reliability [https://leanpub.com/extremereliability] by Jules May Cryptography in a post quantum world: why our encryption now has a use by date and what we need to do [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emJ5Fyboy-4] Devoxx 2025 presentation by Jules May

Episode 7: CTRL+Vibes = Story Time With Bruno Borges

What happens when anyone with an idea—and a little AI magic—can spin up an app in a day? In this episode of 10X Insights, Kadi McKean and Steve Poole sit down with Bruno Borges (Microsoft) to unpack the world of “vibe coding.” From building apps on a Friday night to discovering a real-world case of an insecure AI-generated school portal, Bruno shares both the thrill and the risks of letting AI do the heavy lifting. Tune in for candid stories, laugh at cringe-worthy red flags, and walk away with practical guardrails for experimenting with vibe coding without ending up in a security nightmare. https://10xinsights.dev/

Episode 6: Frankly Speaking: How Java, Raspberry Pi, and Drum Created a Guru

In this episode of 10 X Insights, hosts Kadi McKean and Steve Poole sit down with Java Champion Frank Delporte. Frank shares his incredible journey through the world of Java and Raspberry Pi, emphasizing the impact of technical writing on his career. From starting with a Commodore 64 to writing a book on Java and Raspberry Pi, Frank discusses his various projects, including open-source contributions and home automation endeavors. The conversation dives into topics like * The importance of technical documentation * The role of open-source communities * How sharing knowledge can skyrocket your career Packed with insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of software development and personal growth. Resources: 1. https://foojay.io/ 2. Getting started with Java on the Raspberry Pi - UPDATE 2025 [https://leanpub.com/gettingstartedwithjavaontheraspberrypi]