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Simple Programmer Podcast

The Simple Programmer Podcast is a short podcast that is a mix of career advice, philosophy and soft skills from successful author and software developer, John Sonmez. John is the founder of http://simpleprogrammer.com, one of the most popular software development blogs, and the author of the best-selling book, "Soft Skills: The Software Developer's Life Manual." (http://simpleprogrammer.com/softskills) Geared towards a programmer or software developer audience, but contains practical advice on: Career development Entrepreneurship Fitness Finance Productivity Personal development And more... That anyone can benefit from. Each episode is between 5 and 10 minutes long with at least 3 new episodes each week.
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Now displaying: March, 2017
Mar 31, 2017

When I first received this question I must confess I thought it was a really silly question... C'mon, how in the earth would someone not know what IT is?

However, after reading the question, I became aware that it could really help a lot of people because I see a lot of developers making some confusion with this.

Basically, the most basic definition for IT is:
"Set of tools, processes, and methodologies (such as coding/programming, data communications, data conversion, storage and retrieval, systems analysis and design, systems control) and associated equipment employed to collect, process, and present information. In broad terms, IT also includes office automation, multimedia, and telecommunications."
(Source: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/information-technology-IT.html)

I find this definition to be exclusive and I must tell you why...

Wanna know more? Watch this video and find out!

Mar 30, 2017


Technical leads and managers work hard to hire the best people, choose the best tools, implement the best process, and deliver great software. Unfortunately, our actions too often sabotage our best efforts, producing frustrated teams, poor software quality and driving away our best developers.

It happens to a lot of us but, fortunately, we have some strategies to teach you that can greatly reduce the amount of damage caused by these mistakes.

In today's webinar I've teamed up with Marcus Blankenship, a recurring guest of this channel.

We wll discuss all the ideas behind the habits that ruin a technical team and how you can avoid them, based on his new book, with the same name.

"This book is a mirror for you to reflect on your leadership efforts. It is not for the feint of heart, but for those who are willing to bravely ask, "Do I have this habit?"

Based on my 20 years of managing software teams, and coaching other technical leaders, this book points out 7 ways you could be unwittingly hurting your programmers, eroding trust and undercutting motivation and productivity."
(Amazon.com)

Wanna know more? Watch this video and find out!

7 Habits That Ruin Your Technical Team: https://simpleprogrammer.com/7habitsruin
Asking Your Employer For Feedback: Should You Do It?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ddvt1xVN8

Mar 29, 2017

If you're a blogger of any kind, new or advanced, you must have heard the term guest posting, right?

Guest blogging is a method used by bloggers to increase blog traffic where bloggers write posts to be published on other bloggers' blogs. Guest blogging can work in one of two ways:

- You write a post to appear on another person's blog
- Another person writes a post to appear on your blog
(Source: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-guest-blogging-3476279)

However, I see a lot of people asking me "John, is it worth it? I don't seem to see any financial return on this".

Well... In this video, I'll tell you why guest blogging is worth it and why you shouldn't be seeking to earn money with it.

FREE Blogging Course: http://simpleprogrammer.com/blog-course
How to Create a Chrome Extension in 10 Minutes Flat: http://simpleprogrammer.com/chrome10minute

Mar 28, 2017

What would you do if you were in your 30s and suddenly realized that you're in a very bad place and you don't have the perspective to change your life or get your years back?

In this video, I received a question from a reader telling me exactly this: He is 35 years old and he feels stuck in his life, but he can't change and he has a very bad feeling that he can't get his years back.

What should he do? How can he turn his life around and feel alive again?

Watch this video and find out!

GET ACCESS TO SIMPLE PROGRAMMER COMMUNITY: https://www.patreon.com/simpleprogrammer
FREE Blogging Course: http://simpleprogrammer.com/blog-course
STOP Comparing Yourself To Others: https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=5TwKSoCFZdwI'm 35, I'm Stuck And I Can't Get My Years Back

Mar 27, 2017

Real Estate investing is definitely one of the best investments in terms of ROI and I always say, here in this channel, why every developer should start investing in Real Estate.

However, Real Estate is not always good things and there are some administrative tasks that come along the way which you should be aware of.

In today's episode, we are going to talk about the importance of inspecting and managing your properties.

Real Estate Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VWM_cpbXXYIYSaLjiTdtA-
How To Choose The Right Property Management Company: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-8LzadBssE&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VWM_cpbXXYIYSaLjiTdtA-&index=3

Mar 26, 2017

I like to say that the best employees I have are the ones that have the what I call "Mommy Skills" very strong in their personality.

Technical skills are important but not so much as the Soft Skills and the Mommy Skills...

Wanna know what are these skills and why they are so important?

Watch this video and find out!

Mar 25, 2017

So, today I received a question from a reader telling me that, basically, he can't stop being lazy as f**k! Ha! What a good way to start your day, huh?

So, how do you stop being lazy as f**k? What are the strategies you can adopt to make sure you'll get what you need to do and to start accomplishing your projects and dreams?

Watch this video and find out!

How To Learn C++?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXr2gRk8nco&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4XYAbLKJ54J7eC5ft01eFeB&index=3
Get Up And Do Something Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4V4yB2C2jJc_Tg7o75RRFYm
Psycho-Cybernetics: https://simpleprogrammer.com/psychocybernetics
I'm 21 And I've Never Had A Girlfriend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEaRBYF7SrM&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4WvCoCir3GAyWSlUjFH1T2u&index=1
Working Hard Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VVgd4dzPaAAZ1mxn7kdL3t

Mar 24, 2017

So, building social apps, especially for those programmers who are just starting out, is a funny thing, right?

For some social app to become a success, it needs to have an audience, but you can't have an audience for a product that does not exist and was not built yet, right?

New developers that do not understand this system might find it VERY difficult to build a social app that will eventually become a success.

So... How do you build a social app from zero so that it will be successful? Watch this video and find out!

Mar 23, 2017

So, for those who don't know, Evan Carmichael is one of the big names today when it comes to personal development. He has written a WONDERFUL book called "Your One Word" and has changed a lot of my perception about this subject.

So, this is why I decided to team up with him to talk about how programmers can find inspiration and motivation to keep going with their programming careers.

I often see a lot of developers struggling to find motivation and to keep going doing things that they want to do and achieving their dreams that it really breaks my heart.

This is why Evan is definitely a good name to talk about this and I thank him for sharing all his experience.

Your One Word Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1impJxiTq5M&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4W7aRN5cCCZ90AIDYoLpqVa&index=59
Your One Word Book: https://simpleprogrammer.com/youroneword

Mar 22, 2017

Whether you're a manager or employee, reviews aren't a particularly popular subject and with them comes the often-despised self-evaluation. You may ask yourself: "How can I shine the best spotlight on my performance without looking like I'm a jackass and I'm bragging myself?"

This is such an important topic to be discussed because I see a lot of developers having trouble with this.

Self-Evaluations are not easy. In one hand we do not want to come off as jackasses and give ourselves something we don't deserve but we also don't want to give ourselves bad grades.

So... How do you do self-evaluations the right way?

Watch this video and find out!

How Lying To Yourself Will Destroy Your Life And Career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw7SvbShLdI
When Was The Last Time You Gave Yourself A 10?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDZvvNwRnMo

Mar 21, 2017

Public speaking is a skill I believe everyone should develop. It does not mean that you'll talk in front of big audiences but, from time to time, you'll need to develop presentations at work, school, college, etc.

I see a lot of developers asking me about how they can develop their public speaking skills.

Is it easy? Are there any techniques you can use to get better at public speaking?

Watch this video and find out!

5 Soft Skills Every Developer Should Know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVC3DQvAAIA&index=2&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4XRTEK79UXmtkUT-jsP4rUP
Toastmasters.org: http://simpleprogrammer.com/toastmasters
John Sonmez Pluralsight Courses: https://simpleprogrammer.com/pluralsight
Overcoming Fears Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTjStOvYKYM
Trip To China: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VxYMXa01def1HOeF4Ouf5x

Mar 20, 2017

So, I receive a lot of emails from people telling me that they want to get into the programming industry and they are completely lost about where to start.

As you know, there are a lot of different ways to get into this industry and you should follow the ones that will suit your overall lifestyle better.

However, what do you do when you're a slave to the system but you still want to get into the programming industry? Is there an easier way to get there and become a programmer?

What If You Don't Get The Results You Want?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLlFmK9BpvU

Mar 19, 2017

So, recently I was watching a race where I saw a lot of fat people running there...

OK OK... Before we continue, I don't want to tell anyone what to do and I don't want to make jokes out of this, because this is not the point.

My point is doing things that you don't deserve just for the sake of achieving something that will remain empty for you.

So... What do you do in a situation like that? Should we do things that we don't deserve? Watch this video and find out!

Trust The Process Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4Vy90hwBvSI06r7plMHNcss
Why You Don't Want To Win The Lottery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nsl2bfSpOs

Mar 18, 2017

So, this is another one of that "john just screwed up again C'MON!" videos...

In this video, I'm going to talk about how we are all susceptible to our own bullshit.

As you know, I talk a lot about failures and how you should not fly off the rails, etc etc... Well, this is exactly what happened to me these last few days.

In this video I'm going to tell how this experience changed me, affected my ego and my pride and how we can adopt a healthier mindset to avoid these things.

Why I Fast Until 5 Every Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAScRmlcHaE&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4Udukw8doaU2aWS7s5sFPpq&index=2
Creating Justifications For Your Mistakes... NO!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqO8lEztRegWe Are All Susceptible To Our Own Bullshit

Mar 17, 2017

So, Chris sent me a question asking basically this:

"Is a degree acquired in one country worth more than a degree acquired in another country?"

This is something I've been wondering to answer but I never felt ready to do it.

However, this is something it should be discussed because there is still doubt from people about that subject.

So... What do you think?

Mar 16, 2017

So, a lot of you guys requested a Top 10 Ruby Books and well... There you have it!

Lately, I've been doing a lot of different Top Books on my channel. I figured it is an awesome way of providing a good way to start for those who want to learn new programming languages or even for those people that want to study more about a specific language.

So, in this video I'll give you my Top 10 Ruby Books. This will be an awesome resource for those who want to learn Ruby, especially nowadays if a lot of information overload. Having focus and knowing where you want to go will definitely make a big difference on how fast you'll learn Ruby.

Ruby is a general purpose programming language created in the 1990s by Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto. It’s also one of the best languages to start with when you’re first learning to code.

The general purpose nature of Ruby makes it suitable for a wide array of programming tasks, just like Perl, Python and other general purpose languages. The key features of Ruby focus on developer "happiness" and ease of use, making it a good language for those just learning to program and for those who want to get more done with less code. It's pervasive object-oriented features also make it very intuitive.

So... Do you want to learn Ruby? Here are the Top 10 Books you should be aware.

Beginning Ruby: https://simpleprogrammer.com/beginningruby
The Well-Grounded Rubyist: https://simpleprogrammer.com/wellgroundedrubyist
Programming Ruby 1.9 & 2.0: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide: https://simpleprogrammer.com/pragmaticruby
Ruby Cookbook: Recipes for Object-Oriented Scripting: https://simpleprogrammer.com/rubycookbook
Effective Ruby: 48 Specific Ways to Write Better Ruby: https://simpleprogrammer.com/effectiveuby
Metaprogramming Ruby 2: Program Like the Ruby Pros: https://simpleprogrammer.com/metaprogrammingruby
Eloquent Ruby (Addison-Wesley Professional Ruby): https://simpleprogrammer.com/eloquentruby
Clean Ruby: https://simpleprogrammer.com/cleanruby
Agile Web Development with Rails 5: https://simpleprogrammer.com/agilewebrails5
Learn Ruby the Hard Way: https://simpleprogrammer.com/rubyhardway

Top 10 C++ Books (Beginner & Advanced): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXFBJkTCabA&index=6&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4XoA9VdooMPPiDFsckl1d_2

Mar 15, 2017

So, a lot of you think I'm a beast. You guys think that I have it all figured out and that I was only able to advance my career due to "knowing it all"...

However, you're definitely wrong. Just like you, I had to figure a lot of things out and if I knew some of the stuff I'm sharing with you guys back then, I would definitely be in a completely different stage of my career...

So... Do you wanna know what I wish I knew when I started my career as a developer?

Watch this video and find out!

Mar 14, 2017

If you know me, you've seen me talking about side projects and why I believe every person should have a side project.

However, creating and maintaining a side project is not always easy. There are a lot of things that you need to take into consideration before choosing the right side project for you.

Sometimes, we don't know if the side project we're investing will get any return for us.

So... How do you know if a side project is worth it? Watch this video and find out!

BUY SIMPLE PROGRAMMER'S SHIRT: https://simpleprogrammer.com/spstore

How To Market Yourself As A Software Developer: http://simpleprogrammer.com/howtomarketyourself
FREE Blogging Course: http://simpleprogrammer.com/blog-course
Technical Skills Vs. Personal Branding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDPaTX4kE8

Mar 13, 2017


So, technology does change fast and we all know that, right? Us, software developers must learn how to deal with this and there is nowhere to run.

However, I must admit that there are some technologies that does change more rapidly than others, especially when it comes to structure, frameworks, usability, etc...

So... Is it viable to specialize in a technology that will drastically change in 1-2 years?

Wouldn't it be better to go the safe route and pick a more solid one? Watch this video and find out!

Antifragile: https://simpleprogrammer.com/antifragile
FREE Blogging Course: http://simpleprogrammer.com/blog-course

Mar 12, 2017

There are some developers that want to go down the road of investing and they invest their times trying to figure out what are the best investments for their specific situations...

Of course, every investment you choose will have pros and cons, no matter how much you try to reduce the cons. This is why, every choice that you make needs to be in alignment with your current situation.

In this video, I'll talk, specifically, about the differences between investing in Real Estate and creating an Online Business...

Which one should you choose?

Join Simple Programmer's Community: https://www.patreon.com/simpleprogrammer
Real Estate Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VWM_cpbXXYIYSaLjiTdtA-
Your Setpoints Determine Your Success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsXFENfoM18
The Millionaire Fastlane: https://simpleprogrammer.com/millionaire-fastlane
Simple Real Estate Investment For Software Developers: https://simpleprogrammer.com/products/simple-real-estate/

Mar 11, 2017

Recently I received a very interesting question from a viewer of this channel.

In that question, he said that he viewed me as a perfectionist and that I treated myself quite rough. He asked then if I did this to other people as well.

In fact, I must confess that I did that for some time during my life. I couldn't cope but to expect people to be like me, to act like me and to accomplish the same things as I was.

However, it changed... And now I don't think like this anymore. Wanna know what changed and why you should not expect people to be like you?

Watch this video and find out!

I'm Addicted To Pornography & Masturbation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxmkzGEc02U&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4WvCoCir3GAyWSlUjFH1T2u&index=2
How To Motivate Your Girlfriend To Take Action?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cujrEcDb-es&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4WvCoCir3GAyWSlUjFH1T2u&index=27
Don't Allow People To Claim Ownership Over Your Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOjCNkMBNRM&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4XRTEK79UXmtkUT-jsP4rUP&index=60
Boundaries: https://simpleprogrammer.com/boundariesbook
Contradictions Of Life & Letting Things Go:
Date With Destiny Seminar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FO5lPIEihs

Mar 10, 2017

Investment can be tricky and if you don't follow the right advice you can make really bad decisions.

In this video, I'll talk about the difference between paying your school loans or investing that money.

While some people would say that this answer is written in stone, I must disagree.

In this video, I'll tell you how you should proceed in situations like these and why it is important to always evaluate all of your options.

Real Estate Investing For Software Developers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VWM_cpbXXYIYSaLjiTdtA-
Simple Real Estate Investing For Software Developers: https://simpleprogrammer.com/products/simple-real-estate/

Mar 9, 2017

Today I have a special webinar for you. I partnered up with Ari Lamstein to talk about my career moves and how I became a successful developer.

In that talk, we've discussed how software developers can take charge of their careers and build a brilliant future.

The road might not be easy but with the right amount of effort and strategy you can definitely stand yourself from the crowd.

The good thing is that Ari did everything I told and he changed his career completely.

So, do you wanna know what can you do in order to become a successful developer? Watch this video and find out!

Mar 8, 2017

All software developers want to earn more money based on the work they do. Most of us, whether you like it or not, are driven by money and it plays a critical role in most of the choices we make.

So, if you're a software developer, you've probably wondered several times how you can increase your salary, being a software developer.

Of course there are several ways of doing this and it is just impossible to talk about all of them here.

The first thing you should do is know your salary range, the area of technology, the job title, and the geographic location of the job you are applying for.

You are not going to have perfect data on this, but before you go into any kind of salary negotiations or evaluate a job offer, you should at least have a pretty good idea of the range whatever company you are applying for usually pays someone in an equivalent title or position.

However, there is a lot more to that than you know, and that is the part that most software developers end up neglecting: Marketing.

Wanna know how to increase your salary as a software developer? Watch this video and find out!

How To Market Yourself Course: http://simpleprogrammer.com/howtomarketyourself

Mar 7, 2017

So, as you all now, I am a millionaire. And I don't say it to brag myself, far from it. I tell it to inspire people that if I was able to to do, you'll also be able to do the same thing.

So, recently I've received a question from a guy asking me what it was like when I made a million dollars and if I could share my story with you.

So, in this video, I'll share everything about my road to my million dollars, how it felt, what it can teach you and how you can do the same.

GET ACCESS TO SIMPLE PROGRAMMER'S COMMUNITY: https://www.patreon.com/simpleprogrammer
How Everyone Thinks They'll Become Rich Someday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3tnvI6IudY
Career Story Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4UR55IrHNC7xSzOG0CA3AaJ
Real Estate Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VWM_cpbXXYIYSaLjiTdtA-
How To Market Yourself As A Software Developer: http://simpleprogrammer.com/howtomarketyourself
Do You Really Bill $300 An Hour?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Ct3fb5BU8
John Sonmez Pluralsight Courses: https://simpleprogrammer.com/pluralsight
When You Can't Handle Freedom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmQVTKjytHQ
How To Find Your Life Purpose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwMaXlArmyY

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