Community Pulse

In this year-end episode, we’re reflecting on our 2025 DevRel conversations and the themes that defined the year. We revisit key insights from our guests, look at how the DevRel landscape continued to evolve, and call out the lessons that showed up again and again across our episodes. It’s also a moment to thank our guests and listeners who made the show possible. Whether you joined us for one episode or all of them, this wrap-up looks back on where DevRel has been in 2025 and ahead to what’s coming next. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village. Artwork by BoliviaIntel

Our lived experiences often inform our work. This is true in the world of DevRel as well. Whether you have organized a church group, been in a band, or put together a big party - some of those experiences will leak over into how you see community and how you work in the Developer Relations world. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

We’re reflecting on how the show has evolved, from adding Pulse and tightening our structure to getting comfortable recording without guests. We also look back at the biggest shifts in DevRel over the past decade (no, you can’t say AI), share thoughts on where the industry is headed, and dig into highlights from the Decade of DevRel report. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

It’s been 10 years since the start of Community Pulse and, appropriately enough, we’ve reached the milestone of 100 episodes. To celebrate, we invited Jono Bacon -- our very first guest on the show -- and SJ Morris -- a former host of the show -- to join us and reminisce about changes in the DevRel industry as well as how we’ve changed personally and professionally over the last 10 years. We’ll laugh a little… cry a little… and as always, learn a lot along the way. Checkouts Jason Bono * Primalbranding (https://a.co/d/0sCISVA) by Patrick Hanlon and Hooked (https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788) by Nir Eyal - awesome books, very relevant * Attio (https://attio.com/) / OpusClip (https://www.opus.pro/) / Anam (https://anam.ai/) - awesome tools * Stateshift (https://www.stateshift.com/) * MobLand on Paramount+ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MobLand) SJ Morris * Developers, Reinvented (https://ashtom.github.io/developers-reinvented) * Design from the Margins (https://www.belf

In this episode, Jason, Wesley, and Mary share some of our favorite tools of the trade—from live streaming setups and demo-building tricks to the software and hardware we rely on for recording videos and tracking metrics. Join us for a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the gear and workflows that help us connect with developers and communities every day. Categories Building & Managing Websites Hugo (https://gohugo.io/) Astro (https://astro.build/) Form Bricks (https://formbricks.com/) Local Recall (https://github.com/mudler/LocalRecall) SquareSpace (https://www.squarespace.com/) Eleventy (https://www.11ty.dev/) Data, metrics, and knowledge sharing Airtable (https://airtable.com/) Common Room (https://www.commonroom.io/) Metabase (https://www.metabase.com/) Scheduling meetings Cal.com (https://cal.com/) Fantastical (https://flexibits.com/fantastical) LiveStreaming & video recording and editing Streamyard (https://streamyard.com/) Riverside.fm (http://riverside.fm/) OBS (https://obsproject.com/) OpenShot (ht

Sometimes work stretches beyond “normal” hours, and while we might welcome that when we’re energized by the project, other times it’s a real struggle. In this episode, Jason, PJ, and Mary unpack the difference between working late because we love the job versus doing it just to meet a deadline. They also explore how to recognize when those long hours are a sign of a toxic environment or poor prioritization—and what we can do to push back. Photo by Mohammad Alizade on Unsplash. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

"Vibe coding" is gaining traction as a new way to approach software development—but what does it actually mean? In this episode, we unpack the term, explore how it's shaping the developer experience, and examine its potential to transform developer relations. We'll break down the pros and cons, from faster workflows to new challenges in communication and code quality, and discuss what this shift means for DevRel professionals today and in the future. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

There has been a lot of chat about the decline of the tech influencer. Where have they all gone? Is tech influence too heavy or too light? PJ, Mary, Wesley, and Jason share their opinions about “capital I” Influencers and where DevRel falls into all of this. Checkouts PJ Hagerty * Take vacations. * Fyre Festival 2 is real and can hurt you (https://www.fyre.mx/). Jason Hand * Stitched video (https://www.tiktok.com/@javavvitch/video/7484337665979157806?_r=1&_t=ZP-8v4542WIxhP) * Original video (https://www.tiktok.com/@_jenniferopal/video/7483187087668235542) * AI “slop” article (https://www.404media.co/ai-slop-is-a-brute-force-attack-on-the-algorithms-that-control-reality/) * AI Tools Lab (https://ai-tools-lab.com/) Mary Thengvall awesome (fictional) books that have stuck with me lately: * When Women Were Dragons (https://amzn.to/3XCdANJ) by Kelly Barnhill * The Midnight Library (https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Library-Novel-Matt-Haig/dp/0525559493?crid=2XC9NV2G9FSZ3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2X1VMX4VBN13gI1Fm3eUtvFfYDDr

Communicating the message is only part of the job of a DevRel practitioner - there’s also the method. Ensuring you share the same alignment and you are seen as a member of the community is even more important than being able to educate a community. In this episode we’ll look at the importance of keeping yourself humble and keeping the message sincere in order to find success within the tech world. "Sit down. Be Humble” - Kendrick Lamar Checkouts Chris DeMars * Off the Hook (https://www.youtube.com/@offthehookdetroit) Wesley Faulkner * Wear Extra Fingers - Life Hack (https://x.com/weirddalle/status/1746674550891291055) PJ Hagerty * Shoalin - the WuTang board game (https://www.chillbgames.com/shaolin?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz6q-BhCfARIsAOezPxnUbw2cvBC79gHZyq5NAgYiZN3ItzQji069Bc-iCRG9CBrDIdZKLmMaAi3XEALw_wcB) * WuTang Final Tour with Run the Jewels (https://www.thewutangclan.com/tour/) Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pu

The team takes a look back at 2024 and ahead to 2025. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village. Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash.

In this episode, Wesley, PJ, and Jason take the opportunity to talk about a new phenomenon - The DevRel Foundation from the Linux Foundation. Learn how folks have gotten involved, what the Foundation intends to do, and how you can share your voice. Topics Discussed: Introduction to the DevRel Foundation: The episode explores the new DevRel Foundation, an initiative under the Linux Foundation, created to address challenges in Developer Relations (DevRel). Wesley Faulkner introduces the foundation, noting that its purpose is to be a nonpartisan hub for discussions about DevRel and to provide resources for defining the profession and its practices. Foundational Goals: The DevRel Foundation aims to address key challenges within DevRel, including defining the role, measuring its impact, and rolling out successful DevRel programs. It seeks to aggregate existing knowledge and create a space for new insights. Wesley discusses his role in the steering committee and mentions the ongoing process of recruiting champions

It comes as no surprise that something in the hiring of Developer Relations practitioners has become a mystery box of confusion. No standard path to follow, interviews ranging all over the map, homework assignments that go nowhere, and most conversations leading to few actual opportunities. Wesley, Jason, and PJ share their thoughts on what’s happening and whether or not there is hope for the future. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village. Artwork by Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash.

Recently, the topic of DevRel maturity sparked a conversation: What qualities define a mature community and a seasoned team? Join PJ, Jason, Mary, and Wesley as they share their insights on past experiences, current trends shaping the field, and key indicators to monitor as you strive to build a thriving, successful community. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village. Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash.

Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen conferences ebb and flow. Some community-run conferences have evolved into new things, new ones have sprouted up while other annual favorites have sadly gone extinct. What goes into a community-led conference? How does someone get involved? Let’s take a look! Checkouts Mo McElaney * Contributor Covenant (https://www.contributor-covenant.org/) * Presented “Digital Discrimination: Cognitive Bias in Machine Learning (and LLMs!)“ at PyData Conf on July 29 (https://pydata.org/vermont2024) - look out for the video! * Speaking at AI for the Rest of Us Conf (https://aifortherestofus.live/) in London this fall * Ask a Master Gardener Hotline (https://www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/helpline)! Matty Stratton * Hevy (https://www.hevyapp.com/) - lifting app * She's a Beast (https://www.shesabeast.co/) - great program Couch to Barbell; amazing discord for folks/community * Fallout - the game (https://fallout.bethesda.net/en) and the show (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt126378

This conversation follows up on our discussion about the noteworthy changes in Developer Relations over recent years and how many of our friends and colleagues have chosen to leverage their DevRel skills in new and exciting ways. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

Developer Relations has gone through quite a few changes over the last few years. In that vein, some people have found new skills in the ever-evolving world of tech. Along their journey, they moved away from DevRel, but still use those abilities in new ways. So, what is it like when you bounce from DevRel? Quote: “The message I’m sending to myself: I can’t change the world until I change myself first” - Kendrick Lamar Checkouts Taylor Barnett-Torabi * Range (https://davidepstein.com/range/) by David Epstein Matt Broberg * ADRs (https://github.com/joelparkerhenderson/architecture-decision-record) or documenting decisions as a thing™ – Any Decision Record (formally Architectural) * If you’re looking at PM roles, The Product Manager Interview (https://www.lewis-lin.com/the-product-manager-interview-lewis-lin) by Lewis C. Lin helped me get my footing Wesley Faulkner * How Teams Can Skip the Drama and Embrace Healthy Conflict with Amy Gallo | SXSW 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwuwFyiaCdU) Jason Hand * DA

Our hosts elaborate on the notion that, apart from speaking engagements, much of the work undertaken by DevRel professionals remains backstage, yet through live streaming, they can learn publicly and involve community members, overcoming concerns and fostering engaging content for community learning. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5W9fMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=eb528c7de12b4d7a&nd=1&dlsi=b0c85248dabc48ce), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.

With the exception of speaking at conferences, much of what we do as DevRel professionals is behind-the-scenes. However, with live streaming, we’re able to not only learn in public, but bring our community members into the experience. While this can be intimidating, and lead to questions like “what if I make a mistake?” - or - “What if I don’t know all the answers?” - or - “How do I make sure I come across as knowledgeable while I’m also learning?” it can also be a great way to create engaging content that helps your community learn alongside you. Checkouts Laurent Bugnion * Learn Live (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/learn-live/?WT.mc_id=academic-0000-lbugnion) - the show I produce for Microsoft * GalaSoft (https://galasoft.ch/) - my website with my blog, past presentations and future appearances Darko Mesaros * AWS Community - Livestreams (https://community.aws/livestreams) * rup12 (https://www.rup12.net/) Wesley Faulkner * Spyware leak offers ‘first-of-its-kind’ look inside Chinese government ha

PJ and Wesley expound on stories of success, what it takes to get to a "win" and reflect on their conversation with Ole and Kevin. Enjoy the podcast? Please take a few moments to leave us a review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/community-pulse/id1218368182?mt=2) and follow us on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7g5WfMSgpWu38zZMjet?si=565TMb81SaWwrJYbAIeOxQ), or leave a review on one of the other many podcasting sites that we’re on! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue to produce episodes every month. Like all things Community, this too takes a village.