Épisodes

  • Code Campfire: Building Community, Building Skills | Stories From The Hackery

    Code Campfire: Building Community, Building Skills | Stories From The Hackery
    May 20 2025
    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we learn about Code Campfire, a new community initiative founded by NSS grad Preston Robbins. Joined by Lynn Samuelson, they discuss how Code Campfire supports Nashville Software School graduates and other juniors in tech with projects, mock interviews, and gamified job search tactics. Preston shares how the idea came to life from a simple need for peer support, while Lynn dives into how hands-on projects are equipping participants with the practical experience to keep their skills sharp. We also discuss Code Campfire's weekly sessions, where mock interviews, resume reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions keep participants engaged and building connections. Whether you’re a recent bootcamp grad or an experienced tech professional looking to give back, Code Campfire is the place to grow your community and your skills. Tune in to learn how you can join in. 00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery 01:50 Meet the Guests: Preston Robbins and Lynn Samuelson 05:57 What is Code Campfire? 09:57 Challenges and Iterations 15:02 The Importance of Projects 20:13 Project Structure and Roles 25:23 Projects Beyond Tier 1 31:25 Gamification of the Job Search 33:03 How to Get Involved with Code Campfire 41:18 Final Thoughts and Technology Guilty Pleasures Links from the show: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Code Campfire: https://codecampfire.org
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    45 min
  • What Happens When AI Builds Your App? | Stories From The Hackery

    What Happens When AI Builds Your App? | Stories From The Hackery
    May 6 2025
    In the latest episode of Stories from the Hackery, we catch up with Steve Brownlee, Nashville Software School’s lead full-stack software development instructor, for a behind-the-scenes look at how he rebuilt an application we used for pre-work that was discontinued several years ago using an open-source agentic AI tool. The result? A working prototype that would’ve taken much longer to code by hand—and a glimpse at how AI is reshaping software development. Watch Steve's Demo here: https://youtu.be/RWhONVTO2oQ?si=KmC8cxhHyCVARKI0&t=1855 00:00 Intro: Meet Steve Brownlee 01:16 Case Study: Building an Application with Roo Code 04:17 The Pre-work Application's Background and Purpose 06:58 Initial Prompts and First Impressions 09:33 Refining the Code and Overcoming Challenges 18:55 Adding Features and Enhancements 22:38 The Role of Experience in Using AI Tools 26:14 Future of Junior Developers in an AI-Driven World 30:55 Interlude - You can view Steve’s demo here: https://youtu.be/RWhONVTO2oQ?si=KmC8cxhHyCVARKI0&t=1855 31.21 The Role of AI in Software Development 34.47 Future of Software Development 50:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Roo Code: https://github.com/RooVetGit/Roo-Code Anthropic/Claude LLM: https://claude.ai Monaco Code Editor: https://microsoft.github.io/monaco-editor/
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    53 min
  • Scaling A Tech Career Through Life-long Learning | Stories From The Hackery

    Scaling A Tech Career Through Life-long Learning | Stories From The Hackery
    Apr 22 2025
    Life-long learning can open doors you never imagined. In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we talk with Chris Miller, an NSS alumnus who pivoted into software development after studying jazz composition and bass performance in college and recently tackled a high-stakes project supporting one of the largest live-streaming events in the world. Chris shares how skills he developed as a musician provided the foundation for a growth-filled software development career. We also explore the value of knowing how to learn—whether it’s troubleshooting backend systems, understanding new technologies, or embracing generative AI as another tool in the developer's toolbox. Whether you're just starting your NSS bootcamp, navigating unfamiliar technologies, or simply inspired by stories of growth, this episode highlights the power of continuous learning. It’s a story about how curiosity, adaptability, and the willingness to step into unknown territory can shape an extraordinary career. 00:00 - Intro: Meet Chris Miller 02:34 - From Music Major to Software Developer 06:01 - Early Career Experiences at Aspire and CareBridge 15:00 - Moving to HCA and Tackling Large-Scale Healthcare Data 18:52 - Joining Tubi: Initial Projects and Technical Curiosity 21:02 - Scaling Challenges: Preparing to Stream a Major Live Event 24:37 - Musicianship, Mindset, and the Art of Continuous Learning 29:38 - Tubi Scaling Project 36:21 - Key Lessons from Scaling Under Pressure 39:50 - Generative AI: Skepticism, Practicality, and Future Outlook 51:26 - The Role of Understanding in Software Development 56:54 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections Links from the show: Nashville Software School – https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Tubi – https://tubitv.com HCA Healthcare – https://hcahealthcare.com CareBridge Health – https://www.carebridgehealth.com Aspire Health – https://www.aspirehealthcare.com
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    1 h et 3 min
  • Generative AI Levels the Playing Field for Neurodiverse Technologists | Stories From The Hackery

    Generative AI Levels the Playing Field for Neurodiverse Technologists | Stories From The Hackery
    Apr 9 2025
    Generative AI Levels the Playing Field for Neurodiverse Technologists | Stories From The Hackery by Nashville Software School
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    1 h et 7 min
  • Data-driven Future: AI, Engineering, and Continuous Learning | Stories From the Hackery

    Data-driven Future: AI, Engineering, and Continuous Learning | Stories From the Hackery
    Mar 24 2025
    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, John Wark, founder and CEO of Nashville Software School, talks with Charlie Apigian, a well-known figure in Nashville's tech community with a significant academic background. Charlie discusses his journey from academia to consulting, the importance of bridging the gap between education and real-world application, and how his company, Data Inspire, integrates eager new coders into meaningful projects. The episode dives into the evolving roles in tech, particularly data engineering, and the impact of generative AI. Charlie also emphasizes the importance of teamwork, community building, and continuous learning in the fast-paced tech world. 00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery 01:51 Meet Charlie Apigian: From Detroit to Data Science 04:13 The Value of Skills 05:39 NSS Success Story: From Musician to Developer 11:22 The Role of AI in Accelerating Projects 23:52 The Importance of Data Engineering 27:57 Evolution of Data Roles 29:11 Challenges in Data Engineering 29:37 Importance of Reliable Data 31:24 Complex Data Architectures 34:30 Learning and Adapting in Tech 37:33 Teamwork and Project Management 43:20 Community and Future of AI 46:01 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts Links from the show: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com Data Inspire: https://datainspire.co/ Data Science Nashville Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/data-science-nashville/ LBMC: https://www.lbmc.com/ Belmont University: https://belmont.edu Middle Tennessee State University: https://datascience.mtsu.edu/ Nashville Technology Council: https://technologycouncil.com/
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    51 min
  • Leveraging AI to Build a SaaS Application with Jordan Rosas | Stories From The Hackery

    Leveraging AI to Build a SaaS Application with Jordan Rosas | Stories From The Hackery
    Mar 11 2025
    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we hear from Jordan Rosas, a graduate of Nashville Software School's Web Development Cohort 29. Jordan shares his journey from working at an Amazon warehouse to becoming a Software Engineer and building SocialWaive, a social media management application. Jordan shares insights into his career progression, the challenges of creating a social media management tool, and how he leverages various AI technologies including generative AI, machine learning, and NLP. He discusses using tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT in both his professional and side projects, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving skills, building for real users, and the evolving nature of tech roles. Jordan also touches on the business aspects of developing a product and offers advice for newcomers to the tech industry. 00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery 00:38 Meet Jordan Rosas: From an Amazon warehouse to Software Engineer 04:22 Jordan's Side Project: Building SocialWaive 06:02 Using Generative AI in Development 11:38 Challenges and Benefits of AI Tools 19:02 Learning and Implementing Machine Learning 24:18 Exploring AI Capabilities for SocialWaive 29:11 The Importance of Prompt Engineering 38:30 Lessons Learned from Building a SaaS Product 41:41 Advice for Aspiring Tech Professionals 44:01 Closing Thoughts Links from the show: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com How are NSS Alumni Using Generative AI Tools on the Job (Survey 2024): https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2024/06/26/how-are-nss-alumni-using-generative-ai-tools-on-the-job SocialWaive: https://www.socialwaive.com/ GitHub CoPilot: https://github.com/features/copilot Hugging Face: https://huggingface.co/ “The End of Programming as We Know It” by Tim O’Reilly: https://www.oreilly.com/radar/the-end-of-programming-as-we-know-it/
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    47 min
  • Prompt Engineering: Insights from a Software Developer | Stories From The Hackery

    Prompt Engineering: Insights from a Software Developer | Stories From The Hackery
    Jan 16 2025
    In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we talk to Ryan Bishop, a Nashville Software School (NSS) graduate, about his journey into software development and his experiences with generative AI. Ryan shares how prompt engineering has become a critical part of his work, discussing its applications in both coding and management. He provides insightful advice for new developers and emphasizes the importance of keeping a growth mindset. Tune in to learn how generative AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot are reshaping the way developers work, and how Ryan has integrated these tools into his daily workflow. 01:33 Meet Ryan Bishop: From Self-Learner to Software Developer 06:18 Prompt Engineering and Contextual Use 12:20 Use Cases for Generative AI 24:53 Coding with AI: Benefits and Challenges 30:52 Learning to Write Prompts 33:01 Navigating the Overwhelming World of AI Resources 35:14 Teaching Generative AI to Beginners 42:11 Generative AI as a Learning Buddy 49:24 The Influence of Christopher Alexander 57:29 Rediscovering Art with Technology 01:00:38 Final Thoughts Links from the show: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com How are NSS Alumni Using Generative AI Tools on the Job (Survey 2024): https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2024/06/26/how-are-nss-alumni-using-generative-ai-tools-on-the-job A Pattern Language - Christopher Alexander: https://a.co/d/9g7vSp8 Telehack.org - https://telehack.org
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    1 h et 3 min
  • NSS Alumni Unlock Generative AI's Coding Potential | Stories From The Hackery

    NSS Alumni Unlock Generative AI's Coding Potential | Stories From The Hackery
    Jan 8 2025
    In this episode of Stories From The Hackery, we chat with Spencer Sharpe and Jack Parsons, two NSS graduates and lead software developers. We catch up on their journeys of transitioning from music to tech and explore the impact and utilization of generative AI tools in their current roles. They also share their insights on the evolving landscape of software development. Listen in for their advice on leveraging AI tools, maintaining code quality, and shaping a career in tech today. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction to Stories from the Hackery 00:37 Meet the Guests: Spencer Sharpe and Jack Parsons 02:34 Musical Backgrounds and Career Shifts 9:52 Generative AI Tools and Productivity 17:31 Generative AI for Unit Testing 19:21 Quality and Context in AI-Generated Code 29:12 AI in Code Review 29:29 The Required Human Element 31:53 Training and Assessing Junior Developers 37:52 Resources for Learning to Use Generative AI 42:18 Advice for Aspiring Tech Professionals 44:06 The Future of Software Engineering 50:33 Technology Guilty Pleasures 52:19 Final Thoughts Links from the show: Nashville Software School: https://nashvillesoftwareschool.com How are NSS Alumni Using Generative AI Tools on the Job (Survey 2024): https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/blog/2024/06/26/how-are-nss-alumni-using-generative-ai-tools-on-the-job Ethan Mollick: 15 times to Use AI and 5 Not to https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/15-times-to-use-ai-and-5-not-to Prompt Engineering LLMs by John Berryman and Albert Ziegler https://www.amazon.com/Prompt-Engineering-LLMs-Model-Based-Applications/dp/1098156153/
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    56 min