Podcast Swizec Teller — Tech Lead at Plasmidsaurus & Author of Scaling Fast, Software Engineering Through the Hockeystick

DanielMarch 16, 2026March 16, 2026

Hello friend! It's Daniel here, author of  Building AI Agents with LangGraph js and  LangChain for JavaScript Developers.

In this episode, I sit down with Swizec Teller to talk about choosing the right priorities and focusing on the work that actually moves the needle. We explore why strong writing skills are still essential for engineers, compare the tech ecosystems in the US and Europe, and dive into his new book, Scaling Fast: Software Engineering Through the Hockeystick. Plus, plenty of practical advice for developers, and much more.

🔗 Links mentioned

• https://www.scalingfastbook.com/
• https://swizec.com/
• https://www.amazon.es/Skin-Game-Hidden-Asymmetries-Daily/dp/042528462X
• https://www.js-craft.io/langgraph-js-book/

🎙️ Chapters & Topics

• 0:00 – 2:53 – Swizec Teller introduction
• 2:54 – 8:21 – Choosing the next career or startup bet
• 8:22 – 9:21 – Importance of startup validation
• 9:22 – 25:10 – Big tech salaries vs startup opportunities
• 25:11 – 33:54 – Is a book the best business card?
• 33:55 – 42:02 – The Scaling Fast Book by Swizec Teller
• 42:03 – 44:03 – Learning from experience vs books
• 44:04 – 1:01:16 – Engineering practices & “code breadcrumbs”
• 1:01:17 – 1:01:50 – How would you start from scratch?
• 1:01:51 – 1:06:51 – Remote work vs being in the office
• 1:06:52 – End – Where to follow Swizec Teller