Python People https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople.xml The Python community is awesome because of the people. Python People is a weekly podcast about getting to know the people who help make the Python community great. It's less about the tech, and more about the people. @ 2023 Brian Okken 8b3fc168-4684-5c14-919c-251b6b13d596 no Brian Okken en Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:52:02 -0700 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:52:19 -0700 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople https://pythonpeople.sfo3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/python_people.jpg Python People https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople episodic Brian Okken The Python community is awesome because of the people. Python People is a weekly podcast about getting to know the people who help make the Python community great. It's less about the tech, and more about the people. The Python community is awesome because of the people. Python Brian Okken No No Shauna Gordon-McKeon - Open Source Governance, Women's Soccer, and Django 14 14 Shauna Gordon-McKeon - Open Source Governance, Women's Soccer, and Django full 88f6601b-4984-4ecc-b69b-e64125a8a820 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/shauna-gordon-mckeon This is a really fun talk with Shauna.  

We talk about: 

Shauna's technical consulting business is Galaxy Rise Consulting



]]> This is a really fun talk with Shauna.  

We talk about: 

Shauna's technical consulting business is Galaxy Rise Consulting



]]> Thu, 09 May 2024 07:41:29 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2550 This is a really fun talk with Shauna.  

We talk about: 

Shauna's technical consulting business is Galaxy Rise Consulting



]]> Python No Brian Okken Shauna Gordon-McKeon Rob Ludwick - Getting the most out of PyCon, including juggling 13 13 Rob Ludwick - Getting the most out of PyCon, including juggling full 6a0fdfe5-16cb-44ee-b427-2c96694da315 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/rob-ludwick-getting-the-most-out-of-pycon-including-juggling PyCon US is just around the corner.  I've asked Rob Ludwick to come on the show to discuss how to get the most out of your PyCon experience. There's a lot to do. A lot of activities to juggle, including actual juggling, which is where we start the conversation.

Even if you never get a chance to go to PyCon, I hope this interview helps you get a feel for the welcoming aspect of the Python community.

We talk about: 
- Juggling at PyCon
- How to get the most out of PyCon
    - Watching talks
    - Hallway track
    - Open spaces
    - Lightening talks
    - Expo hall / vendor space
    - Poster sessions
    - Job fair
    - A welcoming community
    - Tutorials 
    - Sprints
    - But mostly about the people of Python and PyCon.

"Python enables smart people to work faster" - Rob Ludwick


]]> PyCon US is just around the corner.  I've asked Rob Ludwick to come on the show to discuss how to get the most out of your PyCon experience. There's a lot to do. A lot of activities to juggle, including actual juggling, which is where we start the conversation.

Even if you never get a chance to go to PyCon, I hope this interview helps you get a feel for the welcoming aspect of the Python community.

We talk about: 
- Juggling at PyCon
- How to get the most out of PyCon
    - Watching talks
    - Hallway track
    - Open spaces
    - Lightening talks
    - Expo hall / vendor space
    - Poster sessions
    - Job fair
    - A welcoming community
    - Tutorials 
    - Sprints
    - But mostly about the people of Python and PyCon.

"Python enables smart people to work faster" - Rob Ludwick


]]> Sat, 04 May 2024 14:57:00 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2336 PyCon US is just around the corner.  I've asked Rob Ludwick to come on the show to discuss how to get the most out of your PyCon experience. There's a lot to do. A lot of activities to juggle, including actual juggling, which is where we start the conversation.

Even if you never get a chance to go to PyCon, I hope this interview helps you get a feel for the welcoming aspect of the Python community.

We talk about: 
- Juggling at PyCon
- How to get the most out of PyCon
    - Watching talks
    - Hallway track
    - Open spaces
    - Lightening talks
    - Expo hall / vendor space
    - Poster sessions
    - Job fair
    - A welcoming community
    - Tutorials 
    - Sprints
    - But mostly about the people of Python and PyCon.

"Python enables smart people to work faster" - Rob Ludwick


]]> Python No Brian Okken Rob Ludwick Nikita Karamov - Russia, Germany, Django, and Jazzband 12 12 Nikita Karamov - Russia, Germany, Django, and Jazzband full 947d2d3d-57c6-4089-939e-05fce762c761 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/nikita-karamov Nikita Karamov is a Python developer and maintainer on various open source Python projects.

Some topics covered:

  • Notes on university education in programming and engineering vs theory
  • Jazzband for maintaining Django projects
  • Contributing to open source makes you a better programmer
  • Moving from Russia to Germany during college
  • Cultural differences between Russia, Germany, and Oregon
  • The nice lack of drama in the Python community
  • A lack of universities teaching Python for web development


Links from the show


]]> Nikita Karamov is a Python developer and maintainer on various open source Python projects.

Some topics covered:

  • Notes on university education in programming and engineering vs theory
  • Jazzband for maintaining Django projects
  • Contributing to open source makes you a better programmer
  • Moving from Russia to Germany during college
  • Cultural differences between Russia, Germany, and Oregon
  • The nice lack of drama in the Python community
  • A lack of universities teaching Python for web development


Links from the show


]]> Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:08:09 -0800 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2343 Nikita Karamov is a Python developer and maintainer on various open source Python projects.

Some topics covered:

  • Notes on university education in programming and engineering vs theory
  • Jazzband for maintaining Django projects
  • Contributing to open source makes you a better programmer
  • Moving from Russia to Germany during college
  • Cultural differences between Russia, Germany, and Oregon
  • The nice lack of drama in the Python community
  • A lack of universities teaching Python for web development


Links from the show


]]> Python No Brian Okken Nikita Karamov Pamela Fox - Teaching Python, Accessibility, and Tools 11 11 Pamela Fox - Teaching Python, Accessibility, and Tools full fea2d9b5-67a2-4309-b99f-14657d7b5713 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/pamela-fox Pamela Fox is a Python Cloud Developer Advocate at Microsoft. 


Topics include:

  • Girl Develop It
  • Django Girls
  • Girls Who Code
  • Teaching a language vs teaching a tool
  • What a dev advocate does
  • Accessibility (A11y) testing
  • Playwright
  • axe-core
  • Snapshot testing
  • pytest plugin authoring
  • Flask SQLAlchemy
  • Relearning Go

Links from the show:



]]> Pamela Fox is a Python Cloud Developer Advocate at Microsoft. 


Topics include:

  • Girl Develop It
  • Django Girls
  • Girls Who Code
  • Teaching a language vs teaching a tool
  • What a dev advocate does
  • Accessibility (A11y) testing
  • Playwright
  • axe-core
  • Snapshot testing
  • pytest plugin authoring
  • Flask SQLAlchemy
  • Relearning Go

Links from the show:



]]> Tue, 16 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0800 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2989 Pamela Fox is a Python Cloud Developer Advocate at Microsoft. 


Topics include:

  • Girl Develop It
  • Django Girls
  • Girls Who Code
  • Teaching a language vs teaching a tool
  • What a dev advocate does
  • Accessibility (A11y) testing
  • Playwright
  • axe-core
  • Snapshot testing
  • pytest plugin authoring
  • Flask SQLAlchemy
  • Relearning Go

Links from the show:



]]> Python No Brian Okken Pamela Fox Julian Sequeira - Pybites, Australia, Mindset, and Teaching New Programmers 10 10 Julian Sequeira - Pybites, Australia, Mindset, and Teaching New Programmers full 4e2730d4-9744-4720-8eba-8699be08d2e3 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/julian-sequeira Julian Sequeira is a cofounder of Pybites. 
He's a Python coach, a podcaster, a career mindset advocate, and is learning guitar.

Topics include:

  • Learning guitar
  • Vacationing in Canada
  • Pybites
  • Splitting finances with Bob
  • Building a community and a team
  • Coaching
  • Conscious positivity
  • Australia is full of animals that want to kill you. Except kangaroos.
  • Teaching Python to non-technical people

]]> Julian Sequeira is a cofounder of Pybites. 
He's a Python coach, a podcaster, a career mindset advocate, and is learning guitar.

Topics include:

  • Learning guitar
  • Vacationing in Canada
  • Pybites
  • Splitting finances with Bob
  • Building a community and a team
  • Coaching
  • Conscious positivity
  • Australia is full of animals that want to kill you. Except kangaroos.
  • Teaching Python to non-technical people

]]> Sat, 13 Jan 2024 13:55:47 -0800 Brian Okken Brian Okken 3205 Julian Sequeira is a cofounder of Pybites. 
He's a Python coach, a podcaster, a career mindset advocate, and is learning guitar.

Topics include:

  • Learning guitar
  • Vacationing in Canada
  • Pybites
  • Splitting finances with Bob
  • Building a community and a team
  • Coaching
  • Conscious positivity
  • Australia is full of animals that want to kill you. Except kangaroos.
  • Teaching Python to non-technical people

]]> Python No Brian Okken Julian Sequeira Will Vincent - Django, Writing Technical Books 9 9 Will Vincent - Django, Writing Technical Books full 6bc0713e-7df2-479f-86fb-aabdc163d117 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/will-vincent-django-writing-technical-books Will Vincent is a former board member of the Django Software Foundation. He's written 3 books on Django, writes a django newsletter, is a podcast co-host for Django Chat.


]]> Will Vincent is a former board member of the Django Software Foundation. He's written 3 books on Django, writes a django newsletter, is a podcast co-host for Django Chat.


]]> Sun, 07 Jan 2024 17:21:33 -0800 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2850 Will Vincent is a former board member of the Django Software Foundation. He's written 3 books on Django, writes a django newsletter, is a podcast co-host for Django Chat.


]]> Python No Will Vincent Brian Okken Carlton Gibson - Django, Spain, Parenting, and Open Source 8 8 Carlton Gibson - Django, Spain, Parenting, and Open Source full 40701962-2c97-4223-b171-8d893b1bb270 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/carlton-gibson Carlton recently stepped down as a Django Fellow, maintains many Django related projects, is starting two SaaS companies, and is a podcast host on "Django Chat".

Some of what we talk about:

  • Being a Django fellow for 5 years
  • Maintaining several Django related open source projects
  • Client work 
  • Time with family
  • Building a couple Software as a Service projects
  • Kids and travel
  • Kids and food
  • Living in Spain as a British citizen
  • How Brexit has affected his options
  • Being an open source maintainer and that it's ok to pause it when life takes precedence.
  • Being kind to other maintainers and acknowledging them as human
  • Django 5 form template imporovements
  • Good places to be a tourist in Spain
  • Spains wonderful train system

]]> Carlton recently stepped down as a Django Fellow, maintains many Django related projects, is starting two SaaS companies, and is a podcast host on "Django Chat".

Some of what we talk about:

  • Being a Django fellow for 5 years
  • Maintaining several Django related open source projects
  • Client work 
  • Time with family
  • Building a couple Software as a Service projects
  • Kids and travel
  • Kids and food
  • Living in Spain as a British citizen
  • How Brexit has affected his options
  • Being an open source maintainer and that it's ok to pause it when life takes precedence.
  • Being kind to other maintainers and acknowledging them as human
  • Django 5 form template imporovements
  • Good places to be a tourist in Spain
  • Spains wonderful train system

]]> Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:19:19 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2809 Carlton recently stepped down as a Django Fellow, maintains many Django related projects, is starting two SaaS companies, and is a podcast host on "Django Chat".

Some of what we talk about:

  • Being a Django fellow for 5 years
  • Maintaining several Django related open source projects
  • Client work 
  • Time with family
  • Building a couple Software as a Service projects
  • Kids and travel
  • Kids and food
  • Living in Spain as a British citizen
  • How Brexit has affected his options
  • Being an open source maintainer and that it's ok to pause it when life takes precedence.
  • Being kind to other maintainers and acknowledging them as human
  • Django 5 form template imporovements
  • Good places to be a tourist in Spain
  • Spains wonderful train system

]]> Python No Brian Okken Carlton Gibson Mariatta Wijaya - Python Documentation, PyLadies, Keeping Fish, Public Speaking 7 7 Mariatta Wijaya - Python Documentation, PyLadies, Keeping Fish, Public Speaking full c7fdfb5a-0b43-4735-b63c-975149c1b7e8 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/mariatta-wijaya Mariatta has been a contributor to Python for many years and is a very inspiring public speaker.

Some of what we talk about:

  • Python Documentation Working Group
  • GitHub bots, There's an API for that
  • PyLadies
  • PyLadiesCon
  • Typo of the Day (maintainerd, verbossity, work-lie balance, etc.)
  • A fish aquarium
  • Cooking, Baking
  • History of Tempura
  • Working with APIs with Python
  • Public Speaking / Giving Talks
  • The power of seeing other women give talks

]]> Mariatta has been a contributor to Python for many years and is a very inspiring public speaker.

Some of what we talk about:

  • Python Documentation Working Group
  • GitHub bots, There's an API for that
  • PyLadies
  • PyLadiesCon
  • Typo of the Day (maintainerd, verbossity, work-lie balance, etc.)
  • A fish aquarium
  • Cooking, Baking
  • History of Tempura
  • Working with APIs with Python
  • Public Speaking / Giving Talks
  • The power of seeing other women give talks

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2658 Mariatta has been a contributor to Python for many years and is a very inspiring public speaker.

Some of what we talk about:

  • Python Documentation Working Group
  • GitHub bots, There's an API for that
  • PyLadies
  • PyLadiesCon
  • Typo of the Day (maintainerd, verbossity, work-lie balance, etc.)
  • A fish aquarium
  • Cooking, Baking
  • History of Tempura
  • Working with APIs with Python
  • Public Speaking / Giving Talks
  • The power of seeing other women give talks

]]> Python No Brian Okken Mariatta Wijaya Naomi Ceder - Quick Python, Leadership Transitions, Diversity 6 6 Naomi Ceder - Quick Python, Leadership Transitions, Diversity full abf8fbe9-8741-4d85-853e-21a9059853cb https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/naomi-ceder Naomi is an elected fellow of the PSF, and has served as chair of its board of directors. 

Topics:
- Building replacement leadership for every endeavor you start
- What the PSF board does
- Keeping Python's growth in increasing diversity
- Learning foreign languages
- PyCon Charlas
- London
- Guitar and music
- The Quick Python Book
- Community building
- Retiring


]]> Naomi is an elected fellow of the PSF, and has served as chair of its board of directors. 

Topics:
- Building replacement leadership for every endeavor you start
- What the PSF board does
- Keeping Python's growth in increasing diversity
- Learning foreign languages
- PyCon Charlas
- London
- Guitar and music
- The Quick Python Book
- Community building
- Retiring


]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 23:47:51 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2308 Naomi is an elected fellow of the PSF, and has served as chair of its board of directors. 

Topics:
- Building replacement leadership for every endeavor you start
- What the PSF board does
- Keeping Python's growth in increasing diversity
- Learning foreign languages
- PyCon Charlas
- London
- Guitar and music
- The Quick Python Book
- Community building
- Retiring


]]> Python No Brian Okken Naomi Ceder Bob Belderbos - Python Challengs, Coaching, Spain 5 5 Bob Belderbos - Python Challengs, Coaching, Spain full 77cd365f-03b8-4799-8dd0-9aa5a91617f4 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/bob-belderbos Bob Belderbos built Pybites with Julian Sequeira. Pybites started with code challenges to help people learn Python, and has grown into a learning platform and community, and now includes coaching.

We talk about:

  • The history of Pybites
  • Code challenges
  • Coaching and now even growing the team of coaches
  • Spain
  • Books

Links:

and you can hear your name on the show. How cool is that?


]]> Bob Belderbos built Pybites with Julian Sequeira. Pybites started with code challenges to help people learn Python, and has grown into a learning platform and community, and now includes coaching.

We talk about:

  • The history of Pybites
  • Code challenges
  • Coaching and now even growing the team of coaches
  • Spain
  • Books

Links:

and you can hear your name on the show. How cool is that?


]]> Wed, 09 Aug 2023 20:40:07 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 1914 Bob Belderbos built Pybites with Julian Sequeira. Pybites started with code challenges to help people learn Python, and has grown into a learning platform and community, and now includes coaching.

We talk about:

  • The history of Pybites
  • Code challenges
  • Coaching and now even growing the team of coaches
  • Spain
  • Books

Links:

and you can hear your name on the show. How cool is that?


]]> Python No Brian Okken Bob Belderbos Barry Warsaw - OG Python, Bass Guitar, Tai Chi 4 4 Barry Warsaw - OG Python, Bass Guitar, Tai Chi full d5f075a6-461a-4fe5-920f-4649230ed784 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/barry-warsaw Barry Warsaw has been with Python almost from the beginning, and is still at it.

  • The early days of Python
  • The tone and feel of the Python community came from Guido
  • Tai Chi
  • Meditation
  • Bass Guitar

Stick around until the very end of the show for a special treat, Barry Warsaw and The Zen of Python.

Links from the show:


]]> Barry Warsaw has been with Python almost from the beginning, and is still at it.

  • The early days of Python
  • The tone and feel of the Python community came from Guido
  • Tai Chi
  • Meditation
  • Bass Guitar

Stick around until the very end of the show for a special treat, Barry Warsaw and The Zen of Python.

Links from the show:


]]> Fri, 04 Aug 2023 22:21:49 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2749 Barry Warsaw has been with Python almost from the beginning, and is still at it.

  • The early days of Python
  • The tone and feel of the Python community came from Guido
  • Tai Chi
  • Meditation
  • Bass Guitar

Stick around until the very end of the show for a special treat, Barry Warsaw and The Zen of Python.

Links from the show:


]]> Python No Brian Okken Barry Warsaw Brett Cannon - Core Python, Fountain Pens 3 3 Brett Cannon - Core Python, Fountain Pens full 0c8e7d25-0248-457e-b1ad-cbc63815769b https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/brett-cannon Topics:

  • “I don't know about the rest of you... I came for the language, but I stayed for the community." Brett Cannon, Python Core Dev, Pycon US 2014 Opening remarks
  • Public speaking
  • Being encouraging to others
  • Why Canada
  • Meanings of Back Bacon, Toque, and Pop
  • Walking in Vancouver
  • Snowshoeing
  • Philosophy and thinking logically
  • Proving the existence of God
  • Rewriting code. “You’re probably going to have to write this 3 times before you’re happy with it.”
  • 1 week per month on technical debt.
  • Fountain pens
  • Writing a gratitude journal
  • Books
  • “What goes on in your brain is not the same as everyone else’s.”
  • "Steeped in the world of tea." - nice pun

Links from the show:


]]> Topics:

  • “I don't know about the rest of you... I came for the language, but I stayed for the community." Brett Cannon, Python Core Dev, Pycon US 2014 Opening remarks
  • Public speaking
  • Being encouraging to others
  • Why Canada
  • Meanings of Back Bacon, Toque, and Pop
  • Walking in Vancouver
  • Snowshoeing
  • Philosophy and thinking logically
  • Proving the existence of God
  • Rewriting code. “You’re probably going to have to write this 3 times before you’re happy with it.”
  • 1 week per month on technical debt.
  • Fountain pens
  • Writing a gratitude journal
  • Books
  • “What goes on in your brain is not the same as everyone else’s.”
  • "Steeped in the world of tea." - nice pun

Links from the show:


]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:47:12 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 3952 Topics:

  • “I don't know about the rest of you... I came for the language, but I stayed for the community." Brett Cannon, Python Core Dev, Pycon US 2014 Opening remarks
  • Public speaking
  • Being encouraging to others
  • Why Canada
  • Meanings of Back Bacon, Toque, and Pop
  • Walking in Vancouver
  • Snowshoeing
  • Philosophy and thinking logically
  • Proving the existence of God
  • Rewriting code. “You’re probably going to have to write this 3 times before you’re happy with it.”
  • 1 week per month on technical debt.
  • Fountain pens
  • Writing a gratitude journal
  • Books
  • “What goes on in your brain is not the same as everyone else’s.”
  • "Steeped in the world of tea." - nice pun

Links from the show:


]]> Python No Brian Okken Brett Cannon Paul Everitt - Early Python, Coaching 2 2 Paul Everitt - Early Python, Coaching full e9be3bda-ca62-4693-ab9d-c93bd474ffa5 https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/paul-everitt Paul Everitt is a developer advocate for JetBrains and PyCharm. 
Covered topics include:

  • The transition of Python from BDFL to steering committee
  • Brainstorming topics for this podcast
  • Django, function based vs class based views, and Nancy Pelosi
  • Coaching Lacrosse, "we're not in the lacrosse business, we're in the leadership business"
  • Sports, if done the right way, can be a positive influence
  • We don't need heroes, we need the next generation of heroes
  • Volunteering work is a lot like open source
  • Skateboarding and collaboration over competition




]]> Paul Everitt is a developer advocate for JetBrains and PyCharm. 
Covered topics include:

  • The transition of Python from BDFL to steering committee
  • Brainstorming topics for this podcast
  • Django, function based vs class based views, and Nancy Pelosi
  • Coaching Lacrosse, "we're not in the lacrosse business, we're in the leadership business"
  • Sports, if done the right way, can be a positive influence
  • We don't need heroes, we need the next generation of heroes
  • Volunteering work is a lot like open source
  • Skateboarding and collaboration over competition




]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:27:07 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 2343 Paul Everitt is a developer advocate for JetBrains and PyCharm. 
Covered topics include:

  • The transition of Python from BDFL to steering committee
  • Brainstorming topics for this podcast
  • Django, function based vs class based views, and Nancy Pelosi
  • Coaching Lacrosse, "we're not in the lacrosse business, we're in the leadership business"
  • Sports, if done the right way, can be a positive influence
  • We don't need heroes, we need the next generation of heroes
  • Volunteering work is a lot like open source
  • Skateboarding and collaboration over competition




]]> Python No Brian Okken Paul Everitt Michael Kennedy - Talk Python and Motorcycles 1 1 Michael Kennedy - Talk Python and Motorcycles full 31c3cc43-161a-4af8-b390-06722c173ced https://pythontest.com/pythonpeople/episodes/michael-kennedy Michael is the host of the podcasts Talk Python to Me and Python Bytes and runs the Python online course site Talk Python Training.
He is also pretty serious about motorcycling, spends some time with simulated racing, and used to play billiards for cash.



]]> Michael is the host of the podcasts Talk Python to Me and Python Bytes and runs the Python online course site Talk Python Training.
He is also pretty serious about motorcycling, spends some time with simulated racing, and used to play billiards for cash.



]]> Thu, 06 Jul 2023 16:15:35 -0700 Brian Okken Brian Okken 1747 Michael is the host of the podcasts Talk Python to Me and Python Bytes and runs the Python online course site Talk Python Training.
He is also pretty serious about motorcycling, spends some time with simulated racing, and used to play billiards for cash.



]]> Python No Brian Okken Michael Kennedy