Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers: A Moment to Reset and Appreciate
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Release Date: 11/27/2025
Prove Your MVP: The Founder Playbook for a Strong First Launch (with Angelo Zanetti)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’re building a new app or software product, your biggest risk usually isn’t “bad code.” It’s building the wrong thing, shipping it with a shaky first impression, and then wondering why growth never shows up. In this episode of Building Better Developers, Angelo Zanetti breaks it down into a simple founder goal: prove your MVP—prove the problem is real, prove the solution is worth paying for, and prove you can deliver value without burning your runway. About Angelo Zanetti Angelo Zanetti is the co-founder and CEO of Elemental, a South African-based software...
info_outline
Tiered Pricing in the AI Era: What Actually Works (with Dan Balcauski)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Tiered pricing is becoming the simplest way to sell AI-powered SaaS without turning your pricing page into a technical explanation. In my interview with Dan Balcauski, founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, we talked about why AI is forcing new pricing decisions earlier than ever—and why “good, better, best” packaging often works because it keeps buying decisions clear while helping companies manage real AI costs. The AI era is making pricing margin-aware again. Tiered pricing helps you protect margins without forcing buyers to learn your cost...
info_outline
Minimal Viable Pricing: How to Stop Guessing and Start Learning (with Dan Balcauski)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Minimal viable pricing is the fastest way to stop debating what your product should cost and start learning what customers will actually pay for. In my interview with Dan Balcauski, founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, we talked about how early-stage teams can set pricing that’s “good enough” to sell, validate value, and iterate—without getting stuck chasing the perfect number. Pricing can feel risky because it shapes perception, positioning, and revenue. But Dan’s message is practical: you don’t need perfect pricing to move forward—you need minimal viable...
info_outline
Workflow Efficiency Metrics: ROI Without Micromanaging (Michael Toguchi)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you want real improvement—not just more dashboards—workflow efficiency metrics have to start with something most teams avoid: visibility. In Part 2 of our interview with Michael Toguchi, we move from “big ideas” into the operational reality leaders face every day: shadow tools, duplicate systems, fuzzy ROI, and the pricing pressure that shows up when AI makes work faster. This conversation is a reality check for ops leaders, engineering leaders, and consultants trying to scale without drowning in tool sprawl—or measuring productivity in ways that break trust. Workflow...
info_outline
Process Before Tools: How to Scale Without Burnout (Michael Toguchi)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’ve ever felt like your team is running on duct tape and good intentions, you’re not alone. In this Building Better Developers interview, Michael Toguchi (Chief Strategy Officer at eResources) makes a simple point that changes how you approach growth: process before tools. Before you buy another platform, automate another workflow, or roll out a new system, you need clarity on how the work actually gets done—and who it’s meant to serve. You can’t tool your way out of chaos. The real fix starts upstream—before the migration, before the CRM, before the next sprint. It starts...
info_outline
Conversion Rate Optimization: Find Funnel Bottlenecks and Improve What Matters
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
You validated the idea. You built the page. Maybe you’re even getting traffic. And yet… the conversions don’t match the effort. In Part 2 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we shift from “prove the concept” to conversion rate optimization—the discipline of diagnosing what’s actually limiting growth and improving the parts of your funnel that matter most. This isn’t about chasing shiny marketing tactics. It’s about execution: the kind that turns a funnel from “pretty good” into “predictable.” About Samir ElKamouny Samir ElKamouny is an entrepreneur...
info_outline
Market Validation Strategy: Stop Building in the Dark—Validate Your Idea First
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’re a developer or founder, you already know how to build. The hard part is building the right thing, for the right people, at the right time. In Part 1 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we dig into a practical market validation strategy that helps you avoid the most expensive mistake in software: investing months of effort into something the market didn’t ask for. Samir’s message is refreshingly grounded: big ideas are great, but execution is everything. And execution doesn’t start with code—it starts with clarity, research, and small tests that tell you whether...
info_outline
New Year, New Momentum: What Developers Can Look Forward to in 2026
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
New Year’s Day hits different when you’re recording with a live studio audience, passing the mic around, and starting the year with a mix of laughs, honest reflection, and big goals. In this Building Better Developers special episode, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche kick off 2026 by sharing a “good thing / bad thing” recap from a recent Christmas party—then opening the floor to the team to talk about the New Year developer goals. It’s casual, it’s real, and it’s a reminder that growth (personal and professional) usually starts with clarity. Michael’s 2026 New...
info_outline
2025 Year-End Reflection for Developers: AI Hype, Layoffs, and What’s Next
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
It’s New Year’s Eve-Eve, and instead of recording from our usual virtual setups, we did something we’ve talked about for years: we hit record in the same room. If you’re watching on YouTube, you can actually see us together. If you’re listening on audio, you’ll just have to trust us—this one was in-person. In this special episode of Building Better Developers (our Building Better Foundations season), we keep it simple: a Year-End Reflection for Developers. What are we ready to leave behind from this year? What do we want to carry into the next one? And what’s the reality...
info_outline
Year-End Reset for Developers: A Pre-Christmas Check-In to Finish Strong
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
The week before Christmas has a way of exposing how the year really went. Deadlines either slow down or pile up, calendars get messy, and the pressure to “wrap everything up” shows up at the same time you’re trying to enjoy the season. In this Pre-Christmas episode of Building Better Developers, and keep it practical: looking back on the year, calling out what worked (and what didn’t), and sharing why a year-end reset for developers is the best way to prepare for a better new year. Why a Year-End Reset for Developers Matters A year-end reset for developers isn’t just...
info_outlineIn this special holiday episode of the Building Better Foundations season of the Building Better Developers Podcast, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche pause their usual deep-dive discussions to share meaningful Thanksgiving reflections for developers. This annual tradition goes beyond technology and process—it centers on gratitude, growth, and the people who shape our journeys.
Why Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers Matter
Even though the recording takes place before the holiday, the episode releases just as listeners gather for Thanksgiving. Rob’s signature “gobble gobble” sound kicks things off, marking another year of stepping back to appreciate the wins, the lessons, and the relationships that make the development life meaningful.
Thanksgiving reflections for developers remind us that progress isn’t just code—it’s community, resilience, and perspective.
Two Sides of the Year: Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers
Rob begins with a candid look at a year of downsizing, simplifying, and major life changes. The process has been exhausting but also freeing—removing clutter, shifting priorities, and making room for what matters most.
Michael shares his own version of growth: completing a massive project, evolving his consulting business into a full-fledged software company, and learning hard lessons through the transition. The challenges brought long hours and stress, but they also delivered clarity and direction for the future.
These Thanksgiving reflections for developers capture a familiar truth: every challenge is a stepping stone.
Gratitude for People: Core Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers
Both hosts highlight the importance of people above all else.
Rob’s Reflections
- Gratitude for his RB Consulting team—developers, project managers, and early-career talent who have grown tremendously.
- Appreciation for the relationships built over years of collaboration.
- Joy in mentoring and watching team members evolve into seasoned professionals.
Michael’s Reflections
- Deep appreciation for his wife and family, who supported him through 100-hour workweeks.
- Gratitude for friendships and the podcast partnership with Rob.
- Reflection on his soon-to-end team at Chase, and thankfulness for the journey they shared.
The strongest Thanksgiving reflections for developers are always about people—not projects.
Technology and Connection: Modern Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers
Rob notes how technology has made it possible to work from almost anywhere—thanks to wireless tools, remote access, and communication platforms like Zoom and FaceTime.
Michael adds that technology is powerful when used for real connection—not just scrolling or posting, but collaborating, calling, and being present with others.
These Thanksgiving reflections for developers highlight a key truth: tech connects us, but only if we use it intentionally.
Traditions and Joy: Lighthearted Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers
The episode also brings fun holiday traditions into the conversation:
- Holiday football (Detroit Lions as always)
- Tennessee weather unpredictability
- The release of the final season of Stranger Things
- Sci-fi inspirations like Spielberg and Lucas
These lighthearted moments remind us that gratitude isn’t just serious—it’s joy, nostalgia, and shared experiences.
Community Appreciation: Final Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers
The hosts close with heartfelt thanks to the podcast community. Listener stories, project successes, and feedback fuel the show’s mission to help developers grow, improve, and thrive.
“Go out into the world and be thankful.” — Building Better Developers Podcast
Thanksgiving Reflections for Developers: Build Better Foundations
This Thanksgiving episode delivers a warm reminder that building better developers begins with building better foundations of gratitude—for people, for opportunities, for growth, and for technology that keeps us connected.
From Rob and Michael: Happy Thanksgiving—and stay thankful.
Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community
We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, there’s always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let’s continue exploring the exciting world of software development.