Best Fundamentals of Action 101 Podcast Podcasts (2025)

If you're looking to accelerate your career growth, this episode gives you what may feel like hard truths about the path forward. So many engineers fall into traps of overthinking, chasing minor optimizations (like 5% or 10% productivity boosts), or playing the games of politics and networking. While these sideline activities aren't necessarily use…

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Getting to Senior - Taking Ownership Without Leading Projects 15:56

Play Pause

14d ago15:56

15:56

If you're an engineer looking to move into a senior role, you have likely heard that you need to demonstrate "ownership". Unfortunately, this crucial term is often poorly defined and leads to a major misconception: that ownership means being assigned a full project or a Tech Lead role. I want to dispel that myth and explain why ownership is actuall…

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Part Two - Bryan McCann, CTO of You.com, on AI, Engineering, Art, and Everything In Between 36:16

21d ago36:16

36:16

Hey everyone, welcome to today's episode of Developer Tea. This is the second part of my interview with Bryan McCann, the CTO at you.com. If you haven't listened to Part One, I'd encourage you to go back, as it provides crucial context for our continued discussion. In this episode, we dive into how you can think about relating to and integrating th…

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Indirect Game 101: How to Attract the Hottest Women 26:41

28d ago26:41

26:41

In this episode, I discuss the power of doing direct game. Chapters: (00:00) Don't approach like this (04:30) Why indirect game works (06:00) Using indirect game with the HOTTEST girls (08:40) Being man to woman? (10:00) Conversations to nowhere... (10:45) Intuitive? (11:30) Some more constraints... (15:00) Indirect opener masterclass (20:00) Delay…

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Part One - Bryan McCann, CTO of You.com, on AI, Engineering, Art, and Everything In Between 34:40

28d ago34:40

34:40

Hey everyone and welcome to today's episode of Developer Tea. It's been quite a while since I've had a guest on the show. Today, I'm joined by Bryan McCann, CTO at you.com. We dive into a wide-ranging discussion, exploring the philosophical origins of his career—from studying meaning and language to working in very early AI research. This discussio…

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Going to War with Burnout - Less Hours Isn't Your Only Option 18:09

1M ago18:09

18:09

I'm tackling a massive challenge today: burnout. While the standard advice usually involves working less, I want to show you a practical dimension of burnout you have more control over, focusing on increasing your agency and autonomy to manage chronic workplace stress more effectively. Burnout is classified by the ICD-11 as a syndrome resulting fro…

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Direct Game 101: Cold Approach Made Simple and Easy 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

In this episode, I discuss the power of doing direct game. Chapters: (00:00) What is direct game? (01:45) Being natural and genuine (03:30) The biggest mistake guys make in game (08:00) Start by saying THIS (13:50) Downsides of direct game (23:00) Indirect ways of doing direct game Here are links to the programs mentioned on the podcast: Bootcamps …

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The Good and Bad of Choosing Measurements - Traps and Opportunities of Measuring What Matters 15:01

2M ago15:01

15:01

In this episode, I dive into the management mantra that "what is measured is managed" and explain why this simple assertion often leads to a complex trap. We discuss why the act of measuring team productivity is never neutral—it's an intervention that immediately changes behavior, often resulting in unintended consequences like gaming the metrics. …

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Engage in Deliberate Practice to Level Up Your Engineering Leadership Skills 18:08

2M ago18:08

18:08

By Jonathan Cutrell

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Shift Your Locus of Control to Take Charge of Your Engineering Career 20:45

2M ago20:45

20:45

This episode explores the concept of Locus of Control and why developing a more internal locus of control is beneficial for your career and life. You'll learn the difference between internal and external perspectives, why one is more useful than the other, and practical exercises to shift your mindset to believe you have more influence over the out…

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Resumé Driven Development - Your Career is In Your Hands 12:27

2M ago12:27

12:27

In this episode we'll discuss why "Résumé Driven Development" is a powerful mental model for building a thriving career. Instead of seeing your résumé as just a job-hunting tool, you'll learn to use it as a guide for setting measurable, impactful goals that benefit you, your manager, and your company. Focus on Impact, Not Just Tasks: Discover why a…

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Forced and Unforced Errors 15:31

2M ago15:31

15:31

In this episode, we introduce a simple yet powerful mental model from the world of sports: forced vs. unforced errors. By understanding this concept, you can shift your focus from things outside your control to the simple, foundational behaviours that truly define a successful career. Understand the Difference: Learn the distinction between forced …

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View Your Productivity Through the Lens of Values and Priorities 13:39

3M ago13:39

13:39

In this episode, we introduce two fundamental thought experiments to help you uncover your true priorities and core values. By exploring scenarios of scarcity and abundance, you'll learn to align your daily actions with what truly matters, leading to a more satisfied career and life. Uncover Your Priorities: Engage in a "5% exercise" where you imag…

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This One Skill Signifies Seniority For Software Engineers 14:28

3M ago14:28

14:28

This episode explains what is arguably the best career advice you'll hear this week: the one skill that signifies seniority in software engineers is the ability to synthesise and optimise for multiple factors at once. Instead of focusing on a single factor, such as performance or maintainability, senior engineers identify and weigh the various trad…

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Backup Plans and Risk Reward Curves 13:50

3M ago13:50

13:50

This episode focuses on the critical importance of having a backup plan, not just for technical redundancies but especially for situations involving human error, which are highly prevalent in one's career. The core argument hinges on understanding risk and reward curves, highlighting the disproportionate impact of failures compared to incremental s…

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Second Order Consequences and Forcing Functions 23:45

3M ago23:45

23:45

Todays episode delves into understanding and leveraging second and third-order consequences – the ripple effects that occur after an initial action – and introduces forcing functions, which are an inverted way of thinking about these consequences, designed to drive desired outcomes by first determining "what must be true" for them to occur. The epi…

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Don't Try to Solve Hyperobject Problems Once 15:46

4M ago15:46

15:46

This episode delves into the philosophical concept of hyperobjects – problems so vast and complex they lack clear boundaries and cannot be "solved" once and for all. It explores why attempting to permanently fix issues like technical debt, user experience, or performance management is often ineffective. Instead, it offers a new perspective: how to …

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The Subtle Art of Subtlety 30:32

4M ago30:32

30:32

In this episode, I touch on a cornerstone of good game–how to be subtle. Chapters: (00:00) Nonchalance explained (03:30) Overdoing it (06:15) It's the little things... (07:15) Honest signals (10:30) Simply don't quit. (15:00) What's my honest reaction to this? (20:20) You are the prize. (24:30) A story... Here are links to the programs mentioned on…

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Behavior Change 101: Trigger, Incentive, and Ability 20:16

4M ago20:16

20:16

This episode delves into a powerful model for encouraging behaviour change, applicable to both managing others and self-improvement, by focusing on three critical factors: Trigger, Incentive, and Ability. It challenges common, ineffective management approaches and provides insights into fostering new habits and desired actions by making the 'right'…

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Goal of the Goal - Using Goals As A Prioritization Clarifying Tool 26:13

4M ago26:13

26:13

This episode delves into the crucial role of well-positioned goals in a developer's career. It asserts that goals provide clarity, perspective, and purpose, particularly focusing on clarity as a primary benefit. The discussion challenges common struggles with goal setting, including the often-overlooked importance of relevance (the 'R' in SMART goa…

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Never Run Out of Things to Say 22:22

4M ago22:22

22:22

In this episode, I break down a new, ridiculously simple method for never running out of things to say. Chapters: (00:00) Intro (02:30) The "PMI" Framework. (07:30) Figuring out what to say. (17:45) Teasing in the later phases of game. Here are links to the programs mentioned on the podcast: Bootcamps and Immersions Submit questions to todd@toddvda…

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Your Capacity for Growth Is Dependent on This Factor - Cognitive Load Theory 23:49

4M ago23:49

23:49

Today we explore Cognitive Load Theory. This concept can profoundly influence how you structure your workday, manage teams, and approach learning in your career. The episode highlights that much of professional work, particularly in knowledge-based roles like software engineering, is fundamentally about learning. You will discover that there is an …

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Investigating Your Invisible Systems 16:20

5M ago16:20

16:20

This episode focuses again on the fundamental principle that your systems are perfectly designed for the outcomes you are experiencing, regardless of whether those systems were intentionally or accidentally created. Here are the key takeaways from the episode: Uncover how your systems, whether intentionally or accidentally designed, are perfectly c…

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Perfection Is Fragile, and You Should Avoid It 20:03

5M ago20:03

20:03

This episode discusses why perfection is a dangerous and fragile goal, explaining how striving for 100% leads to unsustainable outlier states. It highlights how setting perfection as a bar can cause commitments to break and plans to fail due to a lack of slack, and offers strategies like building redundancy and planning with slack to achieve goals …

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Your System is Perfectly Designed for Your Current Outcomes 18:14

5M ago18:14

18:14

This episode introduces the potentially controversial principle that your system is perfectly designed for its current outcomes, urging listeners to embrace greater responsibility for systemic issues. It explores how to redefine system boundaries to holistically integrate all influencing factors, like talent and organisational processes, ensuring t…

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Using LLMs To Expand Your Working Vocabulary 13:26

5M ago13:26

13:26

This episode explores the fundamental mindset of building your vocabulary, extending beyond literal words to conceptual understanding and mental models, and how Large Language Models (LLMs) can be a powerful tool for expanding and refining this crucial skill for career growth, clarity, and navigating disruptions. Uncover why building your vocabular…

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Great Reviews and Terrible Tacos - Sharpening Substitute Questions with Counterfactuals 23:28

6M ago23:28

23:28

This episode delves into the use of substitute questions—simpler queries we use to answer more complex ones—and the crucial concept of cohesion between these substitutes and our true objectives. You'll learn how to leverage counterfactual thinking to scrutinize your assumptions and enhance the effectiveness of your decisions. Discover two powerful …

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Why Maintenance Matters Now - Construal Level Theory, Marshmallows, and Hyperbolic Discounting 22:57

6M ago22:57

22:57

This episode explores why maintenance tasks, despite their fundamental importance, are often neglected or deprioritised in our daily lives and professional work. It delves into the psychological biases that make consistent maintenance challenging, such as hyperbolic discounting, where immediate gratification is valued over future gains, and the con…

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Follow This Principle - Establish Your Baselines 8:00

6M ago8:00

8:00

This episode introduces a profound yet simple principle: knowing your baselines. This concept is crucial for effectively detecting and measuring change in your life and career. Uncover the fundamental idea that to recognise when something has changed, you must first understand what things were like before the change occurred. Often, people haven't …

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Advice on Advice - Taking Everything with a Grain of Salt 13:54

6M ago13:54

13:54

This episode explores the complex landscape of receiving advice in your career, particularly during uncertain times. It offers insights on how to critically evaluate feedback and external information, prepare for potential negative outcomes outside of your control, and adapt your focus to thrive in a changing industry. Explore why the vast amount o…

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Career Advice for Surviving AI Outsourcing 13:09

7M ago13:09

13:09

This episode addresses the fear surrounding industry changes, such as AI and potential outsourcing, and offers actionable advice for engineers, managers, and leaders to navigate these challenges. You'll learn why shifting your focus from just developing skills to embracing ownership and responsibility is crucial for long-term career resilience and …

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Take Back Your Time - Volatility, Pliability, and Agency and Your Obligations.mp3 14:30

7M ago14:30

14:30

This episode provides tactical ways to own your time, reduce meeting load and obligations, and regain agency, especially when feeling burnt out. You'll learn how to use a simple two-part model focusing on Pliability and Volatility to evaluate your tasks and meetings and make intentional choices about how you spend your time. Learn how owning your t…

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Iteration or Target State Planning 15:29

7M ago15:29

15:29

This episode explores the dichotomy between iterative planning and target state planning in software development, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each approach and providing decision factors to help you choose the most appropriate method for your situation. Understand the core difference between iterative planning, which emphasises agility…

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Qualification Fundamentals: What it Really Means and How to Use It 29:15

8M ago29:15

29:15

In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about qualifying. Join me on a Bootcamp to learn game live from me.By Todd V

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Three Principles of Preparedness - Mitigate Risks and Capitalize On Opportunities 15:02

8M ago15:02

15:02

This episode delves into practical principles for navigating the unexpected in your life and career. Rather than attempting to predict specific events, the focus is on cultivating resilience and optionality by identifying vulnerabilities in your systems and adopting a proactive mindset to transform potential challenges into strategic advantages. • …

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Did I Get That Right? - A High Leverage Habit that Requires Virtually Zero Skill 13:28

8M ago13:28

13:28

This episode introduces a simple yet highly effective communication habit that can be adopted by anyone to significantly reduce the risk of misunderstandings and enhance connection. It explores how this practice, which requires thoughtful communication but no special skills, can benefit individuals at all career levels. Discover why misunderstandin…

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Meta Models - Logarithmic Returns 12:08

8M ago12:08

12:08

This episode introduces a valuable meta-tool for understanding the generic shapes of models, focusing specifically on the concept of logarithmic relationships and how they manifest as diminishing returns in various aspects of our lives and work. Understanding these patterns can help us make more informed decisions about where to invest our time and…

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Dimensional Reframing - Think Along a New Axis 12:57

8M ago12:57

12:57

This episode introduces the concept of dimensional reframing as a tool to gain new perspectives on problems and facilitate decision-making by considering a new dimension. • Learn how adding a new dimension to a problem can overcome limited perception and lead to new insights. • Discover how applying the dimension of time to bug management can help …

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The Simple Guide to Social Circle Dating 27:09

8M ago27:09

27:09

In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about social circle game. Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:30) The ADVANTAGES of social circle game (04:55) How to open in social circle game (10:00) How to create social proof in social circles (12:25) What to do if you've seen this girl before (14:15) How to open in social circle game (18:25) B…

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Chesterton's Fence - Why You Should Think Twice Before Rewriting That Project 8:50

9M ago8:50

8:50

This episode explores the concept of Chesterton's fence, a principle that advises against removing or altering something without first understanding its original purpose. • Understand the core message of Chesterton's fence: before getting rid of an existing system, process, or code, take the time to understand why it was put there in the first plac…

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Reframing Areas of Growth to Your Manager 11:50

9M ago11:50

11:50

This episode discusses how to reframe areas of growth identified in performance reviews with your manager, turning potential weaknesses into strategic strengths. It emphasizes focusing on excelling in your existing strengths rather than spreading efforts thinly across all areas of improvement. Understand why it's misguided to immediately convert a …

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Owning and Requesting Forward-Framed Feedback 9:12

9M ago9:12

9:12

This episode provides a tactical question to elicit useful feedback by taking responsibility for seeking it out and framing the request in a way that encourages advice rather than judgment. Understand that your manager giving you feedback is your responsibility, which means you should actively seek it out rather than waiting. Discover how a simple …

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Work Modes Using Autonomy and Definition Clarity Quadrant - Manager Frameworks and Tools Series 16:06

9M ago16:06

16:06

This episode introduces a simple quadrant tool to visualise different working modes that a team or individual task might be in, based on levels of autonomy and definition. Understand how the quadrant is built using the X-axis of dependency (high to low) and the Y-axis of definition (high to low) to visualise different work modes. Explore how the bo…

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Manager Frameworks and Models - Product Lifecycle Governance 13:52

9M ago13:52

13:52

This episode introduces product lifecycle governance, offering practical techniques for engineering managers to tackle challenges like backlog prioritisation and leadership misunderstandings, helping turn potential problems into strategic advantages. Uncover how to use product lifecycle governance to expose vulnerabilities in your product developme…

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The Thought Process of Game 28:08

9M ago28:08

28:08

In this episode, I break down the repeatable thought process that I believe is the key to mastering game. A guy who develops the right mindset, routines, and learning process is guaranteed to succeed in game. By focusing on systematic self-evaluation, running small experiments, and refining my approach, I’ve always been confident in my ability to i…

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Philosophical Frameworks that Inform Your Decisions (Without You Even Knowing It) 24:51

10M ago24:51

24:51

This episode explores philosophical frameworks—ontology, teleology, and dynamism—to inform decision-making in uncertain situations, providing practical advice for applying these concepts in your professional and personal life. Understand how ontology, teleology, and dynamism can help you navigate conversations about future actions for teams, compan…

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How Can You Prepare for High-Impact Unknown Events? 25:26

10M ago25:26

25:26

This episode includes practical techniques to prepare for the unexpected by identifying vulnerabilities and building resilience, using the "curse question" and the "assumption audit" to help you turn potential problems into strategic advantages. • Uncover how to use a "curse question" to expose vulnerabilities you didn't know you had, by imagining …

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Misconceptions about Exceptions and Cultural Shifts - Invisible Inertia 23:37

10M ago23:37

23:37

In this episode, we discuss how invisible inertia can cause us to misinterpret our reality in work scenarios. • Discover why common misconceptions about behaviour are so difficult to spot. • Explore why your "unique" situation might be a common trap, a "uniqueness bias". • Learn how exceptional states can become the norm and impact your life. • Unc…

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Action Orientation and Making Faster Decisions 25:48

10M ago25:48

25:48

Time-crunched and data-scarce? Learn how the RPD model can leverage expertise and intuition to speed up decision-making, and how the 'Rubicon' moment can make your team more action-oriented. Stop endless planning and start doing: Learn how understanding action phases can help your team move faster from discussion to delivery. • Is your team stuck i…