Soft Skills Engineering
Episodes
Episode 507: I got fired unexpectedly and breadth and depth
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey there, I started a new job in August at a large European retailer. There were u...
Episode 506: I hate my job with AI and my team-mate thinks I suck
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Djavison, I’ve heard y’all say something along the lines of “this is ...
Episode 505: Called to the principal's office and my team leads are super dogmatic
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a senior software engineer at a remote company (~500–700 people), and over ...
Episode 504: Should I quit my AI job before my first day and professional button-clicker
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Jamison and Dave. Eight years into my software engineering career, all of it at ...
Episode 503: Hardware is hard and my PMs are pushing AI slop code
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a software developer with about 15 years in the industry, and I am soon start...
Episode 502: Management keeps leaving and I hate using AI to code
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi, thank you for the podcast, I am long time listener, first time asker. Something...
Episode 501: Vibecoding CEO and doing to teaching
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Derek asks, I am the CTO and cofounder of a startup. Now that...
Episode 500: Am I the only one not getting raises and firing my whole team
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I have been with my current organization for 5+ years. I like the company and have ...
Episode 499: Should I quit my solo dev job with a sports team and senile seniors
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a new listener to the podcast and work as the sole developer for a sports tea...
Episode 498: Testing in big corporations and how to get my first management job
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Dave and Jamison, Internal dev asker from the second half of Episo...
Episode 497: Patronizing perf reviews and can't get anything done as a tech lead
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a relatively new people manager and I really struggle when it comes time for ...
Episode 496: Passing non-technical interviews and my internship with only other interns
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Listener Tom says, I’m a software developer with six years experience, mostl...
Episode 495: What to do when my boss quits and moving to Romania?
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hello gentlemen, long-time listener here, and I’d love your take on something tha...
Episode 494: Am I interviewing all wrong and leaving old team chats
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Dear Damison and Javison, I work at a very small startup (<10 engineers) and am ...
Episode 493: My boss one-ups my negativity and football engineering
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey Guys, long time listener, first time asker! At my BigCorp Co., whenever I ...
Episode 492: Fresh grads and startups or the goog
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Listener AWS multi-region is not real multi-region, ask me how I know asks, We...
Episode 491: Re-arranging deck chairs on the Titantic and my boss leaks private info
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I handed in my resignation this past Monday. During the conversation, my manager co...
Episode 489: Ethical dilemma for a gambling app dev and ethical employers
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey Jamison and Dave, love your show! A question for you guys coming all the w...
Episode 490: How do I break into software dev from QA automation and underselling
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Dave and Jamison, I’ve been in QA/QA automation for 13 years now with a CS deg...
Episode 488: How do I survive in a culture of optics and jira slacker
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey Dave and Jamison, Big fan of the show — listening from Portugal! (Proof ...
Episode 487: My manager ignores me during 1:1's and I am required to work in an empty office
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: “My manager insists on a weekly 1:1 with me, but he rarely pays attention. He’s...
Episode 486: No one on my team talks and skip level meetings
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I work at a big tech company on a remote team of about 10 people, and most of them ...
Episode 485: I'm terrible at hiring decisions and my coworker spams us with AI-generated memes
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: What signals do you look for when interviewing candidates? I’ve helped interview ...
Episode 484: How to get a raise after slacking off for YEARS and my PM won't stop DM'ing me
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi! Love your show and how casually you talk and make fun of everything! I started ...
Episode 483: My team hated me from day one and should I stack PTO before my resignation
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: How would you handle a situation where a team forms a negative opinion about you fr...
Episode 482: I got a promotion, but a tiny raise and an imposter interviewed for my team
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: After a year of trying, I recently got promoted to staff engineer! It’s grea...
Episode 481: I'm bored and will I ever find out why I was fired?
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Dave and Jamison, After fleeing a sinking ship of a startup, I became a sol...
Episode 480: Do I just coast until I quit and going back to work after a long time
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: (follow-up from question 449) Hello. Return question asker here. You answered ...
Episode 479: Contractors to the rescue and dinged for delay
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey skillet nation, long time skilletee first time skilleter here. I started at a s...
Episode 478: Can you coach self-awareness and my boss is an llm
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Can you coach self-awareness? I manage someone who seems to believe their skill set...
Episode 477: Four months and I already hate my job and grumpy and fuzzy
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey guys, I have been working for four months at my job and I already don’t ...
Episode 476: How much help is too much help and guarding against slop
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Two junior engineers recently joined my team, and I’ve been tasked with onboardin...
Episode 475: Am I too loyal to my big tech job and politely preserving time
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi! I’m currently working for a big tech company and I’ve just accepted an...
Episode 474: I hate the idea of firing a low performer and cheaper context switching
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Dave & Jamison, Long time listener, first time google-form filler outer...
Episode 473: Mental health support and overcoming FOMO of taking a break from work
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Jamison and Dave! I am not a developer, but my question is hopefully transf...
Episode 472: Should my junior dev use AI and thrown in to ETL
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m the CTO of a small startup. We’re 3 devs including me and one of them is a ...
Episode 471: Why does my junior engineer do so little and I fell asleep in a Zoom meeting
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a senior developer on a small team, and I’m feeling frustrated with a junio...
Episode 470: I said something stupid in a meeting and just want to code
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I was on a meeting with a team generally regarded to be pretty annoying to deal wit...
Episode 469: Passed over for lead role and perhaps I'm the jerk
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a long time listener to the podcast. Thanks for reading and answering my ques...
Episode 468: Should I take a mini-retirement and doubling down on anachronisms
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Dave and Jamison, Long-time listener, first-time question asker. Thank you ...
Episode 467: I can't get promoted if I do my job and should I get a degree to get a job in this economy
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am a data scientist and was recently passed over for promotion to senior because ...
Episode 466: Bad performance review and moving in to the caves
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I had my performance review two months ago where I scored a “Does not meet expect...
Episode 465: Talking to your report's previous manager and how to replace a 30-year-old ticketing system
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Mike says, To what degree do you think it’s appropriate to ...
Episode 464: Rehiring an overpaid boomerang and AI has taken over my teammate's brain
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Mr A. N. Onymous says, Hi Dave and Jamison, Long time listened, second ti...
Episode 463: CTO w/ weak resume and I tried management and it was TERRIBLE
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Albert Nonymous asks, I am the CTO at a small (5 engineers) tech start-up with...
Episode 462: Supporting laid-off employee and how to rebuild culture after layoffs
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: One of my employees is probably getting laid off, what do I do!?! I’m a tech...
Episode 461: How to do side projects with a family and demanding job and my company promised me a raise, but didn't give it
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey, long-time listener, listened to almost all episodes now and have been loving i...
Episode 460: Losing autonomy and I got skipped for a promotion even though I'm awesome
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I have managed a product for some months now. My previous manager split their team ...
Episode 459: Am I cutting edge and how to compliment someone who went from super jerk to super nice
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I work for a B2C fintech startup as a senior engineer. Our onboarding funnel has a ...
Episode 458: Infinite tech debt hack and figuring out what is going on
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Nearly every time certain developers on the team want to address technical debt, th...
Episode 457: How do I get off the on-call rotation and "big tech" == "big leagues"?
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am a senior software engineer in a big tech/faang company and this week is my fir...
Episode 456: Will I look bad on the job market if I'm a crypto developer and struggling to go from management back to dev work
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey, I am a web developer getting bored of the regular development work. I am inter...
Episode 455: UX designer without a mentor and I get bored too easily and stressed too easily
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Dakota asks, I’m a UX designer, and I’m constantly lookin...
Episode 454: Tracking productivity? and my CTO is ChatGPT
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m a manager on a Product team. I’ve been asked by upper management to measure...
Episode 453: Why did my company build an internal LinkedIn and how do I not get stagnant in my skills?
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Greetings! I work at a research company with ~500 engineers and scientists. My comp...
Episode 452: Consulting refactor and extra work, extra scrutiny
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’ve been a developer for about 1.5 years. I work for a large consultancy. we pro...
Episode 451: Un-collaborative architect and who is my boss?
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Scot asks, A new architect was hired at my company 6 months a...
Episode 450: I'm terrible at behavioral interviews and time zonessssssss
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I struggle with behavioral interviews. I’ve gotten a little bit better as I’ve ...
Episode 449: My tech lead ignored my warnings and I don't know what my leadership style is
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hello, long time listener first time question asker. I work for a medium sized tech...
Episode 448: Title over salary and from figure skater to software developer
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Steven says, Long-time listener of the podcast here—it alwa...
Episode 447: Overleveled at FAANG and accidental draft feedback
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am a mid level engineer overleveled as a senior engineer in a FAANG company. I go...
Episode 446: Wading through AI slop and they don't get git
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Matthias (mah-TEA-as) asks, In episode 444 you’re talking a...
Episode 445: Staying at my first job and my coworker is insulting other departments
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Kevin asks, Hey, found the show and really enjoy it! Been lis...
Episode 444: Surrounded by apathetic coworkers and put it on my resume?
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: After a decade as a Senior front-end engineer in companies stuck in legacy ways of ...
Episode 443: Does my PM hate me? and My coworker has anxiety when I help
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I think my team’s PM might hate me. Hate is exaggerating, but they often will giv...
Episode 442: Improving communication skills and how to break my job hopping habit
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I would like your advice on how I can improve my communication skills. I realize th...
Episode 441: Will working in healthcare hurt my reputation and precious wisdom
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m currently in the interviewing pipeline for an engineering position at a fairl...
Episode 440: How do I help my boss not burn out and should I tell people I'm older than I am?
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Stefan Help! Most of the time people ask questions about issues that already h...
Episode 439: Harried VP of Eng and first startup job
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: What advice would you give for working with an ineffective leader whose input is cr...
Episode 438: Software job after prison and working 60 hours per week at age 20 and feeling unfulfilled
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am a first time caller and full time listener of your show. I was released f...
Episode 437: My company canceled all one-on-ones and moving to a single backlog
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: My company recently eliminated 1:1 meetings between managers and their direct repor...
Episode 436: Paralyzed by checkboxes and I'm on a "must keep happy" list
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Marcus Zackerberg asks, I work at a megacorp whose recent focus has been on re...
Episode 435: How to make my boss actually do something and kindly shooting down
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: First! I recently listened to episode 178 (huge backlog of episodes to work through...
Episode 434: Forgetful boss and nothing to say
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: My boss has been forgetting a lot of stuff lately — decisions from team discussio...
Episode 433: My teammate pretends we decided, but we didn't and my team is getting worse and worse
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey guys! I recently moved onto a new team, and my teammate has an interesting...
Episode 432: As an LLM, how can I be more emotionally smart and when to use I vs we?
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey Soft Skills Engineering, Apologies for the anonymity but it is very import...
Episode 431: Stinky.js and power hungry friend
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey! Love your podcast! I’ve been poached by a startup which sounds really exciti...
Episode 430: Should I quit this job I'm underqualified for and honestly torpedoed my promo chances
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I work at a large tech company, been there for about two years at the time of writi...
Episode 429: Should I quit my job for free hoodies and manager to IC
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I have a job I mostly enjoy, with a super flexible schedule and the freedom to work...
Episode 428: Interim tech lead and asking for a raise when a peer leaves
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Listener Muszyn asks, I have been working as a SWE for almost two years. My te...
Episode 427: Under to over-employed and wibbly wobbly timey wimey
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi! I enjoy your podcast a lot, been listening to it almost since the beginning bef...
Episode 426: I got too many promotions and I have anxiety about getting fired
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Long time listener, first time question asker. I love the show, thank you for all t...
Episode 425: Org chart bait and switch and ole' reliable
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I was hired at a medium sized company as a staff level IC a few months back and a b...
Episode 424: Bragging without ego and how to predict layoffs
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Listener Billy Bob Taco asks, I work at a small-medium startup, as a member of...
Episode 423: freedom from deadlines and Actual firefighting to software firefighting
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Thank you hosting this show. This show has given me a lot of insight on nuisances o...
Episode 422: Moving in to big tech and building support
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: A listener named Maria says, Hey guys! I am a software engineer working in web...
Episode 421: Hitting the level cap and getting credit for behind-the-scenes work
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’ve been wondering what kind of career conversations happen between managers and...
Episode 420: New grad getting boring work and busy manager
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Little Z says, Hello! I am a relatively new graduate (‘23 bachelor’s in in...
Episode 419: Yoda or Han Solo and I swear I'm senior
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Listener Anakin asks, I have two former co-workers that work at great companie...
Episode 418: Should I "rest and vest" and how do I avoid 3-hour agile meetings?
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I work as a Senior Software Engineer for a subsidiary owned by a mega corp. I am ap...
Episode 417: Should I tell my boss I'm checked out and how do I deal with a PM who has no idea what he's doing?
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey guys, love the show! (Insert joke here so you’ll read my question) Should I t...
Episode 416: My boss wants me to build dark patterns and getting promoted without writing code
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: “I’ve been assigned a ticket to “add more friction to the downgrade process”...
Episode 415: I got a low raise and merging teams
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi guys! I’m a technical Data Analyst in a well established Fortune 500 company, ...
Episode 414: Hot-headed PM and leaving without downgrading
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Cool-headed engineer asks, How do you deal with hot-headed project managers? I...
Episode 413: Is my interview candidate cheating and my product owner is getting WRECKED by the client
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: This is my first time conducting technical interviews (most of which have been virt...
Episode 412: Work-life-team balance and getting code-sniped
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Dear Skillet HQ, How would you negotiate a difference in work-life balance bet...
Episode 411: We have a secret org chart and I'm a big fish in a little pond
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi :-) I work as a Senior Data Scientist, and about half a year ago I joined a...
Episode 410: Guaranteed cost-of-living raises and my manager doesn't like me
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Soft Skills! I’m writing to you as I look forlornly at my paycheck, uncha...
Episode 409: Fancy title to IC and CRUD is crud
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Listener Shayne asks, I’m about to start a new gig after 8+ years a...
Episode 408: Terrible retrospectives and "hard to work with"
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I am an electrical engineer working on and off with software for about 15 years. Fr...