Software Development, Finance and Economics
We’ve been doing Software Development and Architecture work for a while at Snowpal, and currently have several B2B and B2C products in production. In this podcast, we’ll share our experiences on a regular basis to help you & your teams build great software. The topics covered in this podcast will include Product Management, Project Management, Architecture, Development, Deployment, Security, Release Management, Sales, Marketing, Advertising, and just about everything else an ambitious, fast growing startup based out of the US is likely to be involved in. So, join us. Let’s become better!
Episodes

Thursday Jan 18, 2024
(Part 2/2) Remote Work - An Engineer’s Perspective (feat. Jason Crum)
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
In this podcast, Krish and Jason discuss the cultural aspects of remote work and the importance of knowing each other in a remote setting. They explore whether it is necessary for engineers to know each other and the responsibility of individuals and organizations in fostering relationships. They also touch on the impact of engagement length on building relationships and the importance of treating software development as an art. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of working with different cultures and the need to embrace diversity and learn from different cultures.
Takeaways
Building relationships and getting to know each other is important in a remote work setting.
Both individuals and organizations have a responsibility in fostering relationships and creating a positive work culture.
Engagement length can impact the depth of relationships and the quality of deliverables.
Treating software development as an art and giving 100% effort leads to better results.
Working with different cultures requires understanding and embracing diversity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Recap
00:46 The Importance of Knowing Each Other
03:48 The Individual vs. Organization Responsibility
06:12 Building Relationships in a Remote Setting
11:11 The Impact of Engagement Length
12:32 Treating Software Development as an Art
17:50 Giving 100% and Treating Software Development as an Art
22:23 Challenges of Working with Different Cultures
24:51 Embracing Diversity and Learning from Different Cultures
26:56 Closing Remarks
Snowpal Products
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
(Part 1/2) Remote Work - An Engineer’s Perspective (feat. Jason Crum)
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
In this podcast episode, Krish interviews Jason Crum, a Senior Enterprise Architect, about remote work from an engineer's perspective. They discuss various aspects of remote work, including pre-pandemic, during pandemic, and post-pandemic experiences, preferences for remote or in-office work, benefits and challenges of remote work, limitations of remote work, social interaction, pairing in remote work, implementing remote work in startups, team dynamics, and challenges of non-engineers in remote teams.
Takeaways
Remote work offers flexibility and the ability to manage time effectively.
Remote work can limit social interaction and the ability to collaborate in person.
Pairing in remote work can be challenging but can also be beneficial for certain tasks.
Implementing remote work in startups requires considering team dynamics and ensuring everyone is either remote or in-office.
Non-engineers in remote teams may face unique challenges.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:10 Favorite Food Items
04:06 Remote Work Experience
06:23 Pre-Pandemic, During Pandemic, and Post-Pandemic Remote Work
10:33 Preference for Remote or In-Office Work
13:07 Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work
15:28 Limitations of Remote Work
19:16 Social Interaction and Remote Work
20:39 Pairing in Remote Work
24:46 Implementing Remote Work in Startups
27:50 Team Dynamics in Remote Work
29:43 Challenges of Non-Engineers in Remote Teams
32:21 Closing Comments
Snowpal Products
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
In this podcast episode, the host continues from the previous episodes in the Confluent Cloud series and focuses on consuming messages. The consumer code is reviewed, and the concept of group ID is explained. The process of initializing the consumer and subscribing to topics is demonstrated. The use of channels in Go for message consumption is explored. The host troubleshoots issues related to group ID and discusses the inconsistencies observed. The allocation of messages among multiple consumers with different group IDs is examined. The episode concludes with a summary of the learnings and an invitation to explore Snowpals' products and APIs.
Takeaways
Consuming messages in Confluent Cloud involves initializing the consumer and subscribing to topics.
The group ID determines which consumers belong to which group and affects work sharing and fault tolerance.
Messages can be consumed using channels in Go, allowing for continuous listening and processing.
Troubleshooting issues with group ID and understanding message allocation among multiple consumers is important.
Snowpal offers a range of products and APIs for software development and architecture.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Recap
00:31 Starting to Consume Messages
01:44 Consumer Code Overview
03:08 Consumer Group ID04:04Initializing the Consumer
04:32 Consuming Messages with Channels
05:00 Publishing Messages and Consuming
06:25 Group ID and Offset
07:07 Troubleshooting Group ID08:29Group ID and Producer
09:12 Inconsistencies and Debugging
10:24 Cluster Settings and Group ID
11:08 Cluster and Topic Configuration
12:24 Consumer Group ID and Partitions
13:22 Consumer Group ID and Message Filtering
16:29 Consumer Group ID and Work Sharing
17:49 Producer and Consumer Group ID
18:35 Multiple Consumers and Group ID
19:54 Multiple Consumers with Different Group IDs
20:50 Consuming Messages with Multiple Consumers
22:07 Parallelism and Message Distribution
23:52 Consumer Group ID and Message Allocation
26:30 Consumer Group ID and Message Allocation (Continued)
28:30 Consumer Group ID and Message Allocation (Continued)
30:03 Consumer Group ID and Message Allocation (Continued)
35:45 Conclusion
Snowpal Products
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
In this podcast episode, the host continues the discussion on Confluent Cloud and focuses on adding a consumer and creating a Go client. The process of building a producer and troubleshooting and debugging common issues is also covered. The host explores topics such as topic creation, error handling, and configuration. Known issues and workarounds are discussed, along with cluster settings and security protocols. The episode concludes with final debugging and error handling techniques. In this conversation, Krish explores the process of publishing messages to a Kafka topic using a Go client. He encounters some issues along the way, such as delivery failures and SSL connection problems. However, after making some code changes and switching back and forth, the publishing starts working unexpectedly. Krish also discusses the use of Go channels in the producer and the importance of reading config and initializing the producer correctly. He concludes by mentioning the next steps, which involve consuming the messages from the topic.
Takeaways
Adding a consumer and creating a Go client are important steps in working with Confluent Cloud.
Troubleshooting and debugging are essential skills when working with messaging systems like Kafka.
Understanding topic creation, error handling, and configuration is crucial for successful message production.
Being aware of known issues and their workarounds can save time and effort in troubleshooting.
Configuring cluster settings and security protocols correctly is essential for smooth operation. Publishing messages to a Kafka topic using a Go client involves initializing the producer and ensuring the correct configuration.
Go channels can be used in the producer to handle message production.
Reading the config and initializing the producer correctly is crucial for successful message publishing.
Issues such as delivery failures and SSL connection problems can be resolved by making code changes and switching back and forth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Recap02:30 Adding a Consumer03:44 Creating a Go Client08:08 Building the Producer10:55 Creating a Consumer17:30 Troubleshooting and Debugging21:02 Topic Creation and Message Production25:48 Error Handling and Configuration33:27 Continued Troubleshooting46:20 Correcting Configuration Issues55:41 Known Issues and Workarounds59:12 Cluster Settings and Security Protocols01:01:07 Final Debugging and Error Handling01:02:19 Connecting to the Bootstrap Server01:03:47 Using Channels01:04:48 Replacing Code and Expecting a Broker and Topic01:05:21 Building and Running with Broker and Topic01:06:36 Using Go Channels in the Producer01:07:16 Reading Config and Initializing the Producer01:08:43 Delivery Failed and SSL Connection01:10:13 Sending Messages via Postman and Code01:11:02 Switching Code and Unexpected Working01:11:39 Messages Sent and Refreshing Stand01:12:55 Publishing to Different Topics01:13:32 Publishing Messages and Minor Changes01:14:00 Initializing the Producer and Randomizing Messages01:15:09 Failed to Deliver Message and Event Types01:17:00 Producing Messages with Go Routine01:18:13 Producing Messages and Business Functionality01:19:21 Producing Messages and Printing Output01:21:48 Subscription to the Topic01:22:37 Go Routine and Message Type01:23:56 Event Types and Handling01:30:07 Error Handling and Non-Existent Topic01:32:12 Next Steps: Consuming Messages
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
In this podcast, the host explores Confluent Cloud, a fully managed Kafka service. The host shares their experience with RabbitMQ and Kafka and explains the value of using a managed service like Confluent Cloud. They walk through the process of signing up for an account, creating a cluster, generating API keys, and creating topics. The host also discusses the use of connectors and introduces ksqlDB and Apache Flink. They explore cluster settings, message consumption, and additional features of Confluent Cloud. The podcast concludes with a summary of the topics covered.
Takeaways
Confluent Cloud is a fully managed Kafka service that provides added value through pre-built connectors and ease of use.
Creating a cluster, generating API keys, and creating topics are essential steps in getting started with Confluent Cloud.
ksqlDB and Apache Flink offer stream processing capabilities and can be integrated with Confluent Cloud.
Cluster settings, message consumption, and additional features like stream lineage and stream designer enhance the functionality of Confluent Cloud.
Using a managed service like Confluent Cloud allows developers to focus on solving customer problems rather than managing infrastructure.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction02:25 Exploring Confluent Cloud09:14 Creating a Cluster and API Keys11:00 Creating Topics13:20 Sending Messages to Topics15:12 Introduction to ksqlDB and Apache Flink17:03 Exploring Connectors25:44 Cluster Settings and Configuration28:05 Consuming Messages35:20 Stream Lineage and Stream Designer38:44 Exploring Additional Features44:21 Summary and Conclusion
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
2 engineers discussing many things about Software Development (feat. Serkan Durusoy)
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
In this conversation, Serkan Durusoy, the head of engineering at Okra, discusses his background, living on a sailboat, and his passion for engineering. He emphasizes the importance of creativity and art in engineering and how personal background and upbringing can influence problem-solving approaches. Serkan also explores the balance between individual approaches and the need for alignment on outcomes in engineering teams. He highlights the role of personal relationships and the challenges of making tough decisions as a manager. In this conversation, Krish and Serkan discuss various topics related to software engineering and career development. They explore managing differences as a manager, the challenges of remote work, choosing a software engineering career, applying opinions to circumstances, and the impact of software engineering on the world.
Takeaways
Engineering is a creative and artistic field that allows for the creation of solutions and the impact on users.
Personal background and upbringing can shape problem-solving approaches in engineering.
Balancing individual approaches and aligning on outcomes is crucial for effective teamwork in engineering.
Personal relationships and emotions should be considered, but the focus should be on the problem and desired outcome. As a manager, it is important to approach conflicts with the goal of amicably solving the problem and moving things forward.
Remote work requires intentional communication and over-communication to compensate for the lack of social cues and body language.
Choosing a software engineering career can be a shortcut to making a visible impact in the world, but it requires a lifelong commitment to learning and dealing with frustrations.
Opinions and learnings should be applied to specific circumstances rather than taken as absolute truths.
Software engineering has the potential to make a significant impact on the world and offers opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:37 Living on a Sailboat and Engineering
03:25 Favorite Food and Cultural Differences
05:29 Engineering as Art and Creativity
09:42 The Influence of Upbringing on Engineering
11:14 Differences in Approaching Engineering Problems
16:36 The Role of Personal Background in Engineering
19:22 Balancing Individual Approaches in Engineering
25:14 Navigating Differences in Engineering Approaches
28:59 The Importance of Alignment on Outcomes
31:45 Balancing Personal Relationships and Engineering Decisions
36:43 Prioritizing the Problem and Outcome
40:12 Making Tough Decisions as a Manager
40:40 Managing Differences as a Manager
49:16 Challenges of Remote Work
59:13 Choosing a Software Engineering Career
01:01:07 Applying Opinions to Circumstances
01:03:21 Software Engineering as a Career
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Prasanna Veeraswamy shares his unique experience of traveling to every country in the world and the personal growth and education he gained from his travels. He emphasizes the importance of living in a place to truly understand its culture and build relationships. Prasanna also discusses the impact of travel on food perceptions and the accessibility of travel and learning opportunities for everyone. In this conversation, Prasanna Veeraswamy shares his experiences and insights from traveling to different countries. He discusses the number of countries and cities he has visited, the unplanned nature of his travels, and the sacrifices he has made for his nomadic lifestyle. Prasanna also reflects on the impact of traveling on his appreciation of different cultures and the expansion of his food palette. He emphasizes the importance of exploring the world and understanding different markets for product development. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the evolution of personal identity through travel and the potential for future conversations on overlapping topics.
Takeaways
Traveling is a valuable form of education that provides personal growth and learning opportunities.Living in a place, even for a short period, allows for a deeper understanding of the culture and the ability to build meaningful relationships.Food perceptions can vary greatly between different countries and regions, and experiencing local cuisine is an important part of travel.Travel and learning opportunities are accessible to everyone, and it is possible to balance travel with professional life. Traveling to different countries allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures.The number of countries and cities visited can vary based on personal circumstances and opportunities.Unplanned travel can lead to unexpected adventures and opportunities to explore new places.Traveling often requires sacrifices, such as stability and financial considerations.Experiencing different cuisines can expand one's food palette and provide a deeper connection to different cultures.Understanding local markets and cultures is crucial for effective product development.Traveling can contribute to personal growth and the evolution of one's identity.Future conversations can explore overlapping topics related to travel, culture, and product development.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Prasanna Veeraswamy03:06 The Unique Experience of Traveling to Every Country06:02 The Education and Personal Growth of Travel09:29 Balancing Travel and Professional Life10:53 The Topic: Learnings from Global Travels about Gaps in App Localizations12:14 Factors that Shape a Person15:31 The Impact of Living in Different Countries19:14 The Difference Between Traveling and Living in a Place23:17 Understanding Culture and Building Relationships26:55 The Influence of Travel on Food Perceptions30:38 The Importance of Being on the Ground36:53 The Accessibility of Travel and Learning Opportunities38:41 Traveling to Different Countries40:08 The Number of Countries and Cities Visited41:05 Unplanned Traveling43:41 Appreciating and Remembering the Travel Experiences45:55 Sacrifices Made for Traveling47:24 The Impact of Traveling on Appreciating Different Cultures49:22 Completing the Loop of Traveling to All Countries52:19 Expanding the Circle of Food Experiences56:14 Favorite Food Item57:20 Consistency in Food Preferences58:24 Evolution of Personal Identity01:02:27 Understanding Different Markets and Cultures01:05:38 The Importance of Traveling for Product Development01:08:34 Future Conversations on Overlapping Topics01:12:07 Closing Thoughts on Traveling and Exploration
Prasanna Veeraswamy's Links:
LinkedIn Profile
Book: One for the Road
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Saturday Jan 06, 2024
Impact of Gratitude, Forgiveness, Expectations on Mental Health (feat. Vidhi Vohra)
Saturday Jan 06, 2024
Saturday Jan 06, 2024
In this conversation, Krish and Vidhi discuss the topics of gratitude and forgiveness. They emphasize the importance of expressing gratitude towards oneself and others, as well as the positive impact it can have on mental health. Vidhi shares her personal experience of forgiving someone and the sense of relief it brought her. They also discuss the need to let go of expectations and focus on the present moment. Overall, the conversation highlights the power of gratitude and forgiveness in leading a happier and more fulfilling life. In this conversation, Vidhi and Krish discuss the interconnectedness of happiness and mental health. They explore the relationship between gratitude, forgiveness, and expectations, emphasizing the importance of continuous effort in maintaining mental well-being. They draw parallels between mental well-being and the execution of tasks in software development. Vidhi shares her personal journey of forgiveness and highlights the positive impact it has had on her mental state. They discuss the need for incremental action and self-forgiveness as the first step towards positive change. The conversation concludes with a reminder to be grateful for what one has and to spread happiness to others.
Takeaways
Expressing gratitude towards oneself and others can have a positive impact on mental health.Forgiving others can bring a sense of relief and contribute to personal growth.Letting go of expectations can lead to greater happiness and contentment in life. Gratitude, forgiveness, and mental well-being are interconnected and contribute to happiness.Continuous effort is required to maintain good mental health.Self-forgiveness is the first step towards positive change.Feeling gratitude for what one has can lead to a happier state of mind.Forgiveness allows for healthier relationships and personal growth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Gratitude07:48 The Power of Gratitude16:02 The Importance of Forgiveness28:17 Managing Expectations39:22 The Interconnectedness of Happiness and Mental Health40:34 The Connection Between Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Expectations42:55 The Continuous Process of Working on Mental Well-being43:54 The Challenge of Sustaining Positive Feelings45:21 The Importance of Execution and Concentration47:33 The Effort Required for Positive Change49:55 Taking Incremental Action Towards Mental Well-being52:47 The First Step: Forgiving Yourself57:32 Feeling Gratitude for What You Have59:01 The Journey of Forgiveness01:03:45 Making an Effort for Positive Change01:07:39 The Importance of Mental Peace and Self-love01:10:12 Continuing the Journey of Gratitude
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Friday Jan 05, 2024
Fundamentals of Sales (feat. Deva Rangarajan)
Friday Jan 05, 2024
Friday Jan 05, 2024
In this conversation, Dr. Deva Rangarajan discusses the differences between sales, pre-sales, and marketing. He explains that marketing is about creating awareness and educating customers, while pre-sales helps customers formulate solutions and sales focuses on negotiating terms and conditions. Dr. Rangarajan emphasizes that these roles can be performed by the same person or different individuals, depending on the complexity of the business and customer needs. He also highlights the importance of understanding customer requirements, being patient, and having curiosity in sales. Additionally, he addresses the challenge of selling products you're not convinced about and the need for effective communication and listening skills in sales. In this conversation, Krish and Dr. Deva Rangarajan discuss the qualities of a salesperson, the importance of curiosity and listening skills, and the balance between passion and sales skills. They also explore the subjectivity in sales and the role of process in selling. The conversation concludes with closing remarks and an invitation for further questions.
Takeaways
Marketing creates awareness and educates customers, pre-sales helps formulate solutions, and sales negotiates terms and conditions.The roles of marketing, pre-sales, and sales can be performed by the same person or different individuals.Understanding customer needs and effectively communicating with them is crucial in sales.Being patient, curious, and having effective listening skills are important qualities in sales. Curiosity and listening skills are essential qualities for a salesperson.Passion for the business can be important, but sales skills are also crucial.Subjectivity is inherent in sales, and it is important to embrace it.Selling is both a process and an art form, requiring a balance of science and creativity.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background04:00 Understanding Sales, Pre-Sales, and Marketing09:26 Sequence of Marketing, Sales, and Pre-Sales19:20 The Art of Convincing and Persuading23:01 The Role of Sales in Every Role27:33 Dealing with Selling Products You're Not Convinced About30:32 Understanding Customer Needs and Misinterpretations36:03 The Importance of Patience and Curiosity in Sales40:17 Qualities of a Salesperson42:13 Passion vs. Sales Skills43:22 Subjectivity in Sales44:28 Selling as a Process and an Art Form46:22 Closing Remarks
Dr. Rangarajan's Links
LinkedIn Profile
Ball State Sales Center
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators

Thursday Jan 04, 2024
(Part 2/2) Coaching and Self Development (feat. Dan Tudorache)
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
This conversation explores the gig economy and its impact on companies. It discusses the skills and training required for gig workers, as well as the integration of contractors into teams. The importance of human skills and the role of coaching in developing them is emphasized. The conversation also touches on the use of AI as a tool in problem-solving and consulting. Overall, it highlights the need for companies to adapt to changing challenges and leverage both human and AI capabilities.
Takeaways
The gig economy encompasses various sectors and requires different skills and training.Gig workers can have a significant impact on a company's image and performance.Integration and communication are crucial when working with contractors.Developing human skills and fostering relationships are essential for success in the gig economy.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding the Gig Economy05:20 Impact of Gig Workers on Companies06:25 Skills and Training for Gig Workers11:11 Integration of Contractors into Teams16:21 Building Skills and Relationships with Contractors19:34 The Importance of Human Skills21:20 Coaching and Developing Human Skills22:54 AI as a Tool in Problem Solving25:15 Adapting to Changing Challenges26:42 Using AI Tools in Consulting
Dan Tudorache's Details
LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantudorache/
Vibe IT Up Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vibe-it-up/
EmpacITy company website: https://www.empacity.ro/
Personal webpage: https://www.dantudorache.com/
Tech Career Accelerator Program: https://www.empacity.ro/tech-career-accelerator-program/
Snowpal Products:
Backends as Services on AWS Marketplace
Mobile Apps on App Store and Play Store
Web App
Education Platform for Learners and Course Creators