The Mycelium Network Podcast

By: Mechanical Ink Studio
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  • Summary

  • The Mycelium Network podcast. A podcast all about early-stage web developers and the mentors and teachers who help them along the way.

    schalkneethling.substack.com
    Schalk Neethling
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Episodes
  • Finding Your Tribe, Coding as Therapy, and Navigating Career Change - Bekah Hawrot Weigel

    Finding Your Tribe, Coding as Therapy, and Navigating Career Change - Bekah Hawrot Weigel
    Mar 14 2024
    The path to a tech career often seems linear and technical, Bekah Hawrot Weigel's story stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration. On the "Mycelium Network" podcast, Bekah, a former college English teacher turned developer and community builder, shares her remarkable journey of personal and professional transformation.NOTE: Bekah’s audio had some challenges during this episode. This is through no fault of hers or mine. It started with her original microphone and sound system refusing to work with Riverside, even though they claimed it should work. Bekah was graciously willing to continue using AirPods and I did my very best to get the audio as clean and clear as possible. Again, I would rather release this episode than hold it back due to the audio challenges because, the guidance, story, and advice shared by Bekah need to be out there. I hope you found as much value in it as I did.Bekah's story begins with a personal crisis that left her questioning her identity and battling mental health issues. It was during this tumultuous period that her husband suggested she learn to code—a suggestion that seemed improbable at the time. However, coding became an unexpected source of therapy for Bekah, offering a respite from her struggles and opening the door to a new world of possibilities.As Bekah delved deeper into the tech world, she discovered not only a new career path but also a community of supportive individuals who shared her experiences and aspirations. This led to the creation of Virtual Coffee, a tech community that offers a haven for those seeking support, guidance, and friendship in the often impersonal realm of tech.Through her podcast conversation with Schalk Neethling, Bekah emphasizes the importance of remote work in expanding her horizons, allowing her to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. She passionately advocates for the value of small communities, where genuine connections and support can flourish away from the noise of larger networks.Bekah's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the therapeutic potential of coding, and the transformative impact of community. Her story offers encouragement to those feeling lost or uncertain in their careers, reminding us that with the right support and determination, it is possible to overcome challenges and find fulfillment in unexpected places.In a tech landscape often dominated by discussions of algorithms and systems, Bekah Hawrot Weigel's story brings a much-needed human touch. It reminds us that at the heart of technology are people, each with their own stories of struggle, growth, and connection.Links* Bekah Hawrot Weigel on LinkedIn* Bekah on the Web* VirtualCoffee* OpenSauced* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn* Mechanical Ink StudioCommunity* Join the community on Slack or Discord* Support the podcast on Patreon* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)Help Others Find The Podcast* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts* Rate and review on SpotifyThanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schalkneethling.substack.com
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • From Outreachy to CHAOSS, Open Source, DEI, And Technical Writing: Precious Onyewuchi

    From Outreachy to CHAOSS, Open Source, DEI, And Technical Writing: Precious Onyewuchi
    Mar 6 2024
    NOTE: It has always been the goal of this podcast to give everyone a chance to share their story. This episode is an example of this. We tried to record this live using Riverside.fm (no blame to Riverside here 😃) but after many tries we realized that Precious’s internet was just not going to play along. We improvised and did the recordings asynchronously. I recorded the intro and the questions, and Precious recorded and sent back her answers. I then edited everything into this podcast episode. The audio is a bit challenging in parts, but I encourage you to listen past it, and instead listen to Precious, her thoughts, and her story. Thank you.In this episode of the Mycelium Network podcast, I am joined by Precious Onyewuchi a technical writer from Nigeria. Precious starts by explaining the crucial role technical writing serves in bridging the gap between complex technology and user comprehension. She continues to discuss how Outreachy’s internships not only marked a personal growth trajectory but also shone a light on the importance of fostering diversity in tech.The discussion naturally flows into the realm of DEI, where Precious emphasizes its indispensable value in nurturing inclusive and vibrant open-source communities. The health of these projects is critically analyzed, highlighting the innovative tools and metrics developed by the CHAOSS community to ensure sustainability and productivity.Central to Precious's narrative is the All in Africa program, an initiative by GitHub aimed at democratizing access to open-source knowledge and resources across the African continent. This program symbolizes a bridge towards technological empowerment and equity, reflecting a broader vision of global inclusivity.Moreover, Precious's advocacy extends to recognizing and valuing no-code contributions in the open-source ecosystem. This perspective champions a more inclusive definition of contribution, where diverse skill sets beyond coding are acknowledged as vital to the growth and health of open-source projects.Lastly, the conversation touches upon the transformative potential of AI within tech and open source, far from viewing AI as a displacer of jobs, Precious posits AI as an augmentative tool, one that can enhance human creativity and efficiency, shaping a future where technology and humanity coalesce for mutual advancement.Precious’s story paints a picture of a tech world enriched by diversity, openness, and innovation. Her story is a beacon for aspiring tech enthusiasts, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, offering a roadmap to meaningful engagement and contribution in tech and open source.Links* Precious Onyewuchi on LinkedIn* Precious on GitHub* Previous on Twitter (X)* No Code Contributions in Open Source* Outreachy* All in Africa* CHAOSS Community* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn* Mechanical Ink StudioCommunity* Join the community on Slack or Discord* Support the podcast on Patreon* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)Help Others Find The Podcast* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts* Rate and review on SpotifyThanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schalkneethling.substack.com
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    40 mins
  • Breaking Barriers: The Global Challenges of a Nigerian Designer - Nmesoma Okonkwo

    Breaking Barriers: The Global Challenges of a Nigerian Designer - Nmesoma Okonkwo
    Feb 23 2024

    In a world where design transcends mere aesthetics to become a pivotal element in user experience and product functionality, the journey of Nmesoma Okonkwo emerges as a beacon of inspiration and a testament to the transformative power of mentorship in the tech industry. Born out of a transition from microbiology to graphic design, and eventually to product design, Nmesoma's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of passion.

    Embarking on her career in Nigeria, Nmesoma faced a unique set of challenges, from navigating the intricate world of international job markets to overcoming the hurdles presented by payment processing issues endemic to her locale. Yet, it was her unyielding spirit and the guidance of mentors that illuminated her path, underscoring the critical role mentorship plays in shaping the careers of emerging designers.

    Nmesoma's approach to product design is both intuitive and informed, marrying the principles of user experience with the psychological impact of color in fintech products, emphasizing accessibility, and fostering a deep connection between the user and the product. Her journey is a vivid illustration of the power of mentorship, the challenges and opportunities that lie in the global tech ecosystem for Nigerian designers, and the profound impact of ethical design practices.

    Through Nmesoma's story, we are reminded of the enduring impact of empathy, the value of accessibility in design, and the boundless possibilities that arise when passion meets perseverance.

    Links

    * Nmesoma Okonkwo on LinkedIn

    * Nmesoma Okonkwo on TikTok

    * HuggingFace

    * HuggingChat

    * HuggingFace Assistants

    * Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

    * Mechanical Ink Studio

    Community

    * Join the community on Slack or Discord

    * Support the podcast on Patreon

    * Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

    Help Others Find The Podcast

    * Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

    * Rate and review on Spotify

    Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink - Open Source - Open Web - Open Startup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schalkneethling.substack.com
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    46 mins

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