ConTejas Code is a long-form podcast hosted by Tejas Kumar, an AI engineer at IBM and the best selling author of Fluent React (O'Reilly), about applying engineering principles to everyday life. Episodes range from AI engineering, React and TypeScript to health, relationships, careers and leadership, with guests including Kent C. Dodds, Guillermo Rauch, Matt Pocock and Mark Erikson. More at https://tej.as/podcast
How to Build an Effective Tech Stack: Balancing User and Developer Experience
Season 1 · Episode 8
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 • Duration 01:31:33
Let's stay in touch? https://twitter.com/tejaskumar_
In this comprehensive podcast episode titled "How to Build an Effective Tech Stack," listeners are guided through the intricate process of constructing a technology stack that harmonizes both User Experience (UX) and Developer Experience (DX). Beginning with a foundational understanding of what a tech stack is, the episode delves into the various components that constitute a tech stack, including technology, tools, libraries, frameworks, and databases. It also covers essential practices such as testing, deployment/hosting, monitoring, and the use of services like Software as a Service (SaaS).
Key discussions include the balancing act between UX and DX, the importance of choosing the right mix of tools and services, and when to prefer a tool over a service. The episode emphasizes the significance of developer experience in shaping user experience and vice versa, presenting insights on unit testing and the pitfalls of striving for 100% code coverage. It also features a comparative analysis of popular frontend UI libraries such as React, SolidJS, and Qwik, addressing the question of how much optimization is truly beneficial.
The podcast underscores the critical notion that beyond the choice of technology, the value of the product to its users is paramount. It concludes with the concept of a living, reactive tech stack that adapts to reduce friction and improve both development processes and user satisfaction. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in building or optimizing tech stacks, offering a deep dive into making informed decisions that benefit both developers and users.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Sponsors
01:45 - Building a Tech Stack: Balancing User Experience (UX) and Developer Experience (DX)
05:03 - What is a Tech Stack?
08:25 - What is Technology?
17:09 - What are Tools?
21:39 - What are Libraries?
29:27 - What are Frameworks?
33:17 - Databases
35:37 - Testing
41:49 - Deployment/Hosting
46:14 - Monitoring
49:31 - Services (Hosted Tools), Software as a Service
54:21 - When to use a tool vs. a service?
58:53 - What to consider when choosing and using tools in a tech stack
01:05:41 - Balancing Developer Experience (DX) and User Experience (UX)
01:08:29 - Unit Testing and Why 100% Code Coverage is Bad
01:10:33 - Paying attention to how DX affects UX
01:14:24 - Comparing Frontend UI Libraries: React, SolidJS, and Qwik
01:21:32 - How much optimization is worth it?
01:23:02 - More Important than a Tech Stack: Is your product valuable?
01:28:17 - A Living, Reactive Tech Stack to Ease Friction
In this episode, I sit down with Paul Aragones, an embedded Linux engineer who made the fascinating pivot to becoming a marriage coach. We explore the surprisingly deep parallels between building stable software systems and engineering a divorce-proof marriage. We discuss why marriage is actually the ultimate operating system for life, how to create a 'spec sheet' for your partner to avoid compatibility bugs, and why your friend circle might be increasing your divorce risk by 75%. Paul also opens up about his own journey through poverty and near-divorce, and we debate the controversial role of submission and servant leadership in modern relationships.
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:05:05 Marriage as an Operating System
00:08:28 Building the Spec Sheet: Requirements for a Spouse
00:13:38 Why Marry? The Societal & Financial API
What is AI engineering and what do AI engineers even do?
- WormGPT/Prompt Injection Incident (The Verge Reference): https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/881574/cline-openclaw-prompt-injection-hack
Summary
In this episode, I’m finally breaking down what AI Engineering actually looks like in 2026. We’ve moved past the "wow" phase of demos into the hard reality of production, where models lie, costs spike, and security is a nightmare. I define the role formally—separating it from ML engineering—and dive deep into the three core problems we solve daily: hallucinations, real-time knowledge, and context engineering.
I also explore the explosion of agent runtimes, specifically dissecting OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot/Moltbot) and why its open-source, device-local approach is winning. We talk about the Model Context Protocol (MCP), the new SKILL.md standard from Anthropic, and why I believe multi-agent concurrency is the inevitable future of software.
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro: The "Monday Morning" AI Nightmare
00:08:15 What is AI Engineering?
00:21:00 AI Engineers vs. ML Engineers
00:36:20 Problem 1: Hallucinations
00:48:30 Problem 2: Real-Time Knowledge
Mikhail Korolev: How to Hack the Job Market & Get Into VIP Rooms
- Mikhail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkrl/
- Mikhail on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mkrl.xyz
Summary
I sat down with Mikhail "Misha" Korolev to discuss a reality many engineers face but rarely talk about: how to get into rooms where you technically "don't belong." We explored his journey from being unemployed after Toptal to networking his way into VIP dinners and eventually landing a role at Tekmetric. We dug deep into the "Pac-Man Rule" for networking, why I believe you shouldn't pursue DevRel jobs at companies with unfinished products, and the specific "cheat codes" Misha used to bypass standard interview gates—including how he used ChatGPT to speed-run a LeetCode assessment. If you're currently navigating the job market or trying to pivot from engineering to public speaking, this conversation is a masterclass in making your own luck.
How to communicate well: interpersonally, in teams, and on stage
In this episode of the ConTejas Code Podcast, Tejas sits down with the artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Diazno. Often described as the "Black Rick Rubin" for his ability to curate sound and vibe, Diazno shares his profound insights on the intersection of creativity and execution.
They dive deep into how to move from "idea" to "finished product" by overcoming the fear of commitment, the role of taste versus talent, and how true leadership is actually about influence and service. Diazno also opens up about his experiences directing major productions at venues like the Deutsche Oper, navigating cross-cultural communication, and how he views the rise of AI tools like Suno in the music industry. Whether you are a developer, a musician, or a team leader, this episode offers a masterclass in human connection and the discipline of high performance.
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro & Sponsors
00:04:05 From Ideas to Execution: Overcoming "Fear of Commitment"
00:12:12 Creativity is Life: The Cycle of Creation and Rest
Isaac Akinsete: How to Optimize Health & Longevity as a Desk Worker
- Isaac on Instagram: https://instagram.com/isaac11890
- Contact: https://tej.as
Summary
Sitting 8+ hours a day is destroying your biomechanics. Here is how to engineer your way back to health.
In this episode of ConTejas Code, I sit down with professional footballer and CrossFit coach Isaac Akinsete to reverse the physical damage of the developer lifestyle. We dive deep into the anatomy of "tech neck," why stretching isn't enough, and how to trigger the EPOC "afterburn" effect to burn fat while sitting. Whether you have a full gym or zero equipment, Isaac outlines the exact protocols to maximize longevity, fix tight hip flexors, and optimize mental and spiritual health.
In this episode, we cover:
- The Desk Worker Protocol: A complete zero-equipment circuit routine for hypertrophy and cardio.
- Mobility vs. Stretching: Why static stretching won't fix your posture.
- RPE Explained: How to train for fat loss vs. strength without burnout.
- CrossFit vs. Gym: Which is better for the average coder?
- Mind & Spirit: The role of positive self-talk and faith in elite performance.
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:22 Isaac Akinsete
00:09:10 Mythbusting: Does lifting weights stunt growth in kids?
00:11:52 Am I too old to start working out?
00:14:15 How to find the right workout intensity (RPE Scale)
00:20:55 What sitting for 8+ hours actually does to your body
Faris Aziz: How to Get Promoted, Build Resilience, and Lead with Empathy
- Faris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12/
- ZurichJS: https://zurichjs.com
- SmallPDF: https://smallpdf.com
What does it take to become an Engineering Manager at 21? How do you rebuild your identity when a chronic illness takes away your physical strength? In this episode of ConTejas Code, I sit down with Faris Aziz, a Staff Engineer at Smallpdf and the lead organizer of ZurichJS. At just 25 years old, Faris has lived a career’s worth of highs and lows. From failing his first coding bootcamp module to building a career ladder for a fintech startup, and from ranking as the 2nd fittest CrossFit athlete in Switzerland to being bedridden by an autoimmune condition, Faris shares the mindset required to navigate extreme volatility.
This conversation moves beyond technical skills into the "internal garden"—how emotional regulation, sleep, and nutrition directly impact your ability to lead others. Faris breaks down his philosophy on "Peace of Mind" as the primary metric for promotion, why invisible work builds character, and how to steward authority without intimidation. Whether you are an aspiring manager, a developer looking to level up, or someone navigating a personal setback, this episode offers a blueprint for resilience and professional excellence.
Why do we still use passwords in 2026? In this episode of ConTejas Code, we tear down the complex world of digital identity. From the horror story of getting hacked at a hookah bar to the mathematical elegance of public-key cryptography, we cover how the internet knows who you actually are.
Let's break down the history of web authentication, explain why "logging in" is so much harder than it looks, and demystify the new standard taking over the web: Passkeys (WebAuthn). Whether you are a developer looking for an implementation playbook or just curious why your banking app requires a fingerprint, this deep dive explains the difference between Identity, Identifiers, and Credentials—and why you should stop rolling your own auth immediately.
Chapters
00:00:00 Welcome to ConTejas Code
00:01:06 Sponsor: CodeCrafters
00:01:42 Why Authentication Matters (High Stakes vs. Low Stakes)
00:07:30 Storytime: Getting Hacked at a Shisha Bar
00:19:48 The Vocabulary: Identity, Identifiers, and Credentials
00:27:45 The Three Factors (Something You Know, Have, Are)
00:34:28 Real World Analogies: House Keys, Speak-easies, and Hotel Cards
00:41:10 A History of Web Auth: From Basic Auth to the "Social Login" Mess
00:49:15 Authentication vs. Authorization vs. Accounting
00:57:00 The Problem with Passwords & MFA Fatigue
How to Engineer Your Way to Quality Health
Monday, January 5, 2026 • Duration 01:52:55
Links
- Codecrafters: https://tej.as/codecrafters
- Why We Sleep: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144316
- Matthew Walker's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aIVAabjRjnmiouX0zCzF3
- Glycine for sleep: https://glowable.com.au/blogs/news/glycine-the-calming-nutrient-for-soothing-anxiety?srsltid=AfmBOor_YWMUUsqdS9AJjfSJLQb1F0CSEKrbw-0AhjCVkXCcHdjPGtWq#:~:text=of%20Pharmacological%20Sciences%20found%20that,often%20closely%20linked%20to%20anxiety
- Dr. Andy Galpin's podcast: https://performpodcast.com/
In this episode, we learn how to engineer better health outcomes for ourselves to live fitter and healthier than ever before drawing on the latest research.
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:05:24 Episode Outline
00:12:08 Sleep Architecture: Deep and REM
00:24:17 How to Sleep Well
00:34:31 My Routine with Sleep
00:39:25 Using Temperature to Sleep Well
00:41:55 Eating before Bed
00:45:14 Getting more Deep Sleep and REM Sleep
00:52:49 How to Eat Well
00:56:05 How to Lose Fat
01:02:35 How to Gain Muscle
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In this episode, we're doing something different. Instead of analyzing code, we're analyzing the science of communication. I've spoken on hundreds of stages, from massive conferences to small, sweaty rooms, and I've learned that great speakers aren't born—they're built. We're going to dismantle the "talent" myth and replace it with a repeatable system. I'll walk you through the three levers of connection (Clarity, Trust, Energy), debunk the famous 7-38-55 rule, and give you practical frameworks like the "4 L's of Listening" and the "4 C's of Storytelling." Whether you're an engineer trying to get buy-in for a refactor or a founder pitching a VC, this is how you make your ideas inevitable.
0:00:00 Intro
0:03:00 The Steve Jobs & Obama Standard
0:07:37 The 3 Levers: Clarity, Trust, Energy
0:10:33 Why Communication Fails (A Quick Diagnostic)
0:16:16 Debunking the 7-38-55 Rule (Mehrabian)
0:25:21 The 4 L's of Listening: Listen, Loop, Label, Lead
0:36:55 The One-Sentence Thesis
0:44:54 How to Change Minds (Elaboration Likelihood Model)
0:57:15 High Stakes vs. Low Energy: Reading the Room
1:03:00 Storytelling: The 4 C's (Context, Conflict, Choice, Change)
1:13:57 Delivery: Removing Fluff & Cognitive Load
1:21:00 Voice Control: Pace and Emphasis
1:24:40 Gestures: The "Check the Floor" Mental Model
1:30:56 Managing Nerves: Power Posing & Reappraisal
