How do great teams build better software?

In this episode of Distributed, host Jack Hannah speaks with Josh Kerievsky, founder and CEO of Industrial Logic and one of the earliest pioneers of Agile software development. Josh shares insights into the practices that help teams thrive, including sufficient design, pairing, ensembling, and continuous deployment. He also advocates for a balance between in-person and remote collaboration, the evolving role of AI in software development, and why a focused approach is what matters most for success.

Highlights:

• The concept of sufficient design and why perfection isn’t always necessary
• How pairing and ensemble programming improve knowledge transfer and help develop stronger teams
• The role of continuous deployment in elevating software delivery practices
• Balancing in-person and remote collaboration to support team mental health
• The potential and challenges of AI in software development

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Josh Kerievsky

(03:00) – The Origins of Agile Software Development

(07:00) – Sufficient Design: Balancing Perfection and Practicality

(12:00) – Navigating Remote and In-Person Collaboration

(15:00) – Pairing, Ensembling, and Knowledge Transfer Benefits

(20:00) – Lessons From Building High-Performing Teams

(25:00) – AI’s Role in the Future of Software Development

(30:00) – Final Takeaway: Advice for Building Great Teams

Referenced:

Agile Manifesto: https://agilemanifesto.org/

Where to connect further:

Connect with Josh Kerievsky on LinkedIn

More about Industrial Logic

Follow @tuple

Want to hear more? Check out distributed.fm

Connect with Jack Hannah

How do you maintain a balance between deep work and collaboration in a remote-first world?

In this episode of Distributed, Host Jack Hannah sits down with Blake Irvin, Observability Engineering Lead at SumUp, for his insights into how developers and teams thrive remotely. Blake shares how SumUp approaches distributed work, the importance of clear communication, and why protecting focus time is critical. From balancing asynchronous and synchronous collaboration to using tools like Honeycomb, Incident.io, and Tuple, Blake offers a practical look at what makes remote teamwork successful.

Highlights:

• Reducing friction - how to choose between synchronous and asynchronous communication
• Why meaningful connections during work hours can transform team dynamics
• Blake’s strategies to protect focus and unlock deeper, more meaningful work
• How the right tools can create a culture of seamless collaboration even in distributed environments

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Blake Irvin

(05:00) – Balancing Focus and Communication in Remote Teams

(10:00) – Ways to Communicate that Protect Your Team’s Flow

(15:00) – Tools That Help Bridge Communication Gaps

(20:00) – Async vs. Sync: Picking the Right Approach for Your Team

(25:00) – Why Meeting in Person Still Matters for Remote Teams

(30:00) – Scaling from Startup to Millions of Users

(35:00) – Why Pairing Is Transformational for Teams

(38:00) – Building Collaborative Culture with the Right Tools

(40:00) – The importance of experimentation

Referenced:

37signals blog post: Group Chat: The Best Way to Totally Stress Out Your Team

Paul Graham’s essay: Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule

Honeycomb.io for distributed tracing

Incident.io for collaborating on incident response

Tuple’s Pair Programming Guide

Where to connect further:

Connect with Blake Irvin on LinkedIn and GitHub

More about SumUp

Follow @tuple

Want to hear more? Check out distributed.fm

Connect with Jack Hannah

How do soft skills shape success in a remote-first world?

In this episode of Distributed, Host Jack Hannah chats with Callie Buruchara, Senior Software Engineer at Uplift Agency, to explore how mastering communication and emotional intelligence (particularly in a remote work setting) can transform your career. Callie shares her journey from high school English teacher to software engineer and how her people-first approach became her superpower.

Plus, hear Callie’s take on balancing deep work, managing expectations, and why some of the toughest lessons often come from unexpected places.

Highlights:

• Navigating remote work dynamics and adapting to different communication styles to foster collaboration and reduce misunderstandings
• The power of emotional intelligence in building trust and resolving conflict within distributed teams
• Callie’s strategies for balancing prioritization, managing time effectively, and protecting mental health
• Why addressing friction early and practicing honest communication strengthens team dynamics
• How soft skills, like empathy and vulnerability, often play a pivotal role in technical success

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Callie Buruchara

(03:00) – Why Soft Skills Matter: From Career Transition to Tech Success

(08:00) – Adapting to Different Communication Styles in Remote Teams

(12:00) – Balancing Prioritization and Mental Health While Working Remotely

(18:00) – The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Resolving Workplace Conflicts

(23:00) – Building Trust Through Feedback: Addressing Friction Before It Escalates

(28:00) – Lessons from Remote Work: Navigating Loneliness and Staying Connected

(33:00) – Vulnerability as a Strength: How Honesty Improves Team Dynamics

(37:00) – Final Takeaway: Why Soft Skills Are Key to Thriving in Tech

Where to connect further:

Connect with Callie Buruchara on LinkedIn and her Website

Email Callie at callie.buruchara@hey.com

More about Uplift Agency Ltd.

More about firstpromo.dev

Follow @tuple