The first 90 days in any new role are crucial—but as a new engineering manager, they can make or break your trajectory. In this episode, we dive into how to approach your first three months with intention and clarity. From building trust with your team to understanding your new responsibilities, setting expectations, and avoiding common pitfalls, we lay out a roadmap to help you start strong. Whether you're stepping into management for the first time or looking to reset in a new role, this episode is your essential onboarding guide.

• 01:22 Our first 90 days as EMs
• 13:58 Building a new team vs. taking over an existing team
• 20:34 Observing to learn
• 25:07 Understanding the business and tech strategies
• 26:02 Building influence
• 31:09 Common pitfalls

Stepping into management for the first time can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this episode, we explore the critical shift from individual contributor to engineering manager—what changes, what stays the same, and what new challenges emerge. We’ll discuss common misconceptions, the mindset shift required, and practical tips for navigating your first few months in the role. Whether you're considering the move or already in the thick of it, this episode offers guidance to help you lead with confidence and clarity.

• 03:30 Responsibilities of an IC vs. EM
• 09:05 Shifting to delegation
• 15:04 Conflict resolution
• 26:31 Team development vs. individual performance
• 37:31 Communication

Find out more at https://ladybug-podcast.pinecast.co

• 02:52 What is engineering management?
• 05:27 Why are we qualified to discuss this?
• 12:20 What are EMs responsible for?
• 14:38 The difference between an EM and Tech Lead
• 24:15 Key skills of an EM
• 32:37 Challenges with engineering management

• Crucial Conversations
• The Making of a Manager

What is a typical day in the life like for a software engineer? To close out Season 6, we thought it’d be a great idea to give you some insight into our workdays, as we all have very different roles and are in different stages of our careers.

• [02:54] Morning routines
• [16:09] Beginning of the workday
• [28:15] The rest of the workday
• [49:03] Evenings and weekends
• [53:57] Top 3 tools for productivity

• Any.do
• Fantastical
• Canva
• Things
• Superhuman
• Trello
• Apple Watch
• Markdown Notes
• Asana
• Resilient Management
• Animedoro
• Can Do writing
• The Little Memory
• Ali’s Trello Setup

Here is this week's transcript

APIs are part of our daily roles as software developers, but what are they? What different types are there? And how can you design a good one?

• [01:53] What is an API?
• [03:37] Types of APIS
• [15:02] GraphQL
• [19:49] REST
• [28:25] API Design
• [44:35] Shoutouts

• The Happiness Project
• Shopify developer community
• BrainF**k
• OneGraph
• Scott Moss's YouTube

Here is this week's transcript.

The definition of Agile is the ability to create and respond to change. Ultimately dealing with and succeeding in an uncertain or turbulent environment. I think we can all say with confidence that in the world of software development, being agile and agreeable to change helps you learn faster, connect with others better, and makes coding more fun.

Today we are talking about the agile framework of software developers, its significance in the workplace and the familiar steps an agile process takes to go from a project’s concept, to the physical minimum viable product.

• [03:00] What is Agile?
• [04:43] Agile Software Development
• [15:44] Agile Manifesto For Agile Software Development
• [16:00] 4 values
• [19:33] 12 Principles
• [34:07] Benefits
• [35:45] Drawbacks
• [38:34] What is Scrum?
• [44:05] Careers in scrum
• [53:56] Shout-Outs

• The agile Manifesto
• The Agile Subway Map
• Sprints
• Scrum Alliance Certifications
• SAFe Certifications

Here is this episode's transcript.

Java is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language. It’s a general-purpose programming language designed to let app developers: write once, run anywhere. Today we’re diving into the world of Java.

• [01:30] Our experiences working with Java
• [04:34] History of Java
• [07:45] Five goals of Java
• [13:06] Object oriented
• [14:00] Threaded language
• [15:35] Interpreted language
• [17:39] Terminology
• [22:04] Basic Syntax
• [23:33] Inheritance
• [26:51] Interfaces
• [28:00] Classes
• [29:56] Modifiers
• [31:30] Constructors
• [33:11] Enums
• [34:39] Basic Data Types
• [35:56] Overriding
• [42:51] Shoutouts

• Learning Java
• Interpreter vs. Compiler
• Access Variables Oracle
• Angie Jones course on Test Automation U
• Angie Jones
• Jocelyn Harper
• Git Cute Podcast

Here is this episode's transcript.

Whether you’re looking to start your own side business or create a lifelong career, the process of starting a new business can be overwhelming. This week on the podcast we’re discussing how to start your own business. We’ll dig deep into setting you up for success from the beginning and then answer the most common questions I receive about building and scaling your business.

• [02:00] What is our experience with running a business?
• [05:47] Business plan
• [13:58] Who are your customers?
• [18:03] Market opportunities
• [35:50] Boostrapping vs. raising capital
• [39:41] Do you need to incorporate?
• [40:54] Banking and Taxes
• [51:52] Health insurance (USA)
• [53:30] Understanding the bookkeeping process
• [55:32] Shownotes

• Quantic
• CORe
• Clerky
• Stripe Atlas
• Inc. Article
• Polywork
• Freelancing episode
• Indie Hackers episode
• Mercury

Here is this episode's transcript