ConTejas Code

Links

- CodeCrafters: https://codecrafters.io
- Kyle Simpson (You Don't Know JS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEMG7Oxuan8
- Josh Goldberg (CFP Advice): https://www.joshuakgoldberg.com/blog/how-i-apply-to-conferences/
- JSHeroes CFP Guide: https://jsheroes.io/ (See blog section)
- CFP.watch (by Roudy): https://cfp.watch
- confs.tech (mentioned at ~00:34): https://confs.tech
- Guillermo Rauch Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NzkPBjwpwLmhIntEUB95x?si=51ac6de6d8fa4f8e
- Santosh Yadav Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HIl3zqyDd3cZDmJLzKR58
- Jeff Escalante Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2E3dWfK3k
- System Design in 15 Minutes (Hello Interview): https://www.hellointerview.com/learn/system-design/in-a-hurry/introduction
- Mikhail Korolev (X/Twitter): https://x.com/mkrl__
- Mikhail on GitHub: https://github.com/mkrl
- 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.

Chapters

00:00:00 Intro & Sponsors
00:02:45 The "VIP Dinner" Strategy
00:06:00 How to Enter Rooms You "Don't Belong" In
00:12:20 The Pac-Man Rule for Networking
00:15:00 Dealing with Competitive Networking (The MKBHD Effect)
00:20:00 Why You Shouldn't Idolize Tech Celebrities
00:28:00 How to Start Speaking at Conferences (CFP Hacks)
00:35:00 Live Coding vs. Pre-recorded Demos
00:43:00 The Truth About DevRel vs. Engineering
00:58:00 Misha's Accidental Path to Engineering (Quake & Turbo Pascal)
01:07:30 Job Hunting in a Brutal Market
01:13:30 Using ChatGPT to Pass LeetCode Interviews
01:20:00 Getting Referrals (The Supabase Story)
01:27:00 Closing Advice: Just Go

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Links

CodeCrafters (Sponsor)
Steve Jobs iPhone Introduction (2007)
Steve Ballmer "Developers"
Bill Clinton "I did not have sexual relations"
Tejas's First Talk (JSConf EU)
Tejas at React Summit (The "Sweaty Room" Talk)
Amy Cuddy's Power Posing TED Talk
Diazno on ConTejas
"Thin Slicing" (Ambady & Rosenthal)
Mehrabian's 7-38-55 Rule (Original Paper)
Elaboration Likelihood Model (Petty & Cacioppo)
Cognitive Load & Multimedia Learning (Mayer/Wiley)
Narrative transportation
Exposure Therapy for Public Speaking (Frontiers)
Breathing & Physiological Sigh (PMC)
Deliberate practice
Feedback
Spacing + retrieval practice

Summary

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.

Chapters

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
1:44:40 The 7-Day Action Plan
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Links

- CodeCrafters (Sponsor)
- Partner with ConTejas Code
- Diazno on Spotify
- Diazno on Instagram
- Tejas’s Keynote in Malaysia (Sick Day)

Description

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
00:19:15 Consumption vs. Creation: Finding the Spark
00:25:22 Taste vs. Talent: The Role of the Producer
00:30:20 How to Get Buy-In
00:37:25 Communicating a Vision
00:42:15 Communication: Not What You Say, What They Hear
00:49:18 Honoring People & Building Relational Equity
01:00:20 The Power of Informal Relationships
01:15:20 Reps & Consistency: Performing on Your Worst Days
01:22:10 AI in Music: Will It Replace the Soul?
01:38:05 Outro
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Links

- Codecrafters (partner): https://tej.as/codecrafters
- 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
00:26:08 Mobility vs. Stretching: Why stretching isn't enough
00:30:12 How to fix "Tech Neck" and Hunchback posture
00:42:50 Can you out-exercise a sedentary job?
00:47:11 Do under-desk treadmills and walking pads work?
00:53:36 Designing a workout routine for desk workers
00:55:36 The "Zero Equipment" Home & Hotel Workout
01:04:15 High Intensity Circuit Training & The EPOC Effect
01:11:17 Traditional Gym vs. CrossFit
01:16:05 Rapid Fire Questions
01:22:25 Faith & Fitness: Treating your body like a temple
01:29:53 The psychology of self-talk
01:34:50 Outro

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Links
- Codecrafters (sponsor): https://tej.as/codecrafters
- Become a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/wMqBmVhuzL46Ha3P7

- ZurichJS Discount: https://conf.zurichjs.com?utm_source=contejas&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=zurichjs-conf-2026
- Faris on X: https://x.com/farisaziz12
- 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.

Chapters

00:00:00 Intro
00:04:33 Getting into Tech at 19
00:08:12 Failing (and Surviving) Bootcamp
00:11:00 Building a CrossFit App During Lockdown
00:13:38 Getting Hired Without Writing Code
00:18:49 Accidental Managers: Leading at 21
00:22:19 Choosing a Pre-seed Startup Over High Salary
00:28:53 Red Flags in Leadership
00:33:41 Tending the Garden: Balancing Work & ZurichJS
00:42:51 Health Crisis: From Top Athlete to Bedridden
00:48:51 Emotional Regulation & Bio-Hacking
00:59:36 Mindset: Gratitude vs. Bitterness
01:07:44 Invisible Work & Building Character
01:11:18 How to Get Promoted: Giving Peace of Mind
01:17:28 Confidence vs. Arrogance
01:21:42 Owning Mistakes Confidently
01:25:38 Stewarding Authority (The Kent C. Dodds Example)
01:28:06 Don't Just Be an Engineer: Solve Business Problems
01:35:02 Managing "Diva" 10x Engineers
01:40:12 Organizing the First ZurichJS
01:46:30 Outro
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