Principal Engineer at John Deere on how extreme programming saved his startup
Engineering teams whose work leaves an impact thrive on trust, collaboration, and the appropriate technical practices.In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah sits down with Ryan Bergman, Principal Engineer at John Deere, to explore the impact of Extreme Programming (XP) and agile practices on software development. Ryan shares how XP principles helped stabilize a struggling startup, why pair programming is essential for team cohesion, and how behavior-driven development (BDD) builds confidence in large-scale systems.They also discuss the challenges of remote collaboration, lessons from scaling software at John Deere, and what it takes to align distributed teams around a shared technical vision.Highlights:Rescuing a struggling startup by embracing Extreme Programming to improve collaboration, code quality, and technical executionStrengthening engineering teams with pair programming and the right balance of structure and flexibilityManaging large-scale software development at John DeereBuilding trust across distributed teams through clear communication, shared technical vision, and an emphasis on psychological safetyUsing Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) to create reliable, well-tested systems that give teams confidence in their softwareIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off with Ryan Bergman(01:10) – Ryan’s Journey: From Graphic Arts to Engineering(03:59) – Discovering XP: How Extreme Programming Saved a Startup(08:09) – Pair Programming and Agile Coaching: Rebuilding from the Ground Up(14:14) – Navigating Large-Scale Systems at John Deere(16:22) – The Power of Trust: Autonomy, Collaboration, and ‘Vampire Rules’(21:37) – Building Strong Engineering Teams Through Open Knowledge Sharing(26:49) – Pair Programming Pitfalls: Fixing What Doesn’t Work(37:11) – Behavior-Driven Development: Creating Confidence in Complex SystemsWhere to connect further:Connect with Ryan Bergman on LinkedIn and check out John DeereFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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40:57
Founder & CEO of DNSimple on bootstrapping and embracing async with Anthony Eden
Anthony Eden started DNSimple as a remote first, mostly asynchronous company in 2010 before it was cool.In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah sits down with Anthony, Founder and CEO, to discuss the intricacies of remote-first companies. Anthony shares his journey of building DNSimple as a remote-first company, highlighting how asynchronous communication and flexible structures foster a thriving tech culture. The discussion touches on what shapes a successful organization and the challenges he’s faced over the years.Anthony also shares his experience with Shape Up and how it’s improved his team’s productivity and trust in each other.Highlights:Remote work norms and fostering collaboration across different time zones Anthony’s journey with Shape UpHow to facilitate trust among team membersDNSimple’s culture of collaborationIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) - Kicking things off with Anthony Eden(00:55) - Founding DNSimple: Anthony’s journey to remote work(02:47) - Embracing remote work: the time zone challenge(04:02) - Company growth and team structure at DNSimple(06:56) - The shift to Shape Up: solving development challenges(10:42) - Facilitating trust and commitments in remote teams(16:06) - Asynchronous collaboration tools(21:45) - Aligning remote work practices: learning from experiments(31:20) - The human side of remote work: building emotional connections(35:43) - Conclusion: looking ahead with a growth mindset in remote workReferences mentioned:DNSimple’s time tracking experimentShape UpWhere to connect further:Connect with Anthony Eden on LinkedInFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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39:56
Spotify engineer on the role of trust with Pavel Hubich
Trust, collaboration, and adaptability define the best engineering teams.In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah sits down with Pavel Hubich, Software Engineer at Spotify, to explore the realities of remote and hybrid work. Pavel shares his journey navigating career shifts, relocations, and the challenges of distributed collaboration. He opens up about why he prefers working in person, how hybrid work can create communication bubbles, and what teams can do to foster trust despite physical distance.They also discuss the impact of structured rituals like daily standups and the Swedish tradition of Fika, how mob programming transformed his team’s efficiency, and why balancing autonomy with connection is critical for engineers working remotely.Highlights:Navigating career transitions from frontend to backend engineering while relocating across continentsWhy hybrid work can unintentionally create communication bubbles—and how teams can bridge the gapsThe role of standups, casual rituals, and structured collaboration in building trust remotelyUsing mob programming and Architecture Golf to reduce context switching and improve team alignmentFinding a balance between focus, flexibility, and human connection in a remote-first worldIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking things off with Pavel Hubich(01:24) – From EPAM to Spotify: Pavel’s software journey(05:18) – Relocating to San Francisco for on-site work(08:01) – Why Pavel prefers the office over remote(13:56) – Rituals and loading screens: creating mental transitions(16:03) – The real challenge of remote work: earning trust(18:24) – Standups and Fika: building connection remotely(21:45) – When high output doesn’t equal team cohesion(26:29) – How mob programming brought the team back together(29:53) – Using architecture golf to share context and collaborate(34:29) – Making hybrid work without creating bubbles(36:25) – Building trust without burning outWhere to connect further:Connect with Pavel Hubich on LinkedInFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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39:26
Building global teams, connections, and culture with Nick Cash from Jam City
How do you foster connection and collaboration in a remote-first world?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, host Jack Hannah sits down with Nick Cash, Senior Vice President & Head of Technology at Jam City, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of leading a hybrid team across the globe. Nick shares insights into Jam City’s hub-and-spoke organizational structure, the importance of reducing friction in communication, and the value of synchronous collaboration. He also discusses strategies for empowering engineers, fostering connections across teams, and building a culture of trust and innovation in a remote-first environment.Highlights:Jam City’s hybrid approach to remote-first work and global team dynamicsReducing friction with clear processes and effective communication toolsThe importance of synchronous collaboration for solving complex problemsBuilding connections through programs like Jam City UniversityHow fostering team relationships leads to better project outcomesIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking Things Off With Nick Cash(04:44) – Optimizing Product Lifecycle and Team Agility(08:35) – Integrating Processes with Flexibility(12:34) – Fostering Occasional Team Interactions(14:40) – Balancing Mentorship and Independence(19:06) – Effective Team Communication Boosts Productivity(22:44) – Fostering Success at Jam City(25:44) – Leveraging Curiosity for Networking Success(27:17) – Jam City's Global Talent Strategy(32:23) – Exploring Meetings vs. Problem-Solving Calls(34:37) – Comparing In-Person and Virtual Collaboration PerceptionsWhere to connect further:Connect with Nick Cash on LinkedInMore about Jam CityFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
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35:51
Head of Engineering at Sublime Security on development cycles, process, and tooling with Sumeet Jain
What happens when a fully remote team prioritizes speed, flexibility, and customer feedback?In this episode of the Distributed podcast, Host Jack Hannah talks to Sumeet Jain, Head of Engineering at Sublime Security, about how they manage one-week development cycles to stay agile and responsive to their customers’ needs. Sumeet shares how the team’s reliance on Slack and Notion streamlines workflows and minimizes friction, helping engineers stay connected even across time zones.They also discuss how making work visible, listening to customers, and maintaining a balance between speed and quality are key to Sublime’s success in a fast-paced remote environment.Highlights:Why a one-week development cycle gives Sublime a competitive edgeHow the team uses Slack and Notion to manage tasks and streamline communicationThe importance of making work visible to foster camaraderie in a remote teamHow prioritizing customer feedback drives development decisionsMaintaining speed and focus while ensuring quality in a rapid delivery environmentIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) – Kicking things off with Sumeet Jain(01:13) – Catching the software bug with a Penny Hardaway fan site(02:21) – Running a fully remote team across North America(03:20) – Why Sublime chose one-week engineering cycles(07:00) – Inside the Monday planning ritual and company alignment(11:39) – How customer feedback drives weekly priorities(14:08) – Rethinking under promise and over deliver culture(19:02) – Principles behind Sublime’s lightweight operations(22:59) – Using emoji reactions to create tasks in Slack(28:47) – Organizing work through “T channels”(34:01) – Sumeet’s favorite remote work gear and why air quality mattersProducts mentioned:UGMONK Analog Wood Card HolderAranet4 CO2 MonitorWhere to connect further:Connect with Sumeet Jain on LinkedInFollow TupleWant to hear more? Check out distributed.fmConnect with Jack Hannah
Remote work is here to stay. Whether you’re firmly in the return to office camp or die hard distributed, the cat’s out of the bag for the industry.
The Distributed podcast, from Tuple, deconstructs how world-class engineers and their teams navigate the challenges (and opportunities) remote work creates.
Host Jack Hannah uncovers stories of teams and individuals overcoming technical challenges, working through interpersonal dynamics, and battling their own distractions.
Through these conversations, we’ll unpack the practical side of how folks work together in this new normal, and dig into the social emotional piece so often overlooked in programming.
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