Achieving “Ultimate” Excellence With Jon Palmer

Hidden behind a vintage 1976 Coke machine, Ocusell CPO Will Ogles has brought his passion for retro gaming to life by transforming the back of his wife’s art studio into a fully functional speakeasy arcade. What started as a few arcade machines for fun quickly spiraled into a personal haven packed with ‘90s classics like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, complete with original cabinets and neon lights. In this episode, Will shares how his love for video games evolved into a full-blown restoration project, where he brings old arcade machines back to life and uses modern tech like Alexa to power his games. His journey from product management to arcade designer and restorer is filled with creativity, challenges, and a true dedication to keeping the magic of ‘90s arcades alive.Highlights:Arcade Co-working Space Transformed: Initially meant to be a co-working space with a few games, the arcade grew until the desks disappeared, leaving only the games.Recreating 90s Arcade Nostalgia: Will explains how he designed the space to mirror the dark, immersive feel of ‘90s mall arcades, with games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.Alexa-Controlled Arcade: Will has integrated his arcade with Alexa, allowing him to turn on games and control the space with voice commands.Jump Into the Conversation:(00:00) Introduction to Will Ogles and his transformation of a back room into an arcade(01:55) How the arcade was hidden behind a vintage Coke machine(04:01) How Will discovered his passion for building arcades(06:42) Differences between ‘80s and ‘90s arcades(12:38) Restoring original arcade cabinets and the challenges of repairs(18:34) Transporting arcade cabinets in an SUV(21:55) Restoring a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cabinet back to its original form(26:49) Plans to open a public arcade in the future(28:30) How arcade restoration has influenced Will’s professional skills in product management

What does it take to achieve motocross excellence?  Our guest today can certainly tell you. Ulf Viney, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Precisely and a dedicated father, has turned his sons’ interest in motocross into a full-on family adventure complete with feats of track engineering. With the type of earth-moving machines you’d expect around a construction site, Ulf builds professional-grade motocross tracks in his own backyard.Hear how Ulf got started in the motocross game, the parallels between his professional and race track-building life, and the challenges and triumphs that define his family’s motocross journey. From the meticulous process of sourcing and shaping dirt to the high-speed thrills of the race itself, this is an episode every bit as exhilarating as the world of motocross.Highlights:Family First, Always: Ulf Viney's journey into motocross began because his son showed an interest in riding. Fast forward to today, and it's a full-fledged family affair with both of his sons rising up the ranks in motocross. Building Dreams (And Tracks): Ever wondered what it takes to build a supercross track in your backyard? Ulf gives us a peek behind the curtain, sharing the nitty-gritty of dirt composition, machinery, and the precise art of track building.Overcoming Challenges: Whether it's handling challenging terrain or solving complex engineering problems, Ulf emphasizes the value of facing and overcoming obstacles. Jump Into the Conversation:(00:00) Introduction to Ulf Viney and his views on growth through challenges(01:14) How Ulf’s son’s interest sparked the family’s motocross journey(04:45) Ulf’s involvement in designing custom motocross tracks(09:58) Motocross vs. Supercross: Ulf explains the differences(12:54) How to build a supercross track(26:44) Applying engineering skills to track construction(37:42) Testing tracks with top riders for quality assurance

Imagine the quiet serenity of an attic turned art studio, where the hum of the outside world fades, and the canvas becomes a space for exploration. In this episode of 5 to 9, Tacita Morway, the CTO of Textio, shares her passion for art and the meditative escape it provides.  Hear how Tacita manages chaos by putting charcoal to paper. Marvel at the differences in painting mediums and the ideas they express. This episode is a true moment of Zen for anyone looking to jump into art or simply balance professional commitments with personal passions.Highlights:Finding Balance Through Art: Tacita shares how painting and drawing offer her a peaceful refuge amid her overloaded workdays. The Creative Process is Chaotic – and That’s Okay: Tacita breaks down her artistic process, filled with spontaneity and embracing the unexpected— creativity often lies in reacting to chaos and refining what emerges.Embracing Constraints to Fuel Creativity: Whether in art or software development, working within limits can help us focus and innovate. Art as a Journey, Not a Destination: Tacita talks about the satisfaction of problem-solving in both her art and tech careers, underlining that neither journey aims for a final "perfect" piece but rather the enjoyment of the process. Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Art 101 with Tacita Morway(03:55) How doodling led Tacita to art school(12:04) The role of improvisation in artistic expression(29:22) How Tacita’s engineering background influences her art(37:46) Getting Started with Oil Painting and Knife Techniques

When the work day ends, how do you achieve a moment of Zen? For Tanya Johnson, Chief Product Officer at Auror, the answer lies in meticulously-crafted pastry.  Hear about the scientific precision behind Tanya’s stunning creations and the prized kitchen tools she uses in the kitchen. Discover how Tanya balances her high-tech career with the joy that can only be found in the layered intricacies of patisserie and viennoiserie. Grab a snack and get ready to be inspired by Tanya's sweet escapades and precise baking techniques on this episode of 5 to 9!Highlights:Boost Your Baking Game: Tanya swears by using a stand mixer for that extra oomph and gives a nod to Serious Eats for their top-notch guides and recipes. Trust us, your kitchen will thank you.Pastry Precision Tips: From the art of making macarons with aged egg whites to the decadent process of crafting Kouign-amann – Tanya’s tips could transform your baking routine.Baking as Therapy: Imagine turning your kitchen into a mini zen retreat where the rhythm of measuring, mixing, and folding can ease your mind and soul. Sounds dreamy, right?Jump into the conversation:03:37 Tanya’s various passions run the gamut between motorbike riding and baking.09:03 The essential baking equipment your kitchen needs. 21:35 The sweet benefits of stress baking.25:02 Tanya’s top three recommended cookbooks for baking enthusiasts.

At work, Colleen Tartow is the Field CTO and Head of Strategy at Vast Data, but when her laptop closes for the day, she picks up a pen. Yes, this tech maven’s artistic outlet is modern calligraphy—and it’s more than just a pastime. Hear how calligraphy has influenced her personal and professional lives in interesting ways and why she absolutely does not want to craft invites for your wedding. Whether you’ve got your own feathered quill or not, you’ll still appreciate Colleen’s artistic flourish in this inspiring episode. Highlights:One: Calligraphy as a Tech Escape: Calligraphy provides Colleen with a much-needed creative and therapeutic outlet after work. Two: Practical Calligraphy Tips: Like most good hobbies, calligraphy is all about the gear: pens, custom-mixed inks, and paper. Three: Real Talk on Focus: If you feel fidgety during meetings, calligraphy might help be the answer.Four: Personal Expressions: Colleen incorporates humor and personality into her calligraphy, like her ornate "take the motherf**king leap" piece. A reminder that art can be both beautiful and hilariously real.Jump into the conversation:05:03 Decided to take calligraphy courses during pandemic downtime.12:11 Quality printer paper with a smooth texture is recommended.17:21 Colleen prefers traditional, flourished calligraphy and has developed her own style.22:07 How to overcome an overactive imagination: chill and take one step forward.

Hidden away in Jack Walter’s basement is a treasure trove of vinyl records and audio equipment during a youth spent scratching and remixing through house parties and the techno scene. In this episode of 5 to 9, Jack discusses how he keeps his DJing days alive despite his workload as an engineering leader, and how you too can get started spinning vinyl and dropping beats the old-school way.Highlights:One: The Evolution of a DJ: Jack shares his journey from listening to Hip Hop to spinning records at house parties and clubs.Two: Check the Technique: Jack explains how beat matching forms the backbone of any live DJ gig.Three: From Analogue to Digital: Jack traces the shift from traditional vinyl records to the integration of digital tools, highlighting the game-changing technology that has revolutionized DJing.Four: Keep Spinning: Jack shares an honest glimpse into the DJ lifestyle and how it intertwines (to varying degrees of success) with the demands of daily life.Jump Into the Conversation:[03:15] Exploring diverse music genres with big speakers. [10:31] Hip hop DJs use two turntables for mixing. [20:12] Late nights making music and grinding out demos. [26:02] Exploring music genres leads to cool places.

In the office, Jon Palmer is the SVP of Developer Experience at Fidelity Investments, but on the Ultimate Frisbee field, he’s known for his deft handling of discs and his team-player attitude. A long-time Ultimate player, Jon still finds time to engage in his favorite sport through regular tournaments despite a busy family and professional life. Hear how he keeps everything spinning in this “Ultimate” episode.Highlights:One: A Friendly Game: Ultimate is welcoming and inclusive, making it easy for newcomers to find camaraderie on the field.Two: Your Ultimate Chance: If you think you’re too old to jump into Ultimate, think again. Learn how the game could easily be a lifelong passion.Three: Simply Joys: Like the best games, Ultimate is easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master.Four: Group Activity: How does Jon keep finding space in his calendar for Ultimate? For starters, he includes his family in his sporting life.Jump Into the Conversation:[03:15] Avoid diving! How to aim for better outcomes in Ultimate. [13:55] Balancing family, work, and competitive sports. [17:56] Common ultimate frisbee contact rules summarized: Play safely, no injurious contact allowed. [23:36] Professional disc golfers live a nomadic life. [28:11] Ultimate Frisbee fosters teamwork, skill specialization, and community.

Cooking is part of HI Marley CPO Jonathan Tushman’s DNA. While the rest of us were struggling with pandemic sourdoughs, he was serving up multi-cultural culinary delights for his friends and family. From spatchcocking a wet-brined bird for a Thanksgiving feast to week night dinners with his Korean-style Mapo Tofu, hear how Jonathan keeps calm and cooks on with dishes that celebrate his mixed-race family and their cultural heritage.Highlights:One: No Experience Kneaded: Your culinary journey could start anywhere. For Jonathan Tushman, it started with bread.Two: Shop So You Chop: The secret to learning a a new cuisine is to start with properly stocking your pantry.Three: Practice Makes Delicious: Practice, repetition, and constant tweaking take your initial attempts at a new dish to ultimate success in the kitchen.Four: Unctuous Flavor: It’s time to stop worrying and love MSG.Jump Into the Conversation:[08:54] Korean chili flakes and gochujang make delicious meals. [16:42] How to clean carbon steel pans with bamboo and oil. [19:25] Cooking is the perfect transition between work and home. [35:56] Jonathan shares his inspiring books and online resources to get your kitchen up to speed.

How far would you go to eat that perfect, summertime tomato? For Gian Perrone, VP of Engineering at Nav, tomato cultivation goes to his roots. Starting with some seeds obtained by his grandfather straight from Italy, his family has spent generations in search of the perfect tomato. This quest is about far more than vine-ripening and regular watering. Hear how Gian balances soil acidity levels and builds custom growing trellises to create a tomato worthy of the Caprese salad of your dreams.Highlights:One: Cultivating Roots: For Gian, cultivating the perfect Isle of Capri tomato is a way to stay in touch with his Italian roots.Two: Digging Up Gold: We’ve all heard about the $64 tomato, but gardening doesn’t have require costly gadgets or breaking the bank.Three: Going to Seed: So you’ve raised the best tomato of your life. Now what? Hang on to the seeds from this year’s crop to make sure next year’s is just as good.Four: Serenity in the Soil: Like every good hobby, getting in the zone (and the soil) in the garden is also a chance to cultivate some peace.Jump Into the Conversation:[04:28] The story of Gian’s grandfather and the Isle of Capri tomatoes. [06:38] Starting seeds under a grow light in the basement. [14:36] Backyard gardening in San Francisco during Covid. [19:08] How to water plants with a drip system. [30:08] Protect plants from playful squirrels and rabbits. [37:47] How to dry and store seeds for next year.

Want to have perfect coffee all day long? Bloomerang Vice President of Engineering, Matt Brown, recommends an insulated thermos and drinking from small cups. And that’s just one of the coffee connoisseur tips Matt’s got brewing. In this episode, Host Andrew Lau gets the unfiltered truth on what goes into roasting your own beans, launching your own small-batch brand, and keeping that buzz going during your nine-to-five and (more importantly) your 5 to 9.Five Highlights:One: The Perfect Cup: Matt Brown meticulously brews coffee using 1000 grams of water at 205 degrees Fahrenheit poured over 60 grams of coarsely ground coffee.Two: Gearing Up: Whether you’re using a standard drip coffee maker or a fancy Chemex, the joy of a great cup of coffee is within reach if you take time to source quality beans and grind them yourself.Three: Catch the Third Wave: Coffee culture in America has evolved from a big, metal can of pre-ground beans to “Third Wave Coffee” with its carefully curated single-origin cups.Four: The Coffee Ritual: Brewing coffee is about caffeine intake, sure, but it’s also about adding a ritualistic task to your daily routine to give you that moment of zen and a tasty beverage.Five: Maintain the Buzz: While getting started with a proper brew is simple, you may need to upgrade as you continue your coffee journey. Additional gear comes in the form of advanced brewing devices, scales, cleaning brushes, and grinders. Jump Into the Conversation:[08:40] Coffee roasting process explained in simple terms. [11:57] Tasting coffee for different flavors and processes. [19:57] The ritual of prepping coffee nightly for that morning cup. [29:54] How to buy beans in bulk and roast coffee for friends.