The Mob Mentality Show

In this episode of The Mob Mentality Show, hosts Chris Lucian and Austin Chadwick sit down with Joshua (Schwa) Aresty to explore how remote teams thrive through communication, collaboration, and creativity in modern software development. Together, they unpack three powerful and practical topics shaping the future of agile engineering: 🔹 Remote Work Communication Patterns What makes remote collaboration work — and what breaks it? The discussion dives into real patterns that distributed teams can adopt to communicate more clearly, stay aligned, and maintain momentum without burnout. Learn how to balance synchronous and asynchronous teamwork for maximum flow and productivity. 🔹 Mobbing vs Pairing What’s the difference between mob programming and pair programming in practice? The conversation breaks down the strengths and trade-offs of each approach. Discover when a mob or a pair works best, how to transition between the two, and how these methods can build a culture of shared learning, faster feedback, and higher-quality code. 🔹 Voice Coding and Accessibility Joshua brings unique insights into coding by voice — an approach that challenges traditional ideas of how developers write code. Hear how voice coding improves ergonomics, accessibility, and inclusivity in software engineering. This segment highlights how diverse workflows and adaptive tools can unlock new levels of creativity and collaboration. Whether you’re an agile practitioner, developer, team lead, or engineering manager, this episode delivers practical takeaways you can apply immediately: - Strengthen communication in remote or hybrid teams - Choose between pairing and mobbing effectively - Foster inclusive, accessible engineering environments - Improve team learning and knowledge sharing through ensemble programming 🎧 Tune in to learn how collaborative coding techniques, like mobbing and pairing, can transform not just how software is written — but how teams connect, learn, and grow. Stay connected and join the conversation with the Mob Mentality community — where we explore the people, practices, and patterns that make software development more human, sustainable, and effective. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/vBGwXhTFUkI 

🧹 In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we quickly cover the “Code Janitor” anti-pattern — a hidden trap that can quietly undermine team performance. While teams are often formed to maximize collaboration, learning, and flow, certain team dynamics can introduce dysfunctions. The “Code Janitor” role is one of them. What exactly is the "Code Janitor" anti-pattern? It happens when one person slips into the role of silently cleaning up after the team — fixing formatting, organizing files, refactoring, tidying the codebase, or generally taking on tasks that would be better shared by the whole team. On the surface, it may look helpful, but in reality, it can limit transparency, reduce shared ownership, and end up being "too little, too late." This episode explores why this happens, how to recognize it, and most importantly, what options teams have for mitigation. Listeners will hear hot takes on: - How small, well-intentioned behaviors can spiral into anti-patterns - Why the janitor role reduces the learning opportunities for the whole team - Strategies to keep mob cleaning collaborative and balanced - Tips for fostering healthy communication and shared responsibility - How leaders and team members can encourage practices that improve flow instead of hiding work - Is the “Code Janitor” anti-pattern the lesser of two evils and therefore permissible in some situations? 😅🧼🧽 Whether you’re new to mob programming or a seasoned practitioner, this quick episode is a reminder that even small patterns can have big impacts on engineering culture and team productivity. If you’re passionate about agile software development, software craftsmanship, and continuous improvement, this episode will give you a new lens on how teams work together and how to spot warning signs before they hurt you. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/rckIiSodfyY 

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive into the growing tension between the fast rise of Agentic AI systems and the foundational principles of Extreme Programming (XP) and Lean Software Development. As more teams experiment with multi-agent LLM orchestrators like Claude, GPT-4, and others, does the risk of generating untested, low-quality "AI slop" increase—unless guided by tight feedback loops, small batch sizes, and real tests? We ask: - Can Agentic AI truly support Agile and XP practices—or is it working against them - Are we moving toward AI-driven productivity or just automating chaos faster? - What practices can keep teams grounded as tools grow more autonomous? Join hosts Austin Chadwick and Chris Lucian as they explore: - The difference between AI-assisted XP excellence and Agentic AI slop - Real-world dev experiences using multi-agent architectures - How to apply small iterations, pairing/mobbing, and test-first thinking in AI-augmented workflows - The pitfalls of Agentic orchestration without lean guardrails - Why mob programming and XP might be the missing link in managing AI complexity - Tips for maintaining engineering rigor in a world of AI copilots and task runners If you're experimenting with AI in software teams—or trying to balance automation with craftsmanship—this conversation is packed with insights, practical takeaways, and a few strong opinions. 📢 Share this episode with anyone navigating the messy intersection of AI tools and solid software practices. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/efW8eaOGL28 

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, Chris Lucian is joined by Amy Dredge, Will Munn, and Mike Clement to dive deep into how Open Space Technology (OST) is transforming the way engineering leaders learn, connect, and solve real-world challenges together. Whether you're a Staff+ engineer, an engineering manager, or a tech leader looking for meaningful growth, this episode uncovers how OST creates space for peer-to-peer learning that’s spontaneous, high-impact, and deeply human. We explore: The Engineering Leadership Summit — what it is, why it matters, and how it's unlike traditional conferences. How Open Space Technology empowers attendees to shape their own agenda and focus on the most pressing leadership challenges. The shift from passive presentations to active conversations among experienced engineering leaders. Lessons learned from hosting and attending open space events — from hallway chats to high-trust collaboration. How tools like GatherTown help replicate the spontaneity of in-person connection in a remote world. Why this format resonates deeply with Staff+ and senior engineering leaders seeking authenticity, relevance, and practical insight. We also compare remote vs. in-person open space events, dig into accessibility, and share actionable tips for running your own internal or external open space sessions inside engineering orgs. 🎧 This is a must-listen for anyone serious about growing engineering culture, building leadership communities, and fostering real, unscripted learning. 💬 What’s your experience with open space formats in tech? Drop a comment or DM us on social. 📌 Topics Covered: Open Space Technology in Engineering Staff+ and Engineering Manager Peer Learning Engineering Leadership Summit Preview GatherTown for Remote Events Community Building in Tech Agile Leadership in Practice Unconference vs. Traditional Conferences FYI: Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/domldsgqkDs 

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with Henrik Ståhl, a product manager and advocate for collaborative software development, to explore how mob programming, MVPs, and agile leadership can reshape the way teams build products. Henrik shares a unique product manager perspective on mob programming—why it’s more than just a coding practice and how it becomes a powerful tool for communication, knowledge sharing, and true collaboration across teams. We dive into what happens when product managers actively join mob sessions, the unexpected benefits for decision-making, and how it reduces waste and rework. We also tackle one of the most misunderstood concepts in product development: the MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Henrik explains why many teams fall into the trap of either shipping low-quality “minimums” or overengineering “full products,” and what viable should really mean. You’ll hear insights on how sustainability, scalability, and learning fit into the MVP conversation—whether you’re at a large enterprise or an early-stage startup. Finally, we unpack the infamous phrase “Move Fast and Break Things.” Henrik reframes the idea, showing how moving fast doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or creating chaos, but instead building the right contingency plans, embracing adaptability, and ensuring that speed leads to sustainable outcomes rather than long-term failures. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like: How can product managers contribute directly in mob programming? What does “viable” really mean in MVP? How do you balance moving fast with building lasting, maintainable products? How can teams avoid rework, miscommunication, and wasted effort? …this episode is packed with practical takeaways and perspectives you can use right away. 🎙️ Listen in to learn how to build better products together—with less blame, fewer silos, and more shared ownership. 📌 Topics Covered: Mob programming from a product manager’s perspective The real meaning of MVP and why “Minimum Viable Whatever” fails Rethinking “Move Fast and Break Things” for sustainable speed Communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement in agile teams Knowledge sharing, reducing waste, and eliminating silos Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/JCZcJ6xT7-8 

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we explore Agile Manifesto Principle #11: “The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.” This principle often sparks debate. Can teams really create great architecture and design without top-down control? Can autonomy be granted when the team isn’t ready for it? Does self-organization only work when the right skills, trust, and shared values are already in place? Can control without competence cause chaos? We dig into what it really means for modern teams and why it’s still controversial today. Topics covered in this episode include: Why is Agile Manifesto Principle #11 frequently misunderstood in organizations? What dangers arise when control is handed over without building XP competence first? How can mob programming and collective learning raise a team’s ability to self-organize effectively? What role do psychological safety, trust, and leadership support play in enabling autonomy? Why must Agile principles be applied together rather than in isolation? How does Principle #11 connect to Lean thinking and the reduction of common wastes in software development? What real-world lessons show how solid architectures can emerge naturally through collaboration? What practical advice can leaders and agile coaches use to balance empowerment with readiness? The conversation highlights both the promise and the potential pitfalls of applying Agile Principle #11.  This episode is useful for anyone who works in software development, engineering leadership, product management, or Agile coaching and wants to understand how to create conditions where self-organizing teams thrive instead of flounder. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/lTPtr8t3yaM  

This special episode of The Mob Mentality Show is a cross-post from Tuple’s podcast/videocast Distributed, where Chris and Austin join host Jack Hannah for an in-depth conversation about mob programming, agile leadership, and the evolving role of AI in software development. Originally recorded for Distributed, this discussion brings a fresh outside perspective to topics Chris and Austin have explored in over 300 episodes of The Mob Mentality Show—but here, they dive even deeper into the origins of mob programming, how it spread across the organization, and what it takes to protect team culture while scaling. Listeners will hear stories about early experiments—like rearranging office spaces to make pairing/mobbing possible—navigating challenging product owner relationships, and using “cellular division” to grow teams without losing their collaborative spirit. The conversation also covers AI in social coding, from generating code in domain-specific languages to treating AI as another member of the mob, plus honest thoughts on whether AI could ever replace pair or mob programming. Key Topics in This Cross-Post Episode: How one team’s mob programming experiment became an org-wide practice Lessons from creating and sustaining 300+ agile/XP episodes Office and workflow changes that enable collaboration at scale Maintaining team culture through growth and change Where AI fits (and doesn’t) in mob and pair programming Practical advice for teams without internal XP mentors The future of AI in collaborative software development If you’re interested in agile leadership, developer experience, extreme programming, or the human side of software engineering, you’ll get proven strategies you can apply immediately—plus inspiration from seeing how practices spread beyond their starting point. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/Cd0L4jyaUIg   

What does it really look like when Agentic AI systems are integrated into some modern software teams? In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with David Hirschfeld—founder and CEO—to unpack real-world experiences with Agentic AI, prompt engineering, and workflow automation in dev environments. This is not a theoretical discussion. David brings firsthand stories of building and deploying AI-powered agents. We explore the hands-on challenges and breakthroughs that come with treating AI like a junior developer, giving it structured workflows, and designing systems that can improve with feedback. Highlights include: Is “prompt engineering” dead? What Agentic AI is doing right now to reduce busywork and boost flow and what are the current shortcomings  How AI agents can integrate with tools like Jira and Slack  The cultural shifts needed to make AI part of your agile team Pitfalls of over-reliance on AI and the importance of confidence thresholds (e.g., big bang AI slop vs. small batch AI with verified output)   How voice and vision AI are expanding what’s possible in software development When to automate, when to augment, and when to stay manual The surprising power of “smart laziness” in engineering productivity Lessons from real teams automating their development processes Whether you’re a dev, product manager, or just AI-curious, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how agentic systems are being used today—not in the future—to transform engineering work. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/cMhnIeGu3Js  

How do you scale an agile team without sacrificing collaboration, flow, or developer experience? In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we’re joined by Brice Ruth—engineering leader at Flexion and ensemble programming advocate—for a deep dive into what it takes to build high-functioning, adaptable software teams through a concept he calls “mob meiosis.” We explore Brice’s journey from solo coding to full-time mob programming, and how his experience in the industry and in government contracts shaped his philosophy on team dynamics, learning cultures, and system design. If you’re looking for actionable insights into building fast feedback loops, enhancing developer onboarding, or evolving your mob into multiple autonomous mobs, this is the episode you don’t want to miss. 🔍 What you’ll learn: What “mob meiosis” is and how it enables team scaling without silos How to engineer feedback loops that operate across code, communication, and team structure Why ensemble programming improves developer flow, learning, and job satisfaction Lessons from transitioning into mobbing full-time—and how to make it sustainable Tips for fostering a culture where pairing, mobbing, and continuous improvement thrive Whether you’re an agile coach, engineering manager, or developer looking to elevate your team’s practices, Brice brings a sharp, experience-backed perspective on what it means to lead with feedback, prioritize team health, and scale with purpose. 🎙️ Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show for more episodes on ensemble programming, agile culture, and modern software team dynamics. Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/W0eJFMzbBME  

In this eye-opening episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with software engineer and consultant William Bernting to explore a radical approach to hiring, teamwork, and technical leadership. William walks us through his real-world experience with mob programming interviews—a collaborative hiring process where candidates join the team in an ensemble coding session, not a contrived solo coder test. He shares the surprising benefits of evaluating candidates through communication, alignment, and problem-solving over individual technical trivia. We dive into: Why mob programming is a great way to assess team fit and long-term success How to structure collaborative interviews that reduce anxiety and reveal true strengths What happens when you ditch traditional project-led methods and focus on predictability through steady flow How the Cynefin framework helps make sense of complex team dynamics and guides leadership decisions What freelance engineering looks like when trust, autonomy, and collaboration lead the way William also discusses how he's made his work more stable and sustainable—for both clients and team members—without relying on estimates or rigid plans. Instead, he uses continuous delivery, test-driven development (TDD), and mobbing to achieve results that are both reliable and adaptable. Whether you're a hiring manager rethinking your interview process, an engineer looking to join better teams, or a leader trying to move beyond chaotic delivery cycles, this conversation offers practical takeaways and fresh perspective. 🧠 Topics covered: - Mob Programming Interviews - Collaborative Hiring - Cynefin Framework in Tech - Predictability Without Projects - Freelancing in Software Engineering - Team Fit Over Resume Skills - Agile Leadership Without Estimates Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/nnR3_V8FrMQ