Podcasts are all the rage right now, and there’s never been a better medium to learn new things, explore new ideas, and stay up to date with the latest news and trends in any industry. This is especially true when it comes to the world of web development.
Over the years, there have been so many web development podcasts spring out of the woodwork. Some have stuck. Some have disappeared back into the ether. Some have grown and expanded in amazing colour and have earned the title as being some of the best, which is what we’re going to focus on today.
Below, I’m going to share with you the top 14 web development podcasts in the world right now, informing you of the best places to learn, explore, and stay updated. All of these are ideal when it comes to expanding your web development horizons.
1. JS Party
If you’re on the hunt for a podcast to accompany your learning efforts in JavaScript programming and web development, look no further than JS Party. As the name suggests, this is a fantastic show that focuses on all things related to Javascript and hosts a range of guests from all areas of the development industry to share their insights, experiences, and knowledge.
You’ll learn about a ton of concepts, all basic, fundamental, and niche, including topics like Electron and Node. With hour-long episodes, this is a podcast show that goes hard.
2. Front End Happy Hour
Nobody can deny the impact that Front End Happy Hour has had on the podcasting world and the web development industry in general. The show is hosted by a panel of web developers, including those who have worked and developed the front-end of websites and platforms including Evernote, Netflix, and LinkedIn.
This alone should showcase how much experience and wisdom you’ll be able to enjoy and harvest from a show like this. This is a show hosted by people at the very top of the industry. When you add in the fact they’re just talking and drinking (actually drinking), this makes for an incredibly engaging listen.
3. Full Stack Radio
Full Stack Radio is a comprehensive podcast series that tackles everything a web developer needs to know about. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this show is covering topics that you should be thinking about and topics where there’s always room to improve.
The show covers subjects like enhancing and developing a proper user experience, product design, and even how-to system admin a website or network. The show is hosted by the ever-popular Adam Wathan and will always be sitting down and chatting with a guest.
Guests vary wildly and include everyone from start-up founders to core team members, which is perfect for giving you a unique and broad insight into the industry while covering all angles.
Episodes are released every now and then, usually a new episode every other week or so, and last around an hour, so there’s more than enough content for you to sink your teeth into.
4. Code Newbie
If you look at any list of top web development podcasts, you’re going to see Code Newbie listed somewhere in the upper ranks; without a doubt. As the name of the show suggests, Code Newbie is all about giving beginner coders, and newbies, everything they need to get going.
This includes confidence in what you’re doing, tips and tricks when using certain platforms and frameworks, and sharing insights that can help move your career in the direction you want it to go. With new episodes being released every week, this is a haven any new web developer is not going to want to miss.
5. Design Life
Hosted by popular digital designers Femke van Schoonhoven and Charli Prangley, there are no brownie points for guessing what this podcast show is all about. The series has been running for several years now and is incredibly refreshing to see a podcast show in this industry run by women. Lord knows there are too few of them about.
The show dives into what it’s like to be a woman in the modern-day tech industry and covers interesting topics other shows don’t cover, like how to balance creativity in your life, as well as finding time to work on side projects outside of your full-time job you may be dreaming of.
There’s also a ton of info on the latest industry trends and news, as well as tips on landing jobs and viewing your mistakes as lessons and the sorts. Very inspiring stuff and well worth checking out.
6. Motion and Meaning
There’s no doubt that UX design is one of the most important considerations for modern-day tech and websites, and if you’re a web developer who’s not thinking about the importance of UX, well, you’re probably not going to get very far. #hardfacts.
However, don’t fret since podcasts like Motion and Meaning are here to help. You’ll already know that fluid movement is one of the best UX processes because static was so five years ago.
With this in mind, M&M (not to be confused with the sweets in this case, but feel free to grab a bag while you listen along) is all about covering the basic movements of website and framework movement on the front-end, and then deep-dives into more advanced techniques and tools.
Whether you’re a web developer, designer, or even an animator, there’s going to be topics covered in this show you need to know about. Cennydd Bowles and Val Head host the show, and the duo is usually joined by a guest that makes the experience this podcast has unparalleled.
7. CodePen Radio
CodePen Radio is a different podcast to what you’re traditionally used too. The show is actually made up of web developers all over the world who showcase and share their homemade demo code with the CodePen audience.
Okay, it’s not actually run by these developers, it’s actually set up, managed, and organised by CodePen employees, but they have created this opportunity for web developers everywhere.
In addition to finding new code or sharing your own masterpieces of the world, there are plenty of conversations to enjoy, including shows to learn about web developing, the struggles of working in the industry and making a career out of it, and success stories that will inspire you to your very core.
As above, this is a unique podcast, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything like it. That being said, it’s a wonderful show with so much going for it, so it’s well worth checking it out
8. 99% Invisible
Hosted by the ever-engaging Roman Mars, 99% Invisible takes the main focus on the front-end design of websites, helping you explore new ideas and feel inspired by what’s out there, what the trends are, and how you and your designs can stand out from the crowd.
What I really love about this show is that inspires you to look at the world around you to explore new ideas and to really think outside the box. If you’re looking for a way to boost your creativity, risk-taking ability, and curiosity, there’s no podcast that does it better than this.
9. FreeCodeCamp
If you’re just starting out in the web development industry and you’re looking for a podcast to show you the ropes and help you get fully involved in an industry which, let’s face it, can get wildly complicated very quicker, FreeCodeCamp is the only podcast you’ll need.
The podcast focuses mainly on online course and programming projects that are ideal for beginners to get involved with and try, ultimately teaching you the skills and habits that will set the foundation for your entire development career.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what walk of life you’re from; this is a podcast that will help you take your first steps in your own time. Available on all major platforms and their own website, this is a podcast show you need to check out for yourself.
10. JavaScript Jabber
Okay, this podcast is a bit of a cheat podcast because it’s not actually a show within itself, but more of a list of podcasts from all different sources that, as the name of the show suggests, talks about JavaScript.
This is actually an incredibly helpful concept because if you’re a JavaScript developer, you’ll know there’s a ton of web development podcasts out there, but not all of them focus on JavaScript. Most will have an episode here and there, but that’s precisely what this show is all about.
It’s about pulling those episodes into one list and place, so you only need to focus on finding the shows that interest you, not finding JavaScript podcasts in the first place. Just check out the website for yourself to see what you’ll be able to find.
Related: 11 Free Resources to Practice Your Java Skills and Code like a Pro
11. Shop Talk Show
A weekly podcast radio show that’s incredibly popular thanks to its dedication to front-end development. The show has been led to its extreme popularity by friendly hosts Chris Coyler and Dave Rupert, featuring guests from all over the industry.
I love the fact that this show includes listeners by detailing who’s going to be on the show and allowing fans to write in with their own questions. It really helps to build a community vibe around this show which I just love.
The show is really fun and accessible for developers of all experience levels, and there’s a ton of great topics that’ll help you traverse common developer problems, regardless of whether you’re managing, designing, or running websites in any niche or industry.
12. Development Tea
As the title of podcast suggests, this is a show that’s designed to just be long enough to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee too, which is ideal for when you’re waking up, driving to work, having a break, or just have 15 minutes free at any time of day.
Development Tea is a high-end podcast that talks about a lot of technical stuff, so it may not be ideal if you’re just starting out, but it’s perfect if you already have experience. There’s a lot of talk on programming and theory, rather than focusing on the impact of coding itself.
There’s also a ton of information on how to improve your productivity when developing a website. The show is hosted by Jonathon Cutrell, who shares his very unique and engaging perspective on the industry, as well as providing you with some very powerful food-for-thought.
Episodes range between five and 15-minutes and cover everything from developing a web developer’s mindset, healthy habits you should be thinking about forming, tools you can use and explore, and how to get the best out of your career.
13. CTRL+CLICK Cast
By far one of the oldest podcasts on our list since it started all the way back in 2009, this show is all about keeping you up to date with the latest trends and information you need to know in any and all web-related topics. That’s about as simple as it gets, but the information here is gold you’re not going to want to miss out on.
14. Syntax
Hosted by the wonderful and captivating Wes Bos and Scott Tolinski, Syntax is a weekly podcast series that really dives into the very depths of what it means to be a web developer in the modern world.
This is a really fun podcast that takes a conversational twist; making the show far more entertaining than some of the more serious series. Everything you could possibly want to know is covered, including JavaScript coding, CCS frameworks, hacks to improve your productivity, and even tips for speaking at web development conferences.
This truly is a podcast that has it all.
The duo hosts are very experienced within the industry, which is what makes this show so great. Both are incredibly skilled at turning complicated topics into easy-to-understand bite-sized chunks and have been course providers most of their lives. Couple this with insights from their personal experiences, what more could you really ask for?
