When I created this newsletter I fully intended for it to be an outlet for writing about software development, the complexities we face, the toll it sometimes takes on each of us, and most importantly how things can be improved. This newsletter is an additonal place to talk about healthy software development, and my coaching service for developers. But then, I went through old drafts of blog posts I had and found one that described a passion project: Interview software developers in the same way Rolling Stone interviews musicians.

I challenged myself to add this old blog post to my newsletter and give it a shot. I imagined nothing would come from it, because let’s be honest, I’m just another newsletter in a massive galaxy of social media stars. No followers or subscribers yet, but what could it hurt? I believed I could find just one person a month to let me write about them.

It worked! I created a list of people that I wanted to do profiles on and simply asked them if they’d be interested. I imagined no one would be, but amazingly I was wrong!

For their part, I admit I’m surprised. I was rejected by hundreds of people. In fact the first month I nearly gave up on the idea because I didn’t believe I’d get anyone to give me the time. I know who I am, and I don’t know how I would respond to a request for an interview from yet another random white guy on the internet. But this group of people gave me a chance and for that I’m deeply grateful.

To say that I’m humbled is an understatement. And in so many ways I want to improve my writing (it’s only after you hit publish you realize how much). So I don’t consider this a victory lap, rather it’s an excellent first mile.

Thank you

I want to thank Charity Majors, Kelsey Hightower, Tim Jarratt, Tim Banks, and Brian LeRoux. These people gave me an hour of their time, in what must have appeared to them as this weird thing named Attainable. Obviously these profiles were wonderful stories for me to write, but to them it must have felt a little awkward. Let alone their time, they trusted me with my writing. Thank you all for giving me a chance!

Charity Majors

Charity is a person I follow because I find her ideas and philosophies valuable. Her thoughts resonates with me, and she’s given me tons to think about. She occaisionaly writes on her own blog, and I’ve found really great thoughts there.

Attainable Newsletter

A book by its cover

“As long as there aren’t any action items for me” she giggled, was the condition she agreed to, and later I found out that meant a lot more than just for this interview. She said she was tired due to work, but was willing to spend an hour with me, and it turns out she had a lot to say. Charity’s opinions are strong, even with depleted energy…

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7 months ago · 1 like · Attainable

Kelsey Hightower

Kelsey is the best of all worlds. He is a massive talent and widely respected, and yet he holds such grace for others and makes us feel as though we all could be as good as he is.

Attainable Newsletter

No territorial boundaries

“You know, these days I'm just happy to be on Earth” he says as I ask him where he enjoys being the most. “I don’t stick to the territorial boundaries anymore, you know, I was just in Australia a few weeks ago, I’ll be in Stockholm soon. I know people all over the world, so…

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7 months ago · Attainable

Tim Jarratt

Tim is a friend of mine, and while I wanted to do profiles on people outside of my own circle, he was on the list from the beginning. He is one of the best people I’ve worked with that is unbounded technically, and equally skilled in the arts of empathy and honesty. Truly inspiring.

Attainable Newsletter

Software through Wabi-sabi

Tim Jarratt can explain many things about the ideas of uncertainty, failure, influence, feedback loops, and abstractions that each include the core elements of imperfection and incompleteness, and how those are actually the goals we should strive for…

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6 months ago · 1 like · Attainable

Tim Banks

This profile was intimidating! I follow Tim on Twitter and in all the best ways he seemed to me to be strong, forthright, and not-to-be-fucked-with. And none of that had to do with he being a champion Jiu-Jitsu practicioner! I really enjoyed talking with Tim and found a person that I would love to have as a coach myself!

Attainable Newsletter

Sometimes the best grip you have is the one you let go of

To the uninitiated it would appear to be a position of weakness, and quite possibly defeat, but in the art of jiu-jitsu the position of guard, where you are on your back and your opponent is over you, is technically a position of power. Tim Banks, being a champion jiu-jitsu artist, speaks about life and t…

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5 months ago · 1 like · Attainable

Brian LeRoux

Fun fact: Brian and I met IRL once, so while we’re not in-person friends, he says we’re “twitter friends!” I’ve always wanted to talk to Brian and this was a treat. This profile was the first that made me consider doing series on individuals, because Brian’s history with PhoneGap is a story I would love to hear.

Attainable Newsletter

Causal Loop

Imagine you get the chance to coach yourself back in time. What would you tell yourself? Would you give yourself all the answers, or would you teach yourself the value in learning the lessons? We are all different in our abilities to learn. For some of us, it takes just a reference and we can pic…

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3 months ago · 2 likes · Attainable

I’m not done!

I don’t have anyone lined up for November or December, however, I’m not stopping. While I have yet to get the credibility that makes it easier for people to participate, I do want to keep going and one day do this full-time.

This project has reinvigorated an old desire of mine to be a writer. In full transparency, I have so much to improve on technically. But I’m also terribly proud of what I’ve done. I stayed consistent, challenged my fears and kept typing.

I’m going to start the new year fresh and continue asking folks in the industry that have a story to tell, and that are inspiring to the rest of us, and most importantly have experience and advice that we should all read about.

A deep heartfelt thank you to these folks for allowing me to profile them. These are treasures to me, and I hope I get the chance to do more.