Mostly Technical

Episod

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  Sweet Hang #5: My Psychosis Moment w/ Jesse Hanley 19.08.2026 1j 49min

  Ian is joined by Jesse Hanley, founder of Bento, to discuss everything from Grok Bot to finding your ideal customer to the future of knowledge work and so much more.Sponsored by Bento, DropInBlog, Valorin Security, and Svix.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - Settle All Family Business (02:04) - Grok's Bot (12:43) - AI & Knowledge Work (35:17) - How much can one person automate? (46:42) - Will normies use bots? (59:29) - Jesse's videos (01:12:17) - Growing Revenue (01:20:11) - Finding your ideal customer (01:33:56) - Cameras (01:41:51) - Life in Japan Links:Jesse Hanley / @jessethanley — founder-in-the-park videos live hereGrok "bot" agent app (xAI)OpenClaw Hermes Agent (Nous Research) Less Annoying CRMBen Orenstein Laravel Live Japan TatamiMax MRR articleHidden Multipliers (book/audiobook)Find Your Carol workshopA Smart Bear blogJason CohenSony FX30Sony a6000 (body)Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 (Sony E)Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS (Ian's)Kase FiltersPatrick McKenzie
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  145: Marketing As Engineering 18.08.2026 1j 10min

  Ian & Aaron discuss what's coming to Solo, how Aaron's running marketing at Laravel, why Ian swears by a cabana, and so much more.Sponsored by Bento, DropInBlog, Valorin Security, and Svix.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - Cabana Life (12:44) - Using Linear for Marketing (22:57) - Who's agent should you use? (33:02) - Marketing = Engineering? (45:37) - Aaron's hit tweet (56:42) - Solo Updates (01:04:27) - Laravel Live Denmark Links:Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater BeachMartha's VineyardSurf StyleJason Cohen has the DropInBlog founder on the showJason Cohen's new book, Hidden MultipliersLaracon US photosSam Sappenfield's tweet"We built laracon.us/photos. We're not developers."Aaron's codebase-audit tweetSolotermLaravel Live DenmarkAaron's DSA audit prompt gist
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  144: First Week as VP 11.08.2026 1j 22min

  Ian and Aaron discuss Aaron's first week as VP of Marketing & Community at Laravel, why he's writing manifestos in Notion, Ian's huge week with AI coding, and an update on Nachogate.Plus Ian's live from a cabana, ending Token Town (RIP to a real one), and so much more.Sponsored by Bento, DropInBlog, Valorin Security, and Svix.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - Live from a cabana (03:26) - The End of Token Town (10:39) - Aaron's First Week (28:03) - A few manifestos (44:24) - 1:1's (53:40) - Ian's Mega AI Coding Week (01:10:21) - Nachogate Update (01:12:43) - Aaron's Studio Update (01:18:25) - The next Illustrated Classics Links:Aaron's Notion setupTaylor's tweet about TrelloRands In Repose: The Update, The Vent, and The Disaster John O'Nolan's tweet indicating some discrepancies with the nacho storyGreat Illustrated Classics
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  143: Rice On Your Nachos 05.08.2026 1j 6min

  Ian and Aaron are back for a second episode this week to talk about more LaraProm & Laracon follow up, why Ian will never ship Outro (kidding), and.....adding rice to your nachos?Sponsored by Bento, DropInBlog, Valorin Security, and Svix.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - Aaron's First Real Day (04:38) - LaraProm -> Laracon (23:05) - Never Ship (37:33) - Nachos With Rice (47:06) - First Class Is Better (53:29) - Aaron's Sewing Machine (01:02:47) - Shower Wine Follow Up Links:Laracon US Day 1 StreamLaracon US Day 2 StreamHannah Gzehoviak on TwitterHouse of Blanks
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  142: Aaron's a VP at Laravel?! 04.08.2026 1j 23min

  Ian and Aaron are back after Laracon US to talk about....Aaron's new job as VP of Marketing & Community at Laravel?!Plus a recap of LaraProm, something called "shower wine", and more.Sponsored by Bento, DropInBlog, Valorin Security, and Svix.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - We're back, baby (01:26) - VP of Marketing & Community (14:15) - What prepared Aaron for this position? (27:31) - Grand Unifying Theory of Laravel Marketing (50:21) - What's next for Try Hard? (55:28) - Shower wine (?) (01:04:06) - The future of MT (01:16:11) - LaraProm Links:Laracon USLaravel Live UKAaron's tweet announcing his new jobChris Fidao on TwitterSoloIan's LaraProm Photos
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  141: The Era of Sol 21.07.2026 1j 17min

  Ian and Aaron discuss letting Sol Ultra rip for over 2 days straight, Aaron's new side project, problems with macOS, trying to price AI usage in apps, and more.Sponsored by Bento & DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Tim Cook's Office (06:00) - Introducing cfmpeg (12:27) - Ian & ElevenLabs (15:04) - Subscriptions In Outro (18:45) - World Cup (24:06) - Sol Ultra (28:07) - An Update on HelpSpot AI Pricing (52:04) - Aaron’s Custom Model (01:07:40) - Next Week: Laracon US! (01:10:23) - Great Illustrated Classics Links:cfmpegElevenLabsGPT-5.6 SolIan on Notes on WorkHelpSpot AIToken Town Episode 008BigSkyDevConfLaracon USGreat Illustrated Classics
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  140: Eating The Burst 14.07.2026 1j 10min

  Ian and Aaron talk about pricing AI usage in apps, what's coming next for HelpSpot, a Jay-Z concert in NYC, and so much more.Sponsored by Bento & DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Aaron got a ticket (06:45) - Jay-Z Concert (11:47) - World Cup Update (22:36) - Blogging & SEO (29:19) - Pricing AI Usage In Apps (43:43) - HelpSpot & AI (59:54) - GPT Sol & Fable Links:Jay-Z at Yankee StadiumClock Radio Speakers Patreon19th.comGPT Sol 5.6Token Town Episode 007
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  139: High On Fable 07.07.2026 1j 3min

  Ian and Aaron talk about saving a kid's life (!), Solo's big update, and an emerging controversy - do you still need to read the code?Sponsored by Bento & DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Aaron Saved A Life (05:18) - No Good Comes From A Bounce House (11:40) - 4th of July Parades (15:20) - Workspaces In Solo (24:33) - Should You Still Read The Code? (40:05) - Aaron's Breakout Tweet (51:05) - Outro Update Links:Big Tex is Destroyed By FireSoloAaron's tweet about Louis CKNate BargatzeJim GaffiganFilament
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  138: Back In The Game 01.07.2026 1j 13min

  Ian and Aaron discuss Ian's misadventures with poker, a huge update for Solo (Windows!), why Aaron thinks languages don't matter but frameworks & ecosystems do, and so much more.Sponsored by Laracon AU, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Mostly Poker (10:55) - Poker Town? (13:34) - Outro Update (20:46) - Solo for Windows (!) (30:50) - Pricing Advice (33:52) - Laravel Live UK (42:58) - Languages Don't Matter (56:09) - LaraProm Update (01:04:46) - World Cup Links:World Series of PokerResorts World Las VegasOutroSolo
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  137: You Do Have To Care w/ John Drexler & Daniel Coulbourne 23.06.2026 1j 28min

  Aaron is joined by John & Daniel of Thunk to talk about why you should think like a PM, what they want to see from Solo, trash cans in New York, "footy", and a whole lot more.Sponsored by Laracon AU, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Introduction to the Thunk Boys (04:13) - Working on Laravel Forge (09:22) - What does Daniel do? (14:30) - Big week for New York (22:34) - World Cup Social Media (29:13) - Laravel Live (36:33) - AI Code Responsibilities (41:52) - Think Like A PM (51:08) - Do Old Best Practices Still Apply? (58:12) - Daniel's Solo Gripes & Asks (01:20:34) - Tidy (01:24:02) - Where Is Ian? Links:ThunkTalking BusinesslyTightenLaravel ForgeLaravel Live UKLaravel Live JapanLaravel Live DenmarkSoloTidy
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  136: Big, Audacious Goals 16.06.2026 1j 15min

  Ian and Aaron discuss why HelpSpot raised prices, what Aaron's building for teams with Solo, the short-lived reign of Fable 5, pros & cons of DJ's, and so much more.Sponsored by Laracon AU, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - The Great DJ Debate (07:58) - Aaron's Going To Laravel Live UK (14:22) - Ian Raised Prices (27:26) - Teams & New Solo Pricing (42:45) - New Frontiers (56:51) - RIP Fable 5 (01:09:43) - Outro's Sponsorship System Links:"Forever Young"Laravel Live UKHelpSpot PricingRIP Fable 5
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  135: Ian's Over AI Coding?! 09.06.2026 1j 16min

  Ian and Aaron discuss hiring new employees, Ian claiming he's over AI coding, huge updates to Outro, going big or going home on Token Town, and more.Sponsored by Laracon AU, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Down to the River (05:33) - Ian's Over AI Coding?! (13:45) - Aaron's Employee's First Week (21:42) - Marketing & Content (27:27) - Ian's Been Busy With Outro (37:41) - Slash Brag Update (41:06) - Ian Finally Hired Somebody! (47:00) - Token Town Update (55:28) - Horse Business (01:04:14) - Aaron Went Fishing (01:13:16) - Kids Sports Links:Texas Hill CountryToken Town w/ Josh PigfordKristen FoxenSEP IRACorey Haines Marketing Skills on GitHubBlockNoteIan's tweet about AI & coding fasterJoe Masilotti's post about deleting WebSockets
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  134: The Edge of Safety 02.06.2026 1j 10min

  Ian and Aaron discuss Aaron's new employee, the latest on Outro, a surprise trip to Portland, and more.Sponsored by Laracon AU, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and DropInBlog.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Where Was Ian? (02:26) - Outro Update (12:32) - Kelsey Is Gone (22:11) - Is Cloudflare Up? (24:53) - Aaron's New Employee (40:10) - LaraProm Update (42:14) - A Little Technical (54:35) - Aaron Went To Portland (01:06:35) - Slash Brag Links:Brett AdcockManaged Queues on Laravel CloudOutro.fmTinySeedJason LengstorfWeb Dev ChallengeKelsey Hightower
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  133: Do The Hardest Thing with Jesse Hanley 26.05.2026 1j 21min

  Aaron is joined this week by Jesse Hanley, founder of Bento, to talk about building a seven figure business, why he feels less stress now than he did when he started, migrating from Heroku to Planetscale, and more.Sponsored by InterNACHI, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and NativePHP UltraInterested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - 5 TB of Data (11:12) - Laravel Live Japan (15:46) - Seven Figure Business (24:32) - Advice for Indie Hackers (28:57) - Pick Better Problems (32:50) - Friends of Bento (42:33) - Heroku to Planetscale (01:15:02) - What's Next Links:Jesse HanleySpeedshopJesse's Database School episodeTatamiDragonflyRedisShakeLaravel Live JapanDaniel Coulbourne
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  132: Ian Shipped Outro! 19.05.2026 1j 18min

  Ian and Aaron discuss finally recording Token Town, Ian finally shipping Outro, the benefits of working in public, what's coming next to Solo, and more.Sponsored by InterNACHI, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and NativePHP UltraInterested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - We Finally Recorded Token Town (07:43) - Outro Is Live! (21:43) - Working In Public Is Required (27:54) - What's Next For Outro (30:22) - What's New With Solo (43:59) - Free vs. Paid (55:20) - First Actual Resume (01:04:41) - Starting A Movement (01:12:36) - Everybody Loves Discord Links:Token TownOutroSyntaxSoloFasterAaron's page for TupleDerek Sivers's "Now" page
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  Token Town 001: What is Anthropic Doing?! 15.05.2026 39min

  In the first-ever episode of Token Town Aaron & Ian break down pricing changes for Claude -p and the Agent SDK, a temporary 50% increase to Claude's limits, leaps in hacking ability, and more.Sponsored by Bento.Links:Claude pricing changes'Anthropic beats OpenAI on business adoption'Claude Code weekly limits are 50% higherSoloAmpSuperpowersMythos & cybersecurity
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  131: Crush My Competitors 12.05.2026 1j 6min

  Ian and Aaron talk about what's cooking with Solo, why Aaron's hiring his first full-time employee, Ian's frustrations with moving the team to Codex, and a feel good AI story.Sponsored by InterNACHI, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and NativePHP UltraInterested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - Follow Up (04:20) - Solo Update (11:52) - Business Dad Pushback (19:15) - Raising Money (24:39) - Aaron's First Full-Time Employee (31:30) - Ian's Hiring Troubles (39:26) - A Laravel New 👀 (43:27) - Moving to Codex (48:57) - Where's Outro? (59:34) - A Feel Good AI Story Links:SoloTinySeedHelpSpotCodexOutroToken TownMia's Horse Name Generator
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  130: Two Grandmas Roll Up 05.05.2026 1j 1min

  Ian and Aaron discuss the most harrowing experience of Aaron's life (complete with the funniest ad transition in Mostly Technical history), talk about Ian's trip to the Laravel Roadshow in NYC, and dive into what's cooking with Solo.Sponsored by InterNACHI, Honeybadger, Bento, Vask, and NativePHP UltraInterested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.Going to Laracon?  Sign up for the Mostly Technical Pre-Party!(00:00) - The Birthday Party Incident (10:45) - He Starts Doing The Slip & Slide (21:01) - The Stuff of Legends (26:57) - More Kids = More Productive? (32:58) - Solo Is A Meta Harness (48:13) - It's Video Week! (55:06) - Laravel Roadshow Links:Native PHP: The VibesSoloSoak TestingFasterVehiklLaravel Roadshow: Dallas
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  129: The Bounds of My Pettiness 28.04.2026 56min

  Ian and Aaron discuss how Aaron wants to destroy (?) Solo's competitors (!), using AI to find security holes in your app, delaying Token Town until May, and more.Sponsored by SavvyCal Appointments, Bento, & Laravel Private Cloud.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - The AI Apocalypse (11:18) - Delayed (Again) (15:04) - Let's Talk About Solo (29:24) - Number Go Up (42:13) - Sell More Solo (48:17) - Wrap It Up Links:Nicholas Carlini - Black Hat LLMsCodex SecurityToken TownLaravel Roadshow: New York CityWarpConductorSolo's DiscordDeath of a Salesman on Broadway
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  128: LaraProm 21.04.2026 1j 24min

  Ian and Aaron discuss Solo finally being ready & why its MCP capabilities are so intriguing, LaraProm (?!) at Laracon US (!), Ian's conundrum corner, and more.Sponsored by SavvyCal Appointments, Bento, & Laravel Private Cloud.Interested in sponsoring Mostly Technical?  Head to https://mostlytechnical.com/sponsor to learn more.(00:00) - Vacation Is Awesome (11:40) - Thunk Boys Follow Up (14:12) - Ian's Conundrum Corner (22:43) - Prom?! (36:14) - Solo Is Ready (52:58) - Solo's MCP Server (01:16:02) - Token Town Debuts This Week Links:Southwest Airlines Assigned SeatingEpisode 127LaraProm at Laracon USSoloOutroCloudflare MeshToken TownIan's hiring!