AppForce1: Book launch and a week of reflection

It has been an interesting month. My work life is like my home now. Under construction. 😂 Right at the start of the construction work on our house's roof. My wife sat me down and started talking. She mentioned I have not been myself since the start of the pandemic. (That's already like 12 months ago.) The gist of it is she made a strong case for me to re-evaluate the way I try to balance my (day job) work and private life. She notices that the podcasting and other things besides primary work are giving me energy, while the job was taking a big toll on my mood.

My manager at work agrees with my wife. In her view I should re-focus where I spend my time and energy. Work is a marathon, even if we call our cycles sprints. So, here is what she offered. Take a week, relax, arrange yourself a coach which we will provide to you and come back better and stronger. She was full of compliments on what the team and I have achieved in the last two years. Especially considering the whole Corona thing. And my biggest pitfall is apparently not being able to let go.

I'm not going anywhere. I'm just growing as a parent, husband and (lead) software developer. Years ago I already went to "the dark place" by almost burning out. Never again. I'm delighted and thankful for all positive vibe my wife, work, and friends (online and offline) are sending my way. It seems being somewhat selective with whom I choose to interact with over all these years is paying dividends in large amounts now.

Did you know I now host the sending part of the newsletter Swift Weekly brief? Have a look and sign up.

In this month's newsletter you can read about:

Book: Lead Developer launch on the 19th
Core Data Workshop By Dony Wals
The latest special episodes.
Podcast pivot?

The best part, I wrapped up a load of recording and editing 2 weeks ago. And I am currently sitting on my book for over 2 weeks too waiting for final review input. This week has been very relaxing. So let's get started.

Lead Developer by Jeroen Leenarts

Available on March 19, 2021.

Be the best lead software developer you can be. Learn best practices for being a great lead software developer. In this book I will provide you with best practices and tools to be the best lead developer you can be. For yourself, your peers and the business leaders you are working with.

Get your copy

iOS Core Data Workshop by Donny Wals

With the help of Donny Wals I am organising a Core Data workshop on April 22 and April 29. We’ve chosen times that are convenient for multiple timezones around the world.

Get your ticket

Latest special episodes

Special: Nedim Fakic

MARCH 18, 2021

Nedim is interesting. He is young. Only 17 years old when I interviewed him. He still has to properly start his career as a software developer. But even at his young age, he sounds to be ready to take on the world.

Special: Jeroen Willemsen

MARCH 11, 2021

Jeroen Willemsen and I worked together on a security related mobile networking SDK. Based on that working history and Jeroen's work on the OWASP MSTG I wanted to get Jeroen on my podcast to talk about how to get started with mobile security testing on iOS.

Special: Vincent Pradeilles

MARCH 05, 2021

Here's to Vincent, he started a YouTube channel right about when I uploaded my very first episode. March 3 2021, he passed 2000 subscribers. And today, on March 5 we record for my podcast to celebrate this event. Vincent started with YouTubing due to the whole pandemic thing.

Special: Daniel Jalkut

MARCH 04, 2021

Daniel Jalkut owns and runs Red Sweater Software. He also hosts the Core Intuition podcast together with Manton Reece. Daniel was an Apple employee at some point during his career. In this episode we go through his experience starting and growing as a software developer.

Podcast pivot?

I am having a great time podcasting. But what can I do to make my content more relevant for a longer duration? Currently, I do two things. An interview and a news type section. Both are great to do, but both have a limited value over time. The new article episodes are only interesting within the first one or two weeks after publication. The interview shows are great to record and publish. But it is very much focussed on a single person.

What if I would be able to keep on recording with awesome guests but try to apply the shared knowledge of all my guests into a very specific niche within iOS software development.

So here's the pitch: Become an App Force of 1 on the iOS App Store by listening to the AppForce1 podcast. Learn how to grow into an indie mindset and publish your first product through the iOS App Store. Learn about the challenges, financial risks and things that have worked with like-minded developers who already did the same thing.

I have a scheduled backlog all the way into June. But I am looking forward to spending time considering my podcasting directions in the coming months. Any input you have on the above? There is a good chance it will have a big impact on my podcast later this year.

Review all my shownotes

I hope you will keep enjoying my podcast and newsletter. If you want to support my podcast, please consider the following:

Follow me on Twitter: @AppForce1
Share my newsletter
Sponsor me through GitHub sponsors like:
My book: Being a Lead Software Developer
Keep listening to my podcast.

Thank you,
Jeroen

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AppForce1
Klokstraat Apeldoorn, 7315 HP Netherlands

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