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In this final episode of Ode to RailsConf, I pull back the curtain to share why I'm concluding the podcast and how this journey has profoundly changed me both professionally and personally.

What happens when a shy, introverted developer decides to face their fears by starting a podcast? I reveal how setting a predetermined end date for this project gave me the psychological safety to embark on this adventure despite battling imposter syndrome and social anxiety. The transformation has been remarkable – from someone who could barely muster the energy for one day of socializing at conferences to now feeling energized by connections throughout an entire event.

The final RailsConf brought extraordinary experiences: serving on the program committee, introducing speakers on stage, being recognized by listeners, and forming deep friendships that will extend far beyond the podcast. I share lessons learned about what makes successful conference proposals and how podcasting provided the perfect low-stakes environment to practice social skills I'd struggled with since childhood.

This episode is also a heartfelt thank you to those who made this possible – from Chris Oliver's immediate sponsorship to Paul Barr's editing expertise, from Colin Gilbert's early encouragement to Nadia Odunayo's friendship and connections, and to everyone at Ruby Central who supported this journey. Their collective impact helped me discover that software development isn't primarily about code – it's about people, communication, and community.

Though Ode to RailsConf concludes today, my podcasting continues! Join me as I co-host the new Ruby Gems Podcast with Marty Haught, an official Ruby Central production featuring conversations with influential figures in our community. Episode one with Chad Fowler is available now, with many more exciting guests lined up.

Ready to continue this journey together? Find the Ruby Gems Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and hear how the stories of our community continue to unfold.

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Drew Bragg, Stephanie Minn, and Chris Oliver join me at RailsConf 2025 for a panel discussion, discussing topics that were submitted prior to the conference, and then taking a few questions directly from the audience.

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Joe Leo shares his journey as a Ruby developer and how the Ruby community's welcoming and collaborative spirit drew him back after working with other languages. He introduces Phoenix, Def Method's innovative "closed loop" AI platform that autonomously tests and supports Rails applications.

• Joe founded Def Method, naming the company with help from his wife in 2014
• Despite using Ruby early in his career, Joe had never attended RailsConf before
• Joe began with C++, Java, then discovered Ruby through a consulting project
• Ruby conferences stand apart from others for their community-focused nature
• Phoenix works autonomously to generate tests based on application code
• The AI system examines commits, identifies vulnerabilities, and regenerates tests as code changes
• GoRuCo (Gotham Ruby Conference) had its final run in 2019
• Artificial Ruby meetup in NYC has become a vibrant hub for Ruby developers
• Joe will be presenting "Tales from the Brink" at the final RailsConf
• The joy Ruby brings developers can't be measured but significantly impacts development quality

Use code ODE2RAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com.