AI can scaffold an app in seconds, but can it refactor that thousand-line React file when the first bug hits production?

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Jenney software engineer and program owner of the coding bootcamp Parsity, to draw a hard line between “code that runs” and “code that lasts.” From mentoring career-switchers to stress-testing AI in real-world pipelines, Brian shares why craftsmanship and product judgment still beat copy-paste prompts.

🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/episodes

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://newsletter.productdriven.com/

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/

GET THE PRODUCT DRIVEN BOOK: https://productdriven.com/book

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjenney/

Check out Parsity here: https://www.parsity.io/

Key Discussion Points:

“You have to be smarter than the AI.” Why blindly shipping generated code is the fastest way to paint yourself into a technical-debt corner

The hidden risk of non-deterministic models—like failing a simple “greater-than” check in production tests

A training rule of thumb: no AI for your first months of study, then use it only to reinforce fundamentals—not replace them

The “house-of-cards” analogy for code quality and why maintainability still matters when AI writes the first draft

How Parsity’s tight-knit model turns plumbers, teachers, and even doctors into disciplined, product-minded engineers

If you’re running a startup, chances are you’re the bottleneck.

Brittany Rastsmith joins Product Driven to talk through why founders constantly end up in this trap and how to escape it. She works with early-stage companies through her consulting firm, Bloom Remote, and she's seen it all. We get into how to create clarity, visibility, and accountability across your team so you’re not stuck answering every question, solving every problem, or staying up all night wondering if anything is getting done.

If you want your team to take ownership and drive outcomes—not just check boxes—this episode is for you.

[01:36] - Why being the bottleneck it's a stage

[03:06] - Choose your hard: micromanage or build trust

[08:06] - How to measure what matters

[11:06] - Delegating doesn't work if you dump chaos

[15:06] - Explain your thinking if you want your team to carry it out

[16:36] - The power of decision logs and written rationale

[20:21] - Why psychological safety is key to team ownership

[22:06] - Rubber-stamping is the death of progress

[24:36] - Why most managers are untrained (and why that matters)

[28:36] - Productivity vs. busyness: where your team might be stuck

[29:51] - Inputs vs. outcomes: how to tell what's actually broken

[31:41] - Where to find Brittany and learn more about Bloom Remote

Links & Resources:

Brittany Rastsmith on LinkedIn:

Bloom Remote

Get the Book: https://mybook.to/productdriven

Newsletter: productdriven.com

Connect with Matt: https://linkedin.com/in/mattwatson

Get the Offshore Hiring Guide: https://hirefullscale.com/offshore-hiring-guide

In this revealing conversation, we unpack one of tech's most polarizing concepts while exploring the brutal realities of building technical partnerships in today's startup ecosystem. Host Matt Watson and Noah Lindner (ex-Airbnb engineer turned consultant) deliver unfiltered insights that challenge conventional wisdom about technical hiring and startup team dynamics.

🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Get the Book: https://mybook.to/productdriven

Newsletter: productdriven.com

Connect with Matt: https://linkedin.com/in/mattwatson

Full Scale Ventures: https://fullscaleventures.com

Get the Offshore Hiring Guide: https://hirefullscale.com/offshore-hiring-guide

YC Co-Founder Matching: https://ycombinator.com/cofounder-matching

The conversation opens with a fascinating transformation—how the once-toxic "10X developer" stereotype has evolved into a legitimate business advantage. Noah's perspective shift reveals something profound: the best engineers aren't just writing code faster; they're architecting workflows that eliminate friction entirely.

Real-World 10X Impact:

• Before: 30-minute CI builds crushing team velocity
• After: 2-second feedback loops enabling continuous iteration
• Result: Exponential productivity gains through systematic optimization

Matt delivers a game-changing insight: "To really be a true technical co-founder, they've got to have the vision for what's being built... not just the technical vision, but the product vision."

This distinction separates true startup partners from highly-paid order-takers—a critical differentiation in today's competitive landscape.

• 00:00 - Deconstructing the 10X developer phenomenon
• 08:30 - Technical co-founder vs. founding engineer dynamics
• 16:45 - The four pillars of engineering leadership
• 25:20 - Why big tech creates product-blind engineers
• 32:15 - Navigating the golden handcuffs dilemma

The conversation reveals how technological democratization is reshaping co-founder dynamics. When any PM can create "lovable prototypes" using no-code tools, the bar for technical co-founders rises significantly. Success now requires scalable prototyping—building MVPs that can evolve rather than require complete rebuilds.

Matt's four-quadrant framework provides clarity:

• Strategy: Long-term architectural vision
• Operations: Team efficiency and process optimization
• Product: User experience and market alignment
• Technical: Core engineering excellence

For early-stage startups, product...