Let’s be honest: finding authentic technical content is tough right now. Everyone’s talking about AI, but I’m looking for the stuff that feels like a real conversation—engineers sharing hard-won lessons, not just hype cycles.
Here’s where I’m at: I’m working toward EM/Staff Engineer. Not chasing a title, but genuinely shifting how I think about impact, leadership, and building things that make others faster. These resources kept me grounded and hungry throughout the year.
The Pragmatic Engineer — Gergely Orosz’s podcast and newsletter became my go-to. His deep dives with experienced engineers surface lessons you can’t find anywhere else. Standout episodes for me: Vibe Coding with Addy Osmani and Developer Productivity with Dr. Nicole Forsgren
The Caring Techie Newsletter by Irina Stanescu — One of my favorite weekend reads. Honest, practical guidance for navigating career growth. Hard to pick just one, but The Missing Ingredient in Your Ambitious Goals: Macro Focus from December really landed.
High Growth Engineer by Jordan Cutler — If you’re transitioning from Senior to Staff (or EM), this is essential reading. Jordan shares specific, authentic details about what actually changes. My pick is Operating Principles That Guided Me to Staff Engineer (Part 1: Driving Impact).
Engineering Leadership by Gregor Ojstersek — A continuous source of reflection for me. One article I keep coming back to is 5 Skills to Develop to Grow From Senior to Staff Engineer. Honestly, go through everything Gregor published in 2025.
Vu Trinh — One of the most productive data engineering creators out there. Every newsletter issue has something I can apply immediately. If I have to pick one: I spent 8 hours learning Parquet. Here’s what I discovered.
Marco Gorelli — His commitment to open source (Polars, Narwhals) is inspiring. His conference talks are energetic, genuine, and packed with insight. Definitely among my favorite tech talks of the year.
Pluralsight — Still my main learning platform, year after year. The depth is unmatched.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited and a little nervous. Two challenges ahead: balancing timeless engineering fundamentals with AI-shaped possibilities, and making sure the pursuit of growth doesn’t eat into family time and sanity. Both matter.
Let’s make 2026 count. See you out there.
I’d love to hear what resources kept you going this year — drop a comment on the related LinkedIn post or reach out directly.