Scott Hanselman

10 years and over 520 episodes of podcasting - Tech is a marathon, not a sprint

May 12, 2016 Comment on this post [28] Posted in Musings
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Hanselminutes

I try not to be prideful, as a rule, but darnit, I'm REALLY proud of my podcast. As of this writing I've done 526 episodes. Each one 30 minutes long. Every Thursday, for the last decade. That's over 250 hours of technology talk that promises not to waste your time.

I started Hanselminutes: Fresh Air for Developers almost as a joke. Podcasting was just starting up and I felt at the time that it was largely kind of a vapid copy of talk radio. Hours of directionless rambling. I said to my buddy Carl Franklin that a show shouldn't waste your time and force you to fast-forward 20 minutes in to get to the meat. He said, you should start a show. I laughed, and I did.

HanselminutesOver 10 years later, here we are, having built a significant piece of creative, informational, and pseudo-journalistic work. While other podcasts come and go, many with the "two dudes on Skype" format, I've chugged along. While I do over a million downloads a year, I've never cracked into any mainstream technology podcasting charts or iTunes Top Ten. I think about that sometimes, a little bummed, but I realize that this show and it's content is as much for me as it is for you, Dear Listener. This isn't a popularity contest...as much as one can appreciate recognition.

I talk to anyone and everyone about all things tech. The show started before I went to work at Microsoft and will continue long after, I'm sure. It's a non-denominational technology show.

The show also aims to be intentionally inclusive without being heavy-handed. Showcasing diversity in technology isn't about "hey, we need a Black guy this week, know anyone?" That's insulting to everyone. Instead, I've cultivated an amazing network of amazing people from all over the world, and I talk to them about what they love to do. This has some wonderful side effects when recently without planning, 7 of the last 8 shows featured women!

The faces on this archive page go on and on. I'd encourage you to scroll and explore the wall of topics. There's hundreds of highlights, but here's a few favorites:

I am also proud of the show talking to people before (sometimes) they went mainstream or got famous. From interviews with Tim Ferriss in 2007, Kimberly Bryant from BlackGirlsCode in 2012Baratunde Thurston in 2010, Dr. Michio Kaku, author Lauren Beukes, as well as the now legendary show on Geek Relationship Tips with my wife, I've got you covered! You'll often hear it here first.

We were also one of the first podcasts to have a transcriptions/PDFs of the show for the hard of hearing and folks who like to read along while they listen. I struggle with keeping transcripts up to date and we're about a year behind but I'm looking for sustainable solutions. I'd like to get the transcripts available in HTML and posted on the side next to the shows so they'd be more easily searchable.

I want to thank you and remind you and yours that the show exists and continues weekly in earnest, every week with amazing topics and powerful guests. Above all, don't just keep listening, but please, share episodes socially and do encourage your friends and colleagues to listen and subscribe. Your letters and your kindness (as well as your guest suggestions) keep me going.

THE HANSELMINUTES PODCAST: Fresh Air for Developers

Thanks everyone for your support and help over the last decade. Here's to another ten years, eh?


Sponsor: Big thanks to SQL Prompt for sponsoring the feed this week! Have you got SQL fingers? Try SQL Prompt and you’ll be able to write, refactor, and reformat SQL effortlessly in SSMS and Visual Studio. Find out more.

About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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May 12, 2016 13:07
Hi Scott,

Would be cool to have a "most popular" (since x date), and also curated "most interesting / useful". I know I find these types of filters useful for e.g. Ted.com, where there is so much content that you can get lost - great if you have time to explore, a bummer if you are trying to get some use out of a short break.

In any case, will spend some time listening to one of your podcasts when I'm cooking lunch today ;->

Thanks!
Ed Eichman
Cambrils, Spain
May 12, 2016 13:15
I had no Idea, but you just got a new subscriber, now trawling through mack episodes, yum, thank you.
May 12, 2016 13:52
Amazing work Scott - your podcast is required listening for developers in my view. One of my favourites has to be Being a Phony with Jon Skeet. Unmissable...

All the best!

Cheers - Graham
May 12, 2016 15:08
Hanselminutes always jumps to top of my playlist. I love the subject diversity.
May 12, 2016 15:47
Great work Scott, congratulations on 250 hours worth of podcasting and thanks for all the insightful and inspiring shows. Could you use any help with transcripts, maybe outsource them using GitHub? :)
May 12, 2016 16:22
My first-ever podcast, and required listening every week. I am so bummed I have now listened to the entire backlog. You're just going to have to start doubling down each week ;-)

Seriously, even my non-tech girlfriend listens with interest.

Keep up the great work!
May 12, 2016 18:03
Milestone reached! Congratulations! I have listened to several of them and it is even understandable for non-native english speakers like me.
May 12, 2016 19:16
Congratulations on completing 10 years. It is not an easy thing to pull off! Your concept of being intentionally inclusive has inspired me. Even before you pointed it out, I've noticed the pattern and I've also listened to an episode where you mentioned how you felt being the only white person in a country full of black people. I've been trying to be intentionally inclusive since then, making sure that I have a diverse set of people that I look forward to working with. And ensuring that they feel welcome into my line of work.
May 12, 2016 19:32
Did you change or did I?

Congratulations on the milestone, a huge achievement. As a developer I used to listen to your show all the time however whilst I still have you in my podcast app it's been well over a year since the description made me download and listen to one, maybe it's because it's completing with so many other options now.

Looks like others still get the benefit - keep up the good work.
May 12, 2016 20:33
Very impressive feat, Scott. Not just of the arbitrary duration, but more importantly the quality over such a lengthy period.
May 12, 2016 20:52
A decade is a wonderful achievement. If you weren't proud of that, something would be wrong. Congratulations, Scott. Pioneering something before everyone was on it is great, too.
May 12, 2016 20:56
Congratulations! Will wish you the same in the next 10 years.
May 12, 2016 23:22
Great post. thanks scott.
May 12, 2016 23:52
Looks like the Dr. Michio Kaku link is wrong. A quick archives search brought up http://www.hanselminutes.com/101/michio-kaku-on-making-the-impossible-possible

Really enjoy the podcast!
May 13, 2016 0:21
Congratulations, Scott. Still trying to catch up with the episodes! :)
May 13, 2016 17:53
Congrats, Scott - I've learned a lot from you and your guests over the years. Ditto what huffy said, for what it's worth.
May 13, 2016 22:57
Great work!

I actually listened to your podcast from the first episode. I worked as the only fulltime dev on a small startup and spent many lunchbreaks listening to hanselminutes.
During a dark period working on low level embedded software the bright moments was listening to "This developers life".

Keep up the good work!
/Matt
May 14, 2016 0:06
Congratulations, Scott. That's an accomplishment worth celebrating! Thank you for giving so much of your time back to the community.
May 14, 2016 12:25
I subscribed to the podcast a few years ago and have rarely skipped an episode.
I particularly enjoy your respectful interviewing style, the quality of the questions you ask and the way you summarize occasionally for the less knowledgeable listener.
Audio quality is always fine too.
May 15, 2016 4:52
Congratulations and great work! A huge accomplishment...
May 15, 2016 18:03
Congrats! Amazing accomplishment to be podcasting for 10 years! And 520+ posts!
May 16, 2016 10:27
This podcast has been with me throughout my professional development, and I've benefitted from it in so many great ways. Thanks for setting such an excellent standard for yourself and a great example for podcasters everywhere - I learn something important each episode, and it's not always the facts, but sometimes simply how you approach problems and conversations. Thanks.
May 18, 2016 1:57
Congrats!
I've been listening since the beginning -- .NET Rocks and Carl Frankling got me hooked ;-)

Sometimes though I miss the way is was, way back when, it was Carl interviewing you... You had so much cool stuff to share yourself!

Keep up the awesome work - and I love your way of paraphrasing the things your guests say - just to make sure that I, as the listener, understood the important parts of what the guest said! As a non English speaking person, this is super valuable!
May 20, 2016 7:47
I'm with Tim, i have a list of podcasts, but ALWAYS stop whatever else i'm listening to when i get a new Hanselminutes (i also check weekly in hopes there is a new This Developers Life). Congrats on 10 years looking forward to the next Hanselminuteua (extended editions - 30 mins is not enough)
May 21, 2016 8:34
I love your podcast,I listen to it every week. The guests are very diverse and that makes your podcast unique in a many ways. Keep up the great work. Another 100 years of this would be appreciated.
May 24, 2016 14:59
I'm a long time avid listener of your podcasts (first time commenting). I think I started listening since episode #9. Even earlier than that, I'd spent many of my lunch breaks reading your blogs as well as my other favorites like Joel on Software. Was disappointed when Joel announced he'd be cutting back on blogging and his business forum to start something that eventually wold be called "StackOverflow". Wonder how that venture turned out for him....

It's been wonderfull seeing you and the others grow and excel in your careers and life. By the way, the "Cancer" episode on your other podcast was very touching.

Just wanted to say thanks for doing what you do on behalf of your "read only" audience.
May 27, 2016 10:10
Great work! Looking forward to listen to your future episodes! Also if you could have a 'most popular' section, that would be awesome. Thanks for your contribution to the developer's community!
June 19, 2016 16:24
For those on this side of the microphone, thanks Scott. Have enjoyed and valued your podcast for years.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.