For a long time, tech culture has focused too narrowly on technical skills; this has resulted in a tech community that too often puts companies and code over people. Greater Than Code is a podcast that invites the voices of people who are not heard from enough in tech: women, people of color, trans and/or queer folks, to talk about the human side of software development and technology. Greater Than Code is providing a vital platform for these conversations, and developing new ideas of what it means to be a technologist beyond just the code. Featuring an ongoing panel of racially and gender diverse tech panelists, the majority of podcast guests so far have been women in tech! We’ve covered topics including imposter syndrome, mental illness, sexuality, unconscious bias and social justice. We also have a major focus on skill sets that tech too often devalues, like team-building, hiring, community organizing, mentorship and empathy. Each episode also includes a transcript. We have an active Slack community that members can join by pledging as little as $1 per month via Patreon. (https://www.patreon.com/greaterthancode)
063: The Distribution of Brilliance and Opportunity with Rehema Wachira
01:22 – Rehema’s Superpower: Empathy
02:53 – Rehema’s “Untypical” Origin Story
07:20 – Enjoying Coding Because of the Complexity Behind It
11:21 – Creating a “Culture of Saving”
14:52 – “Diversity of Thought” and Seeing the World Through Others’ Eyes
22:20 – Being Creators and Makers
30:28 – How Technology Empowers People
38:27 – The Distribution of Brilliance and Opportunity
47:01 – Freedom of Creative Expression
Reflections:
Astrid: Having to unlearn the need of being perfect.
Jessica: We want to speak to more guests on a global level! Please reach out!
Sam: Fixed vs growth mindset.
Rein: Diversity is not just good for ethical reasons, it also makes your organization more competent.
Janelle: Celebrating beautiful.
Rehema: A fundamental right to freedom.
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Special Guest: Rehema Wachira.