Async
Joshua and Saadia helped pioneer asynchronous and distributed work. So it's only natural that our podcast bucks synchronous conventions. On Async, we take turns to unfold the conversation, one episode at a time, as we chat about technology, app development, and remote work.
A Pretty Good podcast.
Episodes
152 episodes
[Saadia] Digital distraction
Navigating my approach to technology outside of work.
[Joshua] The choice is easy
Feeling a little under the weather, so just doing a followup episode. Might need Saadia to start a new topic. In this pod I followup on OmFest, screenwriting, vibe coded apps, WP repo, and social networks (boo!).
[Saadia] A better place
Where should vibe-coded apps live? Is social media a net negative?
[Joshua] Finding what lifts
Joshua shares his thoughts from author Kristine Kathryn Rush, and how her particular method of teaching has inspired how he encourages others. Then Joshua gives an update on some of his apps, and how is recent writing has been to en...
[Saadia] Knocked the Wind out of my Sails
Slop code, slop design, slop advertising. And, how do you recover from a creative puncture?
[Joshua] Hand drawn designs
Some followup, and then trying out ads and hand drawing design again.
[Joshua] The vibes are getting old
Joshua shares some thoughts on AI vibe design, the (mostly) bad and some good, and shares a new idea he's been working on related to marketing.
[Saadia] Response, Speed, and UI
Centralisation vs. decentralisation, and how I evaluate software and AI assistants.
[Joshua] Vibe coded dragons
More vibe coding, some delights.https://stuffstuff.app/
[Saadia] Effort to Exercise Tradeoff
I guess we're talking about AI again. I enjoyed our break from that topic while it lasted. There's no escaping GenAI in our lines of work!
[Saadia] Aliyah
Saadia discusses his writers deck, being Jewish in Australia, and cognitive atrophy.CrossPointXT is available here: https://github.com/lukecarbis/CrossPointXT
[Saadia] Writer Deck
Saadia discusses the X3 writer deck he put together as part of his latest "de-techifying" phase.
[Joshua] What do you want?
Geeking out about writing, X4 as a device, and product design in 2026.
[Saadia] Two Steps Forward
Discussing responses to Cal Newport, the Xteink X4 ereader, and taking time to just be.
[Joshua] Reversion to the Mean
I followup on Saadia's last post with thoughts of my own on dumb phones, infinity wells, and I've gone back and forth on the whole concept. Then I talk about a book I'm reading, writing struggles, and my favorite game of the year.
[Joshua] Tired brains
A little bit more about gen ai and using it as a designer, followed by an update on the X4, software brain, and Age of Empires on the Mac.
[Saadia] It doesn't feel like you
More discussion about whether a client should be able to ask their designer not to use AI tools in their design process.
[Joshua] Software Brain
Async is a podcast where Joshua (a product designer) and Saadia (a software engineer) debate and often argue (as friends!) the merits and challenges of living and building in the world today.In this episode I reference how I'm feel...
[Saadia] Disclosure
Would GenAI disclosure would be helpful or is it a waste of time?