The IT Guy Show - Episodes Tagged with “Devrel”

Episode 22: A Human in the Middle

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 -0500

AI is everywhere, and so is the fear that it's coming for your job. But what if the real story is more interesting than that?

Eric sits down with returning guest Karl Abbott, tech leader and podcaster, for a conversation sparked by his recent article "AI Didn't Replace My Work. It Changed How I Work." Karl shares how leaning into AI tools didn't make him feel replaced. It made him feel more focused. The mechanics got faster. The judgment, taste, and narrative instinct? Still 100% human.
They dig into what AI actually removes from knowledge work, why being widely read and broadly educated matters more in an AI-saturated world, what "vibe coding" means for engineers, and what higher education needs to do to prepare students for a world where fluency can be generated but wisdom still can't.
If you've ever felt uneasy about where AI fits in your work, this one's for you.

Welcome to The IT Guy Show, your go-to destination for all things tech with Eric, your friendly neighborhood IT guy! Join Eric as he shares his wealth of knowledge, insights, and experiences gained from years of working in the IT industry. From troubleshooting common tech issues to exploring the latest trends and innovations, each episode is packed with practical tips, skilled advice, and engaging discussions.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric

Article: AI Didn’t Replace My Work. It Changed How I Work
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-didnt-replace-my-work-changed-how-i-karl-abbott-eqbbc/

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
01:14 Karl Abbott
02:41 AI Didn’t Replace My Work
16:59 AI Replaced SOME Work
30:27 What is Vibe Coding?
41:33 AI in Higher Education
54:20 Closing Thoughts
01:05:59 Wrap up

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Luke Jones on Unsplash
Special Guest: Karl Abbott.

Episode 16: When the Layoff Comes

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Getting laid off is hard. It can shake your confidence, your routines, and your sense of direction. But it doesn’t have to define you.

In this solo episode of The IT Guy Show, Eric shares his own experience with being laid off including: what helped, what didn’t, and what he wishes he’d known earlier. He also rounds up the most practical, compassionate advice from others who’ve been through it: from job hunting strategies to mental health tools to rebuilding momentum in your career and personal life.

If you’re currently navigating a layoff, or want to be ready in case you ever have to, this episode is for you.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric
Join our:
Discord: https://itguyeric.com/discord
Matrix: https://matrix.to/#/#podcast-itguyeric:matrix.org

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
01:47 Introduction
06:25 My Layoff Story
21:22 Successes and Growth
27:24 Top Layoff Tips
35:09 Closing thoughts

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Episode 15: DevLife with Chris DeMars

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What happens when two nerds who love the community side of tech get together? A whole lot of stories, laughs, and insights.

In this episode of The IT Guy Show, Eric sits down with his coworker Chris DeMars to talk about Developer Relations, technical advocacy, and what it really takes to support and empower devs in today’s fast-moving ecosystem. From browser wars to burnout, open source to on-stage nerves, it’s a real look at what fuels a career in DevRel, and how to avoid fizzling out.

Oh, and maybe a few hot takes along the way.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric
Join our:
Discord: https://itguyeric.com/discord
Matrix: https://matrix.to/#/#podcast-itguyeric:matrix.org

Chris DeMars: https://chrisdemars.net/
DevRel: https://devrel.co/

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
00:13 Introduction
01:32 Meet Chris DeMars
05:59 What is DevRel?
13:23 What makes a great DA?
24:04 Empathy in Tech
40:04 Closing thoughts

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Marah Bashir on Unsplash Special Guest: Chris DeMars.