The NavBar

The NavBar is a podcast by Jon Meyers and Simon Vrachliotis, covering all things web development and content creation.

#38 - How to grow a YouTube channel in 2025

In this episode, Jon and Simon discuss their recent personal updates, including family time and upcoming holidays. They celebrate reaching 50,000 YouTube subscribers and delve into strategies for YouTube success, emphasizing the importance of consistency, finding a niche, and engaging storytelling. They share insights on the iterative process of content creation and the significance of entertaining educational content. The conversation also touches on the future of YouTube channels and the potential for creators to explore multiple interests. The episode concludes with their 'sick picks' of the week, highlighting useful tools and resources for content creators.

04-17
01:22:09

#37 - New React and Laravel course and Launch Week 14

In this episode, Jon and Simon discuss the recent launch of Simon's React course, the integration of React with Laravel, and the challenges of course creation. They delve into the importance of exercise for mental health, especially during busy periods like Supabase's Launch Week. The conversation also covers new features from Supabase, including the MCP server for AI integration, and concludes with personal reflections and recommendations.

04-10
01:01:27

#36 - Home setups vs professional film studios

In this episode, Jon and Simon discuss their recent experiences in content creation, including Jon's trip to Spain for a Supabase offsite and the challenges of video production for launch week.They delve into the intricacies of high-end production gear, lighting, and audio quality, sharing insights on their personal journeys in content creation and gear acquisition.The conversation also touches on the importance of room treatment for audio quality, the challenges of setting up teleprompters, and their latest tech recommendations, including a smart doorbell and a Insta360 camera.

03-20
01:14:56

#35 - Laravel Cloud with Chris Sev

In this episode, Jon, Simon, and Chris Sev discuss Chris's journey in the tech world, his recent role at Laravel, and the exciting developments within the Laravel ecosystem.They delve into the impact of Laravel Cloud on deployment processes, the introduction of new starter kits, and the importance of community collaboration in the Laravel space. Chris shares insights on the evolution of Laravel and how it continues to bridge the gap between PHP and JavaScript development.In this episode, the hosts discuss the rapid growth of the Laravel community, the unique hiring practices within it, and the healthy attitudes towards monetization.They explore the recent release of Laravel 12, enhancements in developer experience through tools like VS Code, and the impact of AI on coding practices. The conversation wraps up with personal recommendations in the 'sick picks' segment, highlighting fun and interesting items.

02-27
57:22

#34 - AI prompt development with Cursor, Bolt, Lovable and v0

In this episode, Jon and Simon discuss the evolution of their podcasting journey, the challenges and insights of content creation, and the impact of new technologies and AI tools on development. They also share personal experiences with fitness, particularly Pilates, and explore innovative lighting solutions for content creation. The conversation highlights the balance between leveraging AI in development while maintaining a human touch in creativity and problem-solving.

02-20
01:02:16

#33 - Aaron Francis on Fusion, TUIs and Content Creation

In this episode of the Navbar podcast, Jon and Simon welcome Aaron Francis, a Laravel developer and content creator, to discuss his new library, Fusion, which aims to bridge the gap between Laravel and modern JavaScript frameworks like Vue and React.The conversation explores the challenges developers face when integrating back-end and front-end technologies, the importance of developer experience, and the feedback from the community regarding Fusion. Aaron also shares insights into his new terminal user interface, Solo, designed to simplify the development process in Laravel.In this conversation, Aaron Francis discusses the inception and growth of Tryhard Studios, his approach to content creation, and the importance of staying relevant in the tech industry. He shares insights on the creative process, pre-recording rituals, and the balance between family life and work.The discussion also touches on future plans for Tryhard Studios, including new courses and tools for content creators.

02-13
01:18:01

#32 - First episode of 2025!

In this episode, Jon and Simon reflect on their break, share stories from Simon's trip to Switzerland, discuss holiday celebrations, and the transition back to school for their kids. They also delve into Simon's new job at Laracasts, the learning curve in video production, and the impact of technology on their work. The episode wraps up with their sick picks, highlighting the benefits of air conditioning and electric cars.

02-09
01:07:01

#31 - Last episode of 2024!

In this episode, Jon and Simon discuss their podcasting journey, travel plans, and the challenges of content creation. Simon shares his upcoming move to Laracasts, while Jon talks about his busy schedule with Supabase. They explore filming techniques, the use of drones, and the balance between quality and quantity in video production. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and innovation in their work, as well as the excitement of new opportunities.

02-06
01:12:30

#30 - Behind the Scenes of LaraCon AU with Greg Skerman and Michael Dyrynda // RippleFM Crossover

This conversation is a crossover episode between the Navbar and Ripple's podcast, featuring a recap of the recent LaraCon AU event held in Brisbane. The hosts and guests discuss their experiences, the logistics of organizing the conference, the benefits of a single track format, and the importance of networking opportunities. They also highlight the role of the MC in creating a cohesive experience and share memorable moments from the event, including a surprise fireworks display. The conversation reflects on the highlights of a recent conference, focusing on the emotional impact of personal talks, the sense of community and support among attendees, and the importance of giving back to those starting their journeys in development. The speakers share their favorite moments, emphasizing the inclusivity and warmth of the Laravel community, and look forward to future events. In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences at a recent conference, touching on the competitive nature of friendly basketball games, the highlights of the event, and the quality of conference swag. They also share recommendations for podcasting equipment, personal 'sick picks', and wrap up with thoughts on social media presence and networking opportunities. Chapters 00:00 Crossover Episode Introduction 02:54 Recap of LaraCon AU 05:53 Venue Selection and Logistics 08:54 Single Track Conference Benefits 12:00 Networking Opportunities 14:58 The Role of the MC 17:59 Creating a Cohesive Experience 20:53 Magic Moments and Highlights 31:28 Reflections on Conference Highlights 38:28 Personal Connections and Community Spirit 44:39 The Power of Giving Back 49:21 Looking Ahead: Future Conferences and Events 56:07 Competitive Spirit in Friendly Games 57:27 Conference Highlights and Experiences 58:43 Conference Swag and Branding 01:00:28 Podcasting Equipment Recommendations 01:03:03 Sick Picks and Personal Recommendations 01:07:16 Final Thoughts and Social Media Presence

11-21
01:08:56

#29 - Basketball, AI, and the Art of Video Production

In this episode, Jon and Simon talk through a dishwasher repair saga and a basketball tour. They delve into their video recording and editing processes, sharing insights on the use of AI tools to enhance efficiency. The conversation also covers strategies for engaging viewers in video content, emphasizing the importance of a strong introduction and maintaining viewer interest throughout. The episode concludes with recommendations for tools and techniques to improve video production quality. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Chit-Chat 02:42 Dishwasher Repair and Environmental Concerns 05:46 Basketball Tournament Experience 10:13 Recording and Content Creation Process 18:39 Editing Techniques and Tools 27:46 AI Tools for Video Editing 37:12 Reflections on Editing and Creative Process 50:15 The Editing Process Begins 56:03 Techniques for Efficient Video Editing 01:05:44 Polishing the Final Product 01:15:42 Engagement Strategies for Viewers 01:25:29 Lessons Learned and Best Practices

09-22
01:40:07

#28 - Tailwind v4, React 19 and Laravel

Summary In this episode, Simon discusses his busy life balancing multiple jobs, including his work at ThinkMill and his new project with Kent C Dodds. He shares insights from his recent workshops, emphasizing the importance of feedback and iteration in course development. The conversation shifts to the upcoming Tailwind CSS version 4 and its implications for his course. They also explore the release of React 19, server components, and the ongoing discussions around various frameworks, particularly Laravel and React. The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion about internet issues in Australia and some personal recommendations. Chapters 00:00 Busy Lives and New Projects 02:37 Workshop Insights and Feedback 05:47 Tailwind CSS Course Development 08:30 Navigating Tailwind Version Changes 11:17 Community Engagement and Support 14:20 React 19 and Server Components 25:23 Full Stack Framework Discussions 31:39 Healthy Debates in Web Development 47:27 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

09-15
01:04:51

#27 - Simon and Jon go AI with GPT-4o

In this episode, Jon and Simon play with the new Open AI model GPT-4o and hypothesise how this could be very useful in the future. Website: https://navbar.tech Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

08-08
01:07:29

#26 - Supabase GA Week Recap

In this episode, Jon takes Simon through a highlight reel of all of the huge announcements from Supabase GA Week! Website: https://navbar.tech Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

08-05
01:05:29

#25 - Simon's Recap of Epic Web Conf (ft. Kent C. Dodds)

In this episode, Simon recaps his trip to the US and his experience speaking at Epic Web Conf. Kent C. Dodds phones in briefly to give his thoughts as the conference organiser. Website: https://navbar.tech Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

08-01
01:33:04

#24 - Happy Birthday Simon!

It's Simon's birthday! Let's celebrate him by launching a bunch of virtual cloud servers that listen to this episode on repeat! 🎉 Website: https://navbar.tech Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

07-30
53:23

#23 - Tailwind V4, Layoffs, Do It Anyways, Astro DB

Lots has happened this week! New alpha preview of Tailwind V4, more very unexpected layoffs of great people, Jason Lengstorf kicked off the "Do It Anyways" movements, and Astro launched a database! Website: https://navbar.tech Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Build a Twitter Clone with the Next.js App Router and Supabase (free egghead course): https://egghead.io/courses/build-a-twitter-clone-with-the-next-js-app-router-and-supabase-19bebadb Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

03-19
01:25:21

#22 - Long hair, gamified LMS, Pixel Perfect workshop and new Na

Simon and Jon have been busy! Check out this episode to learn about their adventures with long hair, using Kent C Dodds' gamified LMS to run a Pixel Perfect workshop and how you can suggest topics on the new Navbar website Website: https://navbar.tech Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Build a Twitter Clone with the Next.js App Router and Supabase (free egghead course): https://egghead.io/courses/build-a-twitter-clone-with-the-next-js-app-router-and-supabase-19bebadb Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

03-18
01:19:58

#21 - We're back!

It took 14 months but Jon and Simon are talking again! Check out this episode to hear all about the future of the Navbar podcast. Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Build a Twitter Clone with the Next.js App Router and Supabase (free egghead course): https://egghead.io/courses/build-a-twitter-clone-with-the-next-js-app-router-and-supabase-19bebadb Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

03-17
56:38

#20 - Navigating Burnout

Creating content is awesome but keeping up with that consistent schedule and watching metrics that very clearly tell you whether you are doing well or not is not always the healthiest for the brain. In this episode, Simon and Jon discuss their own personal burnout stories and try to set themselves more realistic goals for the future. Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Build a Twitter Clone with the Next.js App Router and Supabase (free egghead course): https://egghead.io/courses/build-a-twitter-clone-with-the-next-js-app-router-and-supabase-19bebadb Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

03-16
01:23:52

#19 - What is Remix?

Remix is a tool to build websites, fast! In this episode Jon and Simon discuss what Remix is and why it is so awesome! Pro Tailwind: https://www.protailwind.com/ Want more NavBar? 🍔🍫 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/the_navbar 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZK0v8TNlCbizOkbIxQwmw Enjoy these podcasts? Simon and Jon create lots of content 👇 Simon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/simonswiss 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/Simonswissdev 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-simon-vrachliotis Jon 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/jonmeyers_io 🎥 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jonmeyers 🥚 egghead - https://egghead.io/q/resources-by-jon-meyers

03-15
01:31:58

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