# 413: Puppy-Like Glee

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2022-05-19
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 413
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/413

## Summary

Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the psychology of self-directed learning, using Christopher's drum practice and Elecia's embedded systems teaching as parallel examples. They debate the practical application of software quality practices, arguing that compiler warnings and linters are essential for catching errors, while unit tests and complexity metrics must be applied with context and risk assessment. The conversation concludes with advice on managing unmotivated team members, emphasizing empathy, communication, and understanding external constraints over assuming incompetence or malice.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=6) Introduction: Elecia White and Christopher White
- [1:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=62) Christopher White's Drum Practice and Self-Critique
- [10:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=612) Applying Practice Psychology to Software Engineering
- [25:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=1531) Debate on Warnings, Linters, and Code Complexity
- [31:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=1881) The Role and Limits of Unit Tests
- [42:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=2548) Making Embedded Systems Course and Student Questions
- [52:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee#t=3163) Managing Unmotivated Team Members and Empathy

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Classpert (other)
- Contextual Electronics (other)
- Clang (tool)
- PC-lint (tool)
- LeetCode (other)
- TensorFlow (other)
- Fitbit (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Crossover with Elecia White and Christopher White of Embedded](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-01-20-crossover-with-elecia-white-and-christopher-white-of-embedded) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Terrible Habits of the Solo Developer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Christmas Special](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-12-22-christmas-special) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Development is Better when it's Test-Driven](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-02-16-development-is-better-when-its-test-driven) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Code Reviews](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2024-07-26-code-reviews) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.