# 523: Bad Experience With Donuts

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2026-04-02
- Length: 1h 10m
- Episode: 523
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/523

## Summary

Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the LeapFrog LeapPad and Odyssey Globe, recalling Elecia's work on their capacitive sensing and custom ASIC technology around 2001. They analyze the governance models of open source projects like Valetudo, ESPHome, and Zephyr as analogies for large company politics, and review Bunnie Huang's Dabao Evaluation Board for its verifiability features. The hosts also cover practical tools like Merlin Bird ID and Excel data bars, while debating the use of Ethernet in embedded systems and the state of Renesas MCUs.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=6) Introduction: LeapFrog Toys and Toy Story 5
- [1:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=95) LeapFrog LeapPad and Odyssey Globe Technology
- [9:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=558) Useful Tools: Ctrl-R, Excel, and Merlin Bird ID
- [15:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=917) Bunnie Huang's Dabao Evaluation Board and IRIS Inspection
- [18:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=1127) IEEE and Women Podcasters Awards
- [24:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=1465) Pragmatic Programmer 20th Anniversary Edition Book Club
- [31:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=1868) Large Company Politics and Open Source Governance
- [58:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts#t=3487) Listener Questions: Ethernet and Renesas MCUs

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- LeapFrog (company)
- LeapPad (product)
- Odyssey Globe (product)
- VTech (company)
- Baochip-1x (chip)
- Dabao Evaluation Board (product)
- Valetudo (product)
- ESPHome (product)
- Zephyr (product)
- Merlin Bird ID (product)
- Pragmatic Programmer (other)
- Renesas (company)
- NXP (company)
- STM (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Simulating doors falling off](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-04-04-simulating-doors-falling-off) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-05-06-the-spark-gap-episode-32) (The Spark Gap)
- [Chairs, Sparks and Devices - Optional Olent Obreption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-01-chairs-sparks-and-devices-optional-olent-obreption) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-12-25-the-spark-gap-episode-44) (The Spark Gap)
- [Rubber Duck Incarnate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-01-26-rubber-duck-incarnate) (The Amp Hour)

## 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/2026-04-02-523-bad-experience-with-donuts. 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.