Who are you when the laptop closes?
By day, engineering leaders craft innovative solutions with elegant strings of code. But when the work day ends, who do these keyboard warriors and people managers become? Tune in to 5 to 9 to explore this question and others with Jellyfish CEO, Andrew Lau.
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Andrew Lau is test,
test, testing the mic
From vinyl DJs who keep it old school to virtuoso cellists, and from connoisseurs of meticulously brewed coffee to daring cultivators of forbidden tomatoes – each guest unveils a hidden facet of themselves. But what’s more intriguing is the connection between these avocations and their roles as product and engineering leaders.
Episodes
E 01
Making Beautiful Music
Colette Alexander | Director of Engineering at Hashicorp
Reoccurring dreams of Peter Gabriel urging her to pursue a career in music led Colette Alexander to play the cello at sold-out shows while touring with the likes of Josh Groban. But at a Madison Square Garden gig she had a solo epiphany: She wanted more. In this inaugural episode of 5 to 9, host and Jellyfish CEO Andrew Lau learns the finer points of touring with rock bands as a professional cellist direct from Colette Alexander. Colette shares how she stays in tune with music while making things work as a parent, a master’s student, and an engineering leader at Hashicorp.
E 02
Crafting the Perfect Cup of Coffee
Matt Brown | VP of Engineering at Bloomerang
Want to have perfect coffee all day long? Matt Brown recommends an insulated thermos and drinking from small cups. And that’s just one of the coffee connoisseur tips Matt’s got brewing. Get the unfiltered truth on what goes into roasting your own beans, launching your own small-batch brand, and keeping that buzz going during your nine-to-five and (more importantly) your 5 to 9.
E 03
Cultivating Forbidden Tomatoes
Gian Perrone | VP of Engineering at Nav
For Gian Perrone, VP of Engineering at Nav, tomato cultivation goes to his roots. Starting with some seeds obtained by his grandfather straight from Italy, his family has spent generations in search of the perfect tomato. This quest is about far more than vine-ripening and regular watering. Hear how Gian balances soil acidity levels and builds custom growing trellises to create a tomato worthy of the Caprese salad of your dreams.
E 04
Cooking Up Cultural Understanding
Jonathan Tushman | CPO at Hi Marley
Cooking is part of Hi Marley CPO Jonathan Tushman’s DNA. While the rest of us were struggling with pandemic sourdoughs, he was serving up multi-cultural culinary delights for his friends and family. From spatchcocking a wet-brined bird for a Thanksgiving feast to week night dinners with his Korean-style Mapo Tofu, hear how Jonathan keeps calm and cooks on with dishes that celebrate his mixed-race family and their cultural heritage.
E 05
Achieving “Ultimate” Excellence
Jon Palmer | SVP of Developer Experience at Fidelity Investments
In the office, Jon Palmer is the SVP of Developer Experience at Fidelity Investments, but on the Ultimate Frisbee field, he’s known for his deft handling of discs and his team-player attitude. A long-time Ultimate player, Jon still finds time to engage in his favorite sport through regular tournaments despite a busy family and professional life. Hear how he keeps everything spinning in this “Ultimate” episode.
E 06
Making the House Move
Jack Walter | SVP of Engineering at Morning Consult
Hidden away in Jack Walter’s basement is a treasure trove of vinyl records and audio equipment during a youth spent scratching and remixing through house parties and the techno scene. In this episode of 5 to 9, Jack discusses how he keeps his DJing days alive despite his workload as an engineering leader, and how you too can get started spinning vinyl and dropping beats the old-school way.
Join the conversation!
We’re on the lookout for exceptional individuals with compelling stories, and unique obsessions to feature on 5 to 9. Nominate yourself, a friend, or a colleague.