Episode 60 - Jeremy Smith

What makes a small Ruby conference feel electric instead of ordinary? We unpack the craft behind Blue Ridge Ruby—why we chose a newly renovated, accessible venue, how a single-track format keeps the room together, and the little details that turn a meetup into a memory. From open lunches across Asheville to surprise sponsor moments, we share the thinking that goes into designing an event that celebrates Ruby, supports new speakers, and still feels human-scale.

Jeremy breaks down the CFP playbook: write clear abstracts with specific outcomes, submit widely, and rehearse before acceptance so you’re not rushing at the end. With only ten talk slots, curation is both art and constraint. We talk honestly about the selection process, why “no” often means “not now,” and how meetups can incubate a 10-minute idea into a conference-ready talk. We also explore the real costs—venues, video, capacity—and why accessibility drove the move to the YMI Cultural Center.

Then we zoom out to the work behind the work: choosing bounded risk to stay motivated, planning sustainable volunteer roles, and creating a container that invites the community to bring their best. On the engineering front, we share how voice-first AI workflows changed our Rails practice. Whisperflow plus LLMs accelerate iteration when conventions set guardrails. We describe using diverge–converge patterns to try multiple implementations, keeping architectural intent while rejecting unnecessary complexity. AI is the nail gun; we’re still the builders who decide what the house should be.

Want to be part of it? The CFP is open, sponsors are welcome, and volunteers make the magic real. Subscribe, share this episode with a Ruby friend, and drop us a review—then send your proposal or reach out about helping in Asheville at BlueRidgeRuby.com.

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