Jan 2, 2019 · 35m · a16z
a16z Podcast | If Coding is the New Literacy, How Can More People Code?
gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions
In this a16z podcast episode, host Chrissy Brodigan leads a panel with non-profit executives Susan Mernit, Laura Weidman Powers, and Reshma Saujani to discuss expanding code literacy, overcoming structural barriers in Silicon Valley, and building inclusive tech pathways for underrepresented communities.
How this conversation actually went
Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. How this is scored →
speaking balance: gold is the host, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)
When asked to name a mentor who helped her start out, Susan directly reframes the prompt, stating she had no mentors in tech and had to battle her way in due to being treated as an outsider.
Hardest push from the host ▶ 19:22 Host guides question framing using technical merge conflict exampleRather than accepting generic advice on confidence, the host anchors the topic around guided technical errors in open source, forcing guests to address concrete pedagogical methods.
Biggest teaching moment ▶ 27:17 Susan highlights structural barriers for low-income learnersSusan adds critical industry context to the conversation by pointing out that corporate diversity initiatives often only target elite Stanford grads while ignoring real structural issues like childcare and community college barriers.
The host holds their own ▶ 19:22 Host demonstrates pedagogical tech expertise with GitHub merge conflictsThe host demonstrates specific domain knowledge by explaining how GitHub Patchwork uses guided errors with merge conflicts to build developer resilience.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
| Chapter | Topic | The host as informed peer | Guest teaching | Guest disagreement | The host pushing back | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panelist Backgrounds and Origins of Their Non-Profits | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | The host sets up the discussion by pointing out that none of the participants come from formal engineering backgrounds and asks about their paths into tech non-profits. The guests cooperatively share their executive and non-profit origins without conflict. | |
| Early Mentors and Key Influences | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | The host asks the panelists to share stories of mentors who helped them get started. Susan Mernit gently rejects the premise of the question, noting she had no mentors and had to battle her way in as an executive, pointing out a broader lack of mentorship for women in tech. | |
| Cultivating Leadership Confidence and Embracing Failure | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | The host asks how guests build confidence to lead their organizations. The panelists drive the conversation organically among themselves, discussing imposter syndrome, fear, and normalizing failure in tech. | |
| Strategies for Building Student Confidence and Practical Skills | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | The host offers domain expertise by describing GitHub Patchwork's approach of teaching through guided errors like merge conflicts before asking guests how they build student confidence. Guests respond collaboratively with practical tools from their programs. | |
| Structural Barriers and Inclusive Cultures in Tech Companies | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | The host asks what tech companies lack to support newcomers. Susan Mernit adds critical nuance to the discussion by pointing out that focusing solely on elite university pipelines overlooks systemic issues faced by low-income students, such as lack of childcare and non-traditional schedules. | |
| Three Wishes for the Future of Underrepresented Learners | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | The host poses a prompt asking each guest for three wishes for underrepresented learners. The guests respond with detailed visions for confidence, talent pipelines, and passion-driven products, ending on a warm, supportive note. |