The React Debate No One Wants to Have (But Should) with Ken Wheeler and Typecraft

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Ken Wheeler and Chris Power about everything from React and fantasy football to bizarre Airbnb experiences. They debate React’s evolution, lament the quirks of hooks, and revisit the infamous React t-shirt incident. Plus, Ken shares his DIY McRib recipe—because why not?

In this episode:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:47) - Beverage intros
• (03:25) - Internet names
• (09:29) - React components and hooks debate
• (12:35) - C++?
• (13:36) - What is MANAMANA?
• (14:14) - The current state of Airbnb vs hotels
• (16:29) - React vs JSX
• (18:34) - Ken making his own McRib
• (20:22) - Atlantic City
• (22:34) - Reading viewer comments
• (26:17) - Crypto stories
• (30:30) - The React T-shirt incident
• (32:30) - Ken’s React Rally story
• (37:29) - Parenting
• (39:09) - React and Render conferences
• (40:18) - Car talk
• (44:56) - Are Broncos overrated?
• (49:21) - Kendrick Lamar and music tastes
• (54:27) - Avril Lavigne and celebrity crushes
• (01:05:59) - Thanksgiving traditions
• (01:10:37) - Getting older and being healthy

• Smirnoff Ice Screwdriver: https://www.smirnoff.com/en-us/products/ready-to-drink/ice-screwdriver
• Dark Hedges Irish Whiskey: https://www.darkhedges.com/
• Maker’s Mark: https://www.makersmark.com/
• React: https://react.dev/
• C++: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp
• C#: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/
• Rust: https://www.rust-lang.org/
• Meta: https://www.meta.com/
• Apple: https://www.apple.com/
• Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/
• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/
• Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/
• Alphabet: https://abc.xyz/
• NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/
• Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com/
• Boardwalk Empire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boardwalk_Empire
• Asbury Resort: https://www.theasburyhotel.com/
• Kamala Harris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamala_Harris
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/
• Bitcoin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin
• Dogecoin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogecoin
• Seinfeld: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld
• Ford Bronco: https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco/
• Porsche: https://www.porsche.com/
• Airstream: https://www.airstream.com/
• React Rally: https://www.reactrally.com/
• React Miami: https://www.reactmiami.com/
• DockYard: https://dockyard.com/
• Brian Cardarella: https://x.com/bcardarella
• Jack Rose: https://www.jackrosediningsaloon.com/
• Hotel Transylvania: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Transylvania
• Render Atlanta: https://www.renderatl.com/
• Kelly Vaughn: https://x.com/kellyvaughn
• All Things Open: https://allthingsopen.org/
• Lamborghini: https://www.lamborghini.com/
• Ferrari: https://www.ferrari.com/
• Kendrick Lamar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendrick_Lamar
• Drake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_(musician)
• Las Vegas Raiders: https://www.raiders.com/
• San Francisco 49ers: https://www.49ers.com/
• Avril Lavigne: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avril_Lavigne
• Jennifer Love Hewitt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Love_Hewitt
• Joey Lauren Adams: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Lauren_Adams
• Mallrats: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallrats
• Chasing Amy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasing_Amy
• Adam Sandler: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Sandler
• Big Daddy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Daddy_(1999_film)
• Monica Bellucci: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Bellucci
• Elizabeth Banks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Banks

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kenwheelerbeats
• X / Twitter: https://x.com/ken_wheeler

• Website: https://typecraft.dev/
• X / Twitter: https://x.com/typecraft_dev

• Robbie Wagner: https://x.com/RobbieTheWagner
• Chuck Carpenter: https://x.com/CharlesWthe3rd

• Website: https://whiskey.fm
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiskey-web-and-whatnot/id1552776603
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19jiuHAqzeKnkleQUpZxDf
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1552776603
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhiskeyWebAndWhatnot

Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund.

Veteran web developers RobbieTheWagner, Charles William Carpenter III, and Adam Argyle host this informal, whiskey-fueled fireside chat with your favorite web devs. They discuss all things web development including JavaScript, TypeScript, EmberJS, React, Astro, SolidJS, CSS, HTML, Web3, and more. They take a unique approach and focus on getting to know the human side of developers and their hobbies outside of work, all while sampling a new whiskey that they rate on their unique tentacle scale.