Farhan Thawar from Shopify

Farhan Thawar from Shopify

Author: Evan McCann May 6, 2025 Duration: 50:19

Farhan Thawar is a VP and Head of Engineering at Shopify.


Takeaways

- Why Xtreme Labs Was So Special

- Why Xtreme Labs Did Almost Zero Interviews

- The Role of AI in Engineering

- Pair Programming and Collaboration

- Story Behind Shopify Being One of The First Companies to Use GitHub Co-Pilot

- Why Shopify Uses GitHub Co-Pilot and Cursor

- Why Shopify Doesn't Use Jira or Linear

- AI and Toil Reduction in Software Engineering

- The Evolution of Prompting in Engineering

- Why Tobi Has The Best Prompts

- Vibe Coding

- Shopify's Delete Code Club - Deleting 5M Lines of Code

- Maintaining a Hacky Culture in a Large Organization

- The Meaning of Elegance in Engineering


Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of Extreme Labs

02:59 Building a Unique Company Culture

06:10 Hiring and Retaining Talent

08:53 Innovative Perks and Employee Engagement

11:53 The Role of AI in Engineering

14:50 Pair Programming and Collaboration

18:04 Navigating Tools and Technologies

21:00 The Future of Engineering with AI

26:57 AI and Toil Reduction in Software Engineering

29:48 The Evolution of Prompting in Engineering

34:23 Shopify's Delete Code Club: A Culture of Efficiency

38:08 Maintaining a Hacky Culture in a Large Organization

46:39 The Meaning of Elegance in Engineering

48:34 Finding Energy in Hard Times


Keywords

Xtreme Labs, company culture, hiring, employee engagement, AI in engineering, pair programming, innovative perks, technology tools, Shopify, talent retention, AI, software engineering, toil reduction, prompting, Delete Code Club, hack culture, elegance, entrepreneurship, Shopify


Evan McCann sits down with the people shaping Canada's business landscape, moving past the polished success stories to get into the real work that happens behind the scenes. The Hard Part with Evan McCann is built on conversations with founders, investors, and leaders who have navigated unique challenges, focusing on the pivotal decisions and often overlooked struggles that define a venture. This podcast explores the specific strategies and personal playbooks that have driven impact, offering a rare look at the operational truths of building something significant. While the spotlight frequently falls on innovators elsewhere, these episodes are dedicated to the Canadian visionaries whose work is redefining global entrepreneurship from here at home. You'll hear candid reflections on risk, resilience, and the moments that tested their conviction, providing not just inspiration but tangible insight into the mechanics of leadership and growth. Each discussion aims to unpack the nuance of achievement, making it an essential listen for anyone curious about the substance behind the headlines in the Canadian business world.
Author: Language: en-ca Episodes: 100

The Hard Part with Evan McCann
Podcast Episodes
Alison Kaizer and Andrew D'Souza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:56
This episode explores how AI is transforming hiring practices, emphasizing real-time testing, new roles, and the importance of human intuition in recruitment. Guests Ali and Andrew share insights on leveraging AI for bet…
Max Cunningham from Sesh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:25
Max Cunningham is the Founder and CEO of Sesh Products.Sesh Products provides modern nicotine alternatives that aim to support in reducing and controlling cravings.Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: From Vaping to Sesh02:…
Ian MacKinnon from Stingray Security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
Ian MacKinnon is the Co-Founder of Stingray Security.Real-time protection from online scams, phishing, and fake websites.Ian previously Co-Founded Later.comChapters00:00 The Evolution of AI-Driven Phishing03:57 Consumer…
Robert Farlow from Plato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:36
Robert Farlow is the Co-Founder and CEO of Plato.Training Environments for Browser AgentsChapters00:00 The Genesis of Browser Agents02:38 Building Universal Agents05:25 Training Models and Learning Mechanisms08:02 The Fu…
Brent Lane from BigGeo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:23
Brent Lane is the CEO of BigGeo.BigGeo is transforming how the world works with geospatial data. With innovative technology and industry-leading speed, they empower organizations to visualize, interact with, and unlock t…
Ignacio Tartavull from Pinkbot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:26
Ignacio Tartavull is the CEO of Pinkbot.Pinkbot builds robots that make last-mile delivery faster, cheaper and greener.Chapters00:00 Intro1:45 From Education to Neuroscience: The Journey Begins02:33 The Shift to Autonomo…
Ben Vinegar from Modem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
Ben Vinegar is the Co-Founder of Modem.Modem is your auto-triage Product Manager.Modem turns scattered feedback – from users, teammates, and software – into actionable, living issues. Save time, reduce bottlenecks, and s…
Justin Sky from Rose Rocket [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:33
Justin Sky is the CEO and Co-Founder of Rose Rocket.Rose Rocket is a SaaS-based Transportation Management System (TMS) specializing in workflow automation for Enterprise and SMB transport companies.Chapters00:00 Intro1:4…
Elan Lee from Exploding Kittens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:40
Elan Lee is the CEO of Exploding Kittens.Chapters00:00 Intro1:40 Designing Engaging Games02:49 The Importance of Player Feedback05:28 Accessibility and Player Experience08:22 The Golden Age of Tabletop Games11:25 Kicksta…
Ahmed Nimale from KYD Labs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:08
Ahmed Nimale is the Co-Founder and CEO of KYD Labs.Chapters00:00 Intro1:40 The Journey into Live Entertainment02:56 Understanding the Ticketing Landscape05:35 The Role of Venues and Ticketing Platforms08:20 Marketing Cha…