This podcast takes an honest and unvarnished look at the reality of contributing to open source software projects. Too often, the open source community can paint an idealized picture of seamless collaboration and frictionless progress. But the truth is, working on OSS projects can be challenging, messy, and at times, downright frustrating. From conflicting opinions and coding philosophies to project politics and ownership disputes, there are many potential pitfalls. That's why this podcast gives voice to the personal experiences of actual open source contributors and influencers. They'll share the unfiltered ups and downs they've faced working on real projects. You'll hear war stories of coding battles, community dramas, and those weekly agonizing pull request reviews. But it's not all horror stories! You'll also learn valuable lessons about persevering through challenges, building consensus, and ultimately creating robust open source software that delivers value. Guests will provide insights into cultivating positive OSS communities and effective collaboration processes. So whether you're a veteran open source participant or just getting started, this podcast will prepare you for the gritty realities and help you navigate the unusual situations that so often arise. Join us as we embrace the awkward, frustrating, and yes, even "gross" side of open source software development. It's a journey that every contributor needs to understand.