The Web Ahead is a podcast where the host, Jen Simmons, speaks with world experts on changing technologies and the future of the web. The show's mission is rooted in the desire to empower and challenge listeners as they build the web.

Core Focus and Content

The podcast delves into complex aspects of web development and design, covering 117 episodes and attracting 3.1 million downloads. Key content areas and featured topics include:

• Technology & Standards: CSS, HTML, Emerging Standards, Browsers, Performance & Dev Ops, and Tools.

• Design & Layout: Layouts, Responsive Web Design, Mobile, Typography, and Design.

• Strategy & Business: Content Strategy, Business, CMS, and Culture and Society.

Specific episodes highlight cutting-edge developments:

• CSS and Visual Transformation: Episode 117 discusses how CSS now allows web pages to transform default rectangles and squares into complex shapes like parallelograms, rhombuses, skewed boxes, circles, or any desired shape. This includes topics such as transforms, rotation, scaling, skewing, perspective, translation, clip-path, and shape-outside.

• Web Architecture: Episode 116 addresses the pressure to use JavaScript frameworks, focusing on the architectural style of the web and the appropriate role of each available technology.

• Future of Layout: Episodes 115 and 114 discuss the changing landscape of web page layout, suggesting that new CSS specifications are making previously impossible designs attainable and predicting this shift might be the biggest change to graphic design on the web in over 15 years.

Host and Production Quality

The show is hosted by Jen Simmons, an accomplished professional.

• Host Expertise: Jen Simmons is a full-stack designer since 1996, with expertise in HTML & CSS. Her professional background includes front-end development work for CERN, design work for Google and the W3C, and deep interest in content structure and innovating page layout.

• Interview Style: She is recognized as a master of the craft and a fantastic host. The conversations are described as insightful, incisive, and very human, offering a unique combination of details, context, values, and personality.

• Audience Experience: Listening is described as "going to the school of your dreams", offering practical, thoughtful, and diverse exchanges of ideas.

Recognition

The Web Ahead is highly acclaimed within the industry:

• It was the Winner of Podcast of The Year 2015 Net Awards.

• It is 100% recommended by guests and peers.

• It is praised for its in-depth conversations and for bringing the best in the field to share their knowledge.