Talking Drupal Newsletter
Talking Drupal #503 - TD Cafe #002 - John and Jason
In this episode, John Picozzi and Jason Pamental explore the connections fostered by using Drupal across different geographies, the evolution of conferences, and how design systems are being utilized at Chewy. We also delve into the application of AI in e-commerce and coding, and discuss the practicalities of maintaining governance in large organizations. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with personal anecdotes, professional insights, and future prospects.
Topics
John Picozzi
John Picozzi is the Solutions Architect at EPAM Systems, where he helps organizations implement scalable and sustainable digital solutions—most often using Drupal. With over a decade of experience in web development, John has become a trusted voice in the Drupal community for his commitment to open source, user-centered design, and thoughtful architecture.
John is a contributor to Drupal and an active member of the community as the organizer of the Drupal Providence Meetup and New England Drupal Camp. He’s also well known as a co-host of the Talking Drupal podcast, a weekly show focused on all things Drupal, where he interviews community members and shares insights on development, strategy, and community engagement.
Outside of podcasting and coding, John frequently speaks at DrupalCamps and conferences across the U.S., offering sessions that span technical deep dives to community and career development topics. You can find more about his work and speaking engagements at picozzi.com, or follow him on Drupal.org
Jason Pamental
Jason Pamental is a designer, strategist, and technologist specializing in typography, variable fonts, and digital design systems. He is currently Principal Designer at Chewy, where he leads their design system efforts and helps guide their mobile app architecture and strategy.
With over 30 years of experience, Jason has worked with organizations such as Adobe, ESPN, Fidelity, and the State of Rhode Island to shape impactful digital experiences. He’s a globally recognized expert in web typography and the author of Responsive Typography. His work has helped define how variable fonts are used on the web today.
Jason is a frequent speaker at conferences like Beyond Tellerrand, An Event Apart, and SmashingConf, and he shares his knowledge through writing, teaching, and open source contributions. His articles, presentations, and resources can be found at rwt.io — short for Responsive Web Typography — and many of his talks, videos, and associated resources are available on https://noti.st/jpamental
An active supporter of the open web and the Drupal community, Jason is committed to bridging the gap between design and development. Outside of work, he enjoys riding bikes, making espresso, spending time with his family in Rhode Island, and following Leo and Henry around Turner Reservoir, posting photos on Instagram.
Conference Highlights: Beyond Teller End
Travel Tales: Biking in Germany
Curiosity in Design: A Personal Talk
AirTag Adventures and Science Fair Stories
Reflecting on Past Projects and Drupal's Evolution
Design Systems and Flexibility in Development
Challenges and Benefits of Component-Based Design
Implementing Design Tokens and Automation
Tools and Collaboration in Design Systems
Exploring Storybook and Drupal Integration
Building Components in Storybook
Evolved Drupal Event Highlights
Drupal's Community Connections
Transitioning from Drupal to Shopify
The Role of AI in Content Creation
AI in E-commerce and Data Analysis
Social Media and AI Assistance
Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
Show News
Next week, John, Nic, and Martin are back.
For the foreseeable future, Talking Drupal Cafe will be released every other Thursday in the Talking Drupal feed. Feedback and recommended hosts are welcome on the #TalkingDrupal channel on Drupal Slack or by e-mail at stephen@talkingdrupal.com.
Upcoming Episodes
#504 The Marketplace with Tiffany Farriss. Recording May 20.
#505 Custom Field Module with Andy Marquis. Recording May 27.
#506 Automated Testing Kit with André Angelantoni. Recording June 3.
Submit your questions on the #TalkingDrupal channel on Drupal Slack.
Upcoming Drupal Events
from Norah Medlin
MidCamp 2025 – May 20–22, Chicago, IL
MidCamp (Midwest Drupal Camp) returns to DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Student Center for three days of sessions, trainings, and community collaboration. A highlight this year is a fireside chat with Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, offering insight into the future of the platform. Can't attend in person? No worries! Both the Dries fireside chat on Tuesday and Enjoy your editorial experience with Markdown on Wednesday will be broadcast live on the MidCamp YouTube channel!The program also features a two-day Agile and Git training, a full-day Contribution Day with mentorship, and sessions for developers, site builders, and non-technical users alike. MidCamp is a welcoming space for all and a must-attend for anyone looking to grow in the Drupal ecosystem. (edited)
Drupaljam 2025: and beyond – May 21, Utrecht, Netherlands
Drupaljam, the largest Drupal event in the Netherlands, returns to DeFabrique in Utrecht with the theme “and beyond.” This one-day event brings together developers, marketers, agencies, and open-source enthusiasts to explore the future of Drupal. Highlights include keynotes from cybersecurity expert Dr. Melanie Rieback and AI artist Jeroen van der Most, as well as the popular “Drupal in a Day” track, an accessible, hands-on introduction to Drupal for students and newcomers. (edited)
Contact Us
#talkingdrupal on Drupal Slack