Three years after they hit record for the first time, two friends sat down for their 40th episode. They had recorded only 39 shows. They joked about it, ate (or failed to eat) a caterpillar cake, and moved on to a serious chat about specialization in the web industry.
That mix of humor and real industry talk sums up BackToFrontShow. It’s a UK-based web podcast that started in 2013 and never took itself too seriously. Yet it covered topics that still matter to designers, developers, and freelancers today.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Back to Front Show. You’ll meet the hosts, see the topics they tackled, and get a clear list of the best episodes. You’ll also learn where the podcast stands now.
What Is the Back to Front Show?
The Back to Front Show is a web industry podcast hosted by two veterans of the field. The tagline on the official site says it all:
“Web & tech industry banter.”
That’s the heart of it. You won’t find scripted lectures or step-by-step coding tutorials here. Instead, you hear two experienced people talk about their work, their tools, and the strange habits of the internet business.
The show started in 2013. It comes from the West Country in the UK. Episodes usually run between 40 and 55 minutes, which suits a commute or a long walk.
Quick Facts About the Back to Front Podcast
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Show name | The Back to Front Show (often written BackToFrontShow) |
| Launched | 2013 |
| Hosts | Keir Whitaker and Kieran Masterton |
| Based in | The West Country, UK |
| Format | Casual conversation between two co-hosts |
| Typical length | About 40 to 55 minutes |
| Main subjects | Web design, development, freelancing, startups, tools, conferences |
| Spin-off series | Back Stories (one-on-one interviews) |
| Official site | backtofrontshow.com |
| Social handle | @backtofrontshow |
How the Name Fits the Topic
The title is a clever nod to web work itself. “Back” points to back-end technology like servers, databases, and content management systems. “Front” points to front-end development, which covers what visitors actually see and click.
The official description says the show focuses on both ends and “plenty in between.” That phrase matters. Most web podcasts pick a lane. This one wanders across the whole road.
Don’t Confuse It With Similar Names
Search for this podcast and you’ll run into a few lookalikes. Here’s how to tell them apart.
| Name | What it is | Related to the web podcast? |
|---|---|---|
| The Back to Front Show | UK web industry podcast | Yes, this is the one |
| Behind the Front | A local news radio-style show from a US TV station | No |
| Back to Back | A film podcast about weekend double features | No |
If you want web design and development talk, you want the first one.
The Story Behind the Back to Front Podcast
Every podcast has an origin story. This one begins with two friends who wanted to talk shop on tape.
How the Show Started in 2013
Keir Whitaker and Kieran Masterton launched the show in 2013. Both already worked in the web industry. Neither needed to invent topics, because they lived them daily.
Episode 1 gives you a perfect snapshot. They talked about writing an online bio (harder than it sounds). They weighed the pros and cons of co-working spaces. They also discussed the move toward flat-file website generators, a trend that favored simple files over heavy databases.
Along the way they name-dropped real tools of the era. Jekyll, Kirby, and Perch came up as alternatives to bigger systems. They also mentioned WP Super Cache, a plugin that speeds up WordPress sites. The episode ended with custom fixed-gear bikes. That tangent set the tone for years to come.
The Slow Release Schedule
Early on, the hosts called the show “almost weekly.” Later notes called it “almost bi-weekly.” Eventually the gaps grew longer.
By Episode 40, the hosts joked that three years of effort had produced only 39 shows. Not a great average, they admitted. Still, fans tended to forgive the delays because each episode felt like catching up with friends.
Here’s a simple timeline of how the pace shifted.
| Period | Release pattern | What the hosts said |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Close to weekly | Announced as an almost weekly show |
| Late 2013 | Strong run | Aired a year-end awards special |
| Early 2014 | Returned after a break | Opened Episode 21 with New Year wishes |
| 2014 to 2016 | Slower, irregular | Reached Episode 40 on the three-year mark |
| 2017 to 2018 | Sporadic | Returned after months away with a USB mic struggle |
| Pandemic era | One late return | Recorded “Retro Tech Rabbit Warren” |
Format and Recording Style
The hosts described their early setup with a grin: two Blue Yeti microphones and a shaky Skype connection. That’s honest. It also tells you something about the show. It values conversation over polish.
A typical episode follows a loose pattern:
- Catch-up chat about life, work, and recent events
- Industry talk on news, tools, or articles they read
- A big topic that gets most of the airtime
- A silly sign-off that often involves coffee, dogs, or gadgets
Show notes list every link and product they mention. That’s a real perk. You can finish an episode and click straight through to the tools, blog posts, and books they discussed.
Meet the Hosts Behind the Back to Front Show
Two voices carry the podcast. Knowing them helps you understand why the conversations work.
Keir Whitaker
Keir Whitaker lives in Bath, UK. He’s a web developer by trade. His bio from the early episodes lists him as co-founder of Viewport Industries and a Shopify Design Advocate. He also loves coffee, cocktails, and what he calls slow, paper-based media.
Keir does more than co-host. He also ran the Back Stories interview series, where he sat down with notable figures in the web community. His writing and link-sharing on topics like ecommerce, podcasting, and travel gave him a wide network to draw guests from.
Kieran Masterton
Kieran Masterton brings a different flavor. His early bio describes him as the owner of 88mph, a film fan, and a lover of big white dogs. Later descriptions call him a consultant, writer, and coder who works where film and web meet.
His career changes became running storylines. In Episode 44, listeners learn he’s working as a “Digital Guy” at a coffee roasting company. By Episode 45, the hosts discuss his move into coffee capsule commerce. In Episode 49, they discuss “New Kieran” with a new job, a new house, and a new laptop. Few podcasts let you watch a host’s career evolve so openly.
How Their Careers Shaped the Show
Both hosts changed jobs, goals, and focus over the years. The podcast reflected that. Early episodes lean toward tools and web news. Later ones lean toward remote work, productivity, and life as a working professional.
Key takeaway: The show grew up with its hosts. That’s why you can trace real career shifts across episodes.
Topics the Back to Front Show Covers
The BackToFrontShow doesn’t stick to one lane. The official About page lists a wide menu of regular subjects. Here’s a clear breakdown.
| Topic area | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Back-end technology | Servers, content management systems, site generators |
| Front-end development | Responsive design, CSS, browser behavior |
| Web industry news | Company changes, product shutdowns, big announcements |
| Conferences and meetups | Event reviews, speaker talk, sponsorship |
| Startup culture | Side projects, funding, subscription businesses |
| Freelancing and small business | Pricing, positioning, going solo |
| Frameworks and platforms | Tools developers rely on |
| Apps and gear | Productivity software, microphones, keyboards |
| Remote work | Team playbooks, company policies, home offices |
Why the Mix Works
A strict technical podcast can feel heavy after thirty minutes. Pure chatter can feel empty. This show lands in the middle. You get one useful idea, then a laugh, then another useful idea.
Think of it like a good conference hallway. You don’t sit through slides. You overhear smart people swapping stories. Sometimes those stories teach more than a keynote.
Recurring Themes Worth Noting
A few ideas return again and again:
- Independence. Freelancing and running small studios come up often.
- Honest career talk. The hosts discuss job changes without spin.
- Tool curiosity. They test apps, mics, and gadgets, then report back.
- Community. Conferences and fellow podcasters get regular shout-outs.
Episode Highlights From the Back to Front Podcast
You don’t need to listen in order. Still, certain episodes stand out. Here’s a table of the best entry points, followed by details on each.
| Episode | Title or theme | Main discussion points |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | The debut | Online bios, co-working, flat-file sites, a web design conference |
| #5 | Remote work and ideas | Yahoo!’s remote work ban, executing ideas, cocktails |
| #19 | Annual awards special | Year-end awards for 2013, first guest co-host |
| #21 | Happy New Year | Net Awards, Basecamp rename, industry news |
| #24 | Transitioning | Personal branding and career shifts |
| #40 | The Big 40 | Three-year milestone, specialization debate |
| #44 | Super Lit, Fam, Dope, En Flique | Career news, slang, Kickstarter |
| #49 | Kieran’s Tiny House Dream | New job, remote playbooks, newsletter lessons |
Episode 1: Where It All Began
The debut sets the scene. The hosts talk about tools many designers used at the time, including Codekit for Mac and Mixture. They discuss co-working and cite a magazine article on the trend. They also look ahead to the New Adventures conference.
It’s a great time capsule. If you want to see what web workflows looked like in 2013, start here.
Episode 5: The Remote Work Debate
This episode landed when Yahoo! banned remote working. The hosts reacted to commentary from well-known developers and talked about what the policy meant for web teams. They also covered executing ideas, which is a polite way of saying “stop planning and start shipping.”
Handheld Conference sponsored the episode. That event focused on “big ideas for small devices” and took place in Cardiff.
Episode 19: The Awards Special
The year-end awards episode is pure fun. The hosts handed out honors in categories like conference of the year, podcast of the year, and book of the year. They also invented jokey ones, such as a “dog related tech product” award and a hipster website prize nicknamed after moustache wax.
It’s also notable for a milestone. The episode announced their first guest co-host, who joined Keir in December.
Episode 21: Industry News and a Net Awards Mystery
Kieran returned after a break. The hosts tried to work out why they hadn’t been nominated for a Net Award. They also covered the news that 37signals was renaming itself Basecamp, plus the end of a writing app called Editorially.
They even debated how young a famous CSS expert really was. That’s the show in a nutshell. Real news and silly questions share the same minute.
Episode 24: Transitioning
After a long silence, the hosts returned with an apology and a new weekly format. The big topic was “transitioning.” Both had shifted their focus over recent months. Their online presence had to follow.
They revisited an old joke about flowery Twitter bios and studied how people they admired present themselves through blogs, curated links, podcasts, and videos. If you’re a freelancer rethinking your personal brand, this one’s useful.
Episode 40: The Big 40
At the three-year mark, the hosts celebrated with a cake that never happened. They also covered standing desks and had a thoughtful talk on specialization. That debate started with a blog post from designer Sarah Parmenter and drew a response from the co-founder of Smashing Magazine.
Episode 44 and Beyond
Episode 44 clocks in at about 53 minutes. The hosts chat about Kieran’s coffee-industry job, the way people under 30 talk, and a new “club” they announced. They close with Kickstarter.
Episode 45 follows with new club members and a look at coffee capsule commerce. By Episode 49, the focus shifts to remote team playbooks and lessons from running a paid newsletter for the first time.
Case Studies: What the Back to Front Show Teaches
Podcasts work best when you can pull lessons from them. Here are three real examples from the archive.
Case Study: The Remote Work Debate
The situation: A big tech company ended remote work. Many web professionals worried the idea would spread.
What the hosts did: In Episode 5, they discussed the decision alongside commentary from respected developers. They didn’t just react. They explored what it meant for small teams and freelancers.
The lesson: Remote work isn’t a trend you ignore. By Episode 49, the hosts were discussing detailed remote team playbooks. The topic grew from a news item into a full strategy conversation.
Case Study: The Specialization Question
The situation: A designer’s blog post sparked debate about whether professionals should specialize or stay broad.
What the hosts did: In Episode 40, they unpacked the post and the responses it drew. They treated both sides fairly.
The lesson: Specialists often earn more per hour. Generalists adapt faster when markets shift. The best answer depends on your clients and your goals. That’s a useful frame for any freelancer.
Case Study: A Host’s Career Pivot
The situation: Kieran moved from agency ownership toward digital work at a coffee company.
What the hosts did: Across Episodes 44, 45, and 49, they documented the shift. They talked about the job, the new daily routine, and even the new laptop.
The lesson: Careers rarely run in straight lines. Sharing a transition openly can build trust with an audience. It also shows younger professionals that pivots are normal.
Back Stories: The Interview Series From the Back to Front Show
Back Stories was a spin-off series hosted by Keir. Each episode featured a one-on-one interview with someone from the web, design, tech, publishing, or creative world.
Marc Thiele
The first guest was Marc Thiele, a long-time friend and the person behind the Beyond Tellerrand conference series. The chat covered early 8-bit computing days, Flash, and the business of running events.
Oliver Lindberg
Another featured guest was Oliver Lindberg, founder of the Pixel Pioneers conference series. Topics included how to find great speakers, what a good editor does, and how to improve your content.
Why Back Stories Matters
| Feature | Main show | Back Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Two hosts chatting | One host, one guest |
| Tone | Casual and jokey | Warm and focused |
| Best for | Industry banter | Career stories and event insight |
| Typical guest | None | Conference founders and creators |
If you plan events or write for the web, these interviews offer practical ideas in a relaxed package.
Is the Back to Front Show Still Active?
This is the question most readers want answered. Here’s the clear picture as of October 2026.
- Newest episode on public feeds: “Retro Tech Rabbit Warren.” The hosts opened it by saying it took a global pandemic to get them back to recording.
- Previous return: “Kieran’s Tiny House Dream” came after an eight-month gap while the hosts figured out their USB microphones.
- Earlier episodes in the feed: “Muppetry & other Stories” arrived in January 2018. “The Future of Medium?” and a Back Stories interview came before that.
In short, the show has never kept a rigid schedule. Gaps of months are part of its history. The most recent episode I can find dates from the pandemic era. I haven’t found a newer release.
Pro tip: Follow @backtofrontshow or check the official site for any new drop. Because the hosts return without warning, a surprise episode is always possible.
What That Means for New Listeners
You’ll be working with a finished-feeling archive. Think of it like a favorite TV series with a handful of seasons. You can binge it, share it, and learn from it without waiting for new weekly releases.
Who Should Listen to BackToFrontShow?
Not every podcast suits every person. Here’s an honest guide.
Best Fit
- Freelance designers and developers who want honest career talk
- Agency owners curious about how peers think
- Event organizers who want ideas from Back Stories
- Podcast lovers who enjoy long, friendly conversations
- Web history fans interested in how the industry looked in the 2010s
Not the Best Fit
- Anyone wanting current framework tutorials or code walkthroughs
- Listeners who need a strict weekly schedule
- People who dislike tangents about coffee, dogs, and gadgets
Starter Path for New Listeners
| Step | Episode | Why start here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | #1 | Sets the tone and shows early web tools |
| 2 | #24 | Great for freelancers and personal branding |
| 3 | #40 | Strong specialization debate |
| 4 | Back Stories with Marc Thiele | Best interview for event and community fans |
| 5 | #49 | Remote work and newsletter lessons |
How Sponsorship Worked on the Back to Front Show
Many listeners wonder how a casual podcast pays for itself. The official site invites companies to support the show with single-episode or multi-episode packages. Interested brands could email Keir to discuss options.
Episode 5 shows how it worked in practice. Handheld Conference sponsored the episode, and the hosts credited the event at the start of the show notes. The match made sense. The conference served the same web-savvy audience.
Why This Model Fits Niche Podcasts
- Audience match. Sponsors reach people who care about their product.
- Trust. Listeners hear recommendations from hosts they know.
- Simplicity. One sponsor per episode keeps the show clean.
Where to Find the Back to Front Show Online
You have a few good places to start.
| Platform | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| Official website | Full episode pages, show notes, and link lists at backtofrontshow.com |
| Podcast hosting feed | Episode list with descriptions on Blubrry |
| Podcast directories | Listing pages with show details |
| Social media | The @backtofrontshow handle |
Tips for Getting the Most From Each Episode
- Open the show notes first. Links to tools and articles help you follow along.
- Listen while multitasking. The relaxed pace suits walks and chores.
- Save the best links. Many early tools and articles remain worth reading.
- Check the date. Some product talk reflects the 2010s, so verify what’s current.
What Web Pros Can Learn From Casual Tech Podcasts
You might wonder whether banter has any real value. It does. Here’s why.
Casual Talk Builds Real Knowledge
People share more honest opinions when they’re relaxed. A host might admit a mistake or reveal a tool they quietly dropped. Those moments rarely appear in polished tutorials.
Industry Context Matters
Technical skill only goes so far. Understanding why a company made a policy change, or how a conference chooses speakers, gives you an edge. The BackToFrontShow archive offers plenty of that context.
Lessons You Can Use Today
- Review your online bio. Episode 1 and Episode 24 both explore how you present yourself.
- Test your remote work setup. Episodes 5 and 49 offer ideas for teams.
- Decide on your focus. Episode 40 gives you a framework for the specialist versus generalist choice.
- Keep learning from peers. Back Stories shows how leaders built careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Back to Front Show
Who hosts the Back to Front Show?
Keir Whitaker and Kieran Masterton host it. Both are web industry veterans from the UK.
When did the Back to Front podcast start?
It started in 2013.
How long is a typical episode?
Most episodes run between 40 and 55 minutes. Episode 5 lasted just over 50 minutes while Episode 44 ran about 53.
Is it only about web development?
No. It covers web design, development, freelancing, startups, remote work, tools, and conferences. Plenty of life talk fits in too.
What is Back Stories?
Back Stories is the interview spin-off hosted by Keir. Guests included Marc Thiele of Beyond Tellerrand and Oliver Lindberg of Pixel Pioneers.
Does the show accept sponsors?
Yes. The site offered single-episode and multi-episode sponsorship packages, and Handheld Conference sponsored Episode 5.
Where should I start?
Try Episode 1 for the origin story. Then move to Episode 24 and Episode 40 for career and industry insight.
Is the show still releasing episodes?
The newest episode I can find on public feeds came after the pandemic began. The hosts have always released shows irregularly. Check the official site for any new drop.
Final Thoughts on the Back to Front Show
The Back to Front Show earns its place in web podcast history by being human. Two friends talked about code, careers, coffee, and conferences. They laughed at their own slow release schedule. They also asked real questions about remote work, specialization, and personal branding.
If you want a calm, funny, and thoughtful listen, BackToFrontShow delivers. Start with Episode 1 to feel the early days of the show. Then jump to Episode 40 to see how the hosts handled big career questions. Finally, add a Back Stories interview if you love community and events.
Press play on one episode this week. You’ll quickly see why this small UK podcast still holds up.
Nathan Cooper is a humor writer who enjoys creating clever puns, witty jokes, and lighthearted content that brings smiles to readers. He loves sharing fresh, family friendly humor that’s fun, engaging, and easy to enjoy.