Talk Python To Me - #537: Datastar: Modern web dev, simplified

You love building web apps with Python, and HTMX got you excited about the hypermedia approach -- let the server drive the HTML, skip the JavaScript build step, keep things simple. But then you hit that last 10%: You need Alpine.js for interactivity, your state gets out of sync, and suddenly you're juggling two unrelated libraries that weren't designed to work together.

What if there was a single 11-kilobyte framework that gave you everything HTMX and Alpine do, and more, with real-time updates, multiplayer collaboration out of the box, and performance so fast you're actually bottlenecked by the monitor's refresh rate? That's Datastar.

On this episode, I sit down with its creator Delaney Gillilan, core maintainer Ben Croker, and Datastar convert Chris May to explore how this backend-driven, server-sent-events-first framework is changing the way full-stack developers think about the modern web.

Episode sponsors

Sentry Error Monitoring, Code talkpython26
Command Book
Talk Python Courses

Guests
Delaney Gillilan: linkedin.com
Ben Croker: x.com
Chris May: everydaysuperpowers.dev

Datastar: data-star.dev
HTMX: htmx.org
AlpineJS: alpinejs.dev
Core Attribute Tour: data-star.dev
data-star.dev/examples: data-star.dev
github.com/starfederation/datastar-python: github.com
VSCode: marketplace.visualstudio.com
OpenVSX: open-vsx.org
PyCharm/Intellij plugin: plugins.jetbrains.com
data-star.dev/datastar_pro: data-star.dev
gg: discord.gg
HTML-ivating your Django web app's experience with HTMX, AlpineJS, and streaming HTML - Chris May: www.youtube.com
Senior Engineer tries Vibe Coding: www.youtube.com
1 Billion Checkboxes: checkboxes.andersmurphy.com
Game of life example: example.andersmurphy.com

Watch this episode on YouTube: youtube.com
Episode #537 deep-dive: talkpython.fm/537
Episode transcripts: talkpython.fm

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Motley Fool Money - Investment Accounts for Kids

One of the most powerful gifts you can give a child is a head start on building wealth. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to teach the next generation all about the ups and downs of investing – in real time. However, choosing the right account for a kid can be surprisingly complex. Robert Brokamp discusses the pros and cons of five of the most common options, including the new Trump accounts.
Also in this episode:
-International stocks are off to a stellar start in 2026, outperforming U.S. stocks by the biggest margin since 1995
-The data center buildout to support the AI arms race is driving up electricity prices, and may have the same impact on home prices
-A recent report identified three criteria that tend to make a stock market downturn more likely
-Include your pet in your estate plan to ensure she or he goes to the caring home of your choice (and not a shelter), and set aside money for expenses

Host: Robert Brokamp
Engineer: Bart Shannon


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The Daily - ‘The Interview’: Wellness Guru Jay Shetty Has Raised Some Doubts. Including His Own.

The self-help influencer on his values, his journey and criticism of his work.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


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The Gist - Is Anyone Not A Fan Of Eileen Gu?

On today's Saturday show, we are bringing you Mike's recent guest appearance on Ethan Strauss's podcast, House of Strauss. Mike and Ethan discuss the peculiar, glowing media coverage of Eileen Gu, the American-born skier who won gold for China. Why did she receive almost zero criticism from mainstream U.S. outlets despite accepting millions from an oppressive regime?

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com

For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/

For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/

For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List https://mikepesca.substack.com/

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Up First from NPR - Court Invalidates Tariffs, Military Options Regarding Iran, Olympic Matchup Preview

The Supreme Court says President Trump cannot use the economic emergency he declared as a rationale for his import tax regime. The U.S. military buildup in the Mideast over the past month gives Trump options for striking Iran. The U.S. and Canada will compete Sunday for the gold medal in men's Olympic ice hockey.

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Newshour - Trump imposes new 10% tariff after Supreme Court rejection

US President Donald Trump has imposed a new 10% global tariff to replace ones struck down by the Supreme Court, calling the ruling "terrible" and lambasting the justices who rejected his trade policy as "fools".

Also on the programme, French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for calm ahead of a march in Lyon remembering a right-wing student activist who was killed by suspected left-wing extremists earlier this month; and, conservationists are celebrating the reintroduction of giant tortoises to one of the Galapagos Islands -- nearly two centuries after the sub-species was wiped out.

(Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Solicitor General D. John Sauer attend a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 20, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Global News Podcast - The Happy Pod: Former teacher celebrated as a crocodile

After identifying a new species of ancient crocodile for his PhD, Ewan Bodenham honoured his favourite physics teacher who inspired him many years before. Galahadosuchus jonesi has been named after Rhys Jones - who says it is a privilege. Plus, the school in Brazil that many gave up on a decade ago wins a prestigious international award. A woman has been reunited with her prosthetic leg ten months after she lost it in the sea. We hear about the dog that led police in Louisville to a missing three year old and the Mosque that went viral for sharing videos of a pilates class for men over the age of 50. Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.

Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson.