Talks & Podcasts

Keynotes, conference talks, and podcast appearances on React Native, design systems, AI, and building products.

Keynotes

State of React Native

keynote
React Native Meetup & thegeekconf2025-01

Keynote introducing the explosive growth of React Native and GeekyAnts' contributions to the ecosystem.

Key Highlights:

  • React Native weekly downloads grew from ~370k (2020) to ~3 million (2024)
  • Major apps using React Native: Facebook, Shopify, Kindle
  • NativeBase: 20k+ stars, 100k weekly downloads, evolved into gluestack
  • GeekyAnts runs one of the largest React Native meetups with 8,000 members
  • Shared story about off-grid caravan and digital nomad lifestyle
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Conference Talks

WordPress-like plugins, but for Next.js

conference
React India 20232023-10-15

Join me on my journey of creating the Next.js WordPress-like Plugin System, an experiment that enhances Next.js applications by allowing easy installation and customization of plugins for features like Google Analytics, Social Login, and E-commerce.

Building a "Universal" CSS-in-JS library

conference
React Nexus 20232023-07-06

In this talk, I will introduce gluestack-style, a high-performing CSS-in-JS library for React and React Native. Unlike other libraries, gluestack-style calculates styles during compile-time using a babel-plugin, resulting in reduced processing during runtime.

The State of One Codebase For All The Platforms

conference
App.js Conf 20222022-06-09

How can we have one codebase for mobile and web when both of them have different APIs and behavior? Sanket covered the behavioral and technical differences between web and mobile platforms.

Building Accessibility Hooks for React Native & Web

conference
React Native EU 20212021-10-18

Accessibility shouldn't be a choice that developers should make. It should go without asking. My team and I have built a set of React hooks that make it easy to build accessible React Native and Web components that complies with the WAI-ARIA standards.

React Native Panel Discussion

conference
React Native Meetup2021-03-31

Panel discussion with Sanket Sahu, Aman Mittal, Evan Bacon, and Satyajit Sahoo about the state and future of React Native.

Building a Design Tool for React in React

conference
React Europe 20202020-05-17

Bringing Designer and Developer on the same repo with React Native Builder. Don't just prototype but code as a designer.

Design meets Code with BuilderX

conference
React Europe 20182018-05-21

Introducing BuilderX, a design tool that generates clean React Native code, bridging the gap between designers and developers.

Bringing Controversial Ideas to React

conference
React Summit 20232023-06-06

Explored unconventional approaches to React development, including alternative state management and custom optimization techniques.

Bringing Controversial Ideas to React

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Topics Covered:

  • Discussed using MobxStateTree instead of Redux
  • Implemented custom re-renders for performance optimization
  • Advocated for experimenting with unconventional architectures
  • Emphasized value of challenging established norms

Community Events

Design to Code with BuilderX

meetup
Meetup #502019-11-11

Demonstrating how BuilderX bridges the gap between design and code, allowing designers to create production-ready React Native code.

React Native Townhall

townhall
thegeekconf 20252025-01

Community townhall where engineers shared production lessons and discussed React Native best practices.

Learn more →

Podcast Appearances

PodRocket (LogRocket)

React Server Components with Sanket Sahu

2023-07-25

Deep dive into React Server Components, discussing their benefits, implementation, and how GeekyAnts is experimenting with them in gluestack and Next.js.

Discussion Points:

  • Started coding with QBasic, founded GeekyAnts, maintained NativeBase
  • Explained React Server Components: execute on server, reduce bundle sizes
  • Benefits: mixing server and client components, avoiding full app updates
  • GeekyAnts experimenting with RSC in gluestack and Next.js
Listen to episode →
ConTejas Code

How to Build and Scale a Company to 400+ with Open Source

2024-05-27

Story of scaling GeekyAnts from freelancing to 400+ people by focusing on problem-solving, strong culture, and open-source contributions.

Discussion Points:

  • Scaled GeekyAnts to 400+ people through strong culture and problem-solving
  • Open-source contributions like NativeBase built company reputation
  • Transformed from web shop to mobile-plus-web powerhouse
  • Building gluestack: full-stack framework with accessible UI
  • Exploring AI for code generation and user-first workflows
  • Evolve company every 6 months, use quarterly OKRs
Listen to episode →
React Native Radio (Infinite Red)

RNR 273 – Gluestack with Sanket Sahu

2023-08-22

Discussion about the new gluestack UI library, building universal accessible components, and the evolution from NativeBase.

Discussion Points:

  • Introduced gluestack UI library as NativeBase successor
  • Universal, accessible component library prioritizing performance
  • Cross-platform compatibility for web and mobile
  • Discussed gluestack framework and UI style guide
Listen to episode →
GeekyAnts Podcast

Startups, Execution & the Future of App Development

2024

Discussion on startup execution, modern product development, AI's role in app creation, and how tools like RapidNative streamline prototyping.

Startups, Execution & the Future of App Development

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Discussion Points:

  • Startup execution strategies and modern product development
  • AI's role in app creation and prototyping
  • How RapidNative streamlines mobile app prototyping
  • Future of app development with AI-powered tools
GeekyAnts Podcast

Underdogs vs Giants: Generative AI's Real Impact on Product Tools

2024

Debate on how generative AI levels the playing field between startups and large companies through automated design-to-code workflows.

Underdogs vs Giants: Generative AI's Real Impact on Product Tools

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Discussion Points:

  • Generative AI democratizing product development
  • Automating design-to-code hand-off
  • Enabling rapid prototyping for startups
  • Leveling the playing field against tech giants
GeekyAnts Podcast

Evolution of React Native Libraries

2023

Deep dive into the evolution of React Native libraries from early community components to modern cross-platform frameworks.

Evolution of React Native Libraries

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Discussion Points:

  • History of React Native library ecosystem
  • Evolution from community-run components to modern frameworks
  • Cross-platform development trends
  • Future of React Native libraries