This season of The Hangar DX podcast featured discussions with 21 leaders and experts in the software industry, focusing on the evolution of developer experience, the impact of AI on engineering, and the complexities of measuring productivity. AI is seen as a catalyst pushing the industry back to engineering fundamentals, rather than replacing engineers, with discussions emphasizing the importance of internal AI adoption and the evolving role of engineers as product builders in an AI-first world. Conversations highlighted the need for caution in using productivity metrics, advocating for a thoughtful approach that combines objective data with qualitative insights to truly understand organizational effectiveness and developer satisfaction. The significance of code reviews as a human-centered practice was underscored, emphasizing shared understanding and the irreplaceable role of human judgment, even as AI takes on more routine tasks. Platform engineering was examined as a discipline that should be approached as a product rather than simply infrastructure, with success hinging on developer adoption and stakeholder engagement. Discussions also stressed the foundational role of psychological safety and culture in high-performing teams and contemplated the future of engineering leadership in an AI-driven environment, where traditional managerial roles remain crucial. Overall, the series reflected on rapid technological advancements while reinforcing the timeless importance of foundational practices and the need for ongoing dialogue in an ever-evolving landscape.