Corey Schafer – Python’s Quiet Genius and Your Unexpected Coding Bestie
There’s a weird comfort in finding someone who just gets the way you want to learn. Not the shouty YouTube guys. Not the ones who overcomplicate everything like they’re presenting at a machine learning conference in Narnia. I mean someone who explains Python like he’s showing you how to fix a wobbly table leg.
That’s Corey Schafer. If you’ve ever typed “Python tutorial” into YouTube, there’s a 99.9% chance you’ve seen his calm, smooth voice breaking down something like list comprehensions, virtual environments, or Pandas. And if you haven’t? Well… now’s a great time to correct that.
Let me walk you through why this guy has become one of the most respected Python educators on the internet—and why you should care, even if your last programming project ended in tears and three open Stack Overflow tabs.
Who Is Corey Schafer?
He’s not flashy. Doesn’t open videos with “What’s up guys!!” or wear sunglasses indoors. And thank goodness.
Corey Schafer is a self-taught programmer and educator who’s built a loyal following by doing the opposite of internet trend-chasing. He focuses on what actually matters: explaining real-world programming concepts clearly, using Python as his teaching language of choice.
He’s been posting tutorials on YouTube since around 2014, and now has over a million subscribers who adore his work—not because he’s a “content creator,” but because he’s a great teacher.
I remember stumbling onto his Git tutorials while trying (and failing) to un-mess a project repo. I watched one video. Then another. Before I knew it, I had watched six back-to-back—and I actually understood the difference between git pull
and git fetch
. That man saved my project and my sanity.
What Makes His Python Tutorials So Good?
Let’s be real: the internet is packed with Python tutorials. Some are great, some are hot garbage. So what makes Corey Schafer’s stand out?
1. No Fluff. No Nonsense. Just Code.
He doesn’t waste your time with long intros or overproduced graphics. He jumps right into the code, explains what he’s doing line by line, and actually shows you how and why it works.
You’ll often find yourself thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” because he makes it all feel that straightforward.
2. He Teaches the Why
This is huge. Anyone can show you syntax. Corey explains why you'd use one method over another, how things behave under the hood, and when to avoid certain techniques altogether.
That kind of teaching sticks with you.
3. Real Projects, Real Tools
Corey doesn’t just teach abstract programming theory. He uses real-world examples and integrates tools you'd actually use as a developer, such as:
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Flask for web development
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Matplotlib and Pandas for data analysis
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Selenium for automation
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Git for version control (and yes, he made that fun somehow)
These aren’t random toy projects. They’re stepping stones to the stuff you'd build in a job—or for your portfolio, if you’re on the job hunt.
Popular Python Series You Shouldn’t Miss
He’s covered a ton of ground over the years. But if you’re wondering where to start, here are some fan favorites (also known as “lifesavers” if you ask Reddit):
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Python Programming Beginner Tutorials
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Starts at the absolute basics: variables, loops, functions.
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Great for total beginners or people returning after a long coding break.
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Object-Oriented Programming in Python
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Clear and practical. He doesn’t just show how classes work—he gives you examples that actually make sense.
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Flask Web Development Series
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Easily one of the best Flask intros online.
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He walks you through building a blog app, step by step, with zero hand-waving.
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Python for Data Science
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Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn—he covers them all.
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Perfect for anyone trying to move from "basic Python" to "useful Python."
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Python Automation with Selenium and Scripting
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Yes, you too can automate boring browser tasks and scrape the web like a gentle, responsible hacker.
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Data Science & Automation: Corey’s Understated Strength
Here’s something folks sometimes miss: Corey isn’t just a Python guy. He’s also a low-key wizard when it comes to automation and data science.
He shows you how to:
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Use Python scripting to rename files, scrape content, or automate routine system tasks
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Analyze real data using Pandas and visualize trends with Matplotlib
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Clean, sort, and slice datasets without pulling your hair out
This stuff is gold, especially if you’re:
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A student trying to make sense of messy CSV files
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A professional looking to shave hours off your weekly reports
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A curious soul trying to chart your Spotify listening habits (I did that once… no regrets)
What Sets Corey Apart from Other YouTubers?
Not to name names (👀), but a lot of popular tutorial channels trade depth for clicks. Corey doesn’t. He doesn’t chase views—he builds trust.
Here’s how he stays unique:
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No sponsored fluff: You won’t find him pushing sketchy VPNs or miracle coding bootcamps mid-video.
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Clear structure: Each video builds logically. You can binge his playlists like a Netflix series for nerds.
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Consistent updates: While he’s not a weekly uploader (quality > quantity, thank you), he does keep things current and answers viewer questions.
Minor Gripes (Because Nobody’s Perfect)
Let’s keep it real.
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Long gaps between uploads: Sometimes you’ll have to wait weeks (or months) for a new series. But hey, he’s doing it right—not rushing it.
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Intermediate-heavy content: Beginners will love the basics, but some advanced stuff assumes a bit of Python comfort. Nothing a little backtracking won’t fix.
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He’s not flashy: No slick animations or camera tricks here. If you like high-octane YouTubers, Corey’s vibe might feel too chill. (Personally, I find it refreshing.)
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Bookmark Corey Schafer Today
Corey Schafer has become the go-to Python guru for hundreds of thousands of coders, and for good reason. He’s thoughtful, thorough, and focused on real learning—not social media stardom.
Whether you’re:
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Starting your first Python project
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Automating boring tasks at work
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Prepping for a coding interview
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Just trying to figure out what the heck a decorator is
...Corey’s got a video for you. And you’ll probably finish it thinking, “Huh, that wasn’t so bad after all.”
So yeah—go check out his channel. Subscribe, hit that bell (if you’re into that), and prepare to level up your Python skills with someone who actually knows what he’s doing.
And who knows? Maybe in a few weeks, you’ll be the one explaining list comprehensions at brunch like a total nerd boss. 😉