Come listen to experts in building infrastructure and enabling development and deployment processes discuss the ideas and technologies involved in DevOps.
Similar Podcasts
Flutter 101 Podcast
Weekly podcast focusing on software development with Flutter and Dart. Hosted by Vince Varga.
Views on Vue
Vue is a growing front-end framework for web developments. Hear experts cover technologies and movements within the Vue community by talking to members of the open source and development community.
React Round Up
Stay current on the latest innovations and technologies in the React community by listening to our panel of React and Web Development Experts.
Should We Be Using Kubernetes: Did the Best Product Win? With Omer Hamerman
Episode Sponsor: PagerDuty - Checkout the features in their official feature release.This episode dives into a fundamental question facing the DevOps world: Did Kubernetes truly win the infrastructure race because it was the best technology, or were there other, perhaps less obvious, factors at play? Omer Hamerman joins Will and Warren to take a hard look at it. Despite the rise of serverless solutions promising to abstract away infrastructure management, Omer shares that Kubernetes has seen a surge in adoption, with potentially 70-75% of corporations now using or migrating to it. We explore the theory that human nature's preference for incremental "step changes" (Kaizen) over disruptive "giant leaps" (Kaikaku) might explain why a solution perceived by some as "worse" or more complex has gained such widespread traction.The discussion unpacks the undeniable strengths of Kubernetes, including its "thriving community", its remarkable extensibility through APIs, and how it inadvertently created "job security" for engineers who "nerd out" on its intricacies. We also challenge the narrative by examining why serverless options like AWS Fargate could often be a more efficient and less burdensome choice for many organizations, especially those not requiring deep control or specialized hardware like GPUs. The conversation highlights that the perceived "need" for Kubernetes' emerges often from something other than technical superiority.Finally, we consider the disruptive influence of AI and "vibe coding" on this landscape, how could we not? As LLMs are adopted to "accelerate development", they tend to favor serverless deployment models, implicitly suggesting that for rapid product creation, Kubernetes might not be the optimal fit. This shift raises crucial questions about the trade-offs between development speed and code quality, the evolving role of software engineers towards code review, and the long-term maintainability of AI-generated code. We close by pondering the broader societal and environmental implications of these technological shifts, including AI's massive energy consumption and the ongoing debate about centralizing versus decentralizing infrastructure for efficiency.Links:Comparison: Linux versus E. coliPicksWarren - Surveys are great, and also fill in the Podcast SurveyWill - Katana.networkOmer - Mobland and JJ (Jujutsu)
Mastering SRE: Insights in Scale and at Capacity with Aimee Knight
In this episode, Aimee Knight, an expert in Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) whose experience hails from Paramount and NPM, joins the podcast to discuss her journey into SRE, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she employed to succeed. Aimee shares her transition from a non-traditional background in JavaScript development to SRE, highlighting the importance of understanding both the programming and infrastructure sides of engineering. She also delves into the complexities of SRE at different scales, the role of playbooks in incident management, and the balance between speed and quality in software development.Aimee discusses the impact of AI and machine learning on SRE, emphasizing the need for responsible use of these tools. She touches on the importance of understanding business needs and how it affects decision-making in SRE roles. The conversation also covers the trade-offs in system design, the challenges of scaling applications, and the importance of resilience in distributed systems. Aimee provides valuable insights into the pros and cons of a career in SRE, including the importance of self-care and the satisfaction of mentoring others.The episode concludes with us discussing some of the hard problems such as the on-call burden for large teams, and the technical expertise an org needs to maintain higher complexity systems. Is the average tenure in tech decreasing, we discuss it and do a deep dive on the consequences in the SRE world.PicksThe Adventures In DevOps: SurveyWarren's Technical BlogWarren: The Fifth Discipline by Peter SengeAimee: Sleep Token (Band) - Caramel, GraniteWill: The Bear Grylls Celebrity Hunt on NetflixJillian: Horizon Zero Dawn Video Game
Exploring MCP Servers and Agent Interactions with Gil Feig
In this episode, we delve into the concept of MCP (Machine Control Protocol) servers and their role in enabling agent interactions. Gil Feig, the co-founder and CTO of Merge, shares insights on how MCP servers facilitate efficient and secure integration between various services and APIs.The discussion covers the benefits and challenges of using MCP servers, including their stateful nature, security considerations, and the importance of understanding real-world use cases. Gil emphasizes the need for thorough testing and evaluation to ensure that MCP servers effectively meet user needs.Additionally, we explore the implications of MCP servers on data security, scaling, and the evolving landscape of API interactions. Warren chimes in with experiences integrating AI with Auth. Will stuns us with some nuclear fission history. And finally, we also touch on the balance between short-term innovation and long-term stability in technology, reflecting on how different generations approach problem-solving and knowledge sharing.Picks:The Adventures In DevOps: SurveyWarren: The Magicians by Lev GrossmanGil: Constant Escapement in WatchmakingWill: Dungeon Crawler Carl & Atmos Clock
No Lag: Building the Future of High-Performance Cloud with Nathan Goulding
Warren talks with Nathan Goulding, SVP of Engineering at Vultr, about what it actually takes to run a high-performance cloud platform. They cover everything from global game server latency and hybrid models to bare metal provisioning and the power/cooling constraints that come with modern GPU clusters.The discussion gets into real-world deployment challenges like scaling across 32 data centers, edge use cases that actually matter, and how to design systems for location-sensitive customers—whether that’s due to regulation or performance. Additionally, there's talk about where the hyperscalers have overcomplicated pricing and where simplicity in a flatter pricing model and optimized defaults are better for everyone.There’s a section on nuclear energy (yes, really), including SMRs, power procurement, and what it means to keep scaling compute with limited resources. If you're wondering whether your app actually needs high-performance compute or just better visibility into your costs, this is the episode.PicksThe Adventures In DevOps: SurveyWarren: Jetlag: The GameNathan: Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)
Ground Truth & Guided Journeys: Rethinking Data for AI with Inna Tokarev Sela
Inna Tokarev Sela, CEO and founder of Illumex, joins the crew to break down what it really means to make your data “AI-ready.” This isn’t just about clean tables—it’s about semantic fabric, business ontologies, and grounding agents in your company's context to prevent the dreaded LLM hallucination. We dive into how modern enterprises just cannot build a single source of truth, not matter how hard they try. All the while knowing that it's required to build effected agents utilizing the available knowledge graphs and.The conversation unpacks democratizing data access and avoiding analytics anarchy. Inna explains how automation and graph modeling are used to extract semantic meaning from disconnected data stores, and how to resolve conflicting definitions. And yes, Warren finally coughs up what's so wrong with most dashboards.Lastly, we quickly get to the core philosophical questions of agentic systems and AGI, including why intuition is the real differentiator between humans and machines. Plus: storage cost regrets, spiritual journeys disguised as inference pipelines, and a very healthy fear of subscription-based sleep wearables.PicksThe Adventures In DevOps: SurveyWarren: The Non-Computability of IntuitionWill: The Arc BrowserInna: Healthy GenAI skepticism
AI, SREs & The Future of Self-Healing Systems” with Sylvain Kalache from Rootly - DEVOPS 242
In this episode, we sat down with Sylvain Kalache, Head of Developer Relations at Rootly, and wow—what a ride. We dove headfirst into the world of self-healing systems, LLMs in incident management, and why "incident vibing" (yep, that's a thing now) might be our collective future.Sylvain’s journey started with on-call SRE work at SlideShare and LinkedIn, where he noticed recurring failures and dreamed of a system that could fix itself. This episode is the story of that dream maturing over the years—culminating in AI-powered incident response tools that don’t just detect problems but actively hypothesize root causes and suggest resolutions.We came away from this chat with one big takeaway: The future of incident response is fast, AI-assisted, and increasingly human-centric. But to get there, we need to treat LLMs like tools, not oracles—and be very intentional about how we use them.Want to learn more? Check out Rootly AI Labs and Sylvain’s spicy piece on "Incident Vibing" (linked in the show notes 🔥).
Breaking Web3: Node Ops at Scale, Hard Fork Havoc, and Bare-Metal Mastery - DEVOPS 241
In this episode of Adventures in DevOps, we welcomed Paul Marston from Anchor (yes, the Web3 infrastructure powerhouse) to dive deep into the world of blockchain node operations — and wow, what a ride it was!We kicked things off with some podcast housekeeping (hey, did you fill out the listener survey yet? There are AWS credits on the line! 👀) before diving headfirst into Paul’s fascinating journey from underwriting loans on green-screen terminals to managing sprawling, bare-metal blockchain infrastructure.Key Takeaways & Highlights:1. Web2 vs. Web3 Infra:We loved Paul's analogy-rich walkthrough of moving from financial services into Web3. Turns out, while the fundamentals of system resilience and scale remain, Web3 brings a whole new tempo — no weekends, no downtime, just constant evolution. He put it best: "We don't have bank holidays in Web3."2. What Anchor Actually Does:Paul explained it beautifully — imagine AWS for Web3, but on high-performance bare metal. They're running 100+ chains, handling everything from provisioning nodes to ensuring high availability and ultra-low latency. And yes, that includes crazy challenges like scaling archive nodes with terabytes of blockchain history.3. Hard Fork Hysteria:Ever wonder what it’s like to be on the front lines of a hard fork? Paul’s firsthand stories (like the Ethereum Pectra upgrade chaos) showed us just how critical real-time response and coordination are. These aren't just code releases — they're make-or-break moments for decentralized networks.4. Load Balancing in Web3 is... Intense:Forget simple health checks. Their load balancer routes traffic based on node sync status, archive availability, and even request type. If you're into distributed systems, this was catnip.5. AI's Role in DevOps? It’s Getting Real:Anchor's bringing AI (shout-out to "Monica") into their ops stack. From diagnosing node issues to answering internal questions, it's early days, but the impact is promising — and growing fast.6. The Vinyl Vibe:In the spirit of "tech meets tactile," Paul’s pick of the week? A quirky vertical turntable from the Netherlands that scans and indexes your records like a CD. 🎶 Old-school meets innovation — just like this episode.Tune in, nerd out, and don’t forget to leave us that survey feedback (preferably helpful, but we’ll take weird too): adventuresindevops.com/survey
Observability in the CI/CD Pipeline with Adriana Villela - DEVOPS 240
In this episode, we sat down with the delightful Adriana Villela—principal developer advocate at Dynatrace, CNCF ambassador, and host of the “Geeking Out” podcast (featuring a capybara logo designed by her daughter, no less!). Adriana brought not just deep insights into observability, but also a refreshingly human and humorous perspective on the ever-evolving world of DevOps. 💡Here’s what we dove into:-The Heart of Observability: We explored how observability is so much more than just a postmortem tool for SREs. Adriana reminded us it’s a team sport—from developers writing telemetry to QA teams using trace data to debug pre-prod bugs.-CI/CD Pipelines Need Love Too: When your build pipeline mysteriously breaks down, what do you do? Adriana championed the idea of bringing observability to our pipelines, arguing they’re production systems in their own right. Metrics like build times, failure rates, and even stage-by-stage breakdowns can be goldmines for improving dev efficiency.-OpenTelemetry (OTEL) FTW: We got a crash course on OTEL’s architecture—API, SDK, and the mighty Collector—and how it’s revolutionized telemetry standardization. There’s even OTEL for Bash! (Regex lovers, rejoice... or run.)-Beyond Engineering: Adriana blew our minds by suggesting observability principles could—and should—be applied outside of tech: recruiting pipelines, hospital ER wait times, sales cycles... basically, otel all the things.-Sustainability in Observability: As a longtime environmentalist, Adriana is now researching how to make observability greener. Spoiler alert: she's taking that message global with upcoming talks at Observability Day in London and KubeCon Japan.-The Human Side of Tech: From learning Rust at 72 (shoutout to her awesome dad!) to tales of whiplash from headbanging at metal concerts (yes, there’s an “Iron Neck” involved), this episode was packed with personality.Key Takeaways:-Observability is shifting left—developers and QA should be just as invested as SREs.-OpenTelemetry is the lingua franca of modern observability—and the ecosystem around it is growing fast.-Treat your CI/CD pipeline like a product: monitor, trace, and optimize it.-We’re only scratching the surface of how observability can improve every system—not just tech stacks."Observability allows us to ask meaningful questions, get useful answers, and act effectively on the information that we get." – Hazel Weakly (quoted by Adriana)Tune in for tech insights, capybara love, open-source advocacy, environmental passion, and a whole lot of laughs.
Building Engineering Excellence with Ganesh Datta of Cortex - DEVOPS 239
In this episode, I (flying solo today!) sat down with Ganesh Datta, the CTO and co-founder of Cortex, to explore what it really means to drive engineering excellence at scale. And spoiler: it’s not just about better dashboards or fancy developer tools—it’s about treating software development like the competitive advantage it is.We went deep into the why behind internal developer portals (IDPs) and how they’re transforming platform engineering, developer experience, and organizational maturity. Ganesh shares how Cortex came to life—from being paged at 2am for a mystery Game of Thrones-named microservice (yep, we've all been there), to realizing that every other business function had a system of record—except engineering.Key Takeaways:IDPs are like CRMs for Engineering: Just as sales teams wouldn’t function without a CRM, modern engineering orgs shouldn’t be flying blind without a structured, centralized developer portal.Engineering Excellence = Business Outcomes: Whether it’s reliability, security, or platform efficiency, IDPs help codify best practices and align teams toward measurable goals.Start Small to Win Big: You don’t need to overhaul everything on day one. Start with a pain point you already know—like production readiness—and improve that incrementally.SREs and Platform Engineers Love IDPs: Because it gives them the data, ownership visibility, and real-time checks they need, without the honor-system chaos.Developer Experience is Just the Beginning: Tools like Cortex aren’t just about dev productivity—they’re about creating resilient, aligned, scalable engineering orgs.We also geeked out about everything from naming services (“Brewer” for a feature extraction tool? Chef’s kiss.) to the surprising power of reading 15 minutes before bed to improve sleep quality—yep, we went there!If you’re part of an engineering team (or leading one) and want to know how to move faster and smarter, this is the episode for you.
Modern DevOps Challenges: Automation, AI, and Scaling in 2025 - DevOps 238
In this episode of DevOps 238, we sat down with Zach Lloyd to dive into what’s really happening in the world of modern DevOps—from automation and AI to scaling systems and maintaining team culture in fast-paced environments.We talked about the evolving role of DevOps engineers, the shift toward platform engineering, and why tool sprawl is becoming a bigger issue than ever. Zach shared some powerful real-world lessons on implementing CI/CD pipelines, avoiding burnout in high-pressure environments, and how teams can stay aligned without drowning in Slack notifications or endless dashboards.One of our favorite takeaways? The idea that simplicity and communication still beat out fancy tooling—every time. We also touched on emerging trends like AI-assisted deployments, observability, and what DevOps might look like in 2026 and beyond.If you’re navigating legacy systems, scaling rapidly, or just trying to keep your team sane and productive, this episode’s packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book)Dabble of DevOps AI Data Discovery ToolThe Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking (Research Paper)Granola AI Meeting NotesA Travel Guide to the Middle Ages (Book)
Matt Lee Discusses Cloud War Games and Elevating Everyday DevOps - DevOps 237
Welcome to another exciting episode of Top End Devs! In this installment of "Adventures in DevOps," we dive into the world of cloud architecture and engineering with a fascinating discussion led by our hosts Warren Parad and Will Button, and joined by our special guest, Matt Lee. Matt, hailing from Wisconsin, is the driving force behind innovative projects like CloudWarGames.com, a platform designed to enhance DevOps training and hiring through engaging problem-solving scenarios. As we explore his journey, from coaching gymnastics to developing digital training ecosystems, you'll discover how Matt's experiences shape his unique perspectives on technical challenges, team dynamics, and the ever-evolving landscape of cloud solutions. Whether you're curious about the technical intricacies of infrastructure or seeking inspiration for your own career path, this episode offers a captivating look at the intersection of technology, creativity, and human connections. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the world of DevOps in a whole new way!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.
Barzan Mozaffari on Cloud Data Warehousing and Machine Learning Advances - DevOps_236
Welcome to another episode of "Top End Devs," where we're diving deep into the exciting world of data-intensive systems with our special guest, Barzan Mozaffari. Hosted by Warren Parad and co-hosted by Jillian, this episode explores the intersections of academia and industry, touching on how innovative breakthroughs in data systems are reshaping the digital landscape. Our conversation with Barzan, an MIT alum and a University of Michigan associate professor, uncovers the challenges and triumphs of bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical application. We'll discuss the transformative power of AI in optimizing cloud infrastructure, especially for platforms like Snowflake, and how the evolution of cloud data warehousing is influencing various verticals. Whether you're a data enthusiast or an industry professional, this episode is packed with insights on leveraging AI and machine learning to make smarter, more efficient database systems. Join us as we unravel the complexities of data and learn from Barzan’s vast experience in the field. Tune in and prepare to expand your understanding of how data drives modern advancements!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.
Mastering Infrastructure as Code: Lessons from Matt Gowey's Consultancy Experience - DevOps_235
Welcome back to another engaging episode of Top End Devs. In this episode, our hosts Will Button, Warren Parad, and Jillian are joined by guest Matt Gowey from Masterpoint. Together, they delve into the complex world of infrastructure as code, discussing best practices, challenges, and the human side of consulting in the DevOps space. Matt shares his journey from software development to running his own consulting agency focused on Terraform and OpenTofu. The conversation covers everything from the nuances of using Terraform workspaces, the implications of large-scale infrastructure management, to the critical soft skills needed for a successful consulting career. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just venturing into DevOps, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of technology.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.
Understanding AI's Overhyped Potential in Modern Technology - DevOps 234
In this episode of Top End Devs, hosts Warren Parad and Will Button sit down with John W. Maley, an attorney with a master's degree in computer science from Stanford University, to discuss the fascinating intersection of AI and the legal system. John shares insights from his book "Juris ex Machina," a sci-fi exploration of a future where AI replaces humans in the jury system. The conversation dives deep into the current state and future potential of AI, touching on its overhyped status, potential vulnerabilities, and security concerns. As they navigate the topic of AI's integration in society, John, Warren, and Will explore riveting ideas about AI's role in the modern world and its implications in diverse fields, from dating apps to deepfake detection. Join us as we tap into the complexities and innovations of AI technology and ponder its future impact on society and the legal system."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.
The Impact of Open Source on Business and Development Practices with Daniel Loreto - DevOps_233
In this episode of Top End Devs, hosts Warren Parad and David Kimura dive into a compelling discussion with guest Daniel Loreto, founder and CEO of Jetify. The conversation revolves around innovative solutions in the DevOps world, particularly focusing on the use of Nix and DevBox to streamline developer environments. Daniel shares insights from his vast experience at prominent tech companies like Google, Airbnb, and Twitter, detailing how Jetify is leveraging AI and agents to enhance software development. The trio explores the challenges of reproducible development environments, the complexities of ML development, and the strategic benefits of open sourcing tools. Along the way, they touch on the impact of AI agents on the industry and the balance between innovation and practical application. Prepare for an engaging episode filled with technical insights and thoughtful reflections on the future of software development.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.