In this video, Coté and Whitney talk about tech education and learning with Mumshad Mannambeth. There's talk about certifications, but also how teaching online works and what it's like when it scales up to millions of people. Plus, Coté tries to figure out how to get access to more napkins. You can also watch the video of this interview form if you…

In this episode, Whitney and Coté talk with Hazel Weakly about the unexpected success of content, the influence of corporate interests in open source, and the importance of emotional vulnerability in the tech industry. Hazel shares her experiences transitioning as a trans woman in tech, how her interactions changed post-transition, and the need for…

#304: As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern work environments, the debate surrounding remote work versus in-office setups remains a hot topic. Companies are constantly reevaluating their strategies when it comes to talent retention, with the return to office being a significant point of discussion. On one hand, working in an office …

In this episode, Whitney and Coté interview Marino Wijay, Coté finally gets to the bottom of why networking has so many layers. Why do we keep adding new layers and frameworks instead of just fixing the ones we have? They also talk about the challenges of platform engineering, the importance of empathy in tech, the difficulties of integrating multi…

#303: In today's digital realm, command-line interfaces (CLI) are lifelines for developers, embodying the efficiency and power required to manage complex tasks. The goal in designing a CLI is not to overwhelm users with command intricacies but to allow them to navigate operations seamlessly and intuitively. In this episode, we speak with Wesley Bea…

#302: As individuals, engineers may feel that the day-to-day tasks and projects they undertake are not life-changing. After all, if an engineer has an off day, it doesn't mean they're suddenly out of the job market. However, when we look at the larger picture from a business standpoint, the stakes are significantly higher. Companies that choose to …

Join Whitney and Coté as they talk with Richard Seroter from Google about the myth of the 10X developer and his perspective on hiring and managing tech talent. They also talk about the significance of learning and AI in the tech industry, the importance of communication skills, valuable resources for staying updated in tech, and Richard's personal …

#301: How many applications are in your organization that need to be kept up to date? More than likely, that number is every application needs to be kept up to date, if for no other reason than to keep your security teams happy. It gets even worse if you have 10s, 100s or even 1000s of applications. How do you make this manageable? In this episode,…

#300: Innovation and technology are constantly shifting the landscape of various industries, and the rise of AI is no exception. The term "AI Native Engineer" is becoming more prevalent. This shift denotes not just an evolution in the technological tools at our disposal but a transformation in how engineers engage with these tools to enhance produc…

In this episode of Software Defined Interviews, Coté and Whitney host Brian Gracely, co-host of the Cloudcast podcast and head of portfolio strategy at Red Hat. They discuss the process of gathering and reporting cloud news, the evolution of PaaS, and the pros and cons of working at small startups versus large companies. Also: career advice, the im…

#299: The ability to efficiently manage and analyze data is crucial in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape. One innovative solution that addresses this need is ModelKit. ModelKits are built on existing standards, ensuring compatibility with the tools your data scientists and developers already use. In this episode, Darin and Viktor speak with G…

#298: Throughout numerous conferences, experts have often proclaimed that choosing the right culture is paramount over the selection of tools. However, it’s an oversimplification to deem one right over the other. Tools and culture share a symbiotic relationship, each influencing and reshaping the other. In this episode, Darin and Viktor try to sett…

What’s it really like to do all that DevOps-y transformation at companies? That’s what we talk about this week with Sasha Czarkowski…mostly. We also discuss learning how to learning, metrics, staying sane in chaotic systems and change, breaking presentation rules, Louisville, Kentucky, and Coté’s (odd?) dislike of the open spaces format. You can al…

#297: In today's digital landscape, ensuring secure and efficient access to systems is crucial. Authorization plays a vital role in granting the right access levels — but how can businesses implement it effectively? In this episode, we speak with Alex Olivier, co-founder & CPO at Cerbos, about how Cerbos presents an adaptable solution that streamli…

#296: As we step into 2025, the tech landscape is marked by a myriad of opportunities and challenges, with artificial intelligence taking center stage. While AI is firmly entrenched in our daily lives, other technological advances and industry trends also demand our attention. In this episode, Darin and Viktor make their tech predictions for 2025. …

Katie Greenley shares her experiences managing events and community programs like the CNCF Ambassadors. Coté, Whitney, and Katie also discuss career development, managing a community team, and the delicate art of introducing cereal decanting into the home. Checdk out Katie in LinkedIn, and the CNCF Ambassadors program. Special Guest: Katie Greenley…

#295: Merry Christmas from the entire team, and thank you for making us a part of your year! YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/ Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/…

#294: Here we are at the end of 2024. Darin and Viktor look back at the predictions they made back in episode 244. Let's see how they did. YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/ Connect with us at: https://www.…

#293: As we edge closer to the end of 2024, companies grapple with the complexities of workforce retention and attraction. Companies must navigate post-COVID realities and adjust to altered market conditions. The enduring quest for stability in these uncertain times shapes employee priorities as they seek job security amidst market volatility. In t…

In this episode, Whitney and Coté talk with Viktor Farcic, Developer Advocate at Upbound, about platform engineering, the evolution of DevOps, project managing a content creation engine of one, and the virtues of imperfection. Also, the strategic avoidance of asking for directions, or, really, talking with people in general. Find Viktor in YouTube,…

#292: Open source software has become an integral part of the modern digital landscape. It's often celebrated for its free access and collaborative ethos, contributing to rapid technological advancement. However, the reality of open source is more complex, involving issues of ownership, licensing, corporate influence, and the role of foundations. I…

As if platform engineering and expat'ing in the UK weren't enough, Whintney and Coté discuss the forgotten technology of business cards wih Abby Bangser. Check out Abby in LinkedIn, and Kratix the platform engineering project from Syntasso. Also, check out the CNCF Platforms White paper and Cloud Native Maturity Model. We had video recording proble…

#291: As we approach the end of 2024, a recurring theme in the tech industry is the impact of AI on software jobs. While some fear mass job displacement, others see an opportunity for unprecedented innovation. In some respects, it appears that the job market is experiencing shifts reminiscent of the Industrial Revolution. However, unlike the fear o…

Whitney is back from KubeCon and shares what she saw. We talk about platform engineering, Salt Lake City's vibe, AI, and observability, among other things. We wrap the episode with tips for maximizing attending conferences. Also, memories of Arby's ads. Whitney's KubeCon talks: Choose Your Own Adventure: The Observability Odyssey Panel: Exploring e…

#290: Darin catches up with Viktor and Whitney Lee just minutes after they've finished up at KubeCon NA 2024. We discuss the good things and bad things that they experienced while in Salt Lake City. YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://w…

#289: For startups, navigating the dilemma of cloud selection is critical. While major providers offer incentives and familiarity, stepping out of the conventional path to explore other providers or even setting up specialized solutions can lead to significant cost savings and tailor-made optimizations. The balance is in understanding when to scale…

In this episode, Whitney Lee and Coté dive into the insights of Rachel Stephens from RedMonk about the world of being an industry analyst. They discuss experiences from working as an analyst, the balance between qualitative and quantitative analysis, the challenges and misconceptions surrounding open-source business models, and the impact of AI on …

#288: Let's journey back in time, roughly 30 to 50 years ago, to an era where systems were relatively simple. These foundational systems were built with fewer components, making them not only easier to understand but also simpler to manage. At that time, the stability of a system was often directly correlated with its simplicity. Fewer variables me…

Whitney and Coté talk with Phil Andrews, field CTO at Cast AI, about cost management and optimization, the nuances of Kubernetes, coin-operated laundromats, and farm life. The conversation touches on the differences between automation and FinOps, how sales and engineering intersect in cloud software, and Phil's unique experiences - from managing a …

#287: In the world of software development, updating dependencies remains a crucial yet often neglected task. Many developers dread the manual labor involved, especially considering potential compatibility issues and the risk of breaking existing functionality. In this episode, we talk with Rhys Arkins, the creator of Renovate, about the origins of…

#286: Consumers are often enticed by the allure of free services. From email services like Gmail to networking tools like Twingate, the appeal of getting something for nothing is irresistible. But is it truly 'free'? When taking advantage of free services, one must consider the underlying trade-offs. Using free tools often means contributing person…

Whitney and Coté talk with Sidney Miller about tech recruitment. They talk a lot about the process from both sides: people hiring and people looking for jobs. Plus, some thoughts on working at Neiman Marcus. Find Sidney in LinkedIn. You can the video of this interview as well if you're into that kind of thing. More details: They explore effective s…

#285: In the fast-paced world of technology, organizations often find themselves in a complex dance between embracing the latest advancements and grappling with decades-old infrastructure. This delicate balance is highlighted in today's enterprises as they attempt to integrate legacy systems with modern solutions like microservices. The challenges,…

#284: Every step forward is built upon the achievements of the past. When you're developing software, leveraging existing knowledge and improvements can propel your success. Stepping blindly into the vast sea of technological options without understanding the motivations behind their existence can lead to costly missteps. In this episode, Darin and…

#283: Moving beyond the usual suspects in observability, today's focus shifts towards mobile—a relatively unexplored domain for OpenTelemetry. The integration of OpenTelemetry with mobile applications opens new avenues for mobile app observability. In this episode, Darin and Viktor talk with Austin Emmons from Embrace about the need for educating d…

Whitney Lee's career path has been all over the place, from artist, wedding photographer, waiter, and now world-renowned devrel in the cloud native world. This episode kicks off the reboot of this podcast, Software Defined Interviews. Whitney and I (Coté) have been planning to start a podcast for a year or so now, and it's great to start. We'll be …

#282: In the ever-evolving world of technology, the intricacies of software development and system design continually challenge engineers and developers alike. Insights from past thinkers, such as John Gall, combined with modern-day practices, provide a fascinating lens through which we can understand and navigate these complexities. In this episod…

#281: In today's rapidly evolving tech industry, many startups believe they can challenge the well-established giants by offering similar products with minor tweaks. However, this approach is fundamentally flawed. Companies like Amazon and Microsoft will absorb a few of these new competitors, while many others will simply disappear. The driving for…

#280: Policy as Code is not just a trend but a critical practice for cloud-native success. It ensures automation, consistency, version control, auditability, security, and flexibility. By adopting policies as code, organizations can effectively manage and enforce policies, leading to improved compliance and faster incident response. In this episode…

#279: One topic continues to emerge in conversations about technology and observability — OpenTelemetry. It's clear that OpenTelemetry has become fundamental in the tech industry. In this episode, we talk with Paschalis Tsilias, a software engineer with Grafana, about Alloy, a vendor-neutral distribution of the OpenTelemetry (OTel) Collector. Pasch…

#278: In today's tech landscape, developers often find themselves caught in the middle of a debate that never seems to age: GUI or CLI? While the tools and interfaces we use may evolve, the core question remains. How do we balance the efficiency and familiarity of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with the raw power and flexibility of command-line i…

#277: Developers are often caught in a challenging position. They are keen to write code, innovate, hack, and build new things. However, when security measures are perceived as long, difficult, and cumbersome tasks, these essential protocols tend to be avoided or improperly implemented. The key is to balance the pursuit of creativity with the need …

#276: In today's fast-paced tech world, one sentiment seems to echo louder than ever: "Don't give me help, give me an API." Whether it's AWS configurations, Kubernetes manifests, or even something as fundamental as setting up a basic S3 bucket, an intuitive, well-designed API can mean the difference between smooth sailing and being lost at sea. Whe…

#275: In the constantly evolving landscape of technology, embracing new methodologies can significantly enhance our system management capabilities. One such methodology that has risen to prominence is GitOps. This practice enhances the declarative nature of infrastructure management, aiming to increase efficiency and reliability. In this episode, w…

#274: When we talk about problems in the tech space, one recurring issue is what we call the "XY problem", where understanding the root cause of a problem is crucial for crafting an effective solution. In this episode, Darin and Viktor explore what the XY problem is, why it happens, and how we can mitigate it to create better outcomes for everyone …

#273: Platform engineering plays a crucial role in modern software delivery. The platform engineering team is responsible for creating a development environment that is both productive and scalable. However, many platform engineers might not be familiar with foundational software design principles, and this can lead to inefficiencies and technical …

#272: Public speaking, especially at conferences, can be a daunting task. The fear of failing, the pressure of performing in front of peers, and the challenges of preparation can make even the most confident individuals second-guess themselves. In this episode, Darin and Viktor offer practical advice for aspiring conference speakers. Today's sponso…

#271: Platform engineering has traditionally centered around technological excellence. From building robust Kubernetes clusters to implementing intricate CI/CD pipelines, the emphasis has been on mastering the technical aspects. However, as the industry matures, there's a growing realization that technological prowess alone isn't enough. In this ep…

#270: In the ever-evolving world of software development, getting a new machine up and running can be an time consuming process. The journey from unboxing to being fully operational has undergone significant transformations over the years, with each phase offering its own solutions and challenges. In this episode, Darin and Viktor talk about their …

#269: As developers, when we begin writing applications, the focus is often on the code itself. But what if we prioritized the user from the very beginning? This is where human-centered computing comes in. It's about placing the user at the heart of the development process, not merely making assumptions but actually going out and talking to them to…