Big Ideas in App Architecture

In this episode, David sits down with Peter Mattis, co-founder, CTO, and CPO of Cockroach Labs, to dive into the world of resilient databases, the evolution of AI in tech, and the journey of building a company that’s transforming how engineers approach scalability and performance. Peter shares insights from Cockroach Labs’ mission to create CockroachDB, a distributed SQL database designed to be virtually unbreakable and easily scalable in the cloud.Join us as we discuss:Peter’s personal journey in the tech industry and the founding of Cockroach LabsHow CockroachDB is pushing the limits of resilience, scalability, and performanceThe transformative impact of AI on engineering workflows and productivity, and how it will reshape industries like medicine, education, and daily lifeThe importance of embracing AI in the workplace and developing AI literacy among employees

In this episode, David sits down with Joe Duffy, CEO of Pulumi, to explore the revolutionary changes in cloud infrastructure and the power of Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Pulumi is redefining how developers and organizations manage cloud resources by enabling them to use familiar programming languages for scalable, efficient infrastructure management.Join us as we discuss:The evolution of cloud infrastructure and how IaC is transforming engineering workflows.How Pulumi simplifies cloud management by bridging the gap between developers and operations.The impact of AI on infrastructure automation and the future of cloud computing.The challenges organizations face in scaling their cloud environments and how Pulumi helps overcome them.

Connectivity has become as essential as power and water—without it, our modern world would grind to a halt.In this episode, David sits down with Anand Bajaj, Chief Architect at Ericsson, to explore the revolutionary shifts taking place with 5G technology. Anand breaks down the evolution from wired networks to the unparalleled flexibility of 5G, highlighting the power of network slicing in creating tailored, high-performance connections. From his early days coding in India to leading groundbreaking projects at Ericsson, Anand argues that connectivity is just as vital as our basic utilities. This conversation unveils how mobile technology powers the on-demand services we take for granted today, driving a transformative revolution in our world.Join us as we discuss:How 5G enables scalable networks and the role of automation in managing complexity.Why the shift to virtualized networks and cloud-native design can be better for scalability and recovery.The convergence of telecom and IT, leading to flexible, hybrid infrastructures without vendor lock-in.

What does it take to build systems that thrive in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape?In this episode, we talk with Jim Hatcher, Solutions Engineer at Cockroach Labs, about the future of application architecture. From cloud commitments and database optimization to the transformative role of AI, Jim shares expert insights into building resilient, scalable systems. We explore the shift to cloud-native architectures, containerization, and how CockroachDB delivers unmatched reliability for mission-critical operations.Join us as we discuss:Breaking free from vendor lock-in with cloud portability for greater flexibility.Revolutionizing database management with AI and NVIDIA’s Jetson Nano.Ensuring high availability for essential applications in industries like finance and e-commerce.

Ari Levigny, a Senior Cloud Solutions Architect at GitHub, shares his passion for enhancing developer productivity using cloud solutions and AI tools like GitHub Copilot. The discussion dives into the importance of effective cloud solutions for security and data protection, as well as GitHub's evolution and innovative milestones. Ari highlights how GitHub Copilot revolutionizes coding efficiency and emphasizes the need for strategic planning during cloud transitions. The conversation is sprinkled with personal insights and future possibilities in software development.

Ever wondered how cloud architecture works in the public sector? In this episode, David Joy is joined by Nik Mayer, Principal Cloud Architect at Maximus, a company that partners with state, federal and local governments to provide critical health and human service programs. Nick discusses his journey into cloud architecture, emphasizing the impact of public cloud on innovation and accessibility. He also highlights the key differences between private and public sector cloud strategies, focusing on the heightened security and compliance requirements of government agencies.Key takeaways from the episode include:The importance of cloud computing in the public sectorThe challenges of migrating legacy systems to the cloudThe importance of balancing cost optimization with performance in federal cloud deploymentsThe value of continuous learning and diverse experiences in staying current with the rapidly evolving tech landscape

This week, David is joined by Dom Scandinaro, CTO at Cameo, the platform that allows users to send personalized videos from celebrities and creators. Scandinaro gives an in-depth overview of Cameo’s rapid growth from a simple idea into a robust and deeply personalized fan experience platform with the digital infrastructure to match. Join us as we discuss:How Cameo’s tech stack has evolved as the company expands globallyWhy leaders need to have an in-depth understanding of their team’s abilities and limitationsHow Cameo is harnessing Generative AI for new products and platform features.

In this episode, our host David Joy speaks with Samarth Shah, Senior Network Architect at Equifax to learn about the steps they took to modernize from the mainframe to the cloud, as well as the impact AI has on the industry.Join as we also discuss:The limitations of the mainframe and what enterprises need to consider when moving towards a cloud architecture.How to address modern security challenges including IAM controls, network segmentation, and DDoS protection.Innovative use cases for generative AI in network security, including how to automate defensive actions during cyber incidents.

In this episode, we dive into the heart of cloud architecture, disaster recovery, observability, and more with OneStream’s Senior VP of Cloud Architecture, Ryan Berry. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or finance professional, this episode offers indispensable knowledge on navigating modern cloud landscapes and optimizing financial software solutions.Join as we discuss:The importance of learning new cloud patterns for cost-effectiveness and higher migration success.The intricacies of scaling infrastructure, particularly during high-demand scenarios such as month-end and quarterly financial modeling.What companies need to consider when adopting the cloud.

In this episode, David is joined by Head of Product Engineering and Chief Architect at Altimetrik, Ignacio Segovia.  From revolutionizing product engineering to harnessing the power of cloud technologies, Ignacio breaks down the themes of digital transformation in today's rapidly evolving landscape, and how Altimetrik fosters cultural alignment and innovation on their engineering teams.Join as we discuss:How Altimetrik approaches modernization and product engineering efforts across industries including financial services, payments, and more.The importance of user satisfaction and how it drives technical decision-making across every architectural layer.Insights into building high-performance teams, including Ignacio’s hiring principles and interview questions