TestGuild Devops Toolchain Podcast

In this episode of the DevOps Toolchain podcast, host Joe Colantonio chats with Derek Ferguson, the Chief Software Officer at Fitch, about the dynamic world of DevOps transformation. They explore the intersection of technology and strategy, emphasizing how to navigate regulatory landscapes while fostering innovation. Derek shares insights from his diverse career, from his early days in the tech industry to leading the creation of the ESG-focused Sustainable Fitch platform. Tune in to discover Derek's perspective on marrying traditional financial metrics with environmental data, the evolving role of AI in development and production, and adopting new tools like Terraform to create seamless DevOps pipelines. Try out Insight Hub free for 14 days now: https://testguild.me/insighthub. No credit card required.

Today, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of API security with our special guest, Jeremy Snyder. Checkout SmartBear Insight Hub: https://testguild.me/insighthub Jeremy is the founder and CEO of Firetail.io and an expert in cloud security, API security, and much more. With his extensive experience working for a primary cloud provider and his passion for cybersecurity, Jeremy shares his insights into the challenges and risks associated with APIs. In this episode, Jeremy discusses the "API Vector" concept, the vulnerabilities present in in-house microservices, and how modern AI can complicate and enhance cybersecurity efforts. Stay tuned as we explore these critical topics and learn practical DevOps techniques to help secure your APIs in today's fast-evolving tech landscape. If you want to bolster your knowledge and defenses around API security, this episode is a must-listen!

Today, listen in and discover how Google transformed its developer experience to deliver features at lightning speed. Hugo Santos, the founder and CEO of Namespace Labs, previously helped build Google's microservices platform that powers essential tools like search, photos, and Google Assistant. He shares insights from his extensive experience at Google, offering a glimpse into innovative strategies and technologies that continue to shape developer workflows. From discussing the intricacies of Google’s internal platforms to his new venture at Namespace Labs, this episode promises a deep dive into improving developer efficiency and collaboration. Tune in to discover how these advancements may influence your own DevOps practices! Try out Insight Hub free for 14 days now: https://testguild.me/insighthub. No credit card required.

In this episode of the DevOps Toolchain podcast, host Joe Colantonio welcomes Keri Olson, Vice President of Product Management, AI for Code at IBM. Try SmartBear Insight Hub: https://testguild.me/insighthub Keri, an expert in AI-powered software development solutions, shares insights on the transformative impact of generative AI in various business functions, particularly in software development and IT processes. Discover how IBM's Watson X platform, designed to build and deploy generative AI across enterprises, is revolutionizing application modernization, especially for legacy systems like mainframes. Listen in as Keri explains the unique features of Watson xCode Assistant and how it's enabling businesses to streamline their software development lifecycle. Whether you're curious about deploying AI for code or understanding the future of AI in DevOps, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice.

In this episode, our expert guest, Tim Beattie, will help us discover the intricacies of effective DevOps culture and practices. As the CEO and co-founder of Stellafai, Tim draws on over twenty years of industry experience and his comprehensive understanding of blending agile, lean, and intent-based leadership. He shares insightful stories from his journey, from his serendipitous introduction to DevOps practices in a smaller consulting firm to his impactful tenure as the global head of products for Red Hat Open Initiative Labs. Emphasizing the critical intertwining of people, process, and technology, Tim reveals how these elements, when harmonized, can drive meaningful, high-performing outcomes. We also explore the role of metrics, continuous learning, and the mindful use of AI as enablers of DevOps success. Whether you're new to DevOps or looking to refine your team's approach, this episode offers actionable insights to help transform your practices and outcomes. Join us as we unlock the potential for innovation and collaborative success in your DevOps journey.

In this episode of the DevOps Toolchain Podcast, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Richmond Alake, a developer advocate at MongoDB and an AI/ML practitioner with a strong background in computer vision, robotics, and machine learning. With years of experience in software development, Richmond has authored over 200 technical articles and taught numerous AI/ML courses. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of AI, machine learning, and multimodal AI, discussing how MongoDB shapes the future of AI-powered applications. Richmond shares insights on how vector embeddings, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and agentic systems transform data storage and retrieval for AI-driven development. They also explore the impact of generative AI, the rise of multimodal AI, and how MongoDB serves as the memory provider for intelligent systems. If you're a developer looking to build AI-powered applications efficiently, streamline your data management, or understand where AI is headed next, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 🌟 Try Insight Hub free for 14 days now 👉 testguild.me/insighthub ⏳ No credit card required!

In this episode of the DevOps Toolchain podcast, host Joe Colantonio interviews Will Blackburn, co-founder of DevClarity, about AI in software development. Will shares his journey from being a CTO at a financial technology startup to founding DevClarity, an AI-powered tool aimed at making engineering managers more effective. Together, they discuss the transformative potential of AI tools like Copilot and Cursor, the impact of AI on junior versus senior developers, and how organizations can embrace AI to boost productivity while maintaining code quality. Will offers practical advice on how development leaders can navigate AI's intricacies, establish best practices for their teams, and leverage AI as a learning tool rather than a replacement. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a CTO planning your roadmap, tune in to gain valuable insights on preparing for the AI-driven future of software development. For more details on this DevOps Toolchain podcast, click here! 🎧 https://testguild.com/podcast/performance/p175-will/

Today, we're diving deep into how you can leverage GenAI to accelerate cloud migrations with our special guest, Alex Kearns from Ubertas Consulting. As an AWS ambassador and cloud expert, Alex shares his insights on leveraging generative AI to help with cloud migrations, enhance security, and extend customer relationships. We explore AI's role in modernizing deprecated software, automating system analysis, and the ethical considerations surrounding this powerful technology. We'll also touch on practical case studies and emerging trends, like the use of multi-agent workflows and the future of prompts as intellectual property. Whether facing challenges in project estimations or looking to integrate AI into your CICD pipelines, this episode is packed with actionable techniques and tools for enhancing performance and reliability in your DevOps journey.  

Today, we're exploring a topic that's becoming more important because it poses new security challenges: the rapid adoption of AI and the cybersecurity threats it brings. Our special guest is Mateo Rojas Carulla, an AI expert, chief scientist, and founder of Lakera. With an impressive background that spans Meta and Google and a journey from finance to AI, Mateo is a leading voice in the AI-first product revolution. We delve into how industries, even those heavily regulated like healthcare and finance, are increasingly integrating AI into their core strategies. Mateo will shed light on the unique security concerns that large language models (LLMs) introduce, including real-world examples of prompt injection attacks and the innovative defenses being developed, such as Black Arrow Guard. Additionally, we discuss the role of AI in testing AI, the fascinating AI security game 'Gandalf, and how these evolving dynamics necessitate a fundamental reevaluation of our security frameworks. Whether you're curious about AI's implications for productivity, the future of cybersecurity, or actionable advice for integrating AI-specific vulnerabilities into your security practices, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.  

Today's episode delves into the journey of transitioning from an individual contributor to an engineering leader. Our guest, Evan Niedojadlo, shares invaluable insights from his rich experience, beginning at a consulting firm and eventually breaking into the tech industry. Register for AutomationGuild 25 to see Evan's session: https://testguild.com/ag-2025/ As someone who has navigated various roles, Evan offers practical advice for those considering leadership positions, emphasizing the importance of resources. He discusses the delicate balance between maintaining technical skills and embracing management responsibilities, sharing his personal routines and favorite learning tools. Throughout our conversation, we delve into career path considerations, financial progression, and the potential fear of skill erosion when stepping into management. Drawing from his experiences with high-tier engineers and industry dynamics at companies like Meta and Google, Evan discusses the flexible and diverse career landscapes within tech. We also explore the benefits and challenges of using AI and chatbots in management processes and touch upon the macroeconomic factors influencing tech industry hiring. For those looking to transition to (or excel in) leadership roles, Evan's journey is packed with lessons on effective communication, stakeholder management, and personal growth. Listen up!