
The Infra Pod
The Infra Pod brings you insightful and thought-provoking discussions on the world of infrastructure software. This podcast is started by two engineers, Ian Livingstone (tech advisor for Snyk) and Tim Chen (General Partner at Essence VC), team up with a rotating cast of guests to dive deep into the latest trends and hot topics in the software infrastructure space.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 46min
AI needs a browser infra! Chat with Paul from Browserbase
Paul Klein, CEO of BrowserBase and a former founder of Stream Club, shares his insights on the cutting-edge world of browser automation. He discusses the challenges of managing headless browsers and explores the integration of AI into web technologies. From the evolving landscape of AI agents to the future of CAPTCHAs in an AI-driven environment, the conversation dives deep into how these advancements can enhance developers' experiences and reshape human interactions with the web. It's a fascinating glimpse into the future of internet infrastructure!

Apr 7, 2025 • 39min
Building a serverless full-text + vector search on S3! Chat with Simon from Turbopuffer
Join a fascinating conversation with a tech CEO who transitioned from scaling Shopify to creating an ultra-fast vector search engine. Discover the challenges posed by traditional databases like Postgres, and how building on object storage is changing the game. The talk dives into TurboPuffer's unique trade-offs, including the delicate balance of consistency and write latency. Plus, get insights on the Bring Your Own Cloud concept and the future of serverless solutions in database management. It's a tech lover's dream!

Mar 24, 2025 • 41min
Infra to talk to your AI in real-time (Chat with Russ from Livekit)
In this engaging episode of the Infra Pod, Tim and Ian dives deep into the world of real-time audio and video infrastructure with Russ D'sa, CEO of Livekit. Russ shares the story of how Livekit evolved from an open-source project into a company and discusses the challenges it tackles, including scaling real-time communication, building AI infrastructure, and the future of human-computer interaction. They also explore LiveKit's role in transforming various industries, from customer support to robotics and AI-powered applications.00:22 The Origin and Evolution of LiveKit02:47 Challenges in Real-Time Audio and Video06:18 LiveKit's Impact and Use Cases18:52 AI and Real-Time Infrastructure29:43 Future of Human-Computer Interaction

4 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 45min
AI agents is on the rise with the crew! Chat with Joao (CEO of Crew AI)
The conversation dives into the rise of AI agents and their transformative impact on automation. Joao shares his personal journey in founding Crew AI and how a passion for open-source innovation has shaped the company's evolution. The hosts explore multi-agent systems and their potential to optimize tasks through collaboration. They also tackle the future of web development in an AI-driven world and discuss the balance between automation and human oversight, highlighting the spicy implications for data privacy and enterprise adoption.

21 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 40min
What is Platform Engineering? Chat with Ian Nowland
Ian Nowland, a platform engineering expert and co-founder of Junction Labs, shares insights from his remarkable journey through Amazon and Datadog. He delves into the evolution of platform engineering and its differences from traditional IT roles. Ian discusses the challenges of multi-cluster Kubernetes networking and the need for simplified service discovery. He also critiques the future of Kubernetes, suggesting higher-level abstractions, and emphasizes the importance of dynamic configuration in enhancing application functionality. Tune in for expert strategies and innovation!

Feb 10, 2025 • 37min
The Materialized View infra influencer is back again! Chat with Chris Riccomini
In this episode of 'The Infra Pod,' Tim and Ian delve into a deep, insightful conversation with a special guest, Chris
Chris Riccomini. As an acclaimed author and inventive mind in the realm of infrastructure, Chris shares his spicy takes on durable execution, BYOC, and modern infrastructure trends. They also discuss the evolving roles of analytics engineers, data pipelines, and the complex web of modern application architecture.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:52 BYOC and Security Perspectives
03:04 Confluent, Warpstream, and Future Insights
17:06 Challenges in Building BYOC Infrastructure
17:25 Waves in Current Infrastructure Trends
23:21 Challenges & Usability of Distributed Architectures
30:01 Final Thoughts and Spicy Takes on Analytics Engineers

27 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 47min
How to invest in infrastructure companies since inception stage? Chat with Elliot at Boldstart VC
Elliot Durbin, General Partner at Bold Start Ventures, specializes in inception-stage investing for technical founders tackling infrastructure issues. He discusses the evolution of venture capital and the importance of empathy and adaptability in successful founders. Key topics include navigating premature scaling pitfalls and market dynamics. Elliot also explores how AI is transforming enterprise software, emphasizing the need for agility and innovation among startups. His insights shed light on the complexities of funding and strategic thinking in today's evolving landscape.

Jan 13, 2025 • 42min
Why do we need a cloud native data lake for geospatial data? Chat with cofounders of Earthmover (Ryan and Joe)
Future of Data in Climate and Earth Sciences
In this episode of The Infra Pod, Tim and Ian sat down with the cofounders of Earthmover Ryan and Joe to discuss the cloud native multi-dimensional data lake they're building for climate and geospatial data. They delve into the role of advanced data handling methods, multidimensional array data, the impact of cloud-native technologies, and how these influence various sectors ranging from insurance to environmental resilience.
00:00 Introduction
00:09 Excitement for Earthmover
00:44 Ryan's Background
03:46 Joe's Involvement
07:54 Definition and Value of Earth Science Data
10:08 Industry Applications
14:37 Challenges and Traditional Methods
19:19 Cloud-Native Solutions
27:09 Data Management in the Cloud
35:05 Spicy Future!
40:46 Contact and Conclusion

Dec 31, 2024 • 40min
Let's review our favorite infra hot takes in 2024!
Ian and Tim this time around sat down and talk about their learnings interviewing the great guests we had on this podcast, and picked our favorite moments and learnings.
And of course, our own spicy hot takes for 2025!

Dec 30, 2024 • 41min
Navigating the Future of API Development with AI! Chat with Speakeasy CEO Sagar Batchu
In this episode of The Infra Pod, Tim and Ian sat down with with Sagar Batchu (CEO of Speakeasy) about APIs and software development. Sagar shares his journey in creating Speakeasy, challenges in API development, market trends, and his unique perspective on the future of QA in the context of rapidly advancing AI technology.
A must-listen for anyone involved in the tech and developer tools / API space!
00:00 Introduction
00:16 Guest Introduction: Sagar Batchu
00:22 Founding Speakeasy
01:36 Insights and Catalyst for Building APIs
02:02 Challenges in API Development
03:57 Who Needs to Build an API?
07:09 Speakeasy's Unique API Product
12:11 Customer Journeys and Learnings
18:00 API Design Principles and Success
28:08 Spicy Future: QA's Resurgence
36:22 AI's Impact on APIs
38:33 Closure and Contacts
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