Platform Engineering Podcast

Peter O’Connor, the Director of Platform Engineering at Stack Overflow, shares insights on the company’s shift from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. He discusses the balance between technical challenges and team dynamics during this monumental transition. O’Connor highlights the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and overcoming resistance to cloud-native services. With anecdotes from his educational background, he emphasizes collaboration and communication in advancing DevOps and platform engineering, while addressing the role of AI in this evolving landscape.

Want your work to mean more?In this inspiring episode of the Platform Engineering Podcast, we welcome Grace Huntley, Director of Engineering for DevOps, InfoSec, and Safety Net Innovation Lab at Code for America. Grace shares her unconventional journey from licensed plumber to civic tech leader, driven by personal experiences and a passion for solving societal challenges through technology. Discover how Code for America is revolutionizing government services, making them more accessible and efficient for those in need. Grace discusses the transition from private sector to civic tech, the challenges of working with government systems, and the exciting potential of AI in improving public services. This episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology, social impact, and the future of civic engagement.Guest:  Grace Huntley, Director of Software Engineering at Code for AmericaGrace Huntley brings over 15 years of leadership experience, showcasing a versatile skill set that spans various levels of management and encompasses projects across the full technology stack and diverse industries. Her journey into the world of technology began professionally at the age of 13 when she devoted after-school hours to assembling XT’s and 286’s in a local computer store, sparking a lifelong passion for computing.Grace’s hands-on experience extends beyond the professional realm. Over the last 15 years, she has navigated the intricate challenges associated with accessing safety-net programs while caring for her daughter, who faces significant medical challenges. This personal experience has deepened her understanding of the importance of technology in addressing real-world issues and shaped her commitment to making a positive impact through her work.Outside the realm of software leadership, Grace is an active contributor to non-profit initiatives. Currently serving on the board of Openhouse SF, an organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and services for the aging LGBT community, she continues to advocate for inclusivity and community support.Beyond her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Grace finds joy in her role as an avid gardener and sustainability enthusiast. Her commitment to both personal and professional growth, combined with a genuine passion for making a difference, defines Grace Huntley’s impactful journey in the realms of technology, community service, and environmental consciousness.Code for America - WebsiteCode for America - XCode for America - InstagramCode for America - LinkedInLinks to interesting things from this episode:Safety Net InformationSupplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)Get CalFreshClear My RecordDirect FileNISTThe Audacious ProjectBlue Meridian Partners

Technical expertise is undoubtedly important when it comes to implementing Platform Engineering but unless you are also paying close attention to the human factor and the cultural aspects of building an effective team it will be much harder to succeed.Cory talks to Morteza Irdmousa, Head of Platform Engineering at Curative, about his experiences in Platform Engineering and DevOps. Join them as they explore the need for a holistic approach that considers both technical and cultural aspects of implementing Platform teams. Gain valuable insights and actionable takeaways as they discuss key issues such as team integration, psychological safety, team engagement, and messaging that truly conveys the business impact of platform engineering work. Guest: Morteza Irdmousa, Head of Platform Engineering at CurativeCurrently head of platform engineering at Curative in health and having served as Director of Engineering in Raytheon focused around platform in the defense space, Morteza Irdmousa considers himself fortunate to learn a lot along the way and to still be learning. MLOps, Data platforms and traditional platform team duties are his current focus areas.CurativeLinks to interesting things from this episode:Kessel RunPlatfrom OneDXRadical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Adrian Cockroft, a trailblazer in cloud computing at Netflix, shares insights on transforming IT infrastructures. He discusses the evolution of DevOps and microservices, emphasizing the need for developer ownership in navigating complex cloud environments. Adrian also tackles the pressing issue of sustainability, revealing the environmental impact of AI workloads and advocating for greener practices. His journey offers valuable lessons for professionals in cloud computing, blending technical expertise with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability.

It’s episode four of the Platform Engineering Podcast’s special series on the Foundations of The Cloud! This time Cory O'Daniel sits down with Brian Grant, the original lead architect of Kubernetes, to dive deep into the history and evolution of Kubernetes in cloud operations. Brian shares his journey from working in supercomputing to joining Google and helping develop Kubernetes. He also provides insights on the importance of Kubernetes' declarative model, managing complexity in cloud native environments, and the extensive impact and future potential of Kubernetes. Tune in to learn more about the intricate details of platform engineering and the revolutionary developments in cloud native infrastructure.Guest: Brian Grant, Original lead architect of Kubernetes and CTO/Co-founder of ConfigHubBrian Grant is a foundational architect and influential voice within the Kubernetes project and the broader cloud-native landscape.Brian Grant - XBrian Grant - GitHubBrian Grant - MediumLinks to interesting things from this episode:"Kubernetes DocumentationDeclarative Application Management in KubernetesKubernetes the Hard Way by Kelsey HightowerKubernetes Milestones and Tasks Checklist

In this third episode of the Platform Engineering Podcast’s special series on the Foundations of The Cloud, host Corey O'Daniel interviews Mitchell Hashimoto, co-founder of HashiCorp and creator of Terraform, Vault, and Nomad. They discuss the intricacies of platform engineering, the history and evolution of Terraform, the advent of infrastructure as code, and the challenges accompanying it. Mitchell also shares insights on his new project, Ghostly, a high-performance terminal emulator, and delves into how generative AI will transform operations engineering. Listen to this episode to get valuable lessons for both industry veterans and newcomers.Guest: Mitchell Hashimoto, Founder of HashiCorp, Creator of Vagrant, Packer, Consul, Terraform, Vault, Nomad, Waypoint, and more.Mitchell Hashimoto is a passionate engineer, professional speaker, and entrepreneur. Mitchell has been creating and contributing to open-source software for almost a decade. He has spoken at dozens of conferences about his work, such as VelocityConf, OSCON, FOSDEM, and more. Mitchell co-founded HashiCorp, where he held multiple roles including CEO and CTO. He left the company in 2023, but he was part of the initial engineering team behind most of their products, such as Vagrant, Packer, Consul, Terraform, Vault, Nomad, Waypoint, and more. Prior to HashiCorp, Mitchell spent five years as a web developer and another four as an operations engineer.Mitchell is also an FAA licensed private pilot with an instrument rating (PPL ASEL IR). He currently flies a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. Aviation overlaps with his passion for programming and he routinely works on aviation software for fun.Mitchell Hashimoto - XMitchell Hashimoto - Personal WebsiteMitchell Hashimoto - GithubGhosttyLinks to interesting things from this episode:HashiCorpPurpose of Terraform StateSystems Resurgent?, speech by Amod Malviya, Systems Distributed Conference 2024

In this second episode of the Platform Engineering Podcast’s special series on the Foundations of The Cloud, Cory O’Daniel meets up with Adam Jacob, co-founder of Chef and System Initiative. They discuss his early interest in infrastructure and automation, the development and impact of Chef in the DevOps community, and his transition to becoming a CEO. The conversation emphasizes the community and technological advancements Chef brought to the industry and introduces the ambitious goals of his current project, System Initiative. Don't miss this insightful conversation—tune in now to discover the future of infrastructure and automation!Guest: Adam Jacob, CEO / Chairman / Co-Founder of System InitiativeAdam is an engineering and product innovator, with decades of experience designing, building, and managing large production systems. Adam previously co-founded Chef Software, was the original author of Chef, served as CTO, and was on the board of directors.Adam Jacob - TwitterAdam Jacob - GithubAdam Jacob - MediumSystem Initiative

In this special episode of the Platform Engineering Podcast on Foundations of The Cloud, Cory O'Daniel chats with Mark Burgess, the creator of CFEngine and a pioneer in configuration management. They dive into Mark's journey from physics to computer science, the birth of CFEngine, and the dynamic world of system administration and DevOps. They also explore the evolution of IT operations, the challenges of managing modern infrastructures, and the future promises of AI and autonomous systems in tech. Join us for an insightful discussion filled with historical anecdotes, practical advice, and visionary ideas for the future of platform engineering.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! http://platformengineeringpod.com/Guest: Mark Burgess, Principal Founder of CFEngineMark Burgess is a theoretician and practitioner in the area of information systems, whose work has focused largely on distributed information infrastructure. He wrote an early popular book on C programming, which is now open and available through the Free Software Foundation. He was an early contributor to the Free Software Foundation in 1993 with CFEngine, which remains GPL. He is known particularly for his work on Configuration Management and Promise Theory. He was the principal Founder of CFEngine, co-founder at Aljabr, and is now the founder of ChiTek-i. He is Emeritus Professor of Network and System Administration from Oslo University College. He is the author of numerous books, articles, and papers on topics from Physics, Networks and Systems, to fiction. He also writes a blog on issues of science and IT industry concerns. Today, he works as an advisor on science and technology matters all over the world.Mark Burgess - WebsiteCFEngineLinks to interesting things from this episode:Computer ImmunologyPromise TheorySmart Spacetime

In this episode of the Platform Engineering Podcast, Cory O’Daniel speaks with Amey Patil, Head of Platform Engineering at Google Ads and Google Analytics. They discuss the evolving landscape of platform engineering, the integration of AI and ML, and the human factors essential for leading successful platform teams. From managing legacy code migrations to fostering a culture of innovation, Amey shares insights and strategies that are vital for both seasoned professionals and newcomers to the field. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and stay ahead in the dynamic world of platform engineering.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://platformengineeringpod.com/Guest: Amey Patil, Head of Platform Engineering at Google Ads and Google AnalyticsAmey is a seasoned technology leader with a proven track record at Google and VMware. He excels in driving innovation and spearheading high-performing engineering teams. Currently serving as the Head of Platform Engineering for Google Ads and Google Analytics, he oversees infrastructure supporting multiple high-revenue products, leading a global team.

Colton Dempsey, a representative from Next47, discusses how startups are revolutionizing platform engineering. He breaks down the five startup categories and their diverse feature sets, stressing effective monetization for open-source projects. Colton also highlights the impact of cloud-native technologies and Kubernetes on investment strategies. Moreover, he addresses challenges faced by startups regarding licensing changes, particularly with HashiCorp, and the crucial role of collaboration within the tech community for driving innovation.