DevOps Diaries
Jack McCurdy
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Top 10 DevOps Diaries Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best DevOps Diaries episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to DevOps Diaries for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite DevOps Diaries episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
09/05/24 • 35 min
Steve Fouracre is the founder of Self Evolving Software (SES), and Head of Salesforce Delivery at Metacube. Steve started his career in the Salesforce ecosystem as a Salesforce Developer, and grew to managing Salesforce development teams for some of the largest businesses in the UK.
In this episode, Steve and Jack dive deep into the merits of using artificial intelligence to support Salesforce development. Steve's company SES provides a way to introduce AI into the development process in an impactful way — Steve shares what that means, and where in the software development lifecycle AI can have a positive and transformative effect.
Steve shares how we can make AI more useful for gathering requirements, as well as how the ability for AI to generate code is going to change the way that developers work. While it's easy to overlook the human aspect of this process, Jack and Steve discuss how people can make the biggest difference in the successful adoption and impact of AI.
Learn more:
- Where to find Gearset at Dreamforce
- How to automate your Salesforce tests
- Transform your AI enterprise with enterprise DevOps
- Connect with Steve
About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.
Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq
About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.
Chapters:
00:00 Opportunities and considerations of using AI in Salesforce development
08:48 Streamlining the software Delivery lifecycle with AI
11:16 The role of human collaboration in AI development
27:17 The impact of AI on developers' careers
31:40 The future of AI products in the Salesforce ecosystem
06/02/23 • 37 min
Grant Mangum and Deepak Veera are Salesforce Consultants at consulting company, Cloud Giants. Between them they have 14 years’ consulting experience, and have spent the last 4 specializing in CPQ implementations. They bring to the table tangible real-world experience and understanding of the nuances of a product rising rapidly in popularity.
In this episode we discover in-depth what CPQ is, and some of the challenges of working with it as part of your DevOps process. Jack, Grant, and Deepak chat about the particularities of building CPQ, ghost quotes, and the 3 key things that form the backbone of a great CPQ delivery process.
Grant and Deepak also share their thoughts on the differences of working with config data vs. metadata, and how important it is to have a testing process that is robust to be successful. Listen to the end to find out their recommendations on where you can learn more about CPQ, as well as what makes Gearset’s CPQ product awesome.
Useful Links based on key themes in this episode:
- How Cloud Giants use Gearset for CPQ to halve their Salesforce CPQ migration times
- A how to guide for intuitive Salesforce CPQ deployments
- Free whitepaper: Salesforce CPQ deployments
- Compare and deploy complex Salesforce CPQ configurations with Gearset
- Milo Massimo
- Cloud Giants Ask an Expert
Connect with Deepak Veera
LinkedIn
Connect with Grant Mangum
LinkedIn
Connect with Jack
LinkedIn
X/Twitter
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.
Eric Dreshfield is a veteran of the Salesforce sphere. Spanning 15 years, Eric has held a number of roles across organizations that have shaped him into one of the most thoughtful, engaging personalities that you’ll find when you’re out and about in the Salesforce ecosystem. The work that he does has transcended the community, and he is credited with founding the first “Dreamin’” Salesforce event.
In this episode, Eric talks to Jack about the origins of Salesforce community conferences, and why they’re so important for the ecosystem as a whole, as well as for every single individual, regardless of role. They chat about how to get the most out of attending a professional conference, and what you need to know heading in so you’re in safe hands (which you always are at a “dreamin’” event!).
Jack and Eric also talk about the importance of advocacy, how to leverage your personal brand to build your career, and how simple it is to get started once we remove expectations. This episode really is a testament to humble beginnings and what might grow with a little bit of time, initiative, and passion!
Useful links based on key themes from this episode:
An interview with DevOps Advocate Rob Cowell
Forcelandia 2023: Unpacking the code, unveiling the magic
TrailblazerDX: First time tips for a terrific time!
Lessons learned from not being prepared for Dreamforce
How to improve performance with collaboration
Connect with Eric
LinkedIn
X/Twitter
Connect with Jack
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.
04/03/25 • 38 min
From his early days in the Salesforce ecosystem to becoming a driving force behind Okta’s DevOps strategy, Varun shares candid insights and hard-won lessons.
Jack McCurdy sits down with Varun Kavoori, Principal Salesforce DevOps Engineer at Okta, for a deep dive into his career journey and the evolving world of Salesforce DevOps.
Jack and Varun explore how Okta approaches release management, the power of flexible DevOps practices, and why setting strong guardrails is key to compliance and scale.
Varun lifts the lid on the tools and tactics that keep his team running smoothly, especially on high-stakes release days, and looks ahead to the growing role of AI in the DevOps space.
Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce engineer or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and fresh perspectives.
About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2
Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq
About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Varun Kavoori and His Journey
03:06 Understanding the Role of DevOps in Salesforce
06:08 Release Management at Okta
08:55 Building a Flexible DevOps Process
11:54 Guardrails and Compliance in Releases
15:00 Scaling the Team and Managing Growth
18:02 Challenges with Metadata and Deployment
20:54 Release Day Process and Code Freeze
23:51 Tools and Techniques for DevOps Success
26:53 Future of DevOps and AI Integration
29:53 Excitement for Salesforce Innovations
03/08/24 • 40 min
Jeremy Foster is a software engineer by trade, and now Manager of Salesforce Development at Pilot Company. Jeremy and his team have been on a DevOps transformation for 5 years, and he’s joined Jack on DevOps Diaries to tell us about the journey.
Jeremy articulately weaves through his own personal journey, and that of his team. Jeremy’s motto is “always be learning”, whoever you are, and that shines through in this episode.
Jack and Jeremy discuss the transition from change sets, adopting bespoke DevOps tooling to help streamline their process. From there, he tells the tale of adopting version control and CI practices that have transitioned into full development pipelines, and how Salesforce community events play a pivotal role in learning.
Pilot work closely with a number of system integrators. Jeremy also explores what it takes to work effectively with Salesforce consulting teams, and how to get the most out of your working relationships with them.
Useful links based on key themes from this episode:
Live in-person and virtual events for Salesforce DevOps
DevOps advice for consultants
How to manage your whole Salesforce pipeline
Where to learn Salesforce DevOps
Trailhead for Salesforce
Connect with Jeremy
LinkedIn
Connect with Jack
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.
054 — Chris Starleaf: Get to grips with data governance!
DevOps Diaries
04/17/25 • 47 min
Think database skills are dead in the Salesforce era? Think again.
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy talks to Chris Starleaf of Zinc Partners, who argues they're more relevant than ever. Listen in as Chris shares insights from his Salesforce journey, exploring why tech pros need sales skills, the crucial balance between quick wins and long-term strategy, and the vital role of data governance.
They tackle the generalist vs. specialist debate and discuss how strong leadership and team development drive success.
Want to build better data strategies and lead more effectively in the Salesforce ecosystem? Don't miss this episode!
About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2
Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq
About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chris Starleaf and His Journey
03:02 The Relevance of Database Management in Salesforce
06:00 Sales Skills for Tech Professionals
09:12 Understanding Different Roles in Salesforce
11:52 Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Success
14:59 The Importance of Data Governance
18:09 The Role of Generalists vs. Specialists
20:58 Fostering Pride in Data Management
23:55 Building a Data Governance Strategy
27:03 Team Leadership and Development
29:53 Creating Efficient Processes
33:13 Navigating the Salesforce Ecosystem
36:08 Conclusion and Contact Information
028 — Joy Shutters-Helbing: Parenting and Salesforce consulting aren't all that different!
DevOps Diaries
04/04/24 • 39 min
Joy Shutters-Helbing is a Senior Manager at CapTech Consulting. She is also a wonderful mom! In this episode Jack and Joy consider where life and work intersect and how the skills we develop in our personal lives are applied to our profession.
If you like analogies then this is the episode for you. Hot Wheels, Lego, cars, rocket ships, and flying carrots all have their place here! Filled with laughter from the start, Jack and Joy discuss the bigger picture.
Nothing is off limits. Joy speaks to her experience with the Salesforce platform and how that’s tied back to what she’s learnt as a parent. She discusses everything from user management, to stakeholder relationships, to the continually changing capabilities of Salesforce. Joy also shares the importance of the Salesforce and Chicago community, and how it’s played a big part in her success.
Useful links based on key themes from this episode:
Attend DevOps Dreamin’ and meet Joy & Jack!
How Gearset helps Salesforce consultancies
The top priorities for Salesforce teams this year
How to improve team collaboration with DevOps
Connect with Joy
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Connect with Jack
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset, the complete Salesforce DevOps platform. Try Gearset free for 30 days.
037 — Kevin Boyle: Growing Gearset, the CEO's Story!
DevOps Diaries
08/08/24 • 45 min
Kevin Boyle, CEO of Gearset, joins Jack on this episode of DevOps Diaries. Kevin’s career has taken him from software engineering intern at Microsoft, to leading one of the most successful Salesforce ISV’s as CEO. His background gives him a unique approach to running a business, with a foundation of great software engineering and product strategy.
Kevin & Jack discuss the origin story of Gearset and how it has grown over the years. They also talk about the intricate challenges of implementing DevOps practices in the Salesforce ecosystem and how Gearset has developed features to address those challenges.
Kevin emphasizes the importance of understanding the users' needs and continuously iterating, one of the core principles of DevOps itself, to improve the Gearset platform. He also shares his experience transitioning from a software engineer to a CEO and applying software engineering principles to other areas of business.
Kevin discusses the importance of continuous iteration and feedback in product development. He shares how the onboarding process at Gearset empowers employees to develop this mindset.
Kevin is passionate about the value of equipping Salesforce teams with the right tools to be successful in their jobs. He talks about some of the proud moments he’s had as CEO — expressing gratitude for the team and the positive feedback from customers.
Learn more:
Gearset revolutionizes Salesforce DevOps with new features
Manage long term projects in your CI/CD pipeline
Why DevOps toolchains need purpose build solutions
Five ways to improve your Salesforce DevOps strategy
About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube and your preferred podcast platform.
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.
Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel.
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/gearset
Facebook: https://facebook.com/gearsethq
About Gearset:
We launched Gearset when we saw how lackluster DevOps was preventing teams from taking full advantage of Salesforce. We’d experienced first-hand how Salesforce allowed anyone to become a Trailblazer and build amazing apps, but then left you stranded, with only change sets or complex command lines to get your work to users. Gearset makes DevOps on Salesforce as simple as everything else on Salesforce. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.
049 — Ian Gotts & Jack Lavous: We did it! Practical advice for implementing Agentforce
DevOps Diaries
02/06/25 • 54 min
Jack McCurdy is joined by Ian Gotts and Jack Lavous from Elements.cloud to discuss the transformative impact of Agentforce within the Salesforce ecosystem.
In this episode we explore how Elements.cloud implemented Agentforce internally, emphasizing the importance of well-defined business processes and the role of business analysis in building effective agents. The conversation delves into the Job to Be Done framework, the challenges organizations face in adopting agents, and the necessity of documentation and structured approaches to ensure success.
Jack Lavous offers insights into the actual build process of agents and the importance of making documentation AI-ready, how to use prompt templates, data cloud strategies, and deployment using Gearset.
They also discuss the significance of internal trust and the return on investment from implementing AI agents, while also expressing excitement for the future of AI technology in business.
Learn more:
Deploy Agentforce with Gearset
- What is Agentforce?
- How to effectively document Salesforce processes
About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.
Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq
About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agentforce and Its Impact
01:47 Elements Cloud's Implementation Journey
06:00 Understanding Topics and Their Importance
09:59 The Role of Business Analysis in Building Agents
13:56 Applying the Job to Be Done Framework
17:54 Challenges in Building Agents and Organizational Readiness
22:00 Starting the Fix: Documentation and Business Processes
25:57 The Implementation Process of Agents
28:14 Understanding AI Language and Communication
33:10 The Learning Curve of AI Agents
35:47 Designing Effective Prompt Templates
37:57 The Role of Data Cloud in AI Implementation
43:11 Return on Investment and Internal Trust
51:06 Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Agents
02/20/25 • 52 min
Wade Wegner was a key member of the team that helped reshape the developer landscape at Salesforce. In his conversation with Jack, Wade recounts his journey from navigating the once-dreaded development platform, to spearheading groundbreaking initiatives which we now know as SalesforceDX.
He explains how the introduction of Scratch Orgs and a strategic shift to VS Code revolutionized the developer experience, transforming complex challenges into agile, collaborative opportunities.Wade breaks down the evolution of key projects, from Project Janus laying the groundwork, to early concepts like DevOps Center and Code Builder, that set the stage for today’s fast-paced development environment.
He also shares insights on the critical role of ISVs, the importance of strategic planning and team alignment, and the delicate balance between core features and new technologies. With his deep consulting background and a passion for collaboration, Wade reveals how building trust and strong relationships with engineering peers is essential to delivering real value and solving complex problems in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Tune in for an engaging discussion packed with real-world lessons on innovation, teamwork, and the transformative power of a forward-thinking approach to product development.
Learn more:
- Gearset for SalesforceDX teams
- SalesforceDX whitepaper
- Gearset's Agentforce deployment solution
About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats to members of the Salesforce community about their experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. Expect to hear and learn from inspirational stories of personal growth and business success, whilst discovering all the trials, tribulations, and joy that comes with delivering Salesforce for companies of all shapes and sizes. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.
Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.
Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Wade Wagner and SalesforceDX
03:04 The Evolution of Salesforce Developer Experience
05:52 Wade's Transition from Microsoft to Salesforce
08:55 The Birth of SalesforceDX and Project Janus
11:54 Building a Cohesive Product Suite
14:47 The Role of ISVs in Salesforce's Success
17:54 Innovations in Developer Tools and Practices
25:48 Revolutionizing Salesforce Interaction
27:09 The Developer Experience and Salesforce DX
28:22 Building the CLI: A Game Changer
30:53 Transitioning to VS Code: A Strategic Move
33:24 The Evolution of DevOps Center
34:43 Challenges in Innovation and Development
36:54 Understanding Packaging and Its Complexity
39:23 Navigating Change in Salesforce's Focus
41:58 The Importance of Trust in AI Agents
44:40 Lessons Learned from Salesforce Experience
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FAQ
How many episodes does DevOps Diaries have?
DevOps Diaries currently has 54 episodes available.
What topics does DevOps Diaries cover?
The podcast is about Devops, Podcasts and Technology.
What is the most popular episode on DevOps Diaries?
The episode title '025 — Rob Cowell: The journey from developer, to architect, to published author! Find your niche' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on DevOps Diaries?
The average episode length on DevOps Diaries is 42 minutes.
How often are episodes of DevOps Diaries released?
Episodes of DevOps Diaries are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of DevOps Diaries?
The first episode of DevOps Diaries was released on Nov 29, 2022.
Show more FAQ
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