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DevOps Diaries
DevOps Diaries
Author: Jack McCurdy
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© 2025 DevOps Diaries
Description
DevOps Diaries, brought to you by Gearset, is the podcast for Salesforce professionals to hear stories from folks in the Trailblazer ecosystem responsible for delivering awesome Salesforce implementations — the trials, tribulations, and successes. Hosted by Jack McCurdy.
66 Episodes
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Do you actually need a Release Engineer to manage Salesforce DevOps? Ana Moreno joins Jack to share her incredible (and truly accidental) journey from the world of art history to the heart of tech. Before they dive into release management, Jack derails the conversation to hear all about the fascinating world of art fraud, including tales of Man Ray's lost negatives and fake Victorian photographs. Once back on track, Ana pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to manage a comple...
"Data loss" is a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of every Salesforce professional. But what if you could face a data incident with calm and confidence? Jack speaks with Aga Peryie, Senior Product Manager at Gearset, about building a solid data management strategy. They discuss the vital role of understanding customer needs, the challenges of data backup, and why so many teams are vulnerable to simple user errors. This conversation is a masterclass in shifting from anxiety to control...
What’s the most overlooked element in a successful DevOps strategy? According to Salesforce Architect and community leader Raksha Sanganee, it's culture. In this powerful episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy sits down with Raksha to uncover her remarkable journey from a school finance officer to a respected DevOps consultant. She shares the invaluable lessons learned while training over 300 people in Salesforce for free and unpacks her core principles for transforming a team's software de...
In the world of tech, it’s easy to get lost in the code, the pipelines, and the deadlines. But what truly separates a good team from a great one? In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Conlan makes the case that it’s a culture built on trust and continuous improvement. Conlan shares his experience managing a complex Salesforce project management application where the stakes are high. He reveals how his team navigates the strict world of SOX compliance, not as a burden, but as a driver for qualit...
Is your Salesforce org as secure as you think? Many common configurations leave companies vulnerable, but mastering a few core principles can transform your security posture. In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy is joined by Technical Program Manager and Salesforce security author Alice Jessop to demystify the art of protecting your CRM. They cut through the noise to deliver actionable insights for admins, developers, and managers. Alice unpacks the modern challenges of Salesforc...
How does someone with a non-traditional background end up leading Developer Relations for a tech giant like Slack? In this episode, host Jack McCurdy dives deep into the incredible story of Kurt Kemple. Kurt pulls back the curtain on his journey and shares the hard-won lessons that shaped his philosophy on community, collaboration, and creating meaningful tech. He reveals the critical importance of developer enablement and challenges a "build it and they will come" mentality. Get ready for ...
How much has DevOps really changed since the AI boom? Are you truly observing your Salesforce org, or just reacting to fires? When do you pay down technical debt versus pushing for the next big feature? If you're asking these questions, you're not alone. Host Jack McCurdy is joined by DevOps expert Andy Barrick to tackle the tough challenges facing teams today. This practical conversation covers the evolution of the field since 2022, providing actionable advice on implementing proactive obse...
Think you know the path to success in the Salesforce ecosystem? Think again. In this candid conversation, Jack McCurdy and dataimporter's Amy Oplinger-Singh pull back the curtain on the untold truths of a career in tech. From battling imposter syndrome to mastering the art of data management, Amy provides a masterclass in navigating the complexities of the industry. Learn why your network is your most valuable asset and how to find a role that truly aligns with your personal and professional...
In a tech-driven world, human connection is more critical than ever. In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy sits down with Jon Cline to explore the power of a people-first approach in the Salesforce ecosystem and beyond. Discover strategies for navigating high-pressure situations, resolving conflict with emotional intelligence, and turning chaos into compliments. Learn how to foster a culture that attracts and retains top talent by focusing on what truly matters: your people. ...
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy sits down with Dangsenpenan, a Salesforce Analyst at RSPCA. Discover Dangsenpenan's inspiring self-taught journey into the Salesforce world and how he's paying it forward by founding West Africa Dreaming. Learn about the power of accountability, the strength of the global Salesforce Ohana in fostering local talent, and the challenges of event sponsorship. Dangsenpenan also shares insights on engaging the next generation in tech and th...
Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ladder from Salesforce developer to Salesforce architect to Salesforce manager in the complex and fast-paced ecosystem we live in? In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy sits down with Salesforce leader Jessica Riffe to uncover her incredible journey. Get ready for a deep dive into the evolution of Salesforce DevOps, the secrets to impactful documentation, and the real-world challenges (and triumphs!) of growing a high-performing ...
Valerio Chang from Gearset chats to Jack about the evolving landscape of customer support in SaaS companies. Valerio offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Gearset has built a world-class support team, leaning into the importance of truly understanding customer needs and using documentation to elevate user experiences. Valerio delves into the unique challenges of supporting customers in the Salesforce ecosystem, and how the nature of Salesforce DevOps conversations has matured over time. Val...
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 lea...
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 ...
Megan Tuano shares her unique journey into the tech industry, the importance of communication, questions, and the value of empathy in customer service. She discusses her experiences with Salesforce and the significance of building relationships, emphasizing that success comes from being authentic and understanding the human aspect of technology. Megan and Jack also explore various themes surrounding customer service, the journey of content creation on YouTube, the challenges of balancing ca...
How do DORA metrics apply to the unique challenges of Salesforce development? Join Jack McCurdy and Nathan Harvey as they dive into the evolving landscape of software delivery, exploring the intersection of platform engineering, AI, and human performance. They discuss practical strategies for implementing DORA metrics, navigating the shift to agile, and reducing developer burnout. In this episode they uncover how to foster empathy, improve team collaboration, and leverage AI to enhance your...
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 break...
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...
Mitch Spano, Senior Application Engineering Manager at Google, shares his journey in the Salesforce ecosystem and discusses his early experiences with Salesforce, the importance of an engineering mindset, and how to advance your career in tech. He outlines the typical role structures in technology companies, from junior to VP levels, and emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptation to avoid career stagnation. Mitch also shares hard truths about career growth and the importance...
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, host Jack McCurdy welcomes Paul Battisson to discuss his 15-year journey in Salesforce. They explore the importance of saying yes to challenges, the evolution of the Salesforce platform, and the balance between simplicity and complexity. Paul shares insights on innovation, problem-solving, and the significance of good processes and communication in successful project delivery. In this conversation, Paul and Jack discuss the challenges and strategies involv...



