DevOps Paradox

#317: The often-overlooked human impact of AI's rapid advancement is creating unprecedented disruption across industries. Unlike previous technological shifts that affected one profession at a time, AI is poised to disrupt multiple sectors simultaneously, creating unprecedented challenges for workers, companies, and society. This episode covers why junior positions are already being eliminated, how domain knowledge becomes more valuable than coding skills, and why the transition from implementation work to oversight and strategy roles is inevitable. Companies have dramatically less time to adapt than with previous technologies - moving from 10-year adoption cycles for cloud computing to just 1-2 years for AI. While the short-term disruption will be significant, the long-term outlook suggests transformation rather than elimination of jobs, similar to how agricultural mechanization created new opportunities while changing the nature of work. Join Darin and Viktor for a discussion about navigating the biggest technological shift in recent history, with practical insights on preserving human value in an AI-driven workplace and strategies for both individuals and organizations to thrive during this critical transition period.   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#316: In this episode, Darin and Viktor speak with Avery Pennarun, CEO at Tailscale, on the evolving technology landscape, specifically focusing on the challenges and advancements in VPNs and connectivity. Avery discusses the limitations of traditional VPNs, the advantages of Tailscale's unique approach to creating a secure virtual network, and the importance of maintaining a stable computing platform without compromising security. The episode delves into the historical context of networking, the philosophy behind Tailscale, its open-source client software, and detailed discussions on network security, trust issues, and the future of internet connectivity. This episode is a thought-provoking journey through the current state and the aspirational improvements in network technology and security.   Avery's contact information: X: https://x.com/apenwarr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apenwarr/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#315: In this episode, the discussion centers around the critical importance of design over mere code writing in software development. The hosts reflect on their experience with coding tools like Cursor and Claude Code, noting their pros, cons, and the efficiency brought by AI in handling coding chores. They highlight the paradigm shift in developer tasks from writing code to managing and designing projects, comparing it to the role of an author in world-building. The conversation also touches on the potential future of startups leveraging AI to minimize costs, the iterative nature of design, and practical tips for integrating AI into development workflows effectively.   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#314: Geoffrey Huck joins Darin and Viktor to discuss the ins and outs of building a speaking career, starting from small meetups and leading up to major conferences. He shares his personal experiences, tips on overcoming fear of public speaking, and the importance of community engagement in the developer industry. Geoffrey emphasizes the need to keep slides minimal and engaging, and highlights the benefits of starting with small presentations to gradually build confidence. He also explores techniques for initiating conversations, handling stage fright, and continuously improving speaking skills. Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, this episode provides actionable advice for anyone looking to enhance their public speaking abilities.   Geoffrey's contact information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-huck/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#313: In this episode, Darin shares his recent experiences using AI tools Cursor and Claude Code to improve and refactor Jenkins plugins. After receiving a recommendation to try out Cursor for code improvements, he tests it alongside Claude Code, comparing their functionalities and effectiveness. He describes his process and observations, noting that both tools helped identify performance improvements in the code. While Cursor provided quick initial feedback, Claude Code offered a slightly better quality of suggestions but required nudging to get accurate results. Darin also mentions the practicality of integrating these tools with his existing setups and the importance of having issues documented for better management. Moreover, he discusses the benefits of AI-assisted PR descriptions and emphasizes the need for caution when using such tools for proprietary code without corporate approval. Overall, he concludes that transitioning to these advanced AI tools can significantly improve productivity in open-source projects.   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#312: In this episode, the discussion focuses on the complexities and strategic considerations of migrating from VMWare to platforms like KubeVirt and OpenStack. Kevin Jackson, Director of Product Management at Trilio, joins the discussion to share insights on the challenges, benefits, and operational implications of such migrations. Topics include the intricacies of managing virtualization and cloud environments, the potential pitfalls and cost implications, and the importance of understanding existing applications before making a switch. Kevin highlights the significance of thorough research, involving partners, and the concept of lift and shift during migrations. The session also touches on the evolving role of Kubernetes in managing both applications and infrastructure, and the potential for KubeVirt to serve as a transitional technology.   Kevin's contact information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linuxkev/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#311: In this episode, Viktor and Darin delve into the transformative impact of AI on project development. Viktor discusses how AI tools like Claude Code and Taskmaster have significantly reduced the time required for project development, bringing it down from a month to just a few days. They explore the components of AI-driven development, such as LLMs, agents, and MCP servers, and the roles they play. Viktor shares his personal experiences with AI, including the use of Taskmaster for generating comprehensive PRDs, and how tools like memory MCPs have enhanced productivity. They also touch on the practicality and affordability of AI tools, and the transition from traditional programming to AI-assisted development. The discussion provides insights into the future of AI in everyday coding tasks and project management.   Claude Code https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code   Cursor https://cursor.com/   Taskmaster https://www.task-master.dev/   Memory MCP https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers/tree/main/src/memory   OpenRouter https://openrouter.ai/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#310: In this episode, Darin and Viktor sit down with Tim Beattie, co-founder and CEO of Stellafai, to chat about the myths and realities of DevOps and Agile in today's workplaces. They dive into how DevOps and Agile should be seen more as philosophies rather than just titles on a business card. Tim shares his take on why roles like DevOps Engineer can actually create more silos and how the real goal should be about breaking down those barriers. They also talk about the crucial role of leadership in fostering a safe environment where teams can speak up and innovate. With references to aerospace and software industries, they show how adaptive practices are super important for staying relevant.   Tim's contact information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdbeattie/ X: https://x.com/timbeattie   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#309: In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss their personal experiences and insights related to the rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly focused on AI agents like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code. They examine the paradigm shift in development practices due to these technologies, providing a critical evaluation of their effectiveness and efficiency. The conversation delves into the role of agents, how they operate alongside large language models (LLMs), and the intricacies of context management. They also reflect on the challenges and benefits of restarting projects when they veer off course, emphasizing the impact of AI in such scenarios. Additionally, they address the hurdles and considerations for integrating and managing multiple AI tools and agents in a development environment. This episode sets the stage for future discussions on how developers can adapt to and leverage these evolving AI tools effectively.   Gartner Predicts Over 40% of Agentic AI Projects Will Be Canceled by End of 2027 https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-06-25-gartner-predicts-over-40-percent-of-agentic-ai-projects-will-be-canceled-by-end-of-2027   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#308: In this episode, hosts Darin and Viktor are joined by guest Ricardo Castro to delve into the complexities and misconceptions surrounding Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD). The discussion begins with Ricardo's insights from a previous talk on the overestimation of automated systems in CI/CD and transitions into a broader conversation about the true essence of CI/CD practices. Key points include the critical distinctions between CI and CD, the importance of small batch deployments, the role of automation in scaling these processes, and the vital connection between CI/CD and business needs. The episode also touches on the contributions to open source projects and the need for balancing automation with risk management, ultimately questioning whether CI/CD can ever be truly solved.   Ricardo's contact information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccricardo/ X: https://x.com/mccricardo   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#307: In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss a blog post from Fairwinds about Kubernetes in 2025. Key topics include the ongoing rise in Kubernetes and Docker adoption, the future of container use, Kubernetes use cases, developer sentiment towards Kubernetes, and predictions on container management, multi-cloud strategies, and the role of AI in DevOps. They also touch on the importance of resource optimization over purely cost optimization and the expected consolidation of Kubernetes clusters for better efficiency. The discussion offers a perspective on the Fairwinds predictions, with a particular focus on the practical aspects of Kubernetes deployment and management.    Kubernetes in 2025: Are You Ready For These Top 5 Trends & Predictions? https://www.fairwinds.com/blog/kubernetes-2025-top-5-trends-predictions   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#306: In this episode of DevOps Paradox, we delve into the role of GraphQL in modern APIs with guest Sophia Willows from Rye. They discuss the pros and cons of using GraphQL versus REST and gRPC, highlighting the efficiencies and complexities each brings to API development, especially in developer tools. They tackle common misconceptions and usage pitfalls of GraphQL, offering valuable insights into its optimal application. Sophia explains the rationale behind Rye’s choice of GraphQL for public-facing APIs while opting for REST and gRPC for internal microservices, reflecting on the trade-offs between performance and flexibility. The episode also touches on the evolution of API standards and speculations on potential future innovations.   Sophia's contact information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-willows/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#305: In this brief and emotional update, Darin addresses the hiatus in the show following the passing of his wife, Valorie, on March 19th, 2025. He announces that new episodes will resume on July 9th, 2025, and thanks the audience for their patience and support during this difficult period. Darin also highlights the nonprofit organization Father's House, encouraging listeners to donate in lieu of other support. Valorie Pope obituary https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/frisco-tx/valorie-pope-12293410   Val's Celebration of Life service https://www.youtube.com/live/lWPV7QP8Aqs   Father's House Ghana https://www.fathershouseghana.org/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#304: As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern work environments, the debate surrounding remote work versus in-office setups remains a hot topic. Companies are constantly reevaluating their strategies when it comes to talent retention, with the return to office being a significant point of discussion. On one hand, working in an office provides the opportunity for direct human interaction. This option can be particularly beneficial for those who are younger or new to the field, as they can directly learn and collaborate with their colleagues. Furthermore, for some individuals, an office environment provides the structure and engagement they need, preventing feelings of isolation that sometimes accompany remote work. In this episode, Darin and Viktor tackle what it take to retain top talent in 2025.   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#303: In today's digital realm, command-line interfaces (CLI) are lifelines for developers, embodying the efficiency and power required to manage complex tasks. The goal in designing a CLI is not to overwhelm users with command intricacies but to allow them to navigate operations seamlessly and intuitively. In this episode, we speak with Wesley Beary, a founding engineer at Anchor, about their journey of developing a robust CLI for their product.   Wesley's contact information: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geemus/   Developing CLIs: How Anchor developed a CLI and the tools that helped along the way https://anchor.dev/blog/developing-clis   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#302: As individuals, engineers may feel that the day-to-day tasks and projects they undertake are not life-changing. After all, if an engineer has an off day, it doesn't mean they're suddenly out of the job market. However, when we look at the larger picture from a business standpoint, the stakes are significantly higher. Companies that choose to ignore or delay engaging with emerging technologies might find themselves in precarious positions. The necessity of stepping out of the comfort zones to experiment and innovate is more important now than ever before. The failure to at least explore new avenues could mean missing the opportunity to adapt when the market demands change. In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss while changes, like AI, might not impact your business today, when they do take place, the effects can be sudden, leaving little time for a reactive strategy.   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#301: How many applications are in your organization that need to be kept up to date? More than likely, that number is every application needs to be kept up to date, if for no other reason than to keep your security teams happy. It gets even worse if you have 10s, 100s or even 1000s of applications. How do you make this manageable? In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Schneider from Moderne to discuss OpenRewrite, a large-scale software refactoring solution. Jonathan explains how OpenRewrite assists in application modernization, security vulnerability repair, and code quality improvements.   Jonathan's contact information: X: https://x.com/jon_k_schneider LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkschneider/   Code Remix Summit https://coderemix.ai/ Use the code MODERNE3VIP for an additional $300 off   Strategy Letter V https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2002/06/12/strategy-letter-v/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#300: Innovation and technology are constantly shifting the landscape of various industries, and the rise of AI is no exception. The term "AI Native Engineer" is becoming more prevalent. This shift denotes not just an evolution in the technological tools at our disposal but a transformation in how engineers engage with these tools to enhance productivity and innovation. In this episode, our friend Patrick Debois joins us to talk about what he has been doing over the past year with AI.   Patrick's contact information: X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/patrickdebois LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdebois/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#299: The ability to efficiently manage and analyze data is crucial in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape. One innovative solution that addresses this need is ModelKit. ModelKits are built on existing standards, ensuring compatibility with the tools your data scientists and developers already use. In this episode, Darin and Viktor speak with Gorkem Ercan, CTO at Jozu, about KitOps, the open source DevOps project built to standardize packaging, reproduction, deployment, and tracking of AI / ML models, so it can be run anywhere, just like application code.   Gorkem's contact information: X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/GorkemErcan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gorkemercan/   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/

#298: Throughout numerous conferences, experts have often proclaimed that choosing the right culture is paramount over the selection of tools. However, it’s an oversimplification to deem one right over the other. Tools and culture share a symbiotic relationship, each influencing and reshaping the other. In this episode, Darin and Viktor try to settle this debate.   YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox   Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/   Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/   Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/