Welcome to the home of the DevOps Diaries podcast, brought to you by Gearset. Each episode, host 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.
September 4, 2025
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 […]
August 7, 2025
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 […]
July 24, 2025
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 […]
July 10, 2025
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 […]
June 13, 2025
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 […]
May 29, 2025
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, […]
May 16, 2025
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 […]
May 1, 2025
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 […]
April 17, 2025
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 […]
April 3, 2025
Unlock the secrets to a successful Salesforce DevOps career and discover how industry leaders are leveraging AI. In this episode, your host Jack McCurdy sits down with Varun Kavoori, Principal Salesforce DevOps Engineer at Okta, to dissect his journey from the early days of the Salesforce ecosystem to steering Okta’s cutting-edge DevOps strategy. This is […]
March 31, 2025
Megan Tuano shares her unique journey into the tech industry, the importance of communication, questions, and the value of empathy in customer service. Megan discusses her experiences with Salesforce business analysis, the significance of building relationships, emphasizing that success comes from being authentic and understanding the human aspect of technology. Megan and Jack also explore […]
March 31, 2025
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. […]
March 31, 2025
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 […]
February 12, 2025
In this episode we explore how Elements.cloud are implementing 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 […]
February 12, 2025
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 […]
January 23, 2025
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 […]
January 23, 2025
In this episode of DevOps Diaries we cover some of the outstanding moments from DevOps Diaries in 2024. Hear about everything from artificial intelligence and Salesforce Flows, to Heroku and QA testing. You can expect snippets of conversation with: Julián Duque, Steve Fouracre, Alba Rivas, Dave Carroll, Jon Robinson, Todd Halfpenny and Andy Utkan. Thank […]
January 23, 2025
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy interviews John Robinson, a seasoned QA professional. They discus the significance of quality assurance (QA) in the Salesforce ecosystem, exploring the evolution of QA, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the necessity for dedicated QA roles within teams. John emphasizes the importance of understanding testing practices at their […]
November 27, 2024
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy speaks with Alba Rivas, Principal Developer Advocate at Salesforce. They discuss Alba’s journey in the Salesforce ecosystem, her role in engaging the developer community, and the evolving landscape of Salesforce technologies. Alba dives in to the nuances of artificial intelligence and Salesforce’s new Data Cloud. She shares […]
November 5, 2024
In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy sits down with Dave Carroll, a veteran in the Salesforce ecosystem. They discuss Dave’s journey from being a Salesforce ISV partner to a key player at Salesforce for 21 years. Dave’s mission has been to help develop the tools and practices that empower Salesforce developers to be […]
October 24, 2024
Todd Halfpenny is a Salesforce MVP, Golden Hoodie recipient, and community leader. His impact on the Salesforce community in the UK is extensive and far-reaching. Todd co-leads the London Salesforce Developers User Group, is an organizer of the Salesforce community conference London’s Calling, and a co-founder of charitable clothing organization, Shirtforce. In this episode, Jack […]
September 25, 2024
Andy Utkan is a Salesforce MVP, founder of Flow Canvas Academy, and a Salesforce Flows expert. His newsletter, Salesforce Break, has over 10,000 subscribers. His involvement in the Salesforce community has been profound, providing support and guidance for thousands of professionals brining declarative automation to their Salesforce orgs. In this episode, Andy and Jack chat […]
September 24, 2024
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 […]
August 27, 2024
Julián Duque is Principal Developer Advocate for Heroku at Salesforce. His background in Node.js allows him to think objectively about development on the Salesforce platform and how it scales. His work with Heroku gives him a unique perspective on where traditional software engineering, DevOps, and Salesforce development intersects. In this episode, Julián and Jack discuss […]
August 8, 2024
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 […]
July 25, 2024
Jack is joined by Daisy Garcia, CEO and founder of ImagineCRM, and Hannah Kahn, CRO at ImagineCRM. Daisy and Hannah share a love for philanthropy, and driving foundations and nonprofits to success through technology.
July 11, 2024
Over thirteen episodes in 2024, we’ve learnt a whole lot. About Salesforce, leadership, DevOps, and personal growth. To mark the half-way point in the year, Jack has compiled some of the best snippets from all thirteen episodes!
June 27, 2024
Abi Claus has been in the Salesforce ecosystem since 2011. She is passionate about spreading her knowledge to empower women in technology. She’s grown from a Salesforce admin to a Salesforce platform owner and director, and is now dedicated to sharing her knowledge and wisdom through her new venture as co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of She Makes It Work.
June 13, 2024
Jason Lantz is a prominent figure in the Salesforce ecosystem, known for his contributions to Salesforce DevOps and open source tooling. He is the founder and CEO of MuseLab, a company that enhances Salesforce ISVs product lifecycles, and is the creator of CumulusCI and MetaDeploy. Jason was the Sr. Director of Release Engineering at Salesforce.org, where he led the development of tools that support nonprofits.
May 30, 2024
Nathen Harvey is Developer Advocate and the lead for DORA at Google Cloud, their DevOps Research and Assessment unit. For ten years, Nathen has spearheaded tech communities, and authored several reports that now form the industry standard for measuring DevOps performance. He was once a CRM system administrator too — he knows his stuff and the challenges we all face too!
May 16, 2024
Jolene Mair is a Salesforce Application Engineer at cybersecurity company, HackerOne. She is also a Gearset DevOps leader. Jolene has six-years of experience in the Salesforce ecosystem, is 11x Salesforce certified, bringing technical expertise and deep knowledge of Salesforce to an industry where protecting data and creating great user experiences are central to success.
May 2, 2024
Derek Bisson is a senior technology leader. He’s worked in the Salesforce ecosystem for 14 years, and cares deeply about how he can get the most out of his teams while leaving them feeling fulfilled and motivated.
April 18, 2024
Melissa Hill Dees is an innovator. She is committed to the Salesforce community, no more so than the non-profit community — she shares her warmth and energy with everyone that’s fortunate enough to cross her path. And we’re lucky enough to have her share with us on DevOps Diaries!
April 4, 2024
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.
March 21, 2024
Lauren Krcatovich is CRM Development Manager at Cision. Her journey in tech has been shaped by business analysis and product management before taking the reins for overall Salesforce development.
March 8, 2024
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.
February 22, 2024
Rob Cowell is a DevOps advocate, Salesforce architect, and published author. Rob’s Salesforce career has spanned 13 years. He’s recently shared his knowledge and dedicated expertise in DevOps with the world via his new book, *Salesforce DevOps for Architects*.
February 8, 2024
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 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.
January 25, 2024
Luke is a global Customer Success leader and current VP Customer Success at Gearset. Luke started his career as a Salesforce Admin and has become obsessed with providing amazing experiences for customers through education, strategy, and technology. He has held positions with major SaaS companies and has played a pivotal role in scaling start-up businesses and guiding strategy post-acquisition.
January 11, 2024
Laurel Jones is a Senior Product Manager at Amazon. Working for the Amazon Air team, Laurel is blazing trails for women in a male-dominated field. Laurel operates in the heart of the technology that is critical to Amazon’s success. Tune in to find out how Laurel is pioneering women in technology initiatives, and the pillars for their success!
December 29, 2023
Meri Williams is the CTO of Pleo, and ex-CTO of influential challenger bank, Monzo. Meri has held technical leadership roles for the last 10 years, and over that time has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build high-performing teams with a foundation of exceptional culture. She is also the Chair and Host of The Lead Developer conference — a conference for technical leadership centred around “Team, Tech, and Tools”.
December 18, 2023
In this episode, Jack reflects on 2023, sharing insight from across the year. Taking insight from The State of Salesforce DevOps survey, Jack dives into the response from the ecosystem: where we were, where we got to, and where we’re headed in 2024.
December 1, 2023
Randy is a Salesforce Consultant and one of the voices behind the popular Salesforce newsletter, Salesforce Cha Cha. Randy has a knack for simplifying technical content and injecting humour to make typically heavy concepts fun and digestible. Salesforce Cha Cha is a must-subscribe — “it’s a vibe”!
November 17, 2023
Julian Joseph is a Salesforce DevOps Engineer. He has a wealth of experience from his time with Salesforce, Salesforce customers, and partners. Julian built his career by following best practice engineering principles and believes that a DevOps mindset has transformative power when combined with sound business strategy.
November 3, 2023
Nadina Lisbon is a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect and Golden Hoodie recipient. She is a pillar of the Salesforce community, supporting a number of great organizations focused on skills, knowledge, and building great relationships to advance careers.
September 29, 2023
Lorenzo Frattini has been a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect since 2016. He is also the founder of automated testing platform, Clayton.io. With extensive consultancy experience, having worked with some of the largest Salesforce implementations globally, Lorenzo brings a wealth of knowledge and problem solving experience to this episode of DevOps Diaries.
June 28, 2023
Hayley Tuller is a United States Navy veteran, serving 20 years as an Aircrewman — an experience that has shaped an incredible Salesforce career transition. She is co-founder of Salesforce consultancy Navigators, is 12x Salesforce certified, and advocates for veterans transitioning to tech through her support of organizations like Trailhead Military and Merivis.
June 15, 2023
Justin Edelstein has 17 years experience in the Salesforce ecosystem. He is one of the co-founders and now board member of Salesforce consultancy Arkus, is a member of the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame, and has been a key figure in establishing Salesforce’s Web3 offering.
June 2, 2023
Grant Mangum and Deepak Veera are Salesforce Consultants at a leading consulting company, Cloud Giants. Between them, they have 14 years’ consulting experience, and have spent the last four specializing in Salesforce CPQ implementations. They bring to the table tangible real-world experience and understanding of the nuances of a product rising rapidly in popularity.
May 4, 2023
Taylor Grimes is an Architect at Salesforce, managing partner success through an Architect’s lens. Taylor has spent 10 years in the Salesforce ecosystem managing implementations for end-user customers, as well as designing solutions as a consultant. She is passionate about staying on the leading edge of technology, and ensuring the community has a wealth of resources to support their professional learning journeys.
April 14, 2023
Blanca Leon-Carter is a DevOps Architect and Principal Consultant at Slalom. Blanca has experience working with teams of all shapes and sizes with varying complexities of DevOps challenges. She is based in Chicago and is a Salesforce MVP, Golden Hoodie Recipient, Architect User Group Leader and advocate for diversity and women in tech.
March 24, 2023
Sam and Jack chat about the Salesforce documentation that supports a great Salesforce DevOps process. Tune in to hear about what documents you can add to support your Salesforce delivery process, why good documentation is needed, and how you can keep documentation relevant in your orgs.
March 1, 2023
Jack and Jodi talk about the ever evolving role of the Salesforce Admin. Tune in to hear about how an Admin can rock their role, question everything, deliver value, and pick the path that’s right for them.
February 15, 2023
Jack and Ben chat about the origins of Salesforce Ben and how it’s developed to be the media platform it is today. Tune in to hear Ben’s predictions for the ecosystem in the coming year, the kind of content you can expect to see from the recently re-launched Salesforce Ben YouTube channel, and his thoughts on where the community should be focussing their learning.
February 3, 2023
Jack and Tracy (they/Tracy) talk about burnout in the workplace, what you can do to protect your mental health, and how you can make sure you continue to bring your best self to work. They also chat about working at NASA, self-reflection, and the support of the Salesforce community.
January 20, 2023
Ian and Jack talk about the functions of a Center of Excellence and how they contribute to successfully managing Salesforce implementations of all shapes and sizes. They chat about what they are, how to manage the CoE itself, and the benefits of having a set of standards to deliver business objectives.
January 4, 2023
Francis and Jack discuss the DevOps process map, and how teams can think objectively about their process by relating it back to Salesforce. They also chat about learning mechanisms, metrics, and the theory of constraints.
December 21, 2022
Andy and Jack chat about what it means to be a DevOps Architect at Gearset: how to challenge and change a team’s delivery mindset, testing being an integral part of a safe DevOps process, traffic lights, and how continuous iteration is the name of the game.
December 14, 2022
Matt and Jack chat about developing high-performing DevOps teams and how mentorship plays a huge part in being successful, breaking things (in a good way!), as well as the importance of patience and giving back as an engineering leader.
December 7, 2022
In this episode, Eric and Jack talk about how Salesforce has changed over the years, the relevance of Apex given the changes to the Salesforce platform, the importance of version control, and how a DevOps journey evolves when replacing change sets.
November 29, 2022
In the first episode of the DevOps Diaries podcast, Jack chats to Vanessa Grant about her journey as a Business Analyst and Consultant, how her background in media has contributed to her career, and how delivering projects successfully comes down to great DevOps (even if you don’t realise it).
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