DevOps Diaries

If you've ever wondered why a project you worked incredibly hard on didn't land the way you hoped, this one's for you. Dan's whole career has been shaped trying to solve one of the biggest challenges in the Salesforce ecosystem: organisations pour blood, sweat and tears into Salesforce implementations and change programs, and then nobody uses them. The training was great, the t...

Jack sits down with Denise Carbone, two-decade Salesforce veteran, MVP, co-leader of the Chicago Admin User Group, and Director of Delivery at ImagineCRM.  Denise has seen more of this ecosystem than almost anyone. From the pre-Trailhead days of learning through user groups, to the Lightning migration wars, to where we are now with AI reshaping what it means to work in Salesforce. Her perspective...

Jack sits down with Tapan Patel, Gearset DevOps Leader for 2026 and DevOps Lead for the Salesforce practice at Braze, a publicly traded omnichannel platform where every change management decision is subject to SOX audit scrutiny.  Tapan brings a rare blend of project delivery experience, release management rigour, and genuine passion for building DevOps not just as a set of processes, but as a cul...

Tune in to hear everything from why data projects are chronically underestimated at the exec level, to what a proper data strategy actually looks like when you strip away the buzzwords. Mike gets practical on data migrations, data cleanup, and the hidden gotchas that trip teams up when they start handing control to agentic AI.  Before finding his way into Salesforce consulting, Mike Dickson cycled...

With agentic AI reshaping what it means to work in Salesforce, Mike Gerholdt makes a compelling case for why the role of a Salesforce Admin isn't shrinking, but shifting. The value was never really in the buttons Salesforce admins click, but in the judgments they make. Jack chats to Mike about everything from the principle of least privilege in an agentic world, to whether generalist or speci...

After 70 episodes, Jack finally gets Gearset's CPO and co-founder Matt Dickens!  The conversation goes deep on what it means to build something people want to use, as well as why most teams, whether they're building product or building on Salesforce, are asking the wrong questions.  Matt shares his honest take on AI. Why the barrier to doing things has never been lower, why that's n...

Jack sits down with Paul Calf (Salesforce Release Manager at Standard Life, and Gearset DevOps Leader for 2026) to talk through a decade-long Salesforce journey that took him from accidental admin to release manager. Paul gets candid about the failed audit that forced his team to get serious about governance, what it looked like to build a compliant release process from scratch, and why cherry-pic...

What happens when you deploy to prod on a Friday and it starts firing emails to every customer? Dan Barckley has lived it — and it's why he's now a DevOps believer. In this episode: accidental admin origins, why simple beats complex every time, Agentforce skepticism, and the leadership mindset that changes everything. About DevOps Diaries:  Salesforce DevOps Advocate Jack McCurdy chats t...

Sam Crossland returns to DevOps Diaries to dissect the evolving world of Salesforce development and AI-generated code. As artificial intelligence reshapes the coding landscape, Sam and Jack go beyond the hype to discuss the real risks and rewards. They explore why trusting AI-generated code without strict quality gates is a dangerous game, emphasizing that human oversight remains the ultimate secu...

Jack sits down to talk all things Salesforce DevOps, open-source, and career development in an AI-forward world with Nicolas Vuillamy.  They discuss the often-overlooked reality that DevOps is a mindset, not just a set of buttons to push and Nicolas opens up about the responsibilities of technical leadership. Also discussed are the "threat" and opportunity of AI, and why getting involved...

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 photogr...

"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...

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 30...

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 hi...

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...

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 o...

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 conversatio...

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...

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 cu...

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...

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...

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 Salesf...

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 d...

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 p...

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 surroundi...