Techstrong Unplugged

Dimitris Andreadis, an engineering director with two decades of experience in open-source development, dives into the evolution of Java, the impact of Quarkus on cloud computing, and how open-source contributions can shape a developer’s career. Dimitris shares insights on how young developers can get involved in open source, why Java is still king for mission-critical systems, and how GitHub has b...

Badr El Houari, a Java Champion and Chairman of Devoxx Morocco, discusses the growth of the Moroccan developer ecosystem. Badr shares his journey from software engineering graduate to community leader, emphasizing the importance of open-source contributions, continuous learning, and fostering local talent. They explore how events like Voxxed Days help young developers gain industry insights, build...

On this episode, we dive into the world of open source with Mario Fusco, a seasoned developer who has built a thriving career through open source contributions. Mario discusses why open source matters, how it helps developers showcase their work, and the career opportunities it unlocks. Learn how to get started, navigate contributions, and leverage open source communities for learning and professi...

Abdelfettah Sghiouar dives into the transformative power of open source. Explore why open source is not just a coding opportunity but a career catalyst. Learn how it builds community, sharpens skills, and opens doors to new possibilities. This conversation covers the "why" and "how" of contributing to open source, including practical tips for your first pull request and the long-term rewards of be...

Marharyta Nedzelska, a software engineer at Sonar, shares her journey into technology, transitioning from a passion for math to a career in programming. They discuss the challenges and biases women face in tech, the realities of being a working mom in the industry, and the systemic issues that often go unnoticed. Marharyta also previews her upcoming talk on code coverage at a tech conference, tack...

Luca Molteni, a software engineer at Red Hat and long-time Java enthusiast, explores the evolving role of Java in technology and community building. From his 15-year journey as an administrator of a Java User Group in Milan, Italy, to his innovative ideas for engaging younger generations, Luca shares valuable insights on the importance of inclusivity, tackling stereotypes, and making programming a...

Rustam Mehmandarov, a Java Champion and Google Developer Expert, explores his journey into technology, from discovering BASIC on vintage machines to teaching the next generation of programmers. Learn how he uses creative methods, like variable "cup" analogies, to introduce coding concepts to kids as young as six, and the unique challenges and joys of teaching children versus adults. Plus, hear abo...

Yassine Benabbas, a PhD in computer science turned developer relations expert and educator, shares his journey from iOS development to community building through the Android User Group in Lille, France. Dive into discussions about teaching, Kotlin, cross-platform development, and the fascinating intricacies of threading and algorithmic optimization. Plus, learn how Yassine engages students with in...

Mohammed Aboullaite, a backend engineer at Spotify, Java Champion, and Google Developer Expert, shares his journey from Morocco to Stockholm, his introduction to software engineering, and how early mentorship shaped his career. Discover how he's giving back through initiatives like GeeksBlabla, a platform fostering tech education in Morocco, and his involvement in the DevOps Morocco Conference. Mo...

Liran Tal, director of developer advocacy at Snyk, talks about the art of teaching developers application security. He explores engaging methods like Capture the Flag and card games, emphasizing how "hacking" can build better security awareness. Liran shares his journey from software development to security education, the importance of understanding an attacker’s mindset, and the critical role of...

Sterling Chin, a senior developer advocate at Postman, delves into the transformative power of mentorship in the tech industry. Sterling shares his unique career journey from construction to software engineering and his passion for mentorship. Discover actionable advice on structuring mentorship programs, the mutual benefits of mentoring relationships, and how mentorship plays a pivotal role at al...

Christine Spang, founder and CEO of Nylas, shares her remarkable journey from a childhood immersed in building and exploration to studying computer science at MIT, contributing to open-source projects, and eventually founding her own tech startup. Christine dives into how her passion for creating and her family’s engineering background shaped her path, her unique experiences with gaming and progra...

Tejas Kumar is a seasoned web developer with more than 20 years of experience at organizations like Spotify, Vercel, and Zeta. He breaks down the evolving role of AI engineering, dispels myths surrounding imposter syndrome, and explores the intersection of technology and human creativity. From his journey overcoming health challenges to the importance of balancing work with personal well-being, Te...

Grace Francisco is a seasoned tech leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning Microsoft, Atlassian, MongoDB, Roblox, and more. Grace shares her evolution from software developer to guiding startups and fostering developer ecosystems. Discover her insights on the diverse career paths in tech, the transformative role of generative AI, and her advice for women navigating the industry. 

Kevin Dubois, developer advocate at Red Hat, shares his unique journey from studying linguistics and aeronautical engineering to finding his passion for programming and open source. Discover his insights on developer experience, the joys of contributing to open-source projects, and the importance of balancing technology with outdoor adventures like snowboarding and packrafting. Tune in for an insp...

Rob Koch, co-chair of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Working Group and advocate for accessibility in the open source community, shares insights into the group's initiatives, including creating a Kubernetes sign language glossary and developing best practices for accessible conferences. He also discusses the role of AI in accessibility and the importance of allyship in fostering a more inclusive clou...

Catherine Paganini, head of marketing at Buoyant and co-chair of the CNCF Contributor Strategy Working Group, dives into her impactful work on diversity initiatives, including programs for the deaf and hard of hearing, BIPOC, and visually impaired communities. Learn how these initiatives are reshaping accessibility in tech and how the open-source community is uniquely positioned to lead the way.

Kaitlyn Hornbuckle, a computer science student at Oregon State University, shares her journey from journalism to cybersecurity, navigating challenges like learning to code and adapting during the pandemic. She discusses her passion for bridging technology with communication, her hands-on experience teaching kids Minecraft modding, and her future plans for advancing educational tech workshops. Tune...

Marina Moore, a recent PhD graduate and security researcher at Adira, discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Marina shares her journey from a math-loving student to co-chair of CNCF’s Technical Advisory Group for Security. They explore topics like the Update Framework (TUF), software supply chain security, and the challenges of container isolation in multi-tenant environments. Marina a...

Cassandra Chin dives deep into a conversation with Hippie Hacker, who believes in "developing people, not software." Explore how the concept of "instant infrastructure" evolved into empowering collaboration through innovative tools like II pods and sharing.io. Hear inspiring stories of community transformation, from bootable USB sticks in Cambodia to empowering youth at Cloud Native Kids Day. Lear...

Justin Cappos is an NYU professor and creator of multiple Linux Foundation projects, including CNCF’s TUF and in-toto. Justin shares his journey into security, the critical role of hands-on learning in education, and the collaborative nature of open source. From teaching students to unlock physical security devices to designing secure software systems, Justin emphasizes the importance of curiosity...

Emily Fox, TOC Chair of the CNCF, discusses the vital work happening across the cloud-native ecosystem. Emily shares insights into the CNCF's Technical Oversight Committee, their focus on environmental sustainability, and the role of working groups in fostering innovation and inclusivity. She also dives into the importance of partnerships, security in open source projects, and how creating frictio...

Melissa McKay, head of developer relations at JFrog, shares her inspiring journey into computer science, discussing her transition from electrical engineering to software development and eventually DevRel. She highlights the challenges of being a woman in tech, the importance of mentorship, and how her passion for education continues to shape her career.

Ricardo Aravena, with more than 20 years in technology, leads the tag runtime group and cloud native AI working group. His group emphasizes the machine learning lifecycle and open source solutions, focusing on environmental sustainability. Ricardo invites participation in the working group and shares insights on container runtimes, enjoying the positive discussions around AI at the event.

Jake Reichert, a seasoned software developer and engineering leader with more than 20 years of experience, shares stories from his journey through startups and major tech companies like Amazon, discussing the strategic decisions that drive innovation. From the challenges of building real-time conversational avatars to understanding market timing, Jake dives into the intricacies of launching new pr...