Code To Cloud

In this special throwback, we revisit one of our most compelling conversations on Security Without Borders. Hosted by Derek Smith and Kevin Evans, this session features Jack Barsky, a former KGB sleeper agent who lived undercover in the United States for a decade during the Cold War.

Born in East Germany, Jack was recruited by the KGB and sent to the U.S. under a stolen identity. His mission: to live an ordinary life, build credibility, and be ready for future assignments — all while hiding in plain sight. Today, Jack shares how his experiences in espionage shaped his perspective on trust, deception, and modern cybersecurity.

From Cold War spycraft to enterprise security challenges, this episode bridges history and technology for anyone passionate about how intelligence tradecraft influences the way we think about digital defense today.

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🌐 Code to Cloud: connect.codetocloud.io

👤 Derek Smith: LinkedIn

👤 Kevin Evans: LinkedIn

👤 Jack Barsky: LinkedIn

In this episode of Code to Cloud, hosts Kevin Evans and Guil Lima welcome two special guests: Chris Ayers from Microsoft and Caleb Fedyshen.

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Chris shares his remarkable journey—from writing code in second grade to becoming an international speaker and recognized Azure expert. Caleb brings his passion for innovation to the table, highlighting his work on iOS and Apple Watch projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Together, the group dives into DevOps, AI, and the power of critical thinking in coding, while also exploring the latest in Raspberry Pi projects and the nostalgia of retro gaming.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting your tech journey, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and cross-continental perspectives.

👉 Tune in for a conversation that connects people, platforms, and passion for technology.

In this episode of Codetocloud, host Kevin Evans welcomes his long-time friend and mentor, Steve Buchanan. They dive into Steve’s journey through the tech industry, discussing his experiences with layoffs, leadership, and the evolving landscape of AI and cloud technologies. Steve shares insights on career resilience, the importance of owning your career path, and the opportunities that lie within the ever-changing tech world. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with personal anecdotes and professional wisdom.

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Join us in this episode of Code to Cloud as we dive into the inspiring journey of Philippe Burns, the visionary behind Tech Thursday. 🚀

Discover how Tech Thursday is transforming Canada’s tech landscape by fostering community and innovation across cities like Calgary, Winnipeg, and beyond. Philippe shares insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in Western Canada’s tech ecosystem, the power of community-driven events, and the exciting future of tech in Canada.

👉 Don’t miss this engaging conversation that highlights the spirit of entrepreneurship, collaboration, AI, energy innovation, and community growth.

The origins and growth of Tech Thursday

Building a tech community in Western Canada

The role of AI and energy in driving innovation

Insights into Canada’s diverse tech ecosystems

🔗 LinkedIn: Philippe Burns

🌐 Tech Thursday: techthursday.ca

🔗 LinkedIn: Kevin Evans

🌐 Website & Links: linktr.ee/codetocloud

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Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Lin Sun, a trailblazer in the software industry and a key contributor to the open source community. From her early days at IBM to her current role at Solo.io, Lin shares her experiences, challenges, and insights into the world of open source.

Key Highlights:

Lin's role as a CNCF ambassador and her contributions to projects like Istio, KGateway, and K-agent. The balance between open source contributions and commercial success. Lin's transition from a large corporation to a startup environment. Her passion for AI and the future of agentic AI in cloud-native technologies. The importance of adaptability and building connections in the tech industry.

Host: Kevin Evans

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Join Kevin Evans as he welcomes Danielle Gifford, Managing Director at PwC Canada, to discuss the evolving landscape of AI in business and education. Danielle shares insights on AI literacy, the importance of understanding AI’s capabilities, and how businesses can integrate AI effectively. They also explore the role of AI in academia and its impact on the next generation.

Key Takeaways:

AI’s role in business: Understanding what AI can and cannot do is crucial for effective integration.

The importance of AI literacy: Educating teams on AI’s potential and limitations.

AI in academia: Preparing the next generation to use AI responsibly and effectively.

Personal use of AI: How Danielle and Kevin use AI in their daily lives for learning and problem-solving.

Guest: Danielle Gifford, Managing Director at PwC Canada

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🔗 LinkedIn: Danielle Gifford

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🔗 LinkedIn: Kevin Evans

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In this debut episode of The Merge, hosts Kevin Evans and Guil Lima explore the intersection of AI and IT infrastructure. Dive into conversations on the transformative power of AI, the real-world challenges of integrating emerging technologies, and the strategies organizations can use to harness AI effectively.

Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just starting your tech journey, this episode delivers valuable insights and engaging stories from the tech frontier. Tune in to discover how AI is reshaping the future of technology.

✨ Support the community and gain exclusive perks on our Patreon: patreon.com/codetocloud

🌐 Connect with us and join the conversation: connect.codetocloud.io

Summary In this conversation, Kevin Evans and Abby Bangser delve into the intricacies of platform engineering, exploring its evolution from DevOps, the role of platform engineers, and the significance of internal developer platforms.

They discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating effective platforms, the importance of APIs, and the impact of observability and AI in enhancing platform engineering practices. Abby shares insights on how to get started with platform engineering, emphasizing the need for a user-centric approach and the value of creating interfaces that streamline processes.

In this conversation, Kevin Evans and Abby Bangser delve into the intricacies of platform engineering, exploring its evolution from DevOps, the role of platform engineers, and the significance of internal developer platforms. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating effective platforms, the importance of APIs, and the impact of observability and AI in enhancing platform engineering practices. Abby shares insights on how to get started with platform engineering, emphasizing the need for a user-centric approach and the value of creating interfaces that streamline processes.

In this episode, Kevin Evans interviews Warren Beazley, a seasoned recruiter specializing in tech leadership. Warren shares his journey from street markets to becoming a prominent figure in tech recruitment. He discusses the evolving role of the CTO, the importance of understanding client needs, and the changing landscape of the job market.

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The conversation also highlights strategies for job seekers to stand out in a competitive environment. In this conversation, Warren Beazley shares insights on how tech leaders can elevate their career visibility and take ownership of their career journey.

He outlines a five-step process that emphasizes the importance of demonstrating value to potential employers, building a relevant network, and creating engaging content. Additionally, he discusses common pitfalls to avoid during job searches, particularly the implications of signaling job-seeking status on LinkedIn. The conversation highlights the significance of personal branding and strategic networking in achieving career success.

In this episode, Kevin Evans interviews Bret Fisher, a Docker captain and cloud native ambassador, who shares his extensive journey in the tech industry. Brett discusses his early experiences with computers, his military background, and the evolution of technology over the years. He emphasizes the importance of foundational knowledge in tech, particularly in networking and system administration, and explores the impact of AI on the industry.

The conversation also touches on the emerging concept of Agentic DevOps and its implications for the future of work in tech. In this conversation, Bret Fisher discusses the transformative impact of AI on DevOps, emphasizing the emergence of AI agents and the Model Context Protocol (MCP) as pivotal developments. He explores the future of AI in infrastructure management, the potential changes in job roles, and the importance of open-source solutions in shaping AI's trajectory.

Fisher advocates for a proactive approach to integrating AI into workflows, highlighting the need for adaptability and innovation in the face of evolving technology. Takeaways Brett Fisher has 30 years of experience in IT, focusing on Docker and containers. He emphasizes the importance of foundational knowledge in technology. Brett's journey began with a Tandy computer and learning BASIC programming. He highlights the evolution of networking and the internet from the early 90s.

AI is changing the landscape of technology and work. Understanding networking is crucial for a successful tech career. Brett encourages building your own PC to understand hardware better. The tech industry has evolved significantly, but foundational skills remain relevant. Agentic DevOps is an emerging concept that combines AI with DevOps practices. Brett believes that practical experience is essential for understanding complex tech issues. AI is revolutionizing DevOps practices. The concept of agents in AI is gaining traction.

MCP protocol is essential for AI tool integration. AI's impact on job roles is still unfolding. Agentic DevOps represents a new way of working. Open source will play a crucial role in AI development. AI can enhance productivity but won't replace jobs entirely. Understanding AI's limitations is key for operators. Proactive engagement with AI tools is necessary. The future will see AI as an integral part of workflows.