DevOps Diaries

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 of developer enablement and challenges a "build it and they will come" mentality.

Get ready for a powerful conversation about the human side of DevOps. You'll hear Kurt's take on the future of community, the one framework that clarifies every project, and why building relationships is the ultimate key to shared success.

About DevOps Diaries: 
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset: 
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Kurt Kemple and Slack
02:56 Kurt's Journey into Tech and Developer Relations
05:34 The Importance of Tech Enablement
08:42 Building a Career in Tech
11:35 The Role of Community in Tech
14:16 Job to Be Done Framework and Its Impact
17:25 The Future of Community and Connection
19:57 Reflections on Personal Communities and Growth
24:53 The Power of Community in Professional Growth
26:40 Aligning Business with User Needs
28:23 Building Internal Communities
30:08 Overcoming Resistance in Internal Teams
31:41 The Importance of User Feedback
33:51 Empathy in Community Building
35:40 The Flywheel Effect in Developer Relations
37:36 Collaborative Language and Shared Ownership
39:44 The Role of Developer Relations
41:54 Education and Enablement through Community
43:13 Leveraging Slack for Effective Collaboration
47:02 The Future of Slack and Developer Experience

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 conversation covers the evolution of the field since 2022, providing actionable advice on implementing proactive observability, managing risk, and making incremental changes that deliver massive impact.

Learn more:
Read the observability whitepaper: https://grst.co/4lFfxmm
How Salesforce teams execute observability for Salesforce: https://grst.co/3GXddrU
See Flow and Apex Error Monitoring in action: https://grst.co/3IF5Eqq

About DevOps Diaries: 
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset: 
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters:
00:00 The Evolution of DevOps Since 2022
02:35 The Role of AI in Automation
05:21 Testing Fundamentals in DevOps
08:29 Understanding Observability in Salesforce
11:05 Reactive vs Proactive Observability
14:03 The Importance of Proactive Monitoring
16:29 Implementing Observability in DevOps
19:41 Starting Your Observability Journey
22:14 Balancing Refactoring and New Initiatives
24:56 Risk Management and Observability
27:48 Final Thoughts on Observability

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 your most valuable asset and how to find a role that truly aligns with your personal and professional goals.

This isn't just another tech talk. It's a guide to building a resilient and authentic career.

Key Insights:

- The power of authenticity in a competitive industry.
- How to turn networking from a chore into a superpower.
- Leadership strategies to foster a burnout-proof team culture.

About DevOps Diaries: 
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset: 
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Amy
02:48 Amy's Salesforce Journey and Early Experiences
05:36 Navigating Imposter Syndrome
08:11 The Importance of Networking
10:51 Understanding and Managing Imposter Syndrome
13:30 The Pressure of Visibility and Burnout
16:06 Finding Alignment in Career Choices
18:58 Transitioning to Data Importer
21:38 Reflections on Career Growth and Future Goals
23:56 Building a Supportive Work Environment
30:56 Navigating Data Management Challenges
36:08 Leadership and Team Well-being
40:47 The Importance of End Users in Projects

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 culture that attracts and retains top talent by focusing on what truly matters: your people.

About DevOps Diaries: 
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset: 
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Salesforce Ecosystem
03:02 The People-First Method: Transforming Teams
06:05 Conflict Resolution and Project Success
09:08 Embracing Discomfort in Professional Growth
11:48 The Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions
14:50 Navigating High-Pressure Situations
17:50 The Future of Human Engagements
20:53 Recognizing Dynamics in Team Interactions
26:19 Navigating Political Challenges in Team Dynamics
29:16 The Power of Small Talk in Team Collaboration
30:43 Establishing a Culture of Values and Recognition
33:41 Attracting and Retaining Talent in a Competitive Market
35:31 Demonstrating Authentic Company Culture
36:32 Transforming Chaos into Compliments
40:50 People-First Approach to Leadership and Change

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 of event sponsorship. Dangsenpenan also shares insights on engaging the next generation in tech and the evolving definition of community in the digital age. 

Tune in for a story of passion, community building, and the transformative impact of non-profit work.

About DevOps Diaries: 
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset: 
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Dangsenpenan's Journey
02:53 The Path to Salesforce: A Unique Journey
05:53 Self-Learning and Overcoming Challenges
09:02 The Importance of Accountability in Learning
11:51 Building a Community: West Africa Dreaming
14:53 Creating Opportunities for Others
17:59 The Global Salesforce Community and Its Impact
20:59 Vision for the Future: Expanding the Community
25:37 Building Community Through Ohana Spirit
30:29 Overcoming Challenges in Sponsorship
35:47 The Power of Non-Profit Work
41:48 Engaging the Next Generation in Tech
45:03 Redefining Community in the Digital Age

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 documentation, and the real-world challenges (and triumphs!) of growing a high-performing team.

If you're navigating your own DevOps transformation or looking to elevate your team's collaboration, Jessica's hard-won insights on pipelines, understanding DevOps user needs, and effective communication are pure gold.

Don't miss these invaluable lessons – listen to the full episode now!

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

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 Salesforce ecosystem, and how the nature of Salesforce DevOps conversations has matured over time. Valerio discusses Gearset’s mission to act not just as a tool provider but as a trusted advisor, helping users navigate complexity through empathy, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Throughout the conversation, Valerio highlights the power of asking the right questions, the role of customer feedback in shaping product development, and the fulfilment that comes from solving meaningful problems. The episode wraps with a thoughtful reflection on the human side of support and the profound impact it can have on the people behind the tickets.

About DevOps Diaries: 
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset: 
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

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 data governance. 

They tackle the generalist vs. specialist debate and discuss how strong leadership and team development drive success. 

Want to build better data strategies and lead more effectively in the Salesforce ecosystem? Don't miss this episode!

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chris Starleaf and His Journey
03:02 The Relevance of Database Management in Salesforce
06:00 Sales Skills for Tech Professionals
09:12 Understanding Different Roles in Salesforce
11:52 Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Success
14:59 The Importance of Data Governance
18:09 The Role of Generalists vs. Specialists
20:58 Fostering Pride in Data Management
23:55 Building a Data Governance Strategy
27:03 Team Leadership and Development
29:53 Creating Efficient Processes
33:13 Navigating the Salesforce Ecosystem
36:08 Conclusion and Contact Information

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 power of flexible DevOps practices, and why setting strong guardrails is key to compliance and scale.

Varun lifts the lid on the tools and tactics that keep his team running smoothly, especially on high-stakes release days, and looks ahead to the growing role of AI in the DevOps space.

Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce engineer or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and fresh perspectives.

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset: https://grst.co/4iCnas2

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial: https://grst.co/4iKysKW

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Varun Kavoori and His Journey
03:06 Understanding the Role of DevOps in Salesforce
06:08 Release Management at Okta
08:55 Building a Flexible DevOps Process
11:54 Guardrails and Compliance in Releases
15:00 Scaling the Team and Managing Growth
18:02 Challenges with Metadata and Deployment
20:54 Release Day Process and Code Freeze
23:51 Tools and Techniques for DevOps Success
26:53 Future of DevOps and AI Integration
29:53 Excitement for Salesforce Innovations

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 surrounding customer service, the journey of content creation on YouTube, the challenges of balancing careers and parenthood.

They wrap up by discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on business analysis, how to craft effective user stories, and how shifting left collaboratively harnesses the best results.

Learn more:
- Salesforce release management best practices.
- How to deploy Agentforce.
- DevOps for enterprise Salesforce implementations.

About DevOps Diaries:
Salesforce DevOps Advocate 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. New episodes bi-weekly on YouTube as well as on your preferred podcast platform.

Podcast produced and sponsored by Gearset. Learn more about Gearset.

Subscribe to Gearset's YouTube channel: https://grst.co/4cTAAxm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gearset
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GearsetHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearsethq

About Gearset:
Gearset is the leading Salesforce DevOps platform, with powerful solutions for metadata and CPQ deployments, CI/CD, automated testing, sandbox seeding and backups. It helps Salesforce teams apply DevOps best practices to their development and release process, so they can rapidly and securely deliver higher-quality projects. Get full access to all of Gearset's features for free with a 30-day trial.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:08 Breaking into Tech: Overcoming Misconceptions
05:53 The Role of Communication in Tech
08:49 The Importance of Asking Questions
11:59 Shift Left: Identifying Issues Early
15:01 Building Relationships in Tech
18:02 Empathy in Customer Service
20:58 Salesforce Experience and Insights
23:54 The Relationship Between Customer Service and Tech
28:00 Navigating Customer Service Challenges
30:55 Creating on YouTube
33:57 Balancing Parenthood and Careers
35:57 The Role of AI in Business Analysis
40:00 Crafting Effective User Stories
43:02 Collaboration Between Teams for Success
47:04 Building Community and Finding Your Why