In this episode, hosts Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana and Asanka Abeysinghe explore the lost art of deep work and why it is critical for architects. They discuss how constant interruptions, shallow work, and overreliance on AI shortcuts can undermine clear thinking and architectural quality. The conversation focuses on creating space for focused thinking, applying first principles, and how architects and leaders can protect deep work in today’s noisy enterprise environment.🔥 Topics covered:● Why deep work is rare but essential for architects● Shallow work, AI shortcuts, and the illusion of progress● Analog tools, doodles, and notebooks, whiteboards as catalysts for clarity● Protecting focus in a distracted, calendar-driven world● Deep work, first principles, and better architectural decisions● Why leaders and architects must model and defend deep workHostsSanjiva Weerawarana

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjivaweerawarana/Twitter: @sanjivaMedium: https://medium.com/@sanjiva.weerawaranaAsanka AbeysingheLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asankaabeysingheTwitter: @asankamaBlog: https://blog.architect2architect.com/Medium: https://asankama.medium.com/#wso2 #genai #microservices

In this special live podcast episode, Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana and Asanka Abeysinghe sit down with Selyna Peiris (Director and Chief Growth Officer, Selyn Group) and Miguel Cuñat (Founder, The Pekoe Trail). They explore how brands are built—through people, vision, and purpose. The conversation delves into personal and product branding, offering a fresh perspective on why brand awareness is crucial in the modern digital era.🔥 Key Discussion Topics:● Why brand matters for architects: shaping technology choices, trust, and adoption● The connection between personal brands, product brands, and platform strategy● Building authentic, purpose-driven brands that outlast individuals● Navigating identity and succession in business, technology, and tourism● Productizing innovation, "ecosystems of brands," and balancing legacy with adaptation● The human side of brands: storytelling, trust, and emotional connection● Real-world examples: The Pekoe Trail's collaborative journey, Selyn’s social impact, and WSO2's open source legacyHostsSanjiva WeerawaranaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjivaweerawarana/Twitter: @sanjivaMedium: https://medium.com/@sanjiva.weerawaranaAsanka AbeysingheLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asankaabeysingheTwitter: @asankamaBlog: https://blog.architect2architect.com/Medium: https://asankama.medium.com/Miguel CuñatLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-cunat-40b992155/Selyna PeirisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selynapeiris/#WSO2 #BrandBuilding #DigitalTransformation

In this live episode, recorded at WSO2Con Europe 2025, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are joined by Jeremy Schneider, Senior Partner & Co-Head of Global Software & High-Tech Practice at McKinsey & Company, to explore the challenges and opportunities of platformless modernization and the cultural transformation required for organizations to become software-driven. They discuss the importance of leadership in understanding technology, the "build vs. buy" debate in platformless architecture, and how organizations can empower teams with autonomy while maintaining governance. The conversation also dives into the impact of AI on software development, with insights on rethinking workflows, data foundations, and organizational structures to fully leverage its potential. Key Discussion Points:● The cultural transformation needed to become a software-driven organization.● The "build vs. buy" debate in platformless architecture.How AI is reshaping software development and the challenges of adoption.● Balancing freedom and governance for developers and teams.● The importance of a product mindset for long-term modernization success.

Hosts

Sanjiva Weerawarana

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjivaweerawarana/

Twitter: @sanjiva

Medium: https://medium.com/@sanjiva.weerawarana

Asanka Abeysinghe

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/asankaabeysinghe

Twitter: @asankama

Blog: https://blog.architect2architect.com/

Medium: https://asankama.medium.com/

Jeremy Schneider

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremydschneider/

In this episode, Sanjiva and Asanka dive into the role of architects in modern enterprises, exploring their responsibilities, influence, and evolving scope. They discuss the different types of architects—enterprise, solution, software, and platform architects—their impact on technology strategy, and how they collaborate. The conversation also covers how architects balance governance with agility, drive modernization, and adapt to emerging trends like AI and automation. This episode provides a practical perspective on what it means to be an architect in today’s complex enterprise landscape.

Discussion Points

● Introduction – What it means to be an architect, common misconceptions, and why this discussion matters.

● Core Responsibilities – Defining technical vision, aligning with business goals, governance vs. agility, and enabling teams. ● Types of Architects – Business, enterprise, solution, software, and platform architects; their roles, collaboration, and impact.

● Architects as Strategic Enablers – The shift from control to enablement, driving modernization, and influencing cloud adoption and platform engineering.

● Future of the Architect Role – The impact of AI and automation, increasing business awareness, and essential skills for modern architects.

● Conclusion – Recap of responsibilities, how architects can stay effective, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation.

Hosts

Sanjiva Weerawarana

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjivaweerawarana/

Twitter: @sanjiva

Medium: https://medium.com/@sanjiva.weerawarana

Asanka Abeysinghe

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/asankaabeysinghe

Twitter: @asankama

Blog: https://blog.architect2architect.com/

Medium: https://asankama.medium.com/

In this episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are joined by special guest Daniel Bryant to explore the evolving practice of platform engineering through the lens of software architecture. They discuss why platform engineering should have a product mindset with developers as its primary customers, how platform and software architectures are symbiotic, and why good APIs, abstractions, and automation are essential for success. The conversation also highlights the role of internal developer platforms (IDPs) in enabling efficient and scalable software delivery.

In this episode, Sanjiva and Asanka explore the power of first principle thinking and why it’s a must-have approach for architects. They break down how this method helps tackle complex problems by focusing on fundamental truths rather than relying on assumptions or best practices. From root cause analysis to iterative refinement, they discuss how architects can apply first principles to design innovative and scalable solutions. Tune in to rethink your approach and elevate your architectural decision-making!

In this episode, Sanjiva and Asanka explore the evolving landscape of digital modernization. They discuss how modernization is not a one-time project but an ongoing journey, transitioning from digital transformation to digital modernization. The conversation delves into various modernization styles, such as rehosting, replatforming, rebuilding, and replacing, and addresses challenges like cost, skills, and organizational resistance. They also highlight the role of platforms and AI in accelerating modernization, with a focus on cost savings, risk reduction, and business agility.

Hosts:

In this special edition episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are joined by special guest Paul for an in-person recording in the studio. Sanjiva leads the discussion while Paul and Asanka, co-authors of the cell-based architecture, share their insights and experiences. Together, they explore the core principles of cell-based architecture, its practical applications, and how it reshapes modern software architecture.

Discussion points :

Links:

CBA paper: https://github.com/wso2/reference-architecture/blob/master/reference-architecture-cell-based.md

Hosts:

In this episode, hosts Sanjiva and Asanka are excited to have Christian Posta, a Service Mesh expert and Global Field CTO at Solo.io, join them. Together, they will explore the question: Is full lifecycle API management dead? They will discuss Christian’s article and the evolving landscape of API management. The conversation will also cover the Platformless manifesto and the important role of Internal Developer Platforms in modern software development. Lastly, Christian will share his thoughts on service mesh.

Links:

Christian’s article: https://dzone.com/articles/full-lifecycle-api-management-is-dead

Platformless manifesto: https://github.com/wso2/reference-architecture/blob/master/platformless.md

Cilium-based service mesh: https://wso2.com/library/blogs/how-we-implemented-zero-trust-in-choreo/

Chapters: 

1. Full Lifecycle API Management

2. Internal Developer Platforms (IDP)

3. Connecting Platformless with API Management and IDPs

4. History and future trends of service mesh

Sanjiva and Asanka welcome Gregor Hohpe and Frank Leymann to explore the modern landscape of platforms. This episode explores the strategic value of platforms, their role in creating platforms, and key architectural principles. Learn about the importance of APIs, cloud native middleware, and developer experience (DX), along with operational considerations like governance and CI/CD. They’ll explore real-world examples, the debate on building vs. buying platforms, and future trends shaped by AI and machine learning. Tune in for an in-depth discussion that will cover: