Cloud Talk - podcast cover

Cloud Talk

Rackspace Technologycloudtalk.fireside.fm
Cloud Talk brings you discussions on topics like digital transformation, Kubernetes, IoT, edge computing and multicloud, as told through the perspectives of the people and the companies who are living this transformation on a daily basis. In Cloud Talk, host Jeff DeVerter interviews some of the most influential figures on the frontlines of cloud technology, helping you stay connected. Jeff is CTO at Rackspace and has spent over 20 years immersed in the world of cutting-edge technology.

Episodes

Powering Developers at Every Level

How can businesses drive digital transformation, reduce development costs and increase overall efficiency? Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President of Microsoft Cloud + AI, joins Jeff DeVerter on Cloud Talk, discussing the shift towards low-code technology and how it's enabling people everywhere to innovate in new ways. Special Guest: Scott Guthrie.

Nov 04, 202038 min

The scary cybersecurity risks keeping the pros up at night

What’s keeping cybersecurity pros up at night? Today’s cyberthieves aren’t the same as yesterday’s. They’ve abandoned perimeter battering rams for email phishing and compromised IoT devices. Once inside, they take what they want — usually cold, hard cash, and lots of it. In this episode of Cloud Talk, our host Jeff DeVerter and a former FBI special agent Matthew Dunn discuss new and emerging security threats and share tales of real-world cybercrimes. Hear how a $1M corporate 401(k) heist began a...

Oct 29, 202038 min

How We Got to AIOps

Application performance management (APM) changed the IT industry in the mid-2000s, but AIOps transformed it even more dramatically in the mid-2010s. Will Cappelli, CTO of Moogsoft, joins host Jeff DeVerter to discuss the trajectory of AIOps and its multiple implications for today’s IT enterprises. Hear about the relatively short history of APM, and the fast-moving interconnected development of AI, the cloud, big data and IT digitization. Special Guest: Will Cappelli.

Oct 22, 202046 min

Machine Learning Is More than a Buzzword — but It’s Not the Answer to Every Problem

Artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Outside of tech, these things instill anxiety, due to a lack of understanding about their implications. But those immersed in tech sometimes go overboard, infusing them into everything they do. This episode of Cloud Talk explores the many sides of machine learning: how it adds value; ethics and concerns; when it shouldn’t be used; and the kinds of projects that without machine learning just aren’t feasible. Special Guest: Mark McQuade.

Oct 16, 202035 min

The Road Back from Developer Burnout

Developer burnout: It’s not just a theory. It’s a reality. And it may be affecting more developers on your team than you realize. Are any of them angry? Withdrawn? Rudderless? Those are just three of the classic signs that someone is headed for a crash-and-burn. Another sign is the work itself. Are developers struggling without clear direction, boundaries on their time, recognition or a healthy work-life balance? Those are all precursors to trouble. Managers play a critical role in taking care o...

Oct 08, 202038 min

Strengths, Not Skills, Are the Difference Makers for Winning Teams

In this episode of Cloud Talk, Kathy Kersten – the “maven of Gallup Strengths™ training” and host of the Obey your Strengths podcast – shares how leaders can harness the power of Strengths to build winning teams, via her own journey from miserable-feeling working mom to Gallup Certified Strengths™ Coach. Special Guest: Kathy Kersten.

Oct 01, 202043 min

Founders Series: Build a Small Business, Not a Startup

Shane Young grows businesses the old-fashioned way: with slow, organic growth. No loans. No seed funds. No angel investors. “You want to do something? Find a way to make the money, not borrow it,” Shane explains. This small-business mentality has served him well. In this Founders Series episode of Cloud Talk, join host Jeff DeVerter and Shane Young as they discuss their history working together, the Microsoft landscape, how PowerApps enables non-developers, and the biggest differences between op...

Sep 23, 202042 min

Founders don’t know everything, so build better teams for success

Building teams and finding a place where everyone fits is vital for success. In this episode of the Cloud Talk podcast, Rackspace founder Dirk Elmendorf shares his experiences about how individuals at every level can have a meaningful impact on businesses, why the best ideas don’t always arrive from obvious places, and when to know it’s time to leave a company — even if it’s one you founded. Special Guest: Dirk Elmendorf.

Sep 16, 202036 min

It’s time to reclaim ‘DevOps’ for its original purpose.

Some tech words become buzzwords and lose their meaning. In this episode of Cloud Talk, Rackspace CTO Tolga Tarhan sets out to reclaim one such word: DevOps. In just 30 minutes, he delves into what DevOps really means, how to set your company up for success in DevOps, and the best ways to build DevOps teams. Special Guest: Tolga Tarhan.

Sep 09, 202036 min

Wishful Thinking Won’t Get People Back in the Office — but Data Science Might

When should you re-open an office in a COVID-19 world? Data can show the way. In this episode of the Cloud Talk podcast, Rackspace data scientists outline how to make data and modeling work for you, empowering your company to make better, intelligent, fact-based decisions that give people real confidence and help keep them safe. Special Guests: Mark McQuade and Ryan Ries.

Sep 04, 202032 min

Transformation in the City of Atlanta

When you have to manage a cyberattack, a Super Bowl and a pandemic in quick succession, you learn the true meaning of agile leadership. Tye Hayes, CTO for the City of Atlanta, joins host of Cloud Talk and fellow CTO Jeff DeVerter to talk about her fascinating journey in the City of Atlanta and give insight into what it means to be an IT leader in the public sector. Special Guest: Tye Hayes.

Aug 24, 202032 min

Multicloud Rises in the East

The Asia, Pacific and Japan (APJ) region is a no stranger to early adoption of technology, and in recent months, the adoption of multicloud is surging. Antoine Acklin, Head of Architecture & Professional Services at Rackspace Technology APJ, joins Cloud Talk to discuss what’s happening in the region and give his advice on conducting business in that part of the world. Special Guest: Antoine Acklin.

Aug 18, 202037 min

Founders Series: Leading through constant and unpredictable change

How do you lead through change and keep employees and customers inspired? This episode of Cloud Talk answers these questions with plenty of great advice and anecdotes from Bret Piatt, CEO of Jungle Disk, and host Jeff DeVerter, CTO of Product & Services at Rackspace Technology. Special Guest: Bret Piatt.

Aug 11, 202036 min

Make Diversity an Intentional Goal When Building Cutting-Edge Tech Teams

Diversity isn’t about filling quotas and checking boxes. In this episode of the Cloud Talk podcast, key members of the Rackspace Technology data team explain how much of the team’s success stems from diversity and inclusivity. They also offer suggestions for bringing greater diversity to your own teams, and discuss the benefits diversity can bring to your entire organization. Special Guests: Eduardo Coccaro, Juan Riojas, and Lara Indrikovs.

Aug 04, 202039 min

Building A Connective Tissue with Google Anthos

Google is a huge player in the Cloud space, with a fascinating story. In this episode of the Cloud Talk podcast, host Jeff DeVerter sits down with Nirav Sheth of Google to talk about the release of Google Anthos, how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed cloud adoption, and why it’s important to meet customers where they are. Special Guest: Nirav Sheth.

Jul 29, 202033 min

The Show Must Go On: Tech and COVID-19 in Creative Industries

Creative industries have been hit hard by the pandemic-related restrictions on face-to-face contact. Troy Peters, musical director at Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, shares his experiences of using new technology to keep creating during COVID-19 – a story with plenty of parallels for IT leaders to ponder during these challenging times To learn more about the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, visit these links: https://www.yosa.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/Yosa1977 Special Guest: Troy Peters...

Jul 21, 202036 min

The Path from Cloud Naïve to Cloud Native

Of all the ways to answer the question, “How do I become cloud native?” the first answer that typically comes to mind – technology – is also the wrong one. Listen in as Rackspace Technology's VP of AWS Solutions, and Myles Anderson, Rackspace Technology's VP of AWS Professional Services, discuss the mindsets and processes that drive cloud native success. Special Guests: Myles Anderson and Taylor Bird.

Jul 16, 202036 min

Using Fortnite as Inspiration for Team Structure

The cloud holds a great deal of promise for organizations — yet, many businesses have not achieved their expected cloud outcomes, often inhibited by poor cloud team structures. This episode of Cloud Talk shares insight on creating successful cloud teams inspired by a popular video game, in which players work in squads that are rewarded for collaboration, individuality and speed. Special Guest: Lee James.

Jul 07, 202036 min

The Technology Challenges of Reopening the Office

Companies moved swiftly to set up remote workforces during the COVID-19 crisis. The return to the office, when it comes, will be a more gradual process, giving IT leaders more time to prepare. This episode explores what awaits them in a world where the digital workforce has arrived years earlier than planned. Special Guest: Peter Coffee.

Jun 29, 202032 min

Expectations of the Post-COVID-19 Online Consumer

Widespread stay-at-home orders pushed more users online than ever before, and this reliance on the internet isn’t expected to fade after the crisis is over. With more use, comes added expectations around customer experience. This episode of Cloud Talk explores how businesses can adapt to the new normal for customer experience. Special Guest: Arun Singh.

Jun 23, 202029 min

Leading Through a Pandemic

There’s no way to fully prepare for a world-shattering event like a global pandemic, but there are ways to effectively manage the changes it brings. Host Jeff DeVerter interviews Rackspace Technology CEO Kevin Jones in this episode of Cloud Talk and discusses how leadership made the difference as Rackspace Technology adapted to, and accelerated out of, the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Jones wrote an essay on his experience with H1N1, which can be found here (https://www.rackspace.com/blog/dont-drop-...

Jun 15, 202032 min

Why It’s Time for Your Company to Take Data Seriously — And How to Get Started

Data is exploding. There’s more of it than ever, and yet not enough companies take advantage of it. This episode of Cloud Talk quizzes two data experts on how to get started with data integration. It also examines the importance of starting small but thinking big, and how being smart about data can improve your customer experience, boost retention, and heighten your company’s success in today’s challenging market. Juan's article on Trusted Data (https://www.rackspace.com/solve/road-trusted-data)...

Jun 09, 202031 min

How to run your business when the world stops and everybody goes home

Millions suddenly find themselves working from home, forcing companies to rethink key aspects of their business. This episode of Cloud Talk explores the importance of communications, security, equipping and supporting staff, disaster planning, critical spending, and the importance of flexibility — all to position your organization for success in an uncertain future. Special Guest: Mike Woolard.

Jun 02, 202029 min

Unlock Innovation with Containers and Serverless

Tolga Tarhan is an authority on serverless computing and containers. As the CTO of Onica, a Rackspace company, Tarhan has long pushed for the adoption of cloud native application development. According to Tarhan, the cloud is especially exciting, relevant and vital — and that also makes it necessary for companies to take a different approach to cloud native processes. “Cloud native involves people, processes and technology changes,” Tarhan said. “Cloud native processes can lead you to a promised...

May 26, 202032 min

Teaser: Introducing Cloud Talk

Rackspace CTO Jeff DeVerter has been a Racker for over a decade with a career in tech that stretches back more than 20 years. He’s seen the industry evolve at a remarkable speed, and believes the pace is likely to accelerate. That’s why Jeff is the perfect host for Rackspace Solve’s new podcast series, “Cloud Talk.” In Cloud Talk, Jeff interviews some of the most influential experts on the frontlines of this dramatic change, to share their knowledge and insights on all things cloud, technology a...

May 18, 20202 min