DevOps Diaries

Jack McCurdy
  • 4.4 (7)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

DevOps Diaries, brought to you by Gearset, is the podcast for Salesforce professionals to hear stories from folks in the Trailblazer ecosystem responsible for delivering awesome Salesforce implementations — the trials, tribulations, and successes. Hosted by Jack McCurdy.

  1. 4D AGO

    070 — Paul Calf: From audit fail to DevOps pipeline success!

    Jack sits down with Paul Calf (Salesforce Release Manager at Standard Life, and Gearset DevOps Leader for 2026) to talk through a decade-long Salesforce journey that took him from accidental admin to release manager. Paul gets candid about the failed audit that forced his team to get serious about governance, what it looked like to build a compliant release process from scratch, and why cherry-picking components in VS Code nearly broke him (and the team). The conversation goes beyond tooling. Paul opens up about the culture-first approach his team takes to collaboration, from daily standups to blameless post-mortems, and what happens when someone accidentally data loads the wrong file into prod. He also shares his take on evaluating DevOps tools, approval bottlenecks, and how his financial services org is treading carefully, but deliberately, into AI territory. 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 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 – Intro & Meet Paul Calf 02:00 – The Accidental Admin Origin Story 03:44 – The Audit That Changed Everything 05:28 – Building a Release Process from Scratch 08:00 – From Change Sets to Gearset 09:34 – Tackling Approval Bottlenecks 12:43 – Breaking Down Silos & Building a Collaborative Culture 15:42 – Blameless Culture & Owning Your Mistakes 18:55 – Lessons from Building a DevOps Pipeline 22:29 – Cherry Picking: A Horror Story 25:40 – How to Evaluate DevOps Tooling 28:11 – Continuous Improvement as a Mindset 30:15 – Approaching AI in a Regulated Industry 33:46 – Final Advice for Salesforce & DevOps Teams 37:20 – Wrapping Up

    38 min

  2. FEB 19

    069 — Dan Barckley: Accidental admin, intentional architect!

    What happens when you deploy to prod on a Friday and it starts firing emails to every customer? Dan Barckley has lived it — and it's why he's now a DevOps believer. In this episode: accidental admin origins, why simple beats complex every time, Agentforce skepticism, and the leadership mindset that changes everything. 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 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: 01:36 Introducing Daniel Barckley: A Journey in Salesforce 04:16 The Joy of Problem Solving in DevOps 07:05 Learning from Mistakes: The Accidental Admin 09:35 Tinkering and Innovation: Building in Salesforce 12:37 The Importance of Mentorship and Leadership 15:21 Characteristics of Great Leaders 18:18 Navigating the Salesforce Ecosystem 20:46 The Future of Salesforce: AI and Automation 23:46 Data Management and Business Continuity 26:43 Iterative Development and Continuous Improvement 29:19 Embracing Change in the Tech World 32:11 Closing Thoughts: Lead with Curiosity

    39 min

  3. JAN 15

    068 — Sam Crossland: Securing AI Code & Mastering DevOps Fundamentals

    Sam Crossland returns to DevOps Diaries to dissect the evolving world of Salesforce development and AI-generated code. As artificial intelligence reshapes the coding landscape, Sam and Jack go beyond the hype to discuss the real risks and rewards. They explore why trusting AI-generated code without strict quality gates is a dangerous game, emphasizing that human oversight remains the ultimate security protocol for reliable software delivery. However, technology is only half the battle. Sam advocates for a return to the fundamentals that drive high-performing teams, highlighting the critical importance of robust documentation and the use of RACI metrics to clarify roles. The conversation dives deep into the necessity of continuous improvement, offering practical strategies for chipping away at technical debt and measuring success through meaningful metrics.  Whether you are navigating the complexities of AI integration or simply seeking to streamline your team’s workflow, this episode offers the strategic blueprint you need to thrive in the modern DevOps lifecycle. Tune in now to discover how to perfectly balance innovation with reliability.

    46 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    067 — Nicolas Vuillamy: CTO, DevOps enthusiast, and open-source champion!

    Jack sits down to talk all things Salesforce DevOps, open-source, and career development in an AI-forward world with Nicolas Vuillamy.  They discuss the often-overlooked reality that DevOps is a mindset, not just a set of buttons to push and Nicolas opens up about the responsibilities of technical leadership. Also discussed are the "threat" and opportunity of AI, and why getting involved in open-source projects might be the single best move you can make for your career.  Whether you are a junior developer or an aspiring architect, this conversation offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of Salesforce in 2026 and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Open Source and DevOps 02:43 The Value of Open Source Collaboration 05:13 Journey into Salesforce and Trailhead 07:42 Understanding DevOps in Salesforce 09:54 SFDX Hardis: A DevOps Tool for Salesforce 12:31 Challenges in Salesforce DevOps 15:29 The Role of AI in Salesforce 18:02 Career Advice for Aspiring Salesforce Professionals 20:31 The Importance of Collaboration in Tech 23:05 The Evolving Role of a CTO 25:56 Predictions for the Future of Salesforce and DevOps

    36 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    066 — Ana Moreno: Lessons from a Salesforce Release Engineer in DevSecOps!

    Do you actually need a Release Engineer to manage Salesforce DevOps?  Ana Moreno joins Jack to share her incredible (and truly accidental) journey from the world of art history to the heart of tech. Before they dive into release management, Jack derails the conversation to hear all about the fascinating world of art fraud, including tales of Man Ray's lost negatives and fake Victorian photographs. Once back on track, Ana pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to manage a complex, high-stakes Salesforce release process at a company that lives and breathes DevOps. Tune in to learn: - What the day-to-day life of a dedicated Release Engineer actually looks like. - How GitLab manages weekly Salesforce releases with a 30+ person team across five pods. - Strategies for handling merge conflicts as a "necessary evil." - Ana's top advice for teams looking to overhaul their process (Hint: It's not just about buying a tool). - The practical role AI is playing in their DevOps cycle today. 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 Welcome Ana Moreno, Salesforce Release Engineer at GitLab 02:36 Ana's journey: The "Accidental Admin" 03:30 From art history to tech 09:33 Let's talk about art fraud! 15:14 From Admin to Release Engineer 22:35 What does a Release Engineer actually do all day? 25:48 Inside GitLab's weekly Salesforce release cycle 28:09 The challenge of managing 1,000+ Apex tests 33:07 Taming the "necessary evil" of merge conflicts 38:41 Key advice for teams overhauling their DevOps process 46:12 The real-world future of AI in the DevOps pipeline 50:57 Ana's Final Mantra

    52 min

  6. 10/31/2025

    065 — Aga Peryie: The truth about Salesforce backup, recovery & archiving!

    "Data loss" is a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of every Salesforce professional. But what if you could face a data incident with calm and confidence? Jack speaks with Aga Peryie, Senior Product Manager at Gearset, about building a solid data management strategy. They discuss the vital role of understanding customer needs, the challenges of data backup, and why so many teams are vulnerable to simple user errors. This conversation is a masterclass in shifting from anxiety to control. Tune in to learn: - Why most teams are unprepared for the most common cause of data loss: user error. - The key to reducing anxiety: regularly testing your recovery process before you need it. - Practical strategies for archiving data to manage Salesforce storage limits effectively. - How to build a backup solution truly tailored to the complexities of Salesforce. - Why a "set it and forget it" backup plan is a recipe for disaster. 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 Product Management at Gearset 02:52 The Importance of Customer-Centric Product Management 05:15 Understanding Customer Needs and Asking 'Why' 08:00 Data Backup Solutions: Common Practices and Misconceptions 10:54 Assessing the Importance of Data and Trust 13:35 Identifying Data Loss and Recovery Strategies 16:16 Best Practices for Data Restoration 19:09 Archiving Strategies for Salesforce Data 21:47 The Role of Data in AI and Customer Experience 24:39 The Benefits of Backup and Archiving Solutions 27:28 Creating a Culture of Data Awareness 29:58 Final Thoughts on Data Backup and Recovery

    43 min

  7. 10/15/2025

    064 — Raksha Sanganee: The secret to DevOps success is culture, not code!

    What’s the most overlooked element in a successful DevOps strategy? According to Salesforce Architect and community leader Raksha Sanganee, it's culture. In this powerful episode of DevOps Diaries, Jack McCurdy sits down with Raksha to uncover her remarkable journey from a school finance officer to a respected DevOps consultant. She shares the invaluable lessons learned while training over 300 people in Salesforce for free and unpacks her core principles for transforming a team's software delivery lifecycle. Tune in to learn why "seeing is believing" is the key to overcoming client skepticism, how to build unbreakable trust, and why you should never, ever forget your backups! 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 Raksha Her Journey 04:23 Transitioning to Salesforce and Community Impact 09:13 Understanding DevOps: Culture and Trust 13:41 Common Mistakes in DevOps and Importance of Automation 18:24 Building Trust with Clients and Overcoming Skepticism 23:02 The Role of Training and Demos in DevOps 27:29 Data Strategy and Best Practices in Salesforce 32:00 The Importance of Community and Continuous Learning 36:31 Parting Wisdom and Final Thoughts

    42 min

  8. 09/18/2025

    063 — Conlan Morton-O'Rourke: Correction of Errors, Contractors, and Compliance!

    In the world of tech, it’s easy to get lost in the code, the pipelines, and the deadlines. But what truly separates a good team from a great one? In this episode of DevOps Diaries, Conlan makes the case that it’s a culture built on trust and continuous improvement. Conlan shares his experience managing a complex Salesforce project management application where the stakes are high. He reveals how his team navigates the strict world of SOX compliance, not as a burden, but as a driver for quality. We explore his passion for automation, from CI/CD pipelines that supercharge efficiency to automated deployments that eliminate human error. However, the real magic lies in the human element. Conlan explains how creating psychological safety and running blameless post-mortems transforms mistakes into learning opportunities, and why true collaboration only happens when every single person, including contractors, feels like a core part of the team. If you want to build systems and teams that last, this episode is for you. 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 Conlan 02:11 Managing Compliance in Project Management Applications 07:04 The Intersection of Compliance and Data Quality 08:32 Importance of DevOps in Delivery Processes 12:02 Automation and Change Management in Salesforce 17:37 Correction of Errors and Continuous Improvement 20:40 Continuous Quality Improvement in Software Development 22:42 Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety 24:50 Anomaly Reports vs. Correction of Errors 27:21 Empowering Team Members to Speak Up 31:03 Integrating Contractors into Team Culture 37:00 Ensuring Quality Oversight in Contractor Work 39:32 Exciting Innovations on the Salesforce Platform

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

DevOps Diaries, brought to you by Gearset, is the podcast for Salesforce professionals to hear stories from folks in the Trailblazer ecosystem responsible for delivering awesome Salesforce implementations — the trials, tribulations, and successes. Hosted by Jack McCurdy.

Information

  • Creator
    Jack McCurdy
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 DevOps Diaries
  • Show Website
    DevOps Diaries