Software Defined Interviews

Software Defined Talk

Deep discussions about technology, enterprise IT, and the like

  1. From Platform Engineering to Stand-Up Comedian, with Lian Li

    6D AGO

    From Platform Engineering to Stand-Up Comedian, with Lian Li

    In this episode, Whitney and Coté talk with Lian, a "cloud-native human" with a 15-year career in tech. Lian discusses her transition from tech to performance art, her experiences in amateur musical theater, stand-up comedy, and improv theater. She talks about platform engineering, the importance of community building in tech, and balancing professional life with personal projects. They also cover her unique improv workshops for engineers at conferences and the popular KubeCon karaoke parties she organizes. If you prefer video, you can watch that (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDIlieJmS7g). Mentions: Lian's home page on the World Wide Web (https://lianmakesthings.dev). Lian's LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lian-li/). One of Lian's talks discussed: "Many Cooks, One Platform: Balancing Ownership and Contribution for the Perfect Broth," (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjEuIUCbNYY) Lian Li, KubeCon EU 2025. Kuberoke (https://kuberoke.love). Lian's workshops (https://lianmakesthings.dev/services/workshop/). Also, Coté on a magazine cover (https://cote.io/2026/01/08/165100.html). Special Guest: Lian Li.

    1h 10m
  2. The Octopus Organization, with Jana Werner

    12/24/2025

    The Octopus Organization, with Jana Werner

    The Octopus Organization is a great collection of organization anti-patterns. This week, one of the co-authors, Jana Werner talks with Whitney and Coté about those patterns and her own experiences. They go over topics like reading habits, the role of business books, decision making, ownership, curiosity in organizations. practical steps to avoid common corporate anti-patterns, the importance of clear communication and leadership principles, and rubber pigs. You can also watch the video version of this episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGGazjeTOI) if you prefer that kind of thing. Check out the book, The Octopus Organization (https://www.theoctopusorganization.com/). Also, an HBR overview article on the book (https://hbr.org/2025/11/become-an-octopus-organization). And find Jana Werner in LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/janawerner1/). She's also talked with Coté a couple of other times, back in 2020 (https://www.softwaredefinedtalk.com/250) and then in 2024 (https://www.softwaredefinedtalk.com/464). Special Guest: Jana Werner.

    1h 14m
  3. The AI Tools Lab, conferences, devrel, with Jason Hand

    12/10/2025

    The AI Tools Lab, conferences, devrel, with Jason Hand

    Whitney and Coté chat with Jason Hand. They discuss the challenges and rewards of organizing conferences, the impact of the pandemic on in-person events, and the nuances of developer relations. Jason shares his experiences with AI Tools Lab, vibe coding, and personal projects such as developing his own tools to replace commercial SaaS products. They also talk about devrel differences at large vs. mid-sized companies, and how to maintaining personal energy and sanity in high-demand roles. Check out just about everything Jason Hand related at his home page on the World Wide Web (https://jasonhand.com). If you prefer video, check out the video of this episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jxmNoWv9WU). Special Guest: Jason Hand.

    1h 15m
  4. Whitney goes to KubeCon

    11/26/2025

    Whitney goes to KubeCon

    This week, Whitney Lee joins us to discuss KubeCon news, Coding Assistants, and conference tips. Plus, vegan food and note-taking recommendations. Watch the YouTube Live Recording of Episode 54 (https://www.youtube.com/live/gBkzVSXZot8?si=jEreOaj-q6-NuMM0)7 (https://www.youtube.com/live/gBkzVSXZot8?si=jEreOaj-q6-NuMM0) This is a cross-over episode with Software Defined Talk (https://www.softwaredefinedtalk.com/547).

    1h 9m
  5. Transformation, DevOps, Open Source, and Fast Food Operations, with Andrew Clay Shafer

    11/15/2025

    Transformation, DevOps, Open Source, and Fast Food Operations, with Andrew Clay Shafer

    Whitney and Coté talk with Andrew Clay Shafer, co-founder of Puppet and principal at an advisory firm, about the nuances of DevOps transformation, open source dynamics, and running his burger restaurant, All American Burger (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hgNturR3jf76u5EHA). They talk about the challenges of integrating social and technical systems, managing metrics and KPIs, and the evolving ecosystem of open source software. Also, they go over Andrew's experience in running a fast food restaurant and the parallels between managing a tech company and a food business. You can also watch the video version of this episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeRcxgrGpsg) if you're into that kind of thing. Links Andrew in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewclayshafer/ Ergonautic: https://www.ergonautic.ly All American Burger: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hgNturR3jf76u5EHA Special Guest: Andrew Clay Shafer.

    1h 11m
  6. The World Wide Web, Content, Work, Blogging Adventures, Short Videos, etc., with Russell Davies

    10/30/2025

    The World Wide Web, Content, Work, Blogging Adventures, Short Videos, etc., with Russell Davies

    We talk with Russell Davies this episode. He has done many things, above all else made lots of interesting content and messed around with producing content. Advertising, blogging and the World Wide Web of the 2000's, interesting conferences (call exactly that: interesting), books, and of late, he's been mastering the short video format. I am a big fan of Flora and his ("he's"?) recent podcast, WIP (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Fd3P49w3AxjSX-5i3ICmX0KnYOWaQ9x). Here is a fantastic episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jon5JZKmgM). All of Russell's stuff is to be found on his home page on the World Wide Web (https://www.russelldavies.com/index.html), those his photos (https://www.flickr.com/photos/russelldavies/) take some time tracking down. Also, Coté wears plaid on plaid. This was not done unknowingly. Here is the video version of this episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK7rDwtJXTM), if you prefer that kind of thing. Special Guest: Russell Davies.

    1h 17m
  7. The uncontrollable urge to click "publish," with Manton Reece

    10/15/2025

    The uncontrollable urge to click "publish," with Manton Reece

    Blogs! Whitney and Coté talk with Manton Reece, founder and owner of micro.blog. They talk about journaling, the urge to write and publish, and a whole lot about blogging, social media, and how AI fits into all of that. Check out micro blog at, well, micro.blog (https://micro.blog) and also Manton's blog (https://www.manton.org). Special Guest: Manton Reece.

    1h 16m
  8. Cows, Tech Careers, Working at Microsoft, and Even More About Cows, with Saad Ansari

    09/29/2025

    Cows, Tech Careers, Working at Microsoft, and Even More About Cows, with Saad Ansari

    In this episode, Whitney and Coté speak with Saad Ansari, a product manager at Databricks, about his journey from working at Microsoft to co-founding a startup focused on creating sensors for monitoring cow behavior. They go over the challenges and rewards of transitioning from large corporations to startups and back, the differences in company scales, and the various lessons learned along the way. Saad shares some stories about developing technology for dairy farming, tackling supply chain issues, and the importance of passion in one's work. The conversation also touches on the unique cultural aspects of dairy farming around the world, managing imposter syndrome, and the value of hands-on experience. Special Guest: Saad Ansari.

    1h 11m
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4.6
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About

Deep discussions about technology, enterprise IT, and the like

Information

  • Creator
    Software Defined Talk
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Software Defined Talk
  • Show Website
    Software Defined Interviews