Big Ideas in App Architecture

In this episode, David welcomes Ari LiVigni, Senior Cloud Solutions Architect at GitHub, for an engaging conversation about cloud infrastructure, cloud adoption, AI, and security. Join us as we discuss:The importance of effective cloud solutions for data protection and security, including a look at tools from GitHub, AWS, and Azure.GitHub's significant milestones, including its acquisition by Microsoft and the launch of innovative tools like pull requests and forking.How GitHub Copilot enhances productivity by enabling developers to focus on code prompts while automating routine tasks.

Ever wondered how cloud architecture works in the public sector? In this episode, David Joy is joined by Nik Mayer, Principal Cloud Architect at Maximus, a company that partners with state, federal and local governments to provide critical health and human service programs. Nick discusses his journey into cloud architecture, emphasizing the impact of public cloud on innovation and accessibility. He also highlights the key differences between private and public sector cloud strategies, focusing on the heightened security and compliance requirements of government agencies.Key takeaways from the episode include:The importance of cloud computing in the public sectorThe challenges of migrating legacy systems to the cloudThe importance of balancing cost optimization with performance in federal cloud deploymentsThe value of continuous learning and diverse experiences in staying current with the rapidly evolving tech landscape

This week, David is joined by Dom Scandinaro, CTO at Cameo, the platform that allows users to send personalized videos from celebrities and creators. Scandinaro gives an in-depth overview of Cameo’s rapid growth from a simple idea into a robust and deeply personalized fan experience platform with the digital infrastructure to match. Join us as we discuss:How Cameo’s tech stack has evolved as the company expands globallyWhy leaders need to have an in-depth understanding of their team’s abilities and limitationsHow Cameo is harnessing Generative AI for new products and platform features.

In this episode, our host David Joy speaks with Samarth Shah, Senior Network Architect at Equifax to learn about the steps they took to modernize from the mainframe to the cloud, as well as the impact AI has on the industry.Join as we also discuss:The limitations of the mainframe and what enterprises need to consider when moving towards a cloud architecture.How to address modern security challenges including IAM controls, network segmentation, and DDoS protection.Innovative use cases for generative AI in network security, including how to automate defensive actions during cyber incidents.

In this episode, we dive into the heart of cloud architecture, disaster recovery, observability, and more with OneStream’s Senior VP of Cloud Architecture, Ryan Berry. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or finance professional, this episode offers indispensable knowledge on navigating modern cloud landscapes and optimizing financial software solutions.Join as we discuss:The importance of learning new cloud patterns for cost-effectiveness and higher migration success.The intricacies of scaling infrastructure, particularly during high-demand scenarios such as month-end and quarterly financial modeling.What companies need to consider when adopting the cloud.

In this episode, David is joined by Head of Product Engineering and Chief Architect at Altimetrik, Ignacio Segovia.  From revolutionizing product engineering to harnessing the power of cloud technologies, Ignacio breaks down the themes of digital transformation in today's rapidly evolving landscape, and how Altimetrik fosters cultural alignment and innovation on their engineering teams.Join as we discuss:How Altimetrik approaches modernization and product engineering efforts across industries including financial services, payments, and more.The importance of user satisfaction and how it drives technical decision-making across every architectural layer.Insights into building high-performance teams, including Ignacio’s hiring principles and interview questions

This week, David is joined by Unmesh Joshi, Principal Consultant at Thoughtworks and author of “Patterns of Distributed Systems” for a conversation on the technical intricacies that keep modern applications running smoothly. Join as we discuss:Key concepts behind distributed systems, including fault tolerance and consistency models, consensus algorithms, and more.Unmesh’s inspiration behind  “Patterns of Distributed Systems,” and how he hopes to simplify complex concepts for developers.Technical predictions for distributed systems over the next five years.

With a growing library of media properties including CNET, Lonely Planet, and Bankrate, Red Ventures’ data platform has scaled from handling 16 million events per day to nearly 2 billion. To dive into the evolution of their architecture and understand how data effortlessly travels through their systems, our host David Joy sat down with Principal Software Engineer Majid Fatemian.Join as we discuss:Why Red Ventures migrated from SQL Server to Amazon RedshiftHow the data landscape has changed over the last two decadesThe challenges every leader should expect when running a data platformMajid’s time at Ubisoft and his involvement in one of David’s favorite games, Far Cry 2

For the engineering team at digital analytics company Amplitude, real-time customer feedback and cutting-edge Northstar metrics play a significant role in helping them adapt their tech stack and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.To learn more about the innovative approaches at Amplitude, we sat down with their SVP of Engineering, Shadi Rostami, for a discussion on the significance of ownership, accountability, and a founder's mindset in shepherding a company's growth.Join as we discuss: Developing a growth mindset to enable a successful engineering careerShadi’s engineering principles including “ship fast with quality”How to scale platforms through informed data-driven prioritization and strategic product focus

Modernizing database infrastructure can solve more than just data problems. It can also simplify your software architecture and the way your engineering organization works.In this episode, David sits down with technical evangelist, Rob Reid from Cockroach Labs,  to discuss the importance of architectural simplification through proven patterns, real-world examples, and practical use cases. Join as we discuss:The benefits of simplifying your data architectureWhy you should think of regulations as part of your architectureHow in some cases, running a database across three data centers can be cheaper than twoWhat to know about selecting the right database for your use case

“Customer experience is top priority, if the customer isn’t happy and you scale it, it doesn’t matter, nobody's gonna use it!”This week, David is joined by Sachin Joshi, Director of Enterprise Architecture at Vimeo, to discuss customer experience as the north star of architecture work, the evolution and impact of AI, and Vimeo's code-to-cash process for business efficiency. Join us as we discuss:Vimeo's enterprise architecture, integration, and automationHow to prioritize customer experience when scaling applicationsMonolithic vs microservices architecture

How to leverage real-time data processing for enterprisesIn this episode, David is joined by Andrew Sellers, Head of Technology at Confluent, to discuss the dynamic world of data streaming and its transformative impact in the enterprise as well as everyday applications. Andrew sheds light on the evolution of data infrastructure and how Confluent is constantly working to revolutionize data management with its platform.Join us as we discuss: The pivotal role of technologies like Kafka and Apache Flink in application architecturesHow data streaming translates into tangible business value, from improved decision-making to enhanced operational efficiencyForesight into the evolving trends in real-time data processing, including why data streaming will ultimately make generative AI better

Developers need a toolkit to build AI into their applications – models, functions, & data, Hypermode does just that. To learn how the world of data and databases have been rapidly evolving for the age of AI, we sat down with their CTO Gajanan Chinchwadkar (previously Chief Systems Architect at Visa). Join as we discuss:The evolution of database technologies from niche markets to a $100 billion industry with over 8000 options. Scaling databases in different organizational contexts, and strategies for staying up-to-date with industry trends.How AI will impact the programming landscape.

With over a decade of experience spanning various industries, Chief Architect Joshua Prismon shares insights on his journey from guiding the architecture of FICO to his current role enabling media owners to grow revenue and marketers to reach consumers on any screen at Index Exchange. From the democratization of credit scores to the ethical considerations of AI use, Josh provides a comprehensive overview of the intersection between technology, privacy, and innovation.Join as we discuss:The transformative impact of technology on credit scoring and financial services.The importance of balancing technological advancements with privacy-focused ad tech.The critical role of app architecture in navigating data privacy and regulatory compliance.

Major retailers from AllBirds to Alo Yoga to Glossier boost sales and increase customer loyalty with Endear’s CRM solution. To learn about the technology behind the scenes enabling omni-channel strategies at these large consumer brands, David Joy sat down with the CTO at Endear, JP Grace. Join as we discuss:The intricacies of building and maintaining a robust infrastructure and data platform — from refining operating procedures to leveraging managed services.Challenges and opportunities faced by CTOs — from the shift in mindset to prioritizing spending and building relationships with cloud platform companies.The transformative potential of AI in B2C marketing and beyond.

Vlad Eidelman, Chief Technology Officer at FiscalNote a Government Relationship Management (GRM) service, sits down with David Joy to examine the technical complexities involved with acquisitions. Vlad explains the challenges with integrating products running on different infrastructures, and talks through his proven strategies for a successful integration.Join as we discuss:The intricacies of tech acquisitions including the essential steps in pre-acquisition diligence, technology integration, and organizational alignment.Considerations for creating reliable AI solutions.How big data has shifted over the last decade.

Whether you need to send greeting cards or flowers, Moonpig makes personalized gifting for any occasion easy. But behind the simplicity of Moonpig’s platform are complex technologies that enable the deep customization that customers love. To talk about the architecture behind Moonpig, Principal Engineer Alexis Lowe sat down with our host David Joy.Join as we discuss:How serverless technologies are helping Moonpig manage costs and handle spikes in usageThe failover solutions that are implemented to ensure Moonpig can provide an always-on experience even during high-traffic events such as holidaysHow Alexis experiments with new AWS services and why he loves Lambda

Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton plays a pivotal role in keeping federal agencies including the United States Department of Defense and the VA on the cutting edge. In this episode, host David Joy is joined by Booz Allen Hamilton’s Sr. Solutions Architect, Brian Johnson, for a discussion on the exciting, intricate world of data analysis as well as expert insights on solutions architecture.Join as we discuss:Brian’s extensive global career that spans test engineering, software architecture, metrology, and his time in the military.Demystifying the approach to problem-solving and technology selection.Scalability, risk assessment, and the suitability of architecture frameworks.

Madalina Tanasie's career has been led by her belief that technology should be purposeful. Embracing choices that reflected this conviction, her professional path ultimately led to the C-suite.David sits down with Madalina to discuss the always-evolving technology landscape and the recent advancements in AI, especially in the context of her work at Collibra. Join us to discuss: The need for engineering leaders who can translate technical issues into business pains.The “buy vs. build” mentality — and the benefit of leveraging managed services.AI governance and the importance of regulatory compliance and informed business decisions.

Years before Rod Senra became VP of Engineering, he started out in academia in Brazil. He recalls the early days of Python and teaching computer engineering to his students. Today, he leads as VP of Engineering at Loadsmart, a logistics technology company helping shippers, suppliers and carriers to move goods more efficiently.Join us to discuss:How to understand different database offerings and how to choose the right one.What it takes to manage an engineering team like Napoleon led his frontlines — strategic, yet tactical.How he uses AI/ML at Loadsmart, and other interesting AI/ML projects Rod has been a part of including the Gatorade Sweat Patch and mobile ordering app for Philz Coffee.