Advertise on podcast: Ardan Labs Podcast

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Ale Kennedy debuts as host in her first episode, sitting down with Oscar Hedaya, founder of SPACE, to discuss building startups, navigating uncertainty, and launching innovative products. Oscar shares his journey from New Jersey to Miami, the childhood financial challenges that shaped his work ethic, and the lessons learned from college, job searching, and early setbacks. The conversation explores what it takes to start a company, develop a physical product in a competitive market, and turn setbacks into momentum. Together, Ale and Oscar examine persistence, partnership dynamics, and how identifying gaps in the market led to the creation of The Space Safe. 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:13 Smart Safes and Security Innovation 07:14 Childhood and Early Influences 12:57 College Applications and Transitions 28:51 College Decisions and Academic Paths 42:15 Graduation and Job Market Reality 54:26 Starting a Business 59:43 Restarting the Entrepreneurial Journey 01:10:29 The Birth of The Space Safe 01:18:48 Product Development Challenges 01:23:49 Launching SpaceSafe Connect with Oscar:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohedaya/ Mentioned in this Episode: The Space Safe Website: https://www.thespacesafe.com Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta, about using AI to preserve the stories and legacies of loved ones. Miles explains how Reflekta enables meaningful, ongoing conversations with elders through AI while prioritizing privacy, ethics, and emotional responsibility. They explore the technical foundations of the platform, the challenges of building trust around deeply personal data, and the business model behind Reflekta. Miles also shares his journey from high school to entrepreneurship and reflects on how technology can foster genuine human connection rather than replace it. 00:00 Introduction  02:35 How Reflekta Uses AI 05:10 Media Processing and Conversations 08:26 Privacy, Security, and Ethics 13:25 Miles’ Background and Journey 27:57 Early Entrepreneurship and Family Challenges 36:49 Finance, Venture Capital, and Media 44:57 New Ventures and Career Shifts 56:54 COVID-19 and Business Impact 01:00:04 The Birth of Reflekta 01:09:03 Ethical Challenges and the Road Ahead Connect with Miles:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesspencer/ Mentioned in this Episode: Reflekta: https://reflekta.ai/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Peter Swimm, founder of Toilville, about the future of AI and workplace automation. Peter shares insights from his long career in technology—from Microsoft to building large-scale conversational AI systems—and discusses the growing need for strong governance around AI usage. They explore privacy and IP concerns, the pitfalls of “vibe coding,” and why documentation and trust logs are essential for safe and effective AI adoption. The conversation also dives into generational shifts in education, the impact of COVID-19 on the job market, and how AI can enhance productivity without replacing authenticity. 00:00 Introduction 03:09 AI and Workplace Automation 05:51 Privacy, IP, and Safety Concerns 08:50 Vibe Coding and Development Challenges 12:04 Governance and Compliance 14:49 Evolution of AI Tools 20:53 Early Tech Experiences 31:28 Cultural Perspectives on AI 36:31 AI and the Future of Education 42:44 Career Paths and Experience 50:54 Early Conversational AI 56:15 COVID-19 and Contact Centers 59:00 AI’s Future in Business 01:02:42 From Microsoft to Entrepreneurship 01:13:44 Navigating the AI Landscape 01:28:02 Empowering Businesses with AI Solutions Connect with Peter:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterswimm/ Mentioned in this Episode: Toilville: https://www.toilville.com/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Caleb Mattingly, Founder and CEO of Secure Cloud Innovations, about his journey through cybersecurity, compliance, and entrepreneurship. Caleb shares insights into navigating complex compliance frameworks, the importance of vulnerability management, and building trust in the cybersecurity space. Beyond tech, he discusses his passion for linguistics, communication, and music—and how personal interests shape professional growth. The conversation also explores Caleb’s entrepreneurial story, from a chance encounter at a swing dance club to building a thriving business during COVID-19, highlighting lessons in resilience, niche marketing, and the value of relationships in business. 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Cybersecurity and Compliance 05:56 Vulnerability Management 19:39 Education and Career Exploration 26:35 Linguistics and Language Learning 36:42 College Life and Personal Growth 40:15 Music, Hobbies, and Self-Expression 55:51 Balancing Work and Love 01:12:08 Entering Cybersecurity 01:23:05 Career Changes and New Beginnings 01:26:49 Founding Secure Cloud Innovations 01:39:56 Building Trust and Customer Relationships Connect with Caleb:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-h-mattingly/ Mentioned in this Episode: Secure Cloud Innovations: https://trysci.co/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Catherine Johnson, VP of Global Solutions Engineering at Hydrolix, about her career journey through data management, scalability, and innovation. With a background spanning leadership roles at Hydrolix, Grafana Labs, and Oracle, Catherine shares insights into balancing engineering, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. She discusses the evolution of real-time data systems, the economics of storage, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Catherine also opens up about taking a break from tech to teach dance, and how her passion for innovation and continuous learning fuels her leadership today. 00:00 Introduction 03:03 Data Management and Scalability 05:58 Explosion of Data and Storage Needs 09:01 Real-Time Data in Business 14:49 Economics of Data Storage 20:41 Education and Early Career 31:09 Career Transitions and Growth 46:10 Teaching Dance and Finding Balance 53:16 Returning to Tech at Oracle 01:08:10 Joining Elastic and Facing Burnout 01:15:45 Leadership and Innovation at Hydrolix 01:27:07 AI in Tech and Its Limitations Connect with Catherine:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catjopdx/ Mentioned in this Episode: Hydrolix: https://hydrolix.io/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Salah Mahmud, a medical researcher specializing in epidemiology and medical statistics. Salah shares his journey from growing up in Libya under Gaddafi’s regime to conducting cutting-edge research in Canada on the connection between influenza and heart attacks. He discusses the challenges of running large-scale observational studies, the bureaucratic barriers to accessing medical data, and the importance of diversity in health research. Salah also reflects on his early entrepreneurial ventures, his discovery of programming during medical school, and how resilience and adaptability shaped his personal and professional journey. 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Research on Influenza and Heart Attacks 05:53 Challenges in Data Access 16:51 Life in Libya Under Gaddafi 21:32 From Medicine to Programming 41:18 WHO Collaboration and Education Abroad 57:13 Disappearance and New Beginnings 01:09:33 Immigration and Adaptation in Canada 01:15:45 Balancing Medicine and Technology 01:21:22 Family, Culture, and Reflection 01:25:37 Current Research and Future Goals Connect with Salah:  Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salah-mahmud-4177285a/ Mentioned in this Episode: Golang: https://go.dev/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Zack Holland, CEO & Founder of Averi AI, about his journey from early life in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest to building an AI-powered marketing platform. Zack shares lessons from early business ventures, the challenges of running startups, and the evolution of his entrepreneurial mindset. They explore how Averi AI helps marketers become more creative and efficient, the importance of data security and trust in AI, and what it takes to innovate in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 00:00 Introduction 02:54 Marketing and AI Evolution 05:58 Changing Digital Landscape 09:04 Early Life and Influences 12:02 From Ecuador to Utah 18:00 First Business in High School 29:53 LLMs and Entrepreneurship 39:44 Lessons from Failure 43:46 Starting a Marketing Agency 56:19 Founding Avery AI 01:08:10 Trust and Data Security 01:13:14 Marketing and AI Adoption 01:17:58 AI Challenges and Opportunities 01:26:00 Contact Info  Connect with Zack:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackholland X: https://x.com/zack_holland Mentioned in this Episode: Averi AI: https://www.averi.ai/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Mike Elgan, technology editorialist, about his journey to becoming a professional writer. Mike reflects on the evolution of journalism, the digital publishing revolution of the 90s, and the role of communication in shaping society. He also shares insights from his nomadic lifestyle, the realities of freelance writing, the impact of AI on creativity, and the importance of adaptability and passion in navigating a rapidly changing technological landscape. 00:00 Introduction  05:54 Growing Up in the 70s and 80s 11:32 Education, Passion & Early Work 31:32 Politics, Journalism & First Writing Roles 45:16 Transition to Technology Journalism 54:30 Digital Media Revolution 01:03:01 Becoming a Freelance Writer 01:05:52 Nomadic Lifestyle & Financial Realities 01:24:36 AI’s Impact on Work, Writing & Education 01:42:56 The Future of Writing & Communication 01:50:52 Cyberpunk Reality & Technology’s Next Era 01:55:11 Finding Passion & Success in Life Connect with Mike:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeelgan X: https://x.com/MikeElgan Mentioned in this Episode: Mike Elgan’s Newsletter: https://machinesociety.ai/ Gastronomad: https://gastronomad.net Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy talks with Jasson Casey, CEO and co-founder of Beyond Identity, about modern cybersecurity. Jasson shares his journey from early interests in technology and networking to leading startups and building products that address today’s security challenges. They explore the evolution of authentication, the need for hardware-backed identity systems, the realities of insider threats, and how cultural and customer insights shape better security solutions. 00:00 Introduction 00:30 What is Jasson Doing Today? 7:00 Fundamentals of Security 15:30 First Memory of a Computer 22:00 Interest in Physics  36:00 Working in College 43:00 Joining a Startup 50:00 Becoming a Product Manager at 21 58:30 Culture Shock  1:03:20 Moving to Executive Roles 1:10:00 Starting Beyond Identity 1:19:00 Monitoring Threats 1:34:00 Contact Info Connect with Jasson:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jassoncasey/ X: https://x.com/jassoncasey Mentioned in this Episode: Beyond Identity: https://www.beyondidentity.com/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Bill Kennedy interviews Jonathan Amsterdam from the Go team at Google about his journey from academia and finance to software engineering, his work on Go and API design, and the importance of adaptability, community, and building impactful software. 00:00 Introduction 00:30 What is Jonathan Doing Today? 02:00 First Memories of a Computer 09:30 Entering University 14:00 Early Coding / Academics  20:50 Interest in AI / ML 27:00 Career Beginnings  33:00 Transitioning to Java and Teaching 41:00 Distributed Software 45:00 Ambitions / Finding Stability  55:00 Experiences at Google  1:07:20 Joining the Go Team 1:17:00 Go and MCP 1:24:00 API Design and Philosophy 1:30:20 Contact Info Connect with Jonathan:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-amsterdam-b901b21/ Mentioned in this Episode: Go-sdk: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/go-sdk Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this conversation, career coach Kacie Bail discusses her work helping others navigate the job market. She emphasizes the growing importance of soft skills in job applications, the challenges of job rejections, and the need for empathy from interviewers. Kacie shares her journey from bioengineering to consulting, highlighting the significance of internships and the continuous nature of career development. The discussion also touches on the impact of automation on job opportunities and the importance of finding clarity in career goals.  00:00 Introduction 00:30 What is Kacie Doing Today?  01:30 Job Search Process 09:00 Interviewing and Soft Skills 15:00 Having Attention 20:00 Highschool Interests 33:00 University in Maryland 39:00 Entering Consulting 55:00 Looking for Change 01:03:00 Moving to Chile 1:18:00 Getting the Interview 1:22:00 Sourcing Clients 1:27:10 AI Automation for Resumés 1:31:30 Contact Info Connect with Kacie:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaciebail/ Kacie’s Newsletter: https://kaciebail.substack.com Instagram: @kaciebail Mentioned in this Episode: Kacie’s Site: https://www.kaciebail.com/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, host Bill Kennedy sits down with Facundo Giuliani, Solutions Engineering Team Manager at Storyblok, to trace his path from his early experiences with computers to leading a remote solutions engineering team. They explore headless CMS, the shift into developer relations, the balance of technical and soft skills, and the economic and community-building realities shaping today’s tech careers. 00:00 Introduction 02:30 What is Facundo Doing Today?  07:00 First Memory of a Computer 12:00 Highschool Interests 16:00 University Studies 28:00 Importance of a Degree 38:00 Moving Jobs 45:00 Working Remotely / Cost of Living 56:00 Engaging With Others  1:00:00 Developer Relations Engineers 1:09:20 Solutions Engineering 1:15:30 Understanding Customer Problems 1:20:00 Next Steps  1:27:00 Contact Info Connect with Facundo:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/facundogiuliani/ Facundo’s Site: https://fgiuliani.com/ Mentioned in this Episode: Storyblok: https://www.storyblok.com/ React Miami: https://www.reactmiami.com/ Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode Bill Kennedy and Kenneth Stott discuss the evolving role of AI in organizations, emphasizing the importance of human intelligence in leveraging AI tools effectively. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI, the need for a structured data language within organizations, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI insights. Ken shares insights from his upcoming book on redefining organizational intelligence in the age of AI, highlighting strategies for effective human-AI collaboration. 00:00 Introduction 2:45 AI and Organizational Behavior 5:30 Limitations of Generative AI 11:00 Learning the AI Tooling 15:00 Using AI Tools for Code 20:00 Business Decisions / Analytics 25:00 Trusting AI Insights  36:00 What is an AI Agent 43:00 Future of Organizational Intelligence  Connect with  Kenneth:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenstott/ Mentioned in this Episode: Hasura: https://hasura.io/ Cursor: https://cursor.com/ Claude: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode, Mary Moore-Simmons, VP of Engineering at Keebo, shares her journey from early tech interests to leadership roles at SendGrid, GitHub, and Keebo. She discusses navigating career transitions, the value of mentorship, and her passion for building innovative developer tools and empowering teams. 00:00 Introduction 07:48 First Memory of a Computer 10:30 Interest in Languages 16:00 Highschool / College 23:00 Engineering in University  27:40 Joining the Work Force 38:05 First Job in Software 48:00 Project Management  54:00 Working in DevOps 1:05:30 Working in Crypto/Blockchain 1:14:00 Leadership Aspirations  1:20:00 Team Dynamics 1:32:00 AI Tooling 1:42:00 Contact Info  Connect with Mary:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmooresimmons/ Mentioned in this Episode: Keebo: https://keebo.ai SendGrid: https://sendgrid.com/en-us Github: https://github.com Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

In this episode, Ali Hafizji, founder of Wednesday, shares insights into his unique approach to product engineering through a sprint model that emphasizes outcomes over time. He discusses the importance of Agile methodology in adapting to change, the dynamics of client relationships, and the challenges of communication across time zones. He discusses the importance of embracing AI in product development and emphasizes the lessons learned from his experiences. 00:00 Introduction 00:40 What is Ali Doing Today? 04:30 Selling Sprints 16:00 Success as a Company 19:00 Timezone Challenges 21:30 First Memory of a Computer 27:30 Moving from Dubai to India 30:00 Entering University 37:30 Internships 44:00 Building Mobile Games 53:00 Entering Consulting 57:00 Scaling a Business 1:19:00 Starting Wednesday 1:25:00 AI Tooling 1:33:00 Contact Info Connect with Ali:  Linkedin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/alihafizji X: https://x.com/ali_hafizji?lang=en Mentioned in this Episode: Wednesday: https://www.wednesday.is/  Want more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog! Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/  Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/  Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog  Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs