Shows
Cloud DialoguesPlugged In: Making AI Work for the Enterprise with MCP🎙️ Cloud Dialogues #34: Plugging AI Into the Real World — Why MCP Matters
In this episode of Cloud Dialogues, Georgia and Matt go beyond the buzzwords and into the wiring of enterprise AI. From AI agents that write code to cloud strategies that make a lick of sense, we unpack the tools and protocols reshaping modern AI — starting with the week’s wild headlines.
🔥 News Highlights:
Databricks acquires Neon, strengthening the serverless Postgres story
OpenAI drops Codex, a multitasking software agent that’s raising a few eyebrows
Google launches Gemini 2.5 and VO3, stepping further into mul...2025-06-0451 minCloud DialoguesGoogle Next 2025: Betting Big on Cloud and AI🎙️ Cloud Dialogues: Vegas, AI, and What’s Next with Google
This week on Cloud Dialogues, Georgia and Matt are joined by Anupam Phoghat, fresh off the tarmac from Google Next 2025 in Las Vegas, to break down the biggest announcements, hottest trends, and a few surprises from the cloud world’s glitziest event.
But first… the news roundup was 🔥:
🚨 In the News:
AWS’s Big Growth Energy: 19% year-over-year growth and strong focus on making AI cheaper and faster—thanks to Tranan 2 chips.
Data Center Power Drain: By 2030, data centers could be drawing more power than Japan. Edge...2025-05-0244 minCloud DialoguesBehind the Scenes of CloudOps: What to Automate and WhenIn this episode of Cloud Dialogues, Georgia and Matt are joined by Amit from OpenOps for a deep (and refreshingly honest) dive into the state of cloud automation today—and where it's heading next.
We kick things off with a look at the latest industry news:
Huawei gears up to produce its own AI chips in response to ongoing tariff challenges
Microsoft and Amazon hit pause on data center expansion due to power constraints
And yes… humanoid robots just ran a half-marathon in China (because why not?)
Then we shif...2025-04-2447 minCloud DialoguesCloud Dialogues x Ctrl+Alt+Expletive Special The DevX Files Truths, Tools & TantrumsIn this lively crossover episode, Mark, Michael, Georgia, and Matt bring their unique podcasting perspectives together for a deep (and occasionally hilarious) dive into the world of cloud, AI, and developer experience. Here's what went down:
đź‘‹ Meet the Hosts
The episode kicks off with introductions:
- Georgia & Matt host a show aimed at execs exploring cloud and AI strategy, launched in 2023.
- Mark & Michael bring a laid-back, pub-style tech chat that started back in November.
Think of it as business meets banter.
đź’Ą Breaking Prod: A Dev Confession
Matt shares a "who...2025-04-101h 22Cloud DialoguesIWD 2025 Series Part 3 - Women Leading the Cloud – Delivering Inclusive Digital FuturesWe’re back with another powerful conversation — this time with the incredible Julia Arnott-Neenee, Cofounder of Fibre Fale, tech leader and advocate for digital equity.
🚀 But first, we break down this week’s biggest Cloud & AI news:
🔹 Google’s eye-watering $32B acquisition of Wiz – what does it mean for cybersecurity?
🔹 Oracle’s $5B investment in UK Cloud – big moves in Europe!
🔹 Tencent’s new AI reasoning model & Apple’s clean energy fund in China (Georgia covers off on 'what are reasoning models?' 🌱
🔹 Microsoft’s Malaysia data center expansion
🔹 The growing data center power...2025-03-2638 minCloud DialoguesNavigating Cloud in 2025: Cloud Transformation for CIOs — The New Rules of InnovationIn this latest episode of Cloud Dialogues, we dive into the evolving world of AI, data governance, and cloud transformation. Packed with insights for tech leaders, here's what you can expect:
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AI Industry Insights
- CoreWeave's $12B OpenAI Contract: A reminder that infrastructure shortages could be on the horizon as AI scales.
- China's AI Ambitions: Baidu's Ernie models and Honor's $10B AI investment signal big moves in the East.
- Copyright Controversy: OpenAI wants easier access to copyrighted material—raising big questions for creators.
- Regulation Run...2025-03-1958 minCloud DialoguesIWD 2025 Series Part 2 - Women Leading the Cloud – Building Inclusive Cloud CulturesFor part 2 of our 2025 IWD series We chatted to Natalie Badawy from Circuit Recruitment about how to attract, retain, and empower more women in tech!
🎯 From Neurophysiology to Tech Recruitment: Natalie shares her inspiring career switch and how her background in human sciences shaped her approach to helping people break into tech.Â
🤝 Creating Inclusive Cloud Cultures: We explore practical strategies for supporting women in tech, from running internal bias workshops to ensuring interview panels reflect diverse backgrounds.Â
👩‍💻 Her Tech Circle: Learn how this fantastic DE&I organization is empowering women in tech careers.Â
🌍 The Business Case for Di...2025-03-131h 02Cloud DialoguesIWD 2025 Series Part 1 - Women Leading the Cloud – Breaking Barriers & Driving InnovationTo kick off our 2025 International Women’s Day series, Georgia and Matt sat down with Yasmin Benjamin, Head of Cloud and Finance, for an incredible conversation about navigating leadership, staying technical, and thriving as a woman in cloud.
🚀 Cloud & AI News Highlights
We covered some of the week’s biggest cloud and tech stories, including:
🔬 Quantum Race Heats Up – Google, Microsoft & AWS all making quantum moves (but don’t expect breakthroughs just yet).
📞 Skype & Amazon Chime Say Goodbye – Both platforms heading for retirement. Georgia reminisces about Chime.
🚀 Satellite Showdown– China’s “Space Sale” tak...2025-03-0545 minCloud DialoguesNavigating Cloud in 2025: Leadership in Transformation — Building Cloud-Ready Teams and CulturesIn this episode, we go beyond the tech and dive into what really makes cloud transformation work: people, culture, and leadership. It’s not just about moving workloads—it’s about shifting mindsets!
🔥 Here’s what we unpacked:
💧 AI & Industry Trends – From the impact of AI data centers on the UK’s water supply to shifting DEI commitments and ongoing tech layoffs, we break down what’s shaping the industry.
👥 Culture is the Real Challenge – Cloud isn’t just a tech upgrade, it’s a people-first transformation. Upskilling your current teams, fostering innovation, and finding internal champion...2025-02-1250 minCloud DialoguesNavigating Cloud in 2025: Cloud for CFO's - Economics, Efficiency & StrategyEpisode Overview
Kicking off 2025 with a 3 part series focussed on helping the executives and the C suite make impactful business decisions with technology.Â
For episode 1, we sit down with Jez Back, Cloud Economist & Finops Professional at Capgemini, to tackle one of the biggest boardroom conversations—cloud economics and strategy.
With cloud costs rising, CFOs stepping into tech decisions, and efficiency becoming a top priority, we break down what really matters in 2025: cutting waste, maximizing value, and making smarter cloud investments.
What’s Inside?
đź’ˇ Cloud Headlines You Need to Know
The Chinese AI model, D...2025-02-0559 minCloud DialoguesAWS Reinvent 2024 WrappedIn this episode of Cloud Dialogues, Matt & Georgia dive into the big reveals and emerging trends from AWS re:Invent 2024. With over 72,000 attendees and an action-packed week in Las Vegas, this year's conference showcased a mix of cutting-edge announcements, practical innovations, and a few surprises.
If you missed the event—or just want the TL;DR—this episode has you covered! What’s New at re:Invent?
Conference Highlights
- A record-breaking 72,000 registrations, with a strong in-person turnout in Las Vegas.
- Expanded session formats, including breakout sessions, chalk talks, hands-on worksh...2024-12-0924 minCloud DialoguesBeyond the Dashboard: Modern Observability with Boris TaneIn this exciting episode of Cloud Dialogues, Matt & Georgia sit down with Boris Tane—formerly of Baselime and now with Cloudflare — to dive deep into the latest in observability for cloud computing.
Boris shares insights from his unique journey and discusses the challenges, requirements, and innovations shaping observability today. Boris combines technical expertise with a fresh perspective on observability. With a Master’s in Aerospace Dynamics and a background in predicting drone behavior, he’s tackled the complexities of data processing for unpredictable scenarios. His passion for analytics led him to a career in observability, where he now help...2024-11-2529 minCloud DialoguesThe Art and Science of Site Reliability Engineering with Liz Fong-JonesIn this exciting episode of Cloud Dialogues, we are joined by Liz Fong-Jones, Field CTO at Honeycomb and former Google SRE, to explore the fascinating world of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)—a game-changer for scaling and automating large systems.
What We Covered:
1. Meet Liz Fong-Jones: Liz brings over a decade of SRE experience from her time at Google and Honeycomb, helping companies revolutionize how they manage reliability and automation.
2. The Origin Story: SRE actually predates the cloud! Born at Google in the early 2000s, SRE started as a way to automate manual system ad...2024-10-1033 minCloud DialoguesUnlocking AI Potential through Data Strategy with Allison HowellsIn this episode of Cloud Dialogues, Matt & Georgia dive deep into the world of data strategy with Allison Howells, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience across industries like financial services, insurance, and consulting.
Exploring the evolution of data platforms and the strategic decisions that help organizations harness the power of their data.Â
Here are some of the key topics the team breaks down:
1. Data Platforms: Then & Now – How data platforms have transformed over the past 10-15 years.
2. Aligning Data with Business – Why syncing your data strategy with your business goals is a...2024-09-2335 minCloud DialoguesCrafting Affective Cloud Operating ModelsIn this exciting episode of "Cloud Dialogues," Georgia and Matt return from their well-deserved breaks, ready to dive deep into the world of cloud operating models. They unpack the challenges organisations face when transitioning to cloud environments and share insights on how to navigate this complex landscape.
Here's what you can expect:
1. Tackling Operating Model Challenges: Dive into the common pitfalls of cloud transformation, emphasizing how misaligned operating model changes often lead to trouble.
2. DevOps and Product-Centric Thinking: The shift from traditional IT operations to a DevOps and product-focused approach, stressing the need...2024-08-2730 minCloud DialoguesDevOps Unleashed: AI, Innovation, and the Future of Software Development with Patrick DeboisIn this exciting episode of the Cloud Dialogues Podcast, we dive into the world of DevOps with none other than Patrick Dubois, the man who coined the term "DevOps" back in 2009. Here’s a breakdown of the key points we covered:
1. The Birth of DevOps:
- Patrick takes us back to the origin story of DevOps, which he accidentally coined during the planning of DevOps Days in 2009.
- DevOps isn't just about automation; it’s a holistic approach involving collaboration, feedback loops, and business strategies.
2. AI Meets DevOps:
- Disc...2024-07-1736 minCloud DialoguesExecutive Blueprint: Driving Cloud Transformation with Design ThinkingIn this exciting episode, Matt & Georgia dive into how organizations can harness the power of design thinking to unlock the full potential of cloud.
Many organizations either struggle to reap the benefits of cloud migrations or are unsure how to leverage the cloud strategically.
Our hosts coin a design thinking approach: starting with mission-critical processes and gaining a deep understanding of user journeys and interactions.
They introduce a dynamic framework to guide executives through this transformation:
 a. Empathize with users and pinpoint core problems and opportunities
b. Define current v...2024-06-2528 minCloud DialoguesNavigating Cloud Choices: Breaking Down "Vendor Lock-In"In this episode, hosts Matt and Georgia delve into the topic of "vendor lock-in" with cloud services and technologies, featuring insights from Chris Munns of Amazon Web Services.
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Understanding Lock-In: đź”’
- Common apprehension about "lock-in" often avoids managed cloud services like AWS Lambda.
- Lock-in is unavoidable with any tech decision, as choosing one path excludes others.
- Focus should be on the tangible costs of switching technologies rather than hypothetical lock-in.
Â
Premature Optimization: ⏳
- Fears of lock-in often make people make premature optimiz...2024-06-0432 minCloud DialoguesCloud Strategy for Executives 101: From Plans to ProfitsJoin Matt and Georgia as they dive into the world of cloud strategy with special guest, cloud strategy superstar Michael Ewald!
Listen as we unpack the essentials of crafting a killer cloud strategy that not only rocks your business world but also keeps your stakeholders smiling.
Your hosts + Michael kick things off by emphasizing the importance of syncing your cloud strategy with your business master plan.
It's like making sure your favorite song is playing in the background while you conquer the dance floor – total harmony! Now, let's sprinkle in some key takeaways:...2024-05-1534 minCloud DialoguesAWS London Summit 2024 WrappedGet ready to dive into Cloud Dialogues' coverage of the electrifying AWS London Summit!
Imagine a venue bursting at the seams with 18,000 tech enthusiasts (though we've since learnt it was 23k), creating an atmosphere akin to a bustling nightclub.
Our hosts take you on a whirlwind tour of the event's highlights:
- Picture this: keynote speeches featuring industry giants like Zilch, Adobe, TUI Airlines, and even the globe-trotting experts at Lonely Planet. Themes ranged from AI marvels, sustainability efforts and cost management, all while championing digital skills training.
- Lonely Planet's...2024-04-2921 minCloud DialoguesAWS Sydney Summit 2024 WrappedJoin hosts Matt and Georgia as they unravel the captivating insights from the AWS Sydney Summit in 15 minutes.
A (hopefully) insightful overview of the event's key revelations:
• With an impressive turnout of over 10,000 attendees, the Sydney Summit commenced with Partner Day, followed by Builders Day and culminated in an Innovation Day, setting a dynamic stage for the convergence of industry leaders.
• A notable announcement at the summit was the introduction of Bedrock, an AI service launched in the Sydney region. Tailored for regulated sectors and governmental entities seeking data sovereignty, Bedrock's debut, albeit with...2024-04-1515 minCloud DialoguesSafeguarding the Skies: Cloud Security Essentials for ExecutivesIn this episode, Matt & Georgia are joined by Sarah Young, the superhero of cloud security at Microsoft. Listen in as they embark on an epic quest to conquer the challenges of keeping our digital skies safe. Here are the highlights:
1. The Great Balancing Act: Unravelling the mystery behind security principles, revealing that while they may seem like child's play, juggling them alongside competing business priorities is akin to mastering magic.
2. The Shared Responsibility Saga: Ever wondered who’s responsible for keeping your data safe in the cloud? Fear not! CD breaks down the shared responsibility mo...2024-04-0935 minCloud DialoguesFrom Code to Culture: A Serverless Operating ModelJoin Matt and Georgia as they steer the Cloud Dialogues ship through the exhilarating world of Serverless operating models with none other than Joe Emison, CTO and co-founder of Branch, an insurance innovator.
Joe unravels the wonders of Serverless: turbocharged software development, a blissful absence of operational headaches, and the secret sauce of nurturing fresh talent. Branch's mantra? Keep it simple, plug into third-party magic, and watch innovation flourish.
Branch isn't just disrupting tech, they're reshaping it with coding bootcamps and a diverse hiring spree. And guess what? Serverless is their trusty sidekick, breaking barriers...2024-03-1938 minCloud DialoguesCloud Dialogues Special Edition: Women in Cloud - IWD 2024Get ready to tune in to our special edition IWD episode: Woman in Cloud! podcast.
In this episode, Matt asks Georgia and amazing guests Roopa Venkatesh and Cynthia Pang to spill the beans on their epic career journeys!
🚀 1. Get the lowdown on Roopa, Cynthia, and Georgia - three women in cloud who've conquered the industry with style and finesse.
2. Mentorship magic! Discover how these ladies have soared to success with a little help from their mentors. Spoiler alert: it's all about those authentic, heart-to-heart connections, not some boring structured program!
3. Work-life jug...2024-03-0635 minCloud DialoguesIntro to Serverless: From Glue Code to InnovationGet ready to soar into the cloud with Matt and Georgia on this electrifying episode of Cloud Dialogues! Join them as they unravel the mysteries of serverless computing, revealing why it's the superhero of business solutions.
Say goodbye to "glue code" and hello to innovation as they explore how serverless liberates developers from the shackles of infrastructure management. From mind-bending architectures to business benefits that'll make your head spin, this episode has it all!
Sections:
1. Serverless Unleashed
- Discover the magic behind serverless and its landscape
- Learn how...2024-02-1938 minCloud DialoguesCloud Dollars and Sense: Navigating FinOps Strategies🎉 Get ready for an episode that's fresher than a New Year's resolution! We are all hyped up for a fantastic new year.
🌟 Meet our stellar guests, Jez and Alison from Capgemini, FinOps wizards with the power to transform how you manage cloud finances. No more budget mysteries, just pure financial magic!
đź’ˇ Dive into the FinOps challenge: bridging the gap between finance pros and tech gurus. Say goodbye to cloud cost confusion and hello to a transparent, value-driven approach.
🚀 FinOps isn't about slashing costs; it's a cultural revolution! From education to empowerment, it's all about squeez...2024-01-2937 minCloud DialoguesNavigating Azure: Executive Insights into Microsoft's Cloud PowerGet ready to dive into the cloud cosmos in Episode 6, where we're joined by the fantastic Simone Bennett from Arkhana, a Microsoft veteran! We're spilling the beans on Microsoft's Cloud magic and unlocking the secrets of Azure.
Picture Microsoft Cloud as your one-stop shop for all things enterprise: think infrastructure, security, data/AI, apps/innovation, collaboration, and the superhero of identity management.
Azure, the rockstar of Microsoft's cloud party, is like the cool sibling of AWS and Google Cloud. It's got everything – compute, storage, networking, databases – all hosted in Microsoft's glitzy global data centers.
Bu...2024-01-1533 minCloud DialoguesAWS re:Invent Highlights: Unleashing InnovationIn our latest episode, "AWS re:Invent Highlights: Unleashing Innovation," Matt and Georgia break down the buzz and scale of this year's AWS re:Invent event. They delve into key themes of AI, data, and cost, highlighting major announcements from each day's keynote speakers.
đź’ˇ Day 1: Peter DeSantis kicks off with a flurry of serverless announcements, setting the stage for a week of innovation.
đź’ˇ Day 2: Adam Selipsky takes the reins, exploring developments that promise to reshape cloud dynamics.
đź’ˇ Day 3: Swami leads discussions on groundbreaking advancements, offering insights into the evolving cloud landscape.
đź’ˇ Day 4: Werne...2023-12-0536 minCloud DialoguesNavigating the Cloud: A Strategic Migration ConversationIn this episode of Cloud Dialogues, Matt and Georgia discuss the importance of choosing the right cloud migration strategy to align with your business goals and timelines. They overview the main approaches - rehosting/lift and shift, replatforming/refactoring, and rearchitecting. They also briefly cover other strategies like retire, retain, and repurchase for workloads that may not be migrated. Key considerations for executives are outlined, including cost management, skills development, security, and compliance. Migrating to the cloud provides huge opportunities but requires thoughtful planning. Understanding the range of migration strategies is essential for IT leaders to move their organizations...2023-11-1435 min
Cloud DialoguesAI for Executives: Navigating the Generative AI Frontier feat Pete SbarskiTranscript
Todays episode is “AI for Executives: Navigating the GenAI Frontier”. Meaning, how on earth did we get here, why is it so useful and where do we think it will take us?
Today we are joined by the incredible Peter Sbarski AWS Serverless Hero extraordinaire, known for his work with A Cloud Guru and Pluralsight. Pete is also a published author and also one of the founders of the serverless meetup movement in Australia. We both co-run the Melbourne edition of the meetup where we get a consistent turnout each month.
We discus...2023-10-2438 min
Cloud DialoguesUnlocking the Cloud Mindset: Questions Every Leader Should AskTranscript
As an executive, your role is pivotal in steering your organization towards cloud adoption that's not only seamless but also maximizes its potential. In this episode, Georgia and Matt unravel the critical questions every leader should ask to ensure they are truly unlocking the value of cloud by cultivating the right mindset within their teams.
1. Strategic Alignment: Discover how to align your cloud strategy with your business goals, leveraging cloud's power to drive cost savings, scalability, reliability, agility, and innovation. Are your leaders incentivized for cloud success? We'll discuss KPIs that matter.
2...2023-10-1044 min
Cloud DialoguesIntro to the Cloud Operating ModelTranscript
Georgia and Matt discuss reasons why the cloud operating model is different to how organisations have traditionally operated their technology business.Â
Areas covered include what is an operating model, cloud vision and strategy, what a cloud platform is and common methods of implementing a cloud platform to an organisation.
0:00 Intro
4:30 what is an operating model?
6:10 boundaries of an operating model
8:30 transitioning to a cloud operating model
11:25 when to start thinking about an operating model
12:15 the Cloud Platform
15:20 cloud vision
16:50 staffing your initial cloud journey
19:00 d...2023-09-2532 min