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