Thank God It's Toby: Highlights

Sudheer Amgothu is a seasoned DevOps engineer with over a decade of experience, renowned for his expertise in cloud technologies, infrastructure automation, and DevOps practices. His career spans various industries, where he has implemented DevOps strategies to accelerate software development cycles, improve system reliability, and enhance operational efficiency."I started my career as a traditional systems engineer," Sudheer says, reflecting on his journey. "I was always drawn to automation, seeing the inefficiencies in manual processes, especially around deployments and monitoring. That’s what pulled me into the world of DevOps." His early work in infrastructure automation on AWS laid the foundation for his expertise in the field. "At Elevation, I led efforts to automate the entire infrastructure stack using Terraform and Ansible, which empowered development teams to work faster with less friction."In addition to his technical prowess, Sudheer is an advocate for the cultural transformation DevOps fosters within organizations. "DevOps is more than just automation or tools. It’s a culture that brings development and operations teams together with a shared goal of delivering software faster, more reliably, and with higher quality," he explains. "It emphasizes collaboration, continuous feedback, and a mindset of continuous improvement."Sudheer's new book, Mastering DevOps with Kubernetes and Cloud: A Practical Guide, draws from his vast experience and is designed as a hands-on resource for mastering DevOps. "I wanted to create a practical guide, not a theory-heavy textbook," he says. "It’s loaded with real-world war stories, step-by-step walkthroughs, and diagrams that show how tools like Terraform, Jenkins, and Kubernetes work together in modern DevOps pipelines."His book, which covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques, was inspired by his conversations with junior engineers and site reliability engineers (SREs). "They understood what DevOps is but struggled with the 'why' and 'how,'" he recalls. "I realized the need for a guide that answers those questions and provides actionable insights."Sudheer’s expertise extends beyond DevOps to cloud platforms and Kubernetes, where he has successfully scaled microservices platforms and implemented observability practices. "At Pega, we centralized Prometheus and Grafana dashboards to ensure real-time visibility into production issues," he says. "This proactive approach helped us detect anomalies before they became incidents, improving both system reliability and customer satisfaction."For aspiring DevOps professionals, Sudheer advises, "Don’t rush. Start with the basics. Pick a tool like Jenkins, learn how a CI/CD pipeline works, and build from there. The most important thing is hands-on practice and experimentation." His dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers is evident in his personal approach to career growth, encouraging others to document their learning and contribute to open-source projects.Sudheer’s passion for DevOps, cloud technologies, and continuous improvement makes him a respected figure in the field, and his book stands as an essential resource for anyone looking to excel in modern IT environments.You read read the full interview transcript here: https://shoutradio.org.uk/RNH/SudheerAmgothuInterview.pdfAnd find his book here: https://a.co/d/ecU0gzE

CeV is a passionate creative and the powerhouse behind Crowned Elevation, a brand that's all about purpose, confidence, and staying true to who you are. She's not just an entrepreneur—she’s a multi-talented artist balancing fashion, faith, and music with bold honesty.Her brand, Crowned Elevation, has quickly become known for its spiritually-inspired streetwear and positive messages, encouraging people to “Wear Your Crown Proudly.” But CeV isn’t stopping at fashion. She’s also making a name for herself in music, blending gospel with hip-hop and R&B to create songs that are uplifting, real, and deeply moving.“Whether it’s a hoodie or a hook, I want everything I create to elevate people spiritually and mentally,” CeV says. And that’s exactly what she’s doing—using her platform to speak life, share her story, and remind others of their worth.With every new track and clothing drop, CeV is building something bigger than a brand—she’s building a community. As 2025 rolls on, fans can look forward to more inspiring music, fresh fashion collections, and plenty of moments that show CeV’s heart, hustle, and message in action.

Kaasim is a rising R&B talent hailing from Roxbury, Boston, now making waves between his hometown and Atlanta. A lifelong musician shaped by the legendary Elma Lewis and first spotlighted at age seven in Black Nativity, Kaasim’s artistry blends the soul of ’90s R&B with a sharp modern edge and hip-hop grit. His latest single, “Hoodie On,” is a raw, melodic reflection on self-worth, industry pressure, and personal resilience—an anthem for anyone who’s ever had to armour up emotionally. The track has already made a splash, landing over half a million streams and debuting in the iTunes R&B Top 20. While fans hear echoes of today’s biggest names in R&B, Kaasim stays rooted in his own story, voice, and vision.

Adrian Bradley is a journalist and devoted Eurovision fan currently reporting from Basel, Switzerland, ahead of the 2025 Eurovision Grand Final. With a passion for the contest's glitter, drama, and global fandom, Adrian is soaking up the atmosphere in Basel's Jakobshalle arena, where 26 countries will battle it out on Saturday, 17th May for the coveted Eurovision crown. Known for his sharp commentary and love for all things Eurovision, Adrian has been following this year’s competition closely—from Remember Monday’s TikTok-fuelled journey for the UK to the triumphant return of Switzerland as host after Nemo's 2024 win.

Hera Björk is an acclaimed Icelandic singer best known internationally for her appearances in the Eurovision Song Contest. A dynamic and versatile performer, Hera first represented Iceland at Eurovision in 2010 with the fan-favourite dance anthem “Je ne sais quoi”, earning 19th place in the grand final and making a lasting impression with her powerhouse vocals and vibrant stage presence.A longtime fixture in Iceland’s music scene, Hera had previously come close to the Eurovision stage in 2009 when she competed in Denmark’s national selection, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, finishing as runner-up with “Someday”. She returned to Eurovision in 2024, representing Iceland once again with “Scared of Heights”, though she did not advance to the final.In addition to her solo appearances, Hera has been deeply involved behind the scenes, providing backing vocals for the Icelandic Eurovision team in 2015 and participating in Iceland's national selection, Söngvakeppnin, on multiple occasions—including a 4th-place finish in 2019 with “Moving On.”Beyond Eurovision, Hera’s international success includes winning the Best Song award at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile in 2013 with “Because You Can.” Her wide-ranging discography reflects a career that spans genres, languages, and continents.In 2025, Hera Björk will take on another iconic Eurovision role—as Iceland’s jury spokesperson during the Grand Final, a moment she says she is “truly honoured” to be part of.

Francis Juarez is a seasoned filmmaker with more than 20 years of experience producing and directing projects across Europe and the US. Originally from Los Angeles and raised in Madrid, he brings a unique cultural perspective to his work, which helps him tell stories with depth and authenticity. Over the years, he’s worked on everything from commercials for big-name brands like The Home Depot and McDonald’s to full-length feature films.Francis is known for his ability to move between genres—whether it’s a gripping thriller or a heartfelt comedy, his projects often explore themes of humor, struggle, and redemption. He’s passionate about connecting with audiences through storytelling, aiming not just to entertain but also to inspire and provoke thought. His latest film, Crazy Texas, is a great example of his ability to find humanity and connection in the middle of chaos.On top of his creative talents, Francis is also recognized for his leadership and calm under pressure, regularly pulling off high-quality work even when deadlines are tight and circumstances are tough. He’s always on the lookout for new challenges and collaborations, committed to growing both personally and professionally while continuing to create films that resonate with people around the world.

Darren W. Freeman is an American author and former law enforcement officer known for his gripping, true-to-life storytelling. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Freeman spent much of his career in Florida, where he rose to the rank of Administrative Commander while investigating some of society’s darkest crimes, including serial killings and child exploitation. He’s also been recognised as one of the top criminal law instructors in Florida, teaching at several Central Florida colleges.Now the author of ten books, Freeman’s latest release, Plated Armor, dives into the murky world of crime and corruption within law enforcement. Told through the eyes of both a seasoned officer and a rookie on a single life-altering shift, the book tackles human trafficking, dirty money, and the moral grey areas faced by those behind the badge. Known for his raw, realistic style, Freeman brings firsthand insight to every page, making Plated Armor a must-read for fans of high-stakes crime thrillers.

Dr Carla Rodrigues is a GP and the Head of Clinical Obesity at Numan. With a passion for helping people build healthier, more sustainable lifestyles, she brings a wealth of experience in nutrition, mindset, and medical insight. As the London Marathon inspires thousands to run or set new fitness goals, Dr Carla offers practical, down-to-earth advice on everything from fuelling and recovery to mental resilience and sticking with long-term habits. Whether you’re training for a marathon or just trying to live a bit healthier, she’s all about finding what works for you – because when it comes to health, there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Dr. Akira Olsen is a clinical psychologist who’s passionate about helping people build a better relationship with themselves. With years of experience working in therapy, she specialises in supporting Gen Z and Millennials through the ups and downs of modern life. Her book The Journey to Self is a down-to-earth, compassionate guide packed with practical tools and thoughtful advice for managing stress, improving mental well-being, and growing as a person.Blending science-backed strategies with a holistic approach, Dr. Olsen encourages readers to explore self-awareness, self-love, and self-management, touching on everything from emotions and relationships to finances and creativity. Her focus is on helping people heal, build resilience, and live more balanced, meaningful lives.At the heart of Dr. Olsen’s work is the belief that everyone deserves to feel at peace with who they are, and The Journey to Self is her way of helping you get there.