Break Point

Latest Episodes:

A Career Conversation with Dharti Shah Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

In this Community Week special, host Lauren McManamon is joined by fellow advocate Kristy Merriam and guest Dharti Shah, a Certified Technical Architect, to discuss the intersection of career, community, and parenting. From Dharti’s journey through the CTA program to the shared experiences she and Kristy have as mothers of children on the autism spectrum, the conversation explores how personal challenges shape professional growth, how ServiceNow skills translate into life lessons, and the importance of support systems, both at home and in the developer community.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction of Hosts
01:43 Introduction of Guest, Dharti Shah
05:29 Discussing the ServiceNow Certified Technical Architect (CTA) Program
09:27 Balancing Work, Parenting, and Going Above and Beyond
18:16 New Perspectives Offered By Parenting
19:31 The Importance of "The Village" We Surround Ourselves With
21:30 Misconceptions About Being Working Parents
26:16 Advice For Women In Tech
31:28 Tech Trends Impacting Work Life, Home Life, and the Neurodivergent Community
37:51 Final Words of Wisdom
39:43 Conclusion

🔗 Links

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RaptorDB in Full Flight with Luis Carril and Thomas Richter Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

This episode's co-host, Laszlo Balla, and Lauren McManamon sat down with Thomas Richter and Luis Caroll to unpack RaptorDB: the new database technology powering ServiceNow’s future. They shared the story from startup roots to acquisition, and explained how Raptor DB delivers faster performance, real-time analytics, and AI-ready scale, all while staying seamless for developers and customers.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction of Hosts
02:37 Introduction of Guests: Thomas Richter & Luis Carril
07:14 What IS RaptorDB? 10:14 How Is RaptorDB Different?
21:09 Has AI Changed Prioritization of RaptorDB’s Needs?
23:21 Origin of the Name “RaptorDB”
27:18 How Do I Get Access as a Customer?
29:35 Why Choose Pro Over Standard?
30:43 How Can I Tell If My Instance Is Running RaptorDB Already?
44:53 Recommended Education
46:22 What’s Next for RaptorDB *SAFE HARBOR*
50:16 Conclusion

🔗 Links

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Meet the Web Agents with Jingfei Chen Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

On September 30th, ServiceNow's AI Experience launched, and with it came one of the most transformative new features: Web Agents! On this week's episode of Break Point, Lauren McManamon was joined by returning guest, Jingfei Chen, to unveil how Web Agents automate tasks by navigating browser UIs like a human. Learn how this catch-all agent works, where it fits alongside APIs and RPA, and why it’s set to change how developers approach automation.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
02:37 What ARE ServiceNow Web Agents?
07:09 So, Web Agents Are Not ONLY Accessible Through Chat?
09:41 How Are Web Agents Similar/Different From RPA?
12:25 What Are Some Cornerstone Use Cases for Web Agents?
17:19 What Are the V1 Capabilities / Limitations of Web Agents?
18:47 What Are Web Agent Best Practices? 22:18 Where Can People Try Out Web Agents?
23:55 What’s On the Roadmap for Web Agents? *SAFE HARBOR*
27:01 How Have Priorities Changed to Meet Market Expectations?
29:50 What Are Initial Customer Thoughts on Web Agents?
31:11 Where Can People Provide Feedback on Web Agents?
32:02 Call to Action
33:57 Conclusion

🔗 Links

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Guide to Hacktoberfest 2025 Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

In this Advocate-only special, Lauren is joined by fellow team members, Earl Duque and Laszlo Balla, to dive deep into the big, upcoming month-long event: HACKTOBERFEST! From the history of ServiceNow's involvement to what participants can expect this year, they covered everything in detail in hopes that you will take to your keyboard and join in on the fun.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:59 What is Hacktoberfest?
03:06 What is the advantage of developing open source applications?
06:12 What is ServiceNow's history with Hacktoberfest?
09:52 What can Hacktoberfest participants expect?
14:07 What should Hacktoberfest participants learn beforehand?
17:52 What projects can participants collaborate on this year?
23:59 Can someone start participating after October 1st?
25:33 What dictates "completing" Hacktoberfest?
27:28 What are the rewards for completing Hacktoberfest 2025?
29:36 What are common mistakes for beginners to avoid?
35:48 What are 3 steps to take prior to starting Hacktoberfest?
36:56 How can participants stay connected with one another?
38:22 Conclusion

🔗 Links

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shooting for Rising Star with Hardit Singh Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Break Point: the ServiceNow Developer Podcast! Join host, Lauren McManamon, and guest, Hardit Singh, as they dive into ServiceNow’s Rising Star program - how it supports new contributors, builds community, and opens doors to future MVP recognition. Hardit shares his journey from early content creation to becoming a Rising Star, along with practical advice for anyone looking to give back and grow their career. With the 2025 class of Rising Stars officially announced, this episode is the best way to prepare yourself for next year's application cycle if that has become a goal.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
06:53 What IS ServiceNow's Rising Star Program?
08:56 Where Was Hardit In His Career When He Made Rising Star?
10:13 What Are the Privileges of the Rising Star Program?
13:23 What Kind Being a Rising Star Done For Hardit's Career Trajectory?
15:15 Has the Proximity to Internal ServiceNow Resources Helped Being a Better Community Member?
16:39 What Are the Social Benefits to Being a Rising Star?
18:37 Have There Been Mentorship Opportunity As a Rising Star?
19:53 How Can One Prepare For the 2026 Rising Star Application Cycle?
25:05 Advice For Those Hesitant to Put Themselves Out There
27:55 Advice For Dealing With Valid Negative Feedback and Trolls
34:07 Final Words of Wisdom / Challenges For Potential Applicants
41:19 Closing

🔗 Links

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Lauren's Crash Course on Content Creation Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

In this solo episode, Lauren shares a practical crash course on getting started with content creation as a ServiceNow developer. From choosing your audience and generating ideas to scripting, recording, editing, and promotion, she breaks down simple, low-cost strategies to help you create engaging, consistent content.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
03:27 Part 1 - Ideation
09:44 Part 2 - Construction
16:12 Part 3 - Recording
21:39 Part 4 - Editing
33:41 Part 5 - Promotion
37:14 Conclusion

🔗 Links

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

C3 and the Future of Mobile on ServiceNow with David Murch Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Break Point: the ServiceNow Developer Podcast! In this episode of Break Point, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sr. Manager of Inbound Product Management, David Murch, about the creation of the C3 app: the now very famous collectible card experience built for ServiceNow events like Knowledge and the World Forums. They dive into how mobile capabilities were essential to the app's success, its rapid development timeline, and the collaborative effort behind it. The episode ALSO previews new mobile features in the Zurich release and offers guidance for developers looking to get started with mobile app development on ServiceNow.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Introductions
09:43 What Is C3?
14:29 The Construction of the C3 Experience
16:39 What Was the Hardest Part About Making C3?
24:05 What Do You Want People Walking Away From C3 Knowing?
26:29 C3 V2 Plans
29:07 Mobile Platform Zurich Enhancements
35:24 Mobile SDK and Builder Experiences Zurich Enhancements
41:37 Where to Start Your Mobile Enablement Journey 4
3:08 Conclusions & Outro

🔗 Links ServiceNow Mobile App Building

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What to Expect at CreatorCon India with Mark Obee Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Break Point: the ServiceNow Developer Podcast! We are delighted to be joined by the Senior Director of Community and Developer Relations at ServiceNow, Mark Obee, to dive deep into the series of CreatorCon events happening all over India in the next week. What is it like hosting these behind the scenes? What curriculum and exhibits can guests expect to experience? What did the team take away from doing this all last year? Learn all of that and more in today's episode!

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Introductions
02:27 What Can Attendees Seek to Experience at CreatorCon India?
03:39 What Is It Like Behind the Scenes Planning CreatorCon India?
07:21 Who From the Community Team Is Hosting CreatorCon India?
07:30 Describe CreatorCon India In One Sentence
08:39 What Can Be Expected From the Curriculum?
11:38 What Are the Keynote Plans For CreatorCon India?
12:45 What Were the Biggest Positives from CreatorCon 2024?
12:58 What Is the HackZone?
17:50 What Is Being Improved Upon From CreatorCon 2024?
18:40 What Are Fun Plans For This Trip to India?
22:27 What Is the Plan POST CreatorCon Season 2025?
25:20 How Should Attendees Prepare for CreatorCon India?
28:27 Conclusions & Outro

🔗 Links

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Build Agents Have Entered the Chat! Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Break Point: the ServiceNow Developer Podcast! In this exciting episode, host, Lauren McManamon, sits down with ServiceNow's Deepanshu Madan and Patrick Wilson to dive into the most earth-shattering announcement from K25: Build Agents. How will these AI-powered masters of platform development revolutionize the pro-coders of today? Tune in and find out!

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Introductions
03:03 What ARE Build Agents?
07:37 How Do Build Agents Relate to AI Agents?
11:25 What Can Build Agents Do In Zurich?
17:30 Real-Life Build Agent Use Case from Knowledge25
20:07 How Did The Idea For Build Agents Come to Be?
29:23 How Can Developers Integrate Build Agents Into Their Workflow?
33:24 What Is “Vibe Coding?” 36:00 What’s Next On the Roadmap For Build Agents?
38:20 What Are Some Resources to Learn More?
42:55 How Do I Convince My Leadership Build Agents Are Worth the Investment?
43:51 Conclusion & Outro

🔗 Links

The Vibe / Conversational Coding Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rNcyAiDYK0TxC6yGXhFKjFXMY3sZaAq
The ServiceNow IDE Docs: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/csh?topicname=servicenow-ide-landing.html&version=latest
Fluent Docs: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/csh?topicname=servicenow-fluent.html&version=latest
The IDE/Fluent ServiceNow University Course: https://learning.servicenow.com/lxp/en/app-engine/introduction-to-the-servicenow-ide?id=learning_course_prev&course_id=9b44e9a49340ead4d28b7e6badba1069
The ServiceNow World Forums: https://www.servicenow.com/events/world-forum.html
The ServiceNow Developer Site: https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do
The Developer Advocate Blog: https://www.servicenow.com/community/developer-advocate-blog/bg-p/developer-advocate-blog

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Developer Advocate Double Feature! Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Break Point is BACK, BABY! 😎 And in honor of Break Point's triumphant return, we are joined by not one, but TWO of our newest Developer Advocates: Travis Toulson and Allen Andreas. Join us as we cover everything from fun stories about our past developer blunders to what you can anticipate at Knowledge25.

⏱️ Timestamps