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

• ServiceNow Hacktoberfest 2025 Blog
• ServiceNow Hacktoberfest 2024 Retrospective Blog
• Digital Ocean Hacktoberfest Home
• The ServiceNow World Forums
• The ServiceNow Developer Site
• The Developer Advocate Blog

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Alaina Beaver, ServiceNow's Global Head of Accessibility, is our guest on the podcast to discuss the latest developments in accessibility. Dr. Beaver explains that the world of accessibility is constantly evolving, and it's not a one-time task, but rather an ongoing process. She highlights that ServiceNow has made significant progress in accessibility, particularly with regards to conformance standards.

Publicly, ServiceNow has committed to aligning with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA, the most stringent guidelines globally for accessibility conformance. This is an upgrade from the previous standard, WCAG 2.1 AA, which is still adhered to by many legislations worldwide. Dr. Beaver notes that the new standard, WCAG 2.2 AA, was released recently, and it will take time for legislation to catch up.

More about accessibility at ServiceNow –
https://www.servicenow.com/accessibility-statement.html

To see ServiceNow’s Accessibility Tools in action -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCOmiTb5WX3q5qCG_QqYip2IZrvao7Bwp

Guest – Dr. Alaina Beaver, Global Head of Accessibility at ServiceNow

Host – Bobby Brill

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:21 Understanding the Importance of Accessibility
00:55 What's New in Accessibility Standards
02:16 ServiceNow's Commitment to WCAG 2.2
04:11 Navigating the Transition to WCAG 2.2
09:12 Legislation and Global Standards
13:13 AI and Voice Input for Accessibility
16:01 Text Adjust: Enhancing Readability
19:31 AI Model Accessibility Checker
22:15 Wrap Up

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

• Hardit's YouTube Channel
• 2025 Rising Star Class
• ServiceNow World Forums
• ServiceNow Developer Site
• Developer Advocate Blog

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.