Demystifying the CFP Process with KubeCon North America Keynote Speakers

Ever wondered what it takes to get your talk accepted at a major open source tech conference – or even land a keynote slot? Join What’s in the Sauce new co-host Sally Cooper, as she sits down with Stacey Potter and Adolfo “Puerco” García Veytia, fresh off their viral KubeCon keynote "Supply Chain Reaction." In this episode, they pull back the curtain on the CFP review process, share what makes a strong proposal stand out, and offer honest advice about overcoming imposter syndrome. Whether you're a first-time speaker or a seasoned presenter, you'll learn practical tips for crafting compelling abstracts, avoiding common pitfalls, and why your unique voice matters more than you think.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:40 - Meet the Keynote Speakers

05:27 - Why CFPs Matter for Open Source Communities

08:29 - Inside the Review Process: What Reviewers Look For

14:29 - Crafting a Strong Abstract: Dos and Don'ts

21:05 - From Regular Talk to Keynote: What Changed

25:24 - Conquering Imposter Syndrome

29:11 - Rapid Fire CFP Tips

30:45 - Upcoming Speaking Opportunities

33:08 - Closing Thoughts

Episode links:

• Adolfo García Veytia LinkedIn page
• Stacey Potter LinkedIn page
• KubeCon North America Keynote: Supply Chain Reaction: A Cautionary Tale in K8s Security
• OpenSSF Slack CFP Announce channel (#cfp-nnounce)
• Open Source Summit North America - CFP Closes February 9
• OpenSSF Community Day North America - CFP Closes February 15
• Open Source Summit Europe - CFP opens end of April or early May
• OpenSSF Community Day Europe - CFP opens early May
• Get involved with the OpenSSF
• Subscribe to the OpenSSF newsletter
• Follow the OpenSSF on LinkedIn