The Kubernetes ecosystem is a complex and rapidly evolving environment that has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its ability to manage containers and orchestrate applications at scale. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) plays a crucial role in promoting and maintaining the ecosystem, with projects like Kubernetes, OpenFaaS, and Inlets being developed and maintained by the community. Alex Ellis, CNCF Ambassador and founder of OpenFaaS and Inlets, joins Jonan Scheffler to discuss his experiences and insights on the ecosystem, including the challenges faced by developers in adopting serverless technologies and the importance of finding a balance between open-core licensing and paid support models. The conversation touches on topics such as Helm charts, Kubernetes orchestration, and the need for simplicity and usability in the ecosystem.