Start replacing curl pods and using common validation

[sheidkamp]

Description

API changes

Code changes

CI changes

Docs changes

Context

Interesting decisions

Testing steps

Notes for reviewers

Checklist:

• [ ] I have performed a self-review of my own code
• [ ] I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
• [ ] I have made corresponding changes to the documentation
• [ ] I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my feature works