Azure & DevOps Podcast

With over 20 years of software development experience, Kevin Griffin is a passionate and versatile leader, trainer, and consultant in the .NET ecosystem. He has worked with various industries, from the United States Military to health care to ticket brokering, delivering high-quality solutions and empowering his clients and teams to succeed. In his day job, he is the CTO at Shows On Sale where he oversees the technical strategy and direction of the company. Kevin also has served as the President of the .NET Foundation for the last term. And Microsoft has conferred the Microsoft MVP to him at least 16 times. He speaks at tons of conferences and is a board member of the Stir Trek Conference series as well. Mentioned In This Episode LinkedIn DNF Summit 2025 Video  Website Dev Fest - Hampton Roads, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia. Stir Trek May 1st. Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

https://clearmeasure.com/developers/forums/ Maddy Montaquila is a Senior Product Manager on the Aspire team and has previous been on the MAUI team and has been working with .NET mobile apps since 2018 working on Xamarin tooling. When she first joined Microsoft and worked with the Xamarin team as an intern, she realized the impact that she could have in creating amazing developer tools and frameworks, which inspired her to pursue a role as Program Manager. You can connect with her on Twitter and GitHub @maddymontaquila! Mentioned in this episode: Github - Maui Maddy's Linkedin  .NET Maui  Github Maui Samples  Github - Development Guide  Episode 244  Episode 120  Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Graham is the Chief Technical Officer at Redgate Software, where he leads the teams behind industry‑leading Database DevOps tools. Before Redgate, Graham's experiences includes multiple decades in complex projects and leadership oversight at many companies including Elsevier, IBM, Sun, BEA, and Oracle. He's also a two‑time round‑the‑world yachtsman, bringing hard‑earned leadership experience from some of the most demanding environments on earth. - Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Carola Lilienthal is an architect and coach at Workplace Solutions. She is the author of Sustainable Software Architecture and shares her knowledge at international conferences. Henning Schwentner is a software architect, coach, and consultant at WPS – Workplace Solutions where he helps teams modernize legacy systems. He is a thought leader in DDD and software architecture, and he has also authored Domain Storytelling. Carola's LinkedIn  Henning's LinkedIn  Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Today I'm going to reflect back on 2025, highlight some things and project forward into 2026. I think there are some very important developments and changes that we all shipping custom software need to be on top of. Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Scott Hanselman is a teacher at heart. He speaks all over to whoever will listen. He's have written code that you, dear listener, has used. Scott has been blogging, coding, and podcasting a LONG time. He codes, writes, speaks, empowers, promotes, braids, learns and listens - usually not in that order. And he's a Vice President at Microsoft in his day job focusing on Developer Community. You can find him on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Mastodon! His Hanselminutes podcast has surpassed 900 episodes, and his Azure Friday show, over 750 episodes. Connect with him at hanselman.com Mentioned in This Episode Episode 280  Scott Hanselman's TEDx Portland Talk Want to Learn More?  Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Glenn is a Principal Product Manager for the App Platform team within the Developer Division at Microsoft, focusing on .NET. Before joining Microsoft Glenn was a developer in Australia where he worked on software for various government departments.   Mentioned in this Episode X Account Episode 293 Episode 58  Github Microsoft Devblog  Building Cloud Native apps with .NET 8 Simplifying Cloud-Native Development with .NET 8 Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Jared Parsons is a Developer Manager for the .NET Tools team at Microsoft. He's also done extensive work on the C# Compiler Team. Everybody tuning in probably uses his code on a day-to-day basis! Jared started out at Microsoft over 20 years ago as a Developer; moved on to become a Senior Developer; then Principal Developer on Midori OS; and most recently, the Principal Developer on C# Compiler Team, and now a Developer Manager. He's spoken at many conferences, like Microsoft Build and others. Mentioned in this Episode Episode 287 Episode 53  Github - Rosyln  Github - Analyzers  Github - Csharplang  Jared's LinkedIn  Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Chris has 25 years experience as a seasoned SaaS and AI product leader known for practical, people-first strategies to harness value from Generative AI for operational excellence. Chris developed the AI Vantage framework—a strategic approach that emphasizes process-driven transformation to unlock immediate and long-term value from GenAI technologies. He works for Viewport as the Head of Technology and is a respected voice in the AI and product management space, frequently sharing insights through training, blogs, and speaking engagements. Chris holds certifications in SAFe Product Ownership and Pragmatic Marketing, and is an alumnus of Texas A&M University. Mentioned in this Episode Chris' Website Chris' X Account Chris' LinkedIn Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Alvin is a senior content developer at Microsoft, author, and longtime leader in the .NET developer community. With over 27 years of experience in software development, Alvin has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for more than a decade, honored for his contributions to Windows development, Visual Studio, and the broader Microsoft ecosystem. He is currently writing docs for multiple Microsoft technologies. In 2021, Alvin wrote a book for Packt Publishing, Learn WinUI 3.0. This is the first book Alvin authored and has been the technical reviewer for eight other .NET-related titles from Packt. Alvin is a founding board member of the TechBash Foundation and organizer of the annual TechBash developer conference in Pocono Manor, PA. Alvin resides in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.   Mentioned in this Episode: LinkedIn Website  Alvin's Book  Episode 214  Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Dan Clarke is a seasoned software consultant, Microsoft MVP, and founder of Everstack Ltd. Dan is widely known for his contributions to the .NET ecosystem and hosts the Unhandled Exception Podcast.  With a background in DevOps, Azure, and developer tooling, Dan brings a thoughtful, systems-level perspective to software craftsmanship. His work spans technical education, community leadership, and content creation—from blog posts and newsletters to YouTube tutorials and conference talks.  Dan resides in the UK and when he isn't programming, he enjoys daily weightlifting, playing the guitar, and a past life of skydiving and motorcycling. Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Dan Clarke Website  Dan's Podcast  Dan's Newsletter  Dan's Youtube Dan's Blog  Dan's Linkedin  Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Andrew Lock is a staff software engineer at Datadog and educator whose contributions to the .NET ecosystem have shaped how developers approach modern web applications.  Located in the UK, Andrew is a Microsoft MVP, Author of ASP.NET Core in Action, and has an active blog all about his experience working with .NET and ASP.NET Core.   Topics of Discussion: [2:56] Andrew talks about appreciating the joy of coding and the minutiae of figuring out the correct way to do things. [3:28] Andrew discusses the various testing frameworks available for .NET, including MS Test, NUnit, XUnit, and TUnit. He explains the history and evolution of these frameworks, noting that XUnit has become the de facto default version. [7:41] Andrew explains his interest in TUnit, a newer testing library that addresses some of the limitations of XUnit. [9:29] TUnit is designed to be fast, supporting parallel execution and native AOT for better performance. [12:16] Is there a way to radically speed up the execution of big test suites? [15:39] Andrew explains the importance of each type of test in providing confidence that the software works as intended. [21:26] Andrew notes that full system tests can provide strong confidence by exercising critical pathways in the application. [29:44] Andrew mentions that tools like Octopus Deploy can be used to automate smoke tests as part of the deployment process. [30:26] Advice to new developers regarding automated testing, and the importance of writing code that is easy to test, and thinking about testing when writing code.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Andrew Lock "Andrew Lock: Containers in .NET8 - Ep 281" "Andrew Lock: Web Applications in .NET6 - Ep 198" "Updates to Docker images in .NET8"   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.  

Ben Day is a seasoned software consultant and fractional CTO. With over two decades of experience, he brings a blend of hands-on coding expertise, strategic clarity, and people-focused coaching to help companies — from startups to Fortune 500s — deliver high-quality software faster and with less friction.   As the founder of Benjamin Day Consulting, Inc., Ben offers training, coaching, and architectural guidance rooted in Agile, Scrum, Azure DevOps, and GitHub best practices. He's a Microsoft MVP, a certified Professional Scrum Trainer for over 15 years, and a sought-after speaker who favors storytelling over slide decks.   Topics of Discussion: [2:30] The overlap between music and coding, with Ben explaining the empathy required in both fields. [4:22] Jeffrey mentions the Sunday Sounds app, which allows users to create custom instruments using AI prompts. [6:45] The process of creating Slide Speaker and how Slide Speaker takes screenshots of each moment in a PowerPoint presentation and generates MP4 files. [13:01] Technical details of SlideSpeaker. [16:18] Event-based scaling. [17:10] How SlideSpeaker can be used for internal training presentations and compliance-approved content. [26:06] The opportunity for even more voice models and the ability to create your own custom voice, accent, and tone. [28:11] Ben talks about creating videos that help absolute beginners grasp C#. [32:45] What's next for Ben and Slidespeaker?   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Benjamin Day Consulting Benjamin Day LinkedIn Benjamin Day YouTube SlidespeakerAI     Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Josh Arzt is a Senior Solutions Architect with 25+ years of experience modernizing systems, solving complex problems, and delivering scalable cloud solutions. He is an expert in software engineering, DevSecOps, serverless architectures, and cloud migrations. He is a certified professional with a strong publication record in IT and applied mathematics.   His professional career began in the early 2000s, when he discovered .NET and all it had to offer in its early days. Using that framework, paired with his maturation in software architecture, helped shape how he approaches challenges — with curiosity, precision, and a focus on making technology practical and reliable. Along the way, he's led teams, modernized systems, written his own software in performance metrics, and helped organizations adapt to change, but what he values most is working with people: mentoring engineers, collaborating across disciplines, and finding ways to connect technical work to real human impact. He brings both experience and perspective — the ability to see the big picture while never losing sight of the craft that drew him to this field in the first place.   Josh is also a 2025-2026 board election candidate for .NET Foundation.   Topics of Discussion: [2:40] Josh talks about the .NET Foundation and its importance. [7:08] A self-described dorky child, Josh recounts his early days in IT, starting with building computers as a child. [9:33] Josh describes his transition from IT support to software development, driven by his interest in problem-solving. [15:55] Josh discusses the evolution of .NET, from its early days to the current state. [30:40] The importance of choosing the right tool for the job, regardless of the programming language. [32:42] The challenges of managing tech debt and the importance of sustainability in software development. [37:28] Josh shares his positive experiences with the .NET community and the support they provide. [38:08] How thoughtful and consistent feedback shapes the evolution of the .NET ecosystem. [40:02] Continuous learning and adaptation in the field of software development.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Joshua Arzt LinkedIn Technical Babble — XCalibur Systems Xcalibur37 GitHub User Xcalibur Stack Overflow     Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

  Lee Brownhill is a Principal Cloud DBA at Cloud Rede with deep expertise in SQL Server performance tuning and automation. With years of experience across Azure and AWS, Lee helps clients optimize their cloud data platforms.   His journey began in IT support, quickly evolving into a passion for SQL Server that led him through roles as a Production and Developer DBA. Now, he's a trusted consultant, known for making systems run faster and smarter.   Lee is a Redgate Community Ambassador, a regular at SQLBits and Data Relay, and once spent a transformative week learning from T-SQL legend Itzik Ben-Gan. Whether on-prem or in the cloud, Lee's mission is simple: make SQL Server shine.   Topics of Discussion: [2:33] Lee shares his career journey, starting in general IT support and transitioning to a role involving Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which introduced him to SQL Server. [5:48] Jeffrey discusses the challenges faced by young programmers who work with databases but lack deep experience. [7:05] Lee highlights common anti-patterns in SQL Server. [8:04] The concept of "row by agonizing row."  [8:46] Lee shares his thought process when addressing performance problems in SQL Server. [9:12] Categorizing issues based on their severity and urgency using a tried-and-true checklist. [10:36] Taking a step back to look at the issue holistically before diving into specific details. [16:04] An optimal database structure and segmentation in 2025, and the importance of normalization to avoid redundant data and ensure data integrity. [20:00] The different ways to host SQL Server in Azure and the benefits of each. [23:02] Metrics for determining if an Azure SQL instance is over- or under-provisioned. [25:02] The value of Azure's costing tools in helping to optimize resource usage and reduce costs. [26:07] The work of site reliability engineers who use KQL to analyze logs and identify issues. [30:09] Lee's blog is a repository of technical topics, including SQL Server, performance tuning, and unit testing. [32:10] SQL Server 2025 features and the importance of learning and understanding new technologies.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Lee Brownhill's Blog Lee Brownhill LinkedIn     Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.  

Aaron Palermo is a Senior Solutions Architect, DevOps engineer, and all-around cybersecurity expert. He works for a global cybersecurity services company, Appgate. Aaron was last on the show in episode 196, sharing about Zero Trust Networking.   Topics of Discussion: [3:20] Aaron shares his excitement for learning new things and solving innovative challenges, which keep him engaged in the field. [3:30] Aaron explains his current role at Appgate, a zero-trust network access company. [4:25] The importance of direct-routed solutions for federal customers who want to own and manage their infrastructure. [6:27] Aaron recounts how he applied insights from previous ADP guests Scott Hunter, Burke Holland, and Greg Leonardo. [7:56] He explains the process of querying the Appgate API with natural language and the insights gained from the AI agent's code generation. [8:24] Testing an Integration in the Lab. [11:05] Jeffrey and Aaron discuss the benefits of using open-source tools and the flexibility of Proxmox for network testing. [14:47] VS Code and Copilot Integration, and what's next. [19:39] Aaron introduces n8n.io as a low or no-code automation platform that integrates with AI agents and APIs for workflow orchestration. [21:15] Integrating simple automation examples, such as weather-based watering systems and data-driven decisions without sensors. [28:09] OpenWRT's flexibility and customization. [30:01] What are some of the scenarios where a software-defined network might be the right tool? [33:26] Know what you want, and write from a purpose.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Ep 196 with Aaron Palermo n8n AppGate   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Jonathan Tower is known to friends and colleagues simply as "J." J. is a Microsoft MVP, Telerik Developer Expert, and the founder of Trailhead Technology Partners, a global custom software consultancy. With nearly 25 years of experience in the industry, J. has held roles ranging from senior architect to director of development, and now leads a team building high-quality, large-scale applications across a wide range of technologies.   J.'s technical expertise spans C#, .NET, ASP.NET MVC, and modern JavaScript frameworks, along with mobile app development. But what truly sets him apart is his passion for building community. He's the driving force behind Beer City Code, Michigan's largest software conference, and serves on the board of SoftwareGR, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the software industry in West Michigan.   He's also a frequent speaker at conferences and meetups around the world, a LinkedIn Learning course author, and a mentor to many through his work with robotics teams and local tech groups.   Outside of tech, J. is an adventurer at heart. He and his family recently completed a year-long road trip across the U.S., visiting 58 of the 63 national parks. He's also a fan of photography, hiking, reading, and catching every Best Picture nominee before the Oscars.   Topics of Discussion: [3:30] Fun fact! J. has been to 58 of the 63 national parks, with his current favorite being Glacier National Park. [4:46] J. explains his early interest in creating things and his discovery of software development in middle school. [7:33] J.'s journey into leadership and consulting. [11:04] J. talks about his Blue Blazes podcast and the inspiration behind the name. [14:27] The "shiny object syndrome" and the misuse of microservices architecture. [15:06] Understanding the true needs of a project before implementing complex solutions. [21:20] AI should be viewed as a collaborative tool, not a replacement for team members. [22:51] The insight that J. got at a Ford Factory about how AI can help us shape and create jobs instead of just replacing them. [27:50] J. mentions he recently released courses on Dome Train about migrating legacy applications. [29:05] Choosing the framework that is the most similar model. [31:29] The type of traits that J. would look for in a lead engineer or a team leader.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Jonathan "J." Tower LinkedIn JTower Website Trailhead Technology Jonathan "J." Tower MVP Blue Blazes Podcast .NET Foundation Dome Train — Jonathan Tower     Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Peter Ritchie is a veteran software architect and consultant with over 35 years of experience in the tech industry. Peter is renowned for his deep expertise in .NET development, distributed systems, and agile methodologies. He's an accomplished author of several technical books, a former Microsoft MVP, and a sought-after international speaker. Peter is also actively involved in the .NET community and was a candidate for the .NET Foundation Board of Directors, reflecting his commitment to open-source and developer advocacy. Through his consulting work, he helps teams elevate their architecture, code quality, and development practices — especially in areas like ASP.NET, Clean Architecture, and CI/CD pipelines.   Topics of Discussion: [3:45] Overview of .NET Foundation. [5:33] Support for User Groups and .NET 10. [5:48] The upcoming release of .NET 10 and Visual Studio 2026. [6:39] Stability and backward compatibility. [9:10] Challenges and approaches to business logic. [11:24] Repository structure and team organization. [15:27] Testing and continuous integration. [17:12] The role of experienced developers in mentoring and reviewing the work of junior developers. [20:02] Jeffrey mentions a recent blog post of Peter's and how we can define clear user stories, including roles, actions, criteria, and benefits, to ensure developers understand the requirements. [24:15] The importance of context in AI-driven development and how it applies to working with people. [25:06] How the AI revolution can lead to better understanding and communication within development teams.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Peter Ritchie LinkedIn     Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.  

Greg Leonardo is a Principal Cloud Architect, Certified Azure Solution Architect Expert, and Microsoft Azure MVP with over two decades of experience driving high-impact cloud transformations for global enterprises. Greg's work sits at the crossroads of architecture, innovation, and mentorship, where he crafts scalable, cost-efficient, and future-ready solutions that align technology with business strategy. He's a recognized authority in Azure-native architecture, FinOps optimization, and AI integration, known for delivering measurable results—from reducing cloud spend to accelerating DevOps agility through Terraform and infrastructure as code. His leadership extends beyond technical execution, as he actively cultivates cloud talent and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. A former Gulf War veteran, Greg brings discipline, resilience, and strategic foresight to every initiative — whether building global cloud ecosystems or leading high-performance engineering teams. He's also a passionate advocate for the cloud community, sharing insights daily through technical writing and open mentorship.   Topics of Discussion: [5:46] Greg discusses his approach to AI, emphasizing responsible AI and the importance of understanding its limitations. [8:12] AI's journey through the Hype Cycle. [11:09] Greg introduces the concept of AI as "virtual employees." [16:44] Greg talks about how he uses both Microsoft 365 Copilot and ChatGPT Enterprise to compare their capabilities. [18:36] How Greg tests and compares AI tools. [20:21] Comparing AI to previous search and research methods. [23:31] Improving AI results through better prompts. [26:17] The agent framework, sharing, and limitations of AI agents. [36:47] AI's ability to generate architectural diagrams. [41:49] Exploring autonomous coding agents. [41:45] Why we aren't quite ready for the "fire and forget" side. [43:08] Struggling with the memory behind chat. [44:02] Closing thoughts — what can we expect in the future, and what are more practical applications of AI?   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Gregory Leonardo LinkedIn Greg Leonardo Website Ep 326 with Greg Leonardo: The Latest in Azure Ep 282 with Greg Leonardo: Optimizing Cloud Budgets   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

John Bristowe brings over 20 years of experience in technology to his role as Community Director at Octopus Deploy. His career includes time at Progress and Microsoft, where he developed his skills in management and technology. Known for a straightforward and engaging style, John often speaks at industry conferences, sharing practical tips and insights. John is a HashiCorp Ambassador and part of the Progress Champions program.   He enjoys creating content such as articles, webinars, and podcasts, aiming to help others in the tech community. In his free time, John likes to stay informed about the latest tech developments and shares his learning with an online audience. His approach is always about sharing knowledge and learning together.   Topics of Discussion: [2:47] John shares his career journey, starting at Microsoft in 2005, and his involvement in developer evangelism. [4:03] The evolution of Octopus Deploy, from an open-source project to a commercial tool. [5:47] The importance of setting up deployment pipelines and the challenges of deploying on weekends due to brittle pipelines. [6:36] Check out the Octopus Deploy roadmap for updates on new features and innovations. [9:04] The potential of AI in the deployment space and the importance of maintaining a balance between AI and human involvement. [10:46] More about Codefresh. [11:23] The integration of AI capabilities in Octopus Deploy, including the AI assistant. [15:17] Designer Experience vs. Text-Based Workflows. [24:43] Common use cases for runbooks, including server maintenance, database management, and cost management in Kubernetes. [26:22] The importance of automated health checks and runbooks for ensuring reliable and cost-effective deployments. [29:58] Platform Hub and Enterprise Scalability.   Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Octopus Deploy Codefresh   Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.