The PowerShell Podcast

Cybersecurity, automation, and PowerShell advocate Adil Leghari returns to The PowerShell Podcast to kick off Cybersecurity Month. Adil shares insights from his career journey: from PowerShell and automation to identity and now cloud security at Palo Alto Networks. He discusses creating tools like Cyberdle and QR Check, how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, and the importance of empathy, authenticity, and mentorship in tech and community life.   Key Takeaways: AI in cybersecurity – Adil explains how organizations can protect sensitive data and combat threats using AI Security Posture Management and why we must “fight AI with AI.” Personal projects with purpose – Tools like Cyberdle and QR Check show how small, open-source projects can educate users and strengthen security awareness. Human connection in tech – Adil emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and community as keys to building better workplaces, stronger teams, and more fulfilling careers. Guest Bio: Adil Leghari is a Cloud Solutions Architect at Palo Alto Networks, where he works on the Cortex Cloud platform. With over twenty years of IT experience, Adil’s career spans PowerShell automation, identity management, repositories + packaging, and cloud security. A passionate community contributor and speaker, he is known for his open-source projects, approachable teaching style, and advocacy for authenticity and mentorship in the tech industry. He is a speaker, author, and a really kind human that I like a lot (Andrew wrote this)Resource   Links: Cyberdle (Cybersecurity Wordle Game) – https://cyberdle.adilio.ca QR Check (QR Code Security Tool) – https://qrcheck.ca GitHub Spec Kit: https://github.com/github/spec-kit Adil’s GitHub – https://github.com/adilio Adil’s Website – https://adilio.ca Adil on X/Twitter – https://twitter.com/adilio Adil on BlueSky – https://bsky.app/profile/adilio.ca Find Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWfSbuYnpFA&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HpOeZ4LBq9s

Newly minted Microsoft MVP Stephen Valdinger, known as Steviecoaster, joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from IT admin to community mentor and automation advocate. He talks about discovering PowerShell through Exchange, the career-changing power of automation, and his work with AutomatedLab, PowerShell Universal, and WinUI Shell. Stevie also highlights the importance of mentoring, building community, and making PowerShell approachable for everyone.   Key Takeaways: PowerShell as a gateway: Learning PowerShell can unlock career growth, lead to better automation, and even spark new opportunities like blogging, mentoring, and conference speaking. Tools for learning and labs: AutomatedLab, paired with Stevie’s utilities and GUI work, provides a powerful way to build test environments and gain hands-on experience. Community and mentorship matter: Sharing knowledge, mentoring beginners, and creating approachable tools not only help others grow but also strengthen your own skills. Guest Bio: Stephen Valdinger (Steviecoaster) is a Microsoft MVP, Customer Success Manager at Chocolatey, and community leader with a passion for automation and mentoring. With years of experience in IT, Stevie has become known for his approachable teaching style, and his contributions to open source. He is also a frequent contributor to community discussions, blogs at steviecoaster.dev, and presents at events like PowerShell Wednesdays and PowerShell Summit.   Resource Links: Steviecoaster’s Blog: https://steviecoaster.dev Steviecoaster on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/steviecoaster.dev Steviecoaster on GitHub: https://github.com/steviecoaster Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links Stevie's AutomatLab UI: https://github.com/steviecoaster/PowerShellUniversal.Apps.AutomatedLab AutomatedLab: https://github.com/AutomatedLab/AutomatedLab PowerShell Universal (by Ironman Software): https://ironmansoftware.com/powershell-universal WinUI Shell: https://github.com/mdgrs1/WinUI-Shell PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ Stevie's PowerShell Wednesday WinUIShell talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE1hy0VZXes&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&index=5 The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iKYfZBakoBI The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

Thomas Rayner joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from sysadmin and PowerShell MVP to securing Microsoft 365 as a security professional at Microsoft. He reflects on how PowerShell accelerated his career, the importance of blogging and community involvement, and why clear communication with managers is vital for growth. Thomas also offers advice for beginners, highlighting patience, persistence, and the value of mentorship in tech.   Key Takeaways: PowerShell as a force multiplier: Automating repetitive tasks with PowerShell helped Thomas advance his career and opened the door to opportunities at Microsoft. Career growth requires communication: Being candid with managers, demonstrating value, and asking for resources to learn are key to advancement. Community and mentorship matter: Involvement in the PowerShell community, saying yes to opportunities, and supporting peers can transform both careers and personal growth. Guest Bio: Thomas Rayner is a security professional at Microsoft, where he focuses on preventative security solutions in Microsoft 365. A former Microsoft MVP in Cloud and Datacenter Management, Thomas built his career by blogging, speaking, and contributing to the PowerShell community. Originally from Edmonton, Canada, he used PowerShell to accelerate his early career as a sysadmin before moving into security roles at Microsoft. Today, he continues to share career wisdom, mentor others, and advocate for growth mindset thinking in tech.   Resource Links: Thomas Rayner’s Blog: https://thomasrayner.ca Thomas Rayner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasrayner/ Thomas Rayner on GitHub: https://github.com/tlrayner Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3H-tMKqlSOs The PowerShell Podcast hub page: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

Patrick Meinecke, known as SeeminglyScience, joins host Andrew Pla to share his journey from sysadmin to joining the PowerShell team at Microsoft. He discusses his early community contributions, the inner workings of the PowerShell engine, and powerful but underused features like ETS and type converters. Patrick also highlights helpful modules such as PowerShell Run, ctypes, and Useful Argument Completers, while reflecting on the importance of community engagement and open source collaboration.   Key Takeaways: From community to Microsoft: Patrick’s contributions to PowerShell Editor Services and GitHub repos helped pave the way for his role on the official PowerShell team. Hidden gems in PowerShell: Features like the Extendable Type System (ETS), type converters, and modules such as PowerShell Run, ctypes, and Useful Argument Completers unlock powerful possibilities. Community makes it stronger: Helping others, answering questions, and sharing knowledge not only grows the ecosystem but also helps contributors sharpen their own skills. Guest Bio: Patrick Meinecke, widely known as SeeminglyScience, is a software engineer on the PowerShell team at Microsoft. Before joining the team, he spent over 15 years in sysadmin and tech support roles and is a longstanding contributor to the PowerShell open-source community. Patrick is recognized for his deep technical expertise in the PowerShell engine, his contributions to PowerShell Editor Services, and his passion for solving complex problems. He remains an active community member, often engaging on Discord and GitHub to help others learn and grow.   Resource Links: Patrick Meinecke on GitHub (@SeeminglyScience): https://github.com/SeeminglyScience Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links PowerShell Run (module by MDGRS): https://github.com/nbgrs/PowerShellRun Useful Argument Completers (module by MartinGC94): https://github.com/MartinGC94/UsefulArgumentCompleters ctypes (module by Jordan Borean): https://github.com/jborean93/PSctypes Spectre.Console for PowerShell (community project): https://github.com/PoshCode/PSSpectreConsole Join the PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zyj1IdZFf1E The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

In this episode, host Andrew Pla welcomes back Steven Judd, Microsoft MVP, teacher, and longtime community contributor. Together, they dive into the theme of beginnings, from starting careers in IT, to first encounters with PowerShell, and the importance of resilience while navigating the “valley of despair” in learning. Steven shares his journey from music and business studies into technology, where curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to read the manuals shaped his career. The conversation also explores how community, conferences, and friendships have been essential to Steven’s growth. From humorous “please clap” moments at Nano Conf to building lasting connections, Steven highlights the power of showing up authentically, persevering through challenges, and helping others along the way.Key Takeaways The Power of the Basics: Learning commands like Get-Command, Get-Help, and Get-Member (“the tripod”) forms the foundation of a strong PowerShell journey. Resilience in Learning: Navigating the “valley of despair” in tough topics like PowerShell, certificates, or regex is where growth happens. Persistence pays off. Community is Everything: From user groups to conferences, surrounding yourself with peers and mentors accelerates growth and helps combat imposter syndrome. Guest Bio Steven Judd is a Microsoft MVP, educator, and veteran PowerShell enthusiast who has been teaching and sharing knowledge in the community for many years. With a background that spans business, music, and IT, Steven brings a unique perspective on learning, resilience, and humor. Known for his approachable teaching style and dad jokes, Steven has helped countless professionals embrace automation, improve their skills, and find their place in the PowerShell community.Resource Links Steven Judd’s Content Hub: https://shortcutyour.life Steven Judd on YouTube (PowerShell content): YouTube Search Steven Judd on X/Twitter (@StevenJudd): https://x.com/StevenJudd Steven Judd’s Merch Store: https://store.stephenjudd.com PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links PowerShell Wednesdays (live community sessions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oesn0HgGxE&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yu6RVPwp8KY The PowerShell Podcast hub: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

Microsoft MVP Emanuel Palm joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from managing printers in Sweden to being a Microsoft MVP who is automating the cloud with PowerShell and Azure. He talks about building the AZAuth module for OAuth authentication, using GitHub Actions for CI/CD, and the importance of blogging and community involvement. Plus, Emanuel reveals his unique side hobby... roasting coffee!   Key Takeaways From printers to the cloud: Emanuel’s career shows how PowerShell can open doors, from automating IT tasks to driving cloud automation and DevOps practices. Community and sharing matter: Blogging, presenting, and contributing help you grow your own understanding while creating opportunities for others. Automation and authentication: With tools like GitHub Actions and his AZAuth module, Emanuel demonstrates how to simplify workflows and securely interact with APIs. Guest Bio Emanuel Palm is a Microsoft MVP based in Sweden, where he is a consultant focused on Microsoft technologies and is active in the PowerShell community. Emanuel is the creator of the AZAuth module, a lightweight solution for handling OAuth authentication in PowerShell, and a frequent speaker at events like PowerShell Conference Europe. Beyond tech, Emanuel is a coffee enthusiast who even roasts his own beans as a side hobby.   Resource Links Emanuel’s Blog: https://pipe.how GitHub – Emanuel Palm: https://github.com/palmemanuel X / BlueSky: @palmemanuel AZAuth Module on GitHub: https://github.com/PalmEmanuel/AzAuth Emanuel's PS Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trP2LLDynA0 Arkanum Coffee (Emanuel’s hobby project): https://arkanum.coffee PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-uHHGVH1Kcc The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

James Brundage returns to The PowerShell Podcast to talk about his new project, Turtle, which brings the classic concept of Turtle graphics into PowerShell. From simple shapes to fractals, animations, and more, James shows how PowerShell can be a powerful and fun tool for exploring programming concepts. Tune in for insights on the history of Turtle, its modern applications, and how it can inspire both new learners and seasoned pros.   Guest Bio: James Brundage is a Microsoft MVP who has been heavily involved in PowerShell for over 18 years. He is a former member of the PowerShell team, working there during v2 and v3. He now works as a consultant with Start-Automating, applying his PowerShell expertise to organizations to help solve large-scale problems all around the world. He also has a lot of great projects on GitHub and regularly shares his knowledge at user groups and conferences.   Resource Links: PSTurtle Project & Documentation: https://psturtle.com/ GitHub – Start-Automating: https://github.com/StartAutomating James Brundage on BlueSky (@MrPowerShell): https://bsky.app/profile/mrpowershell.com MrPowerShell.com: https://mrpowershell.com/ PowerShell Web Organization (for PowerShell + Web projects): https://github.com/PowerShellWeb Turtles in PowerShell talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8l_bQRvMkg Follow Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links Join the PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oGG6bKXsdrg The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we’re live from TechMentor at the Microsoft campus with two incredible guests: longtime advocate, educator, and PM on the PowerShell team at Microsoft - Jason Helmick and newcomer Troy Brown. This special episode captures the heart of community, innovation, and the transformative power of PowerShell—from seasoned insight to beginner breakthroughs. Jason drops serious knowledge on two game-changing technologies: AI Shell: Think ChatGPT, but built directly into your terminal. Learn how it enhances shell UX, assists with command building, explains parameters, and keeps you focused without switching contexts. DSC v3 (Desired State Configuration): Now fully cross-platform and decoupled from PowerShell, DSC v3 is lighter, more extensible, and suitable for everything from servers to IoT. Jason walks us through the evolution, real-world use cases (like flipping Windows from dark mode to light mode!), and what’s next for the configuration platform.  Highlights: Microsoft’s hidden campus lore, including a piece of the Berlin Wall! The evolution of PowerShell ReadLine and its impact on productivity AI Shell’s support for OpenAI, Azure Copilot, ollama, Gemini, and even custom agents Exporting configs from existing machines—a long-awaited DSC feature Why DSC v3 might be the most developer- and sysadmin-friendly release yet The cultural backbone of the PowerShell team: being “scrappy” and driven by customer success Troy Brown's First TechMentor Experience First-time conference-goer Troy Brown shares his experience diving into PowerShell: How a PowerShell workshop with Sean Wheeler, Steven Judd, and Jason Helmick helped him finally understand modules The journey from using PDQ to push basic PowerShell scripts to deeper automation potential Navigating the learning curve with community support His message to fellow newcomers: “Don’t take things personally, and embrace the journey.”   Resource Links: DSC v3 on GitHub Leanpub DSC v3 Book by Gijs https://leanpub.com/thedscv3handbook The Phoenix Project (book) (a must-read for IT pros) https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Project-DevOps-Helping-Business/dp/0988262592 https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_f5oYxzkinI The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

In this episode, Andrew catches up with Sean Wheeler and James Petty live from TechMentor. What starts as casual conversation about conference camaraderie turns into a rich discussion on learning PowerShell, building effective profiles, AI-assisted scripting, module recommendations, and what's next for the PowerShell Summit. Whether you're new to PowerShell or a seasoned scripter, this episode offers insights, laughs, and actionable advice. Plus, we finally settle (sort of) whether the VS Code sidebar belongs on the left or the right.    Key Takeaways You don’t need to learn everything. Just understand the ecosystem and build your learning map. Create your PowerShell profile now—it's an easy win with huge productivity returns. AI is a tool, not a crutch. Use it wisely and validate the results. Get involved in the community. It will accelerate your learning and broaden your opportunities. Shoutouts & Links https://powershell.org https://www.youtube.com/c/PowerShellOrg https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hr59kahksIM

In this high-energy episode, returning guests Gilbert Sanchez and Jake Hildreth join Andrew for a deep dive into: Module templating with PSStucco Building for accessibility in PowerShell Creating open source GitHub orgs like PSInclusive How PowerShell can lead to learning modern dev workflows like GitHub Actions and CI/CD What begins with a conversation about a live demo gone hilariously sideways turns into an insightful exploration of how PowerShell acts as a launchpad into bigger ecosystems like GitHub, YAML, JSON, and continuous integration pipelines.   Bios: Gilbert Sanchez is a Staff Software Development Engineer at Tesla, specifically working on PowerShell. Formerly known as "Señor Systems Engineer" at Meta. A loud advocate for DEI, DevEx, DevOps, and TDD.   Jake Hildreth is a Principal Security Consultant at Semperis, Microsoft MVP, and longtime builder of tools that make identity security suck a little less. With nearly 25 years in IT (and the battle scars to prove it), he specializes in helping orgs secure Active Directory and survive the baroque disaster that is Active Directory Certificate Services. He’s the creator of Locksmith, BlueTuxedo, and PowerPUG!, open-source tools built to make life easier for overworked identity admins. When he’s not untangling Kerberos or wrangling DNS, he’s usually hanging out with his favorite people and most grounding reality check: his wife and daughter.   Links https://gilbertsanchez.com/posts/stucco-create-powershell-module/ https://jakehildreth.github.io/blog/2025/07/02/PowerShell-Module-Scaffolding-with-PSStucco.html https://github.com/PSInclusive https://jakehildreth.com/ https://andrewpla.tech/links https://discord.gg/pdq https://pdq.com/podcast https://youtu.be/w-z2-0ii96Y

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla reunites with PowerShell legend Fred, diving deep into productivity with hotkeys and key bindings, EntraAuth, C# integration, and community reflections from PowerShell Conference EU. Fred shares practical advice for improving your daily workflow, how to extend PowerShell with C#, and why participation in the community—whether through conferences or contributing modules—can be a game-changer for your career. What You’ll Learn: How to improve your coding efficiency with advanced hotkeys and key bindings The difference between hotkeys and key bindings and how to create your own Insights into Fred’s EntraAuth module and why federated credentials matter When it makes sense to use C# alongside PowerShell How community involvement can elevate your career What makes PowerShell Conference EU a unique experience Tips for new speakers interested in submitting conference talks Bio & Links: Fred Weinmann is a seasoned Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft and a renowned PowerShell expert with years of experience designing and implementing scalable solutions. A prolific creator, Fred has developed key tools like PSFramework, PSModuleDevelopment, PSUtil, and PSFramework.Nuget, which empowers developers and IT professionals to optimize their workflows. Passionate about technology and problem-solving, Fred’s innovative approach to PowerShell module development and his commitment to community-driven open-source projects have made him a respected figure in the PowerShell community. https://github.com/FriedrichWeinmann/EntraAuth https://github.com/PowershellFrameworkCollective/PSFramework.NuGet https://github.com/FriedrichWeinmann/string https://andrewpla.tech/links https://psconf.eu https://github.com/PowershellFrameworkCollective/psframework Fred's PSConfEU PSFramework.Nuget talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMSOVwmBXrk Check out PDQ Connect https://pdq.com/podcast Join the PowerShell Scripting channel: https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TZPy4X6yLjM The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

In this insightful episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla welcomes longtime friend and seasoned technologist Ryan Coates. Together, they explore the intersection of PowerShell and C#, discuss the natural evolution of tech careers, and examine the role of continuous learning in long-term success. Ryan shares a wealth of perspective from decades in IT—covering everything from early networking to modern cloud architectures and why C# is a practical next step for PowerShell users. Whether you're deep in automation or eyeing your next language leap, this conversation is packed with career wisdom, developer philosophy, and some solid tech nostalgia. What You’ll Learn: Why C# is a great next step for experienced PowerShell users Use cases where C# offers performance or capability advantages over PowerShell How PowerShell and C# skills complement each other in the .NET ecosystem Ryan’s journey from MCSE teen prodigy to early retirement Why soft skills are just as vital as technical skills for senior roles The value of working across many technologies and industries early in your career Insights into DevOps maturity, architecture thinking, and lifelong learning Bio & Links: Ryan Coates is an Enterprise Architect with 25+ years in IT, evolving from systems ops to DevOps and developer advocacy. He leads internal API and DevRel strategy at a global consulting firm. Passionate about mentoring, Ryan speaks at conferences on cloud and automation and helps run Microsoft Cloud, DevOps, and PowerShell user groups in Boise, Idaho. https://linkedin.com/in/ryandcoates https://twitter.com/ryandcoates https://discord.gg/pdq https://andrewpla.tech/links Ryan's C# Talk at PS Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOaFdHTlDXE Ryan's Summit Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AePjFyuWvg8 Join the PowerShell Scripting Channel on PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq Check out PDQ Connect: https://pdq.com/podcast The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/72UCneA1X40 The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, Andrew Pla welcomes longtime friend and DevOps Endpoint Engineer David Richmond. Fresh off his PowerShell Wednesday presentation, David shares insights into the power of splatting in PowerShell, centralizing automations, and driving organizational change through best practices and leadership. The conversation explores the evolution of automation practices, Git adoption in Ops, secrets management using Azure Key Vault, and how empowering others can multiply technical impact. It’s an inspiring blend of deep PowerShell knowledge and practical career development advice.   What You’ll Learn: What splatting is in PowerShell and why it’s such a powerful coding practice How to organize, simplify, and clean up your scripts with hash tables and ordered dictionaries David's journey from solo IT support to leading centralized automation efforts Pro tips on Git, module development, credential management, and code organization The benefits of creating training sessions and fostering a team-wide PowerShell culture Why data-driven automation metrics can win leadership support How PowerShell can scale your impact and accelerate your career Bio & Links: David Richmond started writing scripts in the Macintosh OS days (the 90s!) and hasn't stopped. Currently working in the every-OS endpoint engineering / devops space, particularly focused on internal automations team skillups in PowerShell and beyond.  https://discord.gg/pdq https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-s-richmond/ https://dev.to/celadin https://bsky.app/profile/davidsrichmond.com Splatting PowerShell Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oesn0HgGxE https://github.com/PoshCode/PowerShellPracticeAndStyle The PowerShell Podcast Hub: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_cbpGxZOHS4 Help topic: help about_splatting

In this special live episode recorded amidst the rain-soaked streets of Malmö duringPSConfEU 2025, host Andrew Pla brings us a vibrant, multi-guest edition of the PowerShell Podcast. From impromptu bar chats to in-depth discussions on PowerShell modules, CI/CD pipelines, career growth, and community culture, this episode captures the heart of the PowerShell community in full force. Hear from speakers, first-time attendees, longtime community contributors, and PowerShell legends as they share their stories, projects, career journeys, favorite sessions, and the human side of tech.   Guests: Harm Veenstra (PowerShellIsFun, MVP and Legend) Constantin Hager (PS Framework user & Inn-Salzach PowerShell Group organizer) Thomas Hadin (Swedish consultant, Discord regular) James Ruskin (Chocolatey engineer, bigtime PowerSheller, kind and smart) Emanuel Palm (Microsoft MVP and PSConfEU speaker) Suresh "SK" Krishnan (IAM pro & PowerShell podcast superfan) Topics Covered: Favorite PSConfEU 2025 sessions and key takeaways GitHub Actions & GitHub Apps deep dive Lightning talks & community demo formats User group organizing and mentoring new speakers Tools: PS Framework, Spectre.Console, AI Shell, ModuleBuilder PowerShell remoting, PSDefaultParameterValues, and CI pipelines Career development insights, perspective shifts, and personal growth Building friendships and networks in the PowerShell community Highlights: “There’s no magic” – a recurring theme reminding listeners to understand what they’re running. Reflections on how empathy and perspective can transform your IT career. A shoutout to the PowerShell Discord community and lesser-known contributors like weq and Chris Dent. Real stories of overcoming stage fright, pushing past visa issues, and finding belonging through tech. Links: https://discord.gg/pdq https://psconf.eu https://andrewpla.tech/links Watch PowerShell Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B PSConfEU 2025 sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CJWhWdbTGU&list=PLDCEho7foSoo6tc8iNDSrxp27dG_gtm6g The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RoVlp5XmXBc

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we catch up with returning guest and security research program manager at Microsoft, Miriam Wiesner. Recorded live at PowerShell Conference EU in Malmö, Sweden, we dive into her fascinating journey from Premier Field Engineer to her current role in security research. Miriam reflects on her early talks about Just Enough Administration (JEA), shares insights into MFA bypass techniques involving browser cookies (with a fun appearance from Cookie Monster), and emphasizes the importance of defense-in-depth and layered security.   We also explore her second talk at the conference, "Finding Your North Star," where she unpacks the value of having a guiding goal in your career, overcoming self-doubt, and growing through mentorship. Miriam offers guidance on managing stage fright, developing social skills, and embracing authenticity in technical communities. Whether you're navigating a career in tech or looking to level up your security awareness, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration.   Links and Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamwiesner/ https://www.amazon.com/PowerShell-Automation-Scripting-Cybersecurity-Hacking/dp/1800566379 https://x.com/MiriamXyra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDcq0pPNPs https://andrewpla.tech/links https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nuhVTbpfQog The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  Miriam is the author of the book "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for CyberSecurity: Hacking and Defense for Red and Blue Teamers." She is a Senior Security Research Program Manager at Microsoft. Outside of work, Miriam is a dedicated wife and mother, residing with her family near Nuremberg, Germany.

In this episode, recorded live at PSConfEU, Andrew catches up with some of the PowerShell team from Microsoft to talk all things PowerShell—from AIShell to PSResourceGet to the future of DSC and OpenSSH.   First up is Steven Bucher, Product Manager on the PowerShell team, who discusses the massive scale of PowerShell usage, the state of PowerShell 7, and the team’s focus on security and reliability. He also gives an exciting walkthrough of AIShell and how it’s helping users stay in the terminal while getting AI-driven help, error resolution, and integration with providers like Azure OpenAI and AI Foundry.   Then we hear from Anam, a software engineer working on PSResourceGet, PowerShell Gallery, and security. She shares details on the rewrite of PowerShellGet, performance improvements, and new features like container registry support. She also dives into Microsoft's Artifact Registry (MAR) and offers her take on coding as a creative, artistic endeavor.   Lastly, Tess joins the conversation to talk about OpenSSH and Desired State Configuration (DSC). She highlights the native cross-platform capabilities of DSC v3, its decoupling from PowerShell, and the move toward supporting resource development in languages like Python. Tess also shares the significance of SSH server availability in Windows Server 2025 and reflects on her open-source journey and love of outdoor sports.   Whether you’re managing packages, remoting with SSH, exploring AI integrations, or just want to know more about some of the people behind PowerShell, this episode delivers valuable insights from the team building the tools you use.    Links and Mentions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamnavied/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-gauthier-a43a368a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenabucher/ https://andrewpla.tech/links https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell https://github.com/PowerShell/AIShell https://github.com/PowerShell/PSResourceGet https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH https://github.com/microsoft/DSC The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F4mVUHinjf4 The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast Guests: Stephen Bucher – Product Manager II on the PowerShell Team Anam Navied – Software Engineer 2 @ Microsoft Tess Gauthier – Software Engineer @ Microsoft | OpenSSH

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla reports live from PowerShell Conference Europe 2025 in Malmö, Sweden. With energy high and community engagement stronger than ever, Andrew chats with key figures shaping the PowerShell ecosystem. First, we hear from Gael Colas, organizer of PSConfEU and longtime community advocate, who discusses the significance of the conference and its international impact. Gael reflects on the challenges of organizing a multi-country event and the magic that happens when the community comes together in person. Later, Andrew connects with Stein Petersen, a speaker at PSConfEU. Stein shares insights into his talk on mental health, psychological safety, and building human-centric tech teams. Alongside his co-speaker, licensed therapist Tracy Sewell, they tackle burnout prevention and emotional resilience in the workplace. The discussion sheds light on the intersection between mental well-being and professional success in IT. This episode captures the unique mix of technical enthusiasm and human connection that defines the PowerShell community. Whether you're coding, coaching, or just trying to survive burnout, there's something here for you. Recorded on location at PowerShell Conference Europe 2025.   Links & Bio:  https://psconf.eu   https://andrewpla.tech/links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/steinpetersen/  https://gaelcolas.com  https://synedgy.com  https://discord.gg/pdq   The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/paB3R1uA8jw The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast Gael Colas Gael is the founder and director of SynEdgy Limited, a consulting company in the DevOps, Azure and PowerShell automation space, helping companies bringing agility in their infrastructure management and operations. SynEdgy is also behind the PowerShell Conference Europe (PSConfEU), PSDayUK and contributes to many other user groups and events of the community. In his spare time, Gael is a member of the PowerShell Working Groups, DSC Community committee member, and recipient of the Microsoft MVP award. Stein Petersen Stein is a cloud architect and passionate community contributor focused on mental health in IT. He is committed to fostering psychological safety, resilience, and emotional intelligence within tech teams.

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we’re joined by Steven Judd and Gilbert Sanchez, two active contributors and speakers in the PowerShell community. We talk about the Dos and Don'ts of PowerShell. We cover topics like documentation, testing, community, how you should view yourself in your growth, and even get some top tips on logging from those who have done PowerShell at the highest levels.    Key Topics Covered: How community support leads to career breakthroughs Learning through teaching and presenting at conferences Overcoming nerves and imposter syndrome as new speakers The value of async learning and accountability through PowerShell Wednesdays Steven’s PowerShell journey from System Admin to cybersecurity educator Gilbert’s insights on mentorship, blogging, and personal development Embracing humility and finding joy in collaboration Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your PowerShell journey, this episode is a celebration of curiosity, courage, and community.

This week, we sit down with Anthony Howell, better known as The PoSh Wolf, for an inspiring and entertaining conversation about PowerShell, community, and creativity. From his early days in a two-person IT department to speaking at PowerShell Summit, Anthony shares how passion, persistence, and curiosity have fueled his journey. He dives into his creative use of PowerShell for managing game servers and even building a Discord bot, proving that automation isn't just for enterprise tasks. We explore how side projects can grow into real skills, the value of sharing in the community, and how embracing mistakes makes us all better. Anthony also gives insights into using .NET in PowerShell, learning Go, and building resilient systems for fun and work.   Bio: Anthony Howell is a proud father, lucky husband, and passionate software builder. Since starting his IT career in 2009 as a helpdesk technician, he’s followed his drive for automation from scripting sysadmin tasks in PowerShell to tackling DevOps and site reliability challenges. Known for always having a process improvement idea, Anthony shares insights from his journey to help others build smarter, more efficient systems.   What You'll Learn: How Anthony got started with PowerShell and his first Summit experience Creative PowerShell use cases like Discord bots and game server management Lessons from mistakes and the power of testing Transitioning from PowerShell to .NET and even Go The importance of community and continuing to ask questions Links & Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theposhwolf/ https://discord.gg/pdq https://theposhwolf.com/ https://andrewpla.tech/links Check out PDQ: https://pdq.com/podcast https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/powershell-yaml/0.4.12 The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tOH5FXn0IhU

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we chat with Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn, a seasoned technologist whose career spans from spinning vinyl as a DJ to leading cloud and FinOps consulting. Shannon shares her unique journey into tech, driven by curiosity and a desire to record her DJ sets, which ultimately led to a successful career in cloud infrastructure, Azure, platform engineering, and FinOps. We explore Shannon’s transition into IT without a traditional tech background, her time at Microsoft, and her current work in FinOps. She discusses the challenges of cloud adoption, navigating imposter syndrome, and why strong communication skills are just as critical as technical ones. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, career evolution, and staying curious.    Topics covered:  Breaking into tech via DJing  Early career lessons from help desk roles and hands-on troubleshooting  Cloud migration challenges and avoiding costly lift-and-shift mistakes  FinOps fundamentals and practical cost governance tips  Finding your “superpower” and overcoming imposter syndrome  The value of public speaking and active listening in career growth  Hosting customer conversations with empathy and technical confidence  Real-life DJ gear disasters and live demo blunders  Notable quote: “Imposter syndrome is real—but the thing you're worried about is what everyone else is worried about too.”  Guest Bio & Links:  Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn is a Principal Solutions Architect at AHEAD with a unique blend of technical depth and strong communication roots. A University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate in Communication Studies with a minor in English, she began her journey into tech through DJing and audio troubleshooting, which sparked a passion for problem-solving. Over time, she progressed from help desk roles into advanced infrastructure and cloud engineering, with experience spanning Windows systems, VMware, Exchange, Office 365, and Azure. Her career includes roles at Microsoft and 10th Magnitude, where her love for cloud truly flourished. Shannon leverages her background in public speaking and writing to bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions.    Check out PDQ: https://pdq.com/podcast  Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links  Shannon's Blog: https://www.shankuehn.io/  https://x.com/shankuehn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonkuehn/  https://github.com/sbkuehn  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gF4LW8Mz2eU