The PowerShell Podcast

PDQ.com

The PowerShell Podcast is a weekly show about building your career with PowerShell. Each episode features the tips, tech, and modules that make PowerShell the premier automation and scripting tool for IT professionals. Join us as we interview PowerShell experts to discover what makes PowerShell and its community so amazing and awesome.

  1. -5 J

    AutomatedLab, GUIs, and automation with Steviecoaster

    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

    1 h
  2. 29 SEPT.

    From Sysadmin to Security at Microsoft with Thomas Rayner

    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

    1 h
  3. 22 SEPT.

    From Sysadmin to PowerShell Team: The Story of SeeminglyScience

    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

    1 h 4 min
  4. 15 SEPT.

    Beginnings, Blue Bars, and the Valley of Despair with Steven Judd

    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

    53 min
  5. 8 SEPT.

    PowerShell, OAuth, and Automation in the Cloud with Emanuel Palm

    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

    50 min
  6. 1 SEPT.

    Turtles All the Way Down: PowerShell and Graphics with James Brundage

    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

    1 h 2 min
  7. 25 AOÛT

    Unlocking Automation with AI Shell and Desired State Configuration with Jason Helmick

    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

    48 min
4,9
sur 5
31 notes

À propos

The PowerShell Podcast is a weekly show about building your career with PowerShell. Each episode features the tips, tech, and modules that make PowerShell the premier automation and scripting tool for IT professionals. Join us as we interview PowerShell experts to discover what makes PowerShell and its community so amazing and awesome.

Vous aimeriez peut‑être aussi