

NAN100: A Retrospective On 100 Episodes of Network Automation Nerds
Sep 17, 2025
In this milestone discussion, Drew Conry-Murray, an experienced podcast host and contributor to Packet Pushers, joins Eric Chou to reflect on five years of impactful conversations. They delve into the motivations behind starting the show and the evolution of networking automation. Eric shares memorable mishaps from recording, emphasizing how guest diversity has enriched their discussions. They explore market shifts towards automation and end with insights on the increasing value of automation skills in today’s job landscape.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Slow Start, Strong Restart
- Eric struggled with the technical barriers of early podcasting and abandoned an initial attempt in 2017.
- He restarted in 2021 when services like Buzzsprout simplified publishing and audience interest grew.
People's Journeys Matter
- Eric values documenting people's journeys as much as technical content.
- He believes the path and mindset reveal lessons that pure technical episodes miss.
Evolving Format And Representation
- Eric intentionally diversified guests after noting early demographic imbalance.
- He adjusted format to focus episodes around clearer themes following listener feedback.