The PowerShell Podcast

Distinguished Software Engineer Ryan Spletzer joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk about building a long-term career in tech through curiosity, continuous learning, and strong community connections. Ryan shares how PowerShell helped shape his path from early work in SharePoint, automation, and identity management to leading AI initiatives at Autodesk, where his team built an internal ChatGPT-style solution using Azure OpenAI before enterprise ChatGPT options existed. They also dig into AI-assisted coding, mentorship, and how foundational software engineering skills still matter more than ever. Ryan offers practical guidance for using AI tools responsibly, overcoming imposter syndrome, and growing by learning adjacent domains like authentication, networking, and data engineering.   Key Takeaways: • AI is a force multiplier for experienced engineers, but mentorship is critical to help early-career engineers learn how to ask the right questions and avoid “blind troubleshooting.” • Breadth matters as you level up. Understanding adjacent domains and collaborating well with others becomes a key differentiator at senior and staff levels. • PowerShell remains a career accelerator. Ryan explains how PowerShell led him into infrastructure automation, identity, and modern auth—and why it’s still his go-to tool for quick, high-impact scripting today.   Guest Bio: Ryan Spletzer is a Distinguished Software Engineer at Autodesk, where he works in an internal organization focused on AI, data, and automation. With a background spanning SharePoint development, .NET engineering, identity systems, and enterprise automation, Ryan has spent years building tools that scale across organizations. He’s also a strong advocate for continuous learning and mentorship.   Resource Links: Ryan links - https://www.spletzer.com/about/ Ryan's blog - https://www.spletzer.com/ Andrew's links - https://andrewpla.tech/links PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ryZ7OdvCNZo

Jorge Suarez joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey into PowerShell, automation, and community contribution. From attending his first MMS conference to building creative and practical PowerShell projects, Jorge talks about how PowerShell became the primary driver of his career growth. The conversation covers his popular Intune Hydration Kit, creative TUI projects inspired by shows like Severance, and how curiosity and experimentation led him to build tools he wished existed earlier in his career.   Beyond tooling, Jorge opens up about imposter syndrome, learning in public, and using PowerShell as a force multiplier to automate work, stand out professionally, and think differently about problem solving.   Key Takeaways: PowerShell accelerates careers – Automating repetitive work and forcing yourself to use PowerShell daily builds fluency and opens new opportunities. Build what you wish you had – Jorge’s projects, including Intune Hydration Kit and multiple TUI tools, came from solving his own real-world problems. Imposter syndrome is fuel – When managed well, it can drive curiosity, learning, and long-term growth instead of holding you back. Guest Bio: Jorge Suarez is an Endpoint Platform Engineer and PowerShell enthusiast. Jorge is known for building creative PowerShell solutions—including terminal user interfaces and Intune automation projects. He’s an active community contributor who blogs, shares code on GitHub, and advocates for learning in public.   Resource Links: Jorge Suarez on GitHub – https://github.com/jorgeasaurus Jorge’s Blog – https://www.jorgeasaur.us/ Intune Hydration Kit – https://github.com/jorgeasaurus/IntuneHydrationKit Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=PowerShell+Wednesdays The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NEDX_3kDhZQ

PowerShell legend Jeff Hicks joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk about what it really means to live in PowerShell every day. From running his entire workflow in the console to building highly polished terminal tools, Jeff shares how PowerShell can be used far beyond infrastructure management—to organize your day, automate personal tasks, and multiply productivity. The conversation also dives deep into learning PowerShell long-term, embracing small wins, investing in your own career growth, and making yourself “available to luck.” Jeff introduces his newest project, PSIntro, designed to help absolute beginners get started with PowerShell through interactive, localized tutorials and a welcoming splash experience.   Key Takeaways: PowerShell fluency comes from time and repetition, not talent. Use it daily, even for small personal tasks, and progress will follow. PowerShell is a force multiplier. Thoughtful use of color, terminal UIs, verbose output, and helper functions can dramatically improve productivity. Investing in your own learning outside of work gives you career freedom. Your job is not your career—your skills are. Guest Bio: Jeff Hicks is a PowerShell author, educator, and community icon with nearly two decades of experience teaching automation to IT professionals. A long-time Microsoft MVP, Jeff has written multiple books, created countless tools and modules, and spoken at conferences around the world. Known for his practical approach and passion for teaching, Jeff continues to shape how people learn, use, and think about PowerShell.   Resource Links: Jeff Links - https://jdhitsolutions.github.io/ PSIntro Project – https://github.com/jdhitsolutions/PSIntro Spectre.Console for PowerShell – https://pwshspectreconsole.com/ PowerShell Summit – https://powershellsummit.org PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztKT2wK6EW4&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&pp=gAQB The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lKKfmdDtBOU

In this episode of The PowerShell Podcast, Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn returns to discuss her journey since becoming a Microsoft MVP, her experiences at Microsoft Ignite, and her evolving views on technology, communication, and personal growth. Shannon shares stories from Ignite, including Mark Russinovich’s fascinating demo on optical computing, and offers insight into how AI is reshaping IT work, both in efficiency and responsibility.The conversation expands beyond tech, touching on mentorship, emotional intelligence, and the importance of grace, empathy, and connection in professional and personal life. Shannon and host Andrew Pla explore how better communication, mental health awareness, and authentic collaboration can transform careers and communities alike.   Key Takeaways: AI as a partner, not a replacement – Shannon views AI as a powerful companion that amplifies human creativity, not a threat to jobs or individuality. Communication is the real superpower – Technical skills open doors, but empathy, curiosity, and active listening sustain success and build trust. Find your community and give grace – Whether mentoring or learning, everyone benefits from patience, understanding, and a supportive network. Guest Bio: Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn is a Principal Solutions Architect at AHEAD and a Microsoft MVP 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.   Resource Links: Shannon’s Blog – https://shankuehn.io Shannon on X (Twitter) – https://twitter.com/shankuehn Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links Microsoft Ignite – https://ignite.microsoft.com PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBLDfE1aiuE&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/okVO33wX5xY

In this episode of The PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla welcomes Dr. Al Carlson, a cryptographer, mathematician, and engineer whose career spans more than four decades in military intelligence, embedded systems, and advanced encryption research. Dr. Carlson explains how set theory and mathematical patterns underpin all cryptography, breaking down complex systems like AES into understandable concepts. He discusses his groundbreaking work on isomorphic cipher reduction, polymorphic encryption, and how simplicity, not complexity, is often the key to true security.   Key Takeaways: All encryption is patterns – Dr. Carlsen explains how every cipher, including AES, can be viewed as a substitution cipher, allowing for new ways to analyze and strengthen encryption. Simplicity creates strength – Complexity doesn’t guarantee security. By distilling systems to their fundamentals, cryptographers can identify weaknesses faster and design better ciphers. Quantum computing and cryptography’s future – Quantum computing's potential to break current encryption standards highlights the need for polymorphic and post-quantum approaches to secure data. Guest Bio: Dr. Al Carlson is a cryptographer, mathematician, and educator with over forty years of experience in electronic warfare, military cryptography, and advanced encryption systems. His work in set theory-based cryptographic analysis and polymorphic encryption has influenced how researchers think about code-breaking and data protection. A longtime IEEE member and mentor, Dr. Carlson continues to publish papers on approaches to information security and encryption theory.Resource Links IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) – https://www.ieee.org Breaking CBC Def Con Talk by Dr. Carlson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0IsYNDMV7A Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gWmlvKFduP8

Newly minted Microsoft MVP, pentester, and returning guest Spencer Alessi joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk about growth, giving back, and building security through PowerShell. Spencer shares lessons from his journey from sysadmin to pen tester, including the importance of learning from mistakes, documenting wins, and advocating for yourself in your career. He also introduces his latest open-source project, AppLocker Inspector, and discusses tools like Locksmith, Pink Castle, and Purple Knight that help IT pros secure their environments and build confidence in automation and defense.   Key Takeaways: Grow through mistakes – Learn from both your own missteps and those of others; every lesson strengthens your technical and professional skills. Security tools for sysadmins – Free PowerShell-based tools like AppLocker Inspector, Locksmith, and Purple Knight offer practical wins for securing Active Directory. Advocate for yourself and give back – Track your wins, share your work, and pay forward the mentorship and generosity that helped you grow. Guest Bio: Spencer Alessi is a Microsoft MVP, penetration tester, and community educator passionate about helping sysadmins strengthen their environments. Known online as @TechSpence, he creates approachable content and tools focused on helping sysadmins o improve security. Spencer is also a podcast host, public speaker, and strong advocate for mentorship, authenticity, and continuous learning in tech.   Resource Links: Spencer on PDQ Live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j33dN2bELPU AppLocker Inspector – https://github.com/techspence/AppLockerInspector Purple Knight – https://www.semperis.com/purple-knight/ Ping Castle – https://www.pingcastle.com/download/ Locksmith (ADCS Auditing Tool) – https://github.com/jakehildreth/locksmith ADeleginator – https://github.com/techspence/ADeleginator Spencer’s Links – https://links.spenceralessi.com Cyber Threat Perspective Podcast – https://offsec.blog Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPoc8X7t0hY&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&pp=0gcJCbAEOCosWNin The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E4ji0-rmsuA

Recorded live from SpiceWorld 2025 in Austin, Texas, this special PowerShell Podcast bar session brings together community members Jeffery Hayes, Stephen Engler, Sean Wheeler, and Steven Judd for a fun and insightful celebration of PowerShell and community. Host Andrew Pla reflects on reaching the 200-episode milestone while sharing stories about growth, learning, and the value of connection. From early PowerShell journeys to the power of conferences, mentorship, and even a few bar-side life lessons, this lively session captures the heart of the PowerShell community.   Key Takeaways: Community is everything – Attending conferences and connecting with peers accelerates growth, provides mentorship, and reminds you that learning is a shared journey. Learn by doing and asking – Don’t fear mistakes or questions; curiosity and collaboration are the real career accelerators. AI, documentation, and PowerShell’s future – The guests discuss Copilot, parameter validation, and the need for high-quality documentation to improve the next wave of AI-assisted development. Guests: Stephen Engler, Jeffery Hayes, Sean Wheeler, Steven Juddhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-engler/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferyhayescoa/ https://seanonit.org/ https://blog.stevenjudd.com/ https://andrewpla.tech/links   Resource Links: PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPoc8X7t0hY&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ Powershell.org– https://powershell.org Microsoft Learn PowerShell Docs – https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell Azure PowerShell Documentation – https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/azure The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UrsbTkR6jg8

In this episode, PowerShell Podcast host Andrew Pla chats with Dan Cunningham, Strategic Innovation Leader for PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT), about the history, architecture, and evolution of the open-source framework used for enterprise software deployment. Dan explains how PSADT simplifies installs, improves logging, enhances user experience with UI dialogs, and provides consistency across environments. He also discusses the latest release, v4.1, which removes the need for Microsoft’s ServiceUI, boosting both security and usability for Intune and SCCM deployments.   Key Takeaways: Smarter software deployments – PSADT provides a structured, battle-tested framework for automating installs, repairs, and removals, saving IT teams time while improving consistency and reliability. Security and stability first – The 4.1 release replaces the risky ServiceUI dependency, strengthening system security and making UI deployments safer and easier. Open source with enterprise value – With over a decade of community use, PSADT continues to evolve through collaboration, defensive coding, and lessons learned from real-world enterprise use. Guest Bio: Dan Cunningham is the Co-Founder and Strategic Innovation Leader behind the PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT) at Patch My PC. A long-time open-source contributor and frequent conference speaker, Dan has held leadership roles at several orgs, helping Fortune 500 companies secure and manage complex IT environments. His 15-year tenure at PwC in Ireland and Canada laid the groundwork for PSADT’s creation — where it was first put to the test.   Resource Links: PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT) – https://psappdeploytoolkit.com Dan Cunningham on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sintaxasn/ Dan on BlueSky – https://x.com/sintaxasn Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-d16gi3VEc 2026 State of SysAdmin Form - https://conjointly.online/study/627204/sdzoxv8vtq41rshsbtly The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y3zWcb8ulVw

In this milestone 200th episode of The PowerShell Podcast, Frank Lesniak returns to chat with Andrew Pla about automation, community, and what it means to “bet on yourself.” Frank shares his experiences leading cybersecurity and enterprise architecture projects, using PowerShell for AWS security automation, and developing tools to simplify complex data exports. He also discusses the upcoming PowerShell Summit, his work with DuPage Animal Friends, and the value of giving back through mentorship, community involvement, and open source.   Key Takeaways: PowerShell in the cloud – Frank dives deep into AWS automation and explains how PowerShell can simplify security and configuration management at scale. From console to community – After years of speaking and mentoring, Frank emphasizes how collaboration and consistent effort lead to career growth and confidence. Giving back through leadership – As VP of DuPage Animal Friends, Frank highlights the power of using your professional skills for good beyond tech. Guest Bio: Frank Lesniak is a Sr. Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Architect at West Monroe, where he leads a 45-member team focused on Microsoft's M365/Modern Work platform. His team specializes in navigating the technical complexities of corporate M&A, executing at-scale divestitures and integrations centered on Azure, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Active Directory, and Windows. An active contributor to the tech community, Frank is a published author, open-source contributor, and a frequent speaker at conferences and user groups on topics including PowerShell, artificial intelligence, and offbeat technical talks related to his hobbies. In his local community, he serves as the Vice President of DuPage Animal Friends, a non-profit dedicated to supporting DuPage County's sole open-admission animal shelter.   Resource Links: Connect with Frank -https://linktr.ee/franklesniak Frank Lesniak on X (Twitter) – https://x.com/FrankLesniak Frank on LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/in/flesniak Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links DuPage Animal Friends – https://dupageanimalfriends.org Previous Podcasts with Frank - https://powershellpodcast.podbean.com/?s=Frank%20Lesniak PowerShell Wednesdays – YouTube Playlist PDQ Discord (PowerShell Scripting Channel) – https://discord.gg/PDQ PowerShell Summit OnRamp Scholarship – https://www.powershellsummit.org/on-ramp/ The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cQvs5s3T1DA

Andrew's longtime friend, mentor, and PowerShell legend Josh King joins The PowerShell Podcast to celebrate the tenth anniversary and version 1.0 release of his popular open-source module BurntToast, which powers customizable Windows toast notifications. Josh shares the story behind the project’s evolution, the challenges of maintaining an open-source module with millions of downloads, and the balance between community expectations and personal well-being.   In addition to diving into BurntToast’s new actionable notifications and real-world use cases, Josh and host Andrew Pla reflect on their shared history in the PowerShell community, the importance of mentorship, and how taking small steps (like creating a GitHub repo or sharing a script) can lead to huge career growth.   Key Takeaways: BurntToast hits version 1.0 – After ten years of development, BurntToast now includes support for actionable notifications, letting users interact directly through PowerShell-based Windows alerts. Open-source and burnout – Josh discusses the pressures of maintaining a high-profile module and the importance of setting boundaries while giving back to the community. Mentorship and community matter – Simple encouragement, open sharing, and small contributions can transform careers and strengthen the PowerShell ecosystem. Guest Bio: Josh is a Senior Infrastructure Operations Engineer at Chocolatey Software and a former Microsoft MVP. He has a long history working within Windows and VMware environments and has a passion for all things PowerShell and automation.Resource Links BurntToast Module (PowerShell Gallery) – https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/BurntToast Josh’s Blog – https://toastit.dev Josh King on GitHub – https://github.com/Windos Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links Josh on BlueSky – https://bsky.app/profile/toastit.dev Josh's PowerShell Wednesday BurntToast Presentation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD1VaxXWcXA Learn about #requires - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_requires?view=powershell-7.5 PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wi7Ijo9Od-k