
The PowerShell Podcast
The PowerShell Podcast highlights what makes PowerShell so great, the community. Each week we want to highlight people, blogs, videos, and modules that have gone into making PowerShell so great.
Latest episodes

Nov 6, 2023 • 1h 2min
Entra Insights and Merill Fernando’s Toolbox: Powering the Community
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we had an enlightening conversation with Merill Fernando, a Principal Product Manager on Microsoft's Entra team. Our discussion unveiled an in-depth look at Microsoft Entra, providing listeners with tips and tricks. Merill generously shared his journey in becoming a PM, emphasizing the pivotal role of learning and sharing knowledge within our tech community. We also delved into the emerging importance of transitioning from the AzureAD module towards a more streamlined approach using Graph. Not to miss, Merill spotlighted his widely acclaimed tools such as [akasearch.net](http://akasearch.net), idPowerToys, and entra. news, and more, opening up an array of exciting possibilities for our listeners. Join us as we explore these topics and a whole lot more in yet another riveting session of the PowerShell Podcast.
Guest Bio and links:
Merill Fernando is a Principal Product Manager in the Microsoft Entra product group at Microsoft Security. In his role he helps some of Microsoft's biggest customers define their identity strategy and deploy Microsoft Entra. He is passionate about Microsoft Graph, PowerShell, DevOps and you can usually find him on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube talking about these topics. In his spare time, he works on some popular open-source app including http://cmd.ms, idPowerToys, and Graph X-Ray plus he also runs a weekly newsletter on all things Microsoft Entra at http://entra.news.
Watch the PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpKRd-ocbH0
State of SysAdmin 2024:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZSFVZ22
https://discord.gg/pdq
https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/tag/v7.3.9
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/whats-new/what-s-new-in-powershell-74?view=powershell-7.3
https://idpowertoys.com
https://aadinternals.com/
https://github.com/orgs/msgraph/discussions
https://aka.ms/graphsamples
https://graphpowershell.merill.net/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4QdFdALlA0&pp=ygUcbXJlaWxsIGdyYXBoIHRpcHMgYW5kIHRyaWNrcw%3D%3D
https://aka.ms/graphpowershell
https://akasearch.net/
https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/MSAL.PS/4.37.0.0

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 3min
DSC, Community, and PowerShell: A conversation with Michael Greene
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we were joined by Michael Greene, a prominent figure from the PowerShell team at Microsoft. Our enlightening discussion revolved around his instrumental role in the progression from DSC 2.0 to 3.0, largely influenced by invaluable customer feedback. Greene's key involvement in co-authoring the Infrastructure Release Pipeline whitepaper with Steven Murawksi was another topic of conversation. Catapulting to being a Product Manager, he shared his journey, highlighting the importance of being accessible, empathetic, and staying focused on the community. Furthermore, the conversation took an intriguing turn toward the future, debating the possibilities of AI and terminal experiences in the future.
Guest Bio:
Michael Greene currently serves as a Principal PM Manager at Microsoft, leading the team focused on developing PowerShell, CloudShell, Win32 OpenSSH, DSC, and other projects for Windows and Azure. Michael has diverse experience, from configuration management strategy for Azure Governance, to Windows Server CAT, and service operations in Office 365.
Resource links:
Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOZutvGgV2s
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/dsc/further-reading/whitepapers?view=dsc-1.1
https://runasradio.com/Shows/Show/469
https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell-RFC/tree/master/CommunityCall
https://www.amazon.com/Small-Team-Leadership-Ideas-after-ebook/dp/B0BL6BL24V
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/?view=powershell-7.3
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.secretmanagement/?view=ps-modules
https://github.com/PowerShell/PSReadLine
https://discord.gg/pdq

Oct 23, 2023 • 59min
The eye of the Tyger: Clayton Tyger, A PowerShell Rising Star
In the latest episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we dove deep into the world of guest Clayton Tyger, a rising figure in the PowerShell community. Clayton shared his intriguing journey into the world of PowerShell, shedding light on his first steps and his continuous involvement in the community. Of particular significance was our discussion about his experience developing the impactful 365AutomatedLab module. Also, Clayton's "Getting Started with 365AutomatedLab module" blog received special attention, serving as a fantastic resource for fellow developers. The episode provided remarkable insights, demonstrating Clayton's expertise and his dedication to sharing knowledge with the community.
BIO: Clayton Tyger is an IT professional with over 15 years of experience spanning various roles from Help Desk to IT Project Manager. He is currently an IT Engineer, maintaining a broad skill set in the industry. Always open to learning and discussing IT, Tyger encourages dialogue with others in the field. His passion for technology continues to fuel his career, and he always welcomes networking opportunities.
Resource Links:
See The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqhlgCM7mfE
https://github.com/DevClate/365AutomatedLab
https://mikefrobbins.com/2023/10/12/securing-api-keys-with-powershell-secrets-management-in-azure-key-vault/
https://office365itpros.com/2023/09/27/monitor-new-teams-members/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=monitor-new-teams-members
https://github.com/alagoutte
https://github.com/SamErde
https://github.com/potatoqualitee/kbupdate
https://www.asbuiltreport.com/
PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 9min
Joe Houghes; Soft Skills, Community, and Professional Growth
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we were thrilled to sit virtually with none other than Joe Houghes, engaging him in an insightful discussion about his dynamic journey and participation in community activity. Woven throughout with humor and knowledge, our ponderings with Joe centered around the significance of building relationships within the community. We ventured further into the dialogue surrounding the emphasis on soft skills and their interaction with professional growth. The conversation pivoted towards effective communication as an investment into one's self, bringing about palpable value in the workplace. Walk away with a newfound reflective insight and tangible advice for involvement in the community, all courtesy of Joe's enlightening experiences.
Bio: Joe Houghes is a co-leader of the Denver PowerShell & VMware User Groups and he is a Sr. Solutions Architect with Pure Storage. He focuses on automating us out of our IT operations while freeing us to perform higher-level tasks. Joe has been the #1 speaker internationally for VMUG in 2021 and 2022 for virtual and in-person events, and is always working to help & encourage the next community speaker(s) to take his place, while helping to get them started. Joe also works to evangelize the message that automation should be a focus for admins & engineers, even though it requires more in-depth thinking and focus beyond performing a task once. He knows that even though it is not always someone's default method, the result is then repeatable and consistent. Joe tries to help others understand why we should do the easy tasks better, and he challenges everyone to push themselves outside of their comfort zone and learn more about any topic of interest. Joe is a collector of communities as a leader for 2 User Groups, and a member of many evangelist groups including Microsoft MVP, Veeam Vanguard, VMware vExpert, Cisco Champion, Tanzu Vanguard, plus he helps out to host events as part of the vBrownBag crew. He tells people not to let fear keep them from sharing their knowledge with others and teaching from their unique perspective. He's also easy to spot by the colored hat, big grin, and the loud "Howdy Y'all."
Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQb21FFcwo
Resource links:
https://github.com/HCRitter/PSModuleAnalyzer
https://twitter.com/AndrewPlaTech/status/1709594063370928639
https://mikefrobbins.com/2023/09/27/create-calculated-properties-in-powershell/
https://clatent.com/2023/09/getting-started-with-365automatedlab-part-1/
https://psconf.eu/
https://fullstackgeek.net/
https://twitter.com/jhoughes
@jhoughes@vmst.io
https://github.com/jhoughes
https://www.youtube.com/@joehoughes
PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 8min
From Console to GitOps: Gilbert Sanchez Breaks It Down
On the latest engrossing edition of The PowerShell Podcast, we had the unique pleasure of discussing the intricate world of cross-platform terminal setups with none other than Gilbert Sanchez. Providing some much-needed clarification and sparking a few laughs, Gilbert unveiled the legitimate pronunciation of the 'mdgrs.' As we delved further, we explored the distinctions between console and terminal, unraveling their complexities and feature sets. We also dove into the trending concept of GitOps, breaking down its structure, benefits, and its growing influence in our operations. Hold on tight, as this episode is stocked with fascinating discourse, enriching knowledge, and an added element of Gilbert's quirky and amusing style.
Gilbert works as a (Señor) Systems Engineer at Meta, spreading the love of PowerShell at scale. A fan of Role Playing Games (RPG), you can check out his RPG-oriented modules on the PowerShell Gallery.
Links:
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GdOqs7j6Kc
https://github.com/HeyItsGilbert/PowerShellPodcastSync
https://clatent.com/2023/09/how-chatgpt-saved-our-company-1500-in-less-than-15-minutes/
https://blog.kilasuit.org/2023/09/09/installing-powershell-side-by-side-for-testing-purposes/
https://github.com/deadlydog/PowerShell.tiPS
https://gilbertsanchez.com/posts/my-terminal-wezterm/
https://github.com/mdgrs-mei/DynamicTitle
https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/Microsoft.PowerShell.ConsoleGuiTools/0.6.2
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_ansi_terminals?view=powershell-7.3
https://links.gilbertsanchez.com
PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 21min
Navigating the IT Landscape: A Conversation with Joel ’Jaykul’ Bennett
In the latest episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we delve deep into the world of IT with our distinguished guest, Joel "Jaykul" Bennett. From plumbing the depths of GitOps basics to demystifying the role of Kubernetes, Joel leaves no stone unturned. By sharing his journey of self-discovery in finding empowering employers and honing his IT skills, he offers invaluable insights for professionals in the tech sector. Joel also speaks about his all-time favorite conference talks, revealing the nuggets of wisdom he's gained from his prolific career. But what's a PowerShell Podcast without diving into the nitty-gritty? Joel also shares about knowing one's worth in the IT field and gives us a peek into his favorite modules.
Joel "Jaykul" Bennet is an opinionated DevOps engineer, programmer, speaker, and Microsoft MVP.
Resource Links:
Watch the PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6L7tS-u2Y
- https://dev.to/smurawski/just-enough-git-for-gitops-3ok8
- https://aka.ms/psslack
- https://aka.ms/psdiscord
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQocjjn78sk&pp=ygUXcG93ZXJzaGVsbCBqb2VsIGJlbm5ldHQ%3D
- https://github.com/Jaykul
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoiF3HqT7r0&pp=ygUXcG93ZXJzaGVsbCBqb2VsIGJlbm5ldHQ%3D
- https://github.com/PoshCode/PowerShellPracticeAndStyle
- https://github.com/PowerShell/PSReadLine
- https://github.com/Jaykul/EzTheme
- https://github.com/Jaykul/ReadlineAI
https://twitter.com/Jaykul
@jaykul@fosstodon.org
PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 10min
PowerShell Pioneer: A Deep Dive with Microsoft PM Jason Helmick
Microsoft PM Jason Helmick, a celebrated PowerShell team member, takes us on a nostalgic journey through the early days of PowerShell, shares about his major career shift to Microsoft, and introduces us to rising star Crescendo. We also get clued into the game-changing Azure Cloud Shell on a deep dive into the universe of PowerShell.

Sep 18, 2023 • 1h 6min
The Matrix of PowerShell: Security and Automation with Researcher Miriam Wiesner
In our latest PowerShell Podcast, we had an insightful discussion with Miriam Wiesner, a renowned Senior Security Researcher at Microsoft and the author of "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for Cybersecurity." Miriam, who is juggling her roles as a security expert, an author, and a mom, shed light on her journey at Microsoft, talking about the ups and downs she faced. She extended the conversation to her book-writing experience, wherein she balanced work-life pressures to deliver this authoritative guide on PowerShell Automation and Scripting. The discourse was particularly intriguing when it delved into PowerShell security - an area Miriam is so passionate and knowledgeable about. There was certainly so much to learn from our discussion with her!
Bio: Miriam C. Wiesner is a Sr. Security Researcher at Microsoft with over 15 years of experience in IT and IT Security. She has held various positions, including Administrator/System Engineer, Software Developer, Premier Field Engineer, Program Manager, and Security Consultant and Pentester.
She is also a renowned creator of open-source tools based in PowerShell, including EventList and JEAnalyzer. She was invited multiple times to present her research behind her tools at many international conferences like Black Hat (USA, Europe & Asia), PSConf EU, MITRE ATT&CK workshop, and more.
Miriam is the author of the book "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for CyberSecurity: Hacking and Defense for Red and Blue Teamers." Outside of work, Miriam is a dedicated wife and mother, residing with her family near Nuremberg, Germany.
See The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Csw8YYGyCg
https://github.com/HCRitter/PSMermaid
https://github.com/HCRitter/PSCommandShortener
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powershell/psresourceget-release-candidate-is-now-available/
https://github.com/DevClate/365AutomatedLab
https://www.joshooaj.com/blog/2023/09/06/debugging-convertto-json/
https://twitter.com/miriamxyra/status/1697195685068575222?s=46&t=AofiiK_18fgZEoSxIrqhAA
https://twitter.com/miriamxyra
https://github.com/PSSecTools/JEAnalyzer
https://packt.link/MiriamCW
https://github.com/PSSecTools/JEAnalyzer
https://github.com/miriamxyra/myDeckWishlist
https://github.com/miriamxyra/EventList
PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 6min
Exploring PowerShell, Braid, and beyond with Bruce Payette
In this riveting episode, Bruce Payette, Co-creator of PowerShell, delves into the key design principles behind PowerShell's success and captivating anecdotes from its inception. He highlights its growth and capabilities and discusses his influential book, 'PowerShell in Action.' Bruce also introduces us to 'Braid,' his intriguing new programming language.

Sep 4, 2023 • 1h 10min
Educational Odyssey: From Classroom to Cloud with Michael Bender
In this episode, we have a vibrant conversation with Michael Bender who shares his fervor for teaching. We take a deep dive into his educational journey, from academia to course creation at Pluralsight, eventually leading him to his role as a Cloud Advocate at Microsoft. We delve into the significant role of positive feedback, and contemplate how the process of teaching can reveal profound self-insights. Lastly, we discover the origin story of his podcast, 'Wired for Hybrid'.
Michael Bender is a Senior Content Developer at Microsoft. He is a former college professor who also authored the PowerShell and Windows Server courses for Plural Site. He has been teaching technology since the 90s helping countless people progress in their careers.
Links:
See The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdczFIKYckg
https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/powershell-getting-started-2022
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/bg-p/ITOpsTalkBlog
Wired for Hybrid - What's New in Azure Networking - July 2023 Edition
https://gilbertsanchez.com/posts/terminals-shells-and-prompts/
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