Azure & DevOps Podcast

Chris Wilke, a seasoned SaaS and AI product leader and Head of Technology at Viewport, dives into how generative AI mirrors the early web revolution. He shares practical insights on using AI for coding and improving workflows, focusing on tools like Codex and their impact on productivity. Chris discusses the nuances of personal, team, and enterprise AI, and emphasizes the importance of simplicity in engineering. He also reveals his vision for the future, including investments in coding tools and effective deployment strategies.

In this discussion, Alvin Ashcraft, a senior content developer at Microsoft and community leader with over 27 years in software development, shares his passion for the tech world. He details the rise of the TechBash conference, emphasizing its community focus and the challenges of organizing multi-day events. Alvin also explores the exciting innovations in .NET 10, the evolution of scripting, and the future of chat-driven APIs. Plus, he offers insights into becoming a technical reviewer and announces opportunities for upcoming TechBash speakers!

Dan Clarke, a seasoned software consultant, Microsoft MVP, and founder of Everstack Ltd., dives into the world of productivity. He shares insights on building tool-based habits, focusing through distractions, and utilizing techniques like time blocking and the Pomodoro method. Dan discusses the value of IDE automation and his experiences with AI tools like GitHub Copilot to accelerate development. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining code quality and the potential risks of AI-generated apps for junior developers.

Andrew Lock is a staff software engineer at Datadog and educator whose contributions to the .NET ecosystem have shaped how developers approach modern web applications. Located in the UK, Andrew is a Microsoft MVP, Author of ASP.NET Core in Action, and has an active blog all about his experience working with .NET and ASP.NET Core. Topics of Discussion: [2:56] Andrew talks about appreciating the joy of coding and the minutiae of figuring out the correct way to do things. [3:28] Andrew discusses the various testing frameworks available for .NET, including MS Test, NUnit, XUnit, and TUnit. He explains the history and evolution of these frameworks, noting that XUnit has become the de facto default version. [7:41] Andrew explains his interest in TUnit, a newer testing library that addresses some of the limitations of XUnit. [9:29] TUnit is designed to be fast, supporting parallel execution and native AOT for better performance. [12:16] Is there a way to radically speed up the execution of big test suites? [15:39] Andrew explains the importance of each type of test in providing confidence that the software works as intended. [21:26] Andrew notes that full system tests can provide strong confidence by exercising critical pathways in the application. [29:44] Andrew mentions that tools like Octopus Deploy can be used to automate smoke tests as part of the deployment process. [30:26] Advice to new developers regarding automated testing, and the importance of writing code that is easy to test, and thinking about testing when writing code. Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Andrew Lock "Andrew Lock: Containers in .NET8 - Ep 281" "Andrew Lock: Web Applications in .NET6 - Ep 198" "Updates to Docker images in .NET8" Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Ben Day is a seasoned software consultant and fractional CTO. With over two decades of experience, he brings a blend of hands-on coding expertise, strategic clarity, and people-focused coaching to help companies — from startups to Fortune 500s — deliver high-quality software faster and with less friction. As the founder of Benjamin Day Consulting, Inc., Ben offers training, coaching, and architectural guidance rooted in Agile, Scrum, Azure DevOps, and GitHub best practices. He's a Microsoft MVP, a certified Professional Scrum Trainer for over 15 years, and a sought-after speaker who favors storytelling over slide decks. Topics of Discussion: [2:30] The overlap between music and coding, with Ben explaining the empathy required in both fields. [4:22] Jeffrey mentions the Sunday Sounds app, which allows users to create custom instruments using AI prompts. [6:45] The process of creating Slide Speaker and how Slide Speaker takes screenshots of each moment in a PowerPoint presentation and generates MP4 files. [13:01] Technical details of SlideSpeaker. [16:18] Event-based scaling. [17:10] How SlideSpeaker can be used for internal training presentations and compliance-approved content. [26:06] The opportunity for even more voice models and the ability to create your own custom voice, accent, and tone. [28:11] Ben talks about creating videos that help absolute beginners grasp C#. [32:45] What's next for Ben and Slidespeaker? Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Benjamin Day Consulting Benjamin Day LinkedIn Benjamin Day YouTube SlidespeakerAI Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Josh Arzt is a Senior Solutions Architect with 25+ years of experience modernizing systems, solving complex problems, and delivering scalable cloud solutions. He is an expert in software engineering, DevSecOps, serverless architectures, and cloud migrations. He is a certified professional with a strong publication record in IT and applied mathematics. His professional career began in the early 2000s, when he discovered .NET and all it had to offer in its early days. Using that framework, paired with his maturation in software architecture, helped shape how he approaches challenges — with curiosity, precision, and a focus on making technology practical and reliable. Along the way, he's led teams, modernized systems, written his own software in performance metrics, and helped organizations adapt to change, but what he values most is working with people: mentoring engineers, collaborating across disciplines, and finding ways to connect technical work to real human impact. He brings both experience and perspective — the ability to see the big picture while never losing sight of the craft that drew him to this field in the first place. Josh is also a 2025-2026 board election candidate for .NET Foundation. Topics of Discussion: [2:40] Josh talks about the .NET Foundation and its importance. [7:08] A self-described dorky child, Josh recounts his early days in IT, starting with building computers as a child. [9:33] Josh describes his transition from IT support to software development, driven by his interest in problem-solving. [15:55] Josh discusses the evolution of .NET, from its early days to the current state. [30:40] The importance of choosing the right tool for the job, regardless of the programming language. [32:42] The challenges of managing tech debt and the importance of sustainability in software development. [37:28] Josh shares his positive experiences with the .NET community and the support they provide. [38:08] How thoughtful and consistent feedback shapes the evolution of the .NET ecosystem. [40:02] Continuous learning and adaptation in the field of software development. Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Joshua Arzt LinkedIn Technical Babble — XCalibur Systems Xcalibur37 GitHub User Xcalibur Stack Overflow Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Lee Brownhill, a Principal Cloud DBA with rich experience in SQL Server, shares insights from his IT journey. He highlights common SQL anti-patterns, including the notorious 'row by agonizing row' approach. Lee discusses his triage method for addressing performance issues using a thorough checklist, alongside the importance of normalization for optimal database design. He also explores Azure SQL options and cost management strategies, asserting that adopting best practices in database management can lead to significant improvements.

Aaron Palermo is a Senior Solutions Architect, DevOps engineer, and all-around cybersecurity expert. He works for a global cybersecurity services company, Appgate. Aaron was last on the show in episode 196, sharing about Zero Trust Networking. Topics of Discussion: [3:20] Aaron shares his excitement for learning new things and solving innovative challenges, which keep him engaged in the field. [3:30] Aaron explains his current role at Appgate, a zero-trust network access company. [4:25] The importance of direct-routed solutions for federal customers who want to own and manage their infrastructure. [6:27] Aaron recounts how he applied insights from previous ADP guests Scott Hunter, Burke Holland, and Greg Leonardo. [7:56] He explains the process of querying the Appgate API with natural language and the insights gained from the AI agent's code generation. [8:24] Testing an Integration in the Lab. [11:05] Jeffrey and Aaron discuss the benefits of using open-source tools and the flexibility of Proxmox for network testing. [14:47] VS Code and Copilot Integration, and what's next. [19:39] Aaron introduces n8n.io as a low or no-code automation platform that integrates with AI agents and APIs for workflow orchestration. [21:15] Integrating simple automation examples, such as weather-based watering systems and data-driven decisions without sensors. [28:09] OpenWRT's flexibility and customization. [30:01] What are some of the scenarios where a software-defined network might be the right tool? [33:26] Know what you want, and write from a purpose. Mentioned in this Episode: Clear Measure Way Architect Forum Software Engineer Forum Ep 196 with Aaron Palermo n8n AppGate Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Jonathan "J." Tower, a Microsoft MVP and founder of Trailhead Technology Partners, shares his insights on creative software development and leadership. He emphasizes that consulting allows him to blend technology with team management. J. discusses the importance of urgency in engineers, the impact of AI as a coding copilot, and common pitfalls in legacy code like over-engineering. He also reflects on modern development practices, including using AI for legacy migrations and the evolution from classic ASP.

Peter Ritchie, a veteran software architect with over 35 years in tech, dives into the .NET Foundation's role in connecting Microsoft with the open-source community. He shares insights on the upcoming .NET 10 and Visual Studio 2026 releases, emphasizing stability and backward compatibility. The conversation explores optimal organization of business logic, the significance of mentorship in coding, and crafting clear user stories. Ritchie also discusses the implications of AI in development, highlighting the importance of context to enhance team collaboration.