Building Layers of Protection and Purpose - Miriam Wiesner

In this special live episode recorded amidst the rain-soaked streets of Malmö duringPSConfEU 2025, host Andrew Pla brings us a vibrant, multi-guest edition of the PowerShell Podcast. From impromptu bar chats to in-depth discussions on PowerShell modules, CI/CD pipelines, career growth, and community culture, this episode captures the heart of the PowerShell community in full force. Hear from speakers, first-time attendees, longtime community contributors, and PowerShell legends as they share their stories, projects, career journeys, favorite sessions, and the human side of tech.   Guests: Harm Veenstra (PowerShellIsFun, MVP and Legend) Constantin Hager (PS Framework user & Inn-Salzach PowerShell Group organizer) Thomas Hadin (Swedish consultant, Discord regular) James Ruskin (Chocolatey engineer, bigtime PowerSheller, kind and smart) Emanuel Palm (Microsoft MVP and PSConfEU speaker) Suresh "SK" Krishnan (IAM pro & PowerShell podcast superfan) Topics Covered: Favorite PSConfEU 2025 sessions and key takeaways GitHub Actions & GitHub Apps deep dive Lightning talks & community demo formats User group organizing and mentoring new speakers Tools: PS Framework, Spectre.Console, AI Shell, ModuleBuilder PowerShell remoting, PSDefaultParameterValues, and CI pipelines Career development insights, perspective shifts, and personal growth Building friendships and networks in the PowerShell community Highlights: “There’s no magic” – a recurring theme reminding listeners to understand what they’re running. Reflections on how empathy and perspective can transform your IT career. A shoutout to the PowerShell Discord community and lesser-known contributors like weq and Chris Dent. Real stories of overcoming stage fright, pushing past visa issues, and finding belonging through tech. Links: https://discord.gg/pdq https://psconf.eu https://andrewpla.tech/links Watch PowerShell Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B PSConfEU 2025 sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CJWhWdbTGU&list=PLDCEho7foSoo6tc8iNDSrxp27dG_gtm6g The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RoVlp5XmXBc

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we catch up with returning guest and security research program manager at Microsoft, Miriam Wiesner. Recorded live at PowerShell Conference EU in Malmö, Sweden, we dive into her fascinating journey from Premier Field Engineer to her current role in security research. Miriam reflects on her early talks about Just Enough Administration (JEA), shares insights into MFA bypass techniques involving browser cookies (with a fun appearance from Cookie Monster), and emphasizes the importance of defense-in-depth and layered security.   We also explore her second talk at the conference, "Finding Your North Star," where she unpacks the value of having a guiding goal in your career, overcoming self-doubt, and growing through mentorship. Miriam offers guidance on managing stage fright, developing social skills, and embracing authenticity in technical communities. Whether you're navigating a career in tech or looking to level up your security awareness, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration.   Links and Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamwiesner/ https://www.amazon.com/PowerShell-Automation-Scripting-Cybersecurity-Hacking/dp/1800566379 https://x.com/MiriamXyra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDcq0pPNPs https://andrewpla.tech/links https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nuhVTbpfQog The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  Miriam is the author of the book "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for CyberSecurity: Hacking and Defense for Red and Blue Teamers." She is a Senior Security Research Program Manager at Microsoft. Outside of work, Miriam is a dedicated wife and mother, residing with her family near Nuremberg, Germany.

In this episode, recorded live at PSConfEU, Andrew catches up with some of the PowerShell team from Microsoft to talk all things PowerShell—from AIShell to PSResourceGet to the future of DSC and OpenSSH.   First up is Steven Bucher, Product Manager on the PowerShell team, who discusses the massive scale of PowerShell usage, the state of PowerShell 7, and the team’s focus on security and reliability. He also gives an exciting walkthrough of AIShell and how it’s helping users stay in the terminal while getting AI-driven help, error resolution, and integration with providers like Azure OpenAI and AI Foundry.   Then we hear from Anam, a software engineer working on PSResourceGet, PowerShell Gallery, and security. She shares details on the rewrite of PowerShellGet, performance improvements, and new features like container registry support. She also dives into Microsoft's Artifact Registry (MAR) and offers her take on coding as a creative, artistic endeavor.   Lastly, Tess joins the conversation to talk about OpenSSH and Desired State Configuration (DSC). She highlights the native cross-platform capabilities of DSC v3, its decoupling from PowerShell, and the move toward supporting resource development in languages like Python. Tess also shares the significance of SSH server availability in Windows Server 2025 and reflects on her open-source journey and love of outdoor sports.   Whether you’re managing packages, remoting with SSH, exploring AI integrations, or just want to know more about some of the people behind PowerShell, this episode delivers valuable insights from the team building the tools you use.    Links and Mentions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamnavied/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-gauthier-a43a368a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenabucher/ https://andrewpla.tech/links https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell https://github.com/PowerShell/AIShell https://github.com/PowerShell/PSResourceGet https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH https://github.com/microsoft/DSC The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F4mVUHinjf4 The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast Guests: Stephen Bucher – Product Manager II on the PowerShell Team Anam Navied – Software Engineer 2 @ Microsoft Tess Gauthier – Software Engineer @ Microsoft | OpenSSH

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla reports live from PowerShell Conference Europe 2025 in Malmö, Sweden. With energy high and community engagement stronger than ever, Andrew chats with key figures shaping the PowerShell ecosystem. First, we hear from Gael Colas, organizer of PSConfEU and longtime community advocate, who discusses the significance of the conference and its international impact. Gael reflects on the challenges of organizing a multi-country event and the magic that happens when the community comes together in person. Later, Andrew connects with Stein Petersen, a speaker at PSConfEU. Stein shares insights into his talk on mental health, psychological safety, and building human-centric tech teams. Alongside his co-speaker, licensed therapist Tracy Sewell, they tackle burnout prevention and emotional resilience in the workplace. The discussion sheds light on the intersection between mental well-being and professional success in IT. This episode captures the unique mix of technical enthusiasm and human connection that defines the PowerShell community. Whether you're coding, coaching, or just trying to survive burnout, there's something here for you. Recorded on location at PowerShell Conference Europe 2025.   Links & Bio:  https://psconf.eu   https://andrewpla.tech/links  https://www.linkedin.com/in/steinpetersen/  https://gaelcolas.com  https://synedgy.com  https://discord.gg/pdq   The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/paB3R1uA8jw The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast Gael Colas Gael is the founder and director of SynEdgy Limited, a consulting company in the DevOps, Azure and PowerShell automation space, helping companies bringing agility in their infrastructure management and operations. SynEdgy is also behind the PowerShell Conference Europe (PSConfEU), PSDayUK and contributes to many other user groups and events of the community. In his spare time, Gael is a member of the PowerShell Working Groups, DSC Community committee member, and recipient of the Microsoft MVP award. Stein Petersen Stein is a cloud architect and passionate community contributor focused on mental health in IT. He is committed to fostering psychological safety, resilience, and emotional intelligence within tech teams.

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we’re joined by Steven Judd and Gilbert Sanchez, two active contributors and speakers in the PowerShell community. We talk about the Dos and Don'ts of PowerShell. We cover topics like documentation, testing, community, how you should view yourself in your growth, and even get some top tips on logging from those who have done PowerShell at the highest levels.    Key Topics Covered: How community support leads to career breakthroughs Learning through teaching and presenting at conferences Overcoming nerves and imposter syndrome as new speakers The value of async learning and accountability through PowerShell Wednesdays Steven’s PowerShell journey from System Admin to cybersecurity educator Gilbert’s insights on mentorship, blogging, and personal development Embracing humility and finding joy in collaboration Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your PowerShell journey, this episode is a celebration of curiosity, courage, and community.

This week, we sit down with Anthony Howell, better known as The PoSh Wolf, for an inspiring and entertaining conversation about PowerShell, community, and creativity. From his early days in a two-person IT department to speaking at PowerShell Summit, Anthony shares how passion, persistence, and curiosity have fueled his journey. He dives into his creative use of PowerShell for managing game servers and even building a Discord bot, proving that automation isn't just for enterprise tasks. We explore how side projects can grow into real skills, the value of sharing in the community, and how embracing mistakes makes us all better. Anthony also gives insights into using .NET in PowerShell, learning Go, and building resilient systems for fun and work.   Bio: Anthony Howell is a proud father, lucky husband, and passionate software builder. Since starting his IT career in 2009 as a helpdesk technician, he’s followed his drive for automation from scripting sysadmin tasks in PowerShell to tackling DevOps and site reliability challenges. Known for always having a process improvement idea, Anthony shares insights from his journey to help others build smarter, more efficient systems.   What You'll Learn: How Anthony got started with PowerShell and his first Summit experience Creative PowerShell use cases like Discord bots and game server management Lessons from mistakes and the power of testing Transitioning from PowerShell to .NET and even Go The importance of community and continuing to ask questions Links & Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theposhwolf/ https://discord.gg/pdq https://theposhwolf.com/ https://andrewpla.tech/links Check out PDQ: https://pdq.com/podcast https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/powershell-yaml/0.4.12 The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tOH5FXn0IhU

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we chat with Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn, a seasoned technologist whose career spans from spinning vinyl as a DJ to leading cloud and FinOps consulting. Shannon shares her unique journey into tech, driven by curiosity and a desire to record her DJ sets, which ultimately led to a successful career in cloud infrastructure, Azure, platform engineering, and FinOps. We explore Shannon’s transition into IT without a traditional tech background, her time at Microsoft, and her current work in FinOps. She discusses the challenges of cloud adoption, navigating imposter syndrome, and why strong communication skills are just as critical as technical ones. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, career evolution, and staying curious.    Topics covered:  Breaking into tech via DJing  Early career lessons from help desk roles and hands-on troubleshooting  Cloud migration challenges and avoiding costly lift-and-shift mistakes  FinOps fundamentals and practical cost governance tips  Finding your “superpower” and overcoming imposter syndrome  The value of public speaking and active listening in career growth  Hosting customer conversations with empathy and technical confidence  Real-life DJ gear disasters and live demo blunders  Notable quote: “Imposter syndrome is real—but the thing you're worried about is what everyone else is worried about too.”  Guest Bio & Links:  Shannon Eldridge-Kuehn is a Principal Solutions Architect at AHEAD 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.    Check out PDQ: https://pdq.com/podcast  Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links  Shannon's Blog: https://www.shankuehn.io/  https://x.com/shankuehn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonkuehn/  https://github.com/sbkuehn  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gF4LW8Mz2eU  

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we take a detour from our typical PowerShell conversations to explore the fascinating world of game hacking with backend services developer Mateus Pimentel. Mateus shares his journey from crafting bots for MMORPGs to reverse engineering games and ultimately working in online services for a major gaming company.We discuss his early experiences hacking Tibia, how he overcame being hacked himself as a kid, and how those formative experiences shaped his approach to software development and cybersecurity. Mateus also dives into powerful learning experiences from hacking games, participating in Capture the Flag competitions, and avoiding the dark paths that lure many curious technologists. This episode is a compelling exploration of hacking culture, ethics, and personal transformation.   Topics covered: From game hacking to working at a gaming company Mateus’ early adventures reverse-engineering Tibia Lessons learned from being hacked as a kid Ethical hacking, personal growth, and career evolution The overlap between game hacking and cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions and their career value Understanding system protocols and reverse engineering Reflections on following your curiosity and avoiding burnout Notable quote: “Follow your passion. If it’s fun, you’ll learn 10 times faster.”   Bio and Links:  Mateus Pimentel is a software developer with a passion for software architecture, game modding and solving complex problems. From reverse engineering MMORPGs as a teenager to helping secure one of the gaming industry's most ambitious projects at major gaming company, Mateus has cultivated deep technical skills grounded in a strong ethical framework. His journey from underground hacker to professional developer offers a unique and inspiring perspective on how curiosity and integrity can guide a meaningful career in tech.   Follow Mateus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pimentelmateus/ Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links Catch PowerShell Wednesdays weekly at 2 PM EST on discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast Darza's Dominion Hacked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipqge4aJt3U Mystera Reborn Hacked: https://youtu.be/Gg6owdR_7h8?si=1Uk0a8RW9czs0TCm Using Remote Vision to watch a Player Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poDkWlR-1ks Fractured Online Gold Machine: https://youtu.be/EIHJBdrr0Ac?si=Wis9DGinI5EKuN0O The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8cxtg4QQjZQ

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we welcome back Justin Grote, a Microsoft MVP and open-source powerhouse, for an in-depth and fast-paced conversation. Fresh off his PowerShell Wednesday presentation, Justin shares the thinking behind his latest innovations, including the creation of the high-performance ExcelFast module and his evangelism for dev containers and modern development workflows.   Key topics in this episode include: Getting the most from VS Code – Justin shares power-user tips, favorite settings, and the evolution of his 1,000-line configuration file. GitHub Copilot and real-world developer productivity – How Justin’s approach to AI tooling shifted after experiencing measurable value in his PowerShell workflows. Dev containers and runtime containers – A detailed breakdown of the difference, practical use cases, and how they transform collaboration, onboarding, and consistency. Excel Fast – A brand-new module optimized for high-performance reading, writing, and streaming of large Excel and CSV datasets, developed with dev containers from day one. Open-source contributions to PowerShell – Including enhanced logging for Invoke-RestMethod and building a dev container for the PowerShell repo itself. PowerShell Conf EU previews – From a 90-minute VS Code optimization deep dive to a hands-on runspaces lab with GitHub Codespaces integration. This episode is packed with practical advice, philosophy on tooling, and Justin’s trademark blend of performance focus and community-first thinking. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or looking to up your scripting game, you’ll walk away with new ideas and resources to explore.   Guest Bio – Justin Grote Justin Grote is a Microsoft MVP, PowerShell advocate, and open-source contributor with a deep focus on automation, performance, and developer productivity. Known for tools like ModuleFast and his work improving PowerShell workflows, Justin blends real-world experience with a passion for teaching and sharing. Whether he's optimizing VS Code, contributing to the PowerShell repo, or speaking at global conferences, Justin empowers the community with practical solutions and thoughtful insight.   Links: Find Justin on GitHub, BlueSky, or on Discord (@JustinGrote): https://github.com/JustinGrote Try out ExcelFast: https://github.com/JustinGrote/ExcelFast PSConfEU Announcement: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7328093268225806337/ Create Dev Container Docs: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/devcontainers/create-dev-container SecretManagement.DpapiNG: https://github.com/jborean93/SecretManagement.DpapiNG Connect with Andrew on Socials: https://andrewpla.tech/links Catch PowerShell Wednesdays weekly at 2 PM EST on discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dHbWFUyUaOE

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Brock Bingham, a longtime PowerShell enthusiast, educator, and community advocate. Recorded live from PDQ Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, this episode captures the high energy and camaraderie of a PowerShell Wednesday in person. Brock shares his journey from PowerShell beginner to mentor, his passion for community building, and the power of sharing knowledge with others. Key topics in this episode include: Overcoming Stage Fright and Imposter Syndrome – How PowerShell Wednesday and live presentations have helped Brock gain confidence. The Power of Documentation and Knowledge Sharing – Why good documentation and teaching others are critical for long-term growth. Community Connection and Growth – How engaging with the PowerShell community can transform your career and personal development. Exploring PowerShell Tools and Projects – From using Pester for testing to building cool GUIs with MDGRS, Brock dives into the creative side of PowerShell. Learning from Failure and Embracing Red Text – Why mistakes are a critical part of the learning journey. Finding Your Voice in the PowerShell World – Brock’s advice for building confidence, sharing your work, and making an impact. From caffeine-fueled coding sessions to discovering the power of collaboration, this episode is a heartfelt conversation about growth, mentorship, and building a career around PowerShell. Join the conversation: Connect with Brock Bingham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbrockbingham/ Connect with Brock on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/brockbingham.bsky.social Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links Join PowerShell Wednesdays every Wednesday at 2 PM EST on discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast