Live from TechMentor: Profiles, People, and PowerShell Progress with Sean Wheeler and James Petty

In this episode, host Andrew Pla welcomes back Steven Judd, Microsoft MVP, teacher, and longtime community contributor. Together, they dive into the theme of beginnings, from starting careers in IT, to first encounters with PowerShell, and the importance of resilience while navigating the “valley of despair” in learning. Steven shares his journey from music and business studies into technology, where curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to read the manuals shaped his career. The conversation also explores how community, conferences, and friendships have been essential to Steven’s growth. From humorous “please clap” moments at Nano Conf to building lasting connections, Steven highlights the power of showing up authentically, persevering through challenges, and helping others along the way.Key Takeaways The Power of the Basics: Learning commands like Get-Command, Get-Help, and Get-Member (“the tripod”) forms the foundation of a strong PowerShell journey. Resilience in Learning: Navigating the “valley of despair” in tough topics like PowerShell, certificates, or regex is where growth happens. Persistence pays off. Community is Everything: From user groups to conferences, surrounding yourself with peers and mentors accelerates growth and helps combat imposter syndrome. Guest Bio Steven Judd is a Microsoft MVP, educator, and veteran PowerShell enthusiast who has been teaching and sharing knowledge in the community for many years. With a background that spans business, music, and IT, Steven brings a unique perspective on learning, resilience, and humor. Known for his approachable teaching style and dad jokes, Steven has helped countless professionals embrace automation, improve their skills, and find their place in the PowerShell community.Resource Links Steven Judd’s Content Hub: https://shortcutyour.life Steven Judd on YouTube (PowerShell content): YouTube Search Steven Judd on X/Twitter (@StevenJudd): https://x.com/StevenJudd Steven Judd’s Merch Store: https://store.stephenjudd.com PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links PowerShell Wednesdays (live community sessions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oesn0HgGxE&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yu6RVPwp8KY The PowerShell Podcast hub: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

Microsoft MVP Emanuel Palm joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from managing printers in Sweden to being a Microsoft MVP who is automating the cloud with PowerShell and Azure. He talks about building the AZAuth module for OAuth authentication, using GitHub Actions for CI/CD, and the importance of blogging and community involvement. Plus, Emanuel reveals his unique side hobby... roasting coffee!   Key Takeaways From printers to the cloud: Emanuel’s career shows how PowerShell can open doors, from automating IT tasks to driving cloud automation and DevOps practices. Community and sharing matter: Blogging, presenting, and contributing help you grow your own understanding while creating opportunities for others. Automation and authentication: With tools like GitHub Actions and his AZAuth module, Emanuel demonstrates how to simplify workflows and securely interact with APIs. Guest Bio Emanuel Palm is a Microsoft MVP based in Sweden, where he is a consultant focused on Microsoft technologies and is active in the PowerShell community. Emanuel is the creator of the AZAuth module, a lightweight solution for handling OAuth authentication in PowerShell, and a frequent speaker at events like PowerShell Conference Europe. Beyond tech, Emanuel is a coffee enthusiast who even roasts his own beans as a side hobby.   Resource Links Emanuel’s Blog: https://pipe.how GitHub – Emanuel Palm: https://github.com/palmemanuel X / BlueSky: @palmemanuel AZAuth Module on GitHub: https://github.com/PalmEmanuel/AzAuth Emanuel's PS Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trP2LLDynA0 Arkanum Coffee (Emanuel’s hobby project): https://arkanum.coffee PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-uHHGVH1Kcc The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

James Brundage returns to The PowerShell Podcast to talk about his new project, Turtle, which brings the classic concept of Turtle graphics into PowerShell. From simple shapes to fractals, animations, and more, James shows how PowerShell can be a powerful and fun tool for exploring programming concepts. Tune in for insights on the history of Turtle, its modern applications, and how it can inspire both new learners and seasoned pros.   Guest Bio: James Brundage is a Microsoft MVP who has been heavily involved in PowerShell for over 18 years. He is a former member of the PowerShell team, working there during v2 and v3. He now works as a consultant with Start-Automating, applying his PowerShell expertise to organizations to help solve large-scale problems all around the world. He also has a lot of great projects on GitHub and regularly shares his knowledge at user groups and conferences.   Resource Links: PSTurtle Project & Documentation: https://psturtle.com/ GitHub – Start-Automating: https://github.com/StartAutomating James Brundage on BlueSky (@MrPowerShell): https://bsky.app/profile/mrpowershell.com MrPowerShell.com: https://mrpowershell.com/ PowerShell Web Organization (for PowerShell + Web projects): https://github.com/PowerShellWeb Turtles in PowerShell talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8l_bQRvMkg Follow Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links Join the PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oGG6bKXsdrg The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we’re live from TechMentor at the Microsoft campus with two incredible guests: longtime advocate, educator, and PM on the PowerShell team at Microsoft - Jason Helmick and newcomer Troy Brown. This special episode captures the heart of community, innovation, and the transformative power of PowerShell—from seasoned insight to beginner breakthroughs. Jason drops serious knowledge on two game-changing technologies: AI Shell: Think ChatGPT, but built directly into your terminal. Learn how it enhances shell UX, assists with command building, explains parameters, and keeps you focused without switching contexts. DSC v3 (Desired State Configuration): Now fully cross-platform and decoupled from PowerShell, DSC v3 is lighter, more extensible, and suitable for everything from servers to IoT. Jason walks us through the evolution, real-world use cases (like flipping Windows from dark mode to light mode!), and what’s next for the configuration platform.  Highlights: Microsoft’s hidden campus lore, including a piece of the Berlin Wall! The evolution of PowerShell ReadLine and its impact on productivity AI Shell’s support for OpenAI, Azure Copilot, ollama, Gemini, and even custom agents Exporting configs from existing machines—a long-awaited DSC feature Why DSC v3 might be the most developer- and sysadmin-friendly release yet The cultural backbone of the PowerShell team: being “scrappy” and driven by customer success Troy Brown's First TechMentor Experience First-time conference-goer Troy Brown shares his experience diving into PowerShell: How a PowerShell workshop with Sean Wheeler, Steven Judd, and Jason Helmick helped him finally understand modules The journey from using PDQ to push basic PowerShell scripts to deeper automation potential Navigating the learning curve with community support His message to fellow newcomers: “Don’t take things personally, and embrace the journey.”   Resource Links: DSC v3 on GitHub Leanpub DSC v3 Book by Gijs https://leanpub.com/thedscv3handbook The Phoenix Project (book) (a must-read for IT pros) https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Project-DevOps-Helping-Business/dp/0988262592 https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_f5oYxzkinI The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

In this episode, Andrew catches up with Sean Wheeler and James Petty live from TechMentor. What starts as casual conversation about conference camaraderie turns into a rich discussion on learning PowerShell, building effective profiles, AI-assisted scripting, module recommendations, and what's next for the PowerShell Summit. Whether you're new to PowerShell or a seasoned scripter, this episode offers insights, laughs, and actionable advice. Plus, we finally settle (sort of) whether the VS Code sidebar belongs on the left or the right.    Key Takeaways You don’t need to learn everything. Just understand the ecosystem and build your learning map. Create your PowerShell profile now—it's an easy win with huge productivity returns. AI is a tool, not a crutch. Use it wisely and validate the results. Get involved in the community. It will accelerate your learning and broaden your opportunities. Shoutouts & Links https://powershell.org https://www.youtube.com/c/PowerShellOrg https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hr59kahksIM

In this high-energy episode, returning guests Gilbert Sanchez and Jake Hildreth join Andrew for a deep dive into: Module templating with PSStucco Building for accessibility in PowerShell Creating open source GitHub orgs like PSInclusive How PowerShell can lead to learning modern dev workflows like GitHub Actions and CI/CD What begins with a conversation about a live demo gone hilariously sideways turns into an insightful exploration of how PowerShell acts as a launchpad into bigger ecosystems like GitHub, YAML, JSON, and continuous integration pipelines.   Bios: Gilbert Sanchez is a Staff Software Development Engineer at Tesla, specifically working on PowerShell. Formerly known as "Señor Systems Engineer" at Meta. A loud advocate for DEI, DevEx, DevOps, and TDD.   Jake Hildreth is a Principal Security Consultant at Semperis, Microsoft MVP, and longtime builder of tools that make identity security suck a little less. With nearly 25 years in IT (and the battle scars to prove it), he specializes in helping orgs secure Active Directory and survive the baroque disaster that is Active Directory Certificate Services. He’s the creator of Locksmith, BlueTuxedo, and PowerPUG!, open-source tools built to make life easier for overworked identity admins. When he’s not untangling Kerberos or wrangling DNS, he’s usually hanging out with his favorite people and most grounding reality check: his wife and daughter.   Links https://gilbertsanchez.com/posts/stucco-create-powershell-module/ https://jakehildreth.github.io/blog/2025/07/02/PowerShell-Module-Scaffolding-with-PSStucco.html https://github.com/PSInclusive https://jakehildreth.com/ https://andrewpla.tech/links https://discord.gg/pdq https://pdq.com/podcast https://youtu.be/w-z2-0ii96Y  

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla reunites with PowerShell legend Fred, diving deep into productivity with hotkeys and key bindings, EntraAuth, C# integration, and community reflections from PowerShell Conference EU. Fred shares practical advice for improving your daily workflow, how to extend PowerShell with C#, and why participation in the community—whether through conferences or contributing modules—can be a game-changer for your career. What You’ll Learn: How to improve your coding efficiency with advanced hotkeys and key bindings The difference between hotkeys and key bindings and how to create your own Insights into Fred’s EntraAuth module and why federated credentials matter When it makes sense to use C# alongside PowerShell How community involvement can elevate your career What makes PowerShell Conference EU a unique experience Tips for new speakers interested in submitting conference talks Bio & Links: Fred Weinmann is a seasoned Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft and a renowned PowerShell expert with years of experience designing and implementing scalable solutions. A prolific creator, Fred has developed key tools like PSFramework, PSModuleDevelopment, PSUtil, and PSFramework.Nuget, which empowers developers and IT professionals to optimize their workflows. Passionate about technology and problem-solving, Fred’s innovative approach to PowerShell module development and his commitment to community-driven open-source projects have made him a respected figure in the PowerShell community. https://github.com/FriedrichWeinmann/EntraAuth https://github.com/PowershellFrameworkCollective/PSFramework.NuGet https://github.com/FriedrichWeinmann/string https://andrewpla.tech/links https://psconf.eu https://github.com/PowershellFrameworkCollective/psframework Fred's PSConfEU PSFramework.Nuget talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMSOVwmBXrk Check out PDQ Connect https://pdq.com/podcast Join the PowerShell Scripting channel: https://discord.gg/pdq The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TZPy4X6yLjM The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

In this insightful episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla welcomes longtime friend and seasoned technologist Ryan Coates. Together, they explore the intersection of PowerShell and C#, discuss the natural evolution of tech careers, and examine the role of continuous learning in long-term success. Ryan shares a wealth of perspective from decades in IT—covering everything from early networking to modern cloud architectures and why C# is a practical next step for PowerShell users. Whether you're deep in automation or eyeing your next language leap, this conversation is packed with career wisdom, developer philosophy, and some solid tech nostalgia. What You’ll Learn: Why C# is a great next step for experienced PowerShell users Use cases where C# offers performance or capability advantages over PowerShell How PowerShell and C# skills complement each other in the .NET ecosystem Ryan’s journey from MCSE teen prodigy to early retirement Why soft skills are just as vital as technical skills for senior roles The value of working across many technologies and industries early in your career Insights into DevOps maturity, architecture thinking, and lifelong learning Bio & Links: Ryan Coates is an Enterprise Architect with 25+ years in IT, evolving from systems ops to DevOps and developer advocacy. He leads internal API and DevRel strategy at a global consulting firm. Passionate about mentoring, Ryan speaks at conferences on cloud and automation and helps run Microsoft Cloud, DevOps, and PowerShell user groups in Boise, Idaho. https://linkedin.com/in/ryandcoates https://twitter.com/ryandcoates https://discord.gg/pdq https://andrewpla.tech/links Ryan's C# Talk at PS Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOaFdHTlDXE Ryan's Summit Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AePjFyuWvg8 Join the PowerShell Scripting Channel on PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq Check out PDQ Connect: https://pdq.com/podcast The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/72UCneA1X40 The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, Andrew Pla welcomes longtime friend and DevOps Endpoint Engineer David Richmond. Fresh off his PowerShell Wednesday presentation, David shares insights into the power of splatting in PowerShell, centralizing automations, and driving organizational change through best practices and leadership. The conversation explores the evolution of automation practices, Git adoption in Ops, secrets management using Azure Key Vault, and how empowering others can multiply technical impact. It’s an inspiring blend of deep PowerShell knowledge and practical career development advice.   What You’ll Learn: What splatting is in PowerShell and why it’s such a powerful coding practice How to organize, simplify, and clean up your scripts with hash tables and ordered dictionaries David's journey from solo IT support to leading centralized automation efforts Pro tips on Git, module development, credential management, and code organization The benefits of creating training sessions and fostering a team-wide PowerShell culture Why data-driven automation metrics can win leadership support How PowerShell can scale your impact and accelerate your career Bio & Links: David Richmond started writing scripts in the Macintosh OS days (the 90s!) and hasn't stopped. Currently working in the every-OS endpoint engineering / devops space, particularly focused on internal automations team skillups in PowerShell and beyond.  https://discord.gg/pdq https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-s-richmond/ https://dev.to/celadin https://bsky.app/profile/davidsrichmond.com Splatting PowerShell Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oesn0HgGxE https://github.com/PoshCode/PowerShellPracticeAndStyle The PowerShell Podcast Hub: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast  The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_cbpGxZOHS4 Help topic: help about_splatting  

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