The PowerShell Podcast

BurntToast v1.0 and 10 Years of PowerShell Notifications with Josh King

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

Always Hype About Automation with Hailey Phillips

Microsoft MVP Hailey Phillips joins The PowerShell Podcast to share her journey from systems engineer to automation innovator. She talks about IntuneStack, her new PowerShell-driven CI/CD project for Intune environments, and how it bridges the gap between systems engineering and DevOps. Hailey also reflects on her path to becoming an MVP, her experiences at MMS, and the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and authenticity in the tech community.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Bridging systems and DevOps – Hailey’s IntuneStack helps IT pros apply DevOps principles like CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code to Intune environments.
• Automate and empower – True success in automation means enabling your team, not bottlenecking them. Collaboration beats perfectionism.
• Community and authenticity – Sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and showing up as your true self create lasting impact in the PowerShell ecosystem.

Guest Bio:

Hailey Phillips is a Systems Engineer, Microsoft MVP, and Professional Pokémon Trainer. She specializes in automation, endpoint management, and modern workplace strategy, bridging the gap between traditional IT and DevOps. Hailey’s work focuses on building pragmatic, scalable solutions using tools like PowerShell, Microsoft Graph, Intune, and Azure Arc. When she’s not deep in tech, you’ll probably find her skiing in the Cascades, lifting heavy things, or at a metalcore show with a strong cup of coffee in hand.

 

Resource Links:

• Intune Stack Project – https://github.com/AllwaysHyPe/IntuneStack
• Hailey’s Website – https://www.allwayshype.com/
• Hailey on BlueSky – https://bsky.app/profile/allwayshype.com
• Hailey on GitHub – https://github.com/AllwaysHyPe
• Hailey's "Rage Coding" Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/692CBjUNRBnSzSsRncQJkn?si=9d8bf7e625104ce8
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-d16gi3VEc&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&pp=gAQB
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1YefrFekEJ

Learning, Leading, and Logging with Constantin Hager

PowerShell community leader Constantin Hager joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk about his favorite tools and journey from discovering PowerShell to organizing user groups and speaking at major conferences. He talks about his early inspiration from PowerShell Conference Europe, his involvement with open-source projects like PSFramework and AutomatedLab, and how mentorship and community involvement shaped his career. Constantin also discusses building a portable VS Code setup for his company, leading a PowerShell team, and mentoring the next generation of IT professionals.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Community growth through contribution – Open-source projects like PSFramework, DBAtools, and AutomatedLab thrive because of contributors like Constantin who share improvements and ideas.
• Mentorship and education matter – From supporting apprentices to running user groups, Constantin emphasizes the importance of helping others learn PowerShell and gain confidence.
• Innovation in the workplace – His work creating a custom portable VS Code environment shows how small automation ideas can scale into powerful company-wide tools.

Guest Bio:

 

Constantin Hager is a PowerShell enthusiast, speaker, open-source contributor, and community organizer based in Germany.

 

Resource Links:

• PowerShell User Group Inn-Salzach – https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/powershell-usergroup-inn-salzach/
• Speak at PSUG Inn-Salzach
• Konstantin Hager on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantin-hager/
• Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PSFramework – https://github.com/PowershellFrameworkCollective/psframework
• AutomatedLab – https://github.com/AutomatedLab/AutomatedLab
• PowerShell Universal AutomatedLab https://github.com/steviecoaster/PowerShellUniversal.Apps.AutomatedLab
• DBA Tools – https://dbatools.io
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• Constantin on PS Wednesday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYbTlCrrrUQ
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eC6TlEfV3iA

Authenticity, AI, and the Human Side of Tech with Adil Leghari

Cybersecurity, automation, and PowerShell advocate Adil Leghari returns to The PowerShell Podcast to kick off Cybersecurity Month. Adil shares insights from his career journey: from PowerShell and automation to identity and now cloud security at Palo Alto Networks. He discusses creating tools like Cyberdle and QR Check, how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, and the importance of empathy, authenticity, and mentorship in tech and community life.

 

Key Takeaways:

• AI in cybersecurity – Adil explains how organizations can protect sensitive data and combat threats using AI Security Posture Management and why we must “fight AI with AI.”
• Personal projects with purpose – Tools like Cyberdle and QR Check show how small, open-source projects can educate users and strengthen security awareness.
• Human connection in tech – Adil emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and community as keys to building better workplaces, stronger teams, and more fulfilling careers.

Guest Bio:
Adil Leghari is a Cloud Solutions Architect at Palo Alto Networks, where he works on the Cortex Cloud platform. With over twenty years of IT experience, Adil’s career spans PowerShell automation, identity management, repositories + packaging, and cloud security. A passionate community contributor and speaker, he is known for his open-source projects, approachable teaching style, and advocacy for authenticity and mentorship in the tech industry. He is a speaker, author, and a really kind human that I like a lot (Andrew wrote this)Resource

 

Links:

• Cyberdle (Cybersecurity Wordle Game) – https://cyberdle.adilio.ca
• QR Check (QR Code Security Tool) – https://qrcheck.ca
• GitHub Spec Kit: https://github.com/github/spec-kit
• Adil’s GitHub – https://github.com/adilio
• Adil’s Website – https://adilio.ca
• Adil on X/Twitter – https://twitter.com/adilio
• Adil on BlueSky – https://bsky.app/profile/adilio.ca
• Find Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWfSbuYnpFA&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HpOeZ4LBq9s

AutomatedLab, GUIs, and automation with Steviecoaster

Newly minted Microsoft MVP Stephen Valdinger, known as Steviecoaster, joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from IT admin to community mentor and automation advocate. He talks about discovering PowerShell through Exchange, the career-changing power of automation, and his work with AutomatedLab, PowerShell Universal, and WinUI Shell. Stevie also highlights the importance of mentoring, building community, and making PowerShell approachable for everyone.

 

Key Takeaways:

• PowerShell as a gateway: Learning PowerShell can unlock career growth, lead to better automation, and even spark new opportunities like blogging, mentoring, and conference speaking.
• Tools for learning and labs: AutomatedLab, paired with Stevie’s utilities and GUI work, provides a powerful way to build test environments and gain hands-on experience.
• Community and mentorship matter: Sharing knowledge, mentoring beginners, and creating approachable tools not only help others grow but also strengthen your own skills.

Guest Bio:
Stephen Valdinger (Steviecoaster) is a Microsoft MVP, Customer Success Manager at Chocolatey, and community leader with a passion for automation and mentoring. With years of experience in IT, Stevie has become known for his approachable teaching style, and his contributions to open source. He is also a frequent contributor to community discussions, blogs at steviecoaster.dev, and presents at events like PowerShell Wednesdays and PowerShell Summit.

 

Resource Links:

• Steviecoaster’s Blog: https://steviecoaster.dev
• Steviecoaster on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/steviecoaster.dev
• Steviecoaster on GitHub: https://github.com/steviecoaster
• Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• Stevie's AutomatLab UI: https://github.com/steviecoaster/PowerShellUniversal.Apps.AutomatedLab
• AutomatedLab: https://github.com/AutomatedLab/AutomatedLab
• PowerShell Universal (by Ironman Software): https://ironmansoftware.com/powershell-universal
• WinUI Shell: https://github.com/mdgrs1/WinUI-Shell
• PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ
• Stevie's PowerShell Wednesday WinUIShell talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE1hy0VZXes&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&index=5
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iKYfZBakoBI
• The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

From Sysadmin to Security at Microsoft with Thomas Rayner

Thomas Rayner joins The PowerShell Podcast to share his journey from sysadmin and PowerShell MVP to securing Microsoft 365 as a security professional at Microsoft. He reflects on how PowerShell accelerated his career, the importance of blogging and community involvement, and why clear communication with managers is vital for growth. Thomas also offers advice for beginners, highlighting patience, persistence, and the value of mentorship in tech.

 

Key Takeaways:

• PowerShell as a force multiplier: Automating repetitive tasks with PowerShell helped Thomas advance his career and opened the door to opportunities at Microsoft.
• Career growth requires communication: Being candid with managers, demonstrating value, and asking for resources to learn are key to advancement.
• Community and mentorship matter: Involvement in the PowerShell community, saying yes to opportunities, and supporting peers can transform both careers and personal growth.

Guest Bio:
Thomas Rayner is a security professional at Microsoft, where he focuses on preventative security solutions in Microsoft 365. A former Microsoft MVP in Cloud and Datacenter Management, Thomas built his career by blogging, speaking, and contributing to the PowerShell community. Originally from Edmonton, Canada, he used PowerShell to accelerate his early career as a sysadmin before moving into security roles at Microsoft. Today, he continues to share career wisdom, mentor others, and advocate for growth mindset thinking in tech.

 

Resource Links:

• Thomas Rayner’s Blog: https://thomasrayner.ca
• Thomas Rayner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasrayner/
• Thomas Rayner on GitHub: https://github.com/tlrayner
• Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/PDQ
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3H-tMKqlSOs
• The PowerShell Podcast hub page: The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

From Sysadmin to PowerShell Team: The Story of SeeminglyScience

Patrick Meinecke, known as SeeminglyScience, joins host Andrew Pla to share his journey from sysadmin to joining the PowerShell team at Microsoft. He discusses his early community contributions, the inner workings of the PowerShell engine, and powerful but underused features like ETS and type converters. Patrick also highlights helpful modules such as PowerShell Run, ctypes, and Useful Argument Completers, while reflecting on the importance of community engagement and open source collaboration.

 

Key Takeaways:

• From community to Microsoft: Patrick’s contributions to PowerShell Editor Services and GitHub repos helped pave the way for his role on the official PowerShell team.
• Hidden gems in PowerShell: Features like the Extendable Type System (ETS), type converters, and modules such as PowerShell Run, ctypes, and Useful Argument Completers unlock powerful possibilities.
• Community makes it stronger: Helping others, answering questions, and sharing knowledge not only grows the ecosystem but also helps contributors sharpen their own skills.

Guest Bio:
Patrick Meinecke, widely known as SeeminglyScience, is a software engineer on the PowerShell team at Microsoft. Before joining the team, he spent over 15 years in sysadmin and tech support roles and is a longstanding contributor to the PowerShell open-source community. Patrick is recognized for his deep technical expertise in the PowerShell engine, his contributions to PowerShell Editor Services, and his passion for solving complex problems. He remains an active community member, often engaging on Discord and GitHub to help others learn and grow.

 

Resource Links:

• Patrick Meinecke on GitHub (@SeeminglyScience): https://github.com/SeeminglyScience
• Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PowerShell Run (module by MDGRS): https://github.com/nbgrs/PowerShellRun
• Useful Argument Completers (module by MartinGC94): https://github.com/MartinGC94/UsefulArgumentCompleters
• ctypes (module by Jordan Borean): https://github.com/jborean93/PSctypes
• Spectre.Console for PowerShell (community project): https://github.com/PoshCode/PSSpectreConsole
• Join the PDQ Discord: https://discord.gg/pdq
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zyj1IdZFf1E
• The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

Beginnings, Blue Bars, and the Valley of Despair with Steven Judd

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