The PowerShell Podcast

Cryptography, Cracking Codes, and Breaking CBC with Dr. Al Carlson

In this episode of The PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla welcomes Dr. Al Carlson, a cryptographer, mathematician, and engineer whose career spans more than four decades in military intelligence, embedded systems, and advanced encryption research. Dr. Carlson explains how set theory and mathematical patterns underpin all cryptography, breaking down complex systems like AES into understandable concepts. He discusses his groundbreaking work on isomorphic cipher reduction, polymorphic encryption, and how simplicity, not complexity, is often the key to true security.

 

Key Takeaways:

• All encryption is patterns – Dr. Carlsen explains how every cipher, including AES, can be viewed as a substitution cipher, allowing for new ways to analyze and strengthen encryption.
• Simplicity creates strength – Complexity doesn’t guarantee security. By distilling systems to their fundamentals, cryptographers can identify weaknesses faster and design better ciphers.
• Quantum computing and cryptography’s future – Quantum computing's potential to break current encryption standards highlights the need for polymorphic and post-quantum approaches to secure data.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Al Carlson is a cryptographer, mathematician, and educator with over forty years of experience in electronic warfare, military cryptography, and advanced encryption systems. His work in set theory-based cryptographic analysis and polymorphic encryption has influenced how researchers think about code-breaking and data protection. A longtime IEEE member and mentor, Dr. Carlson continues to publish papers on approaches to information security and encryption theory.Resource Links

• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) – https://www.ieee.org
• Breaking CBC Def Con Talk by Dr. Carlson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0IsYNDMV7A
• Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gWmlvKFduP8

Free Security Wins for Sysadmins with Spencer Alessi

Newly minted Microsoft MVP, pentester, and returning guest Spencer Alessi joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk about growth, giving back, and building security through PowerShell. Spencer shares lessons from his journey from sysadmin to pen tester, including the importance of learning from mistakes, documenting wins, and advocating for yourself in your career. He also introduces his latest open-source project, AppLocker Inspector, and discusses tools like Locksmith, Pink Castle, and Purple Knight that help IT pros secure their environments and build confidence in automation and defense.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Grow through mistakes – Learn from both your own missteps and those of others; every lesson strengthens your technical and professional skills.
• Security tools for sysadmins – Free PowerShell-based tools like AppLocker Inspector, Locksmith, and Purple Knight offer practical wins for securing Active Directory.
• Advocate for yourself and give back – Track your wins, share your work, and pay forward the mentorship and generosity that helped you grow.

Guest Bio:
Spencer Alessi is a Microsoft MVP, penetration tester, and community educator passionate about helping sysadmins strengthen their environments. Known online as @TechSpence, he creates approachable content and tools focused on helping sysadmins o improve security. Spencer is also a podcast host, public speaker, and strong advocate for mentorship, authenticity, and continuous learning in tech.

 

Resource Links:

• Spencer on PDQ Live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j33dN2bELPU
• AppLocker Inspector – https://github.com/techspence/AppLockerInspector
• Purple Knight – https://www.semperis.com/purple-knight/
• Ping Castle – https://www.pingcastle.com/download/
• Locksmith (ADCS Auditing Tool) – https://github.com/jakehildreth/locksmith
• ADeleginator – https://github.com/techspence/ADeleginator
• Spencer’s Links – https://links.spenceralessi.com
• Cyber Threat Perspective Podcast – https://offsec.blog
• Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPoc8X7t0hY&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&pp=0gcJCbAEOCosWNin
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E4ji0-rmsuA

Falling, Learning, and Laughing with PowerShell Friends

Recorded live from SpiceWorld 2025 in Austin, Texas, this special PowerShell Podcast bar session brings together community members Jeffery Hayes, Stephen Engler, Sean Wheeler, and Steven Judd for a fun and insightful celebration of PowerShell and community. Host Andrew Pla reflects on reaching the 200-episode milestone while sharing stories about growth, learning, and the value of connection. From early PowerShell journeys to the power of conferences, mentorship, and even a few bar-side life lessons, this lively session captures the heart of the PowerShell community.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Community is everything – Attending conferences and connecting with peers accelerates growth, provides mentorship, and reminds you that learning is a shared journey.
• Learn by doing and asking – Don’t fear mistakes or questions; curiosity and collaboration are the real career accelerators.
• AI, documentation, and PowerShell’s future – The guests discuss Copilot, parameter validation, and the need for high-quality documentation to improve the next wave of AI-assisted development.

Guests:
Stephen Engler, Jeffery Hayes, Sean Wheeler, Steven Juddhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-engler/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferyhayescoa/
https://seanonit.org/
https://blog.stevenjudd.com/
https://andrewpla.tech/links

 

Resource Links:

• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPoc8X7t0hY&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• Powershell.org– https://powershell.org
• Microsoft Learn PowerShell Docs – https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell
• Azure PowerShell Documentation – https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/azure
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UrsbTkR6jg8

The PSADT Framework Explained and What’s New in Version 4.1 with Dan Cunningham

In this episode, PowerShell Podcast host Andrew Pla chats with Dan Cunningham, Strategic Innovation Leader for PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT), about the history, architecture, and evolution of the open-source framework used for enterprise software deployment. Dan explains how PSADT simplifies installs, improves logging, enhances user experience with UI dialogs, and provides consistency across environments. He also discusses the latest release, v4.1, which removes the need for Microsoft’s ServiceUI, boosting both security and usability for Intune and SCCM deployments.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Smarter software deployments – PSADT provides a structured, battle-tested framework for automating installs, repairs, and removals, saving IT teams time while improving consistency and reliability.
• Security and stability first – The 4.1 release replaces the risky ServiceUI dependency, strengthening system security and making UI deployments safer and easier.
• Open source with enterprise value – With over a decade of community use, PSADT continues to evolve through collaboration, defensive coding, and lessons learned from real-world enterprise use.

Guest Bio:
Dan Cunningham is the Co-Founder and Strategic Innovation Leader behind the PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT) at Patch My PC. A long-time open-source contributor and frequent conference speaker, Dan has held leadership roles at several orgs, helping Fortune 500 companies secure and manage complex IT environments. His 15-year tenure at PwC in Ireland and Canada laid the groundwork for PSADT’s creation — where it was first put to the test.

 

Resource Links:

• PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit (PSADT) – https://psappdeploytoolkit.com
• Dan Cunningham on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sintaxasn/
• Dan on BlueSky – https://x.com/sintaxasn
• Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-d16gi3VEc
• 2026 State of SysAdmin Form - https://conjointly.online/study/627204/sdzoxv8vtq41rshsbtly
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y3zWcb8ulVw

200 Episodes of Community with Frank Lesniak

In this milestone 200th episode of The PowerShell Podcast, Frank Lesniak returns to chat with Andrew Pla about automation, community, and what it means to “bet on yourself.” Frank shares his experiences leading cybersecurity and enterprise architecture projects, using PowerShell for AWS security automation, and developing tools to simplify complex data exports. He also discusses the upcoming PowerShell Summit, his work with DuPage Animal Friends, and the value of giving back through mentorship, community involvement, and open source.

 

Key Takeaways:

• PowerShell in the cloud – Frank dives deep into AWS automation and explains how PowerShell can simplify security and configuration management at scale.
• From console to community – After years of speaking and mentoring, Frank emphasizes how collaboration and consistent effort lead to career growth and confidence.
• Giving back through leadership – As VP of DuPage Animal Friends, Frank highlights the power of using your professional skills for good beyond tech.

Guest Bio:
Frank Lesniak is a Sr. Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Architect at West Monroe, where he leads a 45-member team focused on Microsoft's M365/Modern Work platform. His team specializes in navigating the technical complexities of corporate M&A, executing at-scale divestitures and integrations centered on Azure, Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Active Directory, and Windows. An active contributor to the tech community, Frank is a published author, open-source contributor, and a frequent speaker at conferences and user groups on topics including PowerShell, artificial intelligence, and offbeat technical talks related to his hobbies. In his local community, he serves as the Vice President of DuPage Animal Friends, a non-profit dedicated to supporting DuPage County's sole open-admission animal shelter.

 

Resource Links:

• Connect with Frank -https://linktr.ee/franklesniak
• Frank Lesniak on X (Twitter) – https://x.com/FrankLesniak
• Frank on LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/in/flesniak
• Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
• DuPage Animal Friends – https://dupageanimalfriends.org
• Previous Podcasts with Frank - https://powershellpodcast.podbean.com/?s=Frank%20Lesniak
• PowerShell Wednesdays – YouTube Playlist
• PDQ Discord (PowerShell Scripting Channel) – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• PowerShell Summit OnRamp Scholarship – https://www.powershellsummit.org/on-ramp/
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cQvs5s3T1DA

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