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