The PowerShell Podcast

Joe Houghes; Soft Skills, Community, and Professional Growth

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we were thrilled to sit virtually with none other than Joe Houghes, engaging him in an insightful discussion about his dynamic journey and participation in community activity. Woven throughout with humor and knowledge, our ponderings with Joe centered around the significance of building relationships within the community. We ventured further into the dialogue surrounding the emphasis on soft skills and their interaction with professional growth. The conversation pivoted towards effective communication as an investment into one's self, bringing about palpable value in the workplace. Walk away with a newfound reflective insight and tangible advice for involvement in the community, all courtesy of Joe's enlightening experiences.

 

Bio: Joe Houghes is a co-leader of the Denver PowerShell & VMware User Groups and he is a Sr. Solutions Architect with Pure Storage. He focuses on automating us out of our IT operations while freeing us to perform higher-level tasks. Joe has been the #1 speaker internationally for VMUG in 2021 and 2022 for virtual and in-person events, and is always working to help & encourage the next community speaker(s) to take his place, while helping to get them started. Joe also works to evangelize the message that automation should be a focus for admins & engineers, even though it requires more in-depth thinking and focus beyond performing a task once. He knows that even though it is not always someone's default method, the result is then repeatable and consistent. Joe tries to help others understand why we should do the easy tasks better, and he challenges everyone to push themselves outside of their comfort zone and learn more about any topic of interest. Joe is a collector of communities as a leader for 2 User Groups, and a member of many evangelist groups including Microsoft MVP, Veeam Vanguard, VMware vExpert, Cisco Champion, Tanzu Vanguard, plus he helps out to host events as part of the vBrownBag crew. He tells people not to let fear keep them from sharing their knowledge with others and teaching from their unique perspective. He's also easy to spot by the colored hat, big grin, and the loud "Howdy Y'all."

 

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQb21FFcwo

Resource links:

https://github.com/HCRitter/PSModuleAnalyzer

https://twitter.com/AndrewPlaTech/status/1709594063370928639

https://mikefrobbins.com/2023/09/27/create-calculated-properties-in-powershell/

https://clatent.com/2023/09/getting-started-with-365automatedlab-part-1/

https://psconf.eu/

https://fullstackgeek.net/

https://twitter.com/jhoughes

@jhoughes@vmst.io

https://github.com/jhoughes

https://www.youtube.com/@joehoughes

PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

 

From Console to GitOps: Gilbert Sanchez Breaks It Down

On the latest engrossing edition of The PowerShell Podcast, we had the unique pleasure of discussing the intricate world of cross-platform terminal setups with none other than Gilbert Sanchez. Providing some much-needed clarification and sparking a few laughs, Gilbert unveiled the legitimate pronunciation of the 'mdgrs.' As we delved further, we explored the distinctions between console and terminal, unraveling their complexities and feature sets. We also dove into the trending concept of GitOps, breaking down its structure, benefits, and its growing influence in our operations. Hold on tight, as this episode is stocked with fascinating discourse, enriching knowledge, and an added element of Gilbert's quirky and amusing style.

Gilbert works as a (Señor) Systems Engineer at Meta, spreading the love of PowerShell at scale. A fan of Role Playing Games (RPG), you can check out his RPG-oriented modules on the PowerShell Gallery.

Links:
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GdOqs7j6Kc

https://github.com/HeyItsGilbert/PowerShellPodcastSync

https://clatent.com/2023/09/how-chatgpt-saved-our-company-1500-in-less-than-15-minutes/

https://blog.kilasuit.org/2023/09/09/installing-powershell-side-by-side-for-testing-purposes/

https://github.com/deadlydog/PowerShell.tiPS

https://gilbertsanchez.com/posts/my-terminal-wezterm/

https://github.com/mdgrs-mei/DynamicTitle

https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/Microsoft.PowerShell.ConsoleGuiTools/0.6.2

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_ansi_terminals?view=powershell-7.3

https://links.gilbertsanchez.com

PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

 

Navigating the IT Landscape: A Conversation with Joel ’Jaykul’ Bennett

In the latest episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we delve deep into the world of IT with our distinguished guest, Joel "Jaykul" Bennett. From plumbing the depths of GitOps basics to demystifying the role of Kubernetes, Joel leaves no stone unturned. By sharing his journey of self-discovery in finding empowering employers and honing his IT skills, he offers invaluable insights for professionals in the tech sector. Joel also speaks about his all-time favorite conference talks, revealing the nuggets of wisdom he's gained from his prolific career. But what's a PowerShell Podcast without diving into the nitty-gritty? Joel also shares about knowing one's worth in the IT field and gives us a peek into his favorite modules.

Joel "Jaykul" Bennet is an opinionated DevOps engineer, programmer, speaker, and Microsoft MVP.

Resource Links: 
Watch the PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6L7tS-u2Y

- https://dev.to/smurawski/just-enough-git-for-gitops-3ok8

- https://aka.ms/psslack

- https://aka.ms/psdiscord

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQocjjn78sk&pp=ygUXcG93ZXJzaGVsbCBqb2VsIGJlbm5ldHQ%3D

- https://github.com/Jaykul

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoiF3HqT7r0&pp=ygUXcG93ZXJzaGVsbCBqb2VsIGJlbm5ldHQ%3D

- https://github.com/PoshCode/PowerShellPracticeAndStyle

- https://github.com/PowerShell/PSReadLine

- https://github.com/Jaykul/EzTheme

- https://github.com/Jaykul/ReadlineAI

https://twitter.com/Jaykul

@jaykul@fosstodon.org

PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

 

PowerShell Pioneer: A Deep Dive with Microsoft PM Jason Helmick

On the latest episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Microsoft's very own Jason Helmick, a celebrated PM on the PowerShell team. Jason takes us on a nostalgic journey through the early days of PowerShell while also recounting his critically acclaimed MVA series with Jeffrey Snover. We hear about his major career shift transitioning to Microsoft and delve into his active involvement in the PowerShell community. Unearthing more PowerShell gems, Jason introduces us to the rising star, Crescendo, and enlightens us about the PSCommunity Call. Not to be missed, we also get clued into the game-changing Azure Cloud Shell. Buckle up for a deep dive into the universe of PowerShell with one of its pioneers, Jason Helmick, on the PowerShell Podcast!

Bio: Jason is a Program Manager on the PowerShell team at Microsoft. He focuses on all things PowerShell, including Predictive IntelliSense, Crescendo, DSC and PlatyPS. One favorite pastime is working with the rapidly growing PowerShell community.

Links and resources:

See The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrHJE3jeWLM

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powershell/powershell-adapter-feedback-provider/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axUQPJX7LMw&pp=ygUfc3RldmVuIGJ1Y2hlciBwb3dlcnNoZWxsIHN1bW1pdA%3D%3D

https://aka.ms/JoinPSCall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVUd9_k9C6A

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/the-azure-cloud-shell-connector-in-windows-terminal/

PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

 

The Matrix of PowerShell: Security and Automation with Researcher Miriam Wiesner

In our latest PowerShell Podcast, we had an insightful discussion with Miriam Wiesner, a renowned Senior Security Researcher at Microsoft and the author of "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for Cybersecurity." Miriam, who is juggling her roles as a security expert, an author, and a mom, shed light on her journey at Microsoft, talking about the ups and downs she faced. She extended the conversation to her book-writing experience, wherein she balanced work-life pressures to deliver this authoritative guide on PowerShell Automation and Scripting. The discourse was particularly intriguing when it delved into PowerShell security - an area Miriam is so passionate and knowledgeable about. There was certainly so much to learn from our discussion with her!

Bio:  Miriam C. Wiesner is a Sr. Security Researcher at Microsoft with over 15 years of experience in IT and IT Security. She has held various positions, including Administrator/System Engineer, Software Developer, Premier Field Engineer, Program Manager, and Security Consultant and Pentester.
She is also a renowned creator of open-source tools based in PowerShell, including EventList and JEAnalyzer. She was invited multiple times to present her research behind her tools at many international conferences like Black Hat (USA, Europe & Asia), PSConf EU, MITRE ATT&CK workshop, and more.
Miriam is the author of the book "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for CyberSecurity: Hacking and Defense for Red and Blue Teamers." Outside of work, Miriam is a dedicated wife and mother, residing with her family near Nuremberg, Germany.

See The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Csw8YYGyCg

https://github.com/HCRitter/PSMermaid

https://github.com/HCRitter/PSCommandShortener

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powershell/psresourceget-release-candidate-is-now-available/

https://github.com/DevClate/365AutomatedLab

https://www.joshooaj.com/blog/2023/09/06/debugging-convertto-json/

https://twitter.com/miriamxyra/status/1697195685068575222?s=46&t=AofiiK_18fgZEoSxIrqhAA

https://twitter.com/miriamxyra

https://github.com/PSSecTools/JEAnalyzer

https://packt.link/MiriamCW

https://github.com/PSSecTools/JEAnalyzer

https://github.com/miriamxyra/myDeckWishlist

https://github.com/miriamxyra/EventList

PDQ Discord https://discord.gg/pdq

Exploring PowerShell, Braid, and beyond with Bruce Payette

In this riveting episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sat down with one of PowerShell's creators, Bruce Payette. Bruce enlightened us on various topics, from the key design principles that spurred PowerShell's success to captivating anecdotes from its inception. We dove into parts of PowerShell that Bruce prides himself on, underlining its growth and capabilities. Bruce's influential book, "PowerShell in Action," was also a subject of our discussion. Lastly, stepping beyond PowerShell, Bruce introduced us to 'Braid,' his intriguing new programming language.

 

See the PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc2xieZHZqo

Educational Odyssey: From Classroom to Cloud with Michael Bender

In this episode, we have a vibrant conversation with Michael Bender who shares his fervor for teaching. We take a deep dive into his educational journey, from academia to course creation at Pluralsight, eventually leading him to his role as a Cloud Advocate at Microsoft. We delve into the significant role of positive feedback, and contemplate how the process of teaching can reveal profound self-insights. Lastly, we discover the origin story of his podcast, 'Wired for Hybrid'.

 

Michael Bender is a Senior Content Developer at Microsoft. He is a former college professor who also authored the PowerShell and Windows Server courses for Plural Site. He has been teaching technology since the 90s helping countless people progress in their careers.

Links:

See The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdczFIKYckg

https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/powershell-getting-started-2022

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/bg-p/ITOpsTalkBlog

Wired for Hybrid - What's New in Azure Networking - July 2023 Edition   

https://gilbertsanchez.com/posts/terminals-shells-and-prompts/ 

 

Unveiling Posh: Exploring James Brundage’s Latest Project

In our much-anticipated second interview with James Brundage, marking a year since his last appearance, we delved into a dynamic array of topics. The episode commenced with a rundown of PowerShell Gallery security, addressing listener feedback and concerns. We also spotlighted a curated selection of beneficial modules as suggested by our listeners. The spotlight then shifted to James' latest brainchild, Posh, unraveling its intricacies and potential. The conversation further unfurled to encompass enlightening discussions on EzOut, the nuances of battling typosquatting, the emergence of a new PowerShell user group, and we learned what dynamic polymorphism is and why that matters.

 

James Brundage has been heavily involved in PowerShell for over 15 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.

 

Watch the PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVJqnaKJ1VY

https://github.com/ctigeek/InvokeQueryPowershellModule

https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/MSAL.PS/

https://github.com/Badgerati/Pode

https://github.com/jborean93/PowerShell-Yayaml

https://github.com/darkoperator/Posh-SSH

https://github.com/StartAutomating/PSSVG

https://github.com/StartAutomating

https://github.com/StartAutomating/Irregular

https://github.com/StartAutomating/EZOut

https://github.com/StartAutomating/Posh

powershellgallery.com

MSAL.PS 4.37.0.0

The MSAL.PS PowerShell module wraps MSAL.NET functionality into PowerShell-friendly cmdlets and is not supported by Microsoft. Microsoft support does not extend beyond the underlying MSAL.NET library. For any inquiries regarding the PowerShell module itself, you may contact the author on GitHub or PowerShell Gallery.

MSAL.NET (Microsoft.Identity.Client) is an authentication library that enables you to acquire tokens from Azure AD, to access protected Web APIs (Microsoft APIs or applications registered with Azure Active Directory).