The PowerShell Podcast

Are PowerShell Pros Ready for C# - Ryan Coates

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 

The Power of Splatting and Team Empowerment

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

 

PSConfEU 2025 Bar Sessions: Community, Code & Connection

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

Building Layers of Protection and Purpose - Miriam Wiesner

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we catch up with returning guest and security research program manager at Microsoft, Miriam Wiesner. Recorded live at PowerShell Conference EU in Malmö, Sweden, we dive into her fascinating journey from Premier Field Engineer to her current role in security research. Miriam reflects on her early talks about Just Enough Administration (JEA), shares insights into MFA bypass techniques involving browser cookies (with a fun appearance from Cookie Monster), and emphasizes the importance of defense-in-depth and layered security.

 

We also explore her second talk at the conference, "Finding Your North Star," where she unpacks the value of having a guiding goal in your career, overcoming self-doubt, and growing through mentorship. Miriam offers guidance on managing stage fright, developing social skills, and embracing authenticity in technical communities. Whether you're navigating a career in tech or looking to level up your security awareness, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration.

 

Links and Bio:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamwiesner/
• https://www.amazon.com/PowerShell-Automation-Scripting-Cybersecurity-Hacking/dp/1800566379
• https://x.com/MiriamXyra
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDcq0pPNPs
• https://andrewpla.tech/links
• https://discord.gg/pdq
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nuhVTbpfQog
• The PowerShell Podcast hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast 

Miriam is the author of the book "PowerShell Automation and Scripting for CyberSecurity: Hacking and Defense for Red and Blue Teamers." She is a Senior Security Research Program Manager at Microsoft. Outside of work, Miriam is a dedicated wife and mother, residing with her family near Nuremberg, Germany.

Behind the Shell with Microsoft

In this episode, recorded live at PSConfEU, Andrew catches up with some of the PowerShell team from Microsoft to talk all things PowerShell—from AIShell to PSResourceGet to the future of DSC and OpenSSH.

 

First up is Steven Bucher, Product Manager on the PowerShell team, who discusses the massive scale of PowerShell usage, the state of PowerShell 7, and the team’s focus on security and reliability. He also gives an exciting walkthrough of AIShell and how it’s helping users stay in the terminal while getting AI-driven help, error resolution, and integration with providers like Azure OpenAI and AI Foundry.

 

Then we hear from Anam, a software engineer working on PSResourceGet, PowerShell Gallery, and security. She shares details on the rewrite of PowerShellGet, performance improvements, and new features like container registry support. She also dives into Microsoft's Artifact Registry (MAR) and offers her take on coding as a creative, artistic endeavor.

 

Lastly, Tess joins the conversation to talk about OpenSSH and Desired State Configuration (DSC). She highlights the native cross-platform capabilities of DSC v3, its decoupling from PowerShell, and the move toward supporting resource development in languages like Python. Tess also shares the significance of SSH server availability in Windows Server 2025 and reflects on her open-source journey and love of outdoor sports.

 

Whether you’re managing packages, remoting with SSH, exploring AI integrations, or just want to know more about some of the people behind PowerShell, this episode delivers valuable insights from the team building the tools you use. 

 

Links and Mentions:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamnavied/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-gauthier-a43a368a/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenabucher/
• https://andrewpla.tech/links
• https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell
• https://github.com/PowerShell/AIShell
• https://github.com/PowerShell/PSResourceGet
• https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH
• https://github.com/microsoft/DSC
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F4mVUHinjf4
• The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

Guests:

• Stephen Bucher – Product Manager II on the PowerShell Team
• Anam Navied – Software Engineer 2 @ Microsoft
• Tess Gauthier – Software Engineer @ Microsoft | OpenSSH

A Conversation from the Heart of PSConfEU

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla reports live from PowerShell Conference Europe 2025 in Malmö, Sweden. With energy high and community engagement stronger than ever, Andrew chats with key figures shaping the PowerShell ecosystem.

First, we hear from Gael Colas, organizer of PSConfEU and longtime community advocate, who discusses the significance of the conference and its international impact. Gael reflects on the challenges of organizing a multi-country event and the magic that happens when the community comes together in person.

Later, Andrew connects with Stein Petersen, a speaker at PSConfEU. Stein shares insights into his talk on mental health, psychological safety, and building human-centric tech teams. Alongside his co-speaker, licensed therapist Tracy Sewell, they tackle burnout prevention and emotional resilience in the workplace. The discussion sheds light on the intersection between mental well-being and professional success in IT.

This episode captures the unique mix of technical enthusiasm and human connection that defines the PowerShell community. Whether you're coding, coaching, or just trying to survive burnout, there's something here for you.
Recorded on location at PowerShell Conference Europe 2025.
 

Links & Bio: 
https://psconf.eu  
https://andrewpla.tech/links 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steinpetersen/ 
https://gaelcolas.com 
https://synedgy.com 
https://discord.gg/pdq  

The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/paB3R1uA8jw

The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

Gael Colas
Gael is the founder and director of SynEdgy Limited, a consulting company in the DevOps, Azure and PowerShell automation space, helping companies bringing agility in their infrastructure management and operations. SynEdgy is also behind the PowerShell Conference Europe (PSConfEU), PSDayUK and contributes to many other user groups and events of the community. In his spare time, Gael is a member of the PowerShell Working Groups, DSC Community committee member, and recipient of the Microsoft MVP award.

Stein Petersen
Stein is a cloud architect and passionate community contributor focused on mental health in IT. He is committed to fostering psychological safety, resilience, and emotional intelligence within tech teams.

The Dos and Don'ts of PowerShell with Steven Judd and Gilbert Sanchez

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we’re joined by Steven Judd and Gilbert Sanchez, two active contributors and speakers in the PowerShell community. We talk about the Dos and Don'ts of PowerShell. We cover topics like documentation, testing, community, how you should view yourself in your growth, and even get some top tips on logging from those who have done PowerShell at the highest levels. 

 

Key Topics Covered:

• How community support leads to career breakthroughs
• Learning through teaching and presenting at conferences
• Overcoming nerves and imposter syndrome as new speakers
• The value of async learning and accountability through PowerShell Wednesdays
• Steven’s PowerShell journey from System Admin to cybersecurity educator
• Gilbert’s insights on mentorship, blogging, and personal development
• Embracing humility and finding joy in collaboration

Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your PowerShell journey, this episode is a celebration of curiosity, courage, and community.

The Life and Code of The PoSh Wolf

This week, we sit down with Anthony Howell, better known as The PoSh Wolf, for an inspiring and entertaining conversation about PowerShell, community, and creativity. From his early days in a two-person IT department to speaking at PowerShell Summit, Anthony shares how passion, persistence, and curiosity have fueled his journey. He dives into his creative use of PowerShell for managing game servers and even building a Discord bot, proving that automation isn't just for enterprise tasks. We explore how side projects can grow into real skills, the value of sharing in the community, and how embracing mistakes makes us all better. Anthony also gives insights into using .NET in PowerShell, learning Go, and building resilient systems for fun and work.

 

Bio:
Anthony Howell is a proud father, lucky husband, and passionate software builder. Since starting his IT career in 2009 as a helpdesk technician, he’s followed his drive for automation from scripting sysadmin tasks in PowerShell to tackling DevOps and site reliability challenges. Known for always having a process improvement idea, Anthony shares insights from his journey to help others build smarter, more efficient systems.

 

What You'll Learn:

• How Anthony got started with PowerShell and his first Summit experience
• Creative PowerShell use cases like Discord bots and game server management
• Lessons from mistakes and the power of testing
• Transitioning from PowerShell to .NET and even Go
• The importance of community and continuing to ask questions

Links & Resources:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/theposhwolf/
• https://discord.gg/pdq
• https://theposhwolf.com/
• https://andrewpla.tech/links
• Check out PDQ: https://pdq.com/podcast
• https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/powershell-yaml/0.4.12
• The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tOH5FXn0IhU