In this episode of Crowbar Kernel Panic, Bo and Josh break down the Top 5 homelab projects that aren’t just fun — they actually build real skills that can help you land (and grow in) an IT or DevOps career.

We cover:

How networking projects like Pi-hole, Unbound, and OpenSense teach fundamentals you’ll use in every IT job.

Why virtualization with Proxmox and VMware is the gateway to enterprise-level skills.

The power of containers with Docker and Podman (and why they’re unavoidable).

Why Kubernetes is worth learning at home, even if it feels overkill.

The often-forgotten importance of backups and disaster recovery — with real stories of failure and recovery.

This isn’t just tinkering — these are the homelab projects that can set you apart in interviews and build confidence for real-world IT challenges.

👉 Which homelab project taught you the most (or burned you the hardest)? Tell us in the comments!