In this episode of the Power Platform Podcast, Mark and Malin sit down with Microsoft MVP Melissa Hale, a Power Platform developer at Curve whose journey into tech is anything but typical.

Before writing apps and automations, Melissa studied zoology, worked in zoos, researched snake venom, and even spent time counting parasites in a veterinary lab. After a difficult period during her PhD, she decided to completely change direction—jumping into a coding bootcamp and landing her first developer role before the course was even finished.

The conversation covers Melissa’s fascinating career pivot, the realities of breaking into tech without a traditional computer science background, and how curiosity and community helped her build a successful career in the Power Platform ecosystem.

Along the way there are plenty of unexpected stories—from feeding reptiles at the zoo and teaching horseback archery at a Californian summer camp to becoming a Microsoft MVP and speaking at conferences.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change careers, or how people really find their way into the Power Platform world, this episode proves that the path into tech doesn’t have to be conventional.

This episode of the Power Platform Podcast dives into Mike’s journey through tech, community, and the slightly unpredictable road that got him where he is today. From early computing and factory-floor software to Dynamics, Power Platform, and community leadership, it’s a story full of sharp turns, hard lessons, and a few “that probably shouldn’t have worked” moments.

We get into how he found his place in the community, grew into speaking and organising, and became a strong voice for accessibility and inclusion across the Power Platform space. There’s honest talk about imposter syndrome, presentation nerves, mental health, and why helping just one person in a session is worth it — along with some behind-the-scenes stories and gentle trouble-making along the way.

It’s candid, energetic, a little bit cheeky, and packed with real experiences from a career built by curiosity, community, and saying yes to things that felt scary at the time. Perfect listening if you like your tech stories human, humorous, and genuinely inspiring.

After a very long break, the podcast returns with an episode that sets the tone for what's coming next: less polish, more honesty, and a lot more focus on the people behind the tech. In this episode, Mark and Malin are joined by special guest Will "Quad" McLendon for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation that goes well beyond platforms, features, or roadmaps.

Quad shares his story from growing up in Daytona Beach, discovering technology at a young age, and navigating a career that took detours through firefighting, system administration, and eventually into the Microsoft and Dynamics ecosystem. Along the way, the conversation explores what it really means to find your place in tech, how moving out of your comfort zone can change your perspective, and why community plays such a critical role in personal and professional growth.

There are plenty of laughs, cultural misunderstandings, football and basketball debates, and stories from conferences, speaking events, and international travel, including Quad's first experiences in Scotland and the slightly brutal reality of northern weather. Beneath the humour, though, is a genuine discussion about mentorship, being told "no," learning to back yourself, and the importance of being authentic rather than trying to fit a mould.

This episode is about the journey into tech, not the destination. It's about how people end up here, why they stay, and how community support can make all the difference when you're finding your voice

Where don't we go in this episode? 

Alison is the go-to person for career advice in the Microsoft business applications community.

Early in my community journey, I was told - 'If you speak to one person at Scottish Summit 2020, speak to Alison Mulligan'. Just do it! This episode is not to be missed.

Björn Zahnow is part of the organisation team that ran the legendary Color Cloud conference in Hamburg earlier this year.

This October, he will be joining us at Scottish Summit 2024.

Find out all about Björn's passion for Dynamics 365 pro-code and low-code in this episode of The Power Platform Podcast.

We went a little 'off-piste' on this episode but please bear with us as Ru Campbell shares valuable insights into his work as a cybersecurity expert and his involvement in Scottish Summit 2024.

In this episode, we catch up with pub quiz host Tricia Sinclair.
We discuss the plethora of initiatives she is involved in to support the growth of the Microsoft business applications community. 

Get ready for an inspiring episode of the Power Platform Podcast!

We're sitting down with Ecosystem Engineer Craig White, a master of balancing it all—family, hobbies, a thriving blog, and leading countless community initiatives.

Want to know his secrets to stay on top while still enjoying life? You won't want to miss this conversation!

Plus, don't forget to grab your tickets for Scottish Summit 2024—available now!  https://www.scottishsummit.com/tickets.

It's an episode packed full of revelations this time around!

Carl 'Cooky' Cookson has some news which will leave Ana shocked!

Also, stay tuned for news of another exclusive Scottish Summit charity initiative that will have the community lip-syncing for their lives.

In this episode, we caught up with Bülent Altinsoy about how he started his community journey and his upcoming session with Angeliki Patsiavou at Scottish Summit 2024.

Tickets for Scottish Summit 2024 are available here - https://www.scottishsummit.com/tickets/.