The PowerShell Podcast

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Miriam Wiesner, a Senior Security Research Program Manager at Microsoft, to dive into the fascinating world of security and identity hygiene. Miriam shares her expertise on the GraphAPI and the critical importance of maintaining proper identity hygiene in today's digital landscape.

We explore the day-to-day life of a security researcher and discuss how tools like script block logging can provide invaluable insights. Miriam also highlights the power of Kusto for analyzing data and solving complex challenges in the security space.

In addition to technical insights, Miriam opens up about the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, offering a candid look at the human side of working in a demanding and impactful field.

Guest Bio and links:

Miriam C. Wiesner is a Sr. Security Research Program Manager 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.

Previous episode with Miriam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Csw8YYGyCg&pp=ygUObWlyaWFtIHdpZXNuZXI%3D

Practical PowerShell Empowerment For Protectors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgqbR-7O7TI&pp=ygUObWlyaWFtIHdpZXNuZXI%3D

Echoes of Intrusion: Demystifying commonly used MS Graph API Attacks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDK5xYx1rKg&t=677s&pp=ygUObWlyaWFtIHdpZXNuZXI%3D

PowerShell ❤️ the Blue Team - https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powershell/powershell-the-blue-team/

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftsentinelblog/the-power-of-data-collection-rules-detect-disabling-windows-defender-real-time-p/4236540

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

Listen to the PowerShell Podcast: https://powershellpodcast.podbean.com/

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we welcome back Sean Wheeler, Lead Documentarian at Microsoft for PowerShell, to catch up on the latest developments in the PowerShell ecosystem. Sean dives into the updates with PSResourceGet, the powerful enhancements in PowerShell 7.5, and the groundbreaking potential of the AI Shell project, designed to transform command-line experiences with artificial intelligence. We also get a recap of Sean’s experience at SpiceWorld, highlighting community insights and key takeaways from the event. Packed with expert tips and exciting news, this episode is a must-listen for PowerShell enthusiasts and IT pros alike!

Guest Bio and links: 

State of Sysadmin 2025 - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/33F373L

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/utility-modules/aishell/aishell-overview

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/gallery/powershellget/psresourceget-release-notes?view=powershellget-3.x

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/gallery/powershellget/supported-repositories?view=powershellget-3.x

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/whats-new/what-s-new-in-powershell-75?view=powershell-7.4

https://mikefrobbins.github.io/psdocs-how-to/

https://github.com/PowerShell/Community-Blog

https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PSStyle

Sean's blog and links to socials - https://sdwheeler.github.io/seanonit/

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

Listen to the PowerShell Podcast: https://powershellpodcast.podbean.com/

In this episode, we turn the tables and interview Andrew Pla. We explore Andrew's back story, find out how he got started in IT, and discover where his love of PowerShell comes from. We also discuss his journey from community member to advocate to PowerShell MVP. Get to know Andrew Pla!

Guest Bio and links: Andrew Pla is the host of the PowerShell Podcast, Microsoft Powershell MVP, and Community Manager at PDQ. Andrew has an extensive IT background and expertise in PowerShell. He loves interacting with the community, mentoring, and spreading the good word about PowerShell.

Website: https://andrewpla.tech

Socials: @AndrewPlaTech

Blog from Fred about our mentorship: https://allthingspowershell.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-roi-of-teaching-others.html?q=andrew+pla

First PowerShell Summit blog post: https://andrewpla.tech/personal/powershell%20summit/2018/04/22/PowerShell-Summit-=-Expectations-Exceeded/

https://allthingspowershell.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-roi-of-teaching-others.html?q=andrew+pla

https://andrewpla.tech/personal/powershell%20summit/2018/04/22/PowerShell-Summit-=-Expectations-Exceeded/

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

Listen to the PowerShell Podcast: https://powershellpodcast.podbean.com/

In this special episode, we catch up with our former cohost, Jordan, and hear about his journey since leaving the PowerShell Podcast. Jordan shares an exciting life update, offers invaluable advice on how PowerShell has shaped his career and participates in our fun "This or That" segment.

Guest Bio and links: 

2025 State of System Administration - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/33F373L

PowerShell Script Roast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e58aMWyjf-Y

Invoke-SpfDkimDmarc - https://github.com/T13nn3s/Invoke-SpfDkimDmarc

https://x.com/DevOpsJordan

http://linkedin.com/in/hammondjordan

https://bsky.app/profile/andrewpla.tech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewplatech/

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Steven Judd and Kevin Laux for insights and inspiration from the PowerShell community. Steven shares his experiences overcoming the hurdles of live demos, recounts the highlights of PowerShell Saturday NC, and reveals the story behind his iconic bling and love for puns. He delves into the importance of "practice makes progress," encouraging listeners to embrace growth through consistent effort. Kevin Laux joins the conversation to discuss his journey with PowerShell, his role with the Research Triangle PowerShell User Group (RTPSUG), and the impact of community involvement.

Guest Bio and links: 

https://github.com/stevenjudd/safelydetonate

Kevin Laux is an experienced DevOps leader and PowerShell expert with a track record of improving automation and productivity

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlaux/

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

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170

Join us as we chat with Microsoft MVP Christian Ritter about all things PowerShell and beyond! Christian dives into his journey to becoming an MVP, his insights on Microsoft Graph, and the impact it's having in the PowerShell community. We also explore the growing PowerShell community in Germany and get an exciting preview of the upcoming PowerShell Saturday event. Whether you’re a PowerShell novice or a seasoned pro, this episode has something for everyone

Guest Bio and links:

Christian Ritter is a father of two, Microsoft MVP, PowerShell aficionado, blog author, and the founder #PSUGFFM

https://github.com/jdhitsolutions/PSBluesky

https://garytown.com/dell-command-update-install-manage-via-powershell

https://psugffm.odoo.com/pssaturday

https://github.com/HCRitter/PSMSGraphFunctions

https://hcritter.devdojo.com/automating-sign-in-analysis-with-powershell-and-microsoft-graph

https://github.com/microsoftgraph/entra-powershell

https://linktr.ee/hcritter

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170

Listen to the PowerShell Podcast: https://powershellpodcast.podbean.com/

In this episode, we dive into all things community and PowerShell Saturday, from preparation and organization to the impact of community-driven events on career growth. We chat about what led up to the big day, our personal experiences, and why attending conferences, user groups, and community events can be game-changing for anyone in tech. Find your next step and be the community!

Guest Bio and links: 

Mike Kanakos is a three-time Microsoft MVP award recipient and currently manages the Foundational Services and Automation team at Align Technology, the company behind Invisalign braces. He leads a team that develops automation tools for Azure AD, Active Directory, and Single Sign-On, with the goal of automating processes and eliminating tedious tasks for various teams.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekanakos/

https://x.com/MikeKanakos

https://commandline.ninja/

Phil Bossman is a Microsoft MVP and PowerShell enthusiast with a passion for learning and efficiency in all things. Phil is currently a Cloud Architect and computing expert in the Raleigh, NC area. Phil is a co-organizer of the Research Triangle PowerShell User Group @rtpsug.

https://schlauge.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philbossman/

https://x.com/Schlauge

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170

In this special episode of the PowerShell Podcast, recorded at PowerShell Saturday NC, we sit down with Rafael Garcia and Kevin O'Connor to discuss their experiences at the conference. They share their key takeaways, favorite sessions, and the excitement of connecting with the PowerShell community in person.

We also chat with Ryan Park, diving into his background, his favorite talks from the event, and tips he has for PowerShell enthusiasts. Along the way, we explore some fun stories and personal insights from each guest, giving listeners a well-rounded view of the event and what makes PowerShell Saturday NC special.

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the conference, with plenty of learning and laughter to go around!

Guest Bio and links:

Rafael Garcia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-garcia-066b20185/

Ryan Park - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-park-09b25b160/

Kevin O'Connor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/koconnor0/

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we dive into the world of cross-platform PowerShell with Frank Lesniak, who shares insights from his recent talk at PowerShell Saturday NC. Frank explores some unique use cases for PowerShell across different platforms and opens up about his interests beyond the scripting language.

We also chat with Neha Patil, a first-time speaker with a background in computer science. Neha shares her impressions of PowerShell as someone with experience with many languages, and gives us a glimpse into Mailozaurr, the tool she presented at the event. Learn how Mailozaurr simplifies sending stylish and professional emails directly from PowerShell.

Links:

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170

Frank Lesniak:

https://x.com/franklesniak

https://linkedin.com/in/flesniak

https://github.com/franklesniak

The cross platform talk repo: https://github.com/franklesniak/powershell-xplat Slides: https://github.com/franklesniak/powershell-xplat/blob/main/PowerShell%20Everywhere%20-%20Unleashing%20the%20Power%20of%20Cross-Platform%20Scripting.pdf https://github.com/franklesniak/PowerShell_Resources/blob/master/PSScriptAnalyzerSettings.psd1: https://newhomefordcas.funraise.org/

Neha Patil:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehapatil0707/

https://github.com/neha7799/Mailozaurr

https://github.com/EvotecIT/Mailozaurr

https://evotec.xyz/mailozaurr-new-mail-toolkit-smtp-imap-pop3-with-support-for-oauth-2-0-and-graphapi-for-powershell/

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, I sit down with Blake Cherry to discuss the Redfish Protocol and its impact on simplifying data center hardware management, drawing insights from his talk at PowerShell Saturday, NC. We explore how Redfish is reshaping IT systems at scale. I also speak with Danny Stutz, who dives into the intersection of PowerShell and Data Science, covering topics like AI, data analysis, and K-means clustering, all applied to real-world use cases using PowerShell. Whether you're managing hardware or looking to integrate advanced data science techniques into your scripts, this episode has something for everyone!

Guest Bio and links:

Blake Cherry - Senior Consultant in Enterprise Technology at West Monroe

www.linkedin.com/in/blake-cherry-333053148

https://github.com/Blakelishly/PowerShellRedfishTools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmQTIRQjl8U&pp=ygUbc3dvcmRmaXNoIHBvd2Vyc2hlbGwgc3VtbWl0

Danny Stutz - Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology Architect at West Monroe

https://x.com/danny_stutz

https://github.com/danstutz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-stutz/

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://x.com/andrewplatech

https://linkedin.com/in/andrewplatech

PowerShell Podcast Home page: https://www.pdq.com/resources/the-powershell-podcast/

PowerShell Pro Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K95ovoMh170