The PowerShell Podcast

By PDQ.comTechnology

The PowerShell Podcast episodes

April 14, 2025The PowerShell Podcast Summit 2025 - Missy, Leslie, & Hailey
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we bring you a special edition live from the PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit 2025 — the Summit Sessions! This episode is packed with energy, community stories, and career inspiration as Andrew Pla chats with community leaders, organizers, and first-time contributors about what makes this event and the PowerShell community so special.

Guests in this episode include:
Missy Januszko – Longtime content director of the Summit reflects on her years of shaping the conference, what makes a great CFP (Call for Papers), and her decision to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.
Leslie Brendible– Steps up in a big way to help lead this year's Summit, sharing her background in event planning, her love for connecting people, and her thoughts on community and representation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliebrendible/
Hailey Phillips – PowerShell MVP and champion of soft skills, vulnerability, and personal development in tech. Hailey dives into mentorship, therapy, imposter syndrome, and how modeling behavior can shape the culture of teams and communities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-phillips-b1744882/
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/87axet9zvyQ
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
50 min
April 10, 2025 PowerShell Summit Bar Sessions 2025 - David R
In this casual bar-session chat recorded at the PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit 2025, host Andrew Pla sits down with David R, a first-time attendee with a passion for learning PowerShell. David shares how the PowerShell Podcast itself inspired him to attend and helped shape his scripting journey. What began as a work assignment turned into a powerful learning path, community connection, and a personal transformation.
14 min
April 09, 2025 PowerShell Summit Bar Sessions 2025 - Frank Lesniak
In this episode of the PowerShell Summit 2025 Bar Sessions, Frank Lesniak makes a triumphant return to the podcast. Frank has taken the reigns In this two-sided interview, Frank flips the script and interviews Andrew, but only after we talk about how his week is going, fine dining, how to grow in your career and capitalize on opportunity, the value of empowering others, and more!

Links:
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HoYKzgiJxkk

25 min
April 08, 2025 PowerShell Summit Bar Sessions 2025 - Steven Judd
In this episode of the PowerShell Summit Bar Sessions we talk with Steven Judd. We talk about Summit, Sean Kearney Spirit award, community, career, and more!
Steven Judd is a 25+ year IT Pro
Links:
Get more updates from Summit from LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewplatech/
https://blog.stevenjudd.com/My-Content-List/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjudd/
https://www.powershellsummit.org/
https://mvp.stevenjudd.com https://mydemoswork.com
https://store.stevenjudd.com
all proceeds go towards buying more swag to give away (he has a lot, trust me)
PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6WTIsOnT5PU
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast

39 min
April 07, 2025Discovering the Deeper Layers of PowerShell with Jeff Hicks
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we’re joined by the legendary Jeff Hicks, PowerShell educator, author, speaker, and community pillar. With decades of experience shaping the PowerShell landscape, Jeff returns to the podcast to share insights from his latest projects, discuss the evolution of the community, and offer wisdom for both new and experienced PowerShell users. From PowerShell Summit to writing foundational books and building up new contributors, Jeff continues to play a critical role in shaping the PowerShell ecosystem.

Key topics in this episode include:
The human side of scripting – Writing PowerShell that is usable, flexible, and considerate of others' needs.
Behind the PowerShell Pipeline – Jeff’s new LeanPub book exploring deeper PowerShell principles.
Fundamental PowerShell commands – Get-Help, Get-Command, Get-Member, and why every PowerShell user should master them.
How to troubleshoot PowerShell like a pro – Why starting simple, verbose logging, and clear design make all the difference.
Reflections on PowerShell Summit – The importance of community, hallway conversations, and building the next wave of contributors.
Teaching as a path to mastery – Why giving back through mentorship, writing, and speaking strengthens both your skills and the community.
Jeff also shares his advice for nervous first-time speakers and attendees, and why being kind is one of the most impactful things you can do - both in and outside of tech.

Bio and Links:
Jeffery Hicks is an IT Pro veteran with 35 years of experience, much of it spent as an IT infrastructure professional specializing in Microsoft server technologies with an emphasis on automation and efficiency. He has been a Microsoft MVP since 2007 for his work in PowerShell.
Jeff is a respected and well-known author, teacher, and consultant. He has taught or presented PowerShell content and the benefits of automation to IT Pros worldwide since its inception. He has authored, co-authored, and edited several books, contributed to numerous online sites, and, back when it was still a thing, several print publications. Jeff is a Pluralsight author and a frequent speaker at technology conferences and user groups.
Check out all of Jeff's links and follow him here: https://jdhitsolutions.github.io/
Check out his book Behind the PowerShell Pipeline on LeanPub: https://leanpub.com/behind-the-pspipeline
Join PowerShell Wednesdays at 2 PM EST on discord.gg/pdq
Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn and share your PowerShell story: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewplatech/
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cdtxSI8Tq3E
47 min
March 31, 2025From Proper Football to Databases with Jess Pomfret
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we reconnect with Jess Pomfret, a PowerShell and SQL Server powerhouse, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and community advocate. From her early days in England to becoming a respected speaker and consultant, Jess shares her journey into tech, her passion for automation, and the importance of mentorship, curiosity, and community.

Key topics in this episode include:
Jess’s transition from footballer to DBA – How a soccer scholarship led her to a tech career in the U.S.
The power of PowerShell and DBA Tools – How Jess leverages PowerShell to automate SQL Server tasks and save time.
Finding a community in SQL and PowerShell – Jess reflects on how welcoming both communities are and the impact they’ve had on her career.
Career growth through speaking and mentoring – Encouraging others to speak, contribute, and grow through conferences and collaboration.
Working with Data Masterminds – The benefits of working in a high-level consulting team and tips for managing multiple clients and context switching.
LinkedIn Learning and teaching at scale – Behind the scenes of her professional training content and what it’s like filming for LinkedIn Learning.
Jess also shares her favorite DBA Tools command, productivity tips for conferences, and the story behind her podcast Finding Data Friends, which highlights voices in the data world.

Bio and links:
Jess Pomfret is a Data Platform Engineer and a Dual Microsoft MVP. She started working with SQL Server in 2011, and enjoys the problem-solving aspects of automating processes with PowerShell. She also enjoys contributing to dbatools and dbachecks, two open source PowerShell modules that aid DBAs with automating the management of SQL Server instances. She has also contributed to the SqlServerDsc module, adding several new resources to use when configuring your SQL Servers. She grew up in the South West of England and outside of her DBA life enjoys Crossfit, cycling and watching proper football.
Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpomfret and Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jpomfret.co.uk
Watch Finding Data Friends on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingdatafriends/videos
Check out her LinkedIn Learning courses: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/jess-pomfret
Explore DBA Tools at dbatools.io
Join PowerShell Wednesdays at 2 PM EST on https://discord.gg/pdq
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L4zABO526bM
52 min
March 24, 2025How to Build an IT Career from the Ground Up with Kevin Apolinario (KevTech)
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we welcome Kevin of KevTech IT Support, a well-known mentor and educator in the IT community. With a background in fast food and law enforcement, Kevin shares his inspiring journey into IT and how he leveraged mentorship, home labs, and community engagement to build a thriving career. We dive into help desk fundamentals, breaking into IT, career development, and Kevin helps give you a map to career success.Key topics in this episode include:
Kevin’s journey from fast food and law enforcement to IT – How he transitioned careers and found success.
The power of mentorship and community support – Why helping others accelerates your own growth.
How to break into IT without a traditional background – The role of home labs, self-study, and networking.
Building an IT career with practical skills – Why Active Directory, Office 365, and PowerShell are crucial.
The importance of communication and customer service in IT – Why soft skills can be just as valuable as technical knowledge.
How to stand out in job interviews and secure promotions – The value of documenting progress and advocating for yourself.
Kevin also shares insights into KevTech Academy, his mentorship program, and why building a personal brand through blogging and LinkedIn can help IT professionals land jobs faster.

Bio and Links:
Kevin Apolinario is an IT career coach and trainer dedicated to helping others break into tech. With experience in MSPs, Apple, education, hedge funds, and 12 years in the restaurant industry, he provides hands-on IT training through Jobskillshare and has trained students globally with Techskills Institute. He speaks at conferences and also runs a YouTube channel with nearly 100,000 subscribers, offering practical guidance on IT careers and technical skills.
Follow Kevin on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram (@KevTechITSupport)
Check out KevTech Academy at https://kevtechitsupport.com
Join PowerShell Wednesdays every Wednesday at 2 PM EST in the PDQ Discord http://discord.gg/pdq
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RrNyh6EuD_Q
59 min
March 17, 2025Exploring PowerShell for Physical Security and Automation with Cody Paternostro
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we welcome Cody Paternostro, a rising star in PowerShell automation, to discuss his unique journey into IT, the power of persistence in learning, and his work on RemotePro, a sophisticated PowerShell-based security camera management tool. Cody shares how he transitioned from food delivery to IT, leveraged PowerShell to streamline operations in physical security, and how asking the right questions helped accelerate his growth.
Key topics in this episode include:
Cody’s unconventional entry into IT – How he discovered PowerShell in a networking and cybersecurity program.
The impact of mentorship and community engagement – Learning from the PowerShell community and working with Joshua Hendricks.
Building PowerShell tools for security – Using PowerShell to manage security cameras and automate surveillance tasks.
From mega scripts to modules – Cody’s journey in transitioning from large scripts to structured, reusable PowerShell modules.
The importance of troubleshooting and continuous learning – How to push through roadblocks, improve problem-solving skills, and refine PowerShell development practices.
Leveraging PowerShell GUI development – The role of runspaces, PSWriteHTML, and WPF in building efficient and user-friendly interfaces.
Cody also shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of community, and why documenting and sharing knowledge can accelerate career growth.
Join the conversation:

Bio and Links:
Cody Paternostro enjoys learning about Cybersecurity and PowerShell automation. · Experience: Digital Surveillance Solutions, Inc. · Education: Finger Lakes Community College · Location: Buffalo · 323 connections on LinkedIn. View Cody Paternostro’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.
Connect with Cody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codypaternostro
Explore RemotePro on GitHub https://remotepro.dev
Join PowerShell Wednesdays every Wednesday at 2 PM EST in the PDQ Discord (discord.gg/pdq)
The PowerShell Podcast Hub: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
The Powershell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bDjG6hSUIms
38 min
March 10, 2025How PowerShell and the Right Mindset Can Transform Your IT Career with Steven Wight
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Steven Wight, known online as PowerShell Young Team, to discuss his journey in PowerShell, automation, and the impact of the PowerShell community. Steven shares how PowerShell transformed his workflow, his approach to solving IT problems, and how he went from lurking in the background to actively contributing and engaging with the community.
Key topics in this episode include:
How PowerShell changed Steven’s IT career – From his early days avoiding manual tasks to building automation solutions.
The importance of documentation, blogging, and sharing scripts – How keeping track of work helped in job interviews and personal growth.
Creating PowerShell tools with flexibility – Designing functions, using pipelines, and building user-friendly GUIs.
Community engagement and learning from others – How PowerShell Discord, blogs, and social media have helped shape his expertise.
PowerShell profiles, productivity, and efficiency – Leveraging PSReadLine, profiles, and workflow enhancements to get more done.
Steven also shares advice for those just starting with PowerShell, emphasizing the value of small wins, continuous learning, and participating in the community to accelerate skill growth.

Bio and Links:

Steven Wight is an active PowerShell community member, blogger, and the mind behind PowerShell Young Team. With a diverse IT background spanning desktop & application support, system administration, development, OS migrations, and equipment refreshes, Steven thrives on problem-solving and automation. His passion for PowerShell, monitoring, and scripting fuels his mission to "automate himself to a quiet life."
Follow Stephen on BlueSky at @poshyoungteam.bsky.social
Read his blog at https://powershellyoungteam.github.io/
Connect with Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-wight-79aa0525/
Join PowerShell Wednesdays every Wednesday at 2 PM EST in the PDQ Discord (discord.gg/pdq) for live discussions and demos.
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/klsOxHtG3KE
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
46 min
March 03, 2025PowerShell as a Defender’s Secret Weapon with Michael Haag
In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with Michael Haag, Principal Threat Researcher at Splunk, to dive into PowerShell security, threat detection, and automation. Michael shares his journey from IT support to becoming a security expert, the role of PowerShell in modern cybersecurity, and his work on PowerShell Hunter and Atomic Red Team.
Key topics in this episode include:
Michael’s journey into security – From IT support to system administration and eventually security research.
Incident response and PowerShell – How PowerShell is used to detect and mitigate threats.
PowerShell Hunter – A powerful tool for hunting threats and automating security tasks.
Atomic Red Team and Atomic Test Harnesses – How these tools help defenders simulate and detect attacks.
The importance of automation in security – How PowerShell can help security teams manage large-scale environments efficiently.
Advice for getting into security and automation – Why contributing to open-source and getting involved in the community is key.
Michael also shares his thoughts on the evolving security landscape, how defenders can stay ahead of attackers, and practical steps for IT professionals looking to pivot into cybersecurity.

Bio and Links:
Michael Haag is Principal Threat Research Enginer at Splunk. Michael led the development of Atomic Red Team, an open-source testing platform that security teams can use to assess detection coverage. An avid researcher, he is passionate about understanding and evaluating the limits of defensive systems. His background includes security analysis, threat research, and incident handling.
Follow Michael on Twitter (@M_Haggis) and GitHub (@MHaggis)
Check out PowerShell Hunter on GitHub https://github.com/MHaggis/PowerShell-Hunter/
Learn more about Atomic Red Team https://www.atomicredteam.io/
Watch Atomics on a Friday, Michael’s security research show on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@atomicsonafriday
Join PowerShell Wednesdays every Wednesday at 2 PM EST in the PDQ Discord (discord.gg/pdq)
The PowerShell Podcast: https://pdq.com/the-powershell-podcast
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F2TbwUS-eRI
45 min

About The PowerShell Podcast

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The PowerShell Podcast is a weekly show about building your career with PowerShell. Each episode features the tips, tech, and modules that make PowerShell the premier automation and scripting tool for…