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Latest Episodes:

Scott & Mark Learn To… Induced Hallucinations May 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the chaotic world of large language models, hallucinations, and grounded AI. Through hilarious personal stories, they explore the difference between jailbreaks, induced hallucinations, and factual grounding in AI systems. With live prompts and screen shares, they test the limits of AI's reasoning and reflect on the evolving challenges of trust, creativity, and accuracy in today's tools.

Takeaways:

AI is getting better, but we still need to be careful and double check our work
AI sometimes gives wrong answers confidently
Jailbreaks break the rules on purpose, while hallucinations are just AI making stuff up

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To… Feedback May 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the emotional complexity of receiving feedback—especially when it’s tough to hear. They explore the difference between constructive critique and personal opinion, the impact of timing and context, and how motivation behind feedback can shape how it's received. Sharing real stories about presentation flops, speaker coaching, and surprising reactions to their ideas, they reflect on how experience builds resilience and why it’s important to hold onto your convictions while staying open to growth. They also touch on the balance between instinct and data in decision-making, the subtle politics of corporate resistance, and even the fine art of surviving massive Zoom meetings with 81 attendees. It’s an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation about learning, evolving, and breathing through it all.

Takeaways:

The importance of understanding the context in which feedback is received
How hard it can be to maintain belief in your work after negative feedback
You don’t have to accept all feedback you can pick what serves you the best

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To… Vibe Coding (Part 2) Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss using AI to build a fractal shader in just 15 minutes—something that would normally take hours of manual coding. They explore the challenges and limitations of AI in real-world projects, particularly with large, complex codebases. The conversation covers the importance of understanding licensing and tools like GitHub Copilot for sourcing and attributing code. Mark shares his experiences with AI-assisted coding, particularly the frustrations of models that "fix" issues but miss the mark. They highlight how AI struggles with complex projects, maintaining state, and adapting to evolving requirements. Ultimately, they agree that while AI can assist with certain tasks, human expertise is essential for ensuring the right context and specification in development.

Takeaways:

Despite initial skepticism, the first attempt at creating the shader worked nearly perfectly
AI models may not always use the latest API versions, causing security or functionality issues
Enterprise AI development involves continuous iteration, evolving from V1 to more refined versions

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To... ShaderGlass and Vibe Coding Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into a lively mix of tech nostalgia, AI-driven code attribution, and shader programming mishaps. Scott introduces "ShaderGlass," an app that overlays CRT-style shaders on windows, leading to a chaotic live troubleshooting session when it renders invisibly. They also explore AI-assisted code attribution, joke about their legendary Zoomit skills, and poke fun at "vibe coding" among younger developers.

Takeaways:

AI-generated code can now include references to original sources
Scott proves that some apps can operate without Windows recognizing them
How AI-generated code challenges traditional copyright laws

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To… YAP Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss their favorite technical conference, TechReady, an internal Microsoft event that allowed for unfiltered discussions about strategy and future technologies. They reflect on how speaking candidly in internal settings can influence public communication and decision-making. Mark recalls his bold stance on Rust over C++, which gained traction internally and externally, leading to direct discussions with Microsoft leadership. They also touch on the challenges of public communication as Microsoft executives, the company's relatively open culture compared to other tech giants, and lessons learned from past social media missteps.

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To… Reputate Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the art of building reputations throughout the careers. Scott shares a story about directly messaging a distinguished engineer with a technical question, sparking a discussion about when it's appropriate to contact someone you don't know. Mark acknowledges that his title and reputation give him confidence to reach out to others but emphasizes not bothering people with "randomness." They explore when it's okay to say no, why thoughtful questions build influence, and how legendary computer scientist Donald Knuth turned bug reports into prized autographs. Mark shares his approach to unread messages, while Scott reveals his trick for turning good questions into content. Plus, a candid discussion on imposter syndrome—when even the most accomplished minds feel out of their depth.

Takeaways:

The key is knowing when to ask questions versus when to do more self-research
Why titles serve as shorthand for expertise, but their importance depends on context.
How highly accomplished professionals deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To... Systems Thinking Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the concept of systems thinking—what it means, why it matters, and how it applies beyond just coding. Scott recalls an insightful conversation with a colleague, who argues that while younger generations are taught to code, they aren’t taught to understand the larger systems in which code operates. They discussed how systems thinking approach contrasts with traditional code practices. They also explored the challenges of integrating AI into coding, the limitations of AI-generated code, the necessity of understanding the broader system in which code operates and debated the balance between deep analysis and decisive action.

Takeaways:

Experience and mindset shape systems thinking
Understanding how one's work fits into a larger system can lead to better decision-making
With AI handling more coding tasks, the real value lies in the ability to think architecturally and systemically

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To... Zoomit Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the history and evolution of ZoomIt, a popular screen annotation and zooming tool Mark created over 25 years ago. Originally built to enhance technical demos, ZoomIt has become an essential utility for countless users, including Scott, who calls it second nature. Mark shares how the tool's intuitive, keystroke-driven design surpasses alternatives like Windows Magnifier, making it a favorite for presentations and daily use.

You can download Zoomit for free here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/zoomit

And it is now part of PowerToys toolkit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/zoomit

Takeaways:

ZoomIt's key features, including live zoom, annotations, blurring, and color customization
Mark highlights new features showcasing ZoomIt's ongoing evolution to better serve users
ZoomIt is entirely keystroke-driven, eliminating the need for menus or toolbars

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To... Public Speaking Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the art of giving technical talks. With Scott preparing for a keynote abroad and Mark gearing up for an internal presentation, the duo reflects on their journeys as speakers, from their very first presentations to commanding stages with thousands of attendees. They discuss how preparation evolves with experience, balancing off-the-cuff speaking with intensive demo prep. From brown bag sessions to high-stakes keynotes, and even Scott’s upcoming TEDx talk, they explore how stakes and familiarity shape their approach to crafting impactful presentations.

Takeaways:

Scott manages nerves with monitoring heart rate and using breathing exercises to stay calm
Mark’s time management techniques, dividing content into sections and time limits for each
Structuring talks in three acts and evenly divided segments in between

Useful Links:

Scott’s the Art of Speaking Class on Pluralsight: https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/hanselman-speaking

Public speaking episodes from on-Net:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/on-dotnet/public-speaking-scott-hanselman-kendra-havens-maria-naggaga-nakanwagi-kasey-uhlenhuth-donov

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/on-dotnet/tips-on-public-speaking-from-andres-phil-scott-and-cecil

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Scott & Mark Learn To... The History of Cloud Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore the evolution of cloud computing, tracing its roots from the early days of Azure to its transformation into a powerful, flexible platform. Mark explains the shift from "pets" (individual servers) to "cattle" (easily replaceable servers) as cloud infrastructure became more scalable and cost-efficient. They discuss the challenges of scaling websites, from physical data centers to cloud-based solutions, and the economic and technical factors that led to the rise of multi-tenancy and on-demand services. The episode also highlights Azure’s adoption of Linux and the broader embrace of open-source technologies, marking a key shift in Microsoft’s cloud strategy. The conversation reflects on how modern cloud services abstract away complex infrastructure management, much like the simplification seen in programming languages with garbage collection.

Takeaways:

Why cloud existed in the first place and how it evolved
Difference abstraction leads to different services, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
Microsoft’s strategic decisions in the history of Azure, like embracing Linux and opensource technologies

Resources:

Who are they?

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios