The PowerShell Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Blogging to DevOps with Jeff Brown Tech Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we are thrilled to host Jeff Brown, a seasoned educator and PowerShell enthusiast. Jeff takes us on a journey spanning nearly two decades of his prolific blog writing, revealing how it shaped his career trajectory. Delving into the importance of certifications, Jeff emphasizes their role as a structured pathway for acquiring new skills and advancing in the tech industry. We explore Jeff's transition from Azure Engineer to the dynamic realm of DevOps, uncovering valuable insights along the way. Join us as Jeff shares his wealth of experience, offering invaluable advice and perspectives for aspiring IT professionals and seasoned experts alike.

Guest Bio and links:

Jeff Brown is 16+ year veteran of the IT industry working with Windows Server, Office 365, Azure, and PowerShell. He is an active blogger and course creator for companies like CloudSkills, Cybrary, and PluralSight. He currently works as a DevOps Engineer focusing on Azure Cloud and Terraform.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kaOMe2ZP7w

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://jdhitsolutions.com/blog/powershell/9343/github-scripting-challenge-solution/

https://o365reports.com/2024/03/14/creating-a-free-microsoft-365-e5-developer-tenant-is-no-longer-possible/

https://www.thelazyadministrator.com/2024/03/22/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-the-cli/

https://www.pdq.com/blog/how-to-manage-powershell-secrets-with-secretsmanagement/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ucSdX39zZU

Unveiling PowerShell’s Past: An Interview with Jeffrey Snover Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

In this highly anticipated episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we sit down with the legendary Jeffrey Snover, the creator of PowerShell. With his departure from Microsoft, Jeffrey opens up about his insights, experiences, and candid opinions. From the inception of PowerShell to its current state, he shares the challenges he faced and the triumphs he celebrated. Jeffrey delves into the controversial topic of using aliases in scripts, shedding light on the pros and cons. Additionally, he offers thought-provoking perspectives on the evolving landscape of AI and his experience in AI ethics. Reflecting on his tenure at Microsoft, Jeffrey discusses the intricacies of navigating a large corporation and making a substantial impact. We also explore the concept of the "PowerShell sacred vow" and its significance. Join us for an illuminating conversation with Jeffrey Snover.

Guest Bio and links:

Jeffrey Snover is a Distinguished Engineer at Google. Previously a Microsoft Technical Fellow, O365 AI Architect, Chief Architect for the Azure Storage and Edge Group and Windows Server. Snover is the inventor of Windows PowerShell, an object-based distributed automation engine, scripting language, and command line shell.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiVGJS4AGJU

https://psweekly.dowst.dev/

https://www.amazon.com/Shell-Idea-Untold-History-PowerShell/dp/B089M1FCH5

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0joo5iHCxs

https://www.amazon.com/Small-Team-Leadership-Ideas-after/dp/B09HHBVJS5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbAR4C5CKI4

https://leanpub.com/themonadmanifestoannotated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVUd9_k9C6A

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

https://twitter.com/jsnover

https://youtu.be/lPX1H3jW8ZQ?si=HoQDK3Q8pJjg0YHI

MVP Spotlight: Clayton Tyger's Story Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Join us for an inspiring episode of the PowerShell Podcast as we sit down with newly crowned Microsoft MVP, Clayton Tyger. Clayton shares his remarkable journey from being a PowerShell novice to achieving MVP status, highlighting the importance of a growth mindset and perseverance along the way. We delve into recent developments to his 365AutomatedLab module, exploring how it streamlines lab creation processes for PowerShell users. Additionally, Clayton discusses his adventures with ProxMox and PowerShell, offering valuable insights and practical tips. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with personal anecdotes, professional insights, and a deep dive into the world of PowerShell with Clayton Tyger.

Bio:

A Microsoft PowerShell MVP, who has been in IT for over 17 years and grew up loving technology. I’ve handled everything from level 1 Help Desk to IT Project Manager roles. My current title is Systems Administrator, but still do a little of everything. I enjoy learning and talking IT with others, so feel free to reach out.

Resource links:

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvV4KqB5yw4

https://github.com/nerdstaunch/easy_packetloss_tracker

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://www.powershellgallery.com/Packages/PSSharedGoods/0.0.278

https://overpoweredshell.com/AWS-PowerShell-Intro-to-PowerShell-Lambdas-Creating-An-Automatic-Shutdown-Policy-for-EC2-Instances

https://techbloggingfool.com/2024/02/19/powershell-find-remote-desktop-servers-on-a-domain/

https://clatent.com/about/

https://github.com/DevClate

https://www.instagram.com/clatent/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-t-0b60b658/

https://twitter.com/clatent

https://github.com/dfinke/PSWeave

https://github.com/Corsinvest/cv4pve-api-powershell

Cloud Chronicles: Mark Wragg's Journey in DevOps Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

In this engaging episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla kicks things off by sharing some tab completion insights and more on the preshow. Andrew is joined by special guest Mark Wragg to delve into the world of DevOps and PowerShell. Mark, a longtime user of the cloud, and shares his observations of how things have changed over the years. The discussion covers common tasks and responsibilities in DevOps, along with Mark's innovative AzCostTools module, which provides a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing cloud costs using PowerShell, complete with visually appealing graphs. Additionally, Mark shares his passion for Pester testing, infrastructure testing, and Infrastructure as Code, offering valuable advice and expertise to listeners. Tune in for a captivating conversation filled with practical tips and expert insights!

Guest Bio and links:

Mark is an Azure DevOps Engineer from the UK, where he lives with his wife and three small humans. He's worked in IT full-time since 2003, except for a year out when he almost became a teacher. He started his IT career in Operations, which led to some Management roles, but he missed automating things and pivoted to DevOps, which he's been doing for the last few years as a contractor.

Watch the PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEl6FQXTAEY

https://twitter.com/FrodeFlaten/status/1765107833480311211

https://m.youtube.com/live/PVPkhogcTFU?si=OG9RjfIS7t1mIyYq

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://www.amazon.com/PowerShell-Automation-Scripting-Cybersecurity-Hacking/dp/1800566379

https://powershellisfun.com/2024/02/16/running-azure-cloud-shell-locally-using-docker/

https://wragg.io/a-powershell-cmdlet-to-copy-files-based-on-hash-difference/

https://psday.uk/

https://github.com/markwragg/PowerShell-AzCostTools

https://github.com/markwragg/PowerShell-Influx

https://github.com/devblackops/Terminal-Icons

https://github.com/dahlbyk/posh-git

IAM in Focus: Insights from Adil Leghari Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

In this enlightening episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla is joined by special guest Adil Leghari to delve into the intricacies of IAM (Identity and Access Management). Together, they explore the fundamentals of IAM and its significance in the broader realm of IT. Additionally, Andrew announces the PowerShell Podcast MVP awards, celebrating community excellence. Adil shares invaluable insights on career transitions, the anatomy of a login box, and common cyber attacks. He also sheds light on the flaws of passwords and emphasizes the importance of empathy and honest postmortems in the IT landscape. Tune in for a captivating discussion filled with wisdom and expertise!

Guest Bio and links:

I spent over a decade as a SysAdmin wrangling user endpoints and virtualizing business apps at the University of British Columbia. I spent the latter half of this time specializing in & evangelizing PowerShell, DevOps, and Automation. In 2019, I made the shift into Presales Engineering, working for Chocolatey Software and then Cloudsmith. I fell in love with helping customers and solving complex problems, and have never looked back. I'm also a speaker & author in the PowerShell Community.

When not talking your ear off about PowerShell and DevOps/Automation, I enjoy nerding out on Open Source, tech gadgets (especially travel ones), stickers, graphic design, A/V production, and snowboarding. My Wife (Marla) & I recently welcomed our Daughter (Layla) into the World (Aug. '22), which has been the toughest but most rewarding job. Consequently, we spend most of our free time napping.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1H9F-2-fqE

https://github.com/mdgrs-mei/PowerShellRun/graphs/contributors

https://twitter.com/markwragg/status/1765122240167944516

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/manage-single-multiple-computers-use-windows-powershell-remoting/?source=recommendations

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://jeffbrown.tech/powershell-script-parameters/

https://jdhitsolutions.com/blog/powershell/9323/module-linking/

https://haveibeenpwned.com/

Crafting a Fulfilling Career: Wisdom from Industry Leaders Jeff Hicks and Mike F. Robbins Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, Andrew Pla is joined by esteemed guests Jeff Hicks, Microsoft MVP, and Mike F. Robbins, renowned Azure PowerShell writer. Together, they delve into the essential non-PowerShell skills necessary for a thriving career in IT. The conversation extends to the invaluable experiences gained from the OnRamp program at PowerShell Summit, highlighting the significance of passing on knowledge to the next generation. They also explore various community projects, recommend insightful books that capture the essence of the Summit experience, and stress the importance of fostering curiosity in one's journey. Tune in for a wealth of wisdom and inspiration from these industry experts!

Guest Bio and links:

Jeffery Hicks is an IT veteran with more than 30 years of experience, much of it as an IT infrastructure consultant specializing in Microsoft server technologies with an emphasis on automation and efficiency. He is a multi-year recipient of the Microsoft MVP Award. He works today as an independent author, teacher, and consultant. Jeff has taught and presented on PowerShell and the benefits of automation to IT Pros worldwide. He has authored, co-authored, and edited several books, writes for numerous online sites and print publications, is a Pluralsight author, and is a frequent speaker at technology conferences and user groups.

Mike F. Robbins, a former Microsoft MVP, is the lead technical writer for Azure PowerShell at Microsoft. With extensive experience in PowerShell, he is a scripting, automation, and efficiency expert. As a lifelong learner, Mike continuously strives to improve his skills and empower others by sharing his knowledge and experience. Mike is also a published author, and when he's not writing documentation for Microsoft, he can be found sharing his thoughts and insights on his blog at http://mikefrobbins.com.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kPqaXb6JjE

https://github.com/StartAutomating/Emoji

https://github.com/NetSPI/PowerHuntShares

https://firstpr.me/https://github.com/mdgrs-mei/PowerShellRun

https://twitter.com/jsnover/status/1192068780198973442

https://twitter.com/stevenjudd/status/1758373131800949191

https://jdhitsolutions.github.io/

https://ironscripter.us

https://mikefrobbins.com/2023/10/26/building-and-deploying-a-blog-with-hugo-and-github-pages/

https://mikefrobbins.com/2019/08/01/whats-in-your-powershell-psdefaultparametervalues-preference-variable/

https://leanpub.com/modernautomationwithpowershell

https://leanpub.com/ps7now

https://leanpub.com/bookstore?type=all&search=powershell

new-timespan -Start (Get-date) -end ([datetime]"4/8/2024")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KSESLJ0LWA

https://mikefrobbins.com

From Admin to Defender: Jake Hildreth's Security Evolution Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, Andrew sits down with the knowledgeable Jake Hildreth for an enlightening conversation covering a wide array of security-related topics. Jake shares insights from his journey transitioning into security from a background in operations and administration. The discussion delves into OpSec practices, approaches to toolmaking, and the critical importance of Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) security. Jake also sheds light on tabletop exercises for security, the fallacy of security through obscurity, and the dangers of clicking on phishing emails. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of security and PowerShell with Jake Hildreth!

Guest Bio and links:

I'm a husband, a dad, and a recovering sysadmin. I've worked in technology since the year 2000, when I got my first tech job as Tier 1 support for cable modem companies. After that, I transitioned into systems & network administration, always with a security focus. In the last three years, I pivoted into security, focusing on Active Directory. When I'm not working, I enjoy cooking, drinking whiskey, lifting weights, traveling, reading... and writing code. Coding is like creating and solving little puzzles for yourself! So soothing.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hl2BjkKbNw

https://www.meetup.com/gainesville-powershell-user-group/events/298957463/

https://blueteampowershell.com/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_logging_windows?view=powershell-7.4

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_logging?view=powershell-5.1

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://github.com/GhostPack/PSPKIAudit

https://blog.dotdot.horse/

https://github.com/TrimarcJake/Locksmith

https://twitter.com/dotdotdotHorse

https://infosec.exchange/@horse

https://github.com/TrimarcJake/BlueTuxedo

https://linked.in/jakehildreth

Reaching the Summit: Graham's OnRamp Journey Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode, host Andrew sits down with Graham Stringfellow for an insightful discussion filled with personal anecdotes and professional insights. The conversation kicks off with a reflection on Andrew and Graham's shared history, followed by Graham's experience with the PowerShell Summit OnRamp scholarship. Graham sheds light on the infamous mountain disaster involving Phil Bossman, settling the score once and for all. They delve into the importance of building tools that endure and share anecdotes about Andrew handing off some of his PowerShell expertise to Graham. Tune in for a captivating conversation that spans friendship, professional growth, and the enduring legacy of PowerShell.

Guest Bio and resource links:

Meet Graham Stringfellow, an experienced SysAdmin with a knack for making life simpler using PowerShell. Starting on the helpdesk, Graham climbed to SysAdmin, honing his automation skills along the way. After a decade in IT and bagging the PowerShell Summit OnRamp Scholarship, there's no IT problem he can't simplify with some good old PowerShell magic.

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxd0CNxFiCk

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/introducing-sudo-for-windows/

https://wragg.io/Perform-currency-conversion-with-PowerShell/

https://insights.stackoverflow.com/trends?tags=powershell%2Cbash%2Czsh

https://gist.github.com/jdhitsolutions/36f16e9b2d89353cfa93edc8e4b5b3c3

https://poshcode.gitbook.io/powershell-practice-and-style/introduction/readme

https://www.meetup.com/gainesville-powershell-user-group/events/298957463/

https://powershell.org

https://twitter.com/andrewplatech

https://twitter.com/thepowerstring

Roadmapping your PowerShell Journey with Sean Wheeler Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the PowerShell Podcast, host Andrew Pla is joined by the insightful Sean Wheeler for an enlightening discussion on all things PowerShell. Andrew starts off the episode by sharing a community tip and delving into the topic of hosting internal PowerShell meetups. The conversation then shifts to Sean, who sheds light on the process of getting started with learning PowerShell, emphasizing the invaluable resources available on learn.microsoft.com/powershell. Together, they explore the different steps involved in a PowerShell journey and offer guidance on mapping out a personalized learning path. Additionally, they discuss the significance of Git and GitHub in the PowerShell ecosystem and extend an invitation to the community for contributions to the PowerShell Community blog. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to enhance your PowerShell experience.

Guest Bio and links:

Sean Wheeler is the lead documentarian for PowerShell at Microsoft. For over 25 years at Microsoft, he's delivered many workshops on scripting, debugging, and advanced troubleshooting. Using scripting, he's created tools to help customers collect and analyze data used to troubleshoot and optimize their environments.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNVpuwQp0bc

https://discord.gg/pdq

http://vscode.dev

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=TylerLeonhardt.vscode-inline-values-powershell

https://gist.github.com/jdhitsolutions/36f16e9b2d89353cfa93edc8e4b5b3c3

https://www.pdq.com/state-of-sysadmin/download/

https://twitter.com/SamErde/status/1750275640111054878

https://www.meetup.com/gainesville-powershell-user-group/events/298931068/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/how-to-use-docs?view=powershell-7.4

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/discover-powershell?view=powershell-7.4

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/learn/ps101/00-introduction?view=powershell-7.4

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powershell-community/

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

https://sdwheeler.github.io/Presentations/

https://sdwheeler.github.io/seanonit/

PowerShell and Pentesting: Hacker Insights with Spencer Alessi Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

In this action-packed episode of the PowerShell Podcast, we kick off with a loaded preshow featuring an exciting announcement of PowerShelldle, a community tip, and a deep dive into my own PowerShell journey in response to a viewer question. The main segment is a fascinating conversation with Spencer Alessi, where we delve into the world of PowerShell and pentesting. Spencer generously shares the tools he would use as a sysadmin pentesting his own environment, including PowerSploit, PingCastle, Bloodhound, LockSmith, and ADeleg. He provides invaluable tips for PowerShell enthusiasts looking to transition into security and pentesting, shedding light on the current and emerging trends in the security landscape. Spencer also gives us insights into the role that PowerShell plays in his role as a pentester. Get ready for a riveting episode filled with tips, tools, and trends in the world of PowerShell and security.

Guest Bio and links: I'm a hacker, pentester, wiz-bang exploit slinger hiding in the shadows and co-host of the Cyber Threat Perspective Podcast. I currently do offensive security things at SecurIT360, primarily focused on internal pentesting/assume breach, which I really really enjoy. I love PowerShell, Windows and Active Directory. I consider myself a blue-hearted red teamer.

Watch The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnEfyGjMMwE

https://www.meetup.com/gainesville-powershell-user-group/events/298931068/

https://discord.gg/pdq

https://powershelldle.com

https://twitter.com/AndrewPlaTech/status/1749469780786946435

https://powershell.org/2017/11/powershell-devops-global-summit-2018-scholarship-recipient/

https://github.com/techspence/ScriptSentry…

https://github.com/techspence/HackerArt/…

https://github.com/TrimarcJake/Locksmith…

https://github.com/PowerShellMafia/PowerSploit…

https://github.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/PowerSharpPack…

https://spenceralessi.com