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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 IT professionals. Join us as we interview PowerShell experts to discover what makes PowerShell and its community so amazing and awesome.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Returning guest and Microsoft MVP Jim Tyler joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk Zero Trust security, K–12 IT leadership, open-source tooling, and building technology that serves real-world needs. Jim shares how he uses PowerShell to proactively harden school environments, including his Ghost module for endpoint lockdown and his Chrome extension You Shall Not Pass for classroom device management.
Beyond security, the conversation dives into Jim’s assistive technology project TapSpeak, a free AAC communication app designed to help nonverbal students speak without financial barriers. From community leadership and public service to certifications and content creation, this episode explores how technical skills can scale far beyond scripts—and into meaningful impact.
Key Takeaways:
• Zero Trust starts with proactive hardening – Tools like Jim’s Ghost module help limit lateral movement, restrict protocols, and reduce attack surfaces before incidents occur.
• Technical skills are force multipliers – From Chrome extensions to iOS apps, PowerShell knowledge and coding fundamentals translate into broader impact across platforms.
• Community contribution compounds over time – Whether serving on public boards, mentoring, or publishing tools for free, consistent service builds trust, opportunity, and long-term influence.
Guest Bio:
Jim Tyler is an IT Director for Niles Community Schools in Michigan and a Microsoft MVP known for practical automation and security tooling in K–12 environments. He is the creator of the Ghost PowerShell security module, the You Shall Not Pass Chrome extension, and the free AAC communication project TapSpeak. Beyond IT, Jim serves in multiple public leadership roles, coaches youth sports, and actively contributes to the PowerShell community through his newsletter PowerShell News and technical content.
Resource Links:
• PowerShell News Newsletter – https://powershell.news
• Jim Tyler on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jimrtyler
• Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
• Ghost PowerShell Module – https://github.com/jimrtyler/ghost
• You Shall Not Pass Chrome Extension – https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/you-shall-not-pass-by-jim/efggnkbeomjjanjmghbadggegjemogee
• TapSpeak – https://tapspeak.org
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0q3Y0mMjWF4
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
Long-time Microsoft MVP and consultant Richard Hicks joins The PowerShell Podcast to talk about ADCS security, PKI misconfigurations, and why PowerShell is a consultant’s ultimate force multiplier. Richard shares real-world stories from auditing enterprise certificate environments, explains how simple template mistakes can lead to full domain compromise, and walks through tools like Locksmith that help administrators quickly identify dangerous configurations.
The conversation also explores Richard’s open-source PowerShell work, including his widely downloaded Get-UEFICertificate script for Secure Boot certificate expiration issues and his new ADPrincipalCertificate module for cleaning up unnecessary certificates published in Active Directory. Along the way, Richard reflects on career growth, publishing, consulting, and why sharing knowledge openly has been one of the biggest drivers of his long-term success.
Key Takeaways:
• ADCS is easy to deploy but difficult to secure — Misconfigured certificate templates, especially ESC1 scenarios, can allow instant privilege escalation and domain compromise.
• PowerShell turns repetitive work into reusable tools — From UEFI certificate auditing to Active Directory cleanup, scripting creates consistency and prevents human error.
• Sharing expertise compounds over time — Blogging, publishing modules, and speaking at conferences builds credibility, community, and long-term career momentum.
Guest Bio:
Richard Hicks is the founder and principal consultant of Richard M. Hicks Consulting, Inc. A Microsoft MVP with over 30 years of experience, he specializes in secure remote access and PKI, helping organizations deliver secure, high-performing access for today’s mobile workforce.
Resource Links:
- Richard Hicks Website – https://richardhicks.com
- Connect with Richard – https://richardhicks.com/connect
- Connect with Andrew: https://andrewpla.tech/links
- Get-UEFICertificate Script – https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/Get-UEFICertificate
- ADPrincipalCertificate Module – https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/ADPrincipalCertificate
- Locksmith ADCS Audit Tool – https://github.com/jakehildreth/Locksmith
- PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
- PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa0GYX9_vj8&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B&pp=sAgC
- The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4HYCAjQS2W8
Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
The conversation explores escaping “tutorial hell,” using AI as a learning tool instead of a shortcut, understanding objects and the pipeline, and why putting yourself out there is one of the fastest ways to grow in tech. This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to be an expert to contribute... You just have to start.
Key Takeaways:
• Learning in public accelerates growth – Sharing small wins and exercises builds confidence, invites mentorship, and creates unexpected opportunities.
• Understand the fundamentals deeply – Concepts like objects, the pipeline,
Get-Help, Get-Member, and Get-Command form the foundation for long-term PowerShell success.• Use AI strategically – Treat AI as a tutor that challenges you, not a script generator that robs you of learning.
Guest Bio:
Pablo Correchel is an IT support professional based in Florida and a cybersecurity student at St. Petersburg College. With interests spanning cybersecurity, coding, cloud, and Windows environments, Pablo represents the next generation of IT professionals building skills through curiosity, consistency, and community.
Resource Links:
• Pablo Correchel on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablocorrechel
• Learn PowerShell in a Month of Lunches – https://www.manning.com/series/learn-powershell-in-a-month-of-lunches
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdV6Qecn9v0&list=PL1mL90yFExsix-L0havb8SbZXoYRPol0B
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
The episode also explores learning strategies like daily practice, flashcards, typing commands instead of copying, and asking “beginner” questions without fear. Andrew and Tara emphasize the importance of community, mentorship, growth mindset, and psychological safety, encouraging listeners that learning PowerShell doesn’t require perfection—just consistency, curiosity, and support.
Key Takeaways:
- Learning PowerShell deepens your understanding of IT as a whole, not just scripting, especially through concepts like objects, properties, and methods.
- Consistency beats intensity — small daily practice, repetition, and typing commands manually build real confidence over time.
- Community changes everything — asking questions, sharing struggles, and learning publicly makes progress faster and far more enjoyable.
Tara Sinquefield is an experienced IT professional and PDQ team member who is publicly documenting her PowerShell learning journey. Known for her honesty, curiosity, and willingness to ask the questions others may be afraid to ask, Tara represents the many IT pros who are discovering PowerShell later in their careers. Her journey highlights how learning fundamentals can unlock deeper technical understanding, confidence, and new opportunities. She is also a host of PDQ Live every week
Resource Links:
PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
Tara's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-sinquefield-894a1a215/
Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
Tara Writes Her First Script: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa0GYX9_vj8
PowerShell Conference Europe – https://psconf.eu
PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit – https://powershellsummit.org
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
The conversation dives into VS Code extensions, GitHub Codespaces, WSL, Nerdfonts, and practical terminal setups, along with honest thoughts on AI-generated scripts, learning the hard way, and why asking questions publicly is one of the fastest paths to growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Consistency beats perfection – Having a repeatable workflow for writing, scripting, or learning makes long-term progress almost automatic.
- PowerShell is truly cross-platform – Running PowerShell on macOS, Linux, WSL, and containers unlocks powerful workflows beyond Windows-only thinking.
- Community accelerates everything – Asking questions, sharing small discoveries, and contributing publicly leads to faster learning, confidence, and career growth.
Harm Veenstra is a Microsoft MVP, consultant, blogger, and community contributor best known for PowerShellIsFun.com, where he publishes frequent, practical PowerShell content. He is an active participant in the PowerShell community and a regular conference attendee and speaker.
Resource Links:
- PowerShell Is Fun – https://powershellisfun.com
- Connect with Andrew - https://andrewpla.tech/links
- Install Nerdfonts with PowerShell – https://powershellisfun.com/2026/01/30/install-nerdfonts-using-powershell/
- GitHub Codespaces – https://github.com/features/codespaces
- PowerShell Conference Europe – https://psconf.eu
- PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
- Fred's Module Building PS Wednesday – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAjtbZktL8w
- The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V6kWnmrHOms
Monday Feb 02, 2026
Monday Feb 02, 2026
• Your employer owns your job, but you own your career—define your destination and build the skills to get there.
• Strong careers are built on outcomes, not tools—focus on saving time, reducing errors, and delivering measurable business value.
• Community scales when you empower others—create space for people to contribute, own wins, and multiply the impact beyond yourself.
Don Jones is a foundational figure in the PowerShell community, known for his decades of teaching, writing, and advocacy for automation and professional growth. A former Microsoft MVP, Don co-authored the widely influential Learn PowerShell in a Month of Lunches series and helped shape community culture through conferences, mentorship, and leadership. Now retired from full-time work, Don continues writing and publishing fiction, bringing the same clarity and craft to storytelling that made his technical teaching so impactful.
• Don Jones Website and Books – https://donjones.com
Andrew's links: https://andrewpla.tech/links
• PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit – https://powershellsummit.org
• Tech Impact (nonprofit mentioned) – https://techimpact.org
• PowerShell.org – https://powershell.org
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=PowerShell+Wednesdays
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xKh8rqCqMQg
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
The conversation dives into Jake’s recent projects including Deck, a Markdown-to-terminal presentation tool built on Spectre.Console, and Stepper, a resumable scripting framework designed for long-running workflows that can’t be fully automated end-to-end. They also explore presentation skills, avoiding “death by PowerPoint,” and why security work requires constantly re-checking assumptions as threats evolve.
• Work smarter, not harder — Whether you’re scripting or building a career, small sustainable improvements beat grinding yourself into a corner.
• Resumable automation is a game changer — Stepper helps scripts safely pause and resume, making real-world workflows more reliable when humans or flaky APIs are part of the loop.
• Community turns into real momentum — Contributing, asking questions, and sharing feedback builds skills, friendships, and opportunities faster than trying to learn alone.
Jake Hildreth is a Principal Security Consultant at Semperis, Microsoft MVP, and longtime builder of tools that make identity security suck a little less. With nearly 25 years in IT (and the battle scars to prove it), he specializes in helping orgs secure Active Directory and survive the baroque disaster that is Active Directory Certificate Services. He’s the creator of Locksmith, Stepper, Deck, BlueTuxedo, and PowerPUG!, open-source tools built to make life easier for overworked identity admins. When he’s not untangling Kerberos or wrangling DNS, he’s usually hanging out with his favorite people and most grounding reality check: his wife and daughter.
• Jake Hildreth’s Website – https://jakehildreth.com
• Jake's GitHub - https://github.com/jakehildreth
• PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
• PowerShell Conference Europe – https://psconf.eu
• PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit – https://powershellsummit.org
• Jake's PowerShell Wednesday – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdV6Qecn9v0
The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rFeoTKLerkA
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
The conversation also dives into incident response automation, David’s journey from SharePoint engineering into security, and the surprising ways PowerShell can be used across Windows, cloud, and even Raspberry Pi lab clusters—while still staying focused on knowledge-sharing and building systems that don’t depend on one person.
• Notebooks can remove friction for teams — combining documentation, code, and saved output creates a safer way for others to run automation without needing deep PowerShell confidence.
• PowerShell scales incident response workflows — David explains how notebooks can log in, pull incidents, enrich data, and even auto-close noise, reducing UI-click fatigue for analysts.
• Teaching makes you promotable — sharing knowledge reduces dependency on you, strengthens the team, and makes it easier for a business to grow your role without risk.
David is a Microsoft MVP and highly skilled SharePoint Guy who is focusing on Automation, Compliance, Security, Operational Excellence, Quality Assurance and hacking the unexpected out from the technology stack.
- David’s link hub – https://davidsass.io/
- Andrew's links - https://andrewpla.tech/links
- PowerShell Spectre Console – https://pwshspectreconsole.com/
- PowerShell Wednesdays – https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=PowerShell+Wednesdays
- PDQ Discord – https://discord.gg/PDQ
- ClockworkPi (the handheld device shown/discussed) – https://clockworkpi.com
- The PowerShell Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y03EJYpZczo