Azure & DevOps Podcast

The Azure & DevOps Podcast is a show for developers and devops professionals shipping software using Microsoft technologies. Each show brings you hard-hitting interviews with industry experts innovating better methods and sharing success stories. Listen in to learn how to increase quality, ship quickly, and operate well. Hosted by Jeffrey Palermo and sponsored by Clear Measure, Inc.

Mads Kristensen: Visual Studio 2026 - Episode 367 09/15/2025

Mads Kristensen: Visual Studio 2026 - Episode 367 Mads is a Principal Product Manager on the Visual Studio team at Microsoft, where he champions developer productivity, performance, and extensibility. With a deep passion for streamlining the development experience, Mads has created dozens of widely used Visual Studio extensions — including Web Essentials, File Nesting, and Markdown Editor v2 — and maintains the Extensibility Essentials toolkit to empower other developers to build better tools. Mads brings over a decade of experience in web development on the Microsoft platform. He is also the founder of SchemaStore.org and a home automation enthusiast. Known for his engaging presentations and hands-on insights, Mads is a frequent speaker at developer conferences worldwide. He lives in the Pacific Northwest and his mission is simple: to make Visual Studio the most delightful development environment on the planet. Topics of Discussion: [2:38] More about Mads’ career journey at Microsoft. [5:14] The new and improved Visual Studio. [7:44] Backwards compatibility is a key feature — .NET solutions will still work across different Visual Studio versions. [8:55] How Microsoft’s strategy differentiates between Visual Studio and VS Code. [10:42] Visual Studio is the premier development environment for .NET and C# on Windows, offering the most comprehensive and optimized experience. While VS Code can handle .NET development, it’s not as feature-rich or performant as the full Visual Studio. [12:58] Visual Studio has moved to a monthly release cadence to be more competitive with VS Code’s frequent updates. [13:48] Deep AI integration in Visual Studio allows for context-aware assistance, including a new profiler agent that can help optimize code performance. [23:53] Compilation performance is improved in Visual Studio 2026. [26:35] The new profiler agent can be invoked through Copilot chat, running benchmarks and suggesting performance improvements scientifically. [30:30] Developers can create custom MCP servers to integrate private systems and databases with AI tools using a project template. [35:39] The AI coding agent in Visual Studio can work autonomously or with developer supervision, creating pull requests or working alongside the developer. [39:11] Visual Studio’s Copilot can be used as a companion to bounce ideas off, helping with architectural decisions and new feature explorations. Mentioned in this Episode: Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/38212880

Richard Hundhausen and Brad Frazer: Who Owns the Code? - Episode 366 09/08/2025

Richard Hundhausen and Brad Frazer: Who Owns the Code? - Episode 366 Brad Frazer is a Boise-based attorney and partner at Hawley Troxell, Idaho’s largest law firm, where he leads the Intellectual Property & Internet practice group with a specific focus in IP Strategy, AI, Data Security, and IT. A graduate of BYU, UC Hastings, and the University of Utah, Brad has decades of experience in cybersecurity, internet law, and IP, including roles as Deputy General Counsel at major tech firms. He’s also a published novelist and a recognized expert in emerging technologies like blockchain, NFTs, and Web3. Richard Hundhausen helps software organizations and teams deliver better products by understanding and leveraging Azure DevOps and Scrum. He is a Professional Scrum Trainer and author of Professional Scrum with Azure DevOps (MS Press). As a software developer and consultant with over 30 years of experience, he understands that software is built and delivered by people and not by processes or tools. Topics of Discussion: [2:24] Richard and Brad share their enthusiasm for AI, and they discuss the legal implications of using AI-generated code. [4:00] Brad explains that ownership of AI-generated code is academic until legal issues arise, such as lawsuits or investment rounds. [5:29] Richard explains the process of using AI tools to create code, emphasizing the iterative nature of the process. [8:02] The nuances of copyright law, including the need for human authorship to establish ownership. [10:57] How one gets a registered copyright. [14:19] The different things that AI-driven development can mean. [19:44] Risk avoidance practices as a coder. [23:46] Brad advises software developers to be aware of the legal environment and the potential risks of using AI tools. [24:59] What is an AI output, and what is just the computer being helpful? [32:35] Brad shares a real-world example of a $20 million deal where the seller did not own the code, highlighting the potential risks. [38:38] Brad mentions the Anthropic case, where the company was sued for training its LLM on copyrighted material. [41:22] Richard and Brad discuss the importance of raising awareness and providing resources to help developers understand the legal implications of using AI tools. Mentioned in this Episode: Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/38101895

Tony Cardella: .NET Testing using NCrunch - Episode 365 09/01/2025

Tony Cardella: .NET Testing using NCrunch - Episode 365 Tony Cardella is a seasoned software engineer based in Houston, Texas. With a robust background in enterprise development, Tony brings deep expertise in the .NET Framework (C#), Python, and cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. His technical repertoire spans both relational databases — such as SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL — and NoSQL solutions like Azure Cosmos DB. Tony is a strong advocate for developer productivity tools, frequently leveraging JetBrains products including ReSharper, DataGrip, PyCharm, and Rider, as well as Visual Studio. Outside the world of code, Tony is equally passionate about strength training, whether he’s lifting weights himself or coaching others in the discipline. Topics of Discussion: [1:34] Tony shares his career journey, starting with a consulting company that reached out to him while he was job hunting. [3:17] NCrunch is an automated testing tool that runs unit tests continuously, focusing on impacted tests. [5:08] Challenges and benefits of NCrunch, and why would we need to use it? [7:44] Tony shares his approach to unit testing, focusing on covering 80% of the code with minimal effort and addressing the remaining 20% as needed. [8:51] The importance of not over-investing in unit tests that may not provide significant value. [11:47] Tony explains how Ncrunch provides code coverage metrics and visual indicators of covered and uncovered code. [12:59] The tool’s ability to show exactly where unit tests are failing, without needing to dive into stack traces. [13:51] Distributed processing and integration tests. [27:44] The challenges of running integration tests with external dependencies, such as databases. [29:18] Exploratory testing and code quality. [32:34] Tony emphasizes the value of unit tests in codifying tribal knowledge and ensuring code quality. Mentioned in this Episode: Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/38021515

Jonathan Peppers: GitHub Copilot for Maui Applications - Episode 364 08/25/2025

Micah Martin: Clean Coders - Episode 363 08/18/2025

Micah Martin: Clean Coders - Episode 363 Micah Martin is a co-founder, CEO, and Studio Director for Clean Coders. He’s a 2nd-generation coder, serial entrepreneur, family man, pilot, airplane builder, engineer, author, and just a normal guy trying to enjoy life to the fullest. He is also a co-author of Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C#, along with his father, Robert C. Martin, also known as Uncle Bob, and a contributor to the popular testing framework FitNesse, among other things. Topics of Discussion: [1:52] Micah talks about early influences from his father, Uncle Bob, including childhood “robot” games and learning to code on a Commodore 64 and the first Macintosh. [3:47] First job working alongside industry legends like Kent Beck and Ward Cunningham, and the humbling realization that college hadn’t prepared him to build real software. [5:00] Founding Clean Coders to distribute training videos and later expanding into custom software development with Clean Coders Studio. [6:54] Why apprenticeship is key to developing strong software engineers and how Pete McBreen’s Software Craftsmanship influenced his approach. [8:20] Parallels between martial arts training under a sensei and learning software from a master craftsman. [11:23] How Clean Coders apprentices learn new languages like Clojure through Project Euler challenges and Koans, and why maintaining and extending code is essential training. [15:13] The origins and purpose of FitNesse, acceptance testing, and the need for a modern replacement. [18:43] The gap in tooling for non-programmers to write executable tests, and AI’s potential role in bridging it. [20:35] The role of bullet-point test scenarios in developer/customer collaboration. [21:07] The decline of Agile’s technical focus and the creation of the Software Craftsmanship Manifesto at a summit in Libertyville, IL. [25:29] Carrying forward the Clean Code discipline in both training and client projects. [27:11] Plans to offer a digital apprenticeship experience through CleanCoders.com. [28:17] How Micah uses AI for algorithms, test data generation, and client projects, plus its current limitations. [36:37] Lessons from aviation autopilot systems and why humans remain essential in software development. Mentioned in this Episode: Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37863030

Burke Holland: GitHub Copilot Agent - Episode 362 08/11/2025

Burke Holland: GitHub Copilot Agent - Episode 362 Burke Holland is a Principal Developer Advocate at Microsoft who leads the Developer Tools Advocacy team. He’s done so much in developer tools, like growing VS Code from 6M to 40M+ users. He’s a frequent speaker at conferences like Microsoft Build, Ignite, GitHub Universe, QCon, and VS Code Day, which he helped create. He’s led many product launches for GitHub Copilot, Codespaces, and more. He has a very popular YouTube channel talking about developer tech. Topics of Discussion: [3:33] Burke describes his transition from being a good developer to an evangelist, inspired by a Visual Studio evangelist he met. [6:27] The rapid pace of change in the software development world compared to other industries. [9:22] AI-driven development and the various modes available in VS Code, including ask mode, edit mode, and agent mode. [15:41] Burke describes the current moment in AI developer tooling — no one really knows yet what the end product is supposed to be. Everyone agrees AI will help developers, but exactly how is still being figured out. [16:39] What are the right questions to ask AI? [17:41] The importance of providing the AI with the right context to ensure accurate and efficient development. [25:05] AI’s unpredictability makes it difficult to rely on it for consistent development tasks, which is frustrating and foreign to most developers. [32:18] Burke explains that while local AI models can handle small, scoped tasks like generating a function’s contents, they still fall far short of the performance needed for more complex jobs compared to models like GPT-4 or Claude. [37:18] Co-Pilot’s competition. [38:23] Inspiration to people that as long as you are the software architect, you can do anything. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37743185

Ted Neward: Software Architecture - Episode 361 08/04/2025

Ted Neward: Software Architecture - Episode 361 Ted Neward currently labors on behalf of Capital One as a Senior Distinguished Engineer, leveraging his speaking, writing, and coding experience to bring a technology-focused and -sharpened mindset to the mortgage industry. During his more code-focused years, he specialized in high-scale enterprise systems, working with clients ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to small 10-person shops. He is an authority in Java and .NET technologies, particularly in the areas of Java/.NET integration (both in-process and via integration tools like Web services), programming languages of all forms, back-end enterprise software systems, and virtual machine/execution engine plumbing. He is the author or co-author of several books, including Professional F# 2.0, Effective Enterprise Java, C# In a Nutshell, SSCLI Essentials, Server-Based Java Programming, and a contributor to several technology journals. All told, he has written well over a hundred articles in both print and online form. Ted has also been an “insider” of one form or another with a variety of the technology providers of the world: an IBM Champion of Cloud, a Microsoft F# MVP (having also been an Architect and C# MVP in prior years), an F# Insider, C# Insider, VB Insider, INETA speaker, DevelopMentor instructor, PluralSight course author, and a member of various Java JSRs. Topics of Discussion: [2:44] Ted’s career journey and what keeps him motivated in the industry. [4:16] Why Ted believes the industry is overdue for a new mainstream programming language. [8:12] The evolution of case tools, UML, and why generating code has never been the real problem. [15:14] The challenge of keeping architecture simple versus embracing complexity. [22:33] The role of philosophy in software development. [38:01] Lessons from calculators, fundamentals, and why developers must still master core skills. [38:46] The impact of AI on productivity and job roles. [43:25] The Importance of Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs). [56:26] Ted and Jeffrey talk about a recent article in The Economist, . [1:01:54] The importance of writing as a tool for developers to structure their thoughts and improve communication. [1:04:02] A few of the upcoming places and events that you can catch Ted speaking live! Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37635135

Joe Cuevas: Your First Decade as a Software Engineer - Episode 360 07/28/2025

Philip Japikse: Catching up - Episode 359 07/21/2025

Philip Japikse: Catching up - Episode 359 An international speaker, Microsoft MVP, ASPInsider, MCSD, PSM II, PSD, and PST, and a passionate member of the developer community, Phil has been working with .NET since the first betas, developing software for over 40 years, and has been heavily involved in the Agile community since 2005 as well as a Professional Scrum Trainer. Phil has taken over the best-selling Pro C# books (Apress Publishing), including Pro C# 10, is the President of the Cincinnati .NET Users Group (Cinnug.org), and the Cincinnati Software Architect Group, founded and runs the CincyDeliver conference (Cincydeliver.org), and volunteers for the National Ski Patrol. During the day, Phil works as the CTO & Chief Architect for Pintas & Mullins. Phil always enjoys learning new tech and is always striving to improve his craft. Topics of Discussion: [2:53] Why Phil still loves writing software after 40-plus years. [5:39] The difference between being a consultant and supporting code long-term. [8:27] Agile roles and user experience. [8:40] Embedding engineers in the business to avoid “telephone game” decisions. [11:30] “Move fast” vs. move efficiently — real-world cautionary tales. [13:40] Using Figma for business rule diagramming before writing a single line of code. [14:52] Releasing 4 x per week and getting rapid feedback. [16:49] NASCAR, motocross, and the connection of slow builds of how software teams avoid friction. [18:41] Measuring team efficiency, and how Phil eliminated emergency production fixes by mandating quality. [22:00] Feature flags, PBI coverage, and the team’s shared ownership of the code. [26:09] AI in legal tech: where it works, where it doesn’t. [34:56] The architectural shift created by LLMs, vector databases, and agents. [39:42] AI is not the goal — it’s just a tool for solving the right problems. [44:03] How Phil uses GitHub Copilot’s agent mode to streamline development. [46:03] Final thoughts: “It’s not about the tech. It’s about making someone’s life better.” Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37457250

Mark Miller: CodeRush AI - Episode 358 07/14/2025

Uncle Bob Martin: Software Leader - Episode 357 07/07/2025

Uncle Bob Martin: Software Leader - Episode 357 Robert C. Martin, more often known as Uncle Bob, has been programming since 1970 and has served as a mentor to generations of software engineers. He’s one of the original authors of the Agile Manifesto and played a foundational role in forming the Agile Alliance, where he served as its first chairman. But beyond titles and organizations, Bob’s lasting impact comes through his writing, his lectures, and his philosophy of software craftsmanship. He has spoken at conferences around the world — QCon, Agile 20XX, IT Days, and countless other industry gatherings — always advocating for clarity, discipline, and ethical responsibility in code. And if you’ve ever read Clean Code, The Clean Coder, or Clean Architecture, you know that he doesn’t just teach how to build systems — he challenges us to become better professionals in the process. His most recent work, Functional Design, continues this legacy, distilling decades of experience into patterns and principles that are just as relevant today as they were when he first put finger to keyboard. Topics of Discussion: [2:22] Uncle Bob’s advice for young programmers entering the field: Be cautious with AI tools, learn fundamental programming skills, and understand that AI won’t replace programmers. [4:42] Get to the basics first, and then you can move on: Master core programming skills and fundamentals before relying too heavily on AI or advanced tools. [8:19] The impact of AI on experienced developers. [15:44] Highlighting the role of programmers in managing low-level details that managers and customers don’t want to think about. [18:43] Programmers as language learners. [27:19] The state of Agile methodologies. [29:33] The original Agile goal of making small teams work efficiently together, which remains a crucial challenge. [35:37] Discussing the limitations of university computer science programs and the potential of trade school or apprenticeship models. [36:07] What’s next for Uncle Bob? Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37284340

Jimmy Bogard: MediatR & AutoMapper - Episode 356 06/30/2025

Steve Smith: Software Architecture - Episode 355 06/23/2025

Steve Smith: Software Architecture - Episode 355 Steven Smith, also known in the developer community as Ardalis, is an entrepreneur, author, and software architect with a deep passion for building effective, maintainable software. Through his company, NimblePros, Steve helps organizations — ranging from household names like Microsoft and Quicken Loans to growing teams across industries — maximize their development potential. His clients frequently describe him as a “force multiplier,” amplifying the productivity and impact of the teams he supports. Steve has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for over two decades and continues to lead through education and mentorship. He’s published numerous courses on Pluralsight and Dometrain, focusing on topics like domain-driven design, software architecture, and design patterns. He also empowers developers through his mentorship platform, DevBetter.com, helping the next generation of professionals grow their careers with intention and clarity. Topics of Discussion: [2:28] What keeps Steve excited about computer programming and software architecture? [4:42] What is software architecture? [6:18] The importance of understanding the logical components of a software system and how they interact. [7:06] Artifacts for architecture decisions. [8:52] How lightweight documentation and diagrams, like those in the C4 Model, can clarify system design without overburdening the team. [10:53] The modern architecture books that have caught Steve’s eye. [12:57] The KISS principle and keeping software architecture simple. [19:38] Clean architecture and domain-driven design principles. [22:52] Managing out-of-process dependencies and service integrations. [26:07] Adapter pattern and interface abstractions. [28:33] Decorator pattern for adding functionality. [33:14] Pipeline Architecture. [40:35] What Steve thinks the future holds for AI-driven development, what he uses it for, and the challenges of AI currently. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Mark Richards & Neal Ford, summarized as a platform-agnostic, principle-driven guide Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37088755

Bob Ward: SQL Server 2025 - Episode 354 06/16/2025

Bob Ward: SQL Server 2025 - Episode 354 Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, which owns the development for Microsoft SQL Edge to Cloud. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 31-plus years on every version of SQL Server shipped, from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2025, including Azure SQL. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric, often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, DevIntersection, and VS Live. You can also learn Azure SQL from him on the popular series https://aka.ms/azuresql4beginners. You can follow him on X at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux, SQL Server 2019 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed with a 2nd edition, and SQL Server 2022 Revealed available from Apress Media. Topics of Discussion: [1:38] Bob reflects on nearly 30 years at Microsoft, growing alongside SQL Server since 1993. [4:16] Transitioning from engineering to advocacy: why Bob now focuses on helping developers unlock the power of SQL Server. [6:12] Debunking myths about SQL Server — yes, it’s cloud-ready, developer-friendly, and supports containers and Linux. [10:15] Key tools and features for developers using SQL: containers, Bicep templates, SQLCMD, and DevOps pipelines. [16:23] SQL projects and source control: how modern database DevOps practices improve reliability and testing. [19:32] Common challenges in database development: fear of breaking production, limited test data, and cultural silos. [22:55] Bob’s perspective on responsible database change management and the importance of a good rollback plan. [26:02] The evolution of developer tooling in SQL Server, and how Microsoft is making the CLI and APIs first-class citizens. [30:47] Advice for new developers: SQL isn’t going anywhere, and it’s easier than ever to get started. [34:00] Resources and community support: Bob highlights docs, GitHub samples, training courses, and his book. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/37027620

Michael Washington: The Nature Of Data - Episode 353 06/09/2025

Michael Washington: The Nature Of Data - Episode 353 Michael is an ASP.NET and C# programmer who has extensive knowledge in process improvement, AI and Large Language Models, and student information systems. He is also the founder of the following websites, BlazorData.net, AIStoryBuilders.com, and BlazorHelpWebsite.com — fantastic resources that help empower developers. Michael resides in Los Angeles, California, with his son Zachary and wife, Valerie. Topics of Discussion: [2:09] Michael shares his background, starting with his first applications created for his uncle’s company using Access 2.0. [3:08] Michael mentions his new project, Personal Data Warehouse, which is an open-source, free tool for managing data. [5:20] He explains the inspiration behind the Personal Data Warehouse, focusing on the importance of data for making human decisions. [7:48] Michael’s finding: the reason we collect data is so that a human being can use that data to make decisions. [9:42] The three phases of data: collection, transformation, and reporting, and the significance of the transformation phase, where data is processed to make it useful for decision-making. [12:45] Data warehousing techniques and tools, and the use of Parquet files. [13:14] Michael talks about the use of SQL Server Reporting Services for generating reports, which can be accessed through the application. He encourages developers to explore the Personal Data Warehouse and its open-source code on GitHub. [22:33] Scenarios and use cases for Personal Data Warehouse. [32:09] AI and Language Models in Data Management. [36:17] The need to be responsible with AI and not use it to harm people. [37:07] Michael shares his experience with various AI tools, including CoPilot, OpenAI, and Google Notebooks. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/36887865

Rockford Lhotka: Software Architecture & Strategy - Episode 352 06/02/2025

Rockford Lhotka: Software Architecture & Strategy - Episode 352 As the Vice President of Strategy at Xebia Microsoft Services, Rocky leads the vision and direction of the company’s software development solutions and services. He brings extensive expertise in framework design and implementation, distributed systems architecture, and cloud and container technologies, helping clients achieve their business goals and deliver value to their customers. He is also the creator of CSLA .NET, an open-source development framework that enables developers to build scalable, maintainable, and secure object-oriented applications. As an accomplished author, he has written multiple books on the subject and frequently shares his insights at major conferences worldwide. He is honored to be a member of the Microsoft Regional Director and MVP programs and serves as co-chair of Visual Studio Live! as well as chair of the Cloud & Containers Live conferences. His passion lies in advancing the software industry and empowering developers to create better software. Topics of Discussion: [3:30] Rockford shares his first job experience at an independent software vendor (ISV) building software to dispatch and manage the delivery of ready-mix concrete trucks. [8:30] The evolution of software and its connection to real-world processes. [9:53] The impact of technology advancements, such as miniaturization and material science, on modern software applications. [12:40] The influence of AI on software architecture and decision making. [19:15] Rockford about the importance of open-source libraries and personal projects in software development. [21:35] How does one become aware of what’s available these days? [23:14] Rockford suggests using RSS readers, curated feeds, and platforms like Feedly and Mastodon to stay informed about industry developments. [27:06] The upside to blogging and microblogging. [28:25] Importance of sharing knowledge and expertise. [29:19] Expertise through teaching and sharing. [32:19] Impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) on Coding. [38:22] Infrastructure challenges with AI. [40:21] Legacy software modernization. [40:52] Career advice for leaders and recognizing it as its own career path. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo — Alvin Ashcroft by Daniel Pink Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/36816915

Scott Hunter: AI-driven development - Episode 351 05/26/2025

Scott Forsyth: How Kitchen Copilot uses AI - Episode 350 05/19/2025

David Lykken: AI in Executive Strategy - Episode 349 05/12/2025

David Lykken: AI in Executive Strategy - Episode 349 David Lykken, a 51-year veteran of the mortgage industry, is the Founder, President & Chief Transformational Officer of Transformational Mortgage Solutions (TMS). With decades of expertise, Lykken and his team of industry veterans are revolutionizing the way mortgage professionals conduct business through consulting, executive coaching, and strategic communications. Recognized as a leading voice in the mortgage sector, he has been a frequent guest on FOX Business News, as well as making appearances on CNBC & CBS Evening News, where he shares invaluable insights on market trends and industry developments. Mr. Lykken is also the host of the widely acclaimed weekly Lykken on Lending podcast, heard every Monday at 1 PM ET. Additionally, he leads the Lykken On Leadership podcast, where he provides leadership strategies tailored to the mortgage and housing industries. Beyond his work in podcasting, Mr. Lykken extends his reach into television, hosting two TV shows: Your Home Business and Your Home Coast to Coast, both airing on Your Home TV. His multifaceted career reflects a deep commitment to educating and empowering professionals in an ever-evolving industry. Topics of Discussion: [4:50] David’s early career challenges with dyslexia. [5:55] Learning about virtual assistants. [7:38] Current AI Tools and Usage, including large language models, Blockchain, and private GPT. [9:57] Twin protocol and AI avatars. [13:02] AI in Recruiting and Communication, introducing ELO GPT tool for automated outbound calling and personalized recruitment strategies. [19:27] AI Mistakes and Challenges, discussing the importance of training AI tools and avoiding generic, potentially inaccurate content. [24:10] Evolution of business assistance, comparing current AI tools to previous technological shifts like typewriters and word processors. [26:52] The continued importance of human relationships in business, emphasizing that AI cannot fully replace human empathy and connection. [31:10] The future of AI, predicting increased productivity and scalability for businesses through AI technologies. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo , by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/36533975

Jeff Sutherland: The History of Agile - Episode 348 05/05/2025

Jeff Sutherland: The History of Agile - Episode 348 Jeff is the co-creator of Scrum and a leading expert on how the Scrum framework has evolved to meet the needs of today’s business. The framework he developed in 1993 and formalized in 1995 with Ken Schwaber has since been adopted by the vast majority of software development companies around the world. However, Jeff realized that the benefits of Scrum are not limited to software and product development. He has adapted this successful strategy for several other industries, including finance, healthcare, higher education, and telecom. As the CEO of Scrum Inc. Jeff sets the vision for success with Scrum. He continues to share best practices with organizations around the globe and has written extensively on Scrum rules and methods. With a deep understanding of business process — gleaned from years as CTO/CEO of eleven different software companies — Jeff is able to describe the high-level organizational benefits of Scrum and what it takes to create hyperproductive teams. Topics of Discussion: [:35] Introduction of Jeff Sutherland, co-creator of Scrum. [3:47] Jeff Sutherland’s background: His experience at West Point and lessons in making work visible. [5:19] Fighter pilot experiences that influenced the operational side of Scrum. [6:02] Transition to the Air Force Academy and work in AI at Stanford. [7:38] Learning complex adaptive systems and the origin of Agile from complex systems theory. [8:30] How complex systems theory impacts Scrum and Agile teams today. [9:25] Jeff’s first experiences applying Scrum in the banking industry. [11:25] The development of Scrum and the 2001 Agile Manifesto. [12:57] Making work visible and organizing teams, from West Point to Toyota to the Agile Manifesto. [13:23] Fast forward to 2024: Issues in Scrum and Agile practices, including sprint lengths and backlog grooming. [14:34] Jeff’s new book: First Principles in Scrum and its relation to Scrum technology stacks. [16:23] Building autonomous systems: Lessons from radiation physics, AI, and complex adaptive systems. [19:16] The influence of autonomous robots on the creation of Scrum. [21:14] Discussion of Scrum and AI, leading to “Extreme Agile.” [22:47] Predictions for the future of Scrum and Agile: Teams becoming 30 to 100 times faster by 2030. [23:37] Example of AI in action: Developing a system to handle expense reports using Scrum principles. [29:37] Challenges with AI-generated code and the need for strong software architecture knowledge. [33:24] The importance of following Scrum “by the book” to achieve hyperproductivity. [35:30] Jeff’s closing advice on adapting to extreme agile to stay competitive by 2030. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo Become a beta tester for Jeff Sutherland's AI software project for expense reports: Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/36412780

Adrienne Braganza Tacke: Code Review Patterns & Principles - Episode 347 04/28/2025

Adrienne Braganza Tacke: Code Review Patterns & Principles - Episode 347 Adrienne Braganza Tacke is an accomplished author and software engineer with a passion for educating others about software development. Choosing a path distinct from the expected trajectory of nursing, she pursued a degree in management information systems at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Over the course of nearly eight years in the field, she has contributed her expertise across multiple industries, including healthcare and higher education. Currently, she serves as a software development engineer at DebtTrader, where she embraces the challenge of modernizing fintech workflows traditionally dependent on spreadsheets. Beyond her professional work, Adrienne is an international speaker, instructor, and dedicated advocate for STEM education. Her first book, Coding for Kids: Python, has consistently ranked among the top-selling children's programming books on Amazon. She frequently visits schools to inspire students with insights into software engineering and the transformative power of coding. When she’s not engaging with young aspiring developers, she speaks at tech conferences throughout the U.S. and Europe. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@AdrienneTacke) to stay updated on her latest endeavors. Topics of Discussion: [3:20] Adrienne’s journey and the happy accidents and formative moments that led her to working in this field. [5:46] What does a developer advocate do? [7:04] Adrienne started teaching in 2017, when tech influencers were starting to become more popular. [9:02] There is no one-size-fits-all about the code review process, and what it looks like will be different for every team. [11:19] The price of ineffective communication. [15:30] The power of fixing things during development and before the code review. [19:10] Adrienne gives a few real-life examples of time wasters in code reviews. [22:08] More about Adrienne’s book, , and how it can help streamline and save time. [23:44] Like Adrienne’s chapter title, if you can automate it — do it. [26:51] There are still errors that won’t be caught by static analysis. [30:46] Some tips to remember when using AI, like making sure your titles are descriptive. [36:17] Maybe an “auto-polite” button is coming soon? We wish. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo OFFER: First listener to use the code gets a free copy of the book: "braganza-FBEE"Instructions: 1. Go to book link () 2. Follow purchase process 3. Apply coupon (braganza-FBEE) at checkout Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/36319330

April Yoho: GitHub in 2025 - Episode 346 04/21/2025

April Yoho: GitHub in 2025 - Episode 346 April is a senior developer advocate and DevOps practice lead for GitHub, specializing in application transformation and DevOps ways of working. Her focus is working on Microsoft Azure to take customers on a journey from legacy technology to serverless and containers, where code comes first, while enabling them to take full advantage of DevOps. April was previously a cloud consultant and solution architect for various partners in the UK and brings her years of experience in helping customers plan their journey. She also serves as a Hashicorp Ambassador, dedicating much of her time to working with infrastructure as code (IaC). She enjoys making Azure and its features more accessible. Her technical expertise includes PowerShell, Golang, and occasionally TypeScript and C#. In her free time, April enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and scuba diving. Additionally, she is a triathlete who competes in Ironman and Half Ironman events. Topics of Discussion: [1:57] April’s career journey — from U.S. data center outages and 72-hour shifts to discovering cloud and automation after relocating to the U.K. [3:53] How an early Azure migration in 2013 ignited her passion for infrastructure as code and DevOps. [5:33] GitHub’s evolution into a full end-to-end enterprise platform, with a major focus on security, scalability, and developer productivity. [6:51] Code Spaces: VS Code in the cloud with 60 hours free per user — solving compute and environment parity issues across teams. [10:00] GitHub’s internal use of Code Spaces: every GitHub employee (aka “Hubber”) uses it to work on the github.com codebase. [12:29] Code Spaces’ advantages in lab and hackathon settings, including speed, security, and reliability. [13:55] Breakdown of GitHub Copilot’s flavors: chat, inline suggestions, edits, pull request reviews, and agentic AI. [17:12] Real-world uses of Copilot Edits: generating documentation, writing tests, and making cohesive multi-file changes. [20:00] GitHub’s goal of enabling the “10x developer,” not just in speed but in quality, consistency, and creativity. [25:00] How AI tooling is changing how we think about architecture, code reuse, and shrinking monoliths into modular libraries. [30:00] Prompting strategies: how different cultures and languages impact the way developers interact with AI tools. [32:47] GitHub Workspaces: start from requirements, generate a plan, and get a head start on writing and converting code. [35:00] April’s belief that AI-driven development is already here, and edits are one of the best ways to experience that transformation now. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/36223490

Jerry Nixon: .NET Aspire and Databases - Episode 345 04/14/2025

Stephen Toub: AI in .NET - Episode 344 04/07/2025

Bruno Capuano: AI Developer Training in .NET - Episode 343 03/31/2025

Bruno Capuano: AI Developer Training in .NET - Episode 343 Bruno Capuano is a Principal Cloud Advocate at Microsoft where he empowers teams to build AI solutions with Azure using programming languages like C#, Python, and C++. His approach is to solve complex problems with minimal effort, delivering simple and efficient solutions in today’s fast-paced AI landscape. Bruno has led innovation in teams at Avanade across Canada and Europe, transforming cutting-edge technologies into practical business solutions. He is passionate about working with teams, helping them grow, achieve high productivity, and foster collaborative, positive environments. As an international speaker, he advocates for making AI accessible to everyone, empowering teams and organizations to harness its transformative potential. Outside of tech, he is a runner, a lifelong learner, and always looking for his next challenge—whether it’s mastering new skills or tackling a marathon. Topics of Discussion: [5:08] Bruno explains how his passion for learning and community engagement led him to a role where he could dedicate himself to education and advocacy. [7:17] Why data scientists and new AI tools often favor Python first, and how Bruno and his team work to ensure .NET developers also have immediate access to modern AI capabilities. [10:31] The progression of getting developers into AI. [11:20] Starting with familiar tools like Notepad. [13:39] The “must have’s” for developers who want to start writing AI code. [17:20] The benefit of GitHub models. [23:47] Vector Databases & Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). [25:17] How vector databases store information using numerical representations and enable semantic search. [31:25] Bruno highlights how AI “skills” or “functions” can call external APIs to fetch real-time data. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/35909470

Per Kops: Architecture of Ollama and Local LLMs - Episode 342 03/24/2025

Patrick Escarcega: Software Engineering Principles - Episode 341 03/17/2025

Patrick Escarcega: Software Engineering Principles - Episode 341 Patrick Escarcega is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Meserow Design, a company known for its excellence in developing and maintaining custom software solutions. His background is in software engineering and has been leading software teams for many years. His technical focus has been on Microsoft development and cloud technologies. Topics of Discussion: [3:30] Patrick recalls the moment he transitioned from individual software developer to leading teams, highlighting the importance of understanding how software adds business value beyond just code. [5:00] Patrick describes the joy he rediscovered in coding when starting his own company, emphasizing the delicate balance between hands-on coding and leadership responsibilities. [7:50] The head chef and food scientist analogy. [9:26] The importance of creating a safe environment, a “pit of success,” so developers can naturally follow best practices without feeling constrained. [10:36] Why readable, maintainable code is crucial, especially for senior leaders whose time is spent reading code more than writing it. [13:27] Comparing software engineering creativity to building an engine from “invisible Lego bricks," emphasizes the hidden creativity involved in engineering solutions. [15:08] The importance of leaders giving developers space and freedom to craft innovative solutions, rather than overly prescribing methodologies. [17:00] Running integration tests. [20:41] Accessibility and WCAG compliance explained: Why accessibility should be an integral part of software development and testing workflows. [23:14] EqualWeb accessibility checker and Chrome browser extension. [25:02] Practical everyday use of AI in software development, especially GitHub Copilot, and why developers should embrace AI tools regularly to remain productive and competitive. [31:10] Patrick encourages developers to embrace AI and keep learning, emphasizing that continuous adaptation will keep careers vibrant over the next decade. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/35699480

Daniel Roth: .NET 10 Preview 1 - Episode 340 03/10/2025

Dustin Campbell: C# 13 - Episode 339 03/03/2025

Scott Nichols: Azure AI Foundry - Episode 338 02/24/2025

Scott Nichols: Azure AI Foundry - Episode 338 Scott Nichols is a Principal Cloud Solutions Architect at Microsoft. He works for the commercial enterprise division serving the high-tech division out of Silicon Valley. He is also the leader of the .NET and the Azure user groups in Boise, Idaho. He started his career in the IT profession in 1993 as a mainframe and web developer. Since then, he has served as a Lead Software Engineer/Solution Architect, a Software Development Engineering Manager, a Sr. Cloud Software Solution Architect, and a Sr. Enterprise Solution Architect. When not at the keyboard, he loves the outdoors hunting, camping, fishing, archery, and working in the yard. Topics of Discussion: [4:03] Generative AI’s turning point. [5:52] Bridging the AI coding gap. [6:39] Scott explains the shift in project workloads to generative AI-based projects, both customer-facing and internal. [7:25] Networking companies using AI to analyze telemetry data and create new products. [8:49] Azure AI Foundry is a web portal that allows developers to spin up Azure Compute and access over 1800 models. [13:00] Although a “Cloud Guy,” Scott values his on-prem hardware as a playground for learning and experimenting with AI tools. [15:04] The benefits of using open source or on-prem tools to start working with AI without incurring cloud costs right away. [15:40] The rapid pace of innovation. [20:41] An example of Khan Academy using AI to create an online tutor, requiring significant prompt engineering to ensure accurate responses. [27:12] AI agents monitoring AI agents. [27:59] AI’s limitations and opportunities. [31:56] Testing strategies for AI-Integrated systems. [35:37] The future of AI and how it’s a great time to be in AI. [39:35] Great advice for the next generation of developers and software engineers. Mentioned in this Episode: — New Video Podcast! Email us at . (Sponsor) , by Jeffrey Palermo , by Jeffrey Palermo — Follow to stay informed about future events! Want to Learn More? Visit for show notes and additional episodes. /episode/index/show/azuredevops/id/35377880

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