SolarWinds TechPod

In this episode, hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor engage with actual rock star Chris Greer, a Security Engineering Manager at SolarWinds, to explore the multifaceted world of cybersecurity. Chris shares his unconventional journey from being a musician to entering the IT field, emphasizing the importance of certifications and the mindset shift required when transitioning from IT operations to security. Topics covered: The significance of communication skills in tech roles The value of networking The challenges of leadership in the security domain © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

This episode explores the intersection of gaming, particularly MMOs, and its impact on workplace dynamics. Dr. Melika Shirmohammadi and Mostafa Ayoobzadeh join hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring to discuss their motivations for studying the positive aspects of gaming, the skills that can be transferred to professional environments, and the social stigma surrounding gaming as a hobby. © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

In this episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring explore the key differences between monitoring and observability with guest Jeff Stewart, GVP of Product Management at SolarWinds. Observability goes beyond traditional monitoring, offering AI-driven insights and a holistic view of system health. Like understanding the anatomy of the body, observability reveals how IT systems are interconnected—where one issue can ripple across the entire environment. They discuss how businesses can leverage observability to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

Engage your meat computers with this philosophical discussion about the transformative impact of generative AI, prompt engineering, and beyond with Doug Bennett, Senior Global Partner Development Manager with Amazon Web Services, and hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor. They delve into the future of generative AI, the potential for innovation, and the changing nature of coding and application development. © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

It's never been easier to learn new things, but the options can be overwhelming. TechPod hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor discuss continuing education in the context of IT careers in 2025. They explore the value of interpersonal skills alongside technical skills, the variety of learning resources available, and the significance of mentorship in guiding professional development. © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

SolarWinds Evangelists Sascha Giese and Kevin Kline join hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor to discuss Gartner's (and their own) predictions for the technology world in 2025. They explore the potential disruptions AI may bring to various sectors, including healthcare, education, legal professions; the future of AR and VR technologies; and the implications of quantum computing in relation to AI. © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Who's ready for wetware? TechPod host Sean Sebring is! From the Zune to Henry Cavill's upper lip, he and co-host Chrystal Taylor talk with Movies and Mainframes host Andy Garibay about what tech we got right, what they can't wait for, and what they'll never speak of again.   © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Security expert Josh Vanhoose joins the podcast to discuss his journey into cybersecurity, the importance of real-world experience, and how to humanize security, with hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring. They explore how to transition into cybersecurity, the significance of entry-level certifications, and the tools available for learning. © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved   

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Mark Roberts, Technical Director of Prosperon Networks, joins hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor to salute the unique challenges of IT project management. From the joys of scope creep to the intricacies of wrangling leadership buy-in, they cover the life of a project from initial discovery process all the way through to project handover. © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

SolarWinds Director of Corporate Communications Dillon Townsel joins hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor to talk about his journey from the military to civilian life. He provides insights on how to navigate the transition process and offers advice for those looking to transition into the technology field. © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

MOVE! Just kidding. Interpersonal skills can be just as vital to your IT role as technical skills, and there's far less training. SolarWinds IT Manager Tara Bourke joins hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring to share what she's learned about conflict resolution, problem-solving, and effective communication with the whole spectrum of end users. Get the strategies you need to avoid becoming a Saturday Night Live skit. © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Have you ever tried to scroll up a piece of paper? Have you described a GIF during an actual conversation? To save you from these embarrassing situations, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring identify some telltale signs that it's time to Log Off (trumpets blaring) and suggest some new ways to spend your time as you wean from the screen. Touch grass, smell the roses, give your thumbs a much-needed break right after this episode. © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved   

Terms like marketing* are often associated with a long list of negative connotations and an image of a cartoon thief sneaking around a corner with a huge bag of cash over his shoulder. Why does the word marketing make people want to delete their banking apps and bury their wallets? How has the perception of this simple concept changed over time? In this episode, SolarWinds Chief Marketing Officer, Brian Goldfarb, explains how marketing drives education, broadens perspectives, and enhances communication when it is used with integrity. Learn how marketing techniques will continuously evolve with the rapid pace of technological advancement and the challenges of predicting the future. *This description's marketing verbiage was purely coincidental. © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Get a peek behind the scenes of THWACKcamp, the free virtual learning event for SolarWinds customers. Hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring talk to THWACKcamp Executive Producer Matt Murray about the extensive preparation, creativity, and deep knowledge that goes into this year's “love letter” to the THWACK community.    © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

In this conversation, hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor talk with Derek Daly, Principal AIOps Product Manager at SolarWinds. He discusses his career journey and the role of AI and machine learning in the company's products. He shares insights into the process of introducing AI and machine learning into product features, the impact of AI on jobs, and the considerations for on-premises vs cloud deployment.      © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

They say the grass is always greener in another office. Right? In an era of job hopping and layoffs, working for a startup versus an established global company is an evergreen debate. Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring talk pros and cons of both. Tune in to help yourself find your ideal patch of grass.    © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

I wonder what's next? Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor discuss the tech trends and predictions published by Gartner, Forrester, and VMblog, with Global Tech Evangelist for Observability Sascha Giese. Can they predict the future? © 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

The SolarWinds podcast crossover event you've all been waiting for: Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring talk with Movies & Mainframes host Andy Garibay about the best, weirdest, and most confusing tech gifts you can give your loved ones (or, let's be honest, yourself) this year.  © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

If you think attending a tech industry event is chaotic just imagine trying to organize one. SolarWinds' Senior Manager of Events Valerie Rivir chats about the ins and outs of trade shows. From the history to the horror stories, she's seen it all.   © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Join host Sean Sebring as he talks to SolarWinds CISO Tim Brown about the 2023 threat landscape after an unprecedented number of cyberattacks. You're going to want to buckle up, type in the code, scan your retinas, say Beetlejuice three times, and download this episode.  © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Going it alone is ok sometimes, but having a partner with skills and experience will make any rodeo better and more efficient. Aldo Masoni, Observability Practice Lead with longtime SolarWinds Partner SHI, joins hosts Sean Sebring and Ashley Adams to explain the “value” in value-added resellers.   © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Do you ever get the feeling that your computer has gained self-awareness and is trying to take over the world? AIOps expert Aswin Kumar joins hosts Ashley and Sean to talk about AI's impact today, tomorrow, and beyond, as well as some of the ethical questions we will need to answer before it's too late.  © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

THWACK, the SolarWinds community, is 20-years-old and thriving. Two former THWACK MVPs and current SolarWinds employees, Kevin Sparenberg and Michael Kent, join hosts Ashley Adams and Sean Sebring to talk about what makes this community so successful.   © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

As data infrastructure gets more complex, clarity is more important than ever. Our guest Blythe Morrow talks with hosts Sean Sebring and Ashley Adams about the importance of communication for Data pros, and how to speak so that people will listen.    © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Is your database a junk drawer? Is it more like a black hole? If you're afraid to look in there, join TechPod hosts Ashley Adams and Sean Sebring as they demystify Database with the help of Head Geek and resident Database expert Thomas LaRock. This episode will discuss the challenges database administrators face, and the tools they can use to address them.  © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

Observability: Industry buzzword, or the next evolution of IT? Our hosts, Chris Bowie and Sean Sebring discuss with SolarWinds Staff Product Marketing Manager Ashley Adams what it means and what it can do for you.    © 2023 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved 

A new year means a new wave of tech trends and predictions, and though some may use a crystal ball or a good guess to make their predictions, our hosts have something better: Head Geeks™ Chrystal Taylor and Sascha Giese. Listen in as the group discusses the latest technology trends and makes projections on everything from tool sprawl to the rise of artificial intelligence. Who will be right? Only time will tell.     © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

TechPod gets into the holiday spirIT as hosts Sean Sebring and Chris Bowie are joined by THWACK® Community Manager Kristen Piña-Flores to discuss what's on their IT wishlists for the upcoming year. Listen in as Sean and Chris reflect on their past year in IT, what they're thankful for, and what their IT Resolutions are for 2023.    © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

In today's ever-expanding job market, many people find themselves on a career path they never originally planned for - IT. So how do those "non-technical" people become "technical"? Join TechPod hosts Sean and Chris as they dissect their own experiences working in tech, learning how to grapple with unknowns, Observability, and the importance of diversity and unique thought in the tech world.  © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

The IT Trends report is released by SolarWinds every year with predictions on what will be the most popular trends in IT during the upcoming months. As we enter the second half of 2022, hosts Sean Sebring and Chris Bowie unpack the SolarWinds 2022 IT Trends report with Professor Dr. Sally Eaves. The three discuss findings from the report, getting hybrid IT right, managing complexity, Observability, and even... time travel? 

TechPod™ hosts Chris Bowie, Sean Sebring, and special guest Head Geek™ Chrystal Taylor talk about IT Pro Day, the evolution of the IT pro, and how roles have changed in an increasingly distributed and complex IT landscape. Tune in as they share their thoughts on “what makes an IT pro” and why IT pros deserve their day in the sun!

Have you ever heard someone say, “I'm too busy putting out fires”? What if the only way to get ahead of those fires was to make way for change—to improve the foundations and infrastructure to reduce the fires you had to put out? This episode will discuss the fantastical balancing act of maintaining operational excellence while creating space for growth and improvement. 

When you started as a systems administrator, you might have connected servers, swapped out hard drives, run down spare components, and dragged around a crash cart. Those days might not be completely over, but the chances you physically interact with your systems grow smaller and smaller each day. In an era of virtualization, cloud-first, and software as a service, where does this leave the lowly systems administrator? These questions and more are discussed and debated by Technical Content Manager for the SolarWinds® Community Kevin M. Sparenberg and SolarWinds Manager of Information Technology Noel Barbee on this episode. How you do your job may have changed, but the role in your organization is as important as ever.  © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

When we think of alerts, we don't necessarily think of them as things of beauty—until now. Join THWACK® Community Manager Ben Keen and Technical Content Manager Kevin M. Sparenberg in an energetic discussion on taking your data to the next level. Ben and Kevin discuss the importance of making your data appealing to improve the user experience, help make sense of your data, and benefit your end users with a cleaner and prettier experience

The SolarWinds community, THWACK.com, has a new community manager. Ben Keen has been an active voice in the community for years as a THWACK MVP and has now decided to join SolarWinds' efforts to continue to have the greatest community out there. Ben will be joining as a regular voice here on TechPod as well bringing his many years of IT experience and passion for community to our conversations. In this episode, we'll dive into his experience and hopes for the future of THWACK. 

SolarWinds own Senior Director of IT, Brad Cline, and Director of IT, Dr. Humberto Amador, join Head Geek Chrystal Taylor to discuss expanding the business' view of IT as a cost center. Communication, collaboration, and documentation are all key skills used to be more effective and efficient in aligning with business leaders. Colored with stories and tactics from within the SolarWinds IT organization, our guests discuss these factors and share advice on improving relations between the business as a whole and the IT department. 

In this episode of SolarWinds TechPod, Head Geek Chrystal Taylor is joined by Hannah Kohr and Katie Schraeder to discuss the benefits of communication and advocating for yourself to help tackle challenging conversations and grow your career. With differing backgrounds and experiences in tech, Chrystal, Hannah, and Katie aim to bring new perspectives and guidance for navigating the industry as a woman in tech.  © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

Join SolarWinds Technical Content Manager for Community, Kevin M. Sparenberg, and Head Geek, Chrystal Taylor, as they reminisce on the 10-year history of SolarWinds virtual event, THWACKcamp. Whether you're curious about the type of content you can expect at this year's event or simply want to join them on memory lane, this TechPod will answer the question: Why THWACKcamp?  Join the SolarWinds community, THWACK, in celebrating 10 years of THWACKcamp – the always free and completely virtual event for IT pros hoping to learn something new.  © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

While IT handles layered problems and often speaks in acronyms among other technical terms, we're also challenged to collaborate with other departments who seemingly speak in a different language. How can we bridge the gap and work towards the same organizational goals, unifying our strategies and operations? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Humberto Amador, to discuss his IT journey and experiences, particularly his focus and affinity for uniting teams through strategic IT-business alignment.  © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

Join our Head Geeks in Part 2 of our 2022 Tech Predictions TechPod series where they share their thoughts on the rise of Chief Data Officers and data governance principles, risk aversion, and the need for tech pros to fine-tune nontechnical skill sets for career advancement.  This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

It's a new year, ripe with new trends and technology. Join our Head Geeks as they dive into their 2022 Tech Predictions, beginning with observability – a term becoming prevalent among tech pros. Listen in as they share how cloud investments; the rise of AI/ML services; and the re-evaluation of tools, technology, and processes are driving the observability conversation.  This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

As part of our ongoing mini-series on Monitoring for Managers, Head Geek and database aficionado Kevin Kline teams up with fellow Head Geek Leon Adato to break down the essential things about databases and database monitoring a manager might need to know.  This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

IT pros juggle a lofty list of responsibilities. They're tasked with navigating new technology, maintaining continuity for hybrid work environments, devising creative solutions, all while ensuring those they support are successful. In our day-to-day interactions, we often see IT pros' hard, technology skills at play but rarely do we see or know the paths that brought them to where they are now.   SolarWinds Head Geeks Chrystal Taylor, Kevin Kline, and Liz Beavers shine a light on the people behind the technology. No matter where you start or how far you've come, there's always an opportunity to grow. Our 2021 IT Pro Day Award winners will join Head Geeks to dive into how they found their footing in IT, monumental experiences, and lessons they've learned along the way.  Timestamps: 0:56 - 2021 IT Rookie of the Year: Praharshita Gaur 26:28 - 2021 IT Trailblazer of the Year: Diana Awde 51:56 - 2021 IT Mentor of the Year: David Williams This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.  

When you hear the term service desk, what generally comes to mind? Perhaps it's to get a password reset, maybe ordering a new laptop, your run-of-the-mill asks for IT. Have you ever considered how the service desk could become a more central resource to the business, providing more than services for IT alone? SolarWinds® Head Geek™ Liz Beavers sits down with a panel of internal service providers from SolarWinds as they discuss their journey implementing an ITSM platform and successfully growing its footprint beyond IT. 

A good DBA is hard to find. This is because a good DBA wears many hats, often equating to 3 – 4 full time jobs. How can this be achieved or sustained? The secret is automation, and automation is also the reason the DBA is disappearing. In this final episode of our three-part series exploring the disappearing DBA, Head Geeks Thomas LaRock and Kevin Kline along with GitHub Star and Dual Microsoft MVP Chrissy LeMaire offer advice to data professionals looking to advance their careers by embracing automation.  This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

Being in IT as part of the armed services is a different type of work experience than the private sector, with military values, culture, and restrictions blending to create a unique type of IT experience. In this Veteran's Day episode of SolarWinds® TechPod™, Head Geek™ Leon Adato is joined by Marlys (Marcie) May, VP of Service Delivery at Atlantic Digital; and Greg Fetterhoff, VP and general manager at Monalytic. They explore what it means to work in tech in the various branches of the military, and what advantages and challenges it presents for folks who want to continue their IT career once they transition into civilian IT life.   This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode of TechPod, George Westerman and Head Geek™ Thomas LaRock discuss digital transformation, how to build the culture necessary for change, and where workplace learning has fallen short. George Westerman is a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a principal research scientist, J-WEL Workforce Learning. George works at the dynamic intersection of executive leadership and technology strategy.  This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

William Hurley (or “whurley” as he prefers to be called) is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and open-source advocate, whose work at Apple, IBM, and in the area of quantum computing is world-renowned. Picking up where we left off in part 1, SolarWinds Head Geek Leon Adato and whurley explore a range of topics – everything from the state of the tech industry in Austin; to career advice for those just starting out (as well as those who've been around the NOC a few times); to the things whurley wishes people would ask him. Give it a listen or read the transcript.  

William Hurley (or “whurley” as he prefers to be called) is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and open-source advocate, who's achieved what many geeks only dream of, including critically recognized work at Apple, IBM, and CERN. He's started and sold businesses; invented, invested, published, advised, and mentored. Currently, he's best known his thoughts on—and experience with— quantum computing. SolarWinds Head Geek Leon Adato asks about the insights whurley's gleaned from his work in quantum computing as it applies to everyday IT. But the conversation didn't stop there. Listen in (or read the transcript) to find out more.  This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

The DBA role is complex. Pitfalls exist everywhere you turn, and it can be difficult to survive and thrive. On this episode of TechPod, we'll help accidental DBAs become a DBA survivors with career advice from SolarWinds Head Geeks Thomas LaRock and Kevin Kline as well as Denny Cherry, CEO and founder, Denny Cherry & Associates. This podcast is provided for informational purposes only. © 2021 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.