IBM Z and LinuxONE Ecosystem Podcast

IBM Z and LinuxONE Community

Your exclusive front-row seat to the IBM Z and LinuxONE ecosystem. Learn new skills, explore real-world use cases, and gain insider knowledge on the latest releases—all powered by the community.

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21 episodes
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Avg 26 min
English

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Tuesday · 18 min
The Expert Who Never Retires: Agentic Root-Cause and Tested Fixes on IBM Z
Every bank has one - the engineer who is the only one that understands a critical system, and who is about to retire. In this episode, Tweezr CEO Ohad Kotler argues that the reason AI has transformed software development everywhere except the banking core isn't the code, it's the missing feedback loop: no machine-readable requirement, no visible dependencies, no fast tests. He discusses building a deterministic blueprint of an entire estate - COBOL, PL/I, Natural, Assembler, RPG, Java and the distributed systems around them - running on IBM Z and LinuxONE, and what becomes possible when agents can finally do root-cause analysis against something they actually understand. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
July 29 · 23 min
Unlocking VSAM Data Without Changing Your Code
In this episode, we explore how organizations can make their systems more efficient without starting over. Discover how VSAM data can flow seamlessly between batch jobs and CICS - no code changes needed. Learn how this boosts availability, cuts risk, and modernizes your systems while keeping what already works. Whether you're technical or just curious, we break it down in a clear, easy-to-follow way. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
July 2 · 23 min
Protecting Critical Workloads in the AI Era with Trend Micro and IBM
AI isn't just changing how we build software — it's changing how attackers operate. In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, we sit down with Trend Micro to unpack the accelerating security risks of the AI era and what a modern defense strategy looks like across IBM Z and LinuxONE, hybrid cloud, containers, and modern application platforms. The central challenge: agentic AI attacks demand agentic AI defenses. We explore why reactive, siloed tooling falls short — and how organizations can actually reduce tool sprawl and alert noise while gaining more control. We walk through Deep Security and the Zero=Day Initiative as the foundation, then build upward: security for OpenShift Container Platform, and a path toward full-stack visibility that spans every workload touching Z environments. The goal isn't just detection — it's the ability to correlate threats, predict attack paths, and act with precision before damage is done. This conversation maps out a practical approach to addressing this accelerating threat with speed and automation. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
S2 · E3
June 15 · 51 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Mainframe Security Simplified: Niall Ashley’s Story
Tune in as Devonte’ Hawkins and Caitlin Mooney chat with Niall Ashley, Security Technical Consultant at Vertali and IBM Champion. Niall shares his unexpected journey into mainframe security, having transitioned from aeronautical engineering. He discusses what makes mainframe security unique, strategies for learning complex concepts, and the importance of making education engaging. The conversation also touches on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and the value of giving back to the community through volunteering.
June 1 · 18 min
Trust at the Core: How Germany’s Savings Banks Are Raising the Bar on Payee Verification in Europe
In this episode, we speak with Christian Friberg from PPI and Ralf Schopohl from SIZ to explore the evolution of EBICS, the implementation of verification of payee in the European savings banking sector, and the critical role the Mainframe plays in ensuring secure, resilient and compliant transaction processing. We discuss how PPI and SIZ began their collaboration, the origins of EBICS as a German standard now adopted across Western Europe, and how core server-side programs running on IBM Z support the security and integrity of modern banking services. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
April 30 · 16 min
AI-driven mainframe access for modern developers
In this episode, we sit down with Gil Peleg, Co-founder and CEO of Geniez, which is enabling developers to connect their AI agents and applications directly to real-time mainframe data—without requiring deep mainframe expertise. This conversation explores how simplifying access to mainframe data is helping organizations retain talent, attract new developers, and keep critical workloads on the platform. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
S2 · E2
April 21 · 31 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - When Teaching Is the Moment You Become an SME — with Richelle Anne Craw
In this episode of New to Z: Road to SME, we’re joined by Richelle Anne Craw—Mainframe Software Engineer, IBM Champion, and community leader—for an honest and fun conversation about growth, curiosity, and confidence on the road to SME. Richelle shares her journey from early‑career developer to trusted expert, why teaching is often the moment you realize you’re an SME, and how transferable skills, mentorship, and curiosity shape long‑term success. From COBOL and pseudocode to open source and modern tooling, this episode is all about learning one step ahead—and making space for everyone in the mainframe community. Perfect for anyone new to IBM Z, navigating their career, or questioning whether they’re “expert enough” yet.
March 30 · 23 min
Human Firewalls: Social Engineering in Mainframe Security
Even the most advanced systems can be undone by a single human misstep. In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, we explore how social engineering exploits human behavior and how awareness, culture, and continuous education can help protect mission-critical environments like IBM Z. Joining us is Niall Ashley, an IBM Champion and security professional passionate about raising awareness of the human side of cybersecurity. Together, we discuss real-world examples, the psychology behind social engineering, and practical ways enterprises can strengthen their “human firewall” to complement the technical resilience of the mainframe.
March 2 · 19 min
Innovating with Mainframe: AI, Insights and a Product Manager's Journey
In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, our community manager Natalie Carrillo speaks with Mark Schettenhelm, Principal Product Manager, about his decades long journey with the mainframe and why IBM Z continues to evolve at the center of enterprise computing. From solving mission critical problems to leveraging AI for deeper code understanding and log analysis, Mark shares how innovation, persistence and a problem solving mindset are shaping the future of the platform. The conversation highlights how AI is lowering barriers to entry, enabling stronger application insight, and opening new opportunities for the next generation of IBM Z professionals. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
S2 · E1
February 20 · 48 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Pioneers in Mainframe Community Building: Steven Perva and Emma Skovgård
We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Season 2 of the New to Z: Road to SME podcast with IBM Champions Steven Perva and Emma Skovgård, exploring how community, curiosity, and modern tooling are shaping the next generation of mainframers. In this episode, we talk about their unconventional paths into the mainframe world and their work building vibrant communities like the Systems Z Enthusiast Discord and Dinoframe. They share lessons on learning curves, modern tools like Python on Z, and the communication skills that help new and experienced mainframers thrive. A quick, inspiring look at two leaders shaping the future of the platform.
February 4 · 21 min
A Career Across the Ecosystem: A Mainframer’s Journey and the Evolution of OMEGAMON
In this episode of the z/Action podcast, we sit down with Vytautas Murauskas, a former IBMer who now brings his expertise to Rocket Software as part of the OMEGAMON support team. Vytautas shares his unique career journey, from his early days in the IBM Z world to his current role supporting one of the industry’s most trusted performance and monitoring tools. Along the way, he reflects on career-defining moments, lessons learned, and the evolution of OMEGAMON in addressing modern mainframe challenges. Whether you’re curious about building a career in Mainframe or looking for insights into OMEGAMON’s impact, this conversation offers the perfect blend of personal storytelling and technical depth. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
January 5 · 21 min
Behind the Scenes, Big Impact: Donna Hudi’s exemplary leadership in the Mainframe community
In this episode of z/Action, we sit down with Donna Hudi, IBM Champion, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Business Development at Phoenix Software International, to explore how behind-the-scenes leadership can be one of the most powerful forms of advocacy. From being welcomed into the mainframe community with no prior Z experience, to mentoring the next generation of talent and supporting first-time presenters, Donna has become a force for inclusive growth and authentic leadership. Whether you're new to IBM Z or guiding others along their journey, this conversation will leave you motivated to engage, contribute, and lead in your own way. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
S1 · E5
Dec 12, 2025 · 23 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Breakthrough Innovation on IBM Z: Insights from Industry Leaders Rebecca & Tina
What better way to end the season than with our IBM Z Day special—featuring Tina Tarquinio, Chief Product Officer for IBM Z & LinuxONE, and Rebecca Levesque, Founder & CRO at 21CS. From AI + infrastructure to security, sustainability, and mentorship, Tina and Rebecca share smart, lively insights to help you go from New to Z to trusted SME—plus a few great stories along the way.
Dec 12, 2025 · 16 min
The z/Education! Podcast – Episode 11
This episode features Karl-Erik Stenfors, a retired IBM systems engineer and since 2015 been teaching Linux, virtualization and z/Assembler at three private universities in France, as well as teaching System Z technologies for two professional education companies. Kark-Erik has been recognized as an IBM Z and Linux One Champion for 2025!! Teaching has been a natural thread throughout his entire career, from installing and introducing new products, to coaching colleagues and customers, to authoring IBM Redbooks (comprehensive guides). In fact, he wrote every Redbook covering new processors during his final ten years at IBM. He also co-authored Introduction to Enterprise Systems written in collaboration with Reg Harbeck, David Boyes and Cameron Seay. Learn more about the book here. His thoughts on the mainframe culture: This is a platform that runs the world. So, that's a very particular culture around how do we run this system that cannot fail, how do you treat things when they go wrong? How to treat things to avoid that the same error doesn't come back. I think culture is a big word, but that's what I like about it. It's still developing every single day, there are new things coming on new languages, new processors, new products. So, it's a world that's very much alive and must keep learning almost every day in this environment. Karl-Erik’s teaching Philosophy: I have this philosophy that you should teach only things you know, only things you know how to do, and understand. So that's what I've been doing. Advice to educators: His advice is simple but powerful: don’t rush. What matters most is that students truly understand the material. Even if a student asks the same question 20 or 30 times, he says, it’s far more important that they ultimately grasp the concepts than it is to push forward too quickly. Listen to the rapid-fire questions to learn the fun things about him like Danish pancakes, herrings and going back to school to study political science! Resources: Visit the IBM Z Educator Hub User Group on the IBM Z and LinuxONE Community to find the latest communications, news and events, as well as collaborate and network. Check out technical lecture’s, blogs, events, videos, discussions, and more. Join here . Subscribe to “The z/Education!” Podcast to listen to talks from IBM Z Educators from around the world on their success stories, journeys and their best practices.
Dec 11, 2025 · 13 min
AI-Driven Decisions on the Mainframe
In this episode, you will learn how organizations are modernizing right on their mainframes, using a shared repository of decision logic to make smarter, faster, and more transparent decisions. By combining business rules with AI and machine learning, the mainframe is helping businesses unlock their full potential in today’s fast-paced digital world. Watch the episode here: https://ibm.biz/Bdb3p6 Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
S1 · E4
Nov 11, 2025 · 43 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast – Craig Mullins on Mainframes & More
Meet Craig Mullins – From punched cards to mainframes, Craig’s journey is a masterclass in curiosity and adaptability. Discover how a college intern at US Steel became a leading voice in enterprise computing. Tune in to hear his origin story and insights on navigating tech’s evolution!
Nov 3, 2025 · 19 min
Agentic AI on IBM Z: Shaping the Future of Intelligent Enterprise Systems
Agentic AI—the next wave of artificial intelligence—goes beyond automation to enable systems that can reason, act, and adapt autonomously. On IBM Z, these capabilities unlock new frontiers for enterprises seeking resiliency, efficiency, and trust at scale. This conversation explores how businesses can harness Agentic AI to transform operations, modernize mission-critical workloads, and co-create new value with their customers. We’ll dive into the future of enterprise intelligence, ethical AI practices, and the unique advantages of IBM Z in driving innovation with confidence. Watch the episode here: https://ibm.biz/BdbKz9 Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.
S1 · E3
Oct 27, 2025 · 35 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Green Screens & Grit: How Marcus Davage Became an SME
Marcus Davage is a seasoned technologist, lead product developer at BMC Software, and an IBM Champion. With a career that began in his teenage years—tinkering with early home computers like the Commodore 64 and Amiga—Marcus’s passion for computing led him to pursue a computer science degree and eventually discover the world of mainframes during an industrial placement at a steelworks. His journey from curious student to respected subject matter expert is marked by resilience, continuous learning, and a deep love for technology. Today, Marcus inspires others by sharing his experiences, mentoring emerging professionals, and championing innovation in enterprise computing.
S1 · E2
Oct 3, 2025 · 38 min
New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Mainframe Roots: PJ Catalano's Path to IBM Z Test Architect
In this episode, we sit down with PJ Catalano, IBM Z Test Architect, to discuss his origin story and how he got started in the mainframe space. PJ shares his journey from being a co-op student to becoming a leading expert in mainframe testing. We also dive into the process of testing a Z system, from emulation and simulation environments to hardware and firmware integration testing. PJ explains the importance of testing and how his team's efforts contribute to the reliability and quality of the IBM Z platform. Join us for an in-depth conversation about mainframe testing and the people who make it happen.
Oct 1, 2025 · 17 min
Mainframe Medicine: Transforming Patient Management with Agility & AI
In this episode, we dive into the powerhouse of healthcare IT—the mainframe. From patient management to accounting and medical records, the mainframe continues to deliver unmatched reliability and scalability for healthcare organizations. We’ll explore how mainframe systems enable agility in workflows, simplify the process of upskilling, and integrate seamlessly with AI to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Whether you’re a healthcare IT professional, a mainframe enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of digital health, this episode will show you why the mainframe remains a cornerstone of modern healthcare innovation. Stay Connected Be part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators. And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action! Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

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