SolarWinds TechPod

SolarWinds

Join the brightest SolarWinds minds and IT industry influencers, as they cut through the jargon and give you the tools you need to grow and keep your tech knowledge razor-sharp. Come with questions—leave with actionable steps and practical insights.

Have ideas for future episodes or topics? Tweet us @ SolarWinds using #TechPod.

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20 episodes
monthly
Avg 50 min
English

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#110
June 9 · 1 hr 3 min
Oops! All Robots
Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring explore the fascinating world of robotics, from consumer devices to advanced medical robots, and discuss the future of humanoid and non-humanoid robots in our lives. Chrystal and Sean, with guest Andy Garibay, explore the future of robotics, focusing on form, function, and societal impact. They debate why certain designs, such as dogs, dominate, the potential of automation in construction and security, and the ethical considerations of humanoid robots.
#109
May 12 · 56 min
AI Word of the Day: Confabulation
Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor chat with Josh Stageberg, SolarWinds GVP of Product Management, about the future of Agentic AI.
#108
April 7 · 53 min
Is AI Ruining Gaming?
Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring react to the sudden departure of Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and discuss where they are on the spectrum of excitement for the possibilities of AI in gaming to fear of the unknown.
#107
March 10 · 42 min
Unlocking the Power of SolarWinds Through Training
In this SolarWinds TechPod episode, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring talk with Cheryl Nomanson, a SolarWinds Academy trainer with 14 years at the company. They discuss the importance of technical education for complex software and networks, exploring SolarWinds' comprehensive training offerings including the SolarWinds Academy with its on-demand courses, instructor-led virtual classes, and office hours format. Cheryl explains the SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) certification program and the newer SolarWinds Certified Instructor (SCI) program for training partners globally. The conversation covers different learning formats, comparing virtual versus in-person instruction challenges and benefits, the importance of customer feedback in developing training content, and best practices for internal employee education. They emphasize how proper training helps customers realize the full value of SolarWinds products by providing not just functional knowledge but strategic understanding of why features work the way they do.
#106
February 10 · 1 hr 2 min
IT Leadership Best Practices: Why People Matter More Than Tools
IT leadership isn’t about tools — it’s about people. In this episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring sit down with Jon Collins, Field CTO & VP of Engagement at GigaOm, to explore the human side of technology leadership. From gurus to cowboys to misfits and mavericks, this conversation dives deep into why processes fail when people are ignored — and how leaders can build resilient, high-performing teams in an ever-changing IT landscape.
#105
January 13 · 1 hr 1 min
IT Trends and Predictions for 2026
SolarWinds TechPod returns with its annual IT trends and predictions episode — and 2026 is all about Agentic AI. In this episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor are joined by Sascha Giese (SolarWinds) and Lauren Okruch (SolarWinds Product Marketing) to break down how AI, ITSM, automation, governance, and resilience will shape IT operations in 2026. As a leader in IT management, observability, and IT service management, SolarWinds offers a unique perspective on how Agentic AI is moving IT from automation to autonomous action — and what that means for governance, security, and the evolving role of IT teams. Topics covered in this SolarWinds TechPod episode: What Agentic AI means for modern IT organizations How SolarWinds sees AI evolving beyond traditional automation The rise of shadow AI and shadow IT in enterprise environments Why IT governance and trust are critical in 2026 How ITSM is changing with AI-driven workflows Energy, sustainability, and cost considerations of AI at scale Resilience, multi-cloud strategies, and right-compute decision making Why IT is no longer just a cost center — but an innovation engine This episode is essential listening for SolarWinds users, IT leaders, sysadmins, service desk teams, and technology decision-makers preparing for the next era of AI-powered IT operations. Subscribe to SolarWinds TechPod for expert insights on ITSM, observability, AI in IT, automation, and digital transformation — straight from the SolarWinds community.
#104
Dec 16, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Holiday Tech Survival Kit
In this special holiday episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor are joined by Movies & Mainframes host Andy Garibay to unpack the perfect Holiday Tech Survival Kit — from must-have travel gadgets to kitchen tech that saves your holiday dinner, how to deck the halls with smart lighting, and surviving every IT pro’s nightmare: holiday tech support for family. Whether you're traveling, cooking, gaming, or helping parents remember their Wi-Fi passwords, this episode is filled with relatable stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.
#103
Nov 11, 2025 · 43 min
AFK: The Only Status You Need When AFW
What does real work-life balance look like in tech? In this honest and funny conversation, Sean Sebring and Chrystal Taylor share stories from their sabbaticals, burnout moments, and how they learned to unplug — for real this time.
#102
Oct 14, 2025 · 10 min
SolarWinds Reveals Next-Gen AI
In this special mini episode of SolarWinds TechPod, hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring sit down again with Matai Wilson to unpack the latest AI innovations announced during SolarWinds Day. Discover how SolarWinds is building the future of autonomous IT operations, from proactive remediation and Root Cause Assist (RCA) to an Agentic Framework that will transform how IT pros interact with systems.
#102
Sep 16, 2025 · 55 min
AI Isn't What You Think
Matai Wilson, Senior Director for Product Management at SolarWinds, joins TechPod to explore the evolving landscape of AI technology. The conversation delves into the challenges of building AI technology, the exciting future of AI in IT operations, and the upcoming features and tools SolarWinds is developing to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
#101
Aug 29, 2025 · 44 min
Inside a Cybersecurity War Room
It's CSOC o'clock! In this episode, we dive into the high-stakes world of cyber defense with the manager of cybersecurity operations at a critical infrastructure organization. From ransomware threats and zero-day exploits to the rise of nation-state-backed Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), our guest reveals how security teams manage 24/7 threats, the mindset it takes to thrive in cybersecurity, and why community collaboration is becoming essential in cyber warfare. Whether you're an IT pro, a security hopeful, or just curious about what keeps defenders up at night, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and the real grit of the job.
#100
Jul 8, 2025 · 38 min
Brainstorms, Banter, and Bloopers
It’s the 100th episode of SolarWinds TechPod! Join hosts Chrystal Taylor and Sean Sebring as they celebrate this milestone by going behind the scenes of the podcast. From the infamous "host curse" to their favorite guests, funniest moments, and the magic of production, this candid conversation reveals what it really takes to bring TechPod to life. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the pod, you’ll enjoy hearing about the evolution of the show, the power of community, and what’s coming next. © 2025 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved
#99
Jun 10, 2025 · 50 min
The Mindset Shift: IT Operations to Security
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
#98
May 13, 2025 · 1 hr
Community and Collaboration: Lessons from Gaming
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
#97
Apr 8, 2025 · 41 min
Monitoring, Observability, and Operational Resilience
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
#96
Mar 11, 2025 · 42 min
The Prompt Journey
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
#95
Feb 18, 2025 · 51 min
The Power of Lifelong Learning
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
#94
Jan 14, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
IT Trends and Predictions for 2025
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
#93
Dec 10, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
Ghosts of Tech Past and Future
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
#92
Nov 12, 2024 · 49 min
Understanding the Role of Security in Business
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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