The Simple Talk Podcast

Steve Jones, Grant Fritchey, Kellyn Gorman, Pat Wright

The Simple Talk Podcast, brought to you by Redgate Software's Simple Talk site, features hosts Steve Jones, Grant Fritchey, Kellyn Gorman and Pat Wright as they discuss technology adoption, career stories, industry challenges and more. From database management and DevOps, to data security and programming techniques, it's a must-listen for tech industry professionals and enthusiasts.

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Avg 32 min
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S3 · E18
Yesterday · 24 min
Fabric, agents, and security gap nobody's aware of (with Heidi Hasting)
Heidi Hasting joins host Kellyn Gorman for a chat featuring Microsoft Fabric, real-time intelligence, and a permissions trap that hands your data to a coworker's chatbot...Also: what MVP status really means, and where you should visit in South Australia (snakes included)! See Heidi's MVP profile here. Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
September 3 · 13 min
Building India's PostgreSQL scene (with Hari Kiran)
Pat Wright sits down with PostgreSQL veteran Hari Kiran – founder of OpenSource DB and co-organizer of PG Day Hyderabad, where this episode was recorded. They talk community building, mentoring the next generation of PostgreSQL contributors, and how a coffee chat with a friend turned into one of India's biggest PostgreSQL events. For more on PG Day Hyderabad, head to https://2026.pghyd.in/ Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
August 20 · 30 min
Zero downtime: Franck Pachot on his 'migration' from Oracle to PostgreSQL
We catch up with Franck Pachot, a longtime database community figure who has moved through Oracle, CERN, Yugabyte, MongoDB and, most recently, the PostgreSQL team at Microsoft. Hear stories from Franck's varied career, learn what makes technical content genuinely useful to developers, how Postgres's MVCC and extension model differs from Oracle's, and what's really going on with Microsoft's growing family of PostgreSQL offerings (Flexible Server, Horizon DB, and DocumentDB). Find Franck's written content at https://franckpachot.github.io/pages/ Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
August 6 · 27 min
Live SQL Server quiz!
How well do the Redgate Advocates know SQL Server? Find out in this quick-fire quiz, recorded live with an audience at SQL Saturday Day of Data Baton Rouge on July 18th! Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
July 23 · 40 min
The art of SQL Server query tuning and execution plans (with Hugo Kornelis)
Grant is joined by SQL Server veteran and long-time Microsoft MVP, Hugo Kornelis, to talk all things SQL Server query tuning, execution plans, and more. You'll hear about some of the problems Hugo's encountered during his consultancy career, what SQL Server has in common with a highway, and Hugo's thoughts on AI – plus much more. Find Hugo at https://sqlserverfast.com/ Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
July 9 · 30 min
Is SQL Server really "too legacy to love"?
In a recent article, The Register suggested that SQL Server is "too lucrative to ditch, but too legacy to love" - but is that actually true? With many years' SQL Server, PostgreSQL and Oracle experience between them, Steve Jones, Kellyn Gorman, Grant Fritchey, and Pat Wright offer their thoughts on the article, and the current state of SQL Server as a whole - including how it fares against other databases in 2026. Read the full The Register article here. DB-Engines: https://db-engines.com/en/ Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/ Did you enjoy this episode and want to support us? Leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! To review us on Apple Podcasts, simply head to our main show page (The Simple Talk Podcast) and scroll down until you see 'Ratings & Reviews.' From here, you can simply tap the 5 stars to rate us, or click 'Write a Review' to leave more detailed feedback! To rate us on Spotify, simply head to our main show page, hit the 'About' tab (to the right of 'Episodes'), and underneath the description you'll see our current rating in the left-hand corner. Tap that to leave a rating of your own!
July 1 · 43 min
"SQL Server isn't slow - it's doing exactly what you told it to do" - a chat with David Klee
In this episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast, Kellyn Gorman is joined by veteran Data Platform Architect, David Klee, to talk all things SQL Server performance tuning. Learn why "it's slow" is the least useful thing anyone can tell a DBA, why you need a real baseline before diagnosing anything, and why a database is never 'just' a database - plus much more. Thanks to David for his time. You can find him at https://www.davidklee.net/ Listen or watch to every episode of the Redgate Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
June 18 · 11 min
Wrapping up PG Dev Conf 2026 and PG DATA 2026 (PostgreSQL community events)
Two major PostgreSQL community events took place recently: PostgreSQL Development Conference 2026 (Vancouver, BC, Canada), and PG DATA 2026 (Chicago, IL). Pat Wright and Kellyn Gorman attended both and, in this quick-fire episode, offer their thoughts and key takeaways from the events. Recorded on-site at PASS Summit Europe in Frankfurt, Germany (June 11th, 2026). PG Dev Conf 2026: https://2026.pgconf.dev/ PG DATA 2026: https://2026.pg-data.org/ Watch or listen to every episode of the Simple Talk podcast: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
June 11 · 47 min
Turning down grad school, self-learning Power BI, and Lego! - with Kristyna Ferris
Kristyna Ferris turned down grad school, learned Power BI, moved into the data world - and never looked back. In this chat with Steve Jones, Kristyna explains why she did it, what she's learned, and even why her first DBA changed her password! Plus: being a Microsoft MVP, the importance of self-learning, being inspired to get involved with the community, and Kristyna's passion for Lego, movies, and more! Data on Wheels: https://dataonwheels.wordpress.com/ Watch or listen to every episode of the Simple Talk podcast: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
May 28 · 26 min
"You are the CEO of your own brand" - the importance of taking the initiative, with Chris Yates
Taking the initiative. Prioritizing relationships. Doing the work nobody else wants to do. These are just some of the elements that contributed to Chris Yates' rise from a developer to a DBA and, eventually, a Senior Vice President. As he explains to Steve Jones, "you are the CEO of your own brand." Also in the episode: discover Chris' thoughts on AI, the importance of community, and the one thing he'd now do differently if he were to start from scratch. Watch or listen to every episode of the Simple Talk podcast: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/ Simple Talk, and the Simple Talk podcast, is brought to you by Redgate Software: https://www.red-gate.com/
May 13 · 36 min
Security vs speed in databases
Are engineering teams quietly accepting more risk? Redgate's 2026 State of the Database Landscape report reveals that people are increasingly willing to accept more risk to be more productive and take full advantage of AI's capabilities. Steve Jones, Kellyn Gorman, Grant Fritchey and Pat Wright share their thoughts on that in today's episode. They share stories from their own careers, debate on whether the decline of the DBA 'gatekeeper' role has weakened security practices, how AI is amplifying the problem - and much more. Read the 2026 State of the Database Landscape here: https://www.red-gate.com/solutions/state-of-database-landscape/2026/ Watch or listen to all episodes of the Simple Talk podcast at: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts/
April 7 · 27 min
Making stuff go faster, from databases to the race track (with Matt Gordon)
Steve visits Microsoft Data Platform MVP and data consultant Matt Gordon near his home in Lexington, KY. They discuss his love of making databases go faster, AI, the pros and cons of MS Fabric, data quality, community involvement, and much more. Plus, learn all about Matt's passion for motorsport and what he currently races on the track. Want to see Matt's car and learn more about his racing adventure? Watch from 27 minutes in the video here. Check out Lean TECHniques at https://leantechniques.com/ Listen or watch every episode of the Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts
March 12 · 23 min
Why SSIS will never die - with Tim Mitchell
Steve is joined by business intelligence architect and author Tim Mitchell. They discuss why SSIS will never die, the general pros of cons of integration services, the evolution from XML to JSON, how AI can help with coding, and taekwondo – among other topics! Recorded on-site at PASS Data Community Summit 2025. Visit Tim's website PASS Data Community Summit – join us in 2026! Watch or listen to all episodes of the Simple Talk podcast
February 26 · 23 min
The benefits of leadership coaching in the tech industry – with Cindy Gross
Steve is joined by Cindy Gross to discuss leadership coaching in the technology industry – what it is, how it works, and the many benefits it brings. Recorded on-site at PASS Data Community Summit 2025 in Seattle. Cindy is an executive coach and Adaptive Leadership Expert with 25 years in the US tech industry. As a former SQL Server Master (MCM) and expert in cross-organizational navigation at Microsoft, she transformed her focus from complex technical systems to empowering leaders within systemic chaos. Today, through Befriending Dragons, she guides indispensable Keystone Leaders struggling with burnout, equipping organizations with her Leadership Navigation System to befriend Leadership Friction and convert Leadership Debt into strategic leverage, thus ensuring critical talent retention. As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Cindy integrates the Cherokee principle of collective leadership, Gadugi, into her work. Cindy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindygross Learn more about Befriending Dragons: https://BefriendingDragons.com Befriending Dragons' schedule: https://befriendingdragons.com/meet Cindy's email: CindyGross@BefriendingDragons.com Cindy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/befriendingdragons Listen or watch every episode of the Simple Talk podcast at https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts
February 11 · 28 min
Rollback vs Roll Forward in Databases
Rollbacks act as an 'undo' for databases, but why are they important, what happens if you can't roll back, and how do you prevent even needing to in the first place? Steve, Kellyn, Grant & Pat try to answer these questions – and more. Recorded on-site at Redgate HQ in Cambridge, UK. Watch or listen to every episode of the Simple Talk podcast at: www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts
January 29 · 33 min
What to Expect in the Database World in 2026
Steve, Kellyn & Grant are joined by new Redgate Advocate, Pat Wright, for a wide-ranging discussion about what to expect in the database world in 2026 – from AI and when the bubble may burst, to community events (including the upcoming rebrand of SQL Saturday), the importance of connection, and much more… Recorded on-site at Redgate HQ in Cambridge, UK. Watch or listen to every episode of the Simple Talk podcast at: www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts
Dec 29, 2025 · 34 min
Biggest Surprises of 2025, The Good, Bad & Ugly of AI, and Looking Ahead
Steve Jones, Kellyn Gorman and Grant Fritchey discuss what surprised them most in the database/tech world in 2025, ruminate on the good, bad and ugly of AI, and ponder where it goes next. Recorded on-site at PASS Summit 2025 in Seattle. Watch or listen to every episode of the Simple Talk podcast at: www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/podcasts Simple Talk is a free learning resource brought to you by Redgate Software, featuring thousands of articles covering databases, AI, Cloud, DevOps and much more: www.red-gate.com/simple-talk
S3 · E8
Dec 11, 2025 · 32 min
Data Modeling, SQL Server 2025, Community, Running & More – with Ed Pollack
Ed Pollack (Microsoft Data Platform MVP and community champion) sat down with Steve Jones at PASS Summit 2025 to discuss many topics including: Why change is good - but keeping on top of the fundamentals is still important Data modeling Recommended software/products to use SQL Server 2025, which was just launched into General Availability at the time of recording The process of testing & best practices The importance of community, and how to bring people together Running a marathon Plus, find out what Ed's baking specialism is – and try it for yourself at the Capital Area SQL Server User Group event in Albany, NY! Event information: https://www.meetup.com/capital-area-sql-server-user-group/ Ed's Simple Talk profile: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/ed7alum-rpi-edu/ Ed's MVP profile: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/mvp/profile/c7dc42d5-ff3e-ed11-bba3-000d3a197333 Ed on Sessionize: https://sessionize.com/edward-pollack/
Nov 27, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
Simon Sabin on SQLBits, Data, AI, and Running a Conference
Steve Jones is joined by SQLBits founder Simon Sabin at Redgate's Cambridge HQ to discuss Simon's early days in the data world (and how the industry has evolved), the importance of context when working with AI, and what's ahead for SQLBits in 2026. They also dive into the nuances of conference speaking and, for a change of pace, Simon talks about his foray into UK motor racing. SQLBits 2026 takes place 22-25 April 2026 at the ICC Wales: https://sqlbits.com/ Apply to speak at the event (deadline 21 December 2025): https://sqlbits.com/speak/ Sabin.io: https://sabin.io/
S3 · E6
Nov 6, 2025 · 43 min
Coffee chat with John Sterrett
Steve chats with John Sterrett, CEO of ProcureSQL, about his true love for data from a young age, how SQL Saturday and community events inspired him to start his own company, ProcureSQL's use of AI to provide more value, and the impacts of work on relationships - plus much more! ProcureSQL: https://procuresql.com/ John's website: https://johnsterrett.com/ Marriage Masterpeace: https://marriagemasterpeace.com/ Check out more Simple Talk podcast episodes at https://rd.gt/3TJocZ9

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