Microsoft Community Insights Podcast

We talk with Tiago Costa about what “secure by design” looks like on Azure when teams want AI fast but lack the basics like data governance, landing zones, and repeatable deployment. We share lessons on cost shocks from token-based billing, why click ops undermines security, and how to guide teams towards safer habits without slowing delivery.     Text Us About the Show

Jordan shares the thinking behind “Easy AI”: add agents and agentic workflows to what you already run, even when the people operating the system don’t know the codebase inside out. We talk through the new Azure portal experience for enabling MCP, using  App Service managed instance  See here for information  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRKgQCQvSjk https://devblogs.microsoft.com/microsoft365dev...

If you are letting people query Microsoft Fabric with T-SQL, you are already making a security decision, whether you meant to or not. We sit down with data platform MVP John Minor to unpack what it really takes to secure the Fabric SQL analytic endpoint, from the basic shape of the Fabric ecosystem to the small settings that can derail a rollout. We start with the fundamentals: which Fabric object...

Deployment is where motivation goes to die: the app works locally, the deadline is close, and suddenly you’re buried in portals, docs, and mysterious errors. We sit down with Microsoft MVP Mohammed Sami to talk about a more practical approach: using GitHub Copilot in VS Code to keep your focus, ask better questions, and move from “it runs on my machine” to “it’s live” with less stress. Text Us Abo...

You will learn how small knowledge graph, implement a GraphRAG workflow, and connect it to an AI agent powered by the Microsoft Agent Framework and Microsoft Foundry. You will learn how the agent traverses a graph database, interprets relationships, and answers queries over connected data. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-glessner/ https://ilovemesh.com Text Us About the Show

Tech does not just need more women, it needs more women who feel free to show up as themselves. We sit down with Samantha St Louis, VP of AI App Innovation and a Microsoft MVP, to talk about what it really looks like to build an AI career, lead AI strategy, and navigate a male-dominated industry without shrinking your personality to fit the room. Her career journey is the proof point. She starts a...

Choosing the right AI model shouldn’t feel like roulette. We sit down with Kate Catlin, the product manager from GitHub. Kate shares how model strengths and explains how auto mode aims to pick the right model for the job so developers can focus on outcomes. We dig into practical tactics that cut through hype: start with a golden dataset, run evaluations early, and keep refining with real user prom...

Build an agent that understands intent, finds the right data, and takes action across your CRM—without wiring a maze of connectors. We sit down with Microsoft MVP and functional architect Nathan Rose to explore how Dataverse and Model Context Protocol in Copilot Studio turn instructions into outcomes, shrinking complexity and unlocking reliable, low‑code automation. Text Us About the Show

We walk through a plan-first workflow that asks Copilot to survey the codebase, propose a step-by-step solution, and only then switch to agent mode to implement. That simple change lifts code quality, reduces rework, and keeps diffs aligned with architecture. We also dig into custom agents with scoped permissions and roles: a testing agent for unit coverage, a docs agent for READMEs, a refactor ag...

What if your documentation never drifted out of sync across 54 languages? We sit down with MinSock, Microsoft AI MVP and open-source maintainer, to unpack how a hackathon prototype grew into a robust translation automation pipeline now living under the Microsoft Azure GitHub organisation. The story starts with a simple pain: reading English technical docs as a non-native speaker. It evolves into a...

We dig into how to make that magic reliable, sharing a practical blueprint for building trustworthy AI on Microsoft Foundry with guest   Microsoft AI MVP, Liji Thomas. From there, we tour Microsoft Foundry’s control plane and show how to configure guardrails at model and agent levels to block PII, reduce jailbreaks, and filter harmful or protected content. We explore observability and evaluations...

We start by weighing the trade-offs: managed AI gives you speed, safety, and a deep model catalog, but steady high-volume workloads, strict compliance, or edge latency often tilt the equation. That’s where AKS shines. With managed GPU node pools, NVIDIA drivers and operators handled for you, and Multi-Instance GPU to prevent noisy neighbours, you get reliable performance and better utilisation. Au...

We sit down with Peter Ward to decode how real moonshot solutions are built at the intersection of clean data, practical AI, and unapologetically human design. From Copilot adoption to rethinking org charts, we connect the dots between cost, capability, and cultural change to show where the next wave of value will emerge. We start by reframing the Copilot debate. The £30‑a‑month question isn’t the...

We break down Blazor’s render modes in plain language. Server side rendering for instant first paint, streaming SSR for progressive content, interactive Server with SignalR for low latency, and Blazor WebAssembly when you want client side execution and near native speed. With the .NET 8 Blazor Web App template, you can pre render for speed, attach Server for responsiveness, and hydrate WASM in the...

We explore how real-time analytics in Microsoft Fabric turns raw events into decisions within seconds while keeping the strength of batch for complete, trusted reporting. From OneLake layering to agentic AI, we share practical patterns, pitfalls, and skills to get started fast. • OneLake bronze, silver, gold layering for reliability • Event Hubs to OneLake pipeline setup • real-time dashboards, mo...

Brian shares his fascinating journey from certification skeptic to exam developer, explaining how Microsoft's approach to testing has evolved from simple multiple-choice questions to complex, hands-on lab scenarios that reflect real-world challenges. Drawing on his experience working with retail and consumer goods organizations, Brian reveals how businesses are implementing AI solutions that...

Santosh Kumar, Azure MVP in Networking and Cloud Security, explains why Zero Trust isn't just a product but a critical security strategy for the modern workplace. He breaks down how organisations can implement this approach to protect against the dramatic rise in cyber threats. Follow the Microsoft Community Insights Podcast on social media so you never miss an episode. Text Us About the Show

Syntax in security might sound technical and dry, but as Mona Ghadiri reveals, it's actually the secret sauce that determines whether your AI security tools deliver inconsistent results or game-changing efficiency. This eye-opening conversation explores how treating Security Co-Pilot prompts as code transforms security operations. Mona, a Microsoft MVP in Security Co-Pilot and Vice President...

The rapidly evolving field of generative AI can be intimidating, especially for those looking to implement enterprise-ready solutions. That's precisely the gap Amit sought to fill with his book "Azure OpenAI Essentials," co-authored with technical reviewers who ensured quality and accuracy throughout. Amit, who has spent years helping healthcare organizations build scalable generati...

Daniel takes us through the unsustainable habits that led to his collapse: working late shifts to avoid interruptions, surviving on takeaway meals and six energy drinks daily, and completely neglecting self-care. The turning point came when he discovered a three-part approach to recovery—the BOSH technique: movement (Bewegen), relaxation (Ontspanning), and social connection (Social). What makes th...

What does it mean to build true belonging in a digital age? Heather Cook, a 25-year Microsoft veteran and community champion, takes us on a remarkable journey through the evolution of technology communities and how artificial intelligence is reshaping connection rather than replacing it. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathernewman/ https://www.communitydays.org/ https://aka.ms/MGCI https://aka.ms/Mo...

Dive into the world of functional programming with Simon Painter, a  .NET developer with 20 years of experience who literally wrote the book on functional C#. Simon breaks down this powerful programming paradigm in refreshingly accessible terms, comparing it to connecting Lego bricks to create increasingly complex systems. Beyond his professional work, Simon shares his passion through teaching chi...

Harshavardhan shares his journey as an Associate Product Manager working with Azure AI solutions, from development challenges to community engagement. He discusses creating AI-powered interview systems and adaptive mock tests that serve millions of users while explaining how combining Azure and Gemini enables more robust solutions than using either platform alone.    • Seven-time Microsoft certifi...

In this episode, we speak with software developer Jokey about his extensive experience with .NET, the challenges of integrating legacy systems, and the importance of continuous learning in the tech industry. Jokey shares insights on his journey in software development, his contributions to open source, and the innovative projects he has undertaken, including the creation of a unified SDK for Googl...

What does it mean to be a storyteller at one of the world's largest technology companies? In this captivating conversation with Miri Rodriguez, Senior Storyteller at Microsoft and co-author of the forthcoming book "The Women of Microsoft," we discover how narrative shapes the way we understand technology, transformation, and human connection in the digital age. Text Us About the Sho...