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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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