Explore every episode of the podcast Scott & Mark Learn To...

Join tech industry veterans Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich as they dive into the challenges and innovations of today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re an experienced developer or simply curious about technology, each episode offers a fresh perspective on emerging trends, familiar topics, and insights that go beyond the strictly technical. From the latest in AI to effective ways to influence without authority, Scott and Mark set out to 'learn' something new in every episode, and they’re bringing you along for the ride. Join Scott and Mark for engaging discussions, expert advice, and a shared journey of learning and discovery. There's always something new to learn! 

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss the concept of shipping the org chart, a term used to describe when different teams' outputs are inconsistently integrated, reflecting the organizational structure rather than a cohesive product. Scott recounts his experience test-driving an electric vehicle with a disjointed interface, which made him question the internal coordination within the automaker. Mark explains how Microsoft addresses this issue through standardization and tooling, emphasizing the need for consistent APIs and user experiences. They also debate the balance between maintaining consistency and fostering innovation, and how large tech companies like Microsoft and Apple manage these challenges. 

Takeaways:    

• Establishing UX design standards helps maintain a consistent user experience across features 
• Inconsistent design or functionality can impact user perception and trust in a product 
• Integrating quality checks early (shift left) helps prevent issues and reduces later fixes 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the art of influencing without authority. Scott, who recently took on new responsibilities at Microsoft, shares his approach to leadership and advocacy, encouraging his team to push boundaries and advocate for the customer. Mark, Deputy CISO and CTO of Azure, discusses the importance of using influence over authority, drawing from his experiences both at Microsoft and his earlier days running his own software company. The conversation also touches on leadership dynamics, resource allocation, and the challenges of managing priorities in a large organization. Through their candid discussion, Scott and Mark offer insights and practical advice for leaders at all levels. 

Takeaways:   

• The importance of advocating for the customer, even if it means ruffling a few feathers 
• How to balance being assertive with being respectful in a leadership role 
• The significance of building trust and influence to effectively lead without direct authority 

Who are they?    

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn 

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to 

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Download the Transcript

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In this bonus episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich take a detour into the fabulous world of skincare, proving that everyone deserves a little TLC! With Scott both amused and bewildered by Mark's radiant complexion, they launch into a lively debate about grooming habits. From the champagne of shampoos to moisturizing rituals and the must-have essentials for looking sharp in the tech world, Scott and Mark share their best beauty tips. Plus, discover the profound truth that “you can’t have too many moisturizers”—unless you're Mark, who insists that sometimes, less is more! 

Takeaways:    

• Mark's glowing skin leads Scott to question how old he really is 
• The importance of skincare routines as a form of self-care  
• A minimalistic routine vs a more extensive regimen and common misconceptions  

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn To on YouTube 

Listen & Subscribe at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the quirks and philosophies of programming languages—debating the purpose of small languages, like Erlang, versus giants like JavaScript. Along the way, they discuss whether modern languages with hindsight (like Kotlin) are inherently better and reminisce about the good old days of writing code in C, Delphi, and even 6502 assembler. Mark reflects on transitioning to Rust for system-level code in Azure, marking a deliberate move away from C/C++. He highlights Rust’s ownership model, memory safety, and enforced concurrency as the game-changers. Meanwhile, Scott is poking fun at the oddities of language trends, including Python’s rise to dominance in machine learning.  

Takeaways:    

• Rust’s key advantage with enforced memory safety 
• Python’s dominance in AI due to its robust ecosystem not just its language features 
• Why programming language selection is driven by ecosystems, tools, and personal preference 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore the evolving role of AI in tech, from leveraging tools like GitHub Copilot to boost productivity in coding, to the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on AI. They discuss how AI is reshaping both education and professional development and reflect on the challenges of large language models (LLMs), including issues like hallucinations, indirect prompt injection attacks, and jailbreaks. Mark highlights how models, shaped by Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF), can still produce unpredictable results, underscoring the need for transparency, safety, and ethical use in AI-driven systems. 

Takeaways:    

• Whether reliance on AI affects one's foundational coding skills and overall efficiency 
• How to balance continuous learning with maintaining expertise in technology fields 
• AI models sometimes produce hallucinations and the importance of understanding how to effectively use these tools   

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the emotional complexity of receiving feedback—especially when it’s tough to hear. They explore the difference between constructive critique and personal opinion, the impact of timing and context, and how motivation behind feedback can shape how it's received. Sharing real stories about presentation flops, speaker coaching, and surprising reactions to their ideas, they reflect on how experience builds resilience and why it’s important to hold onto your convictions while staying open to growth. They also touch on the balance between instinct and data in decision-making, the subtle politics of corporate resistance, and even the fine art of surviving massive Zoom meetings with 81 attendees. It’s an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation about learning, evolving, and breathing through it all. 

Takeaways:    

• The importance of understanding the context in which feedback is received 
• How hard it can be to maintain belief in your work after negative feedback 
• You don’t have to accept all feedback you can pick what serves you the best 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss using AI to build a fractal shader in just 15 minutes—something that would normally take hours of manual coding. They explore the challenges and limitations of AI in real-world projects, particularly with large, complex codebases. The conversation covers the importance of understanding licensing and tools like GitHub Copilot for sourcing and attributing code. Mark shares his experiences with AI-assisted coding, particularly the frustrations of models that "fix" issues but miss the mark. They highlight how AI struggles with complex projects, maintaining state, and adapting to evolving requirements. Ultimately, they agree that while AI can assist with certain tasks, human expertise is essential for ensuring the right context and specification in development. 

Takeaways:    

• Despite initial skepticism, the first attempt at creating the shader worked nearly perfectly 
• AI models may not always use the latest API versions, causing security or functionality issues 
• Enterprise AI development involves continuous iteration, evolving from V1 to more refined versions 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich delve into the critical developer skill of debugging crash dump files, both kernel dumps and application dumps. They start sharing insights from their experiences with blue screens and system crashes. They discuss tools like WinDBG ("Windbag") for analyzing dump files and demonstrate "Not My Fault," a tool for simulating crashes. Mark also showcases Procdump, highlighting its advanced features for capturing dumps with conditional triggers, such as high CPU usage or memory leaks, and explains why it outshines manual methods like Task Manager. 

Takeaways:    

• How WinDbg and Visual Studio allow developers to analyze memory dumps as snapshots 
• The need for developers to get comfortable with debugging 
• Exciting possibilities for AI-assisted development in the near future 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich delve into the intricate world of undocumented APIs, examining their associated risks and benefits. Mark shares his journey into reverse engineering, starting with the Apple II and evolving through his exploration of Windows internals. He elaborates on his PhD thesis on fault management, which sparked his interest in undocumented APIs. The conversation includes technical insights into disassembling and debugging, showcasing Mark’s development of his own disassembler and use of tools like SoftICE for kernel debugging. They also explore Microsoft’s rationale for keeping certain APIs undocumented, highlighting the importance of flexibility in system evolution without compromising application stability.

Takeaways:    

• Microsoft’s commitment to maintaining backward compatibility for older applications 
• How contemporary systems manage small crashes to maintain long-term stability 
• How Mark started his journey on Windows internal APIs 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn To on YouTube 

Listen & Subscribe at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into a lively mix of tech nostalgia, AI-driven code attribution, and shader programming mishaps. Scott introduces "ShaderGlass," an app that overlays CRT-style shaders on windows, leading to a chaotic live troubleshooting session when it renders invisibly. They also explore AI-assisted code attribution, joke about their legendary Zoomit skills, and poke fun at "vibe coding" among younger developers.  

Takeaways:    

• AI-generated code can now include references to original sources 
• Scott proves that some apps can operate without Windows recognizing them 
• How AI-generated code challenges traditional copyright laws    

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss their favorite technical conference, TechReady, an internal Microsoft event that allowed for unfiltered discussions about strategy and future technologies. They reflect on how speaking candidly in internal settings can influence public communication and decision-making. Mark recalls his bold stance on Rust over C++, which gained traction internally and externally, leading to direct discussions with Microsoft leadership. They also touch on the challenges of public communication as Microsoft executives, the company's relatively open culture compared to other tech giants, and lessons learned from past social media missteps.   

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the art of building reputations throughout the careers. Scott shares a story about directly messaging a distinguished engineer with a technical question, sparking a discussion about when it's appropriate to contact someone you don't know. Mark acknowledges that his title and reputation give him confidence to reach out to others but emphasizes not bothering people with "randomness." They explore when it's okay to say no, why thoughtful questions build influence, and how legendary computer scientist Donald Knuth turned bug reports into prized autographs. Mark shares his approach to unread messages, while Scott reveals his trick for turning good questions into content. Plus, a candid discussion on imposter syndrome—when even the most accomplished minds feel out of their depth. 

Takeaways:    

• The key is knowing when to ask questions versus when to do more self-research 
• Why titles serve as shorthand for expertise, but their importance depends on context. 
• How highly accomplished professionals deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the concept of systems thinking—what it means, why it matters, and how it applies beyond just coding. Scott recalls an insightful conversation with a colleague, who argues that while younger generations are taught to code, they aren’t taught to understand the larger systems in which code operates. They discussed how systems thinking approach contrasts with traditional code practices. They also explored the challenges of integrating AI into coding, the limitations of AI-generated code, the necessity of understanding the broader system in which code operates and debated the balance between deep analysis and decisive action. 

Takeaways:    

• Experience and mindset shape systems thinking 
• Understanding how one's work fits into a larger system can lead to better decision-making 
• With AI handling more coding tasks, the real value lies in the ability to think architecturally and systemically 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the history and evolution of ZoomIt, a popular screen annotation and zooming tool Mark created over 25 years ago. Originally built to enhance technical demos, ZoomIt has become an essential utility for countless users, including Scott, who calls it second nature. Mark shares how the tool's intuitive, keystroke-driven design surpasses alternatives like Windows Magnifier, making it a favorite for presentations and daily use.  

You can download Zoomit for free here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/zoomit  

And it is now part of PowerToys toolkit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/zoomit  

Takeaways:    

• ZoomIt's key features, including live zoom, annotations, blurring, and color customization 
• Mark highlights new features showcasing ZoomIt's ongoing evolution to better serve users 
• ZoomIt is entirely keystroke-driven, eliminating the need for menus or toolbars 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the art of giving technical talks. With Scott preparing for a keynote abroad and Mark gearing up for an internal presentation, the duo reflects on their journeys as speakers, from their very first presentations to commanding stages with thousands of attendees. They discuss how preparation evolves with experience, balancing off-the-cuff speaking with intensive demo prep. From brown bag sessions to high-stakes keynotes, and even Scott’s upcoming TEDx talk, they explore how stakes and familiarity shape their approach to crafting impactful presentations. 

Takeaways:    

• Scott manages nerves with monitoring heart rate and using breathing exercises to stay calm 
• Mark’s time management techniques, dividing content into sections and time limits for each 
• Structuring talks in three acts and evenly divided segments in between 

Useful Links: 

Scott’s the Art of Speaking Class on Pluralsight: https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/hanselman-speaking 

Public speaking episodes from on-Net:  

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/on-dotnet/public-speaking-scott-hanselman-kendra-havens-maria-naggaga-nakanwagi-kasey-uhlenhuth-donov 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/on-dotnet/tips-on-public-speaking-from-andres-phil-scott-and-cecil  

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore the evolution of cloud computing, tracing its roots from the early days of Azure to its transformation into a powerful, flexible platform. Mark explains the shift from "pets" (individual servers) to "cattle" (easily replaceable servers) as cloud infrastructure became more scalable and cost-efficient. They discuss the challenges of scaling websites, from physical data centers to cloud-based solutions, and the economic and technical factors that led to the rise of multi-tenancy and on-demand services. The episode also highlights Azure’s adoption of Linux and the broader embrace of open-source technologies, marking a key shift in Microsoft’s cloud strategy. The conversation reflects on how modern cloud services abstract away complex infrastructure management, much like the simplification seen in programming languages with garbage collection. 

Takeaways:    

• Why cloud existed in the first place and how it evolved  
• Difference abstraction leads to different services, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS 
• Microsoft’s strategic decisions in the history of Azure, like embracing Linux and opensource technologies  

Resources: 

• The Mind Behind Windows: Dave Cutler 
• Microsoft Volume I: The Complete History and Strategy of founding through Windows 95 (Audio) 
• Microsoft Volume II: The Complete History and Strategy of the Ballmer Years (Audio) 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the topic of hobbies and how they balance tech work with leisure activities. Mark opens up about his long-time love for the Battlefield video game series, where he’s spent countless hours playing multiplayer, while Scott shares his passion for retro gaming on his Steam Deck. The conversation explores their favorite games, including Half-Life: Alyx, and how gaming serves as a much-needed release. They also discuss their non-tech hobbies—Mark’s unexpected talent for drawing, which he picked up again during COVID, and Scott’s thoughts on how AI and nerd sniping influence their spare time. The episode offers a fun and candid look into how these tech giants unwind and keep their creativity flowing. 

Takeaways:    

• How people assume successful tech professionals only engage in computer-related hobbies 
• AI research as a hobby, focusing on gamifying challenges to fuel passion for problem-solving 
• Mark shares his Star Wars props, including a Darth Vader helmet and Stormtrooper rifle 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Download the Transcript

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In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich Scott shares the behind-the-scenes stress and preparation that went into his recent TEDx talk, which required memorizing a 12-minute script and performing it without a teleprompter. Mark Russinovich opens up about how he experiences stress when his schedule gets out of control, and both hosts discuss the importance of mindfulness, exercise, having work besties, and managing social energy. The episode is packed with practical tips, vulnerable moments, and reflections on what it really takes to perform at a high level, whether it’s on stage, at work, or in life. 

Takeaways:    

• Trusted colleagues make high-pressure jobs sustainable 
• Skill is built through reps, not just raw ability 
• Repetition, feedback, and coaching turned Scott’s talk into something powerful 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive deep into the topic of self-promotion, visibility, and personal branding. They explore the blurry lines between promoting your work, representing your company, and building a personal brand—whether intentional or not. With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, they reflect on online criticism, handling stress, and the challenge of staying authentic while being visible.  

Takeaways:    

• Why personal branding doesn’t always mean having a “strategy” 
• How to balance work visibility with personal authenticity 
• The challenge of managing side projects and perception within corporate environments 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

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In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the chaotic world of large language models, hallucinations, and grounded AI. Through hilarious personal stories, they explore the difference between jailbreaks, induced hallucinations, and factual grounding in AI systems. With live prompts and screen shares, they test the limits of AI's reasoning and reflect on the evolving challenges of trust, creativity, and accuracy in today's tools.  

Takeaways:    

• AI is getting better, but we still need to be careful and double check our work 
• AI sometimes gives wrong answers confidently 
• Jailbreaks break the rules on purpose, while hallucinations are just AI making stuff up 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich pull back the curtain on Microsoft's Build conference with a look at the cutting room floor of Mark's Inside Azure Innovations breakout session. They explore fascinating technologies that didn't make the final presentation, including AI-powered network repair agents, advanced data center cooling systems, supply chain security innovations, prompt injection defenses, and groundbreaking approaches to cloud infrastructure. Along the way, they discuss how major technology presentations are assembled, the challenge of choosing what to showcase, and the incredible engineering work happening behind the scenes at Microsoft. 

See the innovations that did make the final cut in the recording of Mark’s Inside Azure Innovations talk at Microsoft Build 2026: Inside Azure Innovations with Mark Russinovich. 

Takeaways:    

• How Mark decides what innovations make it into major conference presentations 
• New technologies and tools being used to manage cloud infrastructure at scale 
• Why some of the most interesting innovations never make it onto the conference stage 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich reflect on conversations from Microsoft Build before diving into a thoughtful debate about AI's impact on software engineering. They explore why coding is ultimately about clear specifications, testing, and evaluation, not just generating code and discuss whether AI will truly replace developers or simply change how software is built. Along the way, they compare AI-generated software to IKEA furniture versus custom craftsmanship, examine the future of junior engineers, and share their perspectives on quality, responsibility, and what it really means to ship software in an AI-driven world.  

Takeaways:    

• How experienced engineers evaluate AI-generated code 
• The critical role of testing, evaluation, and human oversight in AI-assisted development 
• Why clear specifications are still the foundation of successful software projects. 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore how AI-assisted vibe coding is changing the way complex software gets built, debugged, and refined. Mark walks through real-world experiments using AI to tackle difficult engineering problems, including gRPC shared memory, Win32 UI work, and major new features coming to ZoomIt. The conversation digs into where AI meaningfully accelerates development, where it still requires careful human oversight, and how tools like screenshots, debug output, MCP servers, and multimodal feedback loops are reshaping modern developer workflows. The result is an honest, technical discussion about productivity gains, limitations, and the evolving role of human judgment in AI-driven software engineering. 

Takeaways:    

• Debug output and screenshots are critical for helping AI understand 
• Faster iteration often leads to more polished software, not just quicker results 
• Concurrency and low-level systems problems remain difficult for AI to solve without supervision 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich pull back the curtain on what really goes into a large-scale conference talk, using their recent Ignite session as a case study. They reflect on the balance between educational and soft talks, the importance of credibility and audience expectations, and why not every talk needs a rigid takeaway to be valuable. The conversation traces a playful but technically deep journey through computing history, from early machine code and Altair systems to modern Azure infrastructure, massive virtual machines, and experimental demos that intentionally blur the line between serious engineering and creative exploration. Along the way, they share behind-the-scenes lessons about live demos, pacing, risk, and why delight, curiosity, and a bit of silliness still matter in technical storytelling. 

Takeaways:    

• Setting expectations early helps the audience judge a talk on the right terms 
• Credibility can come from perspective, not just authority 
• Risky demos work when the fundamentals are solid 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

Produced by Microsoft & Hangar Studios

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into where they get their tech news and how their habits have evolved from the early days of blogging and RSS to today’s AI-focused email newsletters. They reminisce about the heyday of blogs, the rise and fall of Google Reader, and Mark’s old NT Internals mailing list, which once had nearly 90,000 subscribers. They compare curated sources like Techmeme, The Verge, and The Information, and discuss how AI-driven newsletters have replaced RSS as the primary way they stay informed. The conversation also features a fun moment when Scott looks back at his 20-year-old blog posts and finds references to Mark’s tools that helped launch part of his career.

Takeaways:

• Tech news consumption has shifted from RSS feeds to curated AI-driven newsletters
• Blogging is still valuable as a personal knowledge archive, even decades later
• How tech history lives in old URLs, broken links, and archived posts

Who are they?    

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Resources:

Techmeme: https://www.techmeme.com

– A leading tech news aggregator for technology business and breakthrough news.

The Verge: https://www.theverge.com

– Consumer technology news site covering tech, science, art, and culture.

The Information: https://www.theinformation.com

– A subscription-based publication focused on technology and business news.

The Rundown AI: https://www.therundown.ai

 – Daily AI newsletter delivering news and practical applications in 5 minutes.

Superhuman: https://www.superhuman.ai

– Daily newsletter on AI tools, trends, and productivity tips.

The Neuron: https://www.theneuron.ai

– Daily AI newsletter with trends, tools, and tutorials for professionals.

The Batch: https://www.deeplearning.ai/the-batch

 – Weekly newsletter curated by Andrew Ng’s team, focused on AI research and industry updates.

Turing Post: https://www.turingpost.com

 – Newsletter exploring AI/ML trends, research, and interviews.

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into how they each manage the flood of information, reminders, and ideas that fill their daily lives. From handwritten to-do lists to OneNote archives, they explore the balance between productivity tools and procrastination, and how offloading tasks can clear mental space. The two reflect on the psychology of lists, the illusion of control, and whether we’ll ever have a true second brain. A funny, self-aware, and relatable conversation about memory, focus, and the systems that keep us (mostly) functional.  

Takeaways:    

• Writing things down can free up mental space and reduce cognitive load 
• Procrastination can serve a purpose when your brain keeps working in the background 
• Organization doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping software engineering and the career paths of developers. They discuss the emerging “AI boost” for experienced engineers versus the “AI slowdown” that can hinder those early in their careers, emphasizing the need for companies to create structured learning environments rather than rely solely on AI-driven productivity. The conversation dives into mentorship, apprenticeship models, and how senior engineers must evolve into teachers to ensure vital knowledge transfer. Together, Scott and Mark challenge the industry to rethink how it trains, supports, and measures success for the next generation of software professionals. 

Takeaways:    

• Companies should reward senior engineers who invest time in developing junior talent 
• Critical thinking and troubleshooting skills can’t be automated or shortcut through AI tools 
• Senior developers gain efficiency, while newcomers risk falling behind without proper guidance 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive deep into the promises and pitfalls of AI-assisted coding. They debate whether large language models can truly handle complex software projects, discuss the limitations of current AI systems in areas like synchronization, and explore the difference between human learning and machine pattern-matching. Along the way, they touch on the dangers of over-anthropomorphizing AI, the rise of “thinking tokens” in new models, and the impact these tools may have on junior developers learning the craft.  

Takeaways:    

• The ongoing debate: can AI scale into true general intelligence or not? 
• The risks of relying too heavily on AI when you don’t understand your own code 
• What junior developers may lose and gain in a world of AI-assisted programming 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the realities of career progression at Microsoft and in tech more broadly. They discuss the different paths engineers can take, whether through management, deep technical expertise, or individual innovation and the role that scope, impact, and even luck plays in promotions. Along the way, they reflect on the challenges of leveling, the importance of communication, and the balance between recognition, influence, and personal fulfillment in a long-term career. 

Takeaways:    

• Engineers can advance without becoming managers through individual contributions 
• Communication and influence are critical for advancing to senior levels 
• Promotions hinge on measurable business outcomes, not just effort or shipped work 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the technical side of modern AI research and development workflows. They discuss the power of remote development with VS Code, building custom chatbot tools for jailbreak testing, and exploring token probabilities with log probes. Mark also shares how he leveraged AI to generate a working UX in one shot, why temperature settings matter for model outputs, and his plans to open source his custom chatbot client. 

Takeaways:   

• Discover how Mark uses VS Code split between local and cloud for AI research
• Explore the risks and creativity behind context injection jailbreak
• Get insights into model temperature settings and output logprobs

Who are they?    

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn 

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to 

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore the challenges and opportunities of coding with AI assistants. They compare different models, discuss the quirks of “vibe coding,” and share insights on building tools that bridge LLMs and APIs. Mark walks through his experience developing an academic reference checker, highlighting how AI can help structure messy data, uncover edge cases, and speed up complex development work. The conversation also touches on the evolving joy of coding, from puzzle-solving by hand to managing AI-driven workflows, and how these shifts are reshaping both productivity and creativity.

Takeaways:   

• Mark’s journey building an academic reference checker with AI
• How AI assistants are changing the way developers find joy in coding
• RefChecker source code: https://github.com/markrussinovich/refchecker 

Who are they?    

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn 

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to 

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

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In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich share strategies for conducting more effective and purposeful one-on-one meetings. They emphasize the value of tailoring the approach to each individual, encouraging agenda-setting in advance, and prioritizing critical topics to ensure they are addressed. The discussion covers best practices for providing and receiving constructive feedback, maintaining visibility across teams, and striking a balance between trust and accountability. They also address the importance of recognizing contributions, differentiating between credit and “lift,” and using one-on-ones to proactively identify and remove obstacles.

Takeaways:   

• Tailor meeting style to each person’s preferences for communication and frequency
• Avoid over-preparation or unnecessary large meetings when a small discussion will suffice
• Share discussion topics ahead of one-on-ones with senior leaders to maximize value

Who are they?    

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn 

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to 

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into a growing issue in AI-driven research: hallucinated references in academic papers. After scanning thousands of conference submissions, Mark uncovers widespread citation inaccuracies, sparking a broader conversation about accountability, cognitive surrender, and the risks of over-relying on AI tools. They explore where AI adds value versus where it erodes critical thinking, from academic writing to everyday coding and content creation. The conversation shifts into the realities of vibe coding, the tradeoffs of speed versus quality, and what it means to maintain taste and expertise in an AI-accelerated world, ultimately asking: if AI lowers the barrier to create, does it also lower the standard?  

LLM Writing in Tech: Blogs and Articles 

Takeaways:    

• AI hallucinations are already impacting academic research quality 
• The future challenge isn’t using AI; it’s maintaining standards while using it 
• There’s a growing tension between efficiency and craftsmanship 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore vibe coding with AI, testing how Copilot Agent Mode can analyze their transcripts to see who talks more on the show. They discuss coding with AI as a collaborative sculpting process, debate crediting AI for its contributions, and reflect on the human judgment still needed for prompting and refining outputs. Along the way, they generate graphs, poke fun at each other’s talk time, and share insights on how AI is changing coding and creative work. 

Takeaways:    

• See how Copilot Agent Mode can generate graphs from transcripts 
• Learn the difference between vibe coding and spec-driven development 
• Explore the potential for interactive charts using D3.js for podcast data 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

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In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss innovative tools they built with AI assistance: Mark’s smart directory navigation tool that streamlines moving through nested folders by typing partial names, and Scott’s study website that transforms complex topics into structured, digestible material with AI-generated answers and progress tracking. They explore the challenges of AI “hallucination,” where models invent detailed but fictional information, and share insights on computer science history, including Leslie Lamport’s contributions. Their conversation also touches on evolving UI design trends from minimalist styles to flashy effects like “liquid glass” and debates the balance between aesthetics, usability, and energy efficiency in modern technology. 

Takeaways:    

• Challenges of owning gaps in knowledge and the value of asking questions boldly 
• How AI can invent convincing but false project details 
• Mark demonstrates his new AI-assisted directory navigation tool called MCD 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich unpack the tension between subjective preference and objective usability, arguing that strong product instincts come from years of exposure, experience, and pattern recognition rather than innate talent. Through examples ranging from UI design to AI-assisted coding, they highlight how good decision-making requires both a holistic systems view and attention to detail. The conversation also examines the limits of accelerating expertise, the role of education in building foundational thinking, and why human judgment remains critical even as AI tools become more capable. 

Takeaways:    

• Without clear intent and strong taste, outputs can drift or degrade 
• Strong design decisions come from balancing small details  
• Good product instincts come from repeated exposure to patterns, tools, and decisions over time 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich ​​dive into the evolution of ZoomIt, exploring new features like panoramic screen capture, webcam overlays, and lightweight video editing tools. They discuss the technical challenges behind building these capabilities, especially stitching images across any application and how AI-assisted coding is accelerating development while introducing new edge cases. Along the way, the conversation blends deep technical insight with candid, behind-the-scenes moments, highlighting both the complexity of modern software development and the value of experimentation and iteration.  

Takeaways:    

• ZoomIt is evolving into a more advanced, all-in-one screen tool 
• Some of the most valuable moments in development and content come from failures 
• AI-assisted coding can dramatically speed up development, but still requires close human oversight 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich ​​explore how software development is evolving in the age of AI, challenging the idea that everything should start with a fully defined spec. They highlight a more iterative, sculpting approach to building, where continuous refinement, testing, and human judgment are essential and discuss the realities of AI-assisted coding, including edge cases, maintenance, and the limits of productivity gains. 

Takeaways:    

• AI-assisted coding works best as an iterative process, not a one-shot, fully spec’d solution 
• Edge cases and real-world usage quickly expose gaps that initial builds 
• AI can accelerate development, but human review, testing, and bottlenecks still limit true productivity gains  

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich ​​unpack how AI systems actually behave beneath the surface, pushing past hype into the messy reality of how models are trained, aligned, and deployed. 

They explore whether AI systems are inherently benevolent or simply shaped by incentives, training data, and reinforcement learning, and why behaviors like deception can emerge under certain conditions. The conversation moves from philosophical questions about human nature versus machine behavior into the practical mechanics of large language models, including how reinforcement learning with human feedback shapes outputs and why alignment is far from perfect. 

Along the way, they ground the discussion in a real engineering challenge, stitching a scrolling panorama from screen captures, to show how complex systems come together through heuristics, edge cases, and iteration. 

Takeaways:    

• AI behavior is shaped by training and incentives, not built-in intent or morality 
• AI can accelerate coding, but testing, edge cases, and reliability require human oversight 
• Reinforcement learning pushes models to be helpful and agreeable, sometimes at the cost of accuracy 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the realities of building complex software with AI coding agents. Mark shares his experience using modern models to implement a shared-memory transport for gRPC across Go and .NET, explaining how AI dramatically accelerated development while still requiring constant oversight. They discuss the surprising strengths and limitations of AI coding tools, to the massive productivity gains that make the frustration worthwhile. The conversation also explores the challenges of solving hard engineering problems, including an attempt to build a scrolling screenshot stitcher, and wraps with thoughts on the future of developer tooling and a potential live episode of the show. 

Takeaways:    

• AI coding agents can speed up complex development but still require human oversight 
• Developers often need to guide and correct the model throughout the process 
• Even with challenges, AI can reduce months of work to days 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss their recent ACM paper and explore a growing challenge in the tech industry: how to develop the next generation of engineers. They debate the idea of preceptorship programs that train early-career developers inside companies, why many organizations avoid investing in junior talent, and how universities could play a larger role in bridging the gap between education and real-world experience. The conversation looks at the economics of hiring juniors, the risk of companies poaching trained talent, and what it might take to build a scalable pipeline for future technical leaders.  

Takeaways:    

• Many firms prefer hiring experienced engineers instead of developing new ones 
• Universities could play a bigger role in connecting students with real industry work 
• Retention incentives might help companies keep talent they train 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into a wide-ranging conversation about the future of software, debating whether apps are dead in an era of AI agents, chat interfaces, and automation. They explore the resurgence of text-based and terminal user interfaces, the limits of using large language models as stand-ins for deterministic workflows, and why reliability, security, and repeatability still demand traditional applications and SaaS platforms. Along the way, they unpack common misconceptions about AI replacing apps, argue for better UX and APIs instead of throwing AI at broken systems, and emphasize that AI is best used for reasoning and ambiguity, not as a replacement for well-designed software.  

Takeaways:    

• AI tools don’t eliminate the need for well-built apps 
• Chat and terminal interfaces expand, not replace, software 
• Dynamic interfaces blur boundaries, but durable apps still anchor workflows 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore the realities of vibe coding by walking through a few of Mark's recent AI-assisted projects, including Polypost, a tool for writing and formatting social media posts and a nearly feature-complete Mac version of ZoomIt. They discuss where AI excels, where it still struggles, and why building software has become less about writing code and more about guiding, testing, and refining an AI collaborator. Along the way, they share lessons on prompt engineering, user experience, debugging, and why human judgment remains essential even as AI accelerates development. 

Polypost — multi-platform post editor 

Takeaways:    

• Successful AI development still relies on human decision-making 
• Mark shares the challenges and wins of building Polypost with AI 
• The iterative process of prompting, testing, and refining that turns AI-generated code into production-quality software 

Who are they?     

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  

View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn   

Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube 

Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.