Emma D'Arcy Is not an Impostor

In this episode of the Power Platform Podcast, Mark and Malin are joined by Scott Durow — Ribbon Workbench creator, Microsoft advocate, reigning Scottish Summit drag champion, and the only man at Ignite with green hair. What starts as an interrogation about a borrowed pair of prosthetic tits (currently in his brother's possession, apparently) turns into one of the most open conversations we've had on the show. Scott takes us right back to the BBC Micro, a house full of computers his dad shipped over from the States, and the teenage years he spent locked away writing games just to watch how people reacted to them. From there it's medical physics, a first job building life-or-death laser control software, the dot-com boom, and the moment CRM's metadata model made everything click. But the real thread is what Scott calls his weapons-grade neurodivergence: the trigger words, the masking, the rejection sensitivity that makes shipping a tool to thousands of people both a thrill and a terror, and the internalised story of not being enough that took decades to unpick. There's talk of geek sniping, capybaras as a life goal, learning to walk in heels for charity, and what he'd write in a letter back to eight-year-old Scott. Funny, filthy in places, and genuinely moving in others — plus the eternal question: is his legacy the Ribbon Workbench, or the hair?

In this episode of the Power Platform Podcast, Mark and Malin are joined by Microsoft MVP Cat Schneider—self-described chaos agent, community personality, and Power Platform enthusiast from Florida. From accidentally interrupting a keynote at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference to running through events in a dinosaur costume, Cat has built a reputation for showing up in a way that’s impossible to ignore. But behind the sequins and stories is a deeply practical journey into tech. The conversation dives into how curiosity and problem-solving can lead you into tech, the importance of mentorship, and why being memorable in the community can actually be a strength. Along the way, there are plenty of detours—Florida wildlife, hurricanes, conference outfits, and why sometimes the best way to connect with people is simply to be yourself. If you’ve ever wondered how to break into the Power Platform space without a traditional path—or how to build a personal brand that actually sticks—this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Power Platform Podcast, Mark and Malin sit down with Microsoft MVP Melissa Hale, a Power Platform developer at Curve whose journey into tech is anything but typical. Before writing apps and automations, Melissa studied zoology, worked in zoos, researched snake venom, and even spent time counting parasites in a veterinary lab. After a difficult period during her PhD, she decided to completely change direction—jumping into a coding bootcamp and landing her first developer role before the course was even finished. The conversation covers Melissa’s fascinating career pivot, the realities of breaking into tech without a traditional computer science background, and how curiosity and community helped her build a successful career in the Power Platform ecosystem. Along the way there are plenty of unexpected stories—from feeding reptiles at the zoo and teaching horseback archery at a Californian summer camp to becoming a Microsoft MVP and speaking at conferences. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to change careers, or how people really find their way into the Power Platform world, this episode proves that the path into tech doesn’t have to be conventional.

This episode of the Power Platform Podcast dives into Mike’s journey through tech, community, and the slightly unpredictable road that got him where he is today. From early computing and factory-floor software to Dynamics, Power Platform, and community leadership, it’s a story full of sharp turns, hard lessons, and a few “that probably shouldn’t have worked” moments. We get into how he found his place in the community, grew into speaking and organising, and became a strong voice for accessibility and inclusion across the Power Platform space. There’s honest talk about imposter syndrome, presentation nerves, mental health, and why helping just one person in a session is worth it — along with some behind-the-scenes stories and gentle trouble-making along the way. It’s candid, energetic, a little bit cheeky, and packed with real experiences from a career built by curiosity, community, and saying yes to things that felt scary at the time. Perfect listening if you like your tech stories human, humorous, and genuinely inspiring.

After a very long break, the podcast returns with an episode that sets the tone for what's coming next: less polish, more honesty, and a lot more focus on the people behind the tech. In this episode, Mark and Malin are joined by special guest Will "Quad" McLendon for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation that goes well beyond platforms, features, or roadmaps. Quad shares his story from growing up in Daytona Beach, discovering technology at a young age, and navigating a career that took detours through firefighting, system administration, and eventually into the Microsoft and Dynamics ecosystem. Along the way, the conversation explores what it really means to find your place in tech, how moving out of your comfort zone can change your perspective, and why community plays such a critical role in personal and professional growth. There are plenty of laughs, cultural misunderstandings, football and basketball debates, and stories from conferences, speaking events, and international travel, including Quad's first experiences in Scotland and the slightly brutal reality of northern weather. Beneath the humour, though, is a genuine discussion about mentorship, being told "no," learning to back yourself, and the importance of being authentic rather than trying to fit a mould. This episode is about the journey into tech, not the destination. It's about how people end up here, why they stay, and how community support can make all the difference when you're finding your voice