Welcome to Awkward Silence, where your hosts, Ashley Steiner and Ed Gonzales, dive deep into the world of Microsoft technologies. Focusing on the Power Platform, Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Business Applications, this podcast is your go-to source for all things tech. From the latest updates in business applications to valuable lessons learned in the field, Ashley and Ed cover it all. Tune in for insightful discussions, expert opinions, and sometimes, just a bit of awkward silences as they explore the ever-evolving landscape of Microsoft technologies.
From Awkward Silences to Agents: Conference Season Insights
After a long break, Ed and Ashley return to discuss conference season, recapping Ashley’s trip to Community Summit in Nashville—highlighting community connections, keynote takeaways like Lovable as a front-end app builder connecting to Dataverse, and the heavy focus on agents across Microsoft. They preview the upcoming Power Platform Community Conference (PPCC) in Las Vegas, noting that session times are available in the Whova app (and via a PDF) rather than the website. Both share goals for PPCC: learning how agents and Copilot fit real business needs, getting practical guidance for non-developers (including a GitHub Copilot for non-developers session), and networking.
24 Apr 2026
Outtake: The Great Continent vs. Island Debate
This episode was definitely not on the agenda. What starts as a hot mic moment turns into an accidental deep dive on geography, maps that lie, and the very important question no one asked but everyone now cares about: why isn’t Australia an island?
Recorded during one of those moments when we forget we’re already recording, this cutting‑room‑floor clip captures peak Awkward Silence energy—complete with continents vs. islands, misleading maps, sunken continents, fake countries, and solid conspiracy vibes about Australia and New Zealand.
No big takeaways. No life lessons. Just curiosity, confusion, and the kind of conversation that absolutely explains why we should’ve hit stop… but didn’t.
20 Apr 2026
Exploring Sales Agents, Project Ops, and AI in Wave 1 2026
Join us as we discuss Wave 1 updates relevant to Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform, focusing on Sales, Service, Power Apps/Dataverse, Project Ops, and Power Automate. On the Sales side, they highlight qualification, close, and research sales agents moving to GA, note FastTrack-enabled production access, question availability in Government Cloud, and debate whether sales agents will become as proactive as service agents. They emphasize that AI setup and evaluation criteria require significant effort and raise concerns about licensing and cost tradeoffs. For Dataverse/Power Apps, they call out restoring deleted records (admin-only, 30-day retention), generative pages going GA, added Copilot customization for summaries, view visualizations, and smart copy/paste. They also mention Project Ops time zone agnostic work to address inconsistencies across apps and scheduling boards. Power Automate items include restoring deleted flows, shared process license capacity, and an improved licensing dashboard.
2 Mar 2026
Caught a Vibe (dot Power Apps)
In this episode, we unpack what vibe.powerapps.com (The Vibe Experience) actually is (and isn’t), how it compares to Plan Designer, and why it feels both exciting and a little off‑brand in the Power Apps world. From AI‑generated, React‑based custom apps to Dataverse‑only constraints, we talk through what Vibe produces, who it’s really for, and where functional consultants, makers, and pro‑code developers might collaborate—or completely check out. Whether you’re curious about Microsoft’s AI‑first direction, wondering if Vibe is the future (or just a fun preview experiment), or you just want to understand why everyone’s suddenly “caught a vibe,” this episode breaks it down with honesty, humor, and real‑world perspective.
16 Feb 2026
The Path to Fast Track Recognition Solution Architect
In this episode, Ed and Ashley talk through the Fast Track Recognized Solution Architect (FTRSA) process, including the different tracks (Dynamics and Power Platform) and what it takes to qualify. They discuss options for submitting documentation that won’t be publicly published, as well as the review and interview process where work is closely evaluated. The conversation also covers the challenge of holding both Microsoft MVP and FTRSA at the same time, noting that the contribution expectations don’t overlap and effectively create double work, and how rare that combination is within their company. And it wouldn’t be a podcast without a natural transition to TV Series that we’re watching! Stay to the end for recommendations & reviews.
12 Dec 2025
CRM Chronicles: From Awkward Introductions to Security Solutions
Join us for an exciting episode as we welcome our very first guest, Ali Nelson, to the podcast! Together, we dive into the complicated world of CRM security and discuss strategies for managing security roles and business units effectively. Ali, who just started a new job managing a system with over 11,000 users, grapples with the headaches of security and shares insights and challenges. We explore solutions ranging from automating processes with Power Apps and Power Automate to leveraging dynamic security roles and advanced visualizations. Whether you're an admin or a CRM enthusiast, this episode has valuable takeaways for improving your system's security and efficiency.
17 Nov 2025
AI, Copilot, and Community: Our Time at the Power Platform Conference
In this episode, Ashley and Ed reflect on their experiences at the Power Platform Community Conference. They discuss the challenges of navigating the event venue, the excitement of connecting with peers, and the diverse and evolving session content. With a focus on the growing influence of AI and tools like Copilot, they share their thoughts on how the tech landscape is changing. Additionally, they touch on the communal spirit of the conference, the importance of networking, and share humorous anecdotes about leading sessions and their hopes for future conference locations and entertainers.
30 Oct 2025
The Uncomfortable Truth: A Dialogue on Gender Dynamics
In this episode, Ed and Ashley dive deep into workplace dynamics and gender bias, as we share personal experiences and highlight the importance of discussing how women treat each other in professional environments. We explore the value of acknowledging feelings such as jealousy and the profound impact they can have on personal and professional growth. The conversation also touches on the significance of illuminating challenges faced by marginalized groups in industry forums, the biases that shape interactions, and the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in fostering meaningful change.
20 Oct 2025
Awkward Silence to Engaging Dialogue: A Pre-Conference Chat
In this episode, Ed and Ashley share exciting updates on their upcoming sessions at major Dynamics and Power Platform events, and tease future special guests. They dive into their topics for Community Summit, including applying agile principles to Power Platform projects and enhancing search functionalities in Dynamics.
Looking ahead to the Power Platform Community Conference in Vegas, sessions will cover UI/UX design for model-driven apps, decision-making between Canvas and model-driven apps, a panel discussion on transforming real-world problems into Power Apps, and “Design Smarter: Five Proven Patterns for AI and Low-Code Apps That Deliver,” which emphasizes practical design principles for managing AI within the Power Platform using demos and a memorable acronym.
22 Sept 2025
Decoding Customer Insights: A Look at Microsoft's CDP
In this episode, we dive into the key differences between Customer Data Platforms (CDP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. We explore Microsoft's CDP known as Customer Insights (CID), discuss its features, capabilities, and how it unifies data to provide actionable insights. We also touch on the integration of AI and the concept of unified profiles. Additionally, we cover licensing details for CID and the implications for businesses looking to implement CDP solutions. Join us for an informative discussion on optimizing customer data management and marketing strategies.
8 Aug 2025
Navigating Microsoft Certification Exam Realities
In this episode, join a candid conversation about preparing for Microsoft Power Platform certification exams, specifically the PL-200 and PL-600. Join Ed and Ashley as they discuss the intricacies of the exams, including the range of topics covered, the challenges faced, and tips for effective study techniques. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences, the importance of understanding both the theoretical and practical applications, and the evolving landscape of the Power Platform. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the Power Platform, this discussion offers valuable insights into tackling these certification challenges.
21 Mar 2025
Navigating New Frontiers: The Microsoft AI Accelerator for Sales Unveiled
Exploring the Microsoft AI Accelerator for Sales: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Implications
Join us as we discuss the newly announced Microsoft AI Accelerator for Sales. We explore its features, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, pre-built agents, and Dynamics 365 integration. We discuss the potential benefits, such as improved efficiency and automated lead generation, alongside concerns regarding realistic use cases, licensing complexities, and security challenges. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights on how AI is shaping the future of sales and what it means for businesses and integrators.
10 Nov 2024
The Art of Requirements Gathering and Solution Design
In this episode, we dive deep into a variety of listener questions from recent power platform conferences with our hosts, discussing key topics such as effective naming conventions, junction tables, and handling conflicting requirements in CRM projects. We also touch upon the nuances of requirements gathering, solution design, and agile methodologies. Join us for an insightful conversation packed with practical advice and industry experiences.
4 Oct 2024
A Dive into Power Platform and Agile Practices
Join us as we dive into questions from Ashley’s session from Power Platform Community Conference that she presented with Neil Benson entitled From Backlog to Brilliant: Transform Your Power Platform Development. The questions allow Ashley and Ed to discuss key insights on Agile methodologies. We explore how Copilot and generative AI can streamline workflow and backlog management, offering practical advice for handling multiple projects in Azure DevOps. Learn how to foster innovation while balancing governance in the Power Platform with the COE Starter Kit. Additionally, discover the best practices for developer specialization and hear humorous anecdotes about tech terminology. This episode is packed with valuable tips and witty banter, perfect for tech enthusiasts and professionals navigating the evolving tech landscape.
10 Sept 2024
Conquering CRM Resistance: Real Talk on User Adoption
Join Microsoft Business Applications MVPs Ed Gonzales and Ashley Steiner in a candid discussion about user adoption in CRM implementations. They share insights from their experiences, including the difficulties of getting sales teams to embrace new systems, strategies for improving user adoption, and the value of empathy in the process. Listen in for real-world examples, humorous anecdotes, and practical advice on navigating the complexities of CRM user adoption.
30 Aug 2024
Marketing Evolution: Features and What’s Coming Next
In this episode, join us as we discuss advanced CRM marketing features beyond Microsoft's Copilot. We dive into email management tools, including personalization options and GDPR compliance, and touch upon upcoming exciting innovations aimed at enhancing marketing strategies. We also provide insights into how behavioral data can be leveraged for targeted marketing and the importance of data cleanliness. Along the way, we explore the potential integration challenges between marketing and sales teams, making this episode a must-watch for marketing professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve.
18 Jul 2024
Innovative Sales Tools Without Copilot
In this episode of the Awkward Silence Podcast, hosts Ed Gonzales and Ashley Steiner, both Microsoft MVPs, dive into various Microsoft tools that enhance sales engagement. They discuss features like assignment rules and sequences and highlight the importance of these tools beyond the hyped Copilot. Ashley details assignment rules that streamline lead routing and the robust sequence feature that helps salespeople manage their interactions. The conversation also covers the integration challenges and the need for companies to sometimes rely on Power Automate for customized solutions. Stay tuned for insights into practical applications of AI and automation in sales.
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