You, Me, and IBM i lives at the intersection of wit and wisdom, and offers an inside look at the lives of the technical support experts at the IBM i Global Support Center. Each episode explores a new aspect of support, and leaves listeners better able to solve their own issues and get back to business.
Kurt Schroeder (kschroe@us.ibm.com (mailto:kschroe@us.ibm.com)) welcomes your comments, questions, and show suggestions.
Josh Majsterski has been helping IBM i customers since 1998, and is currently one of the best Performance analysts IBM i has to offer. On this episode of the podcast. Josh joins us to talk about how customers can help themselves by opening more specific cases, collecting the right data, and even analyze their own issues more effectively using iDoctor. As an added bonus, we get the inside scoop about how Josh saved Christmas in Minnesota, and why visiting customer websites is not always allowed.
10 Apr 2026
"Channeling Bonalumi"
Matt Stockwell is a multi-talented IBMer who recently retired this February. Matt's work at IBM in Rochester touched on multiple areas, from development, to support, and eventually to System Test, where he excelled in finding problems before customers did. When Matt was deep into his tests, he liked to joke that he was "Channeling Bonalumi," a highly skilled and respected system tester of yore, gone too soon. In this episode, recorded before his retirement in February of 2026, Matt discusses his work in System Test, fondly reflects on his home state of Ohio, and offers insight into systems administration, storage, FSPs, and even racing philosophy and his gentle brand of parenting. Matt Stockwell is one of the many people who made IBM Rochester a better place to work, and the IBM i a reliable system to support.
At the bottom of this Episode page you will find a list of some of the books we discussed. And as an added bonus, any listener that submits a question or comment about this podcast will be entered into a drawing to win a signed copy of John Barnes book, "The Duke of Uranium."
8 Dec 2025
A Conversation Across Time and Tide: Insights from Dariusz Maliszewski
Polish technical support expert and Technical Account Manager Dariusz Maliszewski kicks off our first episode of season two. He joins us to discuss his career path, which ebbed and flowed from taking basic support calls, to supporting customers on site, to taking on a unique dual role as both as a support engineer and as a member of the Premium Support and Expert Care team. Along the way, Dariusz shares insights into how IBM TAMs engage with the accounts they oversee to deliver a great support experience, drops some knowledge about NetServer, and still has time to talk about company cars and coffee machines.
Helpful NetServer links:
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/mapping-drive-i5os-netserver (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/mapping-drive-i5os-netserver)
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/netserver-best-practices (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/netserver-best-practices)
More information about Expert Care and IBM's Hardware and Software Maintenance Services
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/entitled-systems-support?topic=management-expert-care-overview (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/entitled-systems-support?topic=management-expert-care-overview)
https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10a99803f32fd7d6 (https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10a99803f32fd7d6)
23 Oct 2025
Connecting Cultures, One Call at a Time
In this episode, we sit down with Nina Ng, an IBM support veteran whose cosmopolitan career has taught her to speak fluently in the language all customers expect: the clear and timely communication of correct answers. From her roots in the Philippines to her life today in Singapore, Nina Ng has built a reputation for technical excellence, empathy, and infectious good humor. Join us for a thoughtful look at what it really means to connect across cultures, one call at a time.
12 Sept 2025
SELECT * FROM EPISODES WHERE GUEST = 'SCOTT FORSTIE';
In this episode, we are joined by none other than IBM's own Scott Forstie, who sits down to talk about all things SQL. From how he got started at IBM, and how he goes about writing SQL that others can learn from, to the business of challenging users to transition to database technologies that will ensure that their newest employees can hit the ground running. Alex and Scott also discuss system security and the future of SQL in the AI age. After you listen, make sure to seek out Scott and Tim Rowe's iSee video blog at COMMON.org, and the other links below to learn even more SQL.
http://ibm.biz/Db2foriSQLTutor (http://ibm.biz/Db2foriSQLTutor)
https://learn.common.org/products/ibm-isee-video-blog (https://learn.common.org/products/ibm-isee-video-blog)
https://gist.github.com/forstie (https://gist.github.com/forstie)
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1119129/ (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1119129/)
7 Aug 2025
Putting on PTFs with Loralie Fritel
Loralie Fritel has been helping customers install, upgrade, and manage their IBM i Systems since 1998, and on today's episode she does a joins us to talk about her particular area of expertise, PTFs. So..what is a PTF? What's the best way to put them on? And how do you pronouce Loralie Fritel? Just hit play and find out.
Some helpful PTF links:
IBM i Technology Refresh https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-technology-refresh (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-technology-refresh)
PTFs: FAQs / Question and Answers https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ptfs-faqs-question-and-answers (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ptfs-faqs-question-and-answers)
Best Practices: PTF or Fixes Installation https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/645469 (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/645469)
Installing cumulative PTF packages https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=scenario-installing-cumulative-ptf-packages (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=scenario-installing-cumulative-ptf-packages)
Automatic ordering of PTF groups https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=fixes-automatic-ordering-ptf-groups (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=fixes-automatic-ordering-ptf-groups)
IBM i Group PTFs with Level https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-group-ptfs-level (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-group-ptfs-level)
IBM i APARs/PTFs have migrated to Known Issues/Fix Information https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-aparsptfs-have-migrated-known-issuesfix-information (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-aparsptfs-have-migrated-known-issuesfix-information)
30 Apr 2025
"Who Needs SSL When You’ve Got Twinax?" — Jerry McKee
In this episode, we meet Jerry McKee and do a deep dive into SSL, TLS, Self-Signed Certificates, and get some great tips on securing your networks from bad actors. And as an added bonus we get some fun stories about AS/400 reliability straight from the guy who soldered the chips that made them so in the first place. It’s a no-nonsense breakdown of how customers can keep their data and devices safe in a world wired for risk.
Configuring SSL for ADMIN wizard - IBM (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4.0?topic=i-configuring-ssl-admin-wizard)
Setting up IBM i to use SSL (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4.0?topic=servers-setting-up-i-use-ssl)
Configuring Your IBM i System Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocols and Cipher Suites (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/configuring-your-ibm-i-system-secure-sockets-layer-ssltransport-layer-security-tls-protocols-and-cipher-suites)
19 Apr 2025
Speaking Fluent Single Sign-On — Stanislav Kolev
In this episode we finally meet one of the many talented people located in Sofia, Bulgaria. For 10 years,
Stanislav Kolev has been relied on for his skill on our EBIZ team, and is well-versed in how customers can help make single sign-on work for them.
Troubleshooting Single Sign-on (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/troubleshooting-single-sign)
IBM i Single Sign-on Configuration Planning Worksheets (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-i-single-sign-configuration-planning-worksheets)
20 Mar 2025
Jack of All Trades, Master of Many — Offshift's Jim Shupe
When the normal day shift at the IBM i GSC is done, the OFFSHIFT team takes over. OFFSHIFT is a smaller global team of highly technical reps who are able to solve most issues on their own, and only page out on the toughest cases outside their primary skill areas. In this episode, we meet Jim Shupe, a long-time OFFSHIFT team lead, and learn how customers can better open their cases so that they are resolved quickly and expertly.
Jim highly recommends that all customers install QMGTOOLS (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/qmgtools-must-gather-data-collector-users-guide) and keep it current.
5 Mar 2025
ENDJOBABN - Hugo Del Castillo
The IBM i GSC has long had the benefit of the experience of Hugo Del Castillo, having worked in various places in both the US and South America as a Systems Engineer, in Technical Support, and even in Sales. In this episode, Hugo talks in depth about the ENDJOBABN IBM i command, and we get to hear the trust behind one of the most amazing IBM i support stories ever -- the history of how a customer ended his OWN job, in a very abnormal way....
Customers that have a job that will not end are encouraged to open a support ticket to IBM to get an expert involved who knows that area of the system best, and at a minimum, collect SERVICEDOCS before running the ENDJOBABN command so that the right diagnostic materials are collected. An IPL should be performed to clean up the system when possible.
19 Feb 2025
"Don't Believe the PHYP" -- Lael Daire
Lael Daire has been a firewall between development and support for many years, and brings an expert level of knowledge to diagnosing complex issues with LIC and the Power Hypervisor. Not only does he possess an encyclopedic knowledge the intricacies of IBM Power Systems, but he is friendly and an excellent communicator. In this episode, we meet Lael and get to know how he approaches complex problem scenarios and is able to guide customers and reps to better understanding critical system issues.
3 Feb 2025
"What is LUG?"
The IBM i Large User Group (LUG) is an influential group of members from over 80 large companies around the world who have a significant investment in IBM i, and meet three times a year in Rochester, Minnesota, to help IBM direct the future of the IBM i platform. In this episode we are joined by IBM i LUG Liaison Brad Menges, and the two current co-chairs of LUG, Dutch and Dave. We learn about what the LUG is, how new members are admitted, and how this unique 30 year partnership has helped direct the development of IBM i, and benefited our customers, our development teams, and the IBM i GSC.
Join the LUG (https://www.ibmilug.ihost.com/membership/)
22 Jan 2025
Isaac Franco: Putting the "G" in GSC
Isaac Franco is a new member of the IBM i GSC from our Client Innovation Center in Costa Rica, who works on the EBIZ team. He joins the podcast to talk about common issues faced by customers who rely on digital certificates. We also talk about how we face new challenges, how members of the IBM i GSC work together to support customers, and find out that we take inspiration and get new perspectives for solving complex customer issues in unexpected places.
DCM FAQs
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/digital-certificate-manager-i-dcm-frequently-asked-questions-and-common-tasks (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/digital-certificate-manager-i-dcm-frequently-asked-questions-and-common-tasks)
DCM Frequently used Concepts:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5?topic=manager-concepts (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5?topic=manager-concepts)
8 Jan 2025
ACS Ambassador Wayne Bowers
During his career at IBM, Wayne Bowers has been focused on the Access Clients, and for many years has served as an IBM Access Client ambassador at multiple IBM conventions. In this episode, Kurt and Alex sit down with Wayne to discuss his career, favorite education delivery techniques, and the latest topics relating to the IBM i Access Client Solutions (ACS) product.
24 Dec 2024
"Carl, are you sure?"
"I thought I was sure, but each time he said it I became less sure." So goes one of the stories we hear from Carl Drayton about how he grew into his position at IBM. Carl is a beloved member of the communications team at IBM i Global Support Center, and in this episode we touch on aspects of his IBM Support role that affect everyone, from what customers teach us, to how we learn and project confidence. Carl also does a deep dive into communications traces, and shares tips on how to run them for efficient problem analysis. We also find out that both Carl and Alex were a bit surprised about where they would be working when they got hired...
11 Dec 2024
RGZPFM - Reorganize Physical File Member
Db2 is at the core of the IBM i, and making sure that databases are optimized is an important admin task. Holly Rademacher has been helping IBM i clients solve database issues for over 25 years, and in this episode she takes us on a deep dive into the Reorganize Physical File Member (RGZPFM) command. Holly talks about why it's important, how it works, when to run it, and what command options to look out for to make sure it runs correctly for you.
Use the following links to learn more about RGZPGM:
Memo To Users (Document 2023 changes to RGZPFM) https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/ssw_ibm_i_74/pdf/rzaq9.pdf (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/ssw_ibm_i_74/pdf/rzaq9.pdf)
RGZPFM - Basics on Reorganize While Active https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/684543 (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/684543)
RGZPFM options and comparison https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/668043 (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/668043)
Viewing Status of RGZPFM through IBM i Access Client Solutions https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/684643 (https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/684643)
28 Nov 2024
The POWER behind IBM Call Home
IBM systems engineer Jeff Cummings reveals how the Call Home technology for POWER systems automatically detects and resolves issues, keeping IBM i customers' systems up and running.
28 Nov 2024
Trailer
The Trailer episode for You, Me, and IBM i with Alex Marquis and Kurt Schroeder. Alex and Kurt explain how they met, what they do, why they decided to start a podcast, and what to expect in future episodes.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
696
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
32
Contact You, Me, and IBM i
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of You, Me, and IBM i?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
