Ed Pollack (Microsoft Data Platform MVP and community champion) sat down with Steve Jones at PASS Summit 2025 to discuss many topics including:

• Why change is good - but keeping on top of the fundamentals is still important
• Data modeling
• Recommended software/products to use
• SQL Server 2025, which was just launched into General Availability at the time of recording
• The process of testing & best practices
• The importance of community, and how to bring people together
• Running a marathon

Plus, find out what Ed's baking specialism is – and try it for yourself at the Capital Area SQL Server User Group event in Albany, NY!

Event information: https://www.meetup.com/capital-area-sql-server-user-group/

Ed's Simple Talk profile: https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/author/ed7alum-rpi-edu/

Ed's MVP profile: https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/mvp/profile/c7dc42d5-ff3e-ed11-bba3-000d3a197333

Ed on Sessionize: https://sessionize.com/edward-pollack/

Steve Jones is joined by SQLBits founder Simon Sabin at Redgate's Cambridge HQ to discuss Simon's early days in the data world (and how the industry has evolved), the importance of context when working with AI, and what's ahead for SQLBits in 2026. They also dive into the nuances of conference speaking and, for a change of pace, Simon talks about his foray into UK motor racing.

SQLBits 2026 takes place 22-25 April 2026 at the ICC Wales: https://sqlbits.com/

Apply to speak at the event (deadline 21 December 2025): https://sqlbits.com/speak/

Sabin.io: https://sabin.io/

Steve chats with John Sterrett, CEO of ProcureSQL, about his true love for data from a young age, how SQL Saturday and community events inspired him to start his own company, ProcureSQL's use of AI to provide more value, and the impacts of work on relationships - plus much more!

ProcureSQL: https://procuresql.com/

John's website: https://johnsterrett.com/

Marriage Masterpeace: https://marriagemasterpeace.com/

Check out more Simple Talk podcast episodes at https://rd.gt/3TJocZ9