Entra.Chat

Entra.Chat
Podcast Description
Entra Chat is a weekly podcast hosted by Merill Fernando and delivers practical insights for Microsoft administrators and security professionals through conversations with identity experts who've been in the trenches.
Episodes feature seasoned Entra practitioners sharing real-world deployment experiences and Microsoft Entra team members who build the features you use daily.
Get the inside track on best practices, implementation strategies, and upcoming capabilities directly from those who design and deploy Microsoft identity solutions.
Join us for actionable takeaways you can apply immediately in your Microsoft 365, Azure, and Entra environments.
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Entra.Chat, its content and opinions are my (Merill Fernando) own and do not reflect the views of my employer (Microsoft). All postings are provided “AS IS” with no warranties and is not supported by the author. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their owners and are used for identification only. entra.news
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Focuses on Microsoft Entra, identity management, and security practices with episodes covering topics like 'From Okta to Entra: Migrating 700 Apps in 90 Days' and best practices for implementation strategies. The content emphasizes practical advice directly applicable in Microsoft 365, Azure, and Entra environments.

Entra Chat is a weekly podcast hosted by Merill Fernando and delivers practical insights for Microsoft administrators and security professionals through conversations with identity experts who’ve been in the trenches.
Episodes feature seasoned Entra practitioners sharing real-world deployment experiences and Microsoft Entra team members who build the features you use daily.
Get the inside track on best practices, implementation strategies, and upcoming capabilities directly from those who design and deploy Microsoft identity solutions.
Join us for actionable takeaways you can apply immediately in your Microsoft 365, Azure, and Entra environments.
—
Entra.Chat, its content and opinions are my (Merill Fernando) own and do not reflect the views of my employer (Microsoft). All postings are provided “AS IS” with no warranties and is not supported by the author. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their owners and are used for identification only.
In this exciting episode of Entra Chat, I dive into the world of Entra + Windows devices with the passionate and knowledgeable John Towles, a solution architect and MVP for Windows 365 and more. We unpack why Entra hybrid join is still relevant for some organizations, explore the ins and outs of Windows Autopilot, and reveal practical tips for navigating the complexities of modern device management. Plus, we share a sneak peek into the upcoming Workplace Ninjas US event and get a special announcement about the Workplace Ninjas US “Golden Clippy Awards”, including the finalists for the “Entra IDol of the Year.”
Subscribe with your favorite podcast player or watch on YouTube 👇
About John Towles
John Towles is a Solutions Architect at WEI, a multi-award MVP (Windows 365, Intune), President of Workplace Ninjas US, and the proprietor of Mobile-John.com. With over a decade of experience as the face of VMware’s Workplace One, John has a deep and unique perspective on endpoint management and cloud migration. He is passionate about helping organizations navigate complex technical challenges with pragmatic, real-world solutions.
🔗 Related Links
* Microsoft Entra Hybrid Join: Not Dead Yet! (Jon’s blog)
* Microsoft’s Entra Kerberos: Bridging Legacy AD to Cloud Auth + MAM on Edge with PM Jordan Gross
📗 Chapters
00:23 Entra Hybrid Join: To Do or Not to Do?
03:13 The Great Migration from VMware to Intune
06:23 Entra Join vs. Hybrid Join Explained
12:52 The Magic of Cloud Kerberos Trust
15:53 Demystifying Windows Autopilot
25:23 Making the Case for Hybrid Join with Autopilot
30:57 Why Cloud-Native is the Future
36:16 Introducing Workplace Ninjas US
39:06 The “Golden Clippy Awards”
41:31 Announcing the Entra IDol of the Year Finalists
Podcast Apps
🎙️ Entra.Chat – https://entra.chat
🎧 Apple Podcast → https://entra.chat/apple
📺 YouTube → https://entra.chat/youtube
📺 Spotify → https://entra.chat/spotify
🎧 Overcast → https://entra.chat/overcast
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Merill’s socials
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🤖 GitHub → github.com/merill
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