IBM Z and LinuxONE Ecosystem Podcast

Hosted by IBM Z and LinuxONE Community

Technology

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Episodes

111

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Your exclusive front-row seat to the IBM Z and LinuxONE ecosystem. Learn new skills, explore real-world use cases, and gain insider knowledge on the latest releases—all powered by the community.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 351 min

New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Mainframe Security Simplified: Niall Ashley’s Story

Tune in as Devonte’ Hawkins and Caitlin Mooney chat with Niall Ashley, Security Technical Consultant at Vertali and IBM Champion. Niall shares his unexpected journey into mainframe security, having transitioned from aeronautical engineering. He discusses what makes mainframe security unique, strategies for learning complex concepts, and the importance of making education engaging. The conversation also touches on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and the value of giving back to the community through volunteering.

June 1, 202618 min

Trust at the Core: How Germany’s Savings Banks Are Raising the Bar on Payee Verification in Europe

In this episode, we speak with Christian Friberg from PPI and Ralf Schopohl from SIZ to explore the evolution of EBICS, the implementation of verification of payee in the European savings banking sector, and the critical role the Mainframe plays in ensuring secure, resilient and compliant transaction processing. We discuss how PPI and SIZ began their collaboration, the origins of EBICS as a German standard now adopted across Western Europe, and how core server-side programs running on IBM Z support the security and integrity of modern banking services.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

April 30, 202616 min

AI-driven mainframe access for modern developers

In this episode, we sit down with Gil Peleg, Co-founder and CEO of Geniez, which is enabling developers to connect their AI agents and applications directly to real-time mainframe data—without requiring deep mainframe expertise. This conversation explores how simplifying access to mainframe data is helping organizations retain talent, attract new developers, and keep critical workloads on the platform. Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

April 21, 2026Episode 231 min

New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - When Teaching Is the Moment You Become an SME — with Richelle Anne Craw

In this episode of New to Z: Road to SME, we’re joined by Richelle Anne Craw—Mainframe Software Engineer, IBM Champion, and community leader—for an honest and fun conversation about growth, curiosity, and confidence on the road to SME.Richelle shares her journey from early‑career developer to trusted expert, why teaching is often the moment you realize you’re an SME, and how transferable skills, mentorship, and curiosity shape long‑term success. From COBOL and pseudocode to open source and modern tooling, this episode is all about learning one step ahead—and making space for everyone in the mainframe community.Perfect for anyone new to IBM Z, navigating their career, or questioning whether they’re “expert enough” yet.

March 30, 202623 min

Human Firewalls: Social Engineering in Mainframe Security

Even the most advanced systems can be undone by a single human misstep. In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, we explore how social engineering exploits human behavior and how awareness, culture, and continuous education can help protect mission-critical environments like IBM Z. Joining us is Niall Ashley, an IBM Champion and security professional passionate about raising awareness of the human side of cybersecurity. Together, we discuss real-world examples, the psychology behind social engineering, and practical ways enterprises can strengthen their “human firewall” to complement the technical resilience of the mainframe.

March 2, 202619 min

Innovating with Mainframe: AI, Insights and a Product Manager's Journey

In this episode of the z/Action Podcast, our community manager Natalie Carrillo speaks with Mark Schettenhelm, Principal Product Manager, about his decades long journey with the mainframe and why IBM Z continues to evolve at the center of enterprise computing. From solving mission critical problems to leveraging AI for deeper code understanding and log analysis, Mark shares how innovation, persistence and a problem solving mindset are shaping the future of the platform. The conversation highlights how AI is lowering barriers to entry, enabling stronger application insight, and opening new opportunities for the next generation of IBM Z professionals. Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

February 20, 2026Episode 148 min

New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Pioneers in Mainframe Community Building: Steven Perva and Emma Skovgård

We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Season 2 of the New to Z: Road to SME podcast with IBM Champions Steven Perva and Emma Skovgård, exploring how community, curiosity, and modern tooling are shaping the next generation of mainframers.In this episode, we talk about their unconventional paths into the mainframe world and their work building vibrant communities like the Systems Z Enthusiast Discord and Dinoframe. They share lessons on learning curves, modern tools like Python on Z, and the communication skills that help new and experienced mainframers thrive. A quick, inspiring look at two leaders shaping the future of the platform.

February 4, 202621 min

A Career Across the Ecosystem: A Mainframer’s Journey and the Evolution of OMEGAMON

In this episode of the z/Action podcast, we sit down with Vytautas Murauskas, a former IBMer who now brings his expertise to Rocket Software as part of the OMEGAMON support team. Vytautas shares his unique career journey, from his early days in the IBM Z world to his current role supporting one of the industry’s most trusted performance and monitoring tools. Along the way, he reflects on career-defining moments, lessons learned, and the evolution of OMEGAMON in addressing modern mainframe challenges. Whether you’re curious about building a career in Mainframe or looking for insights into OMEGAMON’s impact, this conversation offers the perfect blend of personal storytelling and technical depth.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

January 5, 202621 min

Behind the Scenes, Big Impact: Donna Hudi’s exemplary leadership in the Mainframe community

In this episode of z/Action, we sit down with Donna Hudi, IBM Champion, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Business Development at Phoenix Software International, to explore how behind-the-scenes leadership can be one of the most powerful forms of advocacy. From being welcomed into the mainframe community with no prior Z experience, to mentoring the next generation of talent and supporting first-time presenters, Donna has become a force for inclusive growth and authentic leadership. Whether you're new to IBM Z or guiding others along their journey, this conversation will leave you motivated to engage, contribute, and lead in your own way.Stay ConnectedBe part of the conversation! Join the ISV Ecosystem User Group to explore the latest blogs, events, videos, and more from IBM Z partners and innovators.And don’t forget to subscribe to z/Action!Each month, we spotlight some of the world’s most innovative companies and how they’re driving success with IBM Z.

December 12, 2025Episode 523 min

New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Breakthrough Innovation on IBM Z: Insights from Industry Leaders Rebecca & Tina

What better way to end the season than with our IBM Z Day special—featuring Tina Tarquinio, Chief Product Officer for IBM Z & LinuxONE, and Rebecca Levesque, Founder & CRO at 21CS. From AI + infrastructure to security, sustainability, and mentorship, Tina and Rebecca share smart, lively insights to help you go from New to Z to trusted SME—plus a few great stories along the way.