Shows
Dear SQL DBAErik Darling and Kendra Little talk AI, SQL Server 2025, and the Future Is Text FilesErik Darling joins Kendra to chat about AI tools, why they work better for Python and PowerShell than SQL, and what's exciting (and what's not) in SQL Server 2025. Along the way we describe the ONE THING we always want to configure in Resource Governor, why at least one SQL Server 2025 feature should be backported to 2022, and why the universe is text files all the way down.
2025-12-0845 min
Two Degrees of KenKendra puts the bride in Bride of FrankensteinKen and Kendra talk Frankenstein vs Bride of Frankenstein, and shockingly Kendra sides with the man this time. The main issue? The Bride's screen time. The long wait only for only a (very) brief turn for the Bride was too much (little) for Kendra to get behind. Ken really appreciated the downer worldview and the sequel goofiness, especially the performance of Dr. Pretorious, but he gets it. They also talk Edward Scissorhands, Vincent Price and new Naked Gun Movie, The Naked Gun. Things end on uncertain terms, but we will be back next week. Right!?!
2025-10-1631 min
Dear SQL DBAErik Darling and Kendra Little Rate SQL Server Perf Tuning TechniquesErik Darling joins Kendra Little to rate different SQL Server Performance Tuning Techniques in episode 81 of the Dear SQL DBA podcast. We share our opinions of... (deep breath) Recompile hints, Query Store hints and plan forcing, CTEs, Resource Governor, the legacy cardinality estimator, Table Variables, Automatic Plan Correction, Batch Mode, index rebuilds, Hekaton, NOLOCK, page compression, partitioning, filtered indexes, columnstore, join hints, PSPO, indexed hints, indexed views, optimize for unknown, RCSI, adding more memory, restarting the damn thing, scalar UDFs, and Persisted Memory Grant Feedback.
2024-05-201h 04
Resumes and InterviewsQuestions to Ask if You Have a Child(ren) on the Autism Spectrum with Guest Kendra LittleAre you a parent with a child(ren) on the autism spectrum and don't know what questions to ask? Then listen to this special episode where special guest, Kendra Little, will share the types of questions to ask doctors, school officials, therapists and childcare workers to name a few. Autism Mom Xtraordinaire will help you navigate the ins and outs of dealing with different types of people to ensure your child(ren) on the autism spectrum are treated with compassion and respect.
Kendra Little Contact Info:
https://www.autism-mom.co
...
2024-03-2642 min
The Lazy Genius Podcast#354 - Office Hours with KendraOffice Hours episodes happen once a quarter, and in them, I help you Lazy Genius your life! I take questions from Instagram and answer them here on the podcast, helping you see how to use the 13 Lazy Genius principles, the five-step Lazy Genius method, and any other Lazy Geniusisms that might help make your situation a little easier.As I usually do in Office Hours episodes, the first half will be non-kid questions and the second half will be kid. That way if you don’t have kids, you can know when to tap out and use yo...
2024-02-2635 minResumes and InterviewsInterview Tips for Parents with Children on the Autism Spectrum with Guest Kendra LittleInterviews are not confined to the workplace but are conducted in our personal lives as well. Today's podcast guest, Kendra Little, will talk about interviewing various people, such as doctors, school officials, childcare providers and activity personnel, to name a few regarding the needs of children on the autism spectrum. This episode will give parents insights on how to be advocates for their children, along with pertinent questions to ask those that will be interacting with their children on a regular basis.
To Connect With Autism Mom Xtraordinaire (Kendra Little):
Email: kendra@autism-mom.co
2024-01-2942 min
Dear SQL DBAPower BI Performance Tuning with Eugene MeidingerEugene Meidinger stops by to chat about Power BI Performance Tuning with Kendra. We talk about the various engines and languages used in Power BI and big-picture strategies for getting performance from the start. Eugene then talks about the community of tools and techniques that can be used to dig in and solve performance problems in Power BI. Eugene's new Pluralsight course on Perf tuning Power BI launches on February 5th, 2024. The first 50 sales will be only $20. If you don't get one of those lucky spots, use code RACOONS to get 50% off. Find more of...
2024-01-1553 min
The Lazy Genius Podcast#344 Kendra Gets PersonalToday, we're doing something a little different. Kelly Corrigan, host of PBS's Tell Me More and the podcast Kelly Corrigan Wonders, is here to pull back the veil on some of the things that make me tick. We're talking about the real heart behind the Lazy Genius and how it can help you combat some of the end-of-the-year energy, plus what celebrity I'd be friends with and what live performance changed both of our lives.Helpful Companion Links
Find Kelly online
Follow Kelly on Instagram @kellycorrigan
Episode #207: 15 Moments That Shaped the Lazy Genius
...
2023-12-1153 min
Unboxing The Hobby with Mac and StockA Little Perspective (with Kendra Little of Bailey Joe Cards)Mac and Stock welcome Kendra Little to the podcast. During the episode Kendra tells her story going from an elite athlete at the University of Oregon to making her way back into sports cards and breaking with Bailey Joe Cards.Listen in as she shares her incredible story and thoughts on the future of breaking.You can find Kendra through the links below:Instagram - baileyjoecards_soccer / kendra_littLoupe - baileyjoecards_soccer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2023-10-0549 min
WOM Public Speaking Podcast77. You Can Do Xtraordinary Things with Autism Mom, Kendra LittleWhat a fascinating conversation with Kendra Little, Autism Mom Xtraordinaire. Kendra is a speaker and coach who serves moms with children on the autism spectrum. What drives Kendra is her interest, her deep desire and the excitement that brings in helping children and their parents. Her passion also comes from having twin daughters that are on the autism spectrum, and not knowing anything about autism when they were first diagnosed.
Today after many struggles and challenges, she has the experience, authority, expertise, and sweet heart to advocate and help families get the help they need. Find out more about Kendra...
2023-09-2443 min
Dear SQL DBAJer and Kendar Explore Optimized LockingSQL Server has a new feature that's currently only available in Azure SQL Database: Optimized Locking. Jeremiah Peschka joins the podcast to talk through the docs and nerd out on locks, blocks, and how to pronounce the acronym "LAQ". Learn more about this feature online: Optimized locking article from Microsoft Learn Transaction locking and row versioning guide
2023-09-0428 min
Dear SQL DBAAdvice for Technical Leaders with Alex RobsonEver wondered what it's like to be a VP or Director of Engineering? Kendra chats with Alex Robson about leadership in technology, what you can get out of coaching or an MBA program (should you be interested), and what makes a high performing team. We'll also chat about recommended content to hone your tech leadership skills. Alex Robson's site and blog: https://robsonconsulting.services Alex's content recommendations for folks who want to think more about technical leadership: "I believe Camille Fournier and Will Larson are wonderful writers with invaluable insights and advice. For...
2023-08-251h 00
Kendra the Vet TechA Little Bit Lab Field Rep, A Little Bit ITKendra, RVT, chats with Amanda, CVT, about lab work and analyzer IT in veterinary medicine. After an adventurous career path looking for just the right fit, Amanda finally found a field rep position in the laboratory and IT side of vet med. Learn about what this unique career opportunity entails from making up your own schedule to travelling. If you are looking to put the technology in veterinary technology, this episode is for you!
2023-06-0229 min
The Product Biz Podcast by Monica Little CoachingHow to step out of your current circumstances and into success with Kendra from Daydream DivisionKendra is the owner of Daydream Division, an affirmation-inspired retro sticker shop in Washington state, a mom of 3 young kids, and wife of a 3rd-year medical student. She started her business in March of 2022 and in the last year she grew her business to almost 600 orders on Etsy, launched her own website, is selling her products on Faire and Abound, PLUS she has her stickers stocked in 2 stores - all while being a mom to 3 young kids and having major responsibilities on her shoulder while her husband is in medical school. If that's not...
2023-04-1248 min
Being in Motherhood PodcastKendra’s Story: Putting Herself Back Together Again & Making Motherhood FitWelcome to Being in Motherhood! We are your hosts, Kendra Fitzgerald and Nicole Coons: sisters, moms, postpartum and pregnancy corrective exercise specialists, trauma-informed yoga teachers, and cofounders of Devoted Mamas, a company that helps women access their strength and vitality through the wild, sacred journey of motherhood.This show is all about using your perfectly messy, absurd and marvelous experiences in motherhood as opportunities to hone your greatest qualities, because your family deserves the BEST of you – NOT the most of you.We hope to help you gain the tools you’ll need to be...
2022-09-2032 min
Endo UnpluggedGuest Endo Story: KendraThis weeks episode is a little different as we have our first guest telling her journey with this chronic illness. Please take the time and listen to her story as she has great advice and such a positive outlook on something that can be very negative. Thank you Kendra for sharing your journey with us.
If you would like to share your endo story please reach out @endowarrior.26
all design work done by @jamieellencreations
2022-02-0943 min
RunAs RadioBuilding SQL DevOps Tools with Kendra LittleWhat's it like to build a tool for SQL DBAs? Richard chats with Kendra Little about her role at Red Gate being a product manager for the SQL DevOps tools. Kendra talks about moving to the UK to be closer to the main offices of Red Gate - just in time for pandemic lockdowns to start. The conversation digs into the various strategies around including databases in a DevOps approach, and how tooling can help. Kendra also explores the challenges of making the right thing, working with the team effectively through the pandemic, and software development teams have evolved...
2021-07-0745 min
Candidly KendraTiny Thorns: When Little Things Hurt Big❤ CANDIDLY KENDRA BLOG
https://www.candidlykendrak.com/tiny-thorns/
✨ BIBLE VERSES
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
Isaiah 43:2
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📝 BLOG https://www.candidlykendrak.com/
🎙️ PODCAST https://open.Spotify.com/show/7lk0BJlsfLSkGoUoUpcS1X
🎥 YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCECOWPx08KEdXIcakQ0ZdVw
👥 FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/candidlykendrak/
📸 INSTAGRAM https://www.Instagram.com/candidlykendrak/
📌 PINTEREST https://www.Pinterest
2021-04-2105 min
Your Sorority Journey26. Optimism in the Unexpected ~ Kendra LinckWhile this year has been everything but what we could have expected, today’s guest will inspire you to make the most of it 🤍 During the pandemic, Kendra has found community in a new city, launched a one of her dream projects, and had FUN. I loved talking with her about the value of being present even when we wish our circumstances looked different. As you all go back to “campus” in whatever the circumstances may be, we hope you leave this episode challenged to try something new & take advantage of this unideal situation 💫
2020-08-2642 min
Dear SQL DBADown Tools Week 2020It's Down Tools Week at Redgate. I share what "Down Tools Week" is, what I'm working on this week, and why I think it's a terrific experience for fostering creativity, innovation, and teamwork. In closing I share some thoughts on variations of this kind of project which you might use in your own organization, whether you are a developer, DBA, or have another role.
2020-08-0509 min
Dear SQL DBA3 Things That Shouldn't Be Normal in Database DevelopmentMany people use entrenched processes for database development that have been in place so long that it's hard to imagine doing it any other way. In this episode, I share three things that should NOT be normal for database development-- but which are incredibly common. This episode is inspired by the book, "The Unicorn Project", by Gene Kim.
2020-07-2328 min
Dear SQL DBAEverything I Never Wanted to Know about CollationI'm not an expert on collation in SQL Server, but there are a few important facts which I've had to learn the hard way. In this episode I share the basics, along with helpful resources to learn more. One small localization correction: the default collation on a SQL Server install will be "the oldest available version that's associated with each specific locale." So if your Windows installation has a different localization than mine (which are generally English USA), then you'll see a different default collation -- but it still won't be the recommended collation for *new* development.
2020-07-1613 min
Dear SQL DBAThe Manager's Guide to Git Training for DBAsLearning Git can be daunting for DBAs. In this 20 minute episode, I discuss why learning a VCS is necessary for DBAs, then give three tips on scoping your project, choosing the right tools, and making sure the project is successful. The cheat sheet I mention in the episode is at https://littlekendra.com/2019/11/27/my-git-cli-cheat-sheet/
2020-07-0819 min
Coffee with KendraA Little Quarantine EncouragementLearning to see our purpose during this time is so important for those around us. During this time of quarantine, it can be uncomfortable and unfamiliar, causing fear. I wanted to bring a little encouragement to you today in hopes that the lessons I'm learning right now with The Word of God will help you too!
Taking deep breaths, meditating on The Word, even using my essential oils and oil diffuser has helped bring a calm to me. ;)
Follow me on instagram: @Mrs.Kendra.Sanchez
2020-04-2109 min
Miniature Horsemanship StoriesTeresa Barnes of Walk My Little HorseTeresa Barnes joins us all the way from England to tell us how she brings joy to people of all ages by sharing her three Miniature Horses through her business, Walk My Little Horse. classroom.miniaturehorsemanship.com/41 patreon.com/MHStories
2020-03-0524 minTwo Degrees of KenKen and Kendra break up with the Joker and now THEY run this town.Kendra and Ken saw Birds of Prey, etc, etc and they really liked it! With some quibbles. But Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Journee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as The Huntress and Rosie Perez make it all so much fun! Ewan McGregor and Chris Messina play the bad guys and they’re mostly fun to watch too. The plot was a lot, the editing was a bit much, but the movie was kind of just right. We recommend. Ken also recommends First Cow, Kelly Reichardt’s latest slow-burning masterpiece about friendship on the American frontier in the...
2020-03-0329 min
Someone Lived HereOrchard House, home of Little Women and Louisa May AlcottLearn the real life story of Little Women.In this bonus episode of Someone Lived Here, Kendra takes you to Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott in Concord, Massachusetts. This home is where Louisa wrote and set her book, Little Women. This home was recreated for the recent Little Women film, directed by Greta Gerwig and nominated for an Oscar. In this episode, we unravel the real lives of Anna, Louisa, Elizabeth, and May. By walking through the rooms and items they owned, we better understand the real people, in both their happiness and hardships.
2020-02-1026 min
Someone Lived HereOrchard House, home of Little Women and Louisa May AlcottLearn the real life story of Little Women.
In this bonus episode of Someone Lived Here, Kendra takes you to Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott in Concord, Massachusetts. This home is where Louisa wrote and set her book, Little Women. This home was recreated for the recent Little Women film, directed by Greta Gerwig and nominated for an Oscar.
In this episode, we unravel the real lives of Anna, Louisa, Elizabeth, and May. By walking through the rooms and items they owned, we better understand the real people, in both...
2020-02-1026 minTwo Degrees of KenKen and Kendra don their flower crowns and enjoy Little WomenKen and Kendra discuss Greta Gerwig's Little Women. More like Great Gerwig! We loved it!
2019-12-3138 min
The Rich Roll PodcastKendra Little Is Becoming More: Broadening The Gender Identity ConversationGrowing up in the late 1970's there was no conversation around gender identity. You were either male or female. Period, end of discussion.Times have changed. The way we currently think about gender has evolved. Each day brings greater mainstream awareness to its non-binary nature -- and the innate fluidity of gender roles and identity.Take a moment to imagine the experience of being intersex -- a condition in which an individual is born with genetic variations on conventional sex characteristics.Now imagine trying to navigate the world from this non-binary biological disposition....
2019-12-231h 50
Westcoast BookstersLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottShould you read the book before watching the movie? It's a question readers struggle with because there's probably a TBR pile staring at them...judging them for even thinking about putting another book at the front of the line. Jessica uses all her persuasive skills to convince Kendra to pick up the book before she suns off to the movies to watch it. Will Kendra listen? Or will Jessica prevail... Who will be victorious?
2019-12-1540 min
The Peace & Profits PodcastWhy a Little "Woo-Woo" Is Needed in Your Business StrategyIf you're the type of person that needs to see the bigger picture before executing your plan and it's been holding back, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm chatting about… What visualization can do for your business How my faith is my foundation and my ship is driven by God How your mindset can get in the way of having your ideal business My Top Tips The right mindset is the first step Don't let not having a step-by-step strategy stall you from executing your plan Visualize your ideal day to help d...
2019-12-1016 min
RunAs RadioDevOps for DBAs with Kendra LittleDoes DevOps make sense for DBAs? Richard chats with Kendra Little about how DevOps practices have spread throughout the development process - and yet somehow, in some organizations, the database folks aren't all that involved. Kendra talks about what practices work for those responsible for the care of feeding of data, including things like source control and automating deployments. Can it be done? Yes! Is it worth it? Also yes!
2019-11-0650 minTwo Degrees of KenKendra is Astra-nomically meh about Tall GirlKen talks about Ad Astra with Brad Pitt which he has seen two times. Ken’s opinion is somewhat complicated but is pretty much that he liked it.
Kendra discusses Netflix’s Tall Girl, which is a real rollercoaster with so many questionable decisions which she outlines for Ken like only a true friend can.
And the degrees of separation to Peri! Steve Zahn is the dad in Tall Girl. He was also in Stuart Little with Nathan Lane, who played a THIEF in an episode of Frasier. We love it all!
2019-09-2435 minTwo Degrees of KenKendra and Ken become formless human jelly pilesAnd we are back and late! This week we talk about Stranger Things season 3 and less strange things like if we should see the Dora movie. Kendra also shares her thoughts on Maya Hawke in the Masterpiece's Little Women.
2019-08-1340 min
Azure & DevOps PodcastKendra Little on Database DevOpsToday's guest on this week's Azure DevOps Podcast is Kendra Little, a DevOps Advocate for Redgate Software and a Microsoft Certified Master in SQL Server. She has trained IT leaders, developers, and database administrators around the world on topics including performance tuning, preventing and managing incidents with business-critical databases, and optimizing operations and the software development cycle. Kendra is also the founder of SQLWorkbooks where she creates online training videos and teaches in-person courses on SQL Server. And one last neat fact about Kendra: she has been awarded the 'Most Valuable Professional' award by Microsoft seven times!
2019-07-2241 min
Dear SQL DBAHow Do Developers and DBAs Collaborate in a DevOps World?You're a DBA, and your development team is all-in on doing DevOps, and they want to include the database. Should your DBA team limit the permissions or options for automation? Or should you instead re-think how your two teams work together? In this episode, Kendra discusses DevOps team topologies, the changing role of DBA teams in DevOps, and the opportunities available in creating communities of practice around database development.
2019-06-1341 min
Kendra After DarkA little more personal...Who is Kendra and what exactly is Kendra After Dark? This week, you will meet Kendra and get to know a little more about her. Newton's Original craft soda also makes an appearance and you'll get to hear thoughts, opinions, and where to find it! Time to grab a nice bottle of wine and relax with Kendra After Dark!
2019-04-0633 min
Kendra After DarkA Little More Personal...Who is Kendra and what exactly is Kendra After Dark? This week, you will meet Kendra and get to know a little more about her. Newton's Original craft soda makes an appearance and you'll get to hear thoughts, opinions, and where to find it! Time to grab a nice bottle of wine and relax with Kendra After Dark!
2019-04-0633 min
The Mom EnterpriseNatalie Rios: Co-Director of little Lola & TotsWelcome to The Mom Enterprise, a weekly podcast hosted by Kendra Martinez featuring working Moms who find a way to manage it all. Episode Guest: Natalie Rios Natalie Rios, is the Co-Director of little Lola & tots, an educational and cultural space offering open play and enrichment programming for children ages 0 - 4 years old. She is a single mother of two girls ages 4 years old and 7 months. After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany with a B.A. in Psychology, she was captivated by education and worked as a pr...
2019-03-1053 min
Miniature Horsemanship StoriesTony Greaves of Little America MiniaturesTony Greaves of Little America Miniatures joins us to talk about the early days of Miniature Horses, the "Thursday Kids" and more!
2019-02-0737 min
Dear SQL DBAWhat a Software Evangelist Does - and Where the Job is GoingI've been working as an 'Evangelist' at Redgate for close to six months now, and one question keeps coming up: what exactly does an Evangelist do at a software company? In 21 minutes, I explain the core mission of Evangelists, and why I think being part of the sales process is an important part of the future of software evangelism.
2019-01-2921 min
Dear SQL DBADBA Jobs: Threats and OpportunitiesJobs change over time, and database administrator jobs are no different. In this 35 minute recorded Twitch livestream (my first ever!) I talk about threats to DBA jobs and the related opportunities.
2019-01-1734 min
Dear SQL DBADevOps Terms - and Why They Matter to Database SpecialistsIn this session, I discuss scrum, continuous deployment, test driven development, DevOps, and related concepts. I close with a quick discussion of why Database Administrators and Developers should care about DevOps.
2018-10-0219 min
Dear SQL DBAEmployee Agreements & Contracts - Best PracticesSo you've got an employee agreement in front of you: now what? In this 23 minute episode, I talk about practical steps you should take to make sure that you understand the terms of your contract, and how to potentially negotiate the terms.
2018-08-2923 min
Dear SQL DBAEmployee Agreements & Contracts for DBAs & Developers - Anti-PatternsWhen you take a new job in software engineering or in IT, within the paperwork there often lurks an employee agreement: a contract between you and your employer. In this half-hour live episode we'll talk about why these contracts exist, and multiple anti-patterns you should avoid. This is the first of a two part series. In the next episode, we'll talk best practices for understanding and negotiating the contract.
2018-08-1131 min
Dear SQL DBARemembering Robert Davis, DBA HeroWhat makes a person a DBA Hero? In this episode, I talk about how Robert Davis made a huge impact on the SQL Server community, and the traits that Robert displayed that I hope to emulate.
2018-08-0219 min
Dear SQL DBAWhy Don't You Teach Service Broker?I've gotten a few questions about whether I recommend learning Service Broker, and recently I was asked if I'm planning to make any courses on Service Broker. In this episode, I talk about why I personally haven't become an expert with Broker, the factors that I believe play into Service Broker adoption, and other resources online for learning Service Broker in SQL Server.
2018-07-1923 min
Dear SQL DBATraining Resources for SQL NoobsNew to learning SQL Server? Get the scoop on free online resources to look up information, ask questions of community members, and learn SQL Server from the ground up. Links from the episode are at: https://sqlworkbooks.com/dear-sql-dba/training-resources-for-sql-noobs/
2018-06-1429 min
Dear SQL DBADealing With a Lack of Control as a DBAThis week I discuss a question that I've gotten in many forms over the years - a lot of the scenarios are so specific that it's hard to keep them anonymous, but they can be generalized as a bigger problem: how do I deal with being responsible for things that I can't fully control? DBAs have huge responsibilities, so this is a common, frustrating scenario. In this episode, I talk about a few times that I've experienced this in my own life, what techniques didn't work, and what strategies were more effective.
2018-05-1834 min
Dear SQL DBADo DBAs Need College Degrees?Our question this week comes from someone who's excited to be on a healthy career path, building their work experience as a DBA. They're worried: will lacking a college degree block their career growth down the line? I talk about my experience and also check out current job listings to answer the question.
2018-05-0331 min
Dear SQL DBAHow Do I Prepare for Certification Exams?In this episode, I talk about how to strategize for and prepare for Microsoft Certification exams, using the Database Fundamentals exam as an example.
2018-04-2329 min
Dear SQL DBAI Want to Work for MyselfOur question this week comes from an IT pro who would like to be self-employed. In this episode, I talk about three big things you need to think about to start working for yourself, and two possible paths to get there.
2018-04-0631 min
Dear SQL DBAAuto-Tuning and the #1 Mindset Problem I had as a DBAA few folks have asked: will auto-tuning and adaptive query plans mean the end of performance tuning jobs in SQL Server? In this week's episode, I talk about why I'm excited about those features rather than afraid of them. Digging into this problem, I share the #1 mindset problem I had as a DBA, why this mindset is so common among database professionals, and a daily habit that can change your approach to new technology.
2017-12-0218 min
Dear SQL DBASlowing Down Your Motor Mouth - Presentation Tips for Fast TalkersAre you worried that you talk too fast when you give a speech, talk, or presentation? Is fear being a fast-talker one of the concerns that keeps you from getting started with public speaking? In this episode, I give you simple, practical tips that I've used to successfully improve the way I give presentations. Four years ago, I got frustrated feedback from listeners who had a hard time keeping up with my mouth; now I get congratulations that the pace was great.
2017-11-1718 min
Dear SQL DBAI Thought I Was An Introvert. Turns Out I Was Anxious as #@*(In this week's episode, I'm not answering a reader's question. Instead, I'm talking about my personal experience with anxiety. This episode touches on on healthcare, religion, and squishy emotions -- and there's at least one curse word. I don't talk tech in this episode. (Don't worry, there's more of that coming in future weeks.)
2017-11-0843 min
Dear SQL DBAThe Death of SQL Server Service PacksSQL Server Service Packs are going away, starting with SQL Server 2017. I talk about why I think this is a good thing, and discuss Cumulative Updates, Service Packs, and the process of updating SQL Server.
2017-10-0511 min
Dear SQL DBALove and Hate for SSMSPeople have strong feelings about SQL Server Management Studio: they love it AND they hate it. In this week's episode, I talk about why people have such conflicting feelings about SSMS, and how to work it all out.
2017-09-2917 min
Dear SQL DBAHow Do I Analyze a SQL Server Execution Plan?A query is slow, and you figure out how to collect the query execution plan. Now what? In this episode I talk "big picture" about what execution plans are, what "cost" is, why to collect "compiled for" values, and the steps I take to analyze execution plans while performance tuning queries.
2017-09-2226 min
Dear SQL DBADo I Need to Master PowerShell?As a SQL Server DBA, do you need to be a killer with scripts? In this episode I talk about how much you need to know about PowerShell, and examples of ways I personally use (and struggle with) PowerShell.
2017-09-1209 min
Dear SQL DBASQL PASS Summit 2017: Why I'm Excited, and Tips on AttendingI'll be attending and presenting at the SQL PASS Summit in Seattle Washington this year from Oct 31-Nov 3. In this week's episode, I share why I'm excited about going, and why I've purchased a seat for a pre-conference session. (Spoiler: pre-cons are awesome!) I also give my tips on how to get the MOST value out of a big conference like the PASS Summit.
2017-09-0718 min
Dear SQL DBAHow Do You Stay Motivated?Over the years, readers have asked me: "How do you stay motivated?" Sticking with a learning plan, blogging, or becoming a public speaker isn't easy. In this episode I share how I think about motivation and what keeps me going.
2017-08-3114 min
Dear SQL DBA"I faked my resume... now what?"This week's question from a reader: how do I deal with interview questions asking about real-world scenarios when I've faked three years of experience on my resume?
2017-08-2413 min
Dear SQL DBAInterview Advice from the SQL Server CommunityIn this episode, I talk about three articles written by members of the SQL Server community on interviewing that I can't stop thinking about: "Playing the Third Party Recruiter Game", by Adam Machanic - http://sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic/archive/2017/08/08/playing-the-third-party-recruiter-game-t-sql-tuesday-093.aspx "I Hate Interviews", by Rob Sewell - https://sqldbawithabeard.com/2017/08/08/i-hate-interviews-tsql2sday/ "Learning to say 'No'" by Mark Broadbent - https://tenbulls.co.uk/2017/08/08/learning-to-say-no/
2017-08-1708 min
Dear SQL DBAInterview Patterns and Anti-PatternsHear the story of an interview where my dreams were crushed - and what I learned about interviewing from the experience.
2017-08-0815 min
Dear SQL DBAWhich Queries are Causing my Wait Stats?You've got some troubling wait stats in SQL Server. How can you tell which queries are causing those waits? Kendra discusses the pros and cons of different techniques to track down the cause of both common and tricky waits in SQL Server, including CXPACKET, PAGEIOLATCH, LCK, RESOURCE_SEMAPHORE, and THREADPOOL waits.
2017-05-2534 min
Dear SQL DBARemoving Query Hints with Plan GuidesIf you need to add, remove, or replace hints from ad-hoc queries and you can't change the code, plan guides can help. See a demo of removing hints from parameterized TSQL run from an application, and get tips on how to make your plan guides work in SQL Server. Get code samples from this episode here: https://sqlworkbooks.com/2017/05/removing-query-hints-with-plan-guides-dear-sql-dba-episode-43/
2017-05-1829 min
Dear SQL DBABatch Mode Hacks in SQL ServerLearn what batch mode is in SQL Server, and how you can trick SQL Server into using it (even without a "real" columnstore index). For clickable links and demo code, head to https://sqlworkbooks.com/2017/05/batch-mode-hacks-for-rowstore-queries-in-sql-server/
2017-05-1130 min
Dear SQL DBAShould I Get Certified as a DBA?Find out if getting certified will help you land an entry level DBA job, and if you do want to get certified, get Kendra's tips on preparing for the exam.
2017-05-0417 min
Dear SQL DBAHow Does a DBA Build Confidence After Making Mistakes?Ever had a database change go horribly wrong? It can feel awful in the moment, then eat away at your confidence for days afterward. In this 20 minute episode Kendra gives you practical steps that help you cope with change over the course of your DBA career.
2017-04-2719 min
Dear SQL DBAAre Bad Statistics Making My Query Slow?An important query is suddenly slow. Is it because statistics are out of date? This is tricky to figure out, and updating statistics right away can make troubleshooting even harder. Learn how to use query execution plans to get to the heart of the question and find out if stats are really your problem, or if it's something else. In this 35 minute episode: 00:39 SQL Server 2017 Announced 01:10 New video from Microsoft's Joe Sack demonstrating Adaptive Query Processing 03:05 This week's question: Are bad stats making my query slow? 05:26 Demo of finding plan in cache and analyzing...
2017-04-2035 min
Dear SQL DBAIndex Maintenance and PerformanceThey made their index maintenance job smarter, and their queries got slower in production afterward. Could the index maintenance have harmed performance? In this episode... 00:50 Thinking about plan freezing in Query Store and multi-team process 03:15 This week's question about index maintenance and query performance
2017-04-1328 min
Dear SQL DBALock Timeouts & MemoryThe dev server got bogged down during a deployment and lock timeouts were everywhere. Was the perfmon counter way off about how much memory was being used just for locks? In this episode... 00:33 What's new @ SQL Workbooks: Down the Rabbit Hole 03:00 This week's question about lock timeouts & memory in SQL Server
2017-04-0619 min
Dear SQL DBAWhy is my Transaction Log Growing in My Availability Group?A database transaction log is expanding, even though the DBA is running log backups and doesn't see an open transaction? What's going on with this Availability Group? Timestamps in this episode if you want to skip ahead: 00:49 What's new @ SQL Workbooks 03:22 Info on SQLPASS Summit Content Survey & a heads-up for aspiring precon speakers 05:35 This week's question about t-log growth
2017-03-3029 min
Dear SQL DBAWhen SQL Server Does NOT Use Write Ahead LoggingA few episodes ago, I talked about how learning about Write Ahead Logging was a light bulb moment for me, and helped me learn tons of concepts about backups and recovery. This week, we talk about when SQL Server turns things upside down and doesn't use write ahead logging: and what it has to do for recovery in these special cases.
2017-03-2323 min
Dear SQL DBAUsing a Tail Log Backup in a SQL Server MigrationWhen you migrate a database, it can be useful to prove that you moved all the data and didn't miss any transactions. Learn how to use a tail log backup in a migration scenario.
2017-03-1613 min
Dear SQL DBAStack Dumps in SQL ServerLearn what a Stack Dump is in SQL Server. Hear what happens when Kendra causes a stack dump against a test SQL Server instance under load. Learn how to find information about stack dumps on your SQL Server, and how to escalate them when required.
2017-03-0920 min
Dear SQL DBAWAL: The concept that makes recovery models & backups make senseWhen you're a Junior DBA, it's really hard to take in all the information out there. Learn about write ahead logging: the concept that can help you make sense of recovery models and backup strategies in SQL Server. Kendra tells the story of the "Wow!" moment when she learned about write ahead logging from Kimberly Tripp of SQLSkills.com, and explains how this all works in SQL Server.
2017-03-0218 min
Dear SQL DBAWill the Cloud Eat My DBA Job?Will cloud services render DBAs obsolete? Does the cloud mean that developers will use less of SQL Server? Kendra talks about the future of database administration and gives tips on strategizing your career.
2017-02-2328 min
Dear SQL DBAConfused by sp_Who2Learn why the output from the built-in procedure sp_who2 can be so confusing, how to get more information, and free tools that can make it easier to figure out what you need to pay attention to in SQL Server.
2017-02-1614 min
Dear SQL DBAShould I Learn Full-Text Indexing?Learn where full-text search shines, a common problem which full-text search does NOT solve, where full-text can run into performance problems.
2017-02-0918 min
Dear SQL DBAIndex Types: Heaps, Primary Keys, Clustered and Nonclustered IndexesLearn the difference between heaps, clustered and nonclustered indexes, primary keys, and columnstore indexes in SQL Server.
2017-02-0226 min
Dear SQL DBAWhat's that Garbage in my Execution Plan?Learn how to approach the unexpected in a mysterious execution plan that contains way more operators than expected for a very simple SQL Server query.
2017-01-2617 min
Dear SQL DBAWhy You Should Switch in Staging Tables Instead of Renaming ThemPerforming a switcharoo between new and old tables can cause blocking nightmares. Partition switching may help, surprisingly even on non-partitioned tables.
2017-01-1911 min
Dear SQL DBALimiting Downtime for Schema Changes in SQL ServerYou need to release schema changes while the SQL Server is in use. Learn why code generation tools write odd scripts and how to stay sane amid rapid releases.
2016-12-1527 min
Dear SQL DBASigns Your SQL Server is Running with ScissorsDoes your team know what it's doing with SQL Server? Learn what a consultant looks for when assessing a team, and signs that SQL Server may be badly configured.
2016-12-0122 min
Dear SQL DBAWhy is My Query Faster on the Second Run?The first time you test a query it's slow, but when you run it again, it's much faster. Learn how SQL Server uses memory to make the second run much faster.
2016-11-2425 min
Dear SQL DBAShould I Upgrade to SQL Server 2016?Learn why SQL Server 2016 SP1 is a game changer, and how to take best advantage of all the cool features now in Standard and Web Editions.
2016-11-1723 min
Dear SQL DBAWhat's Adaptive Query Processing?Learn about new features to speed up SQL Server queries. Kendra talks about automatic index tuning and speculates about Adaptive Query Processing.
2016-11-0323 min
Dear SQL DBAWhere Do You Get Your Creativity? (Dear SQL DBA Episode 20)As a database administrator or developer, you'll get into trouble fast if you try to force all your code and processes into a database shaped hole. You have to be creative when you problem solve -- and when you communicate! So how do you cultivate creativity?
2016-10-2022 min
Dear SQL DBAShould You Rebuild or Reorganize Large Indexes?The bigger your indexes are, the harder your index maintenance falls. Is it better to rebuild big indexes? Or should you reorganize? Learn the pros and cons of each command and other options.
2016-10-1323 min
Dear SQL DBACan I Use Statistics to Design Indexes?Should you look at automatically created statistics on your tables in SQL Server to help you design better indexes?
2016-10-0619 min
Dear SQL DBASetting up Free Blocking Alerts and Deadlock MonitoringWhat tools in SQL Server will notify you about blocking and help track the queries behind your toughest blocking and deadlocking problems?
2016-09-2920 min
Dear SQL DBAWhich is Worse: an Unused Index, or an Un-Indexed Foreign Key?Should you always index your foreign keys? What if you index them, and then the index never gets used?
2016-09-2217 min
Dear SQL DBAFinding Your Voice as a SpeakerLearn what it's like to find and develop your voice as a technical speaker in this week's episode.
2016-09-0111 min
Dear SQL DBACollect and Baseline Wait StatisticsWhat are the best tools to collect and baseline wait statistics? Should you write your own?
2016-08-2517 min
Dear SQL DBADeveloper Seeks DBA CareerA C# developer wants to be a DBA, but is having a hard time landing a job. Should they take a pay cut and go for a Junior level job? Or could there be another path?
2016-08-1815 min
Dear SQL DBAIndex Usage Stats InsanitySQL Server's "index usage stats" dynamic management view is incredibly useful-- but does it tell you what you THINK it tells you? Kendra explains the quirks of how sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats works, as well as why she thinks the information is so valuable.
2016-06-3023 min
Dear SQL DBALost in Performance TroubleshootingThe SQL Server is slow, what should you do? Kendra shares her strategy for performance troubleshooting.
2016-06-0225 min
Dear SQL DBABleeding in EdgevileKendra Little answers a question about early adoption of SQL Server, discusses why testing in production isn't necessarily crazy, and recommends how to handle requests to upgrade your SQL Server to use new features.
2016-05-2521 min