Stedman SQL Server Podcast

Steve Stedman discusses analyzing SQL Server execution plans and features in Database Health Monitor that aid in this task. He explains that execution plans are SQL Server's roadmap for query execution, detailing how SQL Server will execute a query, including index usage and data sorting. Stedman differentiates between estimated and actual execution plans, noting discrepancies can indicate outdated statistics. He highlights the imp...

In this episode of the Stedman SQL Server Podcast, Steve and George Stedman compare two powerful native SQL Server options for login auditing: SQL Server Audit and Extended Events. They explain why auditing logins matters for compliance requirements such as SOX, PCI, and HIPAA, demonstrate how to configure both approaches with downloadable scripts, and discuss the pros, cons, performance impact, and data captured by each method. Th...

The podcast episode discusses Stedman Solutions' SQL Server managed services offering, highlighting its unique approach and benefits. Key points include the team's extensive experience, the availability of multiple team members for 24/7 coverage, and the comprehensive support provided for a flat fee. The team emphasizes proactive monitoring, performance tuning, and custom optimizations. They also offer tools like Database Health Mo...

Steve Stedman and George discuss implicit conversions in SQL Server, highlighting their impact on performance. Steve explains that implicit conversions occur when data types don't match, forcing SQL Server to convert columns, which can slow queries significantly. They demonstrate this with examples, showing how a simple cast can reduce query times from 23,700 reads to 4 reads. They also discuss using extended events and DMVs to det...

In this episode of the Stedman SQL Podcast (Season 3, Episode 6), Steve Stedman is joined by Mitchell Glasscock and George Stedman to dive into the latest 2026 Q1 updates to Database Health Monitor. They break down new quality-of-life improvements like enhanced navigation with the back button history, SQL query formatting for better readability, and improved visibility into historical data updates. The team also explores powerful n...

In this episode of the Stedman SQL Podcast (Season 3, Episode 6), Steve Stedman is joined by Mitchell Glasscock and George Stedman to dive into the latest 2026 Q1 updates to Database Health Monitor. They break down new quality-of-life improvements like enhanced navigation with the back button history, SQL query formatting for better readability, and improved visibility into historical data updates. The team also explores powerful n...

Steve Stedman and Mitchell Glasscock discuss the seven deadly sins of index and statistics maintenance in SQL Server. They highlight common mistakes such as blindly rebuilding or reorganizing all indexes nightly, adhering to outdated 5% and 30% fragmentation rules, and wasting resources on tiny indexes. They emphasize the importance of focusing on statistics over fragmentation, using customized OLA Hallengren scripts, and avoiding ...

Steve Stedman and Mitchell Glasscock discuss SQL Server upgrades, comparing in-place upgrades versus new server migrations. They highlight the importance of upgrading due to end-of-life security risks, such as SQL Server 2016's July cutoff. In-place upgrades are quicker but riskier, with potential downtime and limited rollback options. New server migrations offer lower risk, more testing, and better rollback mechanisms but are cost...

In this episode of the Stedman SQL Podcast (Season 3, Episode 3), Steve Stedman and Mitchell Glasscock introduce the new Database Health Monitor Rewards Program, launched with Version 3 of Database Health Monitor. They explain how paid subscribers can unlock exclusive monthly rewards—including free SQL Server training courses like Aggregating Data, JOIN Types, and the T-SQL OUTPUT Clause, plus a 20-minute personalized configu...

Welcome to the Stedman SQL Podcast Season 3, Episode 2, hosted by Steve Stedman and joined by Mitchell Glasscock from the Stedman Solutions team, where we dive into “5 Things You Should Never Do with SQL Server (Plus 2 Bonus Items)” and explain how common but dangerous practices like shrinking databases, clearing the procedure cache, using REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS, blindly trusting the Database Tuning Advisor, and running...

Steve Stedman and Shannon Lindsay discuss SQL Server security and performance improvements for the new year. They highlight a 16% discount for new managed service customers and emphasize the importance of enforcing the principle of least privilege, implementing data encryption, and regular patching. They recommend using SQL Server audits, extended events, and the Database Health Monitor for advanced auditing and monitoring. For per...

Database Health Monitor: All the Exciting Features Added in 2025! Join Steve Stedman and lead developer Mitchell Glasscock as they recap an incredible year of updates to Database Health Monitor, the ultimate SQL Server monitoring tool. From December's Structure Change Log (track who changed what in your databases) and Disk Space Forecast Report, to sortable timeline charts, TempDB allocation insights, enhanced drill-downs, the majo...

In this episode of the Stedman SQL Podcast, Steve Stedman walks through often overlooked SQL Server configuration settings that can significantly improve performance. Topics include TempDB setup, file growth settings, alerts, index maintenance, fill factor, backup compression, RCSI, and the importance of monitoring with Database Health Monitor.

If you want to deepen your SQL Server knowledge, November is Stedman SQL School month wit...

Welcome to this week's episode of the Stedman SQL Podcast, hosted by Mitchell Glasscock and George Stedman! In this episode, they explore the latest Database Health Monitor enhancements — explaining not only what’s been added, but why these updates matter for real-world SQL Server environments. From preventing TempDB version store bloat with a new Quick Scan check, to adding open transaction visibility and command-line ...

In this episode of the Stedman SQL Podcast, Steve Stedman explores one of the most essential topics in SQL Server management—backup types and retention periods. Learn the differences between full, differential, and transaction log backups, how they work together to ensure data protection, and how to determine the right retention strategy for your organization’s recovery and compliance needs. This episode provides practi...

In this episode of the SQL Server Podcast, Mitchell and Steve take a deep dive into the critical files that keep SQL Server running—data files, log files, and TempDB. They discuss how these files work, why their configuration matters, and common mistakes that can lead to performance bottlenecks.You’ll hear practical advice on sizing, placement, and growth settings, along with insights from real-world experiences solving...

In this episode, we dive into "The Lean DBA," exploring how process improvements can streamline your workflow and boost efficiency as a database administrator. Discover time-saving SSMS tips like Block Mode Select, dragging table/column names, using "GO" for multiple query executions, and powerful hotkeys (e.g., F5, Ctrl+M, Alt+F1). Learn how to display results in a separate tab for easier viewing, set up a Ctrl+3 shortcut for quic...

In this episode, we share the exciting release of Database Health Monitor 3.0, packed with powerful improvements to help you monitor and manage SQL Server more effectively. The new DB Assistant provides guidance and insights to simplify performance tuning. A new Job History Chart makes it easier to visualize SQL Agent job performance over time. Problem Indexes reports at both the instance and database level help you quickly identif...