This week on The Data Stack Show, John is joined by the Cynical Data Guy (Matt Kelliher-Gibson) as they look back on Christmas and New Year’s as they delve into the evolving data landscape. They discuss trends in AI, the year-end rush for product releases dubbed “12 days of shipments,” and the dynamics between data engineers and analysts. The conversation also highlights the importance of data warehousing and open-source data formats, reflecting on the industry’s shift towards more accessible and flexible data practices. The episode concludes with reflections on 2024 and hopes for continued progress in data management in this new year. Don’t miss it!

This week on The Data Stack Show, John is joined by the Cynical Data Guy (Matt Kelliher-Gibson) as the pair welcomes back Joe Reis to the show. Joe discusses his new book on data modeling and shares insights on the evolution of data modeling practices, emphasizing the need to understand various data types and use cases. The conversation explores challenges in data education, highlighting the limitations of traditional academic programs and the importance of foundational principles over specific tools. The group also delves into hiring practices, stressing the value of character and continuous learning. The episode concludes with reflections on the impact of AI, the future of data education, and more.

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome back to the podcast Sokratis Vidros, VP of Engineering at Novu. Sokratis shares his journey in the tech industry, focusing on startups and software engineering best practices. He emphasizes the importance of team dynamics, balancing creativity with stability, and effective communication in early-stage companies. The group discusses the challenges of building software, the significance of version control, and leveraging AI tools in modern data workflows. The conversation also covers hiring strategies, managing stakeholder expectations, fostering a culture of experimentation, valuable insights for those navigating the complexities of startups and data engineering, and so much more.

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Brian Schwartz, Co-Founder of SIZE, an advisory firm for late-stage companies. Brian shares his rich marketing background from DreamWorks Animation and Expedia, discussing the vital role of data in marketing. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by data and marketing teams, emphasizing the need for effective data utilization in business decisions. Brian also talks about his transition to advising high-growth companies, stressing the importance of understanding customer data and fostering collaboration among executives to drive growth and innovation. Don’t miss this great conversation! 

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome back Matt Kelliher-Gibson for another edition of the Cynical Data Guy. The group delves into the unrealistic expectations often portrayed in LinkedIn posts about a new head of data’s first 90 days. They also discuss the complexities of leading data teams, understanding team dynamics, and building trust with executives. Matt adds his humorous and cynical perspective, highlighting the disconnect between idealized online narratives and the real challenges faced by data leaders. The episode underscores the importance of realistic expectations and the evolving role of Chief Data Officers. Stay cynical! You won’t want to miss this. 

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Joyce Myers, Chief Data Officer at Modern Technology Solutions. During the episode, Joyce discusses the evolution of logistics from paper-based systems to electronic data management, emphasizing the importance of data quality and fidelity in decision-making. She shares insights on how minor data entry errors can significantly impact resource allocation and operational efficiency. The conversation also highlights the critical roles of leadership, communication, understanding the purpose of data in enhancing organizational efficiency and achieving strategic goals, and much more. 

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Ryan Janssen and Paul Blankley from Zenlytic. The discussion explores the evolution of language models, their academic journeys, and the transition from consulting to founding Zenlytic. The group delves into the balance between data-driven insights and human intuition in decision-making, the challenges of making data accessible for non-technical users, and the significance of understanding both data and human intuition in driving business success. The episode also touches on the importance of context in data analysis, the future of AI in analytics, and so much more. 

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Ethan Aaron and John Steinmetz. Ethan is the CEO at Portable while John is the VP of Analytics at Gallo Mechanical. During the conversation, the group explores the intricacies of data work including a discussion around the distinctions between data teams and product/engineering teams, emphasizing the importance of aligning data initiatives with business goals. Ethan and John share their career journeys and insights on building effective data teams, the concept of data contracts, the analogy of data management to plumbing, the importance of self-service analytics, the need for data teams to be seen as profit centers, and so much more.

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Patrik Devlin, Co-Founder and CTO at Wilde AI. During the conversation, Patrik talks about his background in software and data engineering, his startup experiences, and the technical intricacies of Wilde’s predictive lifetime value (LTV) product. Key topics include the use of DuckDB and Mother Duck in data architecture, the realities versus marketing of data clean rooms, and the evolution and technical challenges of QR codes. Patrik also discusses Wilde’s data-sharing strategies, the importance of developer experience, future directions in data processing technologies, and more.

This week on The Data Stack Show, it’s another edition of the Cynical Data Guy as Eric and John welcome Matthew Kelliher-Gibson. The group dives into the complexities of data management in the business world. They critique LinkedIn posts, starting with the announcement of Salesforce’s AI product, Agent Force, discussing its implications and marketing language. The conversation then shifts to the value and waste of data, emphasizing the need for strategic data collection aligned with business goals. They also explore the challenges of real-time data requests and managing legacy systems, offering practical advice and humorous insights on navigating the evolving data landscape. Don’t miss the latest edition of the cynical data guy!