Podcasts
The Data Hustle Podcast
Research in podcast form: Tony and I talk careers and consultancy with practitioners as we write our upcoming book on data.
How Sequentum Scrapes the Web at Scale - #11 Data Hustle
AI is moving from generating answers to making decisions. That changes the stakes. In this episode of The Data Hustle, we speak with Sarah McKenna, CEO of Sequentum, about why AI needs the equivalent of seatbelts: clear guardrails, acceptance criteria, audit trails, deterministic workflows and accountable human review. Drawing on two decades across software test automation, DevOps, data quality and enterprise web extraction, Sarah explains why automation becomes fragile when teams optimise for speed without building in trust. We discuss reusable components, versioning, validation, low-code visibility, security reviews and the role of AI coding tools in maintaining large-scale data systems. We also zoom out to the growing conflict around the open web: publishers, AI crawlers, web-scraping companies, bot identification, paid data access and agentic commerce. Sarah explains why regulated organisations often reject AI at runtime, even while using it aggressively to accelerate development and strengthen governance. Find Sarah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahransommckenna/ Sequentum: https://www.sequentum.com/
Taking Analytics by Storm with Agents - #10 Data Hustle
AI agents promise to let anyone analyse company data through a conversation—but reliable agentic analytics requires far more than connecting an LLM to a database. In this episode of The Data Hustle, we speak with Claire Gouze and Christophe Blefari, co-founders of Nao, about building an open-source framework for agentic analytics. They explain how their experience in consulting and data leadership exposed a recurring problem: business teams want answers faster, while data teams remain trapped as overloaded bottlenecks. We discuss which parts of data work should be automated, why analytics engineers may evolve into context engineers, whether traditional dashboards are becoming obsolete, and why companies risk replacing their dashboard graveyards with agent cemeteries. Claire and Christophe also break down the role of semantic layers, metadata and reusable context; why teams should not wait for perfect foundations before experimenting; how Nao structures its analytics agent; and how data professionals can use AI to become more visible and valuable rather than automate themselves out of the process. Find Nao at: - https://getnao.io - https://github.com/getnao/nao - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-gouze/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopheblefari/
Data Superstars are a Trap - #9 Data Hustle
In this episode of The Data Hustle, we speak with Thomas in ’t Veld, CEO and co-founder of Tasman Analytics, about what makes a genuinely effective data consultant and how companies should build lean, capable data teams. Thomas explains why the strongest consultants combine technical depth, business understanding and communication skills—and why the best specialists still need a broad, T-shaped understanding of the wider data landscape. We also discuss how AI is changing recruitment, consulting and analytics delivery; what it really means to operate an AI-native data team; why strong data modelling and human-curated semantic layers still matter; and how small teams can use modern tools to produce the output that once required much larger departments. The conversation covers product thinking, context layers, data governance, stakeholder communication, consultancy career paths and the importance of focusing relentlessly on the business problems that actually move the needle. Find Thomas and Tasman at: Tasman Analytics: https://tasman.ai Thomas in ’t Veld: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasintveld/
Slow Data, Fast business - Ep8. Noel Gomez
In this episode of The Data Hustle, we sit down with Noel Gomez, co-founder of DataCoves, to discuss what it really takes to build and operate a modern data platform at scale. Having dbt, Apache Airflow, Snowflake and a collection of open-source tools does not automatically give you a platform. Noel explains why the difficult part is often the “glue” between those tools: governance, security, CI/CD, conventions, ownership and repeatable ways of working. We also explore what happens when AI dramatically accelerates data development. A team might go from 500 to 5,000 dbt models—but did it actually need those models? And who validates the output when AI is capable of being confidently wrong? Noel shares why AI should be treated as an efficiency tool rather than a replacement for human judgment, what junior data professionals should learn to remain valuable, and why curiosity, fundamentals and the ability to challenge AI matter more than simply generating more code. We discuss: * Why a collection of tools is not the same as a data platform * The challenge of running dbt and Airflow at enterprise scale * Why AI makes governance and conventions more important * How AI can accelerate technical debt * The risks of trusting AI-generated work without validation * What happens to junior engineers when companies automate entry-level work * Why data professionals need to understand the “why,” not only the implementation * Why strong teams go slower initially so they can move faster over time * How saying “no” prevents unnecessary products and features from becoming permanent liabilities Find Noel at: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelgomez/ - https://datacoves.com/
Kingsley Hall - AI-Enabled and Deeply Human
Kingsley Hall explores how AI is reshaping enterprise sales, why AI-enabled sellers will outperform traditional ones, and why storytelling, trust, and curiosity may become the real differentiators in a world full of AI-generated content.
Chris Gambill - Data Strategy Over Syntax
Chris Gambill, a Data Strategy and engineering leader with 25+ years of experience, talks about why strategy beats syntax, how aspiring data engineers can stand out in the AI era, and how senior professionals can move from implementation to trusted advisor.
Zharko Cekovski - Rescuing Broken Data Projects
Zharko Cekovski shares stories from rescuing broken data projects, where the real problems are organizational rather than technical, and offers practical advice on remote Data Consulting, Git as a collaboration skill, and when AI helps versus when it adds noise.
Shane Gibson - Beyond the Jira Ticket Factory
Shane Gibson breaks down how data teams can escape the Jira ticket factory, create more business value through better flow and stakeholder alignment, and what it takes to build a sustainable data Data Consulting practice.
Slawomir Tulski - Political Debt in Data Organizations
Sławomir Tulski, former Meta Data Engineering manager, digs into why data teams get stuck as ask factories, how political debt differs from technical debt, and what the AI era means for implementation-focused consultants.
Dr. Clair Sullivan - From Expert to Solopreneur
Dr. Clair Sullivan shares lessons on becoming a solopreneur, building credibility as a technical professional, and turning expertise into a sustainable Data Consulting business. Topics include pricing, networking, content, and how Gen AI is changing Data Consulting economics.
Thais Cooke - Data Analysts in the AI Era
Thais Cooke, senior healthcare data analyst and LinkedIn Learning instructor, talks about how AI is changing the analyst role, why SQL and critical thinking still matter, and why domain knowledge and stakeholder trust are becoming the real differentiators.
Guest Appearances
If you host a podcast about data or tech careers and want me on, I am always happy to join the conversation.
O stakeholder te pediu um Dashboard. Qual é o seu próximo passo?
Gabriela Costa and Juan Manuel Perafan discuss the importance of discovery in data projects. Rather than jumping directly to SQL or BI tools, professionals should first understand the stakeholder's underlying business problem.
Foundations of Analytics Engineer Role: Skills, Scope, and Modern Practices
In this episode, we discuss the Analytics Engineer role. What it includes and how it complements data engineers, data scientists, and business teams
From Psychology to Analytics Engineering
In this episode, Bolaji interviews Juan Manuel Perafan, a psychology major turned analytics engineer, who shares his journey from Colombia to the Netherlands and his transition into the data field.
Decifra lo que tu cliente quiere: Pongámosle datos al Marketing
En este episodio, Juan Manuel Perafan, Analytics Engineer en Xebia, comparte su experiencia en el mundo de los datos y cómo estos pueden transformar las estrategias de Marketing.
Data Governance for Analytics Engineering
Join Juan Manuel Perafan, Analytics Engineer at Xebia and Shinji Kim, Founder and CEO at Select Star, to discuss the fundamentals of Analytics Engineering and Data Governance that all Analytics Engineering teams need to consider.
From Psychology to Analytics
In this episode we have, Juan Manual Perafan, Analytics Engineer at Xebia who has more than 15 years of experience in the world of IT. We dive into his epic tech journey and learn about how he links Psychology with Tech.
Data Democratization
Embracing analytics throughout an organization can fuel innovation, business agility, and growth, making data integral to many modern business strategies.
Always taking the extra step
There's always someone who's taking the extra step to get where they want to go. And @juanalytics is that someone. He's been doing public speaking for 5 years.
Exploring The Design And Benefits Of The Data Platform
In this episode members of the GoDataDriven team, Guillermo Sanchez, Bram Ochsendorf, and Juan Perafan, explain the combinations of services that comprise this architecture, share their experiences working with clients to employ the stack, and the benefits of bringing engineers and business users together with data.
Versnel je data en haal poleposition met Tableau
Dutch webinar - discover how Tableau transforms Formula 1 data into powerful visualisations and race-winning insights.
SQL Lingua Franca
My first podcast (2024–2025): intimate conversations with knowledgeable guests about data, analytics engineering, and strategy.
Sarah Levy - Data Governance vs. AI
In this episode of SQL Lingua Franca, Sarah Levy, co-founder and CEO of Yuno, discusses data model governance, semantic layers, and the parallels between Data Governance
Dumky de Wilde - Hot Takes Special
Hot takes special episode with Dumky de Wilde
Lasse Benninga - Open Source Software in Data
In this podcast episode, the host introduces Lasse, an analytics engineer from Utrecht with a diverse background in software engineering and data and discusses the role of open source software in the data ecosystem.
Guillermo Sanchez - The Evolution of Analytics Engineering
In this episode of SQL Lingua Franca, we explore the dynamic shifts in analytics engineering over the past four years.
Thomas in't Veld - Data Maturity & The Future of Analytics
In this episode of SQL Lingua Franca, Thomas shares actionable strategies for helping companies advance their Data Maturity.
Mariam Halfhide - Responsible AI
In this episode, Mariam discusses the importance of responsible AI practices in today's data-driven world. She delves into the ethical considerations and governance frameworks necessary for implementing AI solutions that are both effective and socially responsible.
Ruben Huidekoper - Analytics Engineering
In this episode of the SQL Lingua Franca podcast, guest Ruben Huidekoper shares his journey as an analytics engineer. He talks about the broad scope of the role.
Pádraic Slattery - Mature Data Teams
In this episode, Padraic shares his background, starting from a degree in physics and transitioning into data engineering and Analytics Engineering. He discusses the challenges of building mature data teams.
Ksenia Iakovleva - KPIs & Django Girls
In this episode, Ksenia discusses her transition from journalism to data analysis in the financial sector. She shares insights on defining effective KPIs
Luuk Feitsma - Recruiting Data Professionals
In this episode, Luuk shares his diverse professional journey, starting in the music industry as a producer and DJ before transitioning into the IT recruitment
Daniel Herrera - Product Advocacy & GenAI
In this episode, we explore the global data landscape with Daniel Herrera, a developer and discuss why some GenAI tools succeed while others fail.
Tony Zeljković - Developer Experience'
In this episode, we explore the developer experience in data engineering with our guest, Tony. The conversation delves into strategie...
Ricardo Granados Lopez - Data Modeling
In this episode, we delve into the world of data careers and Analytics Engineering. Our guest, Ricardo Granados, shares his journey from med...
Fanny Kassapian - Data Transformations
In this episode, we dive into the world of data transformations. Our guest, Fanny Kassapian, shares insights on creating efficient, scalable, ...