
Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer | CDO | Data Strategy
The original data podcast. The Hub and Spoken podcast is a series of fascinating discussions with today's top data and business leaders from across the business world. The conversations explore how to add most value to organisations through the use of data and analytics, and how best to organise yourself to achieve that value. It talks about how to define and deliver data strategy, and the best way to return business value.
Latest episodes

Aug 11, 2022 • 36min
The applications of natural language processing with Jyotika Singh
In this episode, Jason Foster speaks to Jyotika Singh, Director of Data Science at Placemakr, about the uses of natural language processing (NLP), its evolution and how it's applied in different industries to analyse large amounts of text quickly to find critical patterns and trends. Jyotika shares her journey and longstanding experience on the topic: what natural language processing is in the field of data, uses of NLP in text data and other languages, special rules, nuances, case studies and how NLP affects the data industry.

Aug 4, 2022 • 42min
Using insights at the Boston Red Sox with Jon Hey
In this episode, Jason Foster speaks to Jon Hay, Vice President, Data, Intelligence & Analytics at the Boston Red Sox, about using insights at the Boston Red Sox. Jon shares his journey from economics to data, talks about the movie Moneyball, the use of predictive analytics in baseball and how data analytics have become an integral part of the sports industry. An interesting conversation on how sports organisations use data to make strategic decisions to scout new talent, optimise player performance, and define day-to-day operations, marketing campaigns and plans to boost revenue streams.

Jul 28, 2022 • 34min
Creating opportunities for black people in data with Sadiqah Musa
In this episode, Jason Foster speaks to Sadiqah Musa, the founder-CEO of Black in Data, about creating opportunities for black people in data. In the data industry, people of colour are underrepresented, hold few leadership positions and face many barriers to entry. Sadiqah shares her brilliant journey in the data and talks about the challenges people of colour face in the data industry, how Black In Data provides support, and how to create opportunities for people of colour and underrepresented groups.

Jul 21, 2022 • 37min
Using data to better serve citizens in the US with Carlos Rivero
In this episode, Jason Foster speaks to Carlos Rivero, an experienced data leader in the public sector, about the use of data in the public sector and how it impacts governments' choices and people. Carlos shares his journey in data science and leadership and illustrates how data speeds up government decision-making, how it is used in the US across the 3 different levels of government to meet the public's needs, the hiring process for data specialists, and the demand of digital services.

Jul 14, 2022 • 36min
Taking a commercial approach to data leadership with Paul Briley
In this episode, Jason talks to Paul Briley, an extremely experienced commercial B2B leader, data expert and a key senior member of the team at Cynozure supporting customers to develop and grow. A brilliant conversation about the great potential of taking a commercial approach and integrating it with data management, data product and technology solutions to drive real growth and maximise the benefits of data analytics.

Jul 7, 2022 • 29min
Establish and embed a data-driven culture with Mikel Davis
In this episode, Jason Foster talks to Mikel Davis, Senior Director of Strategic Analytics at Peacock, the streaming service for NBC, about establishing and embedding data and data-driven culture in organisations. A great conversation where Mikel shares her learnings and her brilliant experience supporting different types of organisations, how to strategically prioritise business goals to create a data strategy and structure data teams for success.

Jun 30, 2022 • 12min
Data Saves Lives with Jason Foster
In this episode, Jason Foster talks about the government’s new strategy around data in healthcare: an ambitious plan to harness the potential of data in the health and social care system in England to save lives - while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and ethics. Jason walks us through the plan: the vision, how the government is looking to implement the new healthcare data strategy, the priorities and the seven pillars of the data strategy.

Jun 23, 2022 • 11min
How should a CDO spend their time? With Jason Foster
In this episode, Jason Foster talks about the role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) and how to effectively balance the many different responsibilities that come with the role: data leadership, time allocation, prioritisation and focus. Jason also shares the 40-30-20-10 rule for data leaders, a framework you can use and adjust as a CDO, to help block time out for your tasks and juggle the many responsibilities.

Jun 22, 2022 • 41min
Cryptocurrency and its impact on individuals and businesses with Erica Stanford
In this episode, Jason Foster talks to Erica Stanford, author of Crypto Wars, founder of the Crypto Curry Club, and editor of Crypto Currier. All you need to know about Cryptocurrency: what is it, how is it used by people all over the world, its social and economic impact, how it is evolving, and its impact on the future. Erica also shares how people can protect themselves from scams and invest safely in crypto.

Jun 9, 2022 • 38min
Lessons on the move from academia to industry with Tom Wilson
In this episode, Jason talks to Tom Wilson, Solutions Architect at Cynozure. They discuss how to navigate the transition from academia to industry, and how to decide when the best time is to make the transition. Tom talks about his career in academia and his PhD background, how he found his passion for data science and applied his academic knowledge in his data roles. Last but not least, Tom shares insightful advice for people that are in academia and would like to move to industry.