The Joe Reis Show

Tiankai Feng, the Data strategy and governance lead at ThoughtWorks in Europe, dives into the human side of data. He discusses the essential journey of aligning data strategy with business value and the emergence of the five C's: competence, collaboration, creativity, communication, and conscience. The importance of communication in fostering collaboration is highlighted, along with a fresh perspective on redefining management success in data roles. Tiankai also shares his challenges of balancing writing a book with life, making it relatable and insightful.

The discussion dives into the necessity of complex data tools versus simpler alternatives like spreadsheets. It questions whether organizations really need cutting-edge technology designed for the elite or if straightforward solutions suffice. The conversation also reflects on the challenges of adopting tools like Apache Iceberg, drawing parallels to Hadoop. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of evaluating the practical need for new tech rather than succumbing to trendiness.

Holden Karau, an AI engineer and advocate for healthcare reform, shares insights on combating health insurance denials through innovative tech. They dive into the frustrations faced by the trans community and how AI can streamline the appeals process. The conversation highlights the challenges of working with outdated systems while utilizing advanced machine learning models. Karau emphasizes the need for tech professionals to contribute to healthcare reform and navigate the complexities of the insurance landscape.

Amid an unstable job market, the discussion emphasizes the critical role of personal branding. Authenticity and value take center stage, highlighting how staying true to oneself can captivate audiences. Engaging with supportive communities boosts your brand’s visibility. The process of creating content—like blogging and podcasting—is explored as a key strategy for building connections. Ultimately, it encourages listeners to take control of their career paths, urging consistency and genuine engagement to seize opportunities.

Hannes Muhleisen, creator of DuckDB and CEO of DuckDB Labs, shares the quirky origins of DuckDB, inspired by his pet duck! He discusses the rapid growth of DuckDB in analytics and how it simplifies database management. The conversation dives into the challenges of data lakehouses and the importance of transactional integrity in analytics. Hannes also explores decentralized data architecture and the innovative solutions DuckDB Labs is developing to stay competitive against larger corporations, all while making data handling more accessible.

Dave Yaffe and Johnny Graettinger, co-founders of Estuary, dive into the world of data integration and the challenges of managing startups while raising kids. They share candid stories about balancing work and family life, with a humorous twist on fitness and parenting. The duo discusses the evolution of data integration technology, recent developments with Amazon's S3 tables, and innovative approaches to JSON serialization. Their engaging conversation also touches on important themes of community, collaboration, and the joys of entrepreneurship.

Guest Gordon Wong, an expert in tech stacks for analytics and semantic layers, dives into the world of data solutions tailored for various business sizes, with a keen focus on healthcare. He discusses the differences between BI tools Omni and Q, emphasizing the importance of aligning tools with business needs. The conversation also touches on navigating revenue definitions and the complexities of revenue recognition in retail versus software sales, showcasing the unconventional practices that come into play.

Bill Inmon, known as the father of the data warehouse, shares insights from his extensive career in data management. He clarifies what a data warehouse truly is, including its origins dating back to 1983 and its evolution from initial skepticism to industry acceptance. Inmon discusses the significance of data warehousing for market-driven decisions and its role in major retailers like Walmart. He also tackles common misconceptions, emphasizing the diversity of data formats and the need for multiple platforms in data management.

Valentin Becerra, a simulation engineer at Lockheed Martin and techno DJ with When We Vanish, shares his passion for space and music. He delves into the creative blend of DJing and engineering, discussing his upcoming music label focused on STEM education. Valentin reflects on El Paso's nightlife and the challenges of performing in high-risk environments. He also tackles AI's role in education and industry, and lightheartedly reminisces about the evolution of the music scene through his DJ experiences, from vinyl vibes to the impact of the pandemic.

Gwen Shapira, founder of Nile and a database expert with a background at Confluent, dives into the complexities of multi-tenant databases. She discusses the challenges of implementing Distributed DDL at scale and the transition from big tech to startup life. Gwen touches on AI's role in project management and the balance between human intuition and automation. The conversation highlights the advantages of Postgres over NoSQL, the importance of data isolation in AI applications, and the synergy between LLMs and traditional machine learning techniques.