

The Joe Reis Show
Joe Reis
What happens when a best-selling author and "recovering data scientist" gets a microphone? This podcast.
I'm Joe Reis, and each week I broadcast from wherever I am in the world, sharing candid thoughts on the data, tech, and AI industry.
Sometimes it's a solo rant. Other times, I'm chatting with the smartest people I know.
If you're looking for an unfiltered perspective on the state of AI, data, and tech, you've found it.
I'm Joe Reis, and each week I broadcast from wherever I am in the world, sharing candid thoughts on the data, tech, and AI industry.
Sometimes it's a solo rant. Other times, I'm chatting with the smartest people I know.
If you're looking for an unfiltered perspective on the state of AI, data, and tech, you've found it.
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
May 2, 2025 • 23min
Freestyle Friday - Advice for 2025 Graduates
Graduating in 2025? Get ready with invaluable tips for navigating the job market! Learn to avoid common pitfalls like envy and addiction while leveraging networking for career success. Discover how to build a strong reputation and utilize AI tools to stand out in tech spaces. Embrace preparation and adaptability during job interviews, and keep an eye on evolving opportunities. Excelling in your first role can open many doors, so seize every moment to showcase your accomplishments!

10 snips
May 1, 2025 • 1h 11min
Jessica Talisman - Libraries, Knowledge, Shitty Tech Jobs, and More
Jessica Talisman, a Senior Information Architect at Adobe and former librarian, discusses her fascinating journey through the worlds of libraries and data. She highlights the crucial interplay between data science and knowledge, emphasizing the significance of cultural heritage in America versus Europe. Talisman also addresses the emotional hurdles faced by employees in corporate settings, underlining legal protections for medical accommodations. With humor, she explores the evolving role of libraries as community hubs and the human connections vital in an increasingly automated work environment.

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h
Sarah McKenna - Web Scraping Explained
Sarah McKenna, CEO of Sequentum and a leader in web scraping standards, dives deep into the world of data collection. She explains web scraping’s diverse applications in finance and NGOs, and its evolution alongside alternative data trends. Privacy concerns and challenges like bot blocking are examined, highlighting the importance of ethical data practices. McKenna also explores how AI is transforming web scraping, enabling smaller teams and introducing new challenges in data quality. Get insights on starting your own web scraping endeavors!

14 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 17min
Freestyle Fridays - "I Don't Need to Learn Anything Anymore"
I recently overheard someone say, "I Don't Need to Learn Anything Anymore" because AI would do all of this person's work. This got me thinking about the future of learning, human expertise and depth, and more.

14 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 55min
Juan Sequeda & Jesus Barrasa - Unlocking Knowledge with Graphs
Juan Sequeda, Principal Scientist at data.world, and Jesus Barrasa, Field CTO at Neo4j, dive deep into the fascinating worlds of graphs and AI. They unpack the nuances of semantics and ontologies, revealing how these concepts shape knowledge representation. The duo contrasts RDF and property graphs, shedding light on their pivotal roles in data modeling. They also discuss how graph modeling enhances generative AI's ability to process unstructured data, ultimately transforming the future of data governance.

10 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 15min
Freestyle Fridays - Wartime Data Teams
Data teams have had a rough few years. Lots of layoffs and cuts, doing more work with fewer resources, and a general sense of malaise. On top of all of this, now we're in the middle of a trade war. This is war. If you're a data team, you need to act accordingly.

9 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 55min
Tim Berglund - The Art of Developer Relations, Hardware Hacking, and More
Tim Berglund, the OG of DevRel at Confluent, dives into the captivating world of developer relations. He shares insights on evolving from public speaking to fostering community engagement and the critical role of empathy in tech. The conversation highlights the balance between AI tools and human storytelling in effectively reaching technical audiences. Tim also discusses the transformative impact of Kafka in data infrastructures and recounts his childhood passion for hardware hacking, exemplified by creating a Nixie tube clock.

32 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 14min
Freestyle Fridays - Coding is Fun (Again)
Join a whirlwind tour of tech insights from a recent workshop and conference! Discover how the evolution of AI is revitalizing the coding experience, making it exciting and fun again. Hear about the importance of data engineering education and community among tech peers. The balance of using AI tools while mastering coding fundamentals is emphasized, alongside intriguing discussions about the latest trends in generative AI.

8 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 50min
Juhani Vanhatapio - From the Arctic Circle to AI
Juhani Vanhatapio, a data engineering and machine learning student from Finland's Arctic Circle, shares his unique journey from guiding Northern Lights tours to developing an AI Assistant for tourism. He discusses the enchantment of life in the Arctic, the paradox of Finnish happiness, and the challenges of shifting careers during the pandemic. Delving into tech education, he highlights the importance of domain expertise and reflects on the wonders of nature while tackling the uncertainties faced by new graduates in the evolving job market.

13 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 7min
Freestyle Fridays - Random Rants
Dive into the evolving world of data engineering, where AI is reshaping the future. Discover the impact of economic turbulence and tariffs on the industry. Get excited about an upcoming workshop in Atlanta that focuses on practical data modeling and modern skills. There’s also talk of future networking events, featuring essential discussions on data quality and governance at Google Next. It's a mix of insights and rants that keeps you engaged!


