
Data Product Management in Action: The Practitioner's Podcast
Welcome to The Data Product Management Podcast, where the complexities of product management in the realm of data are unlocked with expertise from practitioners, and only practitioners. Tired of the struggle to find practical insights amidst the chaos? This podcast is your reliable source for candid discussions with real professionals who navigate the data product landscape daily.
Our podcast dives into the trenches of data product management, exploring everything from for AI/ML, data products, data platforms, BI, and beyond. Through engaging interviews, we uncover the nuts and bolts of product discovery, prioritization, cultural change management, and stakeholder alignment.
Forget the abstract theories; tune in to hear the hard-won insights of hands-on practitioners. Data product management may be challenging, but with this podcast and its guidance, it's about to become a lot less confusing. Tune in and let's navigate the data-driven future together.
Latest episodes

Aug 14, 2024 • 13min
The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Vishakha Gupta-Cledat
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. Recorded on Day 2 of Data Connect 2024, Michael sits down with Vishaka Gupta-Cledat, CEO and co-founder of Aperture, a spin-off from Intel. They explore Aperture's mission to simplify the work of data scientists, data engineers, and machine learning teams. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. About our guest Vishaka Gupta-Cledat: Vishaka is the Co-founder and CEO of ApertureData. Before launching ApertureData, she spent over seven years at Intel Labs, where she led the design and development of VDMS (the Visual Data Management System), which is now the foundation of ApertureData’s flagship product, ApertureDB. Her expertise spans diverse areas, including scheduling in heterogeneous multi-core environments, graph-based storage, applications on non-volatile memory systems, and tackling visual data management challenges for analytics use cases. Connect with Vishaka on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate a practitioner. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Aug 7, 2024 • 14min
The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Kim Theis
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. Recorded on Day 2 of Data Connect 2024, Michael sits down with Kim Theis, CEO Abea Data, for her first appearance at both Data Connect 2024 and in Columbus, Ohio. Kim shares insights from her recent talk at the conference, where she focused on maximizing ROI from data-driven projects—a topic she has extensively researched. Since transitioning from her role at PayPal, Kim has been on a mission to help individuals and organizations better understand the journey toward adopting data products and the tangible benefits they can offer. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. About our guest Kim Theis: Kim is the CEO and co-founder of AbeaData, a company transforming how data is leveraged as a product and driving the success of AI initiatives across industries. With over 20 years of experience, Kim has a proven track record of delivering data innovation and excellence in various leadership roles. Before founding AbeaData, she served as the Head of Intelligence Automation at PayPal, where she reorganized the team to support a decentralized data framework, launched a data mesh in under a year, and led the team that pioneered the world's first open-source Data Contract. Her extensive experience also includes executive data consulting and technology leadership roles within Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. Connect with Kim on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate a practitioner. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Aug 7, 2024 • 15min
The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Jean-Georges Perrin
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn About our guest Jean-Georges Perrin: Jean-Georges “jgp” Perrin is the Chief Innovation Officer at AbeaData, where he focuses on developing cutting-edge data tooling. He chairs the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS) at the Linux Foundation's Bitol project, co-founded the AIDA User Group, and has authored several influential books, including Implementing Data Mesh (O'Reilly) and Spark in Action, 2nd Edition (Manning). With over 25 years in IT, Jean-Georges is recognized as a Lifetime IBM Champion, a PayPal Champion, and a Data Mesh MVP. His expertise spans data engineering, governance, and the industrialization of data science. Outside of tech, he enjoys exploring Upstate New York and New England with his family. Connect with J-GP on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate a practitioner. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Aug 7, 2024 • 13min
The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Lindsay Murphy
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. In this minisode, Michael reconnects with his former colleague Lindsay Murphy as she delves into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of data management—cost containment. Lindsay's session at Data Connect 2024 emphasizes the importance of considering costs as a critical piece of your data team's ROI. While data teams often focus on value creation and return on investment, they can easily lose sight of the expenses associated with the complex stacks they build. Lindsay offers practical insights on how to strike a balance between innovation and cost-efficiency. Plus, a special shout-out to Lindsay's new podcast, Women Lead Data—hurrah! This podcast is set to inspire and empower women in the data industry, providing a platform for sharing experiences, insights, and strategies for success. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn About our guest Lindsay Murphy: Lindsay is a data leader with 13 years of experience in building and scaling data teams. She has successfully launched and led data initiatives at startups such as BenchSci, Maple, and Secoda. Her expertise includes developing internal data products, implementing modern data stack infrastructures, building and mentoring data engineering teams, and crafting data strategies that align with organizational goals. An active member of the data community, Lindsay organizes the Toronto Modern Data Stack Meetup group, which boasts over 2,500 members. She has also taught Advanced dbt to more than 100 students through Uplimit and hosts a weekly podcast, Women Lead Data, where she shares insights and amplifies the voices of women in the data industry. Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate a practitioner. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Jul 31, 2024 • 53min
S1 Ep#10 Product Management with a Marketing Mindset
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 10, host Michael Toland (Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product) talks to Tarek Elqoulaq (Product Manager with Power Digital Marketing). Tarek shares his unconventional journey into data product management, despite not having a background in data or engineering. With experience in product growth and SEO consulting for companies like Audible, Spotify, and Dropbox, Tarek offers a unique perspective on shifting into data platform product management. He and Michael delve into the resources that helped him bridge the knowledge gap, emphasizing the value of hands-on learning. Tarek also discusses the importance of building cross-functional relationships and understanding the architecture and design of the systems you work with. This mindset shift enables tailoring solutions that add value across the organization, highlighting the significance of prioritization and alignment with broader business goals. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. About our guest Tarek Elqoulaq: Tarek is a product manager specializing in data platforms, with a passion for building systems that drive high-revenue data products. He previously worked in product growth and consulting, collaborating closely with SEO and product teams at companies like Audible, Spotify, and Dropbox, among others. Connect with Tarek on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate someone that you know. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Jul 24, 2024 • 40min
S1 Ep#09 Building Effective Data and Product Teams
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 09, host Frannie Helforoush (Senior Digital Product Manager at RBC Global Asset Management) talks to guest Jill Maffeo (Principal Product Manager at Vista). Jill is a data and product management practitioner who joins Frannie in conversation to talk about building and leading effective data and product teams. There's a lot for listeners to takeaway including challenges faced by Jill and how to foster collaboration and drive success. A few of the big questions tackled in this episode are: What are the key elements in building a cohesive and productive team? How can you optimize team structures for efficiency and innovation? What is the 'Product Trio', and why is it crucial for creating successful digital products? How do you integrate data-driven insights into the product development lifecycle? What team metrics or process metrics to follow to align a team? Should a data product manager report to a CPO or a data leader? About our host Frannie Helforoush: Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. Connect with Frannie on LinkedIn. About our guest Jill Maffeo: Jill has a background in analytics and product management, with experience spanning teams focused on channels and marketing, customer retention, customer service, and ecommerce site platforms. Currently, she leads the strategy for Site Search at Vistaprint, overseeing a dynamic team of software engineers, data engineers, a data product analyst, and data scientists dedicated to enhancing customer and partner experiences. Jill's professional passion lies in metadata development and management, providing solid foundational data to build models and orchestrate customer journeys. Outside of work, she enjoys good books, tasty food, and going on walks. Connect with Jill on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate someone that you know. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Jul 17, 2024 • 31min
S1 Ep#08 From Scratch to Success: Building a Data Platform
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 08, host Frannie Helforoush (Senior Digital Product Manager at RBC Global Asset Management) and guest Corrin Sholomo Goldenberg (Product Manager at Chainlink Labs), a practitioner with experience in both software product management and data product management, focus their conversation on building data platforms and teams from scratch. Their conversation also explores team dynamics and structure in product and data management. Takeaways include insights into KPIs and metrics to measure success, effective team structures, collaboration strategies, and the integration of diverse expertise. About our host Frannie Helforoush: Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. Connect with Frannie on LinkedIn. About our guest Corrin Shlomo Goldenberg: Corrin is a data-driven product manager with nearly two decades of experience in the tech industry, that fuels the creation of impactful data products that make a real difference. Corrin is passionate about uncovering insights across diverse fields. Connect with Corrin on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate someone that you know. Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights!

Jul 10, 2024 • 51min
S1 Ep#07 Monetizing Healthcare Data: Marketing and Product Strategies
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 07, host Michael Toland (Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product) engages in a deep discussion with Andrew Warner (Senior Product Manager at Genome Medical) about the intriciacies of monetizing and marketing healthcare data products. They cover the full gamut from product development, market research, and product validation, to privacy and ethical considerations, as well as financing and funding models. Both Andrew and Michael share their experiences, insights on common pitfalls, and valuable lessons learned. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. About our guest Andrew Warner: Andrew is a Senior Product Manager with eight years of experience in healthcare platforms, data, and integration. He has worked on a diverse range of projects, from mobile apps that reach millions of users to internal data systems that drive business growth. Andrew is passionate about challenging the status quo and fostering business innovation by introducing products that resonate with consumers. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate someone that you know.

Jul 3, 2024 • 32min
S1 Ep#06 Building MVPs, Trust, and Relationships to Deliver Value
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 06, host Frannie Helforoush (Senior Digital Product Manager at RBC Global Asset Management) and guest Nathan Worrell (Senior Product Manager, Data Analytics at Cortland) explore areas that are crucial to successfully realizing data product management and delivering value. With Nathan's experience and passion, he shares his thoughts on applying product thinking to data products and emphasizes the often-forgotten core soft skills necessary to augment success. They leave no stone unturned as they dive into the detail of product thinking. Nathan provides practical, concrete examples that are easy for anyone to take away and implement, including the strategic use of Generative AI. About our host Frannie Helforoush: Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. Connect with Frannie on LinkedIn. About our guest Nathan Worrell: Nathan is a dynamic product manager with a passion for AI, data, and process optimization. He has a proven track record of success across multiple industries, leading complex initiatives and building products from the ground up. Nathan thrives on working with diverse teams with the goal of driving businesses to become more data-driven. Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Apply to be a guest or nominate someone that you know.

Jun 27, 2024 • 17min
DPMiA S1 Ep04: Introducing Host Nadiem von Heydebrand
The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by Soda and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 004, it's time to meet host Nadiem von Heydebrand, CEO and Co-founder at Mindfuel. About our host Nadiem von Heydebrand: Nadiem is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mindfuel. In 2019, he merged his passion for data science with product management, becoming a thought leader in data product management. Nadiem is dedicated to demonstrating the true value contribution of data. With over a decade of experience in the data industry, Nadiem leverages his expertise to scale data platforms, implement data mesh concepts, and transform AI performance into business performance, delighting consumers at global organizations that include Volkswagen, Munich Re, Allianz, Red Bull, and Vorwerk. Connect with Nadiem on LinkedIn. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. Join the conversation on LinkedIn.