Data Radicals

In the era of “fake news” how do you know what to trust? Today’s guest, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, has found the last dependable source of truth: Google. Armed with Google trends data, Seth illuminates hidden truths about racism, politics, and sexuality in our world today. In today’s interview, Seth dives into his latest book Don’t Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life. He shares interesting insights he gathered along the way and how unfortunately, lying and data sometimes go hand-in-hand.--------“Google trends is so powerful because it gives you an incentive to get the information you need. And PornHub, similarly, gives you an incentive to get the information you need. So even in an anonymous survey, there's no incentive for people to tell the truth.” — Seth Stephens-Davidowitz--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Is your data full of lies?* (2:45) Seth’s book Everybody Lies* (6:25) Google trends is a data treasure trove* (11:36) How data can help you online date* (16:25) Taking a data-driven approach to your personal life* (19:33) The data behind happiness * (24:13) Seth’s book Don’t Trust Your Gut and how it can change your approach to business--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksCheck out Seth's WorkSeth’s book : Don’t Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life

Business intelligence has dominated corporate conversations for years. It’s an integral component of making data-backed decisions and as well as an important tool for any Data Radical. Today, we’re lucky enough to speak with a business intelligence pioneer, Bernard Liautaud.Bernard is the Managing Partner of Balderton Capital and was the founder of BusinessObjects. In this interview, he and Satyen discuss the origins of business intelligence, what it’s like to found a company, creating healthy company cultures, and so much more.--------“The No. 1 element of creating a culture is by setting an example, because you're going to be modeled after — unconsciously or consciously.” — Bernard Liautaud--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Bernard’s impressive history of making data digestible * (2:45) The history of BusinessObjects* (5:10) Inventing a new way to look at data* (11:39) A deep dive into spearheading business intelligence* (30:40) Creating a unique corporate culture--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Bernard on LinkedInCheck out Balderton Capital

Knowledge graphs are a critical tool in a Data Radical’s toolbox. But how can we make sure we’re leveraging them to the best of our ability? Today’s guest helps us out.Kendall Clark, is the Founder and CEO of Stardog. His non-typical data journey has given him a wealth of knowledge that we’re lucky enough to hear today. He goes deep into knowledge graphs, philosophy’s impact on management, and much more.--------“It's a little bit like asking the first person you ever date to marry you. It's not that that's definitely a mistake and we'll never work out, but it's risky. This is really what happens when you commit to doing integrations in the storage layer.” - Kendall Clark--------Time Stamps* (0:38) The human impact on data* (3:06) Kendall’s unconventional journey into data* (6:27) What is Stardog?* (8:52) All you need to know about Knowledge Graphs* (27:20) How to build culture at your organization--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Kendall on LinkedInCheck out Stardog

Information is power, and data is rarely as subjective as it seems. Savvy data leaders know one thing: data is political. And for many data professionals — that fact can feel discouraging. But it doesn’t have to be.Today, Wendy Turner-Williams, CDO of Tableau, brings us a fresh perspective on how to win at the game of data politics. Shifting corporate culture can be difficult. But with Wendy’s tips and tricks, you’ll be able to transform your org into a data-driven machine. You won’t want to miss it.--------Quote:“When it comes to culture the thing that data professionals never love to talk about is that data's very political.” - Wendy Turner-Williams--------Time Stamps* (00:24) Who is Wendy Turner-Williams* (2:37) Ins and outs of working on data in a software company* (7:17) CDOs as supporting actors* (16:26) The evolution of data governance* (22:13) Wendy’s approach to data culture* (24:45) The politics of data--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Wendy on LinkedInCheck out Tableau

Data is one of our most underutilized weapons in our arsenal. In today’s battles, the ability to gather, disseminate, consume and act on information has become the fundamental capability in the war on terror.In this episode, Satyen speaks with Stan McChrystal, retired US Army General and Managing Partner of the McChrystal Group. They discuss Stan's experiences building a data culture in the US military, evaluating leaders, the concept of empowered command, and much more.--------“Often you have data you don't know you have. ” - Stan McChrystal--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Using data as a weapon* (3:16) Insight into changing massive organizations * (11:33) How to find the best leaders* (18:17) Running military operations backed by data* (29:37) What success looks like for a US Army general--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Stan on LinkedInCheck out the McChrystal Group

The role of CDO is constantly evolving, and Data Radicals need to stay ahead of the curve. Today's guest gives us the inside scoop on how to do just that. Randy Bean is the founder and CEO of NewVantage Partners and author of Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI. In this interview, he and Satyen discuss the adoption of the chief data officer role, the challenges of creating a data culture, and the importance of soft skills for CDOs. --------“Data-driven organizations never rest. They're never comfortable. Because they know that unless they continue to do things to stay data-driven—they won't be the most data-driven going forward.” - Randy Bean--------Time Stamps* (0:00) How the Dunning-Kruger effect impacts your organization* (3:10) Randy’s beginnings in data* (6:31) The endless data journey* (10:05) The evolution of the CDO* (19:51) How to know you’re a successful CDO* (23:54) Barriers to building a data culture--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Randy on LinkedInCheck out NewVantage PartnersRead Randy’s Book: Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI

The early founders of the internet argued that privacy was dead. But today’s guest was motivated to revolutionize data privacy instead. Michelle Finneran Dennedy, CEO of PrivacyCode and co-author of The Privacy Engineer’s Manifesto, is one of the world’s first Chief Privacy Officer. She and Satyen talk about how the role of CPO has changed throughout her tenure, the tough work of designing privacy policies, the future of data privacy, and much more.--------“CPOs today are business leaders and risk takers.” — Michelle Finneran Dennedy--------Time Stamps* (0:00) Privacy is dead. Get over it.* (5:54) What made Michelle passionate about privacy* (10:05) The evolution of the Chief Privacy Officer* (12:29) What is data policy?* (14:26) The roles morals and ethics play in data policy* (19:23) Debunking privacy engineering* (29:11) The future of privacy--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Michelle on LinkedInCheck out The Privacy Engineer’s Manifesto

No risk, no reward. Kyle Kirwan, co-founder and CEO of BigEye, helps companies manage risk more intelligently through the power of data quality. In this interview, Kyle describes his experience as one of the first data scientists and analysts at Uber, weighs the pros and cons of build versus buy, and defines the modern data stack – with an eye to what’s next. --------“We're living in this Renaissance era when it comes to data tools.” - Kyle Kirwan--------Time Stamps* (0:00) What Monopoly teaches us about data* (3:00) Data’s role at Uber* (7:29) Building vs. Buying* (12:14) The current and future landscape of data tools* (17:58) Getting the right people involved* (20:20) Creating a data culture* (28:48) Insights into the modern data stack--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Kyle on LinkedInCheck out BigeyeSeven Principles for Reliable Data Pipelines by Kyle KirwanRegister for the Data Reliability Engineering ConferenceData Discovery in 2020 by Kyle Kirwan

Science and data are powerful tools of discovery, but our expectations are often misaligned with what science can actually do. Interpreting and understanding science involves nuance, humility, and an open mind – muscles that we don’t always flex as often as we should.Today’s guest is Christie Aschwanden, journalist and NYT bestselling author. Christie is an expert in understanding the power – and limitations – of science. Christie explains why science isn’t broken, how to get reliable answers from the scientific method, and the science behind why quitting can sometimes be the best decision possible.--------“I think it's really important to always recognize that there's a possibility that whatever you're thinking now is wrong…We need to understand that one of the most fundamental aspects of science is that it's provisional. We always have to be open to new evidence and recognize that there's always the chance that we will gain new evidence that will overturn our current ways of thinking. And that's okay.” -Christie Aschwanden--------Time Stamps* (3:12) Is Science Broken?* (7:07) What is Motivational Reasoning?* (11:27) The Importance of Nuance in Science * (12:50) One Trait Christie Highly Recommends * (14:40) The Misaligned Incentive Structure in Science Today* (16:38) Stories Are the Way We Make Sense of Data* (19:44) The Creative Process and the Value of Quitting* (23:35) The #1 Thing that Any High-Performance Person Can Do* (25:40) The Importance of Not Being Productive* (27:21) The Benefits of Sleep and How to Get Better Sleep* (30:30) Christie’s #1 Piece of Advice--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------Links* Christie’s Website* Good To Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery* Follow Christie on Twitter* Christie’s Podcast “Emerging Form”* Christie’s FiveThirtyEight Archive* Psychology’s Replication Crisis Has Made The Field Better from FiveThirtyEight

The average CDO only lasts 18 months in their position. 18 months! With odds that dire, data leaders need all the inside scoop they can get to climb the massive mountain ahead of them. Luckily, today we’re giving you a roadmap.Today’s guest is Peter Jackson, Co-Founder and Director of Caruthers and Jackson. Peter shares his advice on how to up your odds of passing that 18-month mark with flying colors. He discusses why CDOs are key players in a company’s future, and offers tips for navigating vendor relationships, building up data literacy in your organization, and much more.--------"Wherever you find a spreadsheet—that's an opportunity for a quick win, because you might be able to automate that process by using some technologies and by teaching people new skills, and that will reduce data errors.” - Peter Jackson--------Time Stamps* (0:00) The high stakes for CDOs* (2:29) How CDOs are change agents* (6:02) How to know if being a CDO is right for you* (8:40) Advice for new CDOs* (11:45) The secrets of spreadsheets* (17:06) How to make the most of vendor relationships* (23:48) Building data literacy at your organization--------SponsorThis podcast is presented by Alation.Learn more:* Data Radicals: https://www.alation.com/podcast/* Alation’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alation/* Satyen’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssangani/--------LinksConnect with Peter on LinkedInCheck out Carruthers and Jackson