The Analytics Power Hour
Michael Helbling, Moe Kiss, Tim Wilson, Val Kroll, and Julie Hoyer
Attend any conference for any topic and you will hear people saying after that the best and most informative discussions happened in the bar after the show. Read any business magazine and you will find an article saying something along the lines of "Business Analytics is the hottest job category out there, and there is a significant lack of people, process and best practice." In this case the conference was eMetrics, the bar was….multiple, and the attendees were Michael Helbling, Tim Wilson and Jim Cain (Co-Host Emeritus). After a few pints and a few hours of discussion about the cutting edge of digital analytics, they realized they might have something to contribute back to the community. This podcast is one of those contributions. Each episode is a closed topic and an open forum - the goal is for listeners to enjoy listening to Michael, Tim, and Moe share their thoughts and experiences and hopefully take away something to try at work the next day. We hope you enjoy listening to the Digital Analytics Power Hour.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 8min
#282: Using (and Creating!) Data to Understand Pop Culture with Chris Dalla Riva
Chris Dalla Riva, a senior product manager at a music streaming service and author of the newsletter Can’t Get Much Higher, dives into his fascinating journey of listening to every #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. He reveals how this project evolved from a personal habit into a complex dataset that uncovers unexpected cultural trends, like the prevalence of teenage tragedy songs. Chris also discusses the challenges of data creation, the importance of technology in music evolution, and the intricate details behind chart manipulation and genre exploration.
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 6min
#281: Analytics: The View from the Corner Office with Anna Lee
From spreadsheets to strategy: what does data look like from the CEO’s chair? For this episode, we sat down with Anna Lee, CEO of Flybuys and former CFO/COO of THE ICONIC, to get her view on data-led leadership and what great looks like in data and analytics. Discover how Anna's journey from finance to the corner office has shaped her approach to leveraging evidence for strategic decision-making. From productive curiosity, to informed pragmatism, and how data teams can build trust with leadership, this is a candid conversation about analytics from the top down. Whether you’re embedded in a squad or building the next big data platform, this one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to truly influence the C-suite! This episode's Measurement Bite from show sponsor Recast is an overview of the fundamental problem of causal inference from Michael Kaminsky! For complete show notes, including links to items mentioned in this episode and a transcript of the show, visit the show page.
27 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 7min
#280: Dashboards Must Die! Long Live Dashboards! with Andy Cotgreave
In this discussion, Andy Cotgreave, co-author of The Big Book of Dashboards, dives into the hotly debated topic of dashboards in analytics. He explores whether dashboards are dying or evolving, especially with the rise of AI. Topics range from the importance of custom dashboards for different users to the narrative power of data storytelling. Andy also critiques the overreliance on technology in analysis, emphasizing the need for human insight in a data-driven world.
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 1min
#279: The Process(es) of Analytics (We Have Thoughts)
Explore the dual nature of 'process' in analytics, where structure meets flexibility. Co-hosts dive into challenges of rigid procedures versus chaotic workflows, emphasizing effective communication and stakeholder engagement. They share insights on granular management and the nuances of project scoping, tackling priorities and resource allocation. The discussion also highlights collaboration in data initiatives and the critical role of adaptability, especially with the rise of AI in analytics. Expect humor and camaraderie as they navigate complex themes!
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 1min
#278: Is AI Good at Data Analysis? That's the Wrong Question? with Juliana Jackson
Juliana Jackson, an Associate Director of Data and Digital Experience at Monks and co-host of the Standard Deviation podcast, dives deep into the intersection of AI and data analysis. She shares her experiences with the limitations and challenges of large language models, warning against oversimplification in the analytics space. The discussion ranges from the psychological pressures faced by analysts to understanding data's probabilistic nature. Juliana emphasizes the essential role of human insight in unraveling complex data narratives amid evolving AI technology.
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h
#277: ANOVA? I Hardly Know Ya'! with Chelsea Parlett-Pelleriti
In this discussion, Chelsea Parlett-Pelleriti, a consulting statistician with a PhD in computational data science, breaks down the intricacies of ANOVA. She emphasizes its connection to linear models and clarifies common misconceptions. Topics like the importance of covariates in regression and the challenges of multiple comparisons are explored. With humor, she also touches on automating data integration, while sharing relatable parenting tales and the amusing limitations of AI. A truly enlightening and entertaining dive into statistics!
9 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 5min
#276: BI is Dead! Long Live BI! With Colin Zima
Colin Zima, CEO of Omni and former chief analytics officer at Looker, dives into the evolving landscape of business intelligence. He shares insights on the challenges product managers face in creating user-friendly BI tools for everyone from executives to data scientists. The conversation touches on the complexities of balancing self-service access with control, the integration of AI, and the importance of effective data visualization. Zima emphasizes the need for clear communication between data and business teams to maximize the impact of analytics.
30 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 13min
#275: The Modern Data...Job Search with Albert Bellamy
Albert Bellamy, a former Marine turned analytics expert and career coach at Alteryx, shares invaluable insights on modern job searching. He discusses the nuances of LinkedIn networking, likening it to effective communication in relationships. Bellamy highlights the critical role of personal connections and the importance of crafting tailored resumes. He emphasizes the need for authentic interactions in a landscape flooded with data, along with practical tips for standing out to recruiters. Get ready to rethink your approach to job hunting!
10 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 58min
#274: Real Talk About Synthetic Data with Winston Li
Winston Li, founder of Arima and a former data science leader at PWC Canada, dives deep into the fascinating realm of synthetic data. He discusses how synthetic data can revolutionize analytics by safeguarding privacy while providing robust alternatives to traditional datasets. The conversation covers its generation, applications in marketing mix modeling, and the balance between statistical integrity and privacy concerns. Li also shares insights on its utility in consumer research and the modern implications of AI in education and career choices.
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 10min
#273: Data Products Are... Assets? Platforms? Warehouses? Infrastructure? Oh, Dear. With Eric Sandosham
Is it just us, or are data products becoming all the rage? Is Google Trends a data product that could help us answer that question? What actually IS a data product? And does it even matter that we have a good definition? If any of these questions seem like they have cut and dried answers, then this episode may just convince you that you haven't thought about them hard enough! After all, what is more on-brand for a group of analysts than being thrown a question that seems simple only to dig in to realize that it is more complicated than it appears at first blush? On this episode, Eric Sandosham returned as a guest inspired by a Medium post he wrote a while back so we could all dive into the topic and see what we could figure out! For complete show notes, including links to items mentioned in this episode and a transcript of the show, visit the show page.
