

The Data Stack Show
Rudderstack
Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 6, 2025 • 50min
256: The Rise of the Citizen Developer: Solving Business Problems with Alteryx and AI with Andy MacMillan
In this conversation with Andy MacMillan, CEO of Alteryx, they delve into the rising influence of citizen developers in business. Andy shares insights on how tools like Alteryx democratize data access, empowering non-technical teams to tackle complex problems. They discuss the shift towards cloud data platforms, emphasizing the balance between user empowerment and IT governance. The dialogue also highlights how AI technologies can revolutionize workflows, enabling organizations to innovate while maintaining control over data strategies.

Aug 4, 2025 • 2min
The PRQL: Cloud Platforms, AI, and the Future of Business Analytics with Andy MacMillan of Alteryx
Explore the evolving landscape of business analytics with insights on AI's influence. Discover the rise of citizen developers and how they can transform organizations. Dive into the potential of cloud data platforms for better decision-making. Get excited for a thought-provoking discussion with the new CEO of Alteryx that promises to reshape your understanding of data-driven strategies!

Jul 30, 2025 • 31min
255: When Dashboards Lie: Unpacking the Myths of Self-Service Analytics with the Cynical Data Guy
In this engaging discussion, Matt, known as The Cynical Data Guy, highlights the quirks and challenges of data analytics. He critiques unrealistic data requests and delves into the limitations of self-service BI tools. The conversation emphasizes the need for context in data storytelling and the evolving role of data analysts as guides rather than mere tool users. They also explore the emerging trend of 'BI as code' for more adaptable analytics solutions, showcasing the vital gap between technical abilities and business requirements.

Jul 28, 2025 • 4min
The PRQL: Self-Service BI: Why Dashboards Collect Dust with the Cynical Data Guy
Explore the quirky world of self-service BI and the everyday challenges faced by data professionals. The hosts share amusing anecdotes about unrealistic client expectations for KPIs, shedding light on the frustrations that come with data analytics. They also preview a guest's critical take on dashboard usage, revealing why many dashboards end up collecting dust. With light-hearted banter, the discussion is a mix of humor and insight into the complexities of data management.

Jul 23, 2025 • 42min
254: Context is King: Building Intelligent AI Analytics Platforms with Paul Blankley of Zenlytic
Paul Blankley, Founder and CTO of Zenlytic, joins to discuss AI's evolution in business intelligence. He believes AI is becoming an 'employee' capable of tackling complex analytical tasks. The conversation highlights how AI can process unstructured data and improve decision-making. Paul explains the importance of context in AI models and describes future BI tools that will surpass traditional dashboards. The talk also touches on the integration of structured and unstructured data, aiming for smarter insights that help businesses thrive.

Jul 21, 2025 • 4min
The PRQL: Breaking Down BI: How AI is Rewriting the Rules with Paul Blankley of Zenlytic
Discover the rapid advancements in AI technology and their transformative impact on business intelligence. The discussion dives into recent successes and the evolving AI models, signaling a change in how businesses will integrate these tools. Insights from industry experts offer a sneak peek into the future of data-driven decision-making and smarter customer experiences that AI can unlock.

Jul 16, 2025 • 59min
253: Why Traditional Data Pipelines Are Broken (And How to Fix Them) with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync
Ruben Burdin, Founder and CEO of Stacksync, delves into the complexities of data integration, especially the challenges of two-way syncing for platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot. He questions the practicality of traditional methods like zero-copy ETL and highlights how these can create more issues than they solve. The conversation introduces Stacksync's innovative real-time SQL-based synchronization as a solution to streamline data management, reduce overhead, and enhance operational workflows across varied enterprise systems.

Jul 14, 2025 • 4min
The PRQL: Zero Copy ETL: Myth vs Reality with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync
Dive into the challenges of developing a two-way syncing technology with insights from a co-founder and CEO. Discover how marketing shapes perceptions of zero copy ETL. The conversation highlights the importance of synchronization in tech and its role in enhancing data infrastructure. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of data management and product development.

15 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 42min
252: What the Heck is Happening in Data Right Now with the Cynical Data Guy
Matt Kelliher-Gibson, the Cynical Data Guy, brings a sharp lens to the evolving world of data engineering. He dissects the hype surrounding the modern data stack and critiques the complexities and frustrations plaguing data teams today. Key conversations revolve around the shifting roles of analytics engineers and the push for open data standards to combat vendor lock-in. Kelliher-Gibson also highlights the emotional toll of job market fluctuations and rising costs, while emphasizing the importance of honesty in hiring and team morale.

Jul 7, 2025 • 2min
The PRQL: Data Engineering in 2025: Tooling, Headcount, and Survival Strategies with the Cynical Data Guy
Dive into the future of data engineering! Discover how current tools will evolve by 2025 and the potential shifts in headcount required in the industry. Explore survival strategies to navigate the changing landscape of data analytics. Get insights into the importance of remote collaboration and the vital roles within data teams. Tune in for a candid conversation packed with humor and expertise!