Raw Data with Rob Collie

For a while, you could pretend AI was still a someday problem. Not anymore. Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt are back, and this time they are tackling Model-Context-Protocol (MCP) and Multi-Agent Systems, two shifts that could finally put an end to the human copy-paste Olympics. This isn't about shinier tools. It is about AI that plugs in without the duct tape and starts doing the work without making you babysit. Rob and Justin dig into what's real, what's coming, and why "waiting to see" is no longer a strategy. MCP is being called the USB-C of AI. Multi-Agent Systems are making AI check its own work, so you do not have to. Translation? The gap between "early" and "too late" is closing fast, and the status quo isn't going to cut it much longer. If you are tired of the hype but know you can't sit this one out, this episode is the advice you have been waiting for. So, tune in and enjoy! If you like what you hear, don't forget to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps new listeners discover the show! Also in this episode: The Cybernetic Teammate Déjà vu Cat | The Matrix

Sakiko Stickley joins Raw Data to share a story that is part inspiration, part revelation, and a whole lot of truth-telling. From the first moment she discovered Power Pivot, Sakiko did not just learn data. She lived it. She rewired reporting systems, survived micromanagers, and navigated the strange realities of big consulting firms, all while quietly proving that one person, one model, and a little bit of DAX can change everything. In this episode, we get an inside look at how a passion for smarter systems can collide with corporate inertia, what it really feels like to challenge the status quo, and why Sakiko believes AI could someday outperform human leadership, not just in data crunching but in ethics and decision-making too. (Spoiler: She might be right.) If you have ever felt like a lone voice in a world that clings to inefficient processes, Sakiko's journey will feel like a kindred spirit calling from across the data universe. Listen in for a conversation filled with hard truths, breakthrough moments, and a reminder that true data people do not just build models. They build better futures.

What's the value of a long-awaited feature? Well, that depends. Have you ever tried explaining a fiscal calendar that doesn't believe in months? This week, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt dive into the latest Microsoft Fabric updates, including the long-rumored, almost-mythical custom calendar support in DAX, the highly requested user-defined functions, and the Copilot expansion that might finally be worth the hype. These updates aren't just bells and whistles; they're fixes to problems that have been quietly driving your team up the wall for a decade. And while the tech is cool, the real story is what it unlocks for the people trying to build reliable reporting, reuse their logic across models, and stop wrestling with edge cases in Excel at 10 p.m. If you've ever been told, "that's just how it works," this episode is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that progress doesn't always come with a parade. Sometimes it shows up in patch notes.

What happens when you hand off your Power BI output to ChatGPT and ask it to make sense of your world? You might be surprised. This week, Rob shares a deeply personal use case. One that ties together two major themes we've been exploring: Gen AI is reshaping the way we think about dashboards. To get real value out of AI, you need more than just data. You need metadata. And yes, that kind of metadata—the kind you create in Power BI when you translate raw data into something meaningful. Along the way, we revisit the old guard of data warehousing. The mighty (and now dusty?) ETL priesthood. And we uncover a delicious little irony about how the future of data looks a lot like its past, just with better tools and smarter questions. The big twist? We're all ETL now. But the "T" might not mean what you think it does anymore. Listen now to find out how a few rows of carefully modeled data, a table visual, and one really good AI assistant changed the game. For Rob and, just possibly, for all of us. Also in this episode: Blind Melon – Change (YouTube) The Data Warehouse Toolkit Raw Data Episode - The Human Side of Data: Using Analytics for Personal Well-Being

AI agents are making big waves, but are they the future of business or just another passing trend? In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt explore the rise of AI agents, what they actually do, and why the excitement might be a little premature. They unpack the risks, the rewards, and how leaders can navigate the hype with a bit of caution and a lot of curiosity. Rob and Justin discuss the fine balance between automation and human oversight, tackling questions about when it's smart to embrace AI and when it might be better to pause. They also share thoughts on the current SaaS landscape, where new AI tools are popping up fast and why it pays to be thoughtful before jumping in. Ultimately, this episode is about finding clarity in a fast-moving space. It's about understanding where AI agents can add real value, where they might introduce unnecessary risk, and why critical thinking still matters. Rob and Justin reflect on the challenges of trusting AI, the dangers of locking into technology too early, and how the best decisions come from balancing curiosity with skepticism. If you're wondering how to separate the genuine innovations from the passing fads and how to be strategic about adopting AI in your business, this conversation is for you.

Listener John sent in a classic question: should you build one all-encompassing data model, or should each part of your business have its own? If you think the answer is black and white, well, welcome to the world of data modeling, where nuance reigns supreme. Rob and Justin dive deep into the pros, cons, and inevitable mistakes of both approaches. Along the way, they call out the biggest modeling traps, expose the myths that make projects stall, and introduce a revolutionary new acronym: JGS (Just Get Started). Because, spoiler alert, the best data model is the one that actually gets built. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Ever find yourself overthinking a problem until you've thought yourself right into a corner? Yeah, we've been there too. But what if there was a way to cut through the noise and just know when something is a good idea? Enter Miller's Theorem, a simple but sneaky-effective thought experiment that's been kicking around in our conversations for years. It's the kind of thing that sounds like nonsense at first until it doesn't. In this episode, we unpack how a casual visit to a bougie home décor store in Seattle turned into an existential crisis over tariffs, pricing psychology, and whether customers actually care if their overpriced alpaca throw just got 25% more expensive. But it's not just about economics. It's about how we make decisions, avoid self-inflicted complexity, and maybe stop outsmarting ourselves into bad choices. Also on the table: the contrapositive, the dangers of taking political soundbites at face value, and why abolishing the IRS is an idea so catastrophically bad it might actually make the Great Depression look like a mild inconvenience. It's a wild ride through logic, business, and just enough existential dread to keep things interesting. Listen now, then hope over to LinkedIn and tell us what you think! Got a topic you would like to have Rob and Justin cover? Join our Raw Data by P3 Adaptive Steering Committee and let us know! Also in this episode: Pokerbots, Adware, and Burning Man, w/ Brad Miller & Kai Hankinson

For years, dashboards have been the go-to for business intelligence. Built with the best intentions, loaded with visuals, and meant to empower decision-makers. But are they actually delivering? A recent Reddit thread raised a tough question: "Has anyone here moved away from dashboards as their main source of insights?" It's not the usual "Dashboards are dead" hype. It's a real challenge from BI pros who build them. The problem? Analysts say dashboards can't keep up with how they really explore data. Executives and business users aren't using them as intended, leading to more ad hoc requests, not fewer. The result? Dashboards end up underused, misused, or worse, ignored. In this episode of Raw Data, Rob and Justin cut through the noise and get to the heart of the issue. Are dashboards the problem, or is it how we're designing and using them? And more importantly, what's the right way forward? Also in this episode: Reddit discussion

Ever sat in a meeting, watching a decision unfold that makes zero sense—bad for business, bad for employees—while the data that should be guiding the way is ignored? You're not alone. In this solo episode, Rob Collie takes on a question that's been circling for years: why aren't more people with a data-driven mindset in leadership positions? The answer isn't as simple as "because they should be." There are deep-rooted reasons why persuasion often wins over precision and why data folks get stuck in support roles instead of calling the shots. But here's the thing, change is possible. Whether you're an analyst looking to break into leadership or a decision-maker wondering how to get the most from your data-savvy team, this episode is for you. Tune in as Rob unpacks the hidden forces at play, the skills that can help data professionals move up the ladder, and why learning the art of influence might be just as important as mastering the numbers.

What happens when you mix fantasy football, data analytics, and a little bit of chaos? You get a conversation that refuses to follow a straight line—but somehow lands exactly where it needs to. Rob Collie welcomes back fantasy football guru Adam Harstad for his third appearance on Raw Data, alongside first-time guests Heather Zimmer and Molly Ferguson, two self-proclaimed newcomers who are anything but casual. They dive into the unexpected ways fantasy football rewires your brain, from strategic obsession to the unshakable belief that your lucky jersey actually controls the game. Adam breaks down the numbers behind the game—how expected points added (EPA) became the gold standard of football analytics and why your gut feeling about a "bad matchup" might just be a statistical illusion. Meanwhile, Heather and Molly prove that fantasy football isn't just a game; it's a full-blown data-driven lifestyle. Whether it's crunching Power BI models for next season or convincing family members to clear out during game time, they've gone all-in—and they're not looking back. But beyond the spreadsheets and the smack talk, this episode is about something bigger: the sheer joy of unexpected obsessions. Whether you're in it for the data, the competition, or just the chance to prove someone wrong (we see you, Heather), fantasy football is a reminder that the best things in life are the ones you never saw coming. Also in this episode: Guide to EPA Protect the Spots with NO Bulletholes, w/ Adam Harstad Epistemic Path Dependency, w/ Adam Harstad