Mavens of Data

Too many dashboards. Endless ad-hoc questions. Analytics teams often get trapped supporting the business, without driving it forward. In this show, Ollie Hughes, CEO of Count, will show you how to break free. Based on real-world case studies and hard-won experience, Ollie will walk us through: The common traps analytics teams fall into — and why good intentions often lead to low impact  How to shift from "answering questions" to "solving business problems" Why operational clarity, not just better data, is the key to better outcomes. Real use cases and strategies for building high-leverage analytics inside your organization. If you're ready to move beyond dashboards and truly drive business success, this is the show you can’t afford to miss. 🤝 Follow Ollie on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

Chris Bruehl, a Lead Python instructor at Maven Analytics, shares insights on breaking into data science in 2025. He discusses the essential skills, such as SQL and Python, that aspiring data scientists need. The conversation highlights the shift towards machine learning and the importance of networking and personal branding. Chris also emphasizes the value of continuous learning and the evolving landscape of data analysis, including new trends in Natural Language Processing and the critical role of emotional resilience in the journey.

LLMs seem like a hot solution now, until you try deploying one. In this episode, Andriy Burkov, machine learning expert and author of The Hundred-Page Machine Learning Book, joins us for a grounded, sometimes blunt conversation about why many LLM applications fail. We talk about sentiment analysis, difficulty with taxonomy, agents getting tripped up on formatting, and why MCP might not solve your problems. If you’re tired of the hype and want to understand the real state of applied LLMs, this episode delivers. What You'll Learn: What is often misunderstood about LLMs The reliability of sentiment analysis How can we make agents more resilient?   📚 Check out Andriy’s books on machine learning and LLMs: The Hundred-Page Machine Learning Book The Hundred-Page Language Models Book: hands-on with Pytorch  🤝 Follow Andriy on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Dery, Vice President of Customer Success at Aera Technology, to explore a concept that's shifting how organizations think about analytics: Decision Intelligence. We unpack what decision intelligence really means (hint: it’s not just another buzzword), why some data scientists still resist it, and how this discipline helps surface causal insights — not just correlations. Joe brings firsthand use cases from the field, showing how DI is helping organizations not only analyze what’s happening but also decide what to do about it. Whether you're a data scientist, product manager, or exec who wants to move from dashboards to decisions, this one’s for you. What You'll Learn: What decision intelligence is — and what it isn’t Why some in the data space push back against it How DI gets you closer to causality (not just correlation) Real-world use cases where DI created business impact Why decision metadata is the secret sauce for long-term success   Follow Joe on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

AI is moving fast, but are organizations prepared to keep up? In this episode, data professional Laura Madsen joins us to unpack why most companies are lagging behind, how tech debt is holding businesses back, and why knowledge graphs are the way forward. Join us for a bold conversation on why the AI revolution needs better data governance, not just bigger models. What You'll Learn: Who’s thriving in disruption, which industries embrace AI, and why others are stuck The hidden cost of tech debt and why most organizations avoid real transformation The power of knowledge graphs, and why they’re the key to making AI work at scale  What AI still can’t do for us, and the gaps we need to fill with human expertise   Follow Laura on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

We live in a world where people are concerned about social media tracking their data—but at the same time, willingly send their DNA to companies like 23andMe. Why does this happen? What do companies actually do with our data? And how can we, as individuals, become more data-literate to make informed decisions? In this episode, we sit down with Kathy Rondon, author of “We The People: A Playbook for Data Ethics in a Democratic Society,” data expert and advocate for data literacy. If you've ever wondered how to take control of your digital footprint, make sense of statistics, or separate fact from fiction in a world full of data, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn: How companies collect and use your data—sometimes in ways you wouldn't expect Why do we trust some organizations with our most personal data while fearing others The power of statistics and how understanding the basics would help everyone better navigate news, research, and even politics   📚 Be sure to check out Kathy's book: “We The People: A Playbook for Data Ethics in a Democratic Society”  Follow Kathy on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

If you were only going to learn a few statistical techniques as an analyst, where should you focus? Josh Starmer, Founder of StatQuest, shares how learning these skills can boost your career. We dive into why linear regression is the bedrock for advanced statistical tests like the t-test, and why understanding Principal Component Analysis (PCA) can give you an edge in working with complex datasets. But it’s not just about the math—we also explore how expanding your skill set beyond the numbers can make you a stronger candidate for promotions and new roles. From building a diverse portfolio of skills to positioning yourself effectively in quarterly reviews, we discuss strategies to ensure you stand out in your organization and the broader job market. Whether you’re early in your data career or looking to sharpen your expertise, this episode gives you actionable insights to grow both technically and professionally. What You'll Learn: Core statistical methods every analyst should know, including why linear regression is the foundation for advanced analytics  How learning tangential skills like Principal Component Analysis (PCA) can set you apart in the field  Positioning yourself for success in quarterly reviews and career conversations   Be sure to check out Josh’s Illustrated Guide to Machine Learning and his YouTube channel! Follow Josh on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

Thinking about transitioning into analytics but worried about starting over? Andrew Madson has been in your shoes. Once a compliance executive, Andrew successfully pivoted into analytics and now is a Professor of analytics at five universities. In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to make a career shift when you’re already successful. Don't miss this conversation packed with real insights for professionals considering a move into analytics! What You'll Learn: How to handle the fear of leaving a high-paying career for something new Why transitioning is different from starting fresh—and how to use your experience as a superpower Bootcamp vs. Master’s—what’s worth your time and money? The must-have skills and topics when evaluating an analytics education   To hear even more from Andrew, you can check out his YouTube channel Follow Andrew on LinkedIn!   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

What if your next data presentation felt less like a spreadsheet and more like a blockbuster movie? In this episode, we’re joined by Angelica Lo Duca, Researcher at IIT-CNR and a master of transforming numbers into narratives, to explore the intersection of cinematography and data storytelling. Learn how to extract a “hero” from your data, structure your analysis like a compelling story, and tailor your presentations for different audiences to ensure maximum impact. Angelica reveals how the techniques filmmakers use—focusing on key characters, building tension, and delivering climactic resolutions—can be applied to data storytelling. She’ll also discuss the role of the data storyteller as a guide and how to strike a balance between clarity and creativity. Whether you’re presenting to executives, stakeholders, or teammates, this episode will help you level up your communication skills and make your insights unforgettable. What You'll Learn: How to identify and extract a “hero” from your data to drive a compelling narrative. Cinematic techniques that turn complex analyses into engaging stories. How to tailor your data presentation to resonate with different audiences. The responsibilities and creative power of the data storyteller.   Angelica is the author of Become a Great Storyteller: Learn How You Can Drive Change with Data. Find it here!     Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter

In this episode, we’ll chat with Carly Taylor, Field CTO of Gaming at Databricks, to explore the fascinating world of data analytics in the gaming industry, where every click, quest, and respawn generates insights that shape the games we love. Carly shares her experience working in gaming to help harness data for better gameplay and smarter monetization. She’ll break down what analysts, data scientists, and sales engineers actually do in gaming and how teams turn raw data into real-time decisions. Whether you’re a player, a data nerd, or someone who wants to turn both into a career, this episode is your walkthrough guide to data in gaming. What You'll Learn: How gaming companies use data to optimize player experience and business outcomes  What it’s like to work in a field engineering or customer-facing analyst role The tools, KPIs, and best practices for success How to break into a data role in gaming and what skills to focus on   Stay updated with Carly’s latest by subscribing to her Substack   Register for free to be part of the next live session: https://bit.ly/3XB3A8b   Follow us on Socials: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram (Mavens of Data) Instagram (Maven Analytics) TikTok Facebook Medium X/Twitter