

Explicit Measures Podcast
PowerBI.Tips
Hosted by Mike Carlo, and Tommy Puglia, the Explicit Measures Podcast is a Power BI focused show that is like being around a Power BI Pro’s Water Cooler. With so many available resources in the community that focuses on the “how” in Power BI (how to do Drill Through, how to use DAX, etc.,), the Explicit Measures Podcast is all around the WHY. Why use a particular feature, does it make sense for my users?
Build the toolset, learn the how, and then come to the Podcast to the listen to the why in situations we all experience as Power BI Pros.
Build the toolset, learn the how, and then come to the Podcast to the listen to the why in situations we all experience as Power BI Pros.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 5min
492: The 2025 Fabric Made Up Awards
Mike and Tommy present the whimsical Fabric Made Up Awards, poking fun at quirky features. They debate categories like 'Most Likely to Be Disabled by IT' and discuss the pros and cons of data notebooks versus traditional methods. Large language models enhance coding, but caution is needed. The duo highlights the importance of governance in future workloads and critiques overwhelming aspects like UIs and complex billing. They also share insights on performance tips, innovative knowledge tools, and the challenges of GitHub in the Fabric landscape.

Jan 6, 2026 • 60min
491: Our Fabric Resolutions
Mike and Tommy kick off the year by sharing their Fabric resolutions. They dive into personal New Year's traditions, like the quirky 12-grape custom. Travel tips for families spark lively debate, comparing road trips versus flights. The duo highlights their focus on Microsoft Fabric for 2026, with Mike targeting Power BI embedding education and Tommy examining AI-generated code validation. They chat about integrating AI into workflows and the significance of data governance roles. Finally, they glance at Fabric's evolution as both a transactional and analytical powerhouse.

Jan 1, 2026 • 1h 7min
490: Revisiting Dataflows Gen 2
Mike & Tommy dive into Revisiting Dataflows Gen 2, exploring the tension between initial skepticism and current capabilities after major updates, and how organizations can strategically position this tool in their data workflows for maximum value.https://blog.fabric.microsoft.com/en/blog/unlocking-the-next-generation-of-data-transformations-with-dataflow-gen2-fabcon-europe-2025-announcements?ft=Allhttps://blog.fabric.microsoft.com/en-gb/blog/new-dataflow-gen2-dataGet in touch:Send in your questions or topics you want us to discuss by tweeting to @PowerBITips with the hashtag #empMailbag or submit on the PowerBI.tips Podcast Page.Visit PowerBI.tips: https://powerbi.tips/Watch the episodes live every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 730am CST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/powerbitipsSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/230fp78XmHHRXTiYICRLVvSubscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/explicit-measures-podcast/id1568944083Check Out Community Jam: https://jam.powerbi.tipsFollow Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcarlo/Follow Tommy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommypuglia/

Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 5min
489: Why Fabric IQ Will Cause Friction
Mike & Tommy dive into the challenges posed by Microsoft's Fabric IQ, exploring the friction it creates within organizations as they redefine semantics. They discuss how this shift impacts culture, politics, and collaboration, offering practical strategies for successful adoption.https://blog.fabric.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-fabric-iq-the-semantic-foundation-for-enterprise-ai?ft=AllGet in touch:Send in your questions or topics you want us to discuss by tweeting to @PowerBITips with the hashtag #empMailbag or submit on the PowerBI.tips Podcast Page.Visit PowerBI.tips: https://powerbi.tips/Watch the episodes live every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 730am CST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/powerbitipsSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/230fp78XmHHRXTiYICRLVvSubscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/explicit-measures-podcast/id1568944083Check Out Community Jam: https://jam.powerbi.tipsFollow Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcarlo/Follow Tommy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommypuglia/

Dec 25, 2025 • 50min
488: Fabric Gift Exchange
This festive episode kicks off with a charming fabric gift exchange! The hosts delve into how Power BI and Fabric shape their lives. They explore intriguing AI advancements and how Copilot is empowering non-developers. Childhood holiday memories and favorite movies bring lighthearted nostalgia. Innovative ideas like model pickers and the Application Writer for seamless app integrations steal the spotlight. Plus, suggestions for tag managers and sticky cells enhance workflow in Fabric. A perfect blend of tech and holiday spirit!

Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 9min
487: The Intelligence Developer
Delve into the fascinating role of the 'Intelligence Developer' and its impact on business intelligence practices. Discover how AI is reshaping workflows and the debate over using Fabric SQL versus Azure SQL. The duo reflects on Power BI's evolution and its significant influence on careers. Explore the emergence of agents for developing enhanced data capabilities and automation. With a focus on the skills needed for future intelligence developers, this discussion blends technology and the human touch.

Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 14min
486: Backward Ontology
Mike & Tommy dive into "Backward Ontology," exploring whether Fabric IQ can facilitate a bottom-up approach to defining enterprise semantics. They discuss the implications of shifting ontology creation from a top-down mandate to a team-generated process, and provide insights on how organizations can successfully navigate this evolving landscape.https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/iq/ontology/overviewhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/iq/ontology/concepts-generatehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/iq/ontology/resources-frequently-asked-questionsGet in touch:Send in your questions or topics you want us to discuss by tweeting to @PowerBITips with the hashtag #empMailbag or submit on the PowerBI.tips Podcast Page.Visit PowerBI.tips: https://powerbi.tips/Watch the episodes live every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 730am CST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/powerbitipsSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/230fp78XmHHRXTiYICRLVvSubscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/explicit-measures-podcast/id1568944083Check Out Community Jam: https://jam.powerbi.tipsFollow Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcarlo/Follow Tommy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommypuglia/

Dec 16, 2025 • 50min
485: 1-Click Notebooks For Semantic Models
Mike & Tommy dive into 1-Click Notebooks, exploring how to start using them and the various customizations available. They discuss why these notebooks are essential for enhancing your Power BI experience, aiming to provide practical tips for effective implementation.https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/service-notebookshttps://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/deep-dive-into-using-notebooks-with-your-semantic-model-preview/Get in touch:Send in your questions or topics you want us to discuss by tweeting to @PowerBITips with the hashtag #empMailbag or submit on the PowerBI.tips Podcast Page.Visit PowerBI.tips: https://powerbi.tips/Watch the episodes live every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 730am CST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/powerbitipsSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/230fp78XmHHRXTiYICRLVvSubscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/explicit-measures-podcast/id1568944083Check Out Community Jam: https://jam.powerbi.tipsFollow Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcarlo/Follow Tommy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommypuglia/

Dec 11, 2025 • 1h 7min
484: Data Governance in the Age of Fabric IQ
Dive into the intriguing world of data governance with insights on Fabric IQ's potential role. Explore practical strategies for enhancing governance frameworks and the importance of workspace identity in avoiding credential issues. Discover the benefits of integrating automation and APIs into developer workflows. Delve into the impact of Excel drill-through features, and the balance between MDX and DAX. The conversation wraps with governance guidelines, the challenges of educating users on AI tools, and a deep look into ontology and its relevance for effective data management.

Dec 9, 2025 • 57min
483: Let’s Talk Semantic Modeling on the Web
Explore the intriguing world of semantic modeling on the web! Dive into the benefits for Mac users and beginners, along with quick editing capabilities. Discover how live editing and version control can enhance data workflows and governance strategies. Learn about the integration of external tools and the flexibility of managing models across various platforms. Delve into the limitations of web editing and hear about the future of features like Q&A as they transition to Copilot. Get ready to transform your data experience!


