

Making Data Simple
Making Data Simple
Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP of Technical Sales at IBM, Making Data Simple cuts through the hype to reveal how data and AI reshape the modern enterprise.Thought leaders, researchers, and innovators share firsthand lessons on leading teams, scaling analytics, and driving real-world impact—delivered in Al’s signature straightforward, witty style.Tune in to Making Data Simple today. From data and AI breakthroughs to leadership hacks, top experts drop actionable gems that help businesses thrive in a data-driven world. #MakingDataSimple #AI #Leadership
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 10, 2025 • 51min
The BOLD Advantage: Show Up (hint, this will make sense after you listen) and hear Fred Joyal’s Guide to Confidence, Networking & Growth {Replay}
Send us a text🎙️ This week on Making Data Simple: Fred Joyal — you may know him from the iconic 1-800-DENTIST commercials. Today, Fred takes us beyond marketing genius into the art of being BOLD.Show Notes02:20 – Brand Fred Joyal19:20 – Monetization Strategy20:58 – Boldness as a Superpower23:18 – Just Show Up26:15 – Step Up with Exercises27:00 – Failures are Steps Up: Take Another Swing38:50 – 5 Steps to Lowering Anxiety41:50 – How to Better Network💡 Boldness, resilience, and practical strategies you can use today — this episode is packed with insights that will help you step up in work, leadership, and life.Find Fred Joyal @ https://fredjoyal.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fredjoyalTwitter: fredjoyal Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Sep 3, 2025 • 37min
🎙️ Talking Data with Dima Spivak, Director of Product Management, StreamSets {Replay}
Send us a textGet ready for an insightful conversation on the future of data integration and real-time decision making with Dima Spivak, Director of Product Management at StreamSets.We cover everything from the “why StreamSets” story to its secret sauce, how it plays in regulated industries, and what makes it a powerful player in data fabric, AI, and streaming use cases. If you’re passionate about the future of data pipelines, governance, and AI-driven insights, this one’s for you!⏱️ Episode Guide:02:02 | Meet Dima Spivak04:19 | Why StreamSets?06:00 | What is StreamSets?09:48 | On-Demand Expense11:34 | Regulated Industries12:36 | The Secret Sauce14:41 | A Competitive View15:50 | Data Fabric + StreamSets18:25 | StreamSets + AI21:12 | Use Cases That Matter24:02 | The Future of Streaming25:48 | Quality + Testing31:19 | For Fun 🎉🔗 Connect with Dima: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dmitryspivakWebsite: https://www.ibm.com/blog/announcement/ibm-acquires-streamSets/Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Aug 27, 2025 • 34min
Stop, Start, Succeed: Jacob Hicks on Time Management & Coaching with Guest Host Katherine Mayne
Send us a textReady to reclaim your time and live with intention? In this episode, Katherine Mayne sits down with Jacob Hicks, Coach and Speaker, to explore the intersection of productivity and intentional living. We dive into the tools, habits, and strategies that can help you master time management, optimize your workflow, and unlock your full potential.From the Four Disciplines of Execution to Atomic Habits and the role of AI in coaching, Jacob shares practical, real-world insights you can put into action today. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or simply looking to get more out of your day, this conversation will give you the frameworks and mindset shifts you need.🕒 Episode Timestamps01:34 Meet Jacob Hicks 04:12 Mastering Time Management via WPRI 14:01 Four Disciplines of Execution 15:12 Time Management Misconceptions 21:30 What Stops People from Managing Time 23:32 Tools and Giving AI a Role 26:31 Atomic Habits 28:11 What to Stop 29:36 Coaching and AI 31:05 Jacob's Coaching Business🔗 Connect with Jacob HicksLinkedIn: Jacob HicksWebsite: jacobhickscoach.comPodcast: Purpose Driven Progress#MakingDataSimple #TimeManagement #IntentionalLiving #AtomicHabits #AIandCoaching #ProductivityHacks #Leadership #WorkflowOptimization #JacobHicksWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

12 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 42min
In case you missed it.... Master the 3 Circles – Focus, Influence & True Leadership with Executive and Leadership Coach, Lynne Snead
Lynne Snead, Principal & Owner of Talent Evolution Systems, shares her wealth of knowledge as a consultant and coach with over 20 years in organizational performance. She introduces the Three Circles Model, explaining how focus, influence, and leadership intertwine. Lynne emphasizes the importance of mindset and self-talk, revealing how they impact our effectiveness. The discussion highlights what separates managers from true leaders and the role of emotional intelligence in fostering collaboration and personal growth in both personal and professional spheres.

Aug 13, 2025 • 39min
Powering the Future: Leadership, AI, and the Next Era of IBM Power with Tom McPherson, GM of IBM Z and LinuxONE and former GM of IBM Power
Send us a textEpisode Description (Show Notes): Step into the world of IBM Power Systems with insider insights from Tom McPherson, former GM of IBM Power. In this conversation, Tom shares leadership lessons, debunks common misconceptions, and dives deep into the innovations shaping the future of Power infrastructure. From AI integration to hybrid cloud strategies, competitive positioning to compelling client use cases — it’s a powerhouse discussion you won’t want to miss.Timestamps: 00:49 Meet Tom McPherson 03:00 Leadership Advice 04:58 Hobbies 07:53 IBM Power 10:24 Power 11 13:53 Common Misconception 14:39 Favorite Power Features 21:51 Promise to Profits of AI 25:28 Hybrid Cloud 27:34 Power Competitors 28:36 Compelling Use Cases 29:51 The Future of Power 31:20 Rapid Fire 33:51 Business Partners in Power 35:16 LeadershipGuest Links: 🔗 Tom McPherson on LinkedIn 🌐 IBM Power SystemsSocial: #IBMPower #Leadership #HybridCloud #AI #EnterpriseTech #TechInnovation #MakingDataSimple #PowerSystems #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CloudComputing #AIinBusinessWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Aug 6, 2025 • 45min
🎙 Symbolic AI, QLattice, and Mind-Bending Ideas with Casper Wilstrup CEO of Abzu {Replay}
Send us a text🎙 Replay Alert: Symbolic AI, QLattice, and Mind-Bending Ideas with Casper WilstrupWe’re bringing back one of our most thought-provoking episodes! Join us for a replay with Casper Skern Wilstrup, CEO of Abzu and the mind behind QLattice. We dive into Symbolic AI, the why behind Abzu, and Casper’s wild take on consciousness, simulation theory, and panpsychism. It’s science, AI, and philosophy in one unforgettable conversation. Grab a drink, sit back, and prepare to have your mind blown — again.🔹 Timestamps: • 01:39 Introducing Casper Wilstrup • 06:34 Abzu the Name • 09:09 Abzu the Mission • 12:32 Symbolic AI • 22:20 Foundational Models? • 24:42 The QLattice Explanation • 26:33 Abzu Use Cases • 30:57 More on QLattice • 32:52 The Abzu Pitch • 34:56 Reaching Abzu • 36:10 Are We in a Simulation? • 38:03 Panpsychism 🤯 • 43:03 For Fun🔗 LinkedIn: Casper Wilstrup 🌐 Website: abzu.aiHashtags: #ReplayEpisode #MakingDataSimple #SymbolicAI #QLattice #AbzuAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIPhilosophy #Panpsychism #SimulationTheory #AIandScience #DataPodcastWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Jul 30, 2025 • 46min
Streaming the Future: Dr. Sean Falconer, AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent on AI, LLMs, and the Contrarian View
Send us a textDeep Diving into the future of AI: Join Dr. Sean Falconer — AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent, software engineering leader, and developer relations expert — for a deep dive into the future of AI, data streaming, and what it really means to build at the edge of innovation. From managing multiple LLMs to testing autonomous agents and sharing his bold contrarian takes, Sean helps us simplify the complexity of today's tech.📌 Timestamps 04:38 – Meet Sean Falconer 11:11 – Lifelong Learning 12:31 – AI Entrepreneur in Residence 16:28 – Multiple LLMs in Action 21:07 – The Tech Behind Confluent 25:51 – Why Sean Chose Confluent 28:40 – Invest or Short? 36:58 – Testing Agents IRL 40:51 – The Contrarian AI Take 42:27 – Looking Ahead: The Future of AI🔗 Connect with Sean:LinkedInSubstackMediumWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Jul 23, 2025 • 45min
{Replay} AI Risks, Ethics & Law — with Christina Montgomery Chief Privacy Officer, General Motors and former IBMer
Christina Montgomery, Chief Privacy Officer at General Motors and former IBM legal expert, dives into the exhilarating world of AI ethics and law. She shares her journey from law firm to corporate governance, emphasizing the critical balance between AI innovation and regulation. Christina discusses the importance of human oversight in AI, debunking myths about automation replacing jobs. With insights on global regulation and the role of synthetic data, she advocates for continuous learning in both AI and law for future professionals.

7 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 39min
Beyond the Buzz: Mastering Prompts & Agents with Jonathan Mast
Jonathan Mast, an AI consultant at Whitebeard Strategies and creator of the Perfect Prompting Framework™, sheds light on mastering AI interactions. He reveals actionable tools that transform vague prompts into valuable insights. The discussion delves into the importance of mentorship in the AI space and the potential of AI in shaping future business practices. Mast shares his four-step framework that's empowering over 300,000 users, emphasizing clarity, confidence, and the integration of AI to enhance productivity and creativity.

Jul 9, 2025 • 26min
From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dave Garrison on the Science of Motivation (Part 2)
Send us a textWe’re back with Part 2 of our must-listen conversation with Dave Garrison, leadership strategist and veteran CEO, on what it really takes to unlock performance through engagement.In this episode, we go deeper into the psychological drivers of motivation — autonomy, mastery, and purpose — and explore how to stop employee churn, combat burnout, and lead with clarity (not just charisma). Plus: how to rethink your approach to hiring and the controversial take on using AI in leadership decisions.Stick around for a surprise recap guest who brings it all home. 💥🕒 Time-Stamps: 00:12 – Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose 04:48 – How to Stop Churn 07:10 – Laying the Hammer Down 08:00 – Burnout 14:50 – Are You Using AI Wrong? 16:27 – Energy Level 17:40 – Coach Katherine Mayne's Take 19:57 – Hire for Aptitude, Fire for Attitude 22:19 – The Recap🔗 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 📘 Explore his book, Buy-InWant to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.