In this episode, we turn the microphones on ourselves on more time and ask the questions we ask (almost) all our guests to our favorite data engineer, Andy Leonard.

Andy Leonard’s Excellent Data Adventure

Data Driven: the podcast where we explore the emerging field of Data Science.  We bring the best minds in Data, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence right to you every Tuesday.

The field of data science mashes up the worlds of statistics, database architecture and software engineering. Data Scientist has been labelled by the Harvard Business Review, as "the sexiest job of the 21st century." A quick search of job search sites reveal that this field is in high demand.

In a world where Data is the new Oil, Data Science the new Refineries, consider this Car Talk for the Data Age. Every week we bring the best minds in this emerging field straight to you. Our goal is to educate and inspire our listeners so that they can be prepared to thrive in a Data Driven world.

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In today’s episode of the Data Driven podcast, we delve into the intricate dance of the human brain with uncertainty, guided by the insightful and optimistic Dr. Julia DiGangi. Dr. DiGangi’s work transcends traditional academic boundaries, focusing on the neuropsychological underpinnings that shape our responses to the ever-shifting sands of our times.  With a blend of deep scientific knowledge and a hopeful outlook, she sheds light on how understanding our brain's mechanics can enhance our navigation through life's complexities. Join us as Dr. DiGangi illuminates the pathways of our cognitive landscapes, offering clarity and guidance through the fog of uncertainty.Show Notes00:00 Neuropsychologist studies brain domains, human vs. machines. 05:06 Technology layoffs causing career uncertainty, sparking concern. 08:54 Brain is allergic to uncertainty, scientific study. 10:24 People choose painful shocks over uncertainty in lab. 15:44 Lead life wisely, brain is most powerful. 19:21 Jordan Belfort, inspiration for Wolf of Wall Street. 20:09 Theory powerful across contexts, emotional intelligence vs. artificial intelligence. 25:30 Leadership is about influential emotional signals. 29:22 Emotion sets human consciousness energy, fixing pain. 31:43 Questioning our connection to somatic intelligence. 35:26 Questions about recovery, healing, and enduring patterns. 38:22 Challenges are inevitable, despite our circumstances. 42:38 Emotions are a richer carrier of meaning. 44:07 Transition from academic to public mental health advocacy. 46:30 Talk therapy integrates thinking and emotions in the brain. 52:17 Tired of politics, focused on substance and policy. 55:45 Engaging podcast featuring AI and human mind.

Dr. Julia DiGangi on the Neuropsychology of Stress and Success

In this landmark 360th episode of Data Driven, we take a full-circle journey back through the past seven seasons, exploring the highs, lows, and everything in-between. Frank and Andy, in their signature style, veer off the beaten path, offering listeners not just a trip down memory lane, but an off-road adventure filled with insights, laughter, and a few unexpected detours.  Join us as we reflect on where we’ve been and, more importantly, where we’re headed next in the ever-evolving landscape of data and technology. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss, complete with the wisdom and whimsy that only Frank and Andy can provide.Moments00:00 Simpsons celebrates 360 episodes, announces new shows. 06:48 Struggling with impostor syndrome, sibling dynamics, and survival. 14:37 Experiments with AI feedback, brief show intros. 20:19 Challenging start, surprised by success in audio. 25:17 Uneven distribution; learned from former Microsoft colleague. 29:47 Struggle with communication, engineer writes terse responses. 35:47 Detective describes transit system in detail. 38:25 Relieved when Amazon took over sci-fi series. 43:28 Discussing latest blog post on OpenAI's capabilities. 52:15 Obfuscation and difficulty in accessing information persist. 56:41 Equal time for Democrats and Republicans in media. 01:02:36 December is a mad time due to birthdays. 01:05:06 Originally planned as a video podcast, logistics issues. 01:09:44 360-degree journey concludes with data-driven discussions.

A Data Driven Retrospective: A Look Back Through Seven Seasons and 360 Episodes

In this episode Frank and Andy welcome Jennifer Swanson explains how businesses can reinvent themselves for the data driven age of AI.  From recognizing the importance of defining clear strategies and outcomes to the struggles of change management, Jennifer reveals that the heart of digital transformation lies in aligning individuals to the company's objectives, and significantly, that it's less about the technology itself and more about the people and processes.  Whether you're a leader in your organization, part of a cross-functional team, or simply intrigued by the intersections of technology and business, this episode is a rich exploration of what it really means to be digitally transformed.Show Notes05:31 Technology now integral to every business operation. 07:07 Offline businesses integrating technology for improved experience. 10:04 First wave of digital transformation: applying technology. 14:09 Data governance key to organization's predictable success. 16:54 Organizational governance ensures strategy, priorities, and outcomes. 21:47 Training, support, and focus key for empowerment. 25:57 Selecting narrow slices drives model implementation success. 28:49 "Positive experiences with scrum and DevOps" 32:22 Leadership defines market, customer, and problems. 36:12 In cross functional teams, sticking to lanes. 38:53 Embrace collaboration and diplomacy for success. 40:26 Smart professionals promoted to leadership roles, questioning suitability. 44:15 Found work through family influence and adaptability. 47:23 Experimenting with tech is now very accessible. 50:28 Family loves Audible, enjoys romance novel series. 55:23 Jennifer, thanks for the great digital transformation explanation. 


Jennifer Swanson on Reinventing Business for the Era of Data and AI

In this episode, Danny Maloney is going to lead you on a journey to explore how artificial intelligence is not just a fleeting novelty but a tool of immense utility that's changing the playing field for individuals and small businesses alike. Danny brings his passion for algorithmic innovation from his experiences as a data-loving youth to his leadership role at Tailwind, where they leverage AI to level the marketing playing field for small businesses.Show Notes06:16 Early days of prevalent AI models, feedback loop. 08:37 Small businesses struggle with limited resources for marketing. 12:31 AI guides marketing decisions for faster success. 16:34 AI leader initiating internal discussions on AI's impact. 19:18 Experts experimenting, varying responses to AI capabilities. 23:43 Early phase of tech development and impact. 26:35 Tool Dingo ported from C# to Python. 29:47 Making prompt engineering unnecessary for average users. 31:39 Requested a specific image prompt and tested. 35:03 OpenAI developing GPT-5, creating internet frenzy. 38:58 Helping users personalize and develop voice technology. 43:24 Retro tech culture and its work ethic. 45:47 Chat GPT upsets media writers, AI creativity. 48:57 Digital journey ends with gratitude and encouragement.

Danny Maloney on AI’s Leap to Marketing Mastery

Welcome to show 357 of the Data Driven podcast! This week, we welcome Luke Diaz to the show. Luke has an impressive track record of scaling startups to staggering annual recurring revenues, and today, he's here to shed light on the pivotal role of customer success in growing a business. We'll dive deep into the intricacies of customer success management, its impact on subscription models, and the measurements that underpin it. Luke also shares personal insights into his daily habit tracking and the data-driven approach to setting quarterly goals. But that's not all – Luke opens up about his journey from being a hedge fund manager to making a name in the software industry, cultivating unyielding ambition, and the significance of customer feedback in lieu of venture capital insights.Show Moments05:27 Marketing function has evolved, delivering value. 09:15 Companies need high retention to be successful. 13:34 Emphasizing the challenge of defining success in startups. 17:07 Analyze customer success, product strength, usage frequency. 20:01 Companies hesitant to invest in customer success. 24:38 VC interviews, cautionary tales, and relationship importance. 26:12 Caution to look at numbers in term sheets. 32:32 Entrepreneur achieves $100 million sale in 7 years. 34:13 Machine learning hype outweighs business value currently. 36:40 CSMs can upload public filings to chat GPT 4 for efficient reading. 39:47 Screenshots are simple, stable, and pervasively used. 43:34 Star Trek technology influencing modern innovations. 48:10 Recent recommended books on leadership and strategy. 50:22 Thank you to guest Luke Diaz, feedback appreciated.

Andy Leonard’s Excellent Data Adventure

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