In this episode, we talk to Blake Burch, a software engineer with a keen focus on the often overlooked but crucial field of data engineering. Throughout the conversation, we explore the challenges and solutions in making data manipulation and infrastructure setup more accessible and secure for teams. Burch shares insights on the evolution of data tooling, the importance of data observability, and strategies for building trust within organizations through effective data management. We delve into the pivotal role of domain knowledge in data teams and discuss Shipyard's approach to simplifying data workflows for businesses.

Links mentioned in this episode:

All Hands on Data Newsletter: https://allhandsondata.substack.com/

(0:00) Introduction and guest Blake Burch

(1:12) Evolution of data tools and infrastructure

(4:00) Tech debt and its impact on infrastructure

(6:26) Complexities of data transformations and strategies for marketing data solutions

(10:02) Data mistrust and focusing on actionable data

(13:42) The need for domain knowledge in data handling

(14:52) Bridging domain and data knowledge: Role of product managers

(15:24) Shadowing and innovative problem-solving approaches at Nike

(18:50) Closing remarks and introduction to Shipyard

(19:25) Sponsor: Vala AI, the tech debt hero