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The Data Stack Show

Rudderstackdatastackshow.com
Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.
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Episodes

The PRQL: Cloud Platforms, AI, and the Future of Business Analytics with Andy MacMillan of Alteryx

In this bonus episode, Brooks and John preview their upcoming conversation with Andy MacMillan of Alteryx. The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering d...

Aug 04, 20252 min

255: When Dashboards Lie: Unpacking the Myths of Self-Service Analytics with the Cynical Data Guy

This week on The Data Stack Show , John and Matt bring you another edition of the Cynical Data Guy. John and Matt dive into the quirky world of data analytics, exploring common challenges like unrealistic data requests, the limitations of self-service BI, and the evolving role of data analysts. They also discuss the importance of understanding business context, the need for effective data storytelling, and the emerging trend of "BI as code" which promises more flexible and version-controlled ana...

Jul 30, 202531 min

The PRQL: Self-Service BI: Why Dashboards Collect Dust with the Cynical Data Guy

In this bonus episode, John and Matt preview the next edition of the Cynical Data Guy. The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data product...

Jul 28, 20254 min

254: Context is King: Building Intelligent AI Analytics Platforms with Paul Blankley of Zenlytic

This week on The Data Stack Show , John chats with Paul Blankley, Founder and CTO of Zenlytic, live from Denver! Paul and John discuss the rapid evolution of AI in business intelligence, highlighting how AI is transforming data analysis and decision-making. Paul also explores the potential of AI as an "employee" that can handle complex analytical tasks, from unstructured data processing to proactive monitoring. Key insights include the increasing capabilities of AI in symbolic tasks like coding,...

Jul 23, 202542 min

The PRQL: Breaking Down BI: How AI is Rewriting the Rules with Paul Blankley of Zenlytic

In this bonus episode, John previews the upcoming conversation with Paul Blankley of Zenlytic. The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data...

Jul 21, 20254 min

253: Why Traditional Data Pipelines Are Broken (And How to Fix Them) with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync

This week on The Data Stack Show , Eric and welcomes back Ruben Burdin, Founder and CEO of Stacksync as they together dismantle the myths surrounding zero-copy ETL and traditional data integration methods. Ruben reveals the complex challenges of two-way syncing between enterprise systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, and NetSuite, highlighting how existing tools often create more problems than solutions. He also introduces Stacksync's innovative approach, which uses real-time SQL-based synchronizati...

Jul 16, 202559 min

The PRQL: Zero Copy ETL: Myth vs Reality with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync

In this bonus episode, Eric and John preview their upcoming conversation with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync. The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering dat...

Jul 14, 20254 min

252: What the Heck is Happening in Data Right Now with the Cynical Data Guy

This week on The Data Stack Show , Eric and John welcome back Matt Kelliher-Gibson for another edition of the Cynical Data Guy. The group explores the current state of data engineering and team dynamics while critically examining the evolving landscape of analytics engineering, dissecting the hype around the modern data stack and its tools. The conversation also explores the challenges of data team management, including headcount reductions, rising technology costs, and the struggle to maintain ...

Jul 09, 202542 min

The PRQL: Data Engineering in 2025: Tooling, Headcount, and Survival Strategies with the Cynical Data Guy

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps bus...

Jul 07, 20252 min

251: Data Teams at the Crossroads: Proving Value in a Changing Business Landscape with Ben Rogojan

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Technical Freelancer Academy & Consulting Community (1:21) Evolution of Data Teams and Technology (2:52) Data Team Growth and Output vs. Outcome (4:47) Internal Optimization vs. Client-Facing Data Work (7:23) Audience, Delivery Mechanisms, and Actionability (12:40) Proving ROI and Prioritizing Work (15:27) Practical Tips for Data Team-Business Alignment (18:31) Dealing with Vanity and Security Blanket Metrics (23:39) AI’s Impact on Data Workf...

Jul 02, 202553 min

250: The Chat Interface Debate: Is Text Really the Future?

The Data Stack Show hosts debate the effectiveness of chat interfaces compared to dashboards, questioning if text is truly the future of interaction for many tasks. They explore AI's current landscape, drawing parallels to the early days of the internet and speculating on future hardware collaborations like the one between OpenAI and Jony Ive. The conversation also tackles the recurring "language is dead" trope regarding programming languages and discusses the importance of using deterministic tools for deterministic problems.

Jun 25, 202524 min

249: Quacking Through Data: Duckdb's Emerging Ecosystem

This week on The Data Stack Show , John Wessel and Matt Kelliher-Gibson dive into the recent Duck Lake announcement, exploring the evolving landscape of data analytics technologies. They discuss DuckDB's role as a lightweight, local analytics database and its potential as a caching layer for open table formats like Iceberg. The conversation also highlights the current state of data storage standards, focusing on agreements around Parquet and Iceberg, while noting the ongoing complexity in catalo...

Jun 18, 202519 min

248: AI and BI: The Future of Data Analytics with Michael Driscoll of Rill Data

This week on The Data Stack Show , Eric and John welcome Michael Driscoll, Co-Founder and CEO of Rill Data. Mike discusses the transformative impact of AI on business intelligence (BI) and data analytics. He also explores the shift from traditional dashboard-based tools to more dynamic, code-driven, and AI-powered interfaces that provide deeper insights. During the conversation, the group emphasizes the importance of a metrics-first approach, the potential of leapfrog architectures using technol...

Jun 11, 202548 min

The PRQL: The Metrics-First Approach: Transforming How We Understand Data with Michael Driscoll of Rill Data

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps bus...

Jun 09, 20252 min

247: Consulting Firms, AI Strategies, and the $100K Question with the Cynical Data Guy

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: The Cynical Data Guy Returns (1:11) Klarna's AI Shift (2:08) Sensational Headlines in Tech (4:31) Impact of AI on Jobs (8:19) Cost of AI Strategy (10:21) Consulting Strategies and Company Differentiation (12:26) Brand Recognition in Consulting (14:48) Critique of Outsourcing Thought (17:10) Future of Consulting with AI (19:37) The Fragility of Data Systems (21:32) Primitive Data Stacks (24:05) Cynical Data Scientist Epitaph (00:26:06) Rebranding ...

Jun 04, 202531 min

The PRQL: Cynical Data Guy: Unpacking Tech's Latest Hype Cycles

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps bus...

Jun 02, 20253 min

246: AI, Abstractions, and the Future of Data Engineering with Pete Hunt of Dagster

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Pete's Background and Journey in Data (1:36) Evolution of Data Practices (3:02) Integration Challenges with Acquired Companies (5:13) Trust and Safety as a Service (8:12) Transition to Dagster (11:26) Value Creation in Networking (14:42) Observability in Data Pipelines (18:44) The Era of Big Complexity (21:38) Abstraction as a Tool for Complexity (24:41) Composability and Workflow Engines (28:08) The Need for Guardrails (33:13) AI in Development ...

May 28, 202549 min

The PRQL: Breaking Down Silos: Collaborative Data Engineering in the AI Era with Pete Hunt of Dagster

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, customer data infrastructure that enables you to deliver real-time customer event data everywhere it’s needed to power smarter decisions and better customer experiences. Each week, we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps bus...

May 26, 20253 min

245: The Future of Data: Postgres, Iceberg, and Operational Analytics with Pranav Aurora of Mooncake Labs

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Pranav’s Background and Journey in Data (1:10) Backstory of Mooncake Labs (2:05) PostgreSQL as a Force (4:47) Curiosity in Product Management (7:33) Challenges with Iceberg (11:12) Go-to-Market Strategy (13:52) Building Community Engagement (15:56) Importance of Feedback (18:26) AI Integration in Mooncake Labs (21:29) Innovation in data interaction (23:49) PostgreSQL and startup growth (28:41) Core component of business strategy (31:20) The Origi...

May 22, 202544 min

The PRQL: Zero to One: Navigating the Challenges of a Data Infrastructure Startup

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com . ...

May 21, 20252 min

244: Postgres to ClickHouse: Simplifying the Modern Data Stack with Aaron Katz & Sai Krishna Srirampur

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Background of ClickHouse (1:14) PostgreSQL Data Replication Tool (3:19) Emerging Technologies Observations (7:25) Observability and Market Dynamics (11:26) Product Development Challenges (12:39) Challenges with PostgreSQL Performance (15:30) Philosophy of Open Source (18:01) Open Source Advantages (22:56) Simplified Stack Vision (24:48) End-to-End Use Cases (28:13) Migration Strategies (30:21) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (33:29) The Data Stack S...

May 20, 202535 min

The PRQL: Data Migration Made Easy: Postgres, ClickHouse, and the Future of Analytics with Aaron Katz and Sai Krishna Srirampur

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com . ...

May 19, 20256 min

243: The Data Economy: Turning Information into a Tradable Commodity with Viktor Kessler of Vakamo

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Viktor's Background and Journey in Data (1:20) Evolution of Data Architecture (4:41) The Lakehouse Concept (7:12) Open Source Innovation (11:05) Data Production and Decentralization (15:06) Governance in Decentralized Systems (18:53) Data Economy and Monetization (21:15) Security Concerns in Data Processing (24:21) Impact on Data Consumers (27:37) Compaction Issues in Data Tables (29:39) Open Source Lake Keeper Tool and Parting Thoughts (33:02) T...

May 16, 202534 min

The PRQL: Governance, Flexibility, and the Future of Enterprise Data with Viktor Kessler of Vakamo

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com . ...

May 15, 20252 min

242: The Data Convergence: How Operational and Analytical Data Are Merging with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Ruben's Background (1:14) Defining Operational Data (5:20) The Convergence of Operational and Analytical Data (10:53) Evolution from Data Warehousing to Fulfillment Centers (13:19) Challenges of API Integration (18:25) Understanding Data Complexity (22:18) Database vs. API Calls (25:32) Real-Time Database Views (28:15) The Evolution of Data Technology (32:37) Future Topics on PostgreSQL Scaling and Parting Thoughts (34:02) The Data Stack Show is ...

May 14, 202536 min

The PRQL: Two-Way Sync: The Future of Database Communication with Ruben Burdin of Stacksync

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com . ...

May 13, 20252 min

241: Marketing Meets Data: Measuring Impact and Driving Results with Pedram Navid of Dagster Labs

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Pedram’s Background and Journey in Data (1:13) Marketing vs. Data Engineering (2:30) Understanding Marketing Pressures (4:16) Attribution Models and Accountability (8:13) Balancing Marketing and Team Management (12:25) Introduction to Dagster Components (15:00) AI Integration with Data Engineering (19:05) Challenges in Data Support (22:05) Self-Service Data Access (26:07) AI in Data Management (28:25) Organizing Data in Technical Teams (31:25) Ch...

May 12, 202539 min

The PRQL: Shifting Gears: From Code to Marketing in the Data World with Pedram Navid of Dagster Labs

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data. RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com . ...

May 09, 20252 min

240: Data Council Insights from a Waymo: Postgres and the Future of the Data Stack

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Recording from a Waymo (0:54) Future of Data Technology (2:45) AI Integration in Data Work (4:20) Speeding Up Data Experiences (5:29) Snapshot Conversations with Founders (9:52) Diversity of Perspectives on Postgres (12:37) Cultural Significance of Database Mascots (14:09) Incubation and Success of Open Source Projects (16:43) Final Thoughts and Takeaways (17:34) The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for develope...

May 07, 202518 min
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