What happens when you mix fantasy football, data analytics, and a little bit of chaos? You get a conversation that refuses to follow a straight line—but somehow lands exactly where it needs to. Rob Collie welcomes back fantasy football guru Adam Harstad for his third appearance on Raw Data , alongside first-time guests Heather Zimmer and Molly Ferguson, two self-proclaimed newcomers who are anything but casual. They dive into the unexpected ways fantasy football rewires your brain, from strategi...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Transcript available on Metacast What if we told you that, before Power BI, most of the money spent on data projects didn’t go where you thought it did? In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt peel back the layers of inefficiency, miscommunication, and just plain bad luck that have haunted data projects for decades. Spoiler: it’s not all doom and gloom. Some of those old headaches are finally getting the boot, thanks to tools like Power BI and the rise of generative AI. Rob and Justin take an honest look at how data pr...
Jan 28, 2025•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gil Raviv has spent years shaping how we use data. From his early days at Microsoft, where he played a key role in developing Power Query, to his work refining how dashboards serve their users, Gil’s career is a masterclass in making data tools both practical and powerful. In this episode, we sit down with Gil to dig into why usage data is the missing ingredient for truly effective BI. He explains how understanding what users do with your dashboards can completely change the way you design and d...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Spirit of “Why Not” with Bob Pop Collie The Life of a WW2 Navy Pilot Cadet (Bonus), w/ Bob Pop Collie...
Dec 24, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast The world of data technology moves in fascinating ways, and we're excited to have Microsoft MVPs Ed Hansberry and Kristyna Ferris join Justin to unpack what's really happening. This conversation is all about understanding the technologies that are reshaping how we work and think about data. Microsoft Fabric has been a hot topic, and for good reason. Is it the breakthrough platform everyone's talking about, or are there nuances that aren't making headlines? Ed and Kristyna bring their hands-on ex...
Dec 17, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast The world’s moving fast, sometimes too fast. Whether it’s AI taking over ad campaigns, fake LinkedIn profiles popping up, or the healthcare system extracting more than it gives, the threads connecting our modern chaos are all too clear. Misaligned incentives and unchecked technologies are reshaping industries, culture, and even how we trust each other. Progress can be exciting, but it’s also raising some tough questions: Are we losing our humanity in the race to optimize everything? Take Coca-Co...
Dec 10, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast The AI revolution is here, and if you’re in the data space, you’re sitting in the best seat in the house—whether it feels that way yet or not. Rob takes you on a straight-talking journey through why our industry isn’t just surviving but thriving in this moment of upheaval. Forget the hype and the fearmongering; this is about recognizing the unique position we’re in to expand into unmet demand. It’s not just about keeping our jobs—it’s about making them better, more impactful, and yes, more secur...
Dec 03, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rob and Justin are back, catching up after a short break with an episode that’s part big ideas, part funny stories, and full of surprises. They kick things off with the Crutches Paradox. Their take on why we hang onto things we’ll probably never use, “just in case.” From there, the conversation moves into all kinds of unexpected territory: why politeness might not matter when working with ChatGPT, the infamous New Coke conspiracy theory from the 80s, and why some of the world’s top software engi...
Nov 19, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast A little note from Rob to share about this week's episode, and what's coming!
Nov 12, 2024•50 sec•Transcript available on Metacast This week on Raw Data, Justin’s flying solo and catching up with Brian Julius , a true data veteran with a unique journey from government work to AI exploration. Brian’s path has been anything but typical. Starting in high-stakes federal roles, he later moved into management; only to find himself pulled back to his roots in hands-on analytics, just as AI started turning the industry on its head. Brian digs into the moments that shaped his career and how curiosity led him back to data. Now, he’s ...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rob Collie records his final episode from the cozy, sound-dampened basement studio where over 170 Raw Data conversations have taken place. With moving boxes waiting to be loaded onto a truck bound for Seattle, Rob reflects on his unexpected 15-year journey in the Midwest—an adventure filled with personal challenges, growth, and life lessons that only make sense in hindsight. What started as a sudden and overwhelming shift became a series of hard-earned lessons that shaped not just his career but...
Oct 29, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin break down life lessons learned from a simple tool: the Green Biscuit puck. It’s a perfect example of how resilience sometimes beats prevention—because you can’t avoid every bump in the road, but you can adapt and keep moving forward. That same idea applies to AI and Power BI, where working with messy, real-world data is part of the process. Rob and Justin draw easy parallels between solving problems on the ice and in business, making complex topics feel le...
Oct 22, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Rob shares his disdain for CFL light bulbs, but it's not necessarily about light bulbs here! It's more of an analogy as to why the status quo weighs absolutely nothing. Something better and disruptive came along, and now it's everywhere. We barely even remember the transition, because the new "light bulb" is far superior to what was previously the standard!
Oct 15, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt step onto the data gridiron to test if AI can tackle the complexities of fantasy football data. Rob starts with a Power Query puzzle, full of messy stats, player names, and tricky injury codes—solving it manually in over 30 steps. But can ChatGPT, with Justin’s guidance, run the same play and simplify fantasy football data management? Justin and ChatGPT take their shot at transforming the chaos into organized data. While ChatGPT makes some impress...
Oct 08, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you noticed the phrase "Dashboards Are Dead" popping up on LinkedIn? It's catchy, provocative, and designed to grab your attention. But is there any truth to it, or is it just another clickbait strategy? In this episode, Rob Collie dives into the psychology behind these viral statements and why they get under our skin. While dashboards aren’t going anywhere, there is a shift happening. Generative AI and chatbot interfaces are set to change how we interact with dashboards, making it easier t...
Oct 01, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Rob Collie talks about how anyone can learn to "predict the future"—not with superpowers, but with a normal ability we all have. Rob shares his own stories of seeing big changes coming, like the rise of Power Pivot and the early signs of COVID-19. It’s not about being right all the time, but about recognizing when something big is shifting and knowing how to act on it. One of the biggest lessons here? The status quo isn’t permanent. Rob’s decision to start P3 Adaptive came from ...
Sep 24, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Rob and Justin explore how AI is making waves not just in tech-heavy industries but in everyday businesses like construction and manufacturing. They talk about how AI tools can help streamline processes, create custom solutions, and make even the most hands-on industries run smoother and more efficiently. They dive into the common worry that AI will replace jobs, but they quickly turn that idea around. Instead of taking jobs away, AI is stepping in to handle repetitive tasks, al...
Sep 17, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever think about how data can solve real-world problems? Rob and Justin are here to break it down! They’re diving into how data analytics is changing the game in industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and construction—where the work is hands-on, and the results matter. From managing logistics to cutting downtime and optimizing inventory, they show how data is becoming the go-to tool for getting things done. Justin shares a personal "aha!" moment from his days in manufacturing, where steppin...
Sep 10, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Think farming and data don’t mix? Think again! In this episode, Paul Grissom from Pacific Ag Rentals (PAR) brings the heat, showing how data is shaking things up in agriculture. From slashing manual work to making on-the-spot decisions with real-time insights, Paul shares how technology is helping PAR not just keep up, but thrive. Whether you're a data geek or just curious about how tech is fueling growth in unexpected ways, this episode is a fun, eye-opening ride into the future of farming. Pau...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is the Midmarket Secretly Winning with the Microsoft Data Platform? In this episode, host Rob Collie explores a surprising quirk in how Microsoft's powerful data tools like Power BI and Fabric are being used. It turns out that midsize companies - not big enterprises - are actually getting the most bang for their buck from these game-changing data platforms. The episode explains how the speed and affordability of the new Microsoft tools give smaller organizations a real advantage. Rob also shares...
Aug 21, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for a down-to-earth chat with Microsoft’s Scott Sewell, a guy who’s seen it all when it comes to the crossroads of tech, business, and just being human. Scott’s got a front-row seat to how empathy—yeah, that often-overlooked human quality—is actually a game-changer in today’s tech-driven world. We talk about why understanding what makes people tick isn’t just good for the soul, it’s critical for delivering solutions that really hit the mark. But let’s get real: no one loves the drudge wo...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're still buzzing with excitement over here at P3 Adaptive about Microsoft Fabric and this week, Rob and Justin take a look at some client use cases. The gist of it? This tool is seriously shaking things up for our clients in the best way possible. The P3 Adaptive team has been playing around with Fabric, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer. It's like giving your data superpowers - speeding things up, putting more control in users' hands, and tackling those pesky data hurdles. We're seein...
Aug 06, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever feel like everyone's got an opinion on AI these days? Rob and Justin sure do, and in this episode of Raw Data, they're not afraid to call it as they see it. Fresh off Rob's solo deep dive into AI, they sit down to unpack the good, the bad, and the overhyped in the world of artificial intelligence. No jargon, no buzzwords - just straight talk about what AI can (and can't) do. From chatbots that sound eerily human to the reality of AI "hallucinations," Rob and Justin break it all down in a wa...
Jul 30, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dive into the world of manufacturing where data meets decision-making with Madison Brooks , an expert from P3 Adaptive who brings her chemical engineering and industry experience to the forefront. This episode zeroes in on why the manufacturing sector is the ideal ground for leveraging Power BI and Power Apps, tools that transform raw data into actionable insights and streamlined processes. Madison discusses the integration challenges and triumphs, illustrating how these technologies drive effic...
Jul 23, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today we are coming at you a day early for a timely bonus episode with Rob Collie diving deep into the digital disruption that shook the world: The Great CrowdStrike Hiccup of 2024. Picture this: a day when the antivirus behemoth stumbled, and the digital realm felt the shockwaves, akin to a #VALUE! error in your perfectly tuned DAX formula—but on a colossal, global scale. Before you start placing the blame on IT, let’s take a step back to see the broader view. This incident with CrowdStrike, wh...
Jul 22, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's time to dive back into the wild world of AI with Rob Collie. Get ready to cut through the hype and uncover the real deal on artificial intelligence. In today’s episode, Rob examines the varied faces of AI, from its potential to revolutionize industries with breakthrough innovations to its ability to streamline our daily activities and make routine tasks more efficient. Have you ever wondered how AI might be influencing your life without you even noticing? Rob brings these abstract concepts ...
Jul 16, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're talking with Power BI MVP Kristyna Ferris about flipping the script on how we look at business data. She has some cool ideas about viewing things from the outside that might change how you think about your company's data. Kristyna walks us through her approach, showing how she used Power BI to get a bird's eye view of an organization It's eye-opening - like she's put her company under a giant microscope, revealing all sorts of connections and patterns hiding in plain sight. She c...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dive into an intriguing exploration with Shawn Rogers , CEO of BARC US, as we delve into whether Power BI is a stepping stone to mastering Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), or if it’s the other way around. This episode isn’t just about technology—it’s a deep dive into the symbiotic relationship between business intelligence tools and the latest advancements in AI. With his extensive background in analytics and business intelligence, Shawn unravels how Power BI can serve as ...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Step into the future of data analytics with Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt in this week's episode. Together, they unravel the critical intersection of Power BI modeling with the advanced capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Machine Learning (ML). Explore what it takes to elevate your data from robust to revolutionary. Rob and Justin zero in on the crucial factors that signal your Power BI model's readiness for AI and ML enhancements. They cover everything from the importance...
Jun 11, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week’s Raw Data Podcast features a thoughtful discourse with host Rob Collie, who shares how his expertise in data analytics plays a crucial role far beyond the confines of office walls. Rob discusses the sophisticated data model he has developed to manage the health of a family member, detailing the careful balance of medication, symptoms, and environmental influences that the model helps orchestrate. As Rob walks us through the system, he reflects on the transformative impact that this da...
Jun 04, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
