Making Data Simple

Send us Fan MailWhen there’s a need to re-center, stay grounded, and remember that growth is accessible to all of us, this is the episode to revisit. The Mindful Response with Estela Zuheros, Corporate Social Responsibility leader at IBM, explores how social impact, reskilling, and mindfulness come together to create a better, more inclusive world. Come for the global perspective on reskilling, stay for practical reflections on slowing down, being kind to yourself, and avoiding burnout along the way.· 02:06 Meet Estela Zuheros · 05:21 Your personal why? · 07:16 Reskilling · 11:41 The skills problem to solve · 18:44 Measuring success · 20:07 Primary areas of resk...

Send us Fan MailAre your teams struggling with disengagement and declining performance? What if the real problem isn’t talent or strategy, but a hidden “buy-in” gap quietly draining energy, innovation, and results? Joining us is Dave Garrison, a seasoned leadership strategist who has seen firsthand how a lack of buy-in fuels these issues – costing businesses billions every year. Dave unpacks the seven critical ingredients for real engagement and shows how to build a truly high-performing organization, starting with simple data and practical, repeatable leadership habits.​<...

Send us Fan MailOn this replay of Making Data Simple, Manav Gupta, VP and CTO of IBM Canada, jumps straight into the world of large language models and what they really mean for businesses trying to scale AI. From how today’s models are built and tuned, to where the next generation is headed, Manav translates complex AI concepts into practical guidance for leaders, practitioners, and anyone trying to cut through the hype.The discussion spans everything from model architectures and IBM’s Granite family, to how to pick the right model for your use...

Send us Fan MailHit replay on this high-energy conversation with Ben Lowe, Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Technology, as he breaks down what it really takes to build something from scratch in a fast-changing AI world. From finding the right co‑founder and stepping into the CEO role, to navigating the toughest challenges of entrepreneurship, Ben shares practical lessons and hard‑won insights for builders at every stage.Ben also lifts the curtain on Lighthouse Technology’s mission at the intersection of cloud modernisation, cost optimisation, and Agentic AI, an...

Send us Fan MailHit replay on one of the most thought-provoking Agentic AI conversations on Making Data Simple. GTM Account Director Megan Gallagher makes the case for Agentic AI from the Maven AGI front lines, where AI agents stop following rigid decision trees and start acting with real autonomy over enterprise workflows.“We’re still living like everything is deterministic,” Megan argues, “but this new generation of agents is inherently generative and predictive.” In this replay, she unpacks what that shift means for smaller specialized models, using real enterprise data, rethinking “assistant vs person,” and how to get...

Send us Fan MailDive into the powerful world of mainframes! Chief Product Officer of IBM Z and LinuxONE, Tina Tarquinio, reveals the truth behind those eight nines of uptime and explores how mainframes are evolving with AI, hybrid cloud, and future-proofing strategies for mission-critical business decisions. Discover the cutting-edge innovations transforming enterprise computing—from on-chip AIU and Spyre AI accelerators enabling real-time inferencing at transaction speed, to how LinuxONE is redefining hybrid cloud architecture.  Tina discusses DevOps integration, AI-powered code assistants revolutionizing mainframe development, compelling AI use cases, and shares her bold pred...

Send us Fan MailData’s everywhere, but so often it feels… stuck. Joining us today is JureLeskovec, Chief Scientist at Kumo and a Stanford Professor who'sfundamentally reshaped how we understand networks—from Pinterest'srecommendations to tracking the spread of disease. We’ll unpack whystructured data is lagging behind the AI revolution, exploring howtechniques like Graph Neural Networks are finally unlocking its potential,and how this all plays out in real-world applications00:57 Meet Jure Leskovec02:31 Knowing When to Move On04:01 Academia versus Industry07:30 Learning...

Send us Fan MailGuest: Kris Kluver, Founder of Life on Your Terms — speaker, facilitator, best-selling author, advisor, and coach helping leaders design fulfillment that matches their ambition.Summary: In this powerful replay, Kris Kluver flips the script on success. Too many high performers master their business but neglect their well-being — Kris shows how to align both. From defining what success really means to knowing when to say no, this conversation is about creating freedom, balance, and impact on your terms.Timestamps: 02:39 Who is Kris Kluv...

Send us Fan MailExploring the intersection of creativity and innovation, Geoff Thatcher, Founder and CCO Creative Principals, shares his insights on how AI is revolutionizing live experiences. From personalized exhibits to universal storytelling, Geoff delves into the possibilities and pitfalls of harnessing AI to elevate our connections with others. 01:39 Introducing Geoff Thatcher 02:48 Thinking about AI Differently 13:47 What Does it Mean to "Create" Now? 19:32 Augmented Intelligence 22:27 Death By PowerPoint 23:57 Five Rules for Using AI 24:47 Difference between Better and Easier? 30:16 Don't Let AI Steal Moments of Inspiration 33:18 Always Use the Most Reliab...

Send us Fan MailThis is one of my favorite episodes - it's all about the story!Part 2 of our conversation with Vinca LaFleur, Founding Partner of West Wing Writers. From the power of ideas to the art of delivery, Vinca shares what it takes to write words that resonate — and why every great message starts with meaning.00:30 Tricks and tips to a presentation04:14 Speech gotchas07:29 Knowing when you have a hit09:39 How much is delivery11:53 GOAT speech Bobby Kennedy in Indianapolis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2kWIa8wSC014:49 Gettysburg cas...

Send us Fan MailWe're joined by Douwe Kiela, CEO of Contextual.ai and pioneer in RAG research. From deploying AI agents at Fortune 500 companies to shedding light on data privacy and security, Douwe shares his expertise and insights on how to make data simple, effective, and secure.00:46 Introducing Douwe Kiela01:37 RAG - Here to Stay or Go?06:59 LLMs with Context08:20 Making AI Successful10:34 Why Contextual AI?17:18 LLM versus SLMs20:28 Speed over Perfection22:07 Hallucinations26:02 Making AI Easy to Consume<...

Send us Fan MailThis week, we’re rewinding one of our most talked-about episodes! Richmond Alake, Developer Advocate at MongoDB, joins us to explore how databases power the future of AI. From RAG best practices to the truth behind AGI hype, Richmond breaks down what it takes to build systems that scale — and think.Show Notes02:05 Meet Rich Alake 03:57 A Developer Advocate at MongoDB 05:57 Passions and Fate! 08:52 AI Hype 13:14 Oh No… AGI Again 17:30 What Makes an AI Database? 20:42 Use Cases 25:41 RAG Best Practices 27:40 The Role of Databases 30:05 Why MongoDB Does It Better 32:43 Wh...

Send us Fan MailReplay Episode: Python, Anaconda, and the AI Frontier with Peter WangPeter Wang — Chief AI & Innovation Officer and Co-founder of Anaconda — is back on Making Data Simple! Known for shaping the open-source ecosystem and making Python a powerhouse, Peter dives into Anaconda’s new AI incubator, the future of GenAI, and why Python isn’t just “still a thing”… it’s the thing.From branding and security to leadership and philosophy, this episode is a wild ride through the biggest opportunities (and risks) shaping AI today.Timestamps...

Send us Fan MailThis week on Making Data Simple, join Ajay Kulkarni, CEO and co-founder of TigerData, as we dive into the rapidly evolving world of data. Ajay shares his front-row perspective on the challenges and opportunities of building and scaling time-series databases in an era of AI-driven automation.From the mechanics of managing massive data streams to the bold bets shaping the future of IoT, this conversation goes deep into what’s breaking, what’s working, and what’s next. Whether you’re a data engineer, tech leader, or simply fascinated by the s...

Send us Fan MailWhat if AI could tap into live operational data — without ETL or RAG? In this episode, Deepti Srivastava, founder of Snow Leopard, reveals how her company is transforming enterprise data access with intelligent data retrieval, semantic intelligence, and a governance-first approach. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the future of AI and the startup journey behind it.We explore how companies are revolutionizing their data access and AI strategies. Deepti Srivastava, founder of Snow Leopard, shares her insights on bridging the gap between live operational da...

Send us Fan Mail🎙️ 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 c...

Send us Fan MailGet 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...

Send us Fan MailReady 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...

Send us Fan MailEpisode Description: Taking a break doesn’t mean you miss the good stuff. Last year, while I was on a much-needed vacation, I invited one of my favorite coaches back on the mic — Lynne Snead, Principal & Owner of Talent Evolution Systems.Lynne walks us through the Three Circles Model — a powerful framework for maintaining focus, expanding influence, and leading with intention. We explore what separates managers from true leaders, the role of mindset and energy in influence, and why how you speak to yourself matters just as muc...

Send us Fan MailEpisode 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 Misconceptio...