Plumbers of Data Science

Is AI actually making us better engineers, or quietly making us worse? I sat down with Dan Beach from Data Engineering Central to talk honestly about what it feels like to build data systems in the age of Cursor, Claude, and the so-called 100X engineer. Dan uses AI every day, but he also admits something a lot of us feel and don't say out loud: he misses coding by hand. We got into the whiplas...

In this podcast episode, I’m talking with  Vadym Kazulkin,  AWS Serverless Hero and Principal Cloud Architect. He’s part of the AWS community for years now, speaking at events, testing new features early, and helping the community grow. We talked about: How serverless is being used in the real world Why Java still has a place in modern cloud setups What stops big companies from going all in How AW...

In this episode, I’m joined by Christina Stathopoulos, a former Googler who now works independently as a data & AI evangelist, trainer, and advisor. Not only did we talk about her path from data engineering into data science, and eventually into teaching and strategic consulting. We also covered: Why many companies still struggle with data & AI basics The hype vs. reality of generative AI...

In this episode, I’m talking with Tom Schamberger from the German consultancy msg. He leads their cloud data platform team and has a super interesting background: started coding Java at 12, co-founded startups, and now helps big companies design scalable data platforms. We talk about: What it  really  takes to be successful in data engineering consulting Why soft skills matter just as much as tech...

In this episode, I sit down with Mehdi Ouazza - data tinkerer, indie hacker, and content creator - who's always up to something interesting in the world of data and AI. We started with DuckDB but quickly veered off into much more exciting territory: side projects, voice-to-SQL with actual quacks, the power of local models, and why WebGPU might be one of the most underrated browser technologies...

In this podcast episode, I’m joined by  Simon Späti , long-time BI and data engineering expert turned full-time technical writer and author of the living book  Data Engineering Design Patterns .  We talk about: His 20-year journey from SQL-heavy BI to modern Data Engineering Why switching from employee to full-time author wasn’t planned, but necessary How he uses a “Second Brain” system to manage...

In this episode, I’m joined by  Johannes Koch , Principal Engineer and AWS DevTools Hero, to talk about the  real DevOps mindset, the evolution of developer experience, and how community work changed his career. Johannes shares how starting in QA and support gave him a unique edge in understanding users, why building a proper CI/CD pipeline should come  before  writing code, and how the AWS Commun...

In this episode, I sit down with Deepak Goyal, the founder of AzureLib, to talk all things data engineering, cloud platforms, and how to teach the next generation of engineers. We explore why Azure became his go-to, how real-world projects beat theory every time, and why tools like ChatGPT are great assistants, but no substitute for structured learning and solid fundamentals. Follow Deepak on Link...

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I dive into the challenges of recruiting today, from overwhelming job application volumes to reaching out directly to recruiters. I’m testing new strategies to make the process smoother for everyone involved, focusing on fresh job listings and fostering connections with hiring managers who need skilled engineers. My goal? To secure five job...

In this Hero Talk episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Rogojan, better known as the "Seattle Data Guy." Ben is a data engineer, YouTuber, and freelancer with a background at Facebook. He's become a go-to expert on freelancing for engineers, particularly in the data space. We dive into Ben's journey from being a full-time engineer to making the switch to freelancing, how he built his ow...

In this episode of the  Plumbers of Data Science  podcast, I'm sharing some exciting updates about the future of  Learn Data Engineering  and a big new service we’re launching—recruiting! I explain how this new offering will help engineers find their next career move while connecting companies with top talent. Tune in to hear more about how the Academy, Coaching, and now recruiting fit together in...

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m sharing my thoughts on why data modeling isn’t as complicated as people make it out to be. You hear about courses and tutorials that stretch for hours—but is it really that hard? I’ll break down the two main things you need to focus on when modeling data and explain why, once you’ve got those down, the rest falls into place.

In this Hero Talk episode, I talk with Mezue, a seasoned Data Engineer with expertise in Azure Databricks Data Engineering. We cover his journey from Electrical Engineering to Data Engineering and discuss the key skills, like Python, SQL, and Spark, that are essential in the field. Mezue also shares his experience running an Azure Databricks bootcamp and offers advice on how to break into Data Eng...

In this Hero Talk episode, I chat with Susan Walsh, the “Classification Guru,” known for her expertise in cleaning and classifying messy data. We dive into her unexpected journey into the data world, starting with a spend analytics job, and how that led to her founding her own business focused on dirty data. Susan shares the unique challenges businesses face with poor data quality, explaining why...

In this Hero Talk episode, I sit down with Paolo Lulli, an experienced Data Engineer, to explore some of the core challenges and decisions in API development and data management. We dive deep into the debate between serverless infrastructure versus traditional servers, discussing the pros and cons of both approaches, particularly in the context of scalability, cost, and maintenance. Paolo also sha...

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m diving into why testing can be so challenging for data engineers. The inspiration for this topic actually came from one of my recent Coaching sessions, where the question of test-driven development (TDD) came up during a Q&A. It stuck with me, so I thought it would be a great topic to dive deeper into. I’ll explain the key benefits o...

In this Hero Talk episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of synthetic data, a critical tool for development, testing, and training Machine Learning models. Joining me is Mario Scriminaci, Chief Product Officer at Mostly AI, who shares his expertise on how synthetic data can revolutionize the way we handle sensitive information, particularly in the context of privacy regulations like GDPR...

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m diving into the debate between bootcamps and coaching programs, especially for those looking to advance in Data Engineering. I’ll break down the pros and cons of each approach - from the structured, intensive nature of bootcamps to the personalized, flexible support of coaching, I’ll share insights to help you choose the right path for y...

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m diving into what truly matters when building data platforms and pipelines. As engineers, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest tools, but real success starts with understanding your data sources and defining clear goals. I’ll walk you through the key questions to ask, from data retention to processing speeds and user needs.

In this episode, we explore the essentials of learning and mastering Apache Spark. Joining me is Philip, an experienced Spark developer and educator, who shares his expert roadmap for becoming proficient in Spark. We discuss why Spark is a crucial tool for data engineers, how to set it up effectively, and the best approaches to start your Spark journey. Philip also highlights the importance of und...

In this Hero Talk episode, we explore the crucial topic of data observability, a field that has become essential for Data Engineers dealing with complex data pipelines. I am joined by my special guest Ryan Yackel from DataBand, who shares his insights and expertise on the subject. Ryan delves into the concept of data observability and its significance for Data Engineers, addressing common challeng...

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m breaking down the real deal of working as a data engineer in Germany. Does it live up to the hype? Sure, we’ve got free education and solid health insurance, but what’s the actual cost of living here, and how much of your salary do you really take home after taxes? I’ll walk you through the numbers—from what you can expect to earn, to th...

In this Hero Talk episode, we delve into the fascinating world of personal branding in data with our special guest, Kate Strachnyi, founder of DataCated. Join us as Kate shares her vast expertise in personal branding, drawing from her experience as an author and LinkedIn Learning instructor. We discuss the nuances of building a personal brand, both intentionally and organically, and explore practi...

In this Hero Talk episode, we explore the dynamic world of time series data and time series databases with a special guest, Jeff Tao, founder and CEO of TD Engine. Join us as Jeff shares his journey from designing smart devices to founding TD Engine, a leading time series database. We dive deep into the benefits and unique features of time series databases, practical use cases, and how they handle...

In this Hero Talk episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Ayan Tiwari, a Data Engineer at Toyota North America. Join us as Ayan shares his remarkable transition from being an undergrad in civil engineering in India to working for a major company like Toyota in the U.S. Ayan walks us through how he made this significant career switch, pursued his master’s degree in the U.S., and the fascinat...