The Data Nerd Podcast

What do you get when you mix data, storytelling, and a little bit of stage presence? You get Andy Cotgreave, Tableau's very own Senior Data Evangelist. In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Andy talks about how he balances the ultimate mission: Inform. Educate. Entertain. Andy is the co-author of The Big Book of Dashboards and a frequent speaker at global conferences, where he shares insights...

Tableau or Power BI? Which is the Best Data Visualization Tool? In this episode of The Data Nerd podcast, I'm joined by Sekou Tyler, founder of Royal Blue Analytics and an experienced user of both Tableau and Power BI. As Sekou insightfully shares, the core principles of effective data visualization remain universal—it's all about selecting the right tool for your specific needs. Tune in as we com...

The top three finalists were selected and will compete live on stage in front of thousands at Tableau Conference in San Diego, April 15-17, 2025. Before the big day, we're chatting with them about their inspirations, their winning vizzes, and their thoughts on the competition. Who's the biggest threat? Who's taking home the trophy? This is Tableau Iron Viz Finalists Unplugged: Meet the Data Rockst...

Are you new to Tableau? Searching for guidance or a mentor to help you thrive? In the latest episode of The Data Nerd podcast, I sit down with Prasann Prem, a Tableau Visionary and global leader in data visualization. Prasann shares his inspiring journey, his tips for beginners, and how Tableau can be a game-changer for your career. Prasann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasannprem/

Join me as I chat with Edward Beaurain, Regional Vice President of AMER Enterprise Corporate Sales at Tableau, about the evolution of Tableau and its potential as the future of analytics. We dive into Tableau's journey, from its roots to its innovative strides in shaping the analytics landscape. Edward shares insights from his role leading a high-performing sales team at Tableau, a Salesforce comp...

Tableau has introduced exciting AI advancements, including Tableau Agent and Pulse. In this episode, I sit down for a candid conversation with Tim Ngwena, widely known as Tableau Tim from his popular YouTube channel. As leaders in the Tableau community—Tim as a Tableau Visionary and myself as a Social Ambassador—we share insights into our journeys with Tableau and discuss how AI is shaping the fut...

Gulrez Khan joins us to explore the world of data storytelling for kids and its numerous benefits. Interestingly, the strategies designed for young learners offer valuable lessons that can greatly benefit adults as well. Gulrez is a Father of three beautiful kids and works as a Data Science Leader in his day job. He has almost two decades of experience under his belt and has a knack for turning bo...

Collaboration is at the heart of success for many data professionals, and Anne-Sophie Pereira De Sá and Sarah Pallett are here to share how teamwork helped them create the Ted Lasso Tableau Viz of the Day—a project that gained recognition not only on Tableau Public but also as a featured talk at the Tableau Conference. Anne-Sophie, based in London, is a strategy data analyst at LinkedIn. She uses...

What is a Tableau Ambassador? This year, I was honored to be selected as a first-time Tableau Social Ambassador. In this episode, I sit down with seasoned Ambassador Cesar Picco to explore what it truly means to hold this title, the responsibilities it involves, and how you can take the steps to become a Tableau Ambassador yourself. Cesar Picco is a Senior Software Engineer at T-Mobile with nearly...

Putting yourself out on social media can be a game-changer for data professionals. In this episode, Kate Strachnyi shares why building a presence on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram is essential for amplifying your brand. Learn how content creation boosts your credibility, helps you connect with a broader audience, and opens doors to new opportunities. Kate offers actionable tips on...

We're excited to sit down with Solomon Kahn, founder of Top Data People— a program designed to help mid-level and senior data professionals learn how to create business impact and grow their careers. Based on Solomon's experience managing hundreds of data professionals, he shares what sets top performers apart and how the program helps participants transition from being technically skilled to beco...

Join us on this episode as we dive into the job search black hole with Fatemah Mirza, a Certified Resume Master and influential career expert with over 14 years of hands-on hiring experience. Frustrated by getting ghosted after interviews or struggling to pivot your career without taking a pay cut? Fatemah shares her radically different coaching approach to help ambitious professionals stop gettin...

Sara Leoni joins The Data Nerd podcast to discuss bridging the skills gap and the future of data analytics education through Ziplines Education, where I also have the privilege of serving as a mentor. Sara is the CEO and founder of Ziplines Education, a company that partners with universities to offer industry-focused certificate courses for the digital-first workforce. Recently rebranded from Gre...

Hana M. K. is an award-winning data presenter who helps data professionals go from nervous, unsure communicators to becoming expert data storytellers and presenters that have their work make an impact and their message resonate with their audiences. Hana has over 10 years of experience working in the data field, starting out as a graduate researcher at UCLA before leaving her PhD program to work a...

Benjamin Alamar joins The Data Nerd Podcast to discuss his new book, "Sports Analytics: A Guide for Coaches, Managers, and Other Decision Makers, Second Edition." We explore the transformative impact of analytics on sports and how decision-makers leverage data to achieve success. For over 20 years, Ben has been a trailblazer in data science and sports analytics, developing cutting-edge tools and b...

Albert Bellamy loves helping people get the job they want. Discover the art of crafting a winning resume with Albert Bellamy on The Data Nerd podcast. Known as "the Marine who smiles at spreadsheets" and renowned for fixing broken resumes, Albert brings over two decades of diverse experience to his role as an Alteryx instructor. From supply chain analysis to field artillery in the United States Ma...

Join us on The Data Nerd podcast as we catch up with Ray Givler and Karan Ambasht fresh from the Tableau conference 2024 in San Diego. In this episode, we delve into our experiences, insights, and key takeaways from the premier data conference of the year. Ray is a Provider Analytics Consultant for the Helion division of Highmark, one of the largest blended health organizations in the United State...

Eric Parker joins the data nerd podcast to talk about his journey into Tableau as we share our thoughts on Business Intelligence and how to get started. Eric co-founded OneNumber in 2016. OneNumber's mission is to provide excellent, customized Tableau education and consulting services to their clients.   Eric on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-parker-37513249/   OneNumber:  https://one...

Luke Komiskey and Amna Baig, guests on The Data Nerd podcast, reveal invaluable strategies for achieving budget-friendly travel through point optimization. By dispelling the myth that travel is a luxury reserved for the rich, they advocate for inclusive exploration accessible to all. Luke, the Founder & CEO of DataDrive, embarked on a bold journey of quarter-life retirement with his wife, channeli...

Christopher Chin joins the data nerd podcast to talk about how introverts can harness their soft skills and communication to grow and be better at their job in data. He realized that while technical training is frequently abundant, soft skills training is too often overlooked despite being a critical part of the value chain. Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cchiddenspeaker/ The Hidde...

Chris Tauber is an expert in crafting dashboards and presentations tailored for executives. With a rich portfolio of experience, he has collaborated with prominent business leaders across renowned brands such as Papa John's, Lego, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Travel + Leisure, and Kohler. In this conversation, Chris shares invaluable insights into best practices for effectively presenting data to...

Cait Sojka, Lead Analytics Trainer at Lovelytics, brings extensive experience in providing data analytics training to over 1,000 students across 100 diverse companies. In this discussion, she sheds light on the critical significance of data literacy and offers insights into the key factors organizations must consider to enhance their data literacy initiatives.   Cait on LinkedIn:  https://www.link...

Luke Komiskey, Founder & CEO of DataDrive, a leading data consultancy specializing in managed analytics services, shares insights into his journey transitioning from corporate employment to the world of consulting and freelancing. He discusses key considerations and valuable lessons learned during this transition period, offering practical advice for individuals contemplating similar career shifts...

Lee Feinberg joins the data nerd talking to us about data storytelling as we chat about an often-overlooked topic in analytics and discuss how to see beyond just the numbers in telling a story.  Lee founded DecisionViz in 2012 to aid data leaders in fostering proficient decision-makers. With over 20 years of experience, he developed the Design To Act ® system for scaling data literacy. Lee also se...

Dustin Schimek joins the data nerd talking to us about finding your data analytics career as we chat about everything from top skills, how to get into analytics, and networking. Dustin has been in the data analytics field for 11+ years. He has experience leading analytics initiatives within organizations & managing data products. He also co-founded the Data Careers Summit and co-hosts the Data Ide...