Making Data Simple

Send us a text Exploring 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 Reliable Source 34:57 Use AI to Tell Stories 37:36 The Worry of Getting Lazy 39:48 Humanizing AI! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffthatcher/ Website: https://www.creativeprincipals.com/ Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text This 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2kWIa8wSC0 Made to Stick: https://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-SurviveOthers/dp/1400064287 Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text We'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 Kiela 01:37 RAG - Here to Stay or Go? 06:59 LLMs with Context 08:20 Making AI Successful 10:34 Why Contextual AI? 17:18 LLM versus SLMs 20:28 Speed over Perfection 22:07 Hallucinations 26:02 Making AI Easy to Consume 28:50 Defining an Agent 32:53 Reaching Contextual AI 33:14 The Contrarian View 34:37 The Risks of AI 36:53 For Fun LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/douwekiela Website: https://contextual.ai/ Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text This 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 Notes Connect with Richmond: 🔗 LinkedIn 🌐 MongoDB Website 🧠 Register for MongoDB 🤖 AI Agents Article 💾 Best Repo for AI Developers Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text Replay Episode: Python, Anaconda, and the AI Frontier with Peter Wang Peter 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: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/pzwang Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anacondainc/, https://www.anaconda.com/ Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text This 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 speed of AI innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajaykulkarni/ Website: https://tigerdata.com Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text What 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 data and generative AI — and how it’s changing the game for enterprises worldwide. We dive into Snow Leopard’s innovative approach to data retrieval, semantic intelligence, and governance-first architecture. 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedeepti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.snowleopard.ai/ Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text 🎙️ 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 Notes 02:2019:2020:5823:1826:1527:0038:5041:50💡 Boldness, resilience, and practical strategies you can use today — this episode is packed with insights that will help you step up in work, leadership, and life. Find Fred Joyal @ https://fredjoyal.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fredjoyal Twitter: fredjoyal Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text Get 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! ⏱️ Episode Guide: 🔗 Connect with Dima: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dmitryspivak Website: https://www.ibm.com/blog/announcement/ibm-acquires-streamSets/ Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text Ready 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. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or simply looking to get more out of your day, this conversation will give you the frameworks and mindset shifts you need. 🕒 Episode Timestamps 🔗 Connect with Jacob Hicks Jacob Hicksjacobhickscoach.comPurpose Driven Progress #MakingDataSimple #TimeManagement #IntentionalLiving #AtomicHabits #AIandCoaching #ProductivityHacks #Leadership #WorkflowOptimization #JacobHicks Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text Episode 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 much as how you speak to others. If people would follow you even if they didn’t have to… that’s leadership. Timestamps: Reading List: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleAtomic HabitsAdvocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing OthersGuest Links: Lynne Snead on LinkedInTalent Evolution SystemsSocial: #Leadership #ReplayEpisode #MakingDataSimple #ExecutiveCoaching #Influence #Focus #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #PersonalGrowth #AtomicHabits #EmotionalIntelligence #CareerGrowth Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text Episode 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: Guest Links: 🔗 Tom McPherson on LinkedIn 🌐 IBM Power Systems Social: #IBMPower #Leadership #HybridCloud #AI #EnterpriseTech #TechInnovation #MakingDataSimple #PowerSystems #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #CloudComputing #AIinBusiness Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text 🎙 Replay Alert: Symbolic AI, QLattice, and Mind-Bending Ideas with Casper Wilstrup We’re bringing back one of our most thought-provoking episodes! Join us for a replay with Casper Skern Wilstrup, CEO of Abzu and the mind behind QLattice. We dive into Symbolic AI, the why behind Abzu, and Casper’s wild take on consciousness, simulation theory, and panpsychism. It’s science, AI, and philosophy in one unforgettable conversation. Grab a drink, sit back, and prepare to have your mind blown — again. 🔹 Timestamps: • 01:39 Introducing Casper Wilstrup • 06:34 Abzu the Name • 09:09 Abzu the Mission • 12:32 Symbolic AI • 22:20 Foundational Models? • 24:42 The QLattice Explanation • 26:33 Abzu Use Cases • 30:57 More on QLattice • 32:52 The Abzu Pitch • 34:56 Reaching Abzu • 36:10 Are We in a Simulation? • 38:03 Panpsychism 🤯 • 43:03 For Fun 🔗 LinkedIn: Casper Wilstrup 🌐 Website: abzu.ai Hashtags: #ReplayEpisode #MakingDataSimple #SymbolicAI #QLattice #AbzuAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIPhilosophy #Panpsychism #SimulationTheory #AIandScience #DataPodcast Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text Deep Diving into the future of AI: Join Dr. Sean Falconer — AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent, software engineering leader, and developer relations expert — for a deep dive into the future of AI, data streaming, and what it really means to build at the edge of innovation. From managing multiple LLMs to testing autonomous agents and sharing his bold contrarian takes, Sean helps us simplify the complexity of today's tech. 📌 Timestamps 🔗 Connect with Sean: LinkedInSubstackMedium Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text She’s the legal powerhouse behind IBM’s AI ethics strategy — and she makes law fun. In this encore episode, we revisit a fan favorite: Christina Montgomery, formerly IBM’s Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, now Chief Privacy and Trust Officer, GM. From guarding the gates of generative AI risk to advising on global regulation, Christina gives us a front-row seat to what’s now, what’s next, and what needs rethinking when it comes to trust, synthetic data, and the future of AI law. 📍 Timestamps: • 01:00 Christina Montgomery! • 04:36 My Daughter and the Bar • 08:36 Chief Privacy and Trust Officer • 11:37 Keeping IBM Out of Trouble • 13:34 Client Conversations • 16:23 Where to Be Bullish and Bearish • 20:52 The Risks of LLMs • 24:21 NIST and AI Alliance • 28:26 AI Regulation • 36:13 Synthetic Data • 38:00 Misconceptions • 40:07 Worries • 41:27 The Path to AI • 43:13 Aspiring Lawyers 🔗 Christina on LinkedIn 🌐 IBM AI Ethics Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text The AI Advantage: Get Better Results from LLMs with the Perfect Prompt On this episode of Making Data Simple, we’re joined by Jonathan Mast, AI consultant and coach at Whitebeard Strategies and creator of the Perfect Prompting Framework™. Jonathan’s not just riding the AI wave—he’s teaching business leaders and everyday users how to surf it, with simple, actionable tools that unlock meaningful results from large language models. If you've ever stared at a prompt box wondering what to type—or worse, gotten garbage back from AI—this episode is for you. We talk about what works, what doesn’t, and what’s coming next (agents, anyone?). Plus, Jonathan breaks down his 4-step framework that’s helping 300K+ community members and clients scale AI with clarity and confidence. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 01:3404:1305:2908:0609:5714:5121:3624:5828:3730:0832:4236:3937:23🔗 Connect with Jonathan LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjmast/Websitehttps://whitebeardstrategies.com#MakingDataSimple #PerfectPromptingFramework #AIforBusiness #AIProductivity #JonathanMast #PromptEngineering #LLMs #AIAgents #WhitebeardStrategies #TechPodcast #DataSimplified Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text We’re back with Part 2 of our must-listen conversation with Dave Garrison, leadership strategist and veteran CEO, on what it really takes to unlock performance through engagement. In this episode, we go deeper into the psychological drivers of motivation — autonomy, mastery, and purpose — and explore how to stop employee churn, combat burnout, and lead with clarity (not just charisma). Plus: how to rethink your approach to hiring and the controversial take on using AI in leadership decisions. Stick around for a surprise recap guest who brings it all home. 💥 🕒 Time-Stamps: 00:12 – Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose 04:48 – How to Stop Churn 07:10 – Laying the Hammer Down 08:00 – Burnout 14:50 – Are You Using AI Wrong? 16:27 – Energy Level 17:40 – Coach Katherine Mayne's Take 19:57 – Hire for Aptitude, Fire for Attitude 22:19 – The Recap 🔗 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 📘 Explore his book, Buy-In Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text 📝 Show Notes: What if the biggest barrier to your company’s growth isn’t your strategy — but your people’s belief in it? In Part 1 of this powerful two-part episode, we welcome Dave Garrison, seasoned CEO, board member, and leadership strategist with over 25 years of experience driving real-world results. Dave pulls back the curtain on what employee engagement really means — and why it's the key to reducing turnover, boosting innovation, and transforming your business from the inside out. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire enterprise, this episode delivers practical, battle-tested strategies to move your people from burnout to buy-in. 💥 Expect real talk, not fluff. Practical steps, not platitudes. Because leadership isn’t about charisma — it’s about connection. 🔗 Connect with Dave on LinkedIn 📘 Check out his book: buyinbook.com 🕒 Episode Breakdown: 01:4306:0207:3415:4819:3420:45Friday Night Lights26:4629:35🔥 Hashtags: #MakingDataSimple #LeadershipStrategy #EmployeeEngagement #DaveGarrison #BusinessGrowth #TrustAndLeadership #OrganizationalHealth #TeamCulture #WorkplaceInnovation #BuyInNotBurnout Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text From Elephant Butts to Ethical AI — Duncan Curtis on De-Risking GenAI at Sama Episode intro Duncan Curtis, SVP for GenAI & AI Product + Technology at Sama, has shipped everything from autonomous-vehicle platforms at Zoox to game-changing data products at Google. Today he leads a 160-person team that’s reinventing how training data is curated, labeled, and audited so enterprises can ship production-ready GenAI—without the lurking model risk. Sama’s newest release, Sama Automate, is already cutting annotation time by 40 percent while keeping quality above SLAs, and Duncan says they’re “aiming for a 10× improvement by 2025.” (aiuserconference.com, sama.com) If you want the inside track on AI ROI, ethical guardrails, and why A’s hire A’s (but B’s hire C’s!), lean in—this one’s for you. (And yes, we do get to elephant butts.) Timestamped roadmap 00:46 Meet Duncan Curtis03:51 The Duncan Brand05:52 Making Time for Yourself08:47 Autonomous Cars — 9× Safer12:21 Favorite Jobs13:24 Inside Sama14:39 Data & LLM Training16:04 De-Risking Models19:08 Ethical AI22:43 Stopping Hallucinations27:18 Data Labeling Deep-Dive31:56 Production-Ready GenAI33:44 AGI Horizons35:34 What Makes Sama Different36:31 Calculating AI ROI38:50 State of the LLMs44:48 Elephant Butts & Closing ThoughtsQuick links LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-curtis/Sama:https://www.sama.com/Latest blog:sama.comHear more:datacamp.comHashtags #MakingDataSimple #AIProduct #GenAI #DataLabeling #EthicalAI #AIROI #AutonomousVehicles #Podcast Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text 🎧 Episode Description: This week on Making Data Simple, we welcome David Hirschfeld, Founder and CEO of Tekyz. With a background spanning major tech firms and startup trenches, David brings grounded, data-backed insight into what makes or breaks a startup. From tackling the #1 reason startups fail to exploring the value of validation and the real meaning of product-market fit, this episode is a no-fluff masterclass in entrepreneurial strategy. David’s message is clear: "Don’t focus on your product. Focus on the client’s problem." Whether you're a first-time founder or scaling your next venture, David offers hard-earned truths, including surprising takes on unicorns, VCs, and what really matters more — the founder or the technology? ⏱ Time Markers: 01:20 – Meet David Hirschfeld 05:55 – THE Reason Startups Fail 08:50 – Lifetime Value 11:33 – The Value of Validation 14:48 – What Do the VCs Say? 16:20 – Startup Success Rate 17:10 – Tekyz 23:01 – Product Market Fit 29:18 – Startup Ideation 31:37 – Unicorns 38:12 – Unexpected Truths 42:45 – Founder or Technology? 🔗 Connect with David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhirschfeld Website: https://tekyz.com #MakingDataSimple #StartupAdvice #ProductMarketFit #TechLeadership #VCInsights #FoundersJourney #Entrepreneurship #DataDrivenDecisions #StartupFailure #Innovation #ClientCentric #Podcast Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at almartintalksdata@gmail.com and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.