The Data Nerd Podcast

As AI transforms the way we work, what does it mean to be an effective teacher, coach, and data professional?
In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Data Coach Lisa Hitch at The Information Lab's New York City office for a conversation about teaching, learning, communication, and building a career that stays relevant in the age of AI.
Lisa shares her journey from overcoming a fear of public speaking to becoming a respected educator in the data community. Together, they discuss why AI should be embraced rather than feared, how it changes the classroom, and why communication, curiosity, and authenticity are becoming some of the most valuable skills a data professional can develop.
The conversation also explores content creation, personal branding, giving and receiving feedback, and why sharing what you know can accelerate both your own learning and your career.
Whether you're a data analyst, analytics leader, student, educator, or someone looking to grow your career in data, this episode offers practical advice on staying relevant in a rapidly changing world.
In this episode you'll learn:
Why AI is changing the way we teach—not replacing teachers
How data professionals can use AI as a learning partner
Why communication skills are becoming more valuable than ever
How teaching can make you a better analyst and leader
The power of building a personal brand in data
How Lisa overcame her fear of public speaking and being on camera
Why authenticity still matters in an AI-driven world
Practical advice for anyone looking to grow in data analytics and analytics leadership
Lisa Hitch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hitch/
Lisa on Instagram & TikTok: @the.data.coach
🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

What happens when the company you've tied your identity to is suddenly gone?
In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Shachar Meir, former Meta leader turned independent data advisor, to explore one of the most difficult realities professionals face today: layoffs, career uncertainty, and life after big tech.
Drawing from his experiences at Meta, PayPal, and over 20 years in data, Shachar shares what it felt like to walk away from a major tech company and how that transition reshaped his perspective on work, identity, and career growth. Together, they discuss the changing relationship between employers and employees, why job security feels different than it did a decade ago, and how professionals can build resilience in an era of constant change.
The conversation also dives into freelancing, side hustles, communication skills, and why success in data careers often depends on much more than technical expertise.
This isn't just a conversation about layoffs. It's a conversation about building a career that isn't defined by a company logo.
Tune in to learn:
Why layoffs can feel like losing part of your identity
How the employer-employee relationship has changed since COVID
What life after Meta taught Shachar about career ownership
Why freelancing isn't for everyone and what it really takes to succeed
The importance of building skills beyond technical expertise
Why communication is often more valuable than technical ability
How to think about big tech careers in today's job market
Why your job should never become your entire identity
Whether you're navigating a career transition, working in big tech, or simply thinking about your long-term career growth, this episode offers practical lessons and honest perspectives from someone who's lived through it.
Shachar Meir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shacharmeir/
Shachar's Website: https://shacharmeir.com/
Shachar's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ShacharMeir

Do companies really need to build expensive internal data teams anymore?
In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Mikhail Christiansen to challenge one of the biggest assumptions in modern analytics: that every growing company needs to hire a full internal data team from scratch.
Mikhail shares why many organizations are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars building data infrastructure, hiring engineers, and implementing tools before they ever generate meaningful business insights. The conversation explores the hidden costs of traditional analytics teams, the risks of bad hires and poor implementations, and why a managed analytics approach may be a faster and smarter path for many businesses.
They also dive into how AI is changing expectations around productivity, analytics, and decision-making and why companies that don't modernize their data infrastructure could struggle to compete in the AI era.
This isn't about saying data teams are unnecessary. It's about asking whether every company actually needs to build and own one themselves.
Tune in to learn:
Why many companies overspend building internal data teams
The real cost of hiring data engineers, BI developers, and analytics leadership
What "managed analytics" actually means—and why it's gaining traction
Why speed to insight matters more than owning infrastructure
The risks of relying on bad hires or poorly implemented analytics systems
How AI is increasing pressure on companies to modernize their data environments
Why clean, centralized data is critical before AI can deliver real value
The barber analogy that perfectly explains managed analytics
If you're a business leader, analytics professional, or someone thinking about scaling a data team, this episode will challenge how you think about building analytics capabilities in the modern AI era.
Mikhail Christiansen on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhailchristiansen/
Swift Insights:
https://www.swiftinsights.net/
🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

Are data science teachers falling behind—or being forced to rethink everything?
In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Saad Rais, AnalytIQ corporate trainer, to unpack how AI is reshaping data science education in real time. What used to be a clear path—learn programming, master algorithms, build models—is now being challenged by tools that can generate code, build dashboards, and even complete entire workflows.
Saad shares what he's seeing firsthand in both the classroom and corporate training, from adult learners trying to reskill to organizations struggling to adopt AI effectively. The conversation gets into the real tension: what skills still matter when AI can do most of the execution?
This isn't about dropping fundamentals. It's about deciding what's worth teaching when the tools have changed.
Tune in to learn:
Why data science curriculum needs a rethink in the age of AI
The difference between generative AI and agentic AI—and why it matters
Whether coding still has value (and where it fits now)
How "vibe coding" is shifting the role of analysts and data professionals
Why understanding fundamentals still matters when working with AI
The human skills—judgment, communication, accountability—that are becoming more important
If you're learning data—or teaching it—this episode will make you question how you approach both.
Saad Rais on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saadrais/
AnalytIQ training: https://www.analytiqtraining.com/
🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

Are dashboards really dead—or just evolving?
In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Will Perkins, Analytics Solutions Executive at JPMorgan Chase and 5x Tableau Ambassador, to break down one of the biggest debates in data today. As AI continues to reshape analytics, many are questioning the role of dashboards and BI tools.
This conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on what's actually changing. From the shift toward analytical solutions to the evolving role of analysts, Nisar and Will explore where dashboards still fit—and where they fall short.
Tune in to learn:
Whether dashboards are dead or evolving
How AI is changing BI and data analytics
Why bad dashboards point to deeper data problems
What it really means to be an analyst today
How to stay relevant in a changing data landscape
If you work in data, BI, or analytics, this episode will challenge how you think about dashboards and the future of your role.
Will Perkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcperkins/
🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com