The Data Nerd Podcast

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

In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, host Nisar Ahmed sits down with data literacy expert, author, and CEO of Data Literacy, Ben Jones, for a timely conversation on how AI is reshaping data analytics jobs — and what it actually means for data professionals today.
Ben has spent years helping organizations and professionals build stronger data skills, and more recently, AI literacy. Through his work teaching at the University of Washington and advising companies, he brings a practical, grounded perspective on how AI is changing analytics across roles—from data analysts to engineers to business users.
At its core, this episode is about cutting through the noise around AI. Instead of focusing on hype or fear, the conversation looks at what's actually changing in the day-to-day work of analysts, how tools are evolving, and where human skills still matter most. Nisar and Ben explore how AI fits into the analytics workflow, what skills are becoming more valuable, and how professionals can adapt without losing their edge.
🎧 Tune in to learn:
Whether AI is really replacing data analysts or reshaping the role
Why AI literacy is becoming just as important as data literacy
How experienced analysts can use AI to work faster and smarter
The impact of AI on entry-level roles and hiring trends
What's happening to dashboards, BI tools, and self-service analytics
Why critical thinking and data storytelling are still essential
How to approach AI with curiosity instead of fear
Practical ways to start learning and using AI today
If you're a data analyst, BI professional, data scientist, or analytics leader trying to understand where AI fits into your career, this episode will give you a clear, realistic perspective on what's changing — and how to stay relevant.
Ben Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjonesdata/
🌐 Learn more about Data Literacy: https://dataliteracy.com
🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat): www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

Can a data scientist become a stand-up comedian?
What happens when statistics meet storytelling?
And why might humor be one of the most underrated skills in data and analytics?
In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with data comedian and data professional Evan Wimpey to explore the surprising intersection of data science, comedy, and communication.
Evan shares how a statistics joke competition during COVID unexpectedly launched his journey into data comedy, performing stand-up for analytics teams, conferences, and data professionals around the world.
If you're a data scientist, analyst, BI professional, or aspiring data leader, this conversation shows why technical skills alone aren't enough — the ability to communicate insights, tell stories, and connect with people is just as important.
We explore: 
How Evan accidentally became a professional statistics comedian
Why humor can improve data storytelling and presentations
The connection between stand-up comedy and communicating analytics
Why many data presentations fail because they're simply boring
How AI tools like ChatGPT help with the creative process
Why communication skills are critical for career growth in data
How data professionals can find their unique niche in the AI era
Evan also performs part of his data comedy set, featuring jokes about data science models, analytics careers, and the realities of working in data.
If you've ever:
Sat through a painfully boring data presentation
Tried to explain analytics to a non-technical audience
Wondered how to make your data storytelling more engaging
Or thought the world of analytics could use a little more humor 
This episode is for you.
Evan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-wimpey/
🌐 Learn more about Evan Wimpey and Data Comedy: https://predictablejokes.com
🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com