Catalog & Cocktails

Juan and Tim rant about Context Graphs and categorizations of how companies work with data.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Juan chat with Tony Baer and Matt Housley, hosts of the “It’s About Data” podcast about what are the trends they are seeing with the start of 2026. We talked about AI magical thinking, Agentic architectures, Graphs, careers and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the takeaway episode about the chat that Tim and Juan have with Tony Baer and Matt Housley, hosts of the “It’s About Data” podcast about what are the trends they are seeing with the start of 2026. We talked about AI magical thinking, Agentic architectures, Graphs, careers and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the opening episode of 2026, Juan and Tim discuss what happened in the data world during 2025 and what they are looking forward to in 2026. We discuss semantics, ontologies, context, tool/vendor consolidation, data teams, platform convergence, governance, and of course... AI! In the episode we mention the talk we gave at BigDataLDN "Why Data Teams Must Lead the Next AI Revolution" which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULfcjlXxyXgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Juan chat with Lena Hall, the Senior Director of Developer Relations at Akamai, and an AI practitioner where we dive into what it means to build AI agents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the takeaway episode with Lena Hall, the Senior Director of Developer Relations at Akamai, and an AI practitioner where we dive into what it means to build AI agents. If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Juan chat with Arielle Rolland, a Data & AI Strategy Manager and Data Product Enthusiast and dive into how many teams are overcomplicating data products. We discuss what makes a good data product initiative and a good data product. Is a waterfall approach actually that bad? And how to balance between strategy and delivery. If you are scratching your head about data products and feel lost, this episode is for you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the takeaway episode with Arielle Rolland, a Data & AI Strategy Manager and Data Product Enthusiast where we dive into how many teams are overcomplicating data products. We discuss what makes a good data product initiative and a good data product. Is a waterfall approach actually that bad? And how to balance between strategy and delivery. If you are scratching your head about data products and feel lost, this episode is for you! If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Juan chat with Danielle Crop is the EVP Digital Strategy & Alliances at WNS, former Chief Data Officer of Albertson and also the former Chief Data Officer of American Express about how data leaders and practitioners need to be thinking about AI and how to focus on what truly provides business value. We get into who will be building models, and how roles will be evolving in organizations. If you want to learn what is going through the mind of an executive data leader, this episode is for you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the takeaway episode with Danielle Crop is the EVP Digital Strategy & Alliances at WNS, former Chief Data Officer of Albertson and also the former Chief Data Officer of American Express where we chat about how data leaders and practitioners need to be thinking about AI and how to focus on what truly provides business value, who will be building models, and how roles will be evolving in organizations. If you want to learn what is going through the mind of an executive data leader, this episode is for you. If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Zuñiga is the Head of AI Readiness & Data Governance at BlueYeti and one of the most important voices in data governance in Mexico and Latin America. Tim and Juan discuss with Jessica about when data and AI governance truly becomes a business enabler and how to use frameworks like DAMA effectively. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the takeaway episode with Jessica Zuñiga is the Head of AI Readiness & Data Governance at BlueYeti and one of the most important voices in data governance in Mexico and Latin America. Tim and Juan discuss with Jessica about when data and AI governance truly becomes a business enabler and how to use frameworks like DAMA effectively. If you like what you heard, you should check out the full episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few months ago, Netflix engineering published a blog post titled “Model Once, Represent Everywhere: UDA (Unified Data Architecture)” which is an RDF knowledge graph connecting domain models to data through mappings, all grounded in-house metamodel. In this episode, Tim and Juan sit down with Alex Bertails to understand the motivations behind UDA, how it’s implemented and the value that Netflix is deriving from it. If you are interested in how to take metadata, knowledge graphs and RDF to the next level, this episode is for you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Tim and Juan's takeaways from our discussion with Alex Bertails about Netflix's Unified Data Architecture. If you like what you heard, listen to the full episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Juan chat with the honest no-bs analyst Sanjeev Mohan to discuss the latest trends in the data & analytics space. We go over the vendor unification, the focus on semantics and metadata, what trends have survived and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim and Juan chat with the honest no-bs analyst Sanjeev Mohan to discuss the latest trends in the data & analytics space. We go over the vendor unification, the focus on semantics and metadata, what trends have survived and much more. If you like this short takeaway episode, you should listen to the full episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 5 years of doing the podcast, time to revisit the past. Juan and Tim look at where this all started, how we are making progress in data, and where is history repeating itself. Listen for some #HonestNoBS takes about the data world!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Season 9 of Catalog & Cocktails comes to a close, Tim and Juan reflect on the conversations, breakthroughs, and trends that shaped the past episodes. From rethinking data governance to building trust in your data, this recap dives into the standout moments, key lessons, and recurring themes from our incredible guests. Tune in for an honest, no-BS discussion on what we've learned this season—and a sneak peek at what's coming next!

Join Juan and Tim as they welcome special guest Rebecca O'Kill (CDAO of AXIS Capital) fresh from their panel at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 in London. They'll have an Honest, No-BS discussion on making data catalog and governance work in the real world while sharing key themes and actionable insights from one of the year's most influential data conferences.

Join Juan and Tim as they welcome special guest Rebecca O'Kill (CDAO of AXIS Capital) fresh from their panel at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025 in London. They'll have an Honest, No-BS discussion on making data catalog and governance work in the real world while sharing key themes and actionable insights from one of the year's most influential data conferences.

This week Tim and Juan are on the road. Instead of taking a break, they will be commenting and ranting about their latest observations in the data world: data products, semantics, AI, knowledge graphs, governance, and so much more.

Barr Moses, CEO & Co-Founder of Monte Carlo, challenges the notion that models alone create competitive advantage, arguing instead that the real moat lies in how organizations manage their proprietary data and ensure end-to-end reliability. Tim and Juan chat with Barr to get the Honest, No-BS scoop of what AI observability is (hint, it's really data + AI) and how organizations can build resilient AI applications.

Barr Moses, CEO & Co-Founder of Monte Carlo, challenges the notion that models alone create competitive advantage, arguing instead that the real moat lies in how organizations manage their proprietary data and ensure end-to-end reliability. Tim and Juan chat with Barr to get the Honest, No-BS scoop of what AI observability is (hint, it's really data + AI) and how organizations can build resilient AI applications.

Fresh from the TED conference, Tim Gasper and Juan Sequeda share the most thought-provoking ideas that caught their attention: What are you most excited about in the world of AI? What are you concerned about? How do you find a balance?

Data teams often emerge from executive FOMO – chasing AI trends or vague "data-driven" aspirations, but Blake Burch, AI & Data Leader, reveals most remain stuck in setup mode, creating dashboards nobody uses. Team members rarely understand how their work impacts business outcomes, leading to data graveyards instead of value, with success measured by vibes rather than revenue. Join us as Blake proposes embedding data experts within business units, developing "full-stack" practitioners, and designing initiatives that begin with clear business actions. Is it time to rethink your data team? Pour yourself a strong one – this conversation might sting.Data teams often emerge from executive FOMO – chasing AI trends or vague "data-driven" aspirations, but Blake Burch reveals most remain stuck in setup mode, creating dashboards nobody uses. Team members rarely understand how their work impacts business outcomes, leading to data graveyards instead of value, with success measured by vibes rather than revenue. Join us as Blake proposes embedding data experts within business units, developing "full-stack" practitioners, and designing initiatives that begin with clear business actions. Is it time to rethink your data team? Pour yourself a strong one – this conversation might sting.

Data teams often emerge from executive FOMO – chasing AI trends or vague "data-driven" aspirations, but Blake Burch, AI & Data Leader, reveals most remain stuck in setup mode, creating dashboards nobody uses. Team members rarely understand how their work impacts business outcomes, leading to data graveyards instead of value, with success measured by vibes rather than revenue. Join us as Blake proposes embedding data experts within business units, developing "full-stack" practitioners, and designing initiatives that begin with clear business actions. Is it time to rethink your data team? Pour yourself a strong one – this conversation might sting.Data teams often emerge from executive FOMO – chasing AI trends or vague "data-driven" aspirations, but Blake Burch reveals most remain stuck in setup mode, creating dashboards nobody uses. Team members rarely understand how their work impacts business outcomes, leading to data graveyards instead of value, with success measured by vibes rather than revenue. Join us as Blake proposes embedding data experts within business units, developing "full-stack" practitioners, and designing initiatives that begin with clear business actions. Is it time to rethink your data team? Pour yourself a strong one – this conversation might sting.

Hugo Bowne-Anderson, Independent Data & AI Scientist, joins us to tackle why most AI applications fail to make it past the demo stage. We'll explore his concept of Evaluation-Driven Development (EDD) and how treating evaluation as a continuous process—not just a final step—can help teams escape "Proof-of-Concept Purgatory." How can we build AI applications that remain reliable and adaptable over time? What shifts are happening as boundaries between data, ML, and product development collapse? From practical testing approaches to monitoring strategies, this episode offers essential insights for anyone looking to create AI applications that deliver genuine business value beyond the initial excitement.

Hugo Bowne-Anderson, Independent Data & AI Scientist, joins us to tackle why most AI applications fail to make it past the demo stage. We'll explore his concept of Evaluation-Driven Development (EDD) and how treating evaluation as a continuous process—not just a final step—can help teams escape "Proof-of-Concept Purgatory." How can we build AI applications that remain reliable and adaptable over time? What shifts are happening as boundaries between data, ML, and product development collapse? From practical testing approaches to monitoring strategies, this episode offers essential insights for anyone looking to create AI applications that deliver genuine business value beyond the initial excitement.

Hala Nelson, Professor of Mathematics and Author of "Essential Math for AI", explores how digital twin technology and AI deployments are reshaping organizational systems while challenging conventional wisdom. We will also discuss establishing a new "standard of care" in human-centered engineering and examine how these technological shifts are transforming the workforce. Join us as we untangle real-world AI implementation strategies that prioritize both technological innovation and human experience.

Hala Nelson, Professor of Mathematics and Author of "Essential Math for AI", explores how digital twin technology and AI deployments are reshaping organizational systems while challenging conventional wisdom. We will also discuss establishing a new "standard of care" in human-centered engineering and examine how these technological shifts are transforming the workforce. Join us as we untangle real-world AI implementation strategies that prioritize both technological innovation and human experience.

Patrick Cuba, Snowflake Architect, explores the fundamental connections between Data Modeling, Data Vault, and Knowledge Graphs—revealing how these approaches all center on the same core elements: business entities, their relationships, and their historical states. Patrick unpacks why, despite the AI revolution, human expertise remains irreplaceable for accountability and real business value. If you're wrestling with cognitive overload in the face of data explosion or wondering how different modeling disciplines can complement each other, this episode delivers the practical insights you need.

Patrick Cuba, Snowflake Architect, explores the fundamental connections between Data Modeling, Data Vault, and Knowledge Graphs—revealing how these approaches all center on the same core elements: business entities, their relationships, and their historical states. Patrick unpacks why, despite the AI revolution, human expertise remains irreplaceable for accountability and real business value. If you're wrestling with cognitive overload in the face of data explosion or wondering how different modeling disciplines can complement each other, this episode delivers the practical insights you need.

Tim and Juan meet in person with Jean-Georges Perrin for a longer-than-usual episode. Together, they unpack the real meaning behind data contracts, explaining how these agreements serve as the backbone for successful data products and the practical framework for data mesh implementation. If you want to cut through all the jargon and buzzwords and get to an Honest, No-BS discussion, this is the episode for you!

Tim and Juan meet in person with Jean-Georges Perrin for a longer-than-usual episode. Together, they unpack the real meaning behind data contracts, explaining how these agreements serve as the backbone for successful data products and the practical framework for data mesh implementation. If you want to cut through all the jargon and buzzwords and get to an Honest, No-BS discussion, this is the episode for you!

Frances O'Rafferty, Senior Manager at Baringa, explore sthe critical gap between data-driven aspirations and decision-making reality. While many organizations claim to be "data-driven," leaders often revert to gut instinct when making crucial decisions. We'll examine how fragmented data experiences erode confidence and how a user-centric approach that brings together data, metadata, quality metrics, and lineage in one place can build the foundation of trust necessary for truly data-driven decision making. Frances shares practical insights on creating holistic data experiences that empower everyone across the organization to trust in their data and make confident, fact-based decisions.

Frances O'Rafferty, Senior Manager at Baringa, explore sthe critical gap between data-driven aspirations and decision-making reality. While many organizations claim to be "data-driven," leaders often revert to gut instinct when making crucial decisions. We'll examine how fragmented data experiences erode confidence and how a user-centric approach that brings together data, metadata, quality metrics, and lineage in one place can build the foundation of trust necessary for truly data-driven decision making. Frances shares practical insights on creating holistic data experiences that empower everyone across the organization to trust in their data and make confident, fact-based decisions.

Join Juan and Tim as they welcome special guests Krystin Kim (VP of Data & Analytics at Post Holdings) and Mary Lou Pirrera (Senior Manager of Data Management and Governance at The Campbell's Company) fresh from their panel at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2025. They'll have an Honest, No-BS discussion on making data catalog and governance work in the real world while sharing key themes and actionable insights from one of the year's most influential data conferences.

Fresh from their travels meeting data leaders across industries, Tim Gasper and Juan Sequeda share the six most compelling data trends they've encountered in the field. In this special episode, our hosts cut through the hype to reveal what's actually happening on the ground - from how companies are really using AI to surprising shifts in data governance. Join them for an insider's look at what's shaping enterprise data strategies right now, straight from their conversations with practitioners and executives.

What if data governance could be as natural as safety culture at an energy company? Data Governance Enthusiast Winfried Etzel challenges traditional notions of governance for the AI age, proposing a fresh framework through three crucial lenses: Data Negotiator, Director, and Accountant. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about moving beyond compliance to build a culture where every data professional becomes a governance champion.

What if data governance could be as natural as safety culture at an energy company? Data Governance Enthusiast Winfried Etzel challenges traditional notions of governance for the AI age, proposing a fresh framework through three crucial lenses: Data Negotiator, Director, and Accountant. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about moving beyond compliance to build a culture where every data professional becomes a governance champion.

Alexander Torrenegra, CEO of Torre.ai, reveals how data governance can be transformed from a constraint into competitive advantage. From his early days revolutionizing voice actor casting to now building AI recruitment solutions, Torrenegra shares candid insights on why true AI value lies not in copilots but in full pilots, and why transparency might surpass privacy. Pour yourself a drink and join Juan and Tim for an honest, no-BS conversation about the intersection of AI, data governance, and the future of recruitment.

Alexander Torrenegra, CEO of Torre.ai, reveals how data governance can be transformed from a constraint into competitive advantage. From his early days revolutionizing voice actor casting to now building AI recruitment solutions, Torrenegra shares candid insights on why true AI value lies not in copilots but in full pilots, and why transparency might surpass privacy. Pour yourself a drink and join Juan and Tim for an honest, no-BS conversation about the intersection of AI, data governance, and the future of recruitment.

If an enterprise wants to be data or AI-driven, they can't skip the basics. Tim and Juan chat with Data Management Practitioner Olga Maydanchik about these essential foundations, including creating an Enterprise Business Glossary, building Data Quality Management processes, and other fundamental tasks that underpin successful AI initiatives.

If an enterprise wants to be Data or AI-driven, they can't skip the basics. Tim and Juan chat with Data Management Practitioner Olga Maydanchik about these essential foundations, including creating an Enterprise Business Glossary, building Data Quality Management processes, and other fundamental tasks that underpin successful AI initiatives.

Too many companies get caught up in the latest tools and technical details of managing their data. But what if they're missing the bigger picture? Pull up a chair as Lindsay Murphy chats with Tim and Juan about what happens when data teams break out of the technical box and become key players in business success. Discover why data isn't just about building systems – it's about making better decisions and driving your business forward.

Too many companies get caught up in the latest tools and technical details of managing their data. But what if they're missing the bigger picture? Pull up a chair as Lindsay Murphy chats with Tim and Juan about what happens when data teams break out of the technical box and become key players in business success. Discover why data isn't just about building systems – it's about making better decisions and driving your business forward.

Join Tim and Juan in the Season 9 premiere of Catalog & Cocktails as they welcome Jordan Morrow, renowned author of "Be Data Literate" and "Business 101 for the Data Professional." Discover how anyone can develop essential data, AI, and business literacy skills in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Jordan shares practical insights on staying focused and making meaningful progress in your data journey, drawing from his extensive experience helping professionals bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen.

Join Tim and Juan in the Season 9 premiere of Catalog & Cocktails as they welcome Jordan Morrow, renowned author of "Be Data Literate" and "Business 101 for the Data Professional." Discover how anyone can develop essential data, AI, and business literacy skills in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Jordan shares practical insights on staying focused and making meaningful progress in your data journey, drawing from his extensive experience helping professionals bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen.

As Season 8 of Catalog & Cocktails comes to a close, Tim and Juan reflect on the conversations, breakthroughs, and trends that shaped the past episodes. From unraveling the complexities of data quality to exploring the future of AI, this recap dives into the standout moments, key lessons, and recurring themes from our incredible guests. Tune in for an honest, no-BS discussion on what we've learned this season—and a sneak peek at what's coming next!

Tim and Juan are live from DGIQ + AIGov with their Honest, No-BS takeaways on the latest topics. Is it the same old story, or is there something new to pay attention to? What's actually working? What's worth keeping an eye on? And what are the standout success stories? Tune in this week to find out!

What's the next big concept in the data world? Meet the Meta Grid—a decentralized architecture inspired by microservices and data mesh, introduced by Ole Olesen-Bagneux, O'Reilly author of The Enterprise Data Catalog. Spoiler: the Meta Grid already exists within your organization, and it's not a technology! In this episode, Ole joins us to unpack what the Meta Grid really is (and isn't) and why it's poised to transform the way we think about enterprise data.   Enhance you listening experience with C&C Chat at www.data.world/podcasts