Data Chaos

After two successful seasons of the Data Chaos podcast, we've decided to take a pause on any new episodes. We've absolutely loved all of the conversations we've had with our guests but ultimately have decided to focus our efforts on more technically nuanced content. That new content will be centered on ClickHouse. It's no secret that my company, Propel (which sponsors Data Chaos), is built using this lightning-fast columnar database. We created Propel as the easiest way to run ClickHouse at any scale and learned a ton along the way. We want to share these learnings with the community through our blogs and the new podcast. Whether you're a seasoned ClickHouse admin, a data enthusiast, or just curious about high-performance analytics, this podcast covers everything from basic concepts to advanced use cases. It features industry experts, real-world success stories, and best practices to help you get the most out of ClickHouse in your data stack. We hope you give it a listen! Spotify Apple

Unlock the secrets of Product Operations with the return of Lindsey Bell, as she guides us through her transition from RapidAPI to Foursquare and the potent impact of Product Ops in today's tech scene. As the vital 'glue' of R&D organizations, Lindsay demystifies the skepticism surrounding Product Ops and shares her firsthand insights - revealing how this role is reshaping company culture and team efficiency. Plus, we explore Melissa Perri's influential new book on the topic, promising to enrich your understanding of integrating Product Operations into your business strategy. We're stirring up the conversation around the convergence of design ops, engineering ops, and product ops, dissecting their collective role in scaling and streamlining organizations. Discover the fine line between fostering innovation and risking misalignment within specialized ops roles. I'll draw from a diverse range of company cultures to illustrate how an overarching product ops role can detect inefficiencies and promote synergy between product management and engineering, steering clear of siloed work environments and driving toward the creation of remarkable products. Journey with us into the mechanics of product management, where we dissect the product development lifecycle and the art of upholding deadline accountability across various stages of company growth. Lindsay Bell and I compare notes on how Foursquare is mastering roadmap visibility with the past experiences, scrutinizing the tools that support this vital process. We also dream up the ultimate visualization tool for tracking product development from start to finish - a system designed to pivot a product's journey from initial concept to market triumph. Join us for this deep dive into operational excellence and the roles that make products stand out in a crowded marketplace. (00:01) - Product Operations and Industry Insights (06:38) - The Role of Operations in Organizations (16:47) - Product Development Operations and Roadmaps (23:04) - Effective Product Management Practices (35:40) - Product Management and Deadline Accountability (43:39) - Exploring Research Ops in Product Development (47:43) - Product Development Lifecycle Visualization Tool

Excited to share our latest episode of the Data Chaos Podcast, featuring none other than the visionary CEO of Gable.ai, Chad Sanderson!

In this episode, I'm thrilled to sit down with David Krevitt, a name synonymous with transforming data into actionable insights. David is the brain behind the fascinating new endeavor, CacheWorthy, a platform dedicated to helping businesses leverage data more effectively and efficiently. With a rich background in data analytics and a passion for making complex concepts accessible, David is here to share his journey, insights, and the vision behind CacheWorthy. We take a trip down the rabbit hole of Vertical-Specific Data Apps. David shares his insights on what they are and how he's built them in the past, channeling his experience from his time at Blackrock. Conversation highlights: Building Data Communities and Experiences Value and Analytics in Communication Products Vertical Data Apps and Customer Utility Selling Templates for Digital Agencies User Expectations and Vertical Data Apps Using Data to Drive Product Messaging This episode was sponsored by Propel - Give your customers fast and delightful analytics. From ingestion to visualization, Propel equips product engineering teams with the most complete platform to ship awesome analytics products.

Sergio Leone returns to our podcast, bringing with him a revolution that's reshaping how we interact with data analytics. Imagine transforming intricate data queries into simple English dialogue and then watching as personalized visualizations appear before your eyes. That's the power of Sergio's latest endeavor, where he marries Retrieval Augmented Generation with GraphQL, creating a conversational assistant that's both intelligent and intuitive. We tackle the complexities of conversational AI, discussing how to address the challenges of token economy and relevance in large language models like GPT-4. Join us as we reveal the inner workings of this system and how it's set to break barriers across various industries. Diving into the technical realm, the episode zooms in on the wonders of monorepo architecture and how it fosters collaboration in open-source projects. I share my insights on tooling up with Turbo repo and Yarn workspaces and how we're crafting a developer-friendly environment that spurs innovation. We also touch on the magic behind function calls, which empowers AIs to shoulder tasks like data analysis and decision-making. It's not just about building technology; it's about building it right, making it robust and versatile for creators and users alike. Wrapping up the episode, we explore how this technology isn't just for show — it has tangible benefits in the real world. We delve into the practical application of vector stores in production environments, giving you a glimpse into how these systems enhance performance and customer results. Sergio offers his firsthand experience, affirming the impact of choosing the right data storage solutions. Each chapter of this episode is a step further into the future of AI and data analytics, and you're invited to journey with us as we push the boundaries of what's possible. RAG/GraphQL Code from Sergio: https://github.com/cbnsndwch/propeldata-rag-cli Propel GraphQL: https://www.propeldata.com/docs/api/about-the-graphql-api ChatHQ: https://www.chathq.io/

After a short break, Data Chaos is back with a stellar lineup of technologists joining me for raw, unscripted conversations about data, AI, and everything else in the world of technology. I need to thank the sponsor of Data Chaos, Propel. Propel has sponsored the podcast since the first episode, and I'm very grateful for the continued support. Propel - From ingestion to visualization, Propel equips product engineering teams with the most complete platform to ship awesome dashboards for their SaaS products. To learn more about Propel, visit their website.

What does it take to scale a data company, navigate the intricate world of data infrastructure, and build an engaging LinkedIn community all at once? Join me, your host Tyler Wells, as I sit down with the dynamic Ethan Aaron, co-founder of Portable, for a deep dive into these captivating topics. With over 620 no-code API connectors under his belt, Ethan provides a fresh perspective on the art of scaling a data company like no other. We'll explore the crucial role of data teams, the challenges they face, and the value they bring. We'll examine the modern data stack and its evolution over the past five years, highlighting the importance of automation, dashboards, and product building. Also, brace yourselves as we delve into the downsizing phase many companies have faced due to the end of the zero interest years and how they've managed to optimize their modern data stack amid such challenging times. Lastly, we'll delve into the fascinating world of LinkedIn marketing. Ethan shares his experience on building an audience and creating brand awareness, offering invaluable insights on engaging with the LinkedIn community. Discover the power of thought leadership in driving adoption and conversions, and how it can lead to business growth. Tune in for an engaging conversation that promises to challenge your existing notions and provide valuable insights into the data ecosystem and beyond.

Welcome to an episode that takes us on a captivating journey through the uncharted territories of AI, where feelings and technology meet. In this mesmerizing episode, we have a conversation with our distinguished guest, Marie Toft, a former journalist turned tech entrepreneur who is courageously venturing into the world of AI and empathetic intelligence. Hailing from Cork, Ireland, Marie's journey from newsrooms to AI startups is as engaging as it is inspiring. She navigates her way through the intricate world of AI, unveiling her innovative tool, Emotionise, a trailblazing solution that is reshaping how we perceive AI and empathy. Marie, an IFTA-nominated personality for Creedon's Wild Atlantic Way and Creedon's Shannon and award-winning producer of The Business, offers compelling insights on the significance of understanding others' feelings in AI, the potential implications of empathetic AI across various sectors, and the societal impact of this fusion. These insights are sure to leave you spellbound. As we delve deeper into this fascinating conversation, we also touch upon the ethical considerations in automation, the future of AI, and much more. So, if you've ever wondered how AI can harness the power of understanding emotions or how the future of AI could be woven with our world of feelings, this is an episode you can't afford to miss. Tune in for a conversation that's sure to leave you pondering the nuances of sentiment in AI and its significant potential to transform the world around us.

Hey folks!

Here's the Friday wrap-up for November 10th, 2023!

It's Friday, November 3rd, and I wanted to drop a quick Data Chaos Bits episode on the fact that we hit a major milestone recently with my company Propel. Self-service is open!!! So, all you builders out there who want to create cool data experiences for your users, head over to Propel, get your free account, and start building today! The beer I opened on this episode is from Monkish Brewing Company out of Torrance, CA. Today's pick was a DDH Double India Pale Ale named Monk Magic Dynasty.

I am excited to share our latest podcast episode, where we dive deep into the fascinating realm of conversational data and intelligence with none other than Surbhi Rathore, co-founder and CEO of Symbl.ai. In this compelling conversation, we explore the groundbreaking journey of Symbl.ai, the power of AI in shaping our future experiences, and the potential of creating remarkable experiences using conversation data. Top 5 Takeaways: 1. The shift in Symbl.ai's Ideal Customer Profile and the potential of using conversation data to enhance customer experiences. 2. The power of AI in automating tasks and the challenges in recording conversations. 3. The impact of LLMs on the dynamic of the sale and the potential of specialized models in generating accurate results. 4. The development and launch of Nebula, Symbl.ai's core component of natural language processing. 5. Surbhi Rathore's personal journey from India to the founding of Symbl.ai and the lessons she learned along the way. Don't miss this insightful conversation as we navigate the vast ocean of conversational data and intelligence with Surbhi Rathore.

In this episode, Sabin Thomas, the founder and CTO of Zing Data, offers his expertise on the topic of mobile-first business intelligence. With a career steeped in data analysis and a deep understanding of mobile user patterns, This three-time founder reveals how his company navigates the complex world of mobile analytics. Here are five key takeaways from the episode: 1. Mobile-First Business Intelligence: Sabin highlights the unique challenges of delivering analytics and visualizations to mobile devices. From network connectivity to optimal protocols and query structures, he provides an inside look into the intricacies of mobile-first BI. 2. The Tech Stack Behind Zing Data: Sabin gives a detailed tour of the tech stack that powers Zing Data. This includes Flutter for the app layer, React for the admin console, and a combination of Python, Node.js, Scala, and Java for the query optimization and federation layer. 3. Navigating Multiple Data Sources: Companies grappling with multiple data sources, replicated data, or siloed data can find solace in Zing Data's solutions. Sabin outlines the platform's ability to simplify the data journey, which can be a game-changer for growth marketers. 4. The Power of LLMs: Sabin shares his insights on the value of fine-tuning LLMs to avoid hallucinations. He discusses the use of established models and APIs to create interactivity, as well as the advantages of using Flutter for cross-compilation. 5. Engaging with Gen Z: As the demographic that is most active on mobile platforms, understanding Gen Z is vital. Sabin shares how companies can use platforms like TikTok to engage with this demographic and the complexities of delivering analytics to mobile users. Through this episode, Sabin not only uncovers the secret sauce of Zing Data's business intelligence but also offers a rich exploration of the landscape of mobile data analysis. Don't miss out on this enriching voyage of discovery! -------------------------------- Find Sabin Thomas: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinthomas/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/sabinmthomas ---- Find Tyler Wells - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerswells/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylerwells

Welcome to this fascinating podcast episode where we have the pleasure of diving into the world of AI with Eugene Mandel, the Head of AI at Loris.ai. Mandel, a natural language understanding expert and serial entrepreneur, offers intriguing insights into how AI is reshaping customer conversations in the business world. He shares his journey from a software engineer to an AI pioneer and discusses the future of AI in customer communication. Here are the top five key points from this episode:

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In the latest episode of the Data Chaos podcast, I had the privilege of hosting Kashish Gupta, the co-founder, and co-CEO of Hightouch, a reverse ETL data activation and composable customer data platform SaaS company.

Dive into the future of Snowflake with Tyler Wells, Nico Acosta, and Dave Ganly as they take you on a journey through the Snowflake Summit 2023. Uncover the revolutionary impact of dynamic tables and Snowpark Container Services and get insights into how these innovations could change transformation workloads and data apps. The trio also reflects on the conference atmosphere, from the camaraderie to the Vegas heat and their favorite happy hour. From discussing the potential of bringing apps to the data rather than vice versa to exploring the impact of deploying the Propel GraphQL API layer on top of customer data, this episode is packed with insights that could change how you build on Snowflake. So buckle up and join this exciting ride into the future!

Welcome to today's podcast episode, where we unlock the potential of technology with the founders of Thoughtforma, Jason and Gareth Edge. These brothers in tech have a wealth of knowledge to share, from their personal journeys in the tech field to the conception and execution of their innovative platform, Thoughtforma. We also delve into their passion for music and its intersection with technology and discuss the future of AWS and serverless architecture. So let's get started! Here are the top five key points we will cover: - The conception of Thoughtforma: Learn about the struggles and challenges that led to the creation of Thoughtforma, a platform designed to bring innovative ideas to life through digital applications. - The intersection of music and technology: Discover how Jason and Gareth's love for music intersects with their tech journeys and how it influences their approach to technology. - AWS and the future of serverless architecture. - Thoughtforma's relationship with Nobody Studios: The Edge brothers share how they used Thoughtforma to build and help launch Ovationz, a marketplace for event planners to find virtual event talent and the intricate workflow processes put in place. - The importance of good data management: We'll discuss why it's critical to have effective data management practices, the risks of excessive data collection, and how Thoughtforma bakes good data practices into its platform.

In today's episode, I sit down with Lauren Long. Lauren is the co-founder and CTO of Ampersand, a seed-stage startup company that helps SaaS companies build user-facing integrations into their products. Previously, Lauren served as a Software Engineer at Shortwave, where she was instrumental in developing and deploying key platform features. Before Shortwave, Lauren was the founding Tech Lead of Firebase Extensions at Google, leading the initiative from its inception to launch. Her professional journey also includes a tenure as a Product Manager at Nymi, a groundbreaking company in the field of biometric authentication. Here, she was the company's first Product Manager and worked with a 15-person engineering team in the development of the Nymi Band. Lauren's entrepreneurial journey commenced with co-founding Boxit, an innovative storage solution provider. In this conversation, we dig into the beginnings of Ampersand, the fundraising experience, the current architecture being built on Google Cloud, and some fun facts about email addresses.

The explosion of apps being built on Generative AI is creating some interesting trends regarding usage tracking and the analytical needs of the companies building these apps. Token usage costs money; therefore, it must be tracked and part of the product experience. Dave Ganly, Head of Product at Propel (full disclosure I'm a co-founder), has been spending a lot of time with the developers at the forefront of building on top of the new gold rush that is ChatGPT, Bard, Anthropic, etc. As these LLM apps gain traction, companies are forced into a build versus-buy situation to track usage and provide the analytics needed for their products. Dave provides some valuable insights into the type of metrics, the difficulty in engineering solutions to track them, and how Propel's data application platform can help accelerate their user-facing dashboards, log interfaces, and in-product metrics for their LLM-based apps. If you're interested, join the waitlist now and start shipping

Welcome to episode five of the Data Chaos podcast; on today's episode, I have a conversation with Kyle Woumn.  Kyle is a two-time founder and started in software as an intern at Twilio after graduating from Georgia Tech. Today we talk about his latest endeavor, Overflow, where Kyle is the VP of Product and Engineering.  We dig into the genesis of Overflow, their infrastructure journey, how they built their customer-facing analytics, and what the future holds for their data.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

Welcome to Data Chaos: Bits! The "bits" are shorter in format, should be roughly 4-5 minutes, and focus on a very specific topic. In this first episode, I talk about the highs and lows of creating a company. How as a founder, you have to, at times, take a step back, emotionally detach, and not spiral when things don't go exactly as planned. Enjoy the listen!

In today's episode, I have a conversation with my friend Jason Hudak; Jason is currently the SVP and Head of Engineering for Rapid. Jason's illustrious career spans almost three decades in the tech industry; he's an ex-US Marine, proud father, F1 aficionado, and avid hunter (when he makes the time for the blinds). Jason has worked for Mark Cuban's companies and held various leadership positions at Yahoo! before bringing his expertise and knowledge to Twilio, where he established and led Platform Engineering. He has deep expertise on the why's and hows of Platform Engineering, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's conversation on the Data Chaos podcast.

In today's episode, I sit down with Mark Roberts. Mark is the co-founder and Chief Architect of Propel, a seed-stage startup company building a customer analytics API platform. Before Propel, Mark spent 7.5 years at Twilio, where he began his career in software. During his tenure at Twilio, Mark worked on several flagship products, creating highly scalable and performant platforms. We journey through some lessons learned at Twilio and how these influenced a number of architectural decisions that were made at Propel. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation!

Welcome to the first episode of the Data Chaos podcast! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Nico Acosta, the co-founder, and CEO of Propel Data. Nico's impressive career includes 9 years at Twilio, where he served as Director of Product for Programmable Voice and founded Twilio AI. He was instrumental in taking Twilio's voice products to 100 million ARR, and our host had the opportunity to partner with him on a number of projects during that time. In this episode, Nico shares with us "the why" behind building Propel and how his customer-centric experiences at Twilio led him to where he is today. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation!

Welcome to Data Chaos, the podcast that explores the ever-evolving world of data and the technologies that companies are using to navigate the chaos that can arise from the massive amounts of data generated. This podcast will delve into the strategies, tools, and technologies that are being developed and implemented to help companies stay ahead of the curve and make sense of the vast amounts of data at their fingertips. Join us as we speak with founders and experts in the field, share real-world examples, and offer practical tips and advice for companies looking to harness the power of their data and turn chaos into opportunity. So, whether you're a CTO, product manager, software developer, or simply interested in the fascinating world of data, tune in to Data Chaos for insightful discussions and valuable insights into the technologies that are shaping the future of doing more with data.