This Underdog Life

The Be Data Lit duo talks with Dr. Brandeis Marshall, a self-ascribed data rebel. Brandeis is dedicated to exposing and mitigating the harmful impact of data practices on technology and society. In this episode, she discusses her journey to expose harmful data practices and how representation matters. Join Allen and Sarah during this lively discussion about black women in data, what it took to publish her book, and what is behind the most recent big tech layoffs. This is an episode not to miss!  Check out Brandeis' Book, Data Conscience: Algorithmic Siege on our Humanity (Wiley Published September 2022), written for rebel tech talent who acknowledge and are prepared to address the current limitations of the data life cycle and software development. Learn more: http://dataconsciencebook.com.  

Finding career and life balance Join Allen and Sarah as they record a Be Data Lit planning session. Find out what's been happening with them over the past few months, as they have had to navigate loss, grief, and more. In this episode, they will talk about their next steps for Be Data Lit, question nuclear families, and their predictions for the future of work. Are you unsure about the future? So are they!

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Be Data Lit – which is all about Data & Taxes. As the title says, taxes are a central theme to our discussion with Jon Agnone, reformed researcher and People Analytics Senior Leader at Salesforce. With Tax season right around the corner in the US, what better time to talk about Jon & Allen's secret love of doing taxes? You'll also learn about the role of data in People Analytics, recruitment, and more. Jon is changing how people approach Human Resources outcomes with a data hackathon type of approach. Be Data Lit is about increasing advocacy in the Data Literacy space while empowering ALL individuals to thrive in a data-driven world. Our data literacy focus is on diversity, underserved communities, and non-traditional paths toward success with data.

In this episode, Allen and Sarah (fangirl and boy) chat with the authors of , Lauren Klein and Catherine D'Ignazio. They talk about their career journeys, and the importance of applying intersectional feminist thought when analysing data. Lauren and Catherine are serious badasses, sharing how the Data Feminism journey started with a conference paper. Join us in this episode as they share how their journey began with a leap of faith, leading them to team up to write a book inspiring new generations of data feminists.   

Welcome to the third episode of the Be Data Lit – Holding out for a Hero (the hero is you!).   , the founder of Audit Data Hub, shares her data journey and closing the data literacy gap. Nicola is a former mechanical engineer who's designed aircraft early in her career. While looking for a hero to show her what others were doing in the audit data space, Nicola decided to be the real hero and started her own business helping her colleagues get more familiar with data. 

Welcome to the second episode of the Be Data Lit – Learning to Fly.   This episode also brings our first guest, Jacob Martinez. Jacob is teaching the youth of his community to learn how to fly – through networks, representation, and skills.    Jacob is the inspiration you need in the world of data literacy – he's making a difference and paving the way for others who need a helping hand. 

Be Data Lit is about increasing advocacy in the Data Literacy space, while empowering ALL individuals to thrive in a data driven world. Our data literacy focus is on diversity, underserved communities, and non-traditional paths toward success with data. Welcome to the debut episode of the Be Data Lit! podcast.  But what is this? Another data podcast? Allen and Sarah are advocates for data skills for all, and have a mutual love of data jokes. Join them to talk about how Downton Abbey is relevant to data literacy today, and what inspired them to start yet another data podcast. Let us know if you find the easter egg of a kitten meowing in the distance (his name is Harry!)

Underdogs face many obstacles everyday. What if you added managing chronic illness to that? How does a person who has a chronic illness manage work, and a career? Our guest Josh Smith tells us his story and what he's had to do in order to manage his chronic illness while still supporting his family and his illness. Tune in to find out more!

Historically when women fight it's been called a cat fight. Pitting women against each other somehow became culturally acceptable, even encouraged. Especially in a workplace where competition is fierce for top positions and few women are able to obtain them. How can women start collaborating, instead of competing so all women can get a chance to succeed? Listen to Christina Gorga while she tells us her experiences, and advice for creating allies not rivals in this episode.

Andrew dropped out of high school at 15. He had been diagnosed with Dyslexia but was struggling to focus. Eventually he not only was able to pass the GED, but he went into the military. After two tours of duty, he decided to find a new path in Film. Oh, and he's my brother in law and pretty awesome. Listen to his story here and his advice for other transitioning vets.

Episode 4: Veteran Stories with Jeremy Blaney by This Underdog Life

Sandlin started her journey toward the job market in Alaska as a non-traditional high school student. Eventually she found herself with a doctorate but struggling to enter the job market. In this episode you'll listen to Sandlin's journey and and hear her struggles to build her resume and what she did to finally get a job.

Welcome to our 2nd episode! This week we kick off our education series on the different education journeys people have taken. In this episode Bridget Cogley interviews her co-host, Sarah Nell, about her struggles to go to college and how she found alternatives to college. If that doesn't interest you, we talk about Canadian Chocolate as well!

This episode highlights Bridget Cogley who started her professional life as a sign language interpreter. Find out how she moved into technology with a 2 year degree in sign language.