Raw Data By P3 Adaptive
Raw Data by P3 Adaptive is a people-centric data podcast hosted by Rob Collie, Founder/CEO of P3 Adaptive, a Premier Microsoft Power Platform Partner. Rob and his guests share entertaining stories as well as insights, expertise, and anecdotal stories about Business Intelligence, the Power platform, and the world of data . . . with the human element. More of a casual conversation, this podcast exemplifies P3 Adaptive/s “mullet” approach: business in the front, party in the back!
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Is CoPilot the End of Filters? (Plus a Cautionary Tale)
09/03/2025
Is CoPilot the End of Filters? (Plus a Cautionary Tale)
Pivot tables finally auto-refresh. Humanity wins, but our host Rob Collie is still annoyed. Why? Because he asked for it back in 2007 and got shot down. That little gripe kicks off a bigger conversation: what else in data is overdue for a shake-up? Copilot might be next. Forget filters. Forget dashboards. Rob put it to the test on his beer-league hockey stats and found himself asking questions faster than any report could keep up. It felt natural, almost too natural. Then came the twist. Copilot served up an answer that looked perfect… and was completely wrong. If it can fool the guy who built the model, what chance does anyone else have? Listen in for the laughs, the lessons, and the curveballs of a future where filters may finally be obsolete.
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The "Steal My Money" Lever: A Timely Tale of Data Saving the Day
08/26/2025
The "Steal My Money" Lever: A Timely Tale of Data Saving the Day
Every campaign has it: that shiny "more reach, lower cost" lever that looks like marketing gold but really just siphons your budget into digital quicksand. We pulled it. The metrics looked fantastic. And that's exactly how we knew we'd been had. In this episode, Rob breaks down a real-world lesson in false signals, phantom clicks, and why data discipline isn't just consultant-speak—it's your financial survival strategy. We're talking about the bots that sneak in through "partner sites," how they corrupt your retargeting, and the ripple effect that turns good data bad across your entire funnel. Here's the thing: The real damage isn't the wasted spend. It's what corrupted data does to your decision-making. When you're building your strategy on phantom signals, every "optimization" takes you further from real results. If you're protecting a budget or leading a team that depends on clean data to drive real business decisions, this episode cuts straight to what matters: spotting the traps before they drain your resources and rebuilding trust in the numbers that actually count.
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Even in the AI Era, Communication is the Central Theme
08/19/2025
Even in the AI Era, Communication is the Central Theme
AI is rewriting the rules of analytics. Copilot can pull answers straight from your semantic model and bypass the dashboard entirely. But for all the tech fireworks, the same old truth holds: communication is still the hardest part. Stakeholders don’t always know what they want, builders don’t always know how to translate it, and requirements docs have never fixed that gap. Copilot just puts the tension in sharper focus. Rob and Justin dig into why vanishing chat histories aren’t just inconvenient, they erase the most honest record of what stakeholders actually care about. Screenshots and Word docs are a band-aid, not a solution. Persistent, shareable conversations could change the way model developers and business users collaborate, but only if governance and security evolve fast enough to keep up. Along the way, they show why usage data from Copilot queries is miles ahead of click stats on a dashboard and why the story of your data has always hinged on the same thing: people understanding each other. Dashboards may have set the stage, but conversation is where the real action is. Listen now and see what happens when the chat itself becomes the deliverable.
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Episode 200: The Road Ahead for Data and AI
08/12/2025
Episode 200: The Road Ahead for Data and AI
Two hundred episodes in, and we're done with the warm-up! Episode 200 finds Rob flying solo and pulling zero punches on the question everyone's quietly asking: what's the future of data work? No anniversary nostalgia here, just uncomfortable truths about AI bootcamps at Starbucks, semantic models going naked, and why being "pretty good" at anything is about to get very complicated. If you think you know where this is all headed, think again. Rob spent yesterday turning a non-techie real estate agent into an AI power user, and what he saw exceeded anything from the early Power BI days. But here's what nobody's talking about: the invisible barriers, the shifting skill requirements, and why the middle ground might be disappearing faster than anyone realizes. The lines between data work and software work are blurring, structured versus unstructured data is becoming meaningless, and the comfortable assumptions about who does what are about to get stress-tested. Two hundred episodes of calling it straight, and this one tackles the questions that keep data professionals up at night. Some answers might surprise you. Others might make you uncomfortable. [But you'll know exactly where you stand when the dust settles]
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The "Dobie Moment" (The Awesome Power of AI/CoPilot Frontends - AND a Cautionary Tale)
08/05/2025
The "Dobie Moment" (The Awesome Power of AI/CoPilot Frontends - AND a Cautionary Tale)
Most of us have been in the trenches long enough to know when something's about to flip the script. And brother, we're standing at the edge of a cliff most data folks don't even see coming. Rob Collie thought he had Power BI figured out. Then Copilot did something impossible; it cracked a question that should've left it scratching its digital head. But it didn't just answer. It nailed it. That's what we're calling the Dobie Moment—when AI stops being a fancy calculator and starts being genuinely scary-smart. Here's the thing nobody's talking about, your semantic models aren't just sitting there anymore. They're waking up. And when Rob and Justin break down what happened in this episode, you'll see exactly why that should make you sweat a little. They're not here to blow smoke. They'll show you the magic, sure, but more importantly, they'll show you where the landmines are buried. Because when AI starts connecting dots you didn't even know existed, confidence and correctness become two very different animals. Bottom line: The future of data just knocked on your door. You can pretend you didn't hear it, or you can listen to this episode and actually be ready when your models have their own moment of reckoning. Your call. But don't say we didn't warn you.
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The Million-Token Myth and the Magic of Digital Colleagues
07/29/2025
The Million-Token Myth and the Magic of Digital Colleagues
AI looks unstoppable… until you hand it a hundred pages of meeting notes. Rob and Justin dig into why context windows and token limits quietly run the show. That “million-token” brag from Google? More like weighing the Titanic in bananas. From Shakespeare to SharePoint, this episode shows why AI remembers the Roman Empire better than your company history—and why that’s not a bad thing. Rob also introduces Griff, a digital colleague that fires off P3-flavored ideas like it’s had three espressos. It’s practical AI that’s actually fun to use. Hit play to find out where AI is brilliant, where it falls flat, and how to make it work for you without the hype. Also on this episode:
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Semantic Models Give You (and Microsoft) the AI Upper Hand - Plus a History Lesson on Why Frontends Matter
07/22/2025
Semantic Models Give You (and Microsoft) the AI Upper Hand - Plus a History Lesson on Why Frontends Matter
Back in 2010, Tableau beat smarter tools with a better demo. No brain, all charm and the market loved it. Fast-forward to now: same playbook, new costume. The AI dashboard crowd is selling “natural language BI” with zero semantic model, zero memory, and a whole lot of LinkedIn swagger. In this episode, Rob and Justin revisit why Tableau’s empty-calorie approach won the first round, and how that same mistake is about to flood the AI + BI space all over again. Turns out, you can still sell snake oil if you call it GenAI. Rob breaks down how an elite MIT course managed to skip LLMs entirely, how a flashy Tableau blog post went viral for connecting a CSV, and why “AI-ready” vendors keep duct-taping chat interfaces onto raw SQL and hoping no one looks under the hood. But the real story? Microsoft is sitting on the most powerful data brain in the game, and if they land the front end, it’s game over. This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a blueprint for seeing through the hype and betting on what actually works. If you’re building, buying, or betting on AI tools, listen in before you get dazzled by the demo. Also on this episode:
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Everything's Real, Everything Matters, and Everyone Knows It w/ Quadrant Concrete CFO Joseph Graziano
07/15/2025
Everything's Real, Everything Matters, and Everyone Knows It w/ Quadrant Concrete CFO Joseph Graziano
Let’s say your business runs on sun, sweat, and schedule precision. You’ve got crews in the field, materials that don’t wait, and about 90 minutes to get it right before the product turns into a thousand-pound paperweight. That’s the world Joseph Graziano lives in. He’s the CFO of Quadrant Concrete and also the guy keeping the trucks moving, the forecasts dialed in, and the safety records spotless. Because in the mid-market, you don’t get extra people. You get extra resourceful. Joseph shares how he helped transform a boots-on-the-ground concrete business into a data-forward operation without fancy titles, inflated budgets, or a fleet of consultants. From field-collected data to real-time cashflow forecasting, he’s found the sweet spot where better reporting leads to smarter, calmer decisions. You’ll also hear why operational transparency isn’t just about ROI, it’s about reducing chaos, building trust, and creating a culture where everyone sees what matters. If you’re trying to lead your business through complexity without adding complexity, this episode can be your blueprint. Data doesn’t have to be fancy to be powerful. It just has to work. Listen now and see what it looks like when grit meets insight.
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It's Time to Start Giving Power BI CoPilot a Serious Look (For End User Interaction)
06/24/2025
It's Time to Start Giving Power BI CoPilot a Serious Look (For End User Interaction)
It started as a side project. Rob Collie built a Power BI model for his rec league hockey team. Just for fun. Just to see what the data could say. But something weird happened. The dashboards were solid. The data model was solid. But, the users still had questions. And lots of them. And that’s when it clicked: people don’t think in slicers. They think in questions. Natural ones. The kind dashboards rarely anticipate. In this episode, Rob and Justin Mannhardt didn’t just talk about Microsoft’s Copilot for Power BI. They put it to the test. No tuning. No prep. Just a raw semantic model paired with real questions from actual humans. The result? A glimpse at what happens when the tech finally meets the moment. Copilot isn’t just a gimmick. It understands nuance, handles filters, and points people to the answer without making them dig. And it’s getting better by the day. This isn’t a future-state conversation. You’ve already done the hard part. Now you can build on it. And if you’ve been wondering when AI will start delivering real value, this is a pretty good place to start. Also in this episode:
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Connecting AI to Your Company's Internal Information
06/10/2025
Connecting AI to Your Company's Internal Information
AI wants your data, but it can't handle the truth . . . “We’ll just plug our data into ChatGPT.” Sure. Sounds easy. Rob thought so too, right up until he hit token limits, had to install Python, and discovered that even two megabytes of transcripts was too much for the world’s smartest models to handle. In this episode, Rob and Justin break down what happens when you try to use AI on your company’s internal data. Spoiler: it’s a lot more complicated than the vendors make it sound. From semantic search to retrieval augmented generation (RAG), they unpack why the dream of “ask AI anything about your business” keeps falling short. You’ll hear why your Power BI model isn’t going anywhere, why structured data still needs old-school engines, and what it really takes to get value from your own information. Somewhere between a cautionary tale and a tech detective story, this one tells it like it is . . . unapologetically. Run into the same situation? We’d love to hear about it! Give us a shout on LinkedIn and tell us how you overcame the limitations.
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An Inflection Point in AI? Understanding MCP and Multi-Agent
06/03/2025
An Inflection Point in AI? Understanding MCP and Multi-Agent
For a while, you could pretend AI was still a someday problem. Not anymore. Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt are back, and this time they are tackling Model-Context-Protocol (MCP) and Multi-Agent Systems, two shifts that could finally put an end to the human copy-paste Olympics. This isn’t about shinier tools. It is about AI that plugs in without the duct tape and starts doing the work without making you babysit. Rob and Justin dig into what’s real, what’s coming, and why "waiting to see" is no longer a strategy. MCP is being called the USB-C of AI. Multi-Agent Systems are making AI check its own work, so you do not have to. Translation? The gap between "early" and "too late" is closing fast, and the status quo isn’t going to cut it much longer. If you are tired of the hype but know you can’t sit this one out, this episode is the advice you have been waiting for. So, tune in and enjoy! If you like what you hear, don’t forget to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps new listeners discover the show! Also in this episode:
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Confessions of a Data Gener w/ Sakiko Stickley
05/13/2025
Confessions of a Data Gener w/ Sakiko Stickley
Sakiko Stickley joins Raw Data to share a story that is part inspiration, part revelation, and a whole lot of truth-telling. From the first moment she discovered Power Pivot, Sakiko did not just learn data. She lived it. She rewired reporting systems, survived micromanagers, and navigated the strange realities of big consulting firms, all while quietly proving that one person, one model, and a little bit of DAX can change everything. In this episode, we get an inside look at how a passion for smarter systems can collide with corporate inertia, what it really feels like to challenge the status quo, and why Sakiko believes AI could someday outperform human leadership, not just in data crunching but in ethics and decision-making too. (Spoiler: She might be right.) If you have ever felt like a lone voice in a world that clings to inefficient processes, Sakiko’s journey will feel like a kindred spirit calling from across the data universe. Listen in for a conversation filled with hard truths, breakthrough moments, and a reminder that true data people do not just build models. They build better futures.
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The Biggest Improvements Announced at FabCon, and the Ever-Widening Gap Between Adoption and Capabilities
04/22/2025
The Biggest Improvements Announced at FabCon, and the Ever-Widening Gap Between Adoption and Capabilities
What’s the value of a long-awaited feature? Well, that depends. Have you ever tried explaining a fiscal calendar that doesn’t believe in months? This week, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt dive into the latest Microsoft Fabric updates, including the long-rumored, almost-mythical custom calendar support in DAX, the highly requested user-defined functions, and the Copilot expansion that might finally be worth the hype. These updates aren’t just bells and whistles; they’re fixes to problems that have been quietly driving your team up the wall for a decade. And while the tech is cool, the real story is what it unlocks for the people trying to build reliable reporting, reuse their logic across models, and stop wrestling with edge cases in Excel at 10 p.m. If you’ve ever been told, “that’s just how it works,” this episode is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that progress doesn’t always come with a parade. Sometimes it shows up in patch notes.
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Data, Data, and Metadata: Letting ChatGPT Interpret Power BI Output
03/25/2025
Data, Data, and Metadata: Letting ChatGPT Interpret Power BI Output
What happens when you hand off your Power BI output to ChatGPT and ask it to make sense of your world? You might be surprised. This week, Rob shares a deeply personal use case. One that ties together two major themes we've been exploring: Gen AI is reshaping the way we think about dashboards. To get real value out of AI, you need more than just data. You need metadata. And yes, that kind of metadata—the kind you create in Power BI when you translate raw data into something meaningful. Along the way, we revisit the old guard of data warehousing. The mighty (and now dusty?) ETL priesthood. And we uncover a delicious little irony about how the future of data looks a lot like its past, just with better tools and smarter questions. The big twist? We're all ETL now. But the "T" might not mean what you think it does anymore. Listen now to find out how a few rows of carefully modeled data, a table visual, and one really good AI assistant changed the game. For Rob and, just possibly, for all of us. Also in this episode:
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AI Agents, Business Bros, and Snake Oil
03/11/2025
AI Agents, Business Bros, and Snake Oil
AI agents are making big waves, but are they the future of business or just another passing trend? In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt explore the rise of AI agents, what they actually do, and why the excitement might be a little premature. They unpack the risks, the rewards, and how leaders can navigate the hype with a bit of caution and a lot of curiosity. Rob and Justin discuss the fine balance between automation and human oversight, tackling questions about when it's smart to embrace AI and when it might be better to pause. They also share thoughts on the current SaaS landscape, where new AI tools are popping up fast and why it pays to be thoughtful before jumping in. Ultimately, this episode is about finding clarity in a fast-moving space. It's about understanding where AI agents can add real value, where they might introduce unnecessary risk, and why critical thinking still matters. Rob and Justin reflect on the challenges of trusting AI, the dangers of locking into technology too early, and how the best decisions come from balancing curiosity with skepticism. If you're wondering how to separate the genuine innovations from the passing fads and how to be strategic about adopting AI in your business, this conversation is for you.
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One Data Model to Rule them All?
03/04/2025
One Data Model to Rule them All?
Listener John sent in a classic question: should you build one all-encompassing data model, or should each part of your business have its own? If you think the answer is black and white, well, welcome to the world of data modeling, where nuance reigns supreme. Rob and Justin dive deep into the pros, cons, and inevitable mistakes of both approaches. Along the way, they call out the biggest modeling traps, expose the myths that make projects stall, and introduce a revolutionary new acronym: JGS (Just Get Started). Because, spoiler alert, the best data model is the one that actually gets built. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
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Miller's Theorem: A Principle for Getting Off the Fence
02/25/2025
Miller's Theorem: A Principle for Getting Off the Fence
Ever find yourself overthinking a problem until you’ve thought yourself right into a corner? Yeah, we’ve been there too. But what if there was a way to cut through the noise and just know when something is a good idea? Enter Miller’s Theorem, a simple but sneaky-effective thought experiment that’s been kicking around in our conversations for years. It’s the kind of thing that sounds like nonsense at first until it doesn’t. In this episode, we unpack how a casual visit to a bougie home décor store in Seattle turned into an existential crisis over tariffs, pricing psychology, and whether customers actually care if their overpriced alpaca throw just got 25% more expensive. But it’s not just about economics. It’s about how we make decisions, avoid self-inflicted complexity, and maybe stop outsmarting ourselves into bad choices. Also on the table: the contrapositive, the dangers of taking political soundbites at face value, and why abolishing the IRS is an idea so catastrophically bad it might actually make the Great Depression look like a mild inconvenience. It’s a wild ride through logic, business, and just enough existential dread to keep things interesting. Listen now, then hope over to LinkedIn and tell us what you think! Got a topic you would like to have Rob and Justin cover? Join our and let us know! Also in this episode:
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Rethinking the ROI of Dashboards
02/18/2025
Rethinking the ROI of Dashboards
For years, dashboards have been the go-to for business intelligence. Built with the best intentions, loaded with visuals, and meant to empower decision-makers. But are they actually delivering? A recent Reddit thread raised a tough question: "Has anyone here moved away from dashboards as their main source of insights?" It’s not the usual “Dashboards are dead” hype. It’s a real challenge from BI pros who build them. The problem? Analysts say dashboards can’t keep up with how they really explore data. Executives and business users aren’t using them as intended, leading to more ad hoc requests, not fewer. The result? Dashboards end up underused, misused, or worse, ignored. In this episode of Raw Data, Rob and Justin cut through the noise and get to the heart of the issue. Are dashboards the problem, or is it how we’re designing and using them? And more importantly, what’s the right way forward? Also in this episode:
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Why the Data Gene is (Still) Under-Represented in Management
02/11/2025
Why the Data Gene is (Still) Under-Represented in Management
Ever sat in a meeting, watching a decision unfold that makes zero sense—bad for business, bad for employees—while the data that should be guiding the way is ignored? You’re not alone. In this solo episode, Rob Collie takes on a question that’s been circling for years: why aren’t more people with a data-driven mindset in leadership positions? The answer isn’t as simple as “because they should be.” There are deep-rooted reasons why persuasion often wins over precision and why data folks get stuck in support roles instead of calling the shots. But here’s the thing, change is possible. Whether you’re an analyst looking to break into leadership or a decision-maker wondering how to get the most from your data-savvy team, this episode is for you. Tune in as Rob unpacks the hidden forces at play, the skills that can help data professionals move up the ladder, and why learning the art of influence might be just as important as mastering the numbers.
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The Data Gene Transforms Non-Football Fans into Fantasy Football Devotees, w/ Adam Harstad
02/04/2025
The Data Gene Transforms Non-Football Fans into Fantasy Football Devotees, w/ Adam Harstad
What happens when you mix fantasy football, data analytics, and a little bit of chaos? You get a conversation that refuses to follow a straight line—but somehow lands exactly where it needs to. Rob Collie welcomes back fantasy football guru Adam Harstad for his third appearance on Raw Data, alongside first-time guests and Molly Ferguson, two self-proclaimed newcomers who are anything but casual. They dive into the unexpected ways fantasy football rewires your brain, from strategic obsession to the unshakable belief that your lucky jersey actually controls the game. Adam breaks down the numbers behind the game—how expected points added (EPA) became the gold standard of football analytics and why your gut feeling about a "bad matchup" might just be a statistical illusion. Meanwhile, Heather and Molly prove that fantasy football isn’t just a game; it’s a full-blown data-driven lifestyle. Whether it’s crunching Power BI models for next season or convincing family members to clear out during game time, they’ve gone all-in—and they’re not looking back. But beyond the spreadsheets and the smack talk, this episode is about something bigger: the sheer joy of unexpected obsessions. Whether you’re in it for the data, the competition, or just the chance to prove someone wrong (we see you, Heather), fantasy football is a reminder that the best things in life are the ones you never saw coming. Also in this episode:
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What Drives Costs for Data Projects, and How are They Changing Over Time?
01/28/2025
What Drives Costs for Data Projects, and How are They Changing Over Time?
What if we told you that, before Power BI, most of the money spent on data projects didn’t go where you thought it did? In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt peel back the layers of inefficiency, miscommunication, and just plain bad luck that have haunted data projects for decades. Spoiler: it’s not all doom and gloom. Some of those old headaches are finally getting the boot, thanks to tools like Power BI and the rise of generative AI. Rob and Justin take an honest look at how data projects have changed over the years, sharing hard-earned lessons and surprising insights from their time in the trenches. They reflect on the glacial pace of old-school BI, how Power BI changed the game, and why AI might be the next big shift. If you’ve ever wondered why your pre-Power BI data project cost more than a new car, this episode has the answers (and maybe a little therapy). Listen now for insights, laughs, and a sneak peek at the not-so-distant future of data. As always, be sure to leave us a review on your favorite platform or share the link with a friend to help new listeners find us.
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Power BI is Back on the Menu, plus The Importance of Usage Data, w/ Gil Raviv
01/21/2025
Power BI is Back on the Menu, plus The Importance of Usage Data, w/ Gil Raviv
has spent years shaping how we use data. From his early days at Microsoft, where he played a key role in developing Power Query, to his work refining how dashboards serve their users, Gil’s career is a masterclass in making data tools both practical and powerful. In this episode, we sit down with Gil to dig into why usage data is the missing ingredient for truly effective BI. He explains how understanding what users do with your dashboards can completely change the way you design and deliver them. We also talk about his journey through the world of business intelligence, the lessons he learned along the way, and why he’s so passionate about building tools that meet people where they are. Whether you’re a Power BI power user or just starting to think about how data fits into your business, Gil’s insights will get you thinking differently.
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Happy Holidays, and Remembering Bob Pop Collie
12/24/2024
Happy Holidays, and Remembering Bob Pop Collie
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The Microsoft MVP Take: Innovation, Hype, and the Future of Data
12/17/2024
The Microsoft MVP Take: Innovation, Hype, and the Future of Data
The world of data technology moves in fascinating ways, and we're excited to have Microsoft MVPs and join Justin to unpack what's really happening. This conversation is all about understanding the technologies that are reshaping how we work and think about data. Microsoft Fabric has been a hot topic, and for good reason. Is it the breakthrough platform everyone's talking about, or are there nuances that aren't making headlines? Ed and Kristyna bring their hands-on experience to share what they've learned—the moments of excitement, the unexpected challenges, and the real potential they see. Artificial intelligence continues to be a transformative force. We're not just talking about theoretical possibilities, but how AI is actually changing the way data professionals approach problems. What does this mean for teams, for individual careers, for the way we think about technology? Tune in to find out!
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Misaligned Incentives, Failures of Government, and Coca-Cola's AI Misstep
12/10/2024
Misaligned Incentives, Failures of Government, and Coca-Cola's AI Misstep
The world’s moving fast, sometimes too fast. Whether it’s AI taking over ad campaigns, fake LinkedIn profiles popping up, or the healthcare system extracting more than it gives, the threads connecting our modern chaos are all too clear. Misaligned incentives and unchecked technologies are reshaping industries, culture, and even how we trust each other. Progress can be exciting, but it’s also raising some tough questions: Are we losing our humanity in the race to optimize everything? Take Coca-Cola, the apex predator of branding. This holiday season, they swapped their usual creative mastery for AI-generated ads, and people noticed. The results weren’t just underwhelming; they were unsettling. It’s a perfect example of what happens when we try to replicate the human touch with machines that aren’t there yet. But this isn’t just about Coke. It’s about a broader trend of trading quality for convenience and innovation for cost-cutting—and the ripple effects it has on culture, trust, and livelihoods. This week, we’re unpacking the tension between innovation and integrity, exploring how businesses, governments, and individuals can find a better balance. From the rise of fake AI personas to headlights designed to cheat brightness tests, we’ll dig into what these examples say about the systems we rely on and what happens when those systems fail us. It’s a wild ride, but one thing’s for sure: the way forward has to be more thoughtful than the path that got us here.
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Riding the Tsunami: Why Expanding into Unmet Demand Makes Our Jobs Safe
12/03/2024
Riding the Tsunami: Why Expanding into Unmet Demand Makes Our Jobs Safe
The AI revolution is here, and if you’re in the data space, you’re sitting in the best seat in the house—whether it feels that way yet or not. Rob takes you on a straight-talking journey through why our industry isn’t just surviving but thriving in this moment of upheaval. Forget the hype and the fearmongering; this is about recognizing the unique position we’re in to expand into unmet demand. It’s not just about keeping our jobs—it’s about making them better, more impactful, and yes, more secure. Here’s the deal: this isn’t a time to coast. The same tools that can help us shine also require us to step up and adapt. Rob breaks down how the drudge work that used to define so many roles has been swept away by tools like Power BI—and why that’s not a threat but a gift. The value isn’t in the grind; it’s in the thinking. The problem-solving. The expertise. If you’re clinging to old ways, you’re missing the whole point of what’s happening right now. Listen now to hear why this moment is one of the biggest opportunities our industry has ever seen. Rob unpacks how unmet demand is changing the game, why our skills matter more than ever, and what it takes to not just ride the wave but come out ahead. Don’t miss it.
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The Crutches Paradox (and Why Senior Software Engineers Don’t Care About AI)
11/19/2024
The Crutches Paradox (and Why Senior Software Engineers Don’t Care About AI)
Rob and Justin are back, catching up after a short break with an episode that’s part big ideas, part funny stories, and full of surprises. They kick things off with the Crutches Paradox. Their take on why we hang onto things we’ll probably never use, “just in case.” From there, the conversation moves into all kinds of unexpected territory: why politeness might not matter when working with ChatGPT, the infamous New Coke conspiracy theory from the 80s, and why some of the world’s top software engineers just don’t seem too concerned about AI. Rob even shares a few personal moments, including how his old Pontiac Bonneville managed to become a legend among tow truck drivers. Between the laughs and the thought-provoking moments, this grab bag episode has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re here to explore big questions or just enjoy a good story, this one will keep you hooked from start to finish. As always, if you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform.
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Taking the Week Off
11/12/2024
Taking the Week Off
A little note from Rob to share about this week's episode, and what's coming!
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A Lifelong Learner Embraces AI, w/Brian Julius
11/05/2024
A Lifelong Learner Embraces AI, w/Brian Julius
This week on Raw Data, Justin’s flying solo and catching up with , a true data veteran with a unique journey from government work to AI exploration. Brian’s path has been anything but typical. Starting in high-stakes federal roles, he later moved into management; only to find himself pulled back to his roots in hands-on analytics, just as AI started turning the industry on its head. Brian digs into the moments that shaped his career and how curiosity led him back to data. Now, he’s diving into AI, pushing the tools to see how far they can go, and discovering where human intuition still has the edge. In this conversation, he and Justin explore what it means to keep evolving in a field that doesn’t stand still, and why staying open and curious might just be the most important skill. With Rob away this week, Justin and Brian take a deeper dive into what it’s like to adapt to constant change, and why there’s more to data than just knowing the latest tools. It’s an honest, down-to-earth look at the power of a lifelong learner’s mindset in an era of rapid transformation. Also in this episode:
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There and Back Again: Returning to Seattle
10/29/2024
There and Back Again: Returning to Seattle
Rob Collie records his final episode from the cozy, sound-dampened basement studio where over 170 Raw Data conversations have taken place. With moving boxes waiting to be loaded onto a truck bound for Seattle, Rob reflects on his unexpected 15-year journey in the Midwest—an adventure filled with personal challenges, growth, and life lessons that only make sense in hindsight. What started as a sudden and overwhelming shift became a series of hard-earned lessons that shaped not just his career but his entire outlook on life. In this episode, Rob explores the universal nature of those journeys where we step away from the familiar, confront unexpected challenges, and return changed. It’s not about grand, heroic feats but about navigating uncertainty, learning as you go, and finding meaning in what’s hard. Rob shares candid moments of struggle, success, and everything in between, offering reflections on fear, growth, and the reality of being human. This isn't a story of perfection, it’s a journey full of wrong turns, lessons learned the hard way, and the humility that comes from embracing both the light and dark sides along the way. Don’t forget, if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform to help new users find us.
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