MindSpeaking podcast - by Gilbert Eijkelenboom

Gilbert Eijkelenboom

As a former professional poker player, you’ll find Gilbert Eijkelenboom wherever data and psychology meet. Gilbert spent his career in Data & Analytics and he’s passionate about it. But too often, people did not listen to his data insights. He saw other Data professionals have the same struggle. Therefore, he founded MindSpeaking, training and coaching 1,000+ Data Scientists & Analysts to communicate with business impact. In 2020, Gilbert published the bestselling book: People Skills for Analytical Thinkers.

  1. Ep 37 - Alex Østergaard: How to Stop Overthinking and build Self-Trust

    1d ago

    Ep 37 - Alex Østergaard: How to Stop Overthinking and build Self-Trust

    This is Alex Østergaard, coach and author of Dissolving Overthinking, who helps high achievers break free from overthinking, self-pressure, and the constant need to perform. His work focuses on uncovering the unconscious patterns that drive success on the outside—but create tension on the inside. In this episode, we dig into:Why high achievers often feel stuck despite doing everything rightHow early success patterns turn into pressure later in lifeThe hidden cost of always performing, pleasing, and provingWhy awareness alone isn’t enough to change your patternsAnd what it actually takes to feel aligned—not just successfulLet’s dive in. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/innerfreedomwithalex/Book: https://www.dissolvingoverthinking.com/ The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to share insights on data, communication, and personal development. Highlight: 00:00:00 – Teaser 00:00:08 – Introducing Alex Østergaard 00:01:32 – What “overthinking” really is 00:02:41 – Where these patterns start 00:04:05 – Performing, pleasing, proving 00:05:38 – Why success can feel empty 00:07:12 – Being capable but disconnected 00:08:46 – The idea of being “over-adapted” 00:10:03 – Why awareness isn’t enough 00:11:27 – Control vs. self-trust 00:13:02 – Letting go of performance identity 00:14:36 – Emotional suppression and success 00:16:08 – Why change feels unsafe 00:17:42 – Recognizing your patterns in daily life 00:19:10 – From insight to real change 00:21:03 – Building a different relationship with yourself 00:23:18 – What alignment actually feels like 00:25:04 – Who this work is for 00:27:12 – First step: uncovering your pattern 00:29:30 – Final message

    39 min
  2. Ep 36 - Achille Ettorre: How to Turn AI Into Real Business Impact

    Apr 22

    Ep 36 - Achille Ettorre: How to Turn AI Into Real Business Impact

    This is Achille Ettorre, a global keynote speaker and author of The Digital Advantage, who helps leaders move from AI confusion to real competitive advantage. With experience across Fortune 500 companies and building large-scale analytics programs, he knows what actually makes AI work inside organizations and why most efforts fail. In this episode, we dig into: Why AI is not a technology problem—but a people and process problemThe biggest mistake leaders make when adopting AIWhat leaders consistently underestimate about AIWhy human judgment and connection still matterAnd how AI can create more freedom in both work and lifeLet’s dive in. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/achille-ettorre/ Website: https://www.achilleettorre.com/ The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to share insights on data, communication, and personal development. Highlights: 00:00:00 – Teaser 00:00:14 – Introducing Achille Ettorre 00:01:28 – Background in data and early experiences 00:02:27 – Mindset and continuous learning 00:03:55 – AI and its broader impact 00:04:42 – Using AI in daily life 00:05:22 – Parenting and skill development 00:06:08 – Career and personal life balance 00:07:47 – Ethics and responsibility in AI 00:09:09 – Preparing for what’s ahead 00:10:08 – Education and AI 00:11:23 – People, process, and technology 00:13:18 – Challenges in organizations 00:14:28 – Business vs. data perspectives 00:15:16 – Rapid-fire questions 00:15:57 – Common mistakes 00:16:31 – Skills for the future 00:16:51 – Misconceptions about AI 00:17:19 – Human vs. AI 00:17:34 – Explaining AI simply 00:18:06 – Defining balance 00:21:00 – Final takeaway

    22 min

  3. 09/02/2025

    Ep 35 - Rosanne Werner: From AI Hype to Real Business Impact in 39 Minutes

    This is Rosanne Werner, she built a global data mindset program for 2,000+ people at Coca-Cola, helping teams make data a habit, not just a tool. With a background in finance, data, and behavioral science, she knows exactly why AI and analytics often fail to get adopted—and how to fix it. In this episode, we dig into: Why habits—not dashboards—drive a data-driven cultureHow to reduce friction so people actually use dataThe role of social learning in making AI tools stickAnd why AI can support soft skills—but never replace human connection Let’s dive in. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosanne-werner/The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to spread their insights about data, communication, and personal development. 00:00:01 – Introduction by Gilbert 00:00:35 – Biggest leadership mistake in data 00:00:37 – Lead by example drives adoption 00:02:24 – Habit loop for AI change 00:04:39 – Making tools easy to use 00:05:56 – Resistance: trust and relevance 00:08:02 – Storytelling to gain buy-in 00:09:26 – Emotions drive decision-making 00:11:11 – AI fails from unclear goals 00:13:28 – Translating numbers into stories 00:14:46 – Insights profile: blue & yellow 00:17:50 – Tailoring message to audience 00:18:57 – Tips for active listening 00:21:16 – Reading body language in meetings 00:23:24 – AI as sparring partner 00:24:50 – Five C’s for future skills 00:27:54 – AI takes on grunt work 00:29:05 – Neuroscience for better learning 00:30:24 – Power of group learning 00:39:22 – Key takeaway

    40 min

  4. 08/22/2025

    Ep 34: Alienor Hunter - From Awkward Analyst to Confident Presenter in 57 Minutes

    Aliénor Hunter used to be a data analyst with huge social anxiety. Panicking over simple things, like ordering a sandwich.Speaking up felt terrifying.But she made a super inspiring transformation.Now, she’s a public speaking coach for Ultraspeaking, working with teams at Google and Netflix.She’s helping others go from anxious to confident.If you struggle with social anxiety or often overthink what to say…You’ll love this episode.We talk about:- The #1 mindset shift to reduce anxiety- How to not freeze when asked an unexpected question- A simple trick to make your presentations 10x more engaging- And why you don’t need perfect words to be a great communicatorLet’s jump in.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali%C3%A9nor-hunter-08a962186/The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to spread their insights about data, communication, and personal development. Timestamps:00:00:00 – Intro & guest background00:01:13 – Childhood social anxiety story00:04:53 – From analyst to coach00:06:09 – Root cause of anxiety00:09:57 – Building evidence to challenge fears00:14:00 – Anticipation worse than speaking00:16:09 – Going first builds confidence00:17:54 – Speaking before thinking00:21:45 – Small talk and spontaneity00:25:47 – Power of pausing00:29:41 – Pauses in data presentations00:33:46 – Storytelling in business presentations00:40:52 – Showing your personality00:44:39 – Handling unexpected audience questions00:56:05 – Final advice

    57 min

  5. 08/22/2025

    Episode 33: Douglas Laney - 42 Minutes to help Data Leaders drive impact

    Douglas Laneyformer Gartner analyst, bestselling author of "Infonomics and Data Juice."He’s also the reason companies around the world are rethinking how they treat data; not just as information, but as a real business asset.Here’s what you’ll learn: How to "measure the ROI of your data"Why selling data is just "1 of 12 monetization strategies"How to use "storytelling and use cases" to influence non-technical stakeholdersHow to spark "creativity" in a data teamAnd the real story behind a billion-dollar search engine tweak at WalmartLet’s jump in.Linkedin:   / douglaney  Books:Infonomics: https://www.amazon.com/Infonomics-Mon...Data Juice: https://www.amazon.com/Data-Juice-Org...The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to spread their insights about data, communication, and personal development. Timestamps:00:00:01 – Intro: Doug Laney’s data impact00:00:52 – What you'll learn in this episode00:07:16 – Innovation mindset for data professionals00:08:00 – 9/11 and the idea behind Infonomics00:09:31 – Treating data as a true business asset00:11:20 – 12 ways to monetize data00:12:42 – How to prioritize data ideas00:14:40 – Creativity over dashboards00:15:44 – Use cases as innovation drivers00:16:54 – Doug’s “Digital Twin” chatbot00:17:40 – What "Data Juice" really means00:19:30 – 3 approaches to valuing data00:23:01 – Walmart’s $1B search engine fix00:25:18 – Leading indicators in data strategy00:26:20 – Bridging the data-business gap00:28:15 – Building trust through metadata and storytelling00:29:30 – Rapid fire: mistakes, myths, and habits00:31:12 – Aligning analytics with business goals00:34:12 – Humor’s role in storytelling00:40:40 – Final takeaway: treat data like an asset

    42 min

  6. 07/11/2025

    Ep 32 - Steve Huynh: 54 Minutes That Will Change How You Communicate in Tech

    Today I spoke with Steve Huynh. He spent 18 years at Amazon, rising from the bottom ranks to Principal Engineer.Then he walked away.Now? He’s building his own thing, with 170,000+ YouTube subscribers. He’s helped thousands of tech professionals grow their careers.In this episode, you’ll learn:- What finally pushed Steve to leave Amazon- How introverts can build real relationships at work- A practical way to kill imposter syndrome- How storytelling can help you explain tech to non-technical peopleLet’s jump into the conversation.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-life-engineered/Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@ALifeEngineeredThe MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to spread their insights about data, communication, and personal development.Timestamps:00:00:01 – Why tech work often gets ignored 00:00:13 – Meet Steve Huynh: Amazon to YouTube 00:01:05 – What finally pushed him to quit 00:03:07 – “I was holding myself back” 00:04:50 – A book changed everything 00:06:52 – No one cared about his YouTube 00:09:14 – Family pressure after quitting Amazon 00:10:20 – The trap of pleasing others 00:13:45 – His way to kill imposter syndrome 00:18:21 – Why tech folks crave escape 00:22:41 – Storytelling helped him get promoted 00:27:16 – You’re invisible without communication 00:32:37 – Build connection without small talk 00:36:27 – What YouTube taught him about growth 00:41:03 – Becoming a dad changed his drive 00:49:54 – The bathtub strategy for long-term wins

    54 min

  7. 06/27/2025

    Ep. 31 - Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic: 54 Minutes Straight of Solid Data Storytelling Advice

    Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic is the bestselling author of Storytelling with Data. She’s the founder and CEO of the company by the same name, and she’s trained thousands of professionals around the world to communicate data in a way that actually makes people care. And that’s why she matters to you, because if you’ve ever shared a great insight and nothing happened… this episode will help you fix that. You’ll learn: - Why most presentations fail and how to make yours stick - How to prep your data story before touching PowerPoint - How to read your audience in real-time - The shift that helped Cole go from anxious to confidentLet’s dive in. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colenussbaumer/ Books: Storytelling with Data: Before and After - Practical Makeovers for Powerful Data Stories -https://a.co/d/aWOyEEJStorytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals - https://a.co/d/aWOyEEJ Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice! - https://a.co/d/eK3L5el Storytelling with You: Plan, Create, and Deliver a Stellar Presentation - https://a.co/d/ceway9o Daphne Draws Data - https://www.daphnedrawsdata.com/ The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to spread their insights about data, communication, and personal development. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Why color is the most underused data strategy 00:01:42 – The #1 tip Cole gives data professionals 00:05:18 – Using your voice and body to hold attention 00:07:44 – Cole’s early struggles with public speaking 00:10:14 – What helped her go from nervous to confident 00:15:16 – When enthusiasm for data backfires 00:18:10 – How to understand what stakeholders care about 00:20:12 – Cole’s step-by-step method for storyboarding 00:21:49 – When to start with a bang vs. build to a climax 00:26:28 – A simple way to create contrast in storytelling 00:29:08 – Waterfall charts and the “before & after” approach 00:31:08 – Why presentations should feel like conversations 00:33:17 – What to do when insights get ignored 00:43:10 – Two skills analysts should double down on 00:50:25 – The filler words she’s still working on

    55 min

  8. 06/03/2025

    Ep. 30 - Martijn Van Hoek: The Man Who Shocked the Netherlands: The Power of Radical Honesty

    Martijn is a truth-seeker and communication rebel. You might know him from Dutch TV, where he stood out not for drama — but for daring to be real. Martijn is a former entrepreneur who sold his company and is now on a journey of self-discovery — through tantra, TV, and deep conversations. In this episode, we explore: Why saying no is the most honest thing you can doHow to handle awkward silences (and why they’re powerful)What happens when you stop pleasing others — and start living your truthThis one’s about radical honesty, deep connection, and being fully yourself. Let’s dive in. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjmvanhoek/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zijn.met.tijn/?hl=en Website: https://tantra-festival.com/martijn-van-hoek/ The MindSpeaking podcast is about the Human Side of Data. I invite thought leaders to spread their insights about data, communication, and personal development. Connect with me & free resources: 👨🏻‍💻 Gilbert’s Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/eijkelenboom/ 🧠 Free email course: https://mindspeaking.com/datastorytelling 📙 People Skills for Analytical Thinkers: https://mindspeaking.com/buy-book 📈 Quick self-test on Data Communication: https://mindspeaking.com/maturity-model ⭕ Subscribe to this YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi5ZoXknmNceEVVteS7_cVQ?sub_confirmation=1🎬 Turn your insights into a Data Story with my video course:http://www.mindspeaking.com/online-course Highlights: 00:00 – Awkward silences = happiness 01:30 – How to handle difficult conversations 03:30 – Embracing awkwardness builds connection 06:20 – Why Martijn sent his date home 09:00 – Setting boundaries, even on reality TV 12:00 – Saying no = saying yes to yourself 14:50 – Birthday parties & people-pleasing 17:00 – Gilbert’s story on setting boundaries 20:00 – Inquiry exercise for deeper connection 24:30 – TV show sparked real-life reflection 28:50 – Handling feedback & public criticism 33:00 – Letting go of what others think 36:50 – Releasing drive rooted in ego 41:00 – Social media: curse & blessing 45:00 – From busyness to calm & self-awareness

    1h 10m
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About

As a former professional poker player, you’ll find Gilbert Eijkelenboom wherever data and psychology meet. Gilbert spent his career in Data & Analytics and he’s passionate about it. But too often, people did not listen to his data insights. He saw other Data professionals have the same struggle. Therefore, he founded MindSpeaking, training and coaching 1,000+ Data Scientists & Analysts to communicate with business impact. In 2020, Gilbert published the bestselling book: People Skills for Analytical Thinkers.

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