The Data Nerd Podcast

Nisar Ahmed

Welcome to The Data Nerd Podcast brought to you by BizNis Intelligence. I'm your host, Nisar Ahmed, join me as we explore the inner data nerd inside all of us. Dive into the world of data alongside special guests who not only share their wealth of experiences and knowledge but also unveil what truly makes them data nerds. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biznisintelligence Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisar-ahmed-53b46a11/

  1. 22h ago

    Teaching in the Age of AI with Data Coach Lisa Hitch

    As AI transforms the way we work, what does it mean to be an effective teacher, coach, and data professional? In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Data Coach Lisa Hitch at The Information Lab's New York City office for a conversation about teaching, learning, communication, and building a career that stays relevant in the age of AI. Lisa shares her journey from overcoming a fear of public speaking to becoming a respected educator in the data community. Together, they discuss why AI should be embraced rather than feared, how it changes the classroom, and why communication, curiosity, and authenticity are becoming some of the most valuable skills a data professional can develop. The conversation also explores content creation, personal branding, giving and receiving feedback, and why sharing what you know can accelerate both your own learning and your career. Whether you're a data analyst, analytics leader, student, educator, or someone looking to grow your career in data, this episode offers practical advice on staying relevant in a rapidly changing world. In this episode you'll learn: Why AI is changing the way we teach—not replacing teachers How data professionals can use AI as a learning partner Why communication skills are becoming more valuable than ever How teaching can make you a better analyst and leader The power of building a personal brand in data How Lisa overcame her fear of public speaking and being on camera Why authenticity still matters in an AI-driven world Practical advice for anyone looking to grow in data analytics and analytics leadership Lisa Hitch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hitch/ Lisa on Instagram & TikTok: @the.data.coach 🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

    1h 1m
  2. You Might Also Like: Morning Brew Daily

    22h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: Morning Brew Daily

    Introducing Xbox Hits Reset Button on Business & Netflix Has a ‘Season 2’ Problem from Morning Brew Daily. Follow the show: Morning Brew Daily #883: Microsoft cuts over 4,000 jobs including its Xbox unit as it looks to downsize its gaming division. SpaceX joins the Nasdaq in less than a month of it becoming public. Netflix has a retention problem as it struggles to keep viewers hooked onto its shows after its first season. Grocery tourism is one of the hottest trends of 2026 and some say is the best way to experience a new city. Get 10% off using MORNINGBREW10 at altrarunning.com/morningbrew  Get tickets for our trivia tournament! https://caveat.nyc/events/the-morning-brew-trivia-tournament-2026-07-30 Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Jun 10

    Laid Off. Now What? Career Lessons From an Ex-Meta Leader

    What happens when the company you've tied your identity to is suddenly gone? In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Shachar Meir, former Meta leader turned independent data advisor, to explore one of the most difficult realities professionals face today: layoffs, career uncertainty, and life after big tech. Drawing from his experiences at Meta, PayPal, and over 20 years in data, Shachar shares what it felt like to walk away from a major tech company and how that transition reshaped his perspective on work, identity, and career growth. Together, they discuss the changing relationship between employers and employees, why job security feels different than it did a decade ago, and how professionals can build resilience in an era of constant change. The conversation also dives into freelancing, side hustles, communication skills, and why success in data careers often depends on much more than technical expertise. This isn't just a conversation about layoffs. It's a conversation about building a career that isn't defined by a company logo. Tune in to learn: Why layoffs can feel like losing part of your identity How the employer-employee relationship has changed since COVID What life after Meta taught Shachar about career ownership Why freelancing isn't for everyone and what it really takes to succeed The importance of building skills beyond technical expertise Why communication is often more valuable than technical ability How to think about big tech careers in today's job market Why your job should never become your entire identity Whether you're navigating a career transition, working in big tech, or simply thinking about your long-term career growth, this episode offers practical lessons and honest perspectives from someone who's lived through it. Shachar Meir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shacharmeir/ Shachar's Website: https://shacharmeir.com/ Shachar's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ShacharMeir

    55 min

  4. May 14

    Why Most Companies Should NOT Build a Data Team

    Do companies really need to build expensive internal data teams anymore? In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Mikhail Christiansen to challenge one of the biggest assumptions in modern analytics: that every growing company needs to hire a full internal data team from scratch. Mikhail shares why many organizations are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars building data infrastructure, hiring engineers, and implementing tools before they ever generate meaningful business insights. The conversation explores the hidden costs of traditional analytics teams, the risks of bad hires and poor implementations, and why a managed analytics approach may be a faster and smarter path for many businesses. They also dive into how AI is changing expectations around productivity, analytics, and decision-making and why companies that don't modernize their data infrastructure could struggle to compete in the AI era. This isn't about saying data teams are unnecessary. It's about asking whether every company actually needs to build and own one themselves. Tune in to learn: Why many companies overspend building internal data teams The real cost of hiring data engineers, BI developers, and analytics leadership What "managed analytics" actually means—and why it's gaining traction Why speed to insight matters more than owning infrastructure The risks of relying on bad hires or poorly implemented analytics systems How AI is increasing pressure on companies to modernize their data environments Why clean, centralized data is critical before AI can deliver real value The barber analogy that perfectly explains managed analytics If you're a business leader, analytics professional, or someone thinking about scaling a data team, this episode will challenge how you think about building analytics capabilities in the modern AI era. Mikhail Christiansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhailchristiansen/ Swift Insights: https://www.swiftinsights.net/ 🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

    47 min

  5. Apr 30

    Data Science Teachers Are Rethinking Everything in the Age of AI

    Are data science teachers falling behind—or being forced to rethink everything? In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Saad Rais, AnalytIQ corporate trainer, to unpack how AI is reshaping data science education in real time. What used to be a clear path—learn programming, master algorithms, build models—is now being challenged by tools that can generate code, build dashboards, and even complete entire workflows. Saad shares what he's seeing firsthand in both the classroom and corporate training, from adult learners trying to reskill to organizations struggling to adopt AI effectively. The conversation gets into the real tension: what skills still matter when AI can do most of the execution? This isn't about dropping fundamentals. It's about deciding what's worth teaching when the tools have changed. Tune in to learn: Why data science curriculum needs a rethink in the age of AI The difference between generative AI and agentic AI—and why it matters Whether coding still has value (and where it fits now) How "vibe coding" is shifting the role of analysts and data professionals Why understanding fundamentals still matters when working with AI The human skills—judgment, communication, accountability—that are becoming more important If you're learning data—or teaching it—this episode will make you question how you approach both. Saad Rais on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saadrais/ AnalytIQ training: https://www.analytiqtraining.com/ 🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

    54 min

  6. Apr 5

    Are Dashboards Dead? The Future of BI, AI, and Data Analytics Explained

    Are dashboards really dead—or just evolving? In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with Will Perkins, Analytics Solutions Executive at JPMorgan Chase and 5x Tableau Ambassador, to break down one of the biggest debates in data today. As AI continues to reshape analytics, many are questioning the role of dashboards and BI tools. This conversation cuts through the noise and focuses on what's actually changing. From the shift toward analytical solutions to the evolving role of analysts, Nisar and Will explore where dashboards still fit—and where they fall short. Tune in to learn: Whether dashboards are dead or evolving How AI is changing BI and data analytics Why bad dashboards point to deeper data problems What it really means to be an analyst today How to stay relevant in a changing data landscape If you work in data, BI, or analytics, this episode will challenge how you think about dashboards and the future of your role. Will Perkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcperkins/ 🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

    55 min

  7. Mar 19

    AI Is Replacing Data Analysts? The Truth About AI in Analytics Jobs

    In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, host Nisar Ahmed sits down with data literacy expert, author, and CEO of Data Literacy, Ben Jones, for a timely conversation on how AI is reshaping data analytics jobs — and what it actually means for data professionals today. Ben has spent years helping organizations and professionals build stronger data skills, and more recently, AI literacy. Through his work teaching at the University of Washington and advising companies, he brings a practical, grounded perspective on how AI is changing analytics across roles—from data analysts to engineers to business users. At its core, this episode is about cutting through the noise around AI. Instead of focusing on hype or fear, the conversation looks at what's actually changing in the day-to-day work of analysts, how tools are evolving, and where human skills still matter most. Nisar and Ben explore how AI fits into the analytics workflow, what skills are becoming more valuable, and how professionals can adapt without losing their edge. 🎧 Tune in to learn: Whether AI is really replacing data analysts or reshaping the role Why AI literacy is becoming just as important as data literacy How experienced analysts can use AI to work faster and smarter The impact of AI on entry-level roles and hiring trends What's happening to dashboards, BI tools, and self-service analytics Why critical thinking and data storytelling are still essential How to approach AI with curiosity instead of fear Practical ways to start learning and using AI today If you're a data analyst, BI professional, data scientist, or analytics leader trying to understand where AI fits into your career, this episode will give you a clear, realistic perspective on what's changing — and how to stay relevant. Ben Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjonesdata/ 🌐 Learn more about Data Literacy: https://dataliteracy.com 🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat): www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

    49 min

  8. Mar 5

    A Data Scientist Doing Stand-Up Comedy? | Data Comedy with Evan Wimpey

    Can a data scientist become a stand-up comedian? What happens when statistics meet storytelling? And why might humor be one of the most underrated skills in data and analytics? In this episode of The Data Nerd Podcast, Nisar Ahmed sits down with data comedian and data professional Evan Wimpey to explore the surprising intersection of data science, comedy, and communication. Evan shares how a statistics joke competition during COVID unexpectedly launched his journey into data comedy, performing stand-up for analytics teams, conferences, and data professionals around the world. If you're a data scientist, analyst, BI professional, or aspiring data leader, this conversation shows why technical skills alone aren't enough — the ability to communicate insights, tell stories, and connect with people is just as important. We explore:  How Evan accidentally became a professional statistics comedian Why humor can improve data storytelling and presentations The connection between stand-up comedy and communicating analytics Why many data presentations fail because they're simply boring How AI tools like ChatGPT help with the creative process Why communication skills are critical for career growth in data How data professionals can find their unique niche in the AI era Evan also performs part of his data comedy set, featuring jokes about data science models, analytics careers, and the realities of working in data. If you've ever: Sat through a painfully boring data presentation Tried to explain analytics to a non-technical audience Wondered how to make your data storytelling more engaging Or thought the world of analytics could use a little more humor  This episode is for you. Evan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-wimpey/ 🌐 Learn more about Evan Wimpey and Data Comedy: https://predictablejokes.com 🌐 Full episodes of The Data Nerd Podcast and exclusive merch (including the official Data Nerd hat) — visit: www.thedatanerdpodcast.com

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Data Nerd Podcast brought to you by BizNis Intelligence. I'm your host, Nisar Ahmed, join me as we explore the inner data nerd inside all of us. Dive into the world of data alongside special guests who not only share their wealth of experiences and knowledge but also unveil what truly makes them data nerds. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biznisintelligence Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisar-ahmed-53b46a11/

Information

  • Creator
    Nisar Ahmed
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    The Data Nerd Podcast

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