Episoder
-
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 thatâs when it clicked: people donât think in slicers. They think in questions. Natural ones. The kind dashboards rarely anticipate.
In this episode, Rob and Justin Mannhardt didnât just talk about Microsoftâs 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 isnât just a gimmick. It understands nuance, handles filters, and points people to the answer without making them dig. And itâs getting better by the day.
This isnât a future-state conversation. Youâve already done the hard part. Now you can build on it. And if youâve been wondering when AI will start delivering real value, this is a pretty good place to start.
Also in this episode:
Indy Inline Hockey Dashboards
Inline Analytics Doesnât Mean What You Suspect it Means, w/Ryan Spahr
Copilot for Power BI
Rethinking the ROI of Dashboards
-
AI wants your data, but it can't handle the truth . . .
âWeâll just plug our data into ChatGPT.â 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 worldâs smartest models to handle. In this episode, Rob and Justin break down what happens when you try to use AI on your companyâs internal data. Spoiler: itâs a lot more complicated than the vendors make it sound.
From semantic search to retrieval augmented generation (RAG), they unpack why the dream of âask AI anything about your businessâ keeps falling short. Youâll hear why your Power BI model isnât 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? Weâd love to hear about it! Give us a shout on LinkedIn and tell us how you overcame the limitations.
-
Manglende episoder?
-
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 isnât 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 whatâs real, whatâs 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 isnât going to cut it much longer.
If you are tired of the hype but know you canât 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, donât forget to leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps new listeners discover the show!
Also in this episode:
The Cybernetic Teammate
DĂ©jĂ vu Cat | The Matrix
-
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, Sakikoâs 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.
-
Whatâs the value of a long-awaited feature?
Well, that depends. Have you ever tried explaining a fiscal calendar that doesnât 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 arenât just bells and whistles; theyâre 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 youâve ever been told, âthatâs just how it works,â this episode is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that progress doesnât always come with a parade. Sometimes it shows up in patch notes.
-
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 metadataâthe 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:
Blind Melon â Change (YouTube)The Data Warehouse Toolkit
Raw Data Episode - The Human Side of Data: Using Analytics for Personal Well-Being
-
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.
-
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 wonât want to miss!
-
Ever find yourself overthinking a problem until youâve thought yourself right into a corner? Yeah, weâve 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 Millerâs Theorem, a simple but sneaky-effective thought experiment thatâs been kicking around in our conversations for years. Itâs the kind of thing that sounds like nonsense at first until it doesnât.
In this episode, we unpack how a casual visit to a bougie home dĂ©cor 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 itâs not just about economics. Itâs 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. Itâs 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 Raw Data by P3 Adaptive Steering Committee and let us know!
Also in this episode:
Pokerbots, Adware, and Burning Man, w/ Brad Miller & Kai Hankinson
-
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?"Itâs not the usual âDashboards are deadâ hype. Itâs a real challenge from BI pros who build them. The problem?
Analysts say dashboards canât keep up with how they really explore data. Executives and business users arenât 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 weâre designing and using them? And more importantly, whatâs the right way forward?
Also in this episode:
Reddit discussion
-
Ever sat in a meeting, watching a decision unfold that makes zero senseâbad for business, bad for employeesâwhile the data that should be guiding the way is ignored? Youâre not alone. In this solo episode, Rob Collie takes on a question thatâs been circling for years: why arenât more people with a data-driven mindset in leadership positions?
The answer isnât as simple as âbecause they should be.â 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 hereâs the thing, change is possible. Whether youâre 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.
-
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 lineâbut 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 Heather Zimmer 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 gameâhow 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 isnât just a game; itâs a full-blown data-driven lifestyle. Whether itâs crunching Power BI models for next season or convincing family members to clear out during game time, theyâve gone all-inâand theyâre not looking back.
But beyond the spreadsheets and the smack talk, this episode is about something bigger: the sheer joy of unexpected obsessions. Whether youâre 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:
Guide to EPA
Protect the Spots with NO Bulletholes, w/ Adam Harstad
Epistemic Path Dependency, w/ Adam Harstad
-
What if we told you that, before Power BI, most of the money spent on data projects didnât 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: itâs 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 youâve 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.
Rob's Visual Aid
-
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, Gilâs 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 heâs so passionate about building tools that meet people where they are.
Whether youâre a Power BI power user or just starting to think about how data fits into your business, Gilâs insights will get you thinking differently.
-
The Spirit of âWhy Notâ with Bob Pop Collie The Life of a WW2 Navy Pilot Cadet (Bonus), w/ Bob Pop Collie
-
The world of data technology moves in fascinating ways, and we're excited to have Microsoft MVPs Ed Hansberry and Kristyna Ferris 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 learnedâthe 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!
-
The worldâs moving fast, sometimes too fast. Whether itâs 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 itâs 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 werenât just underwhelming; they were unsettling. Itâs a perfect example of what happens when we try to replicate the human touch with machines that arenât there yet. But this isnât just about Coke. Itâs about a broader trend of trading quality for convenience and innovation for cost-cuttingâand the ripple effects it has on culture, trust, and livelihoods.
This week, weâre 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, weâll dig into what these examples say about the systems we rely on and what happens when those systems fail us. Itâs a wild ride, but one thingâs for sure: the way forward has to be more thoughtful than the path that got us here.
-
The AI revolution is here, and if youâre in the data space, youâre sitting in the best seat in the houseâwhether it feels that way yet or not. Rob takes you on a straight-talking journey through why our industry isnât just surviving but thriving in this moment of upheaval. Forget the hype and the fearmongering; this is about recognizing the unique position weâre in to expand into unmet demand. Itâs not just about keeping our jobsâitâs about making them better, more impactful, and yes, more secure.
Hereâs the deal: this isnât 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 BIâand why thatâs not a threat but a gift. The value isnât in the grind; itâs in the thinking. The problem-solving. The expertise. If youâre clinging to old ways, youâre missing the whole point of whatâs 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. Donât miss it.
-
Rob and Justin are back, catching up after a short break with an episode thatâs 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 weâll probably never use, âjust in case.â 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 worldâs top software engineers just donât 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 youâre 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.
-
A little note from Rob to share about this week's episode, and what's coming!
- Vis mere
