Best Rob Collie Podcasts (2025)

1
What Exactly IS an AI Agent? We Propose a Friendly, Non-Gatekeeping Definition 40:46

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1h ago40:46

40:46

This isn’t another AI think-piece, it’s a full-on data brawl. Copilot is out here plagiarizing Rob’s pivot table crusade while the self-appointed nerd police try to lock down the definition of agentic AI. Meanwhile, thirty years of fantasy football become the unexpected proof that tuning beats buzzwords every single time. What starts as a slip from…

1
Is CoPilot the End of Filters? (Plus a Cautionary Tale) 46:35

12d ago46:35

46:35

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 h…

1
The "Steal My Money" Lever: A Timely Tale of Data Saving the Day 14:16

25d ago14:16

14:16

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 disc…

1
Even in the AI Era, Communication is the Central Theme 31:32

21d ago31:32

31:32

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 …

1
Episode 200: The Road Ahead for Data and AI 28:07

28d ago28:07

28:07

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…

1
The "Dobie Moment" (The Awesome Power of AI/CoPilot Frontends - AND a Cautionary Tale) 29:27

1M ago29:27

29:27

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.…

1
The Million-Token Myth and the Magic of Digital Colleagues 29:08

1M ago29:08

29:08

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 h…

1
Semantic Models Give You (and Microsoft) the AI Upper Hand - Plus a History Lesson on Why Frontends Matter 41:59

2M ago41:59

41:59

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-cal…

1
Everything's Real, Everything Matters, and Everyone Knows It w/ Quadrant Concrete CFO Joseph Graziano 1:06:20

2M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

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 fo…

1
It's Time to Start Giving Power BI CoPilot a Serious Look (For End User Interaction) 25:25

3M ago25:25

25:25

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 th…

1
Connecting AI to Your Company's Internal Information 43:44

3M ago43:44

43:44

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 wh…

1
An Inflection Point in AI? Understanding MCP and Multi-Agent 25:25

3M ago25:25

25:25

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 th…

1
Confessions of a Data Gener w/ Sakiko Stickley 1:02:18

4M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

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 qui…

1
The Biggest Improvements Announced at FabCon, and the Ever-Widening Gap Between Adoption and Capabilities 28:21

5M ago28:21

28:21

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 funct…

1
Data, Data, and Metadata: Letting ChatGPT Interpret Power BI Output 16:17

6M ago16:17

16:17

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 dat…

1
AI Agents, Business Bros, and Snake Oil 39:47

6M ago39:47

39:47

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 …

1
One Data Model to Rule them All? 28:19

7M ago28:19

28:19

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.…

1
Miller's Theorem: A Principle for Getting Off the Fence 16:01

7M ago16:01

16:01

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.…

1
Rethinking the ROI of Dashboards 39:01

7M ago39:01

39:01

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 “Dashboard…

1
Why the Data Gene is (Still) Under-Represented in Management 16:36

7M ago16:36

16:36

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 an…

1
The Data Gene Transforms Non-Football Fans into Fantasy Football Devotees, w/ Adam Harstad 1:24:17

8M ago1:24:17

1:24:17

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 Heather Zimmer and Molly Fergu…

1
What Drives Costs for Data Projects, and How are They Changing Over Time? 49:13

8M ago49:13

49:13

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 …

1
Power BI is Back on the Menu, plus The Importance of Usage Data, w/ Gil Raviv 1:12:23

8M ago1:12:23

1:12:23

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 miss…

1
Happy Holidays, and Remembering Bob Pop Collie 2:38

9M ago2:38

2:38

The Spirit of “Why Not” with Bob Pop Collie The Life of a WW2 Navy Pilot Cadet (Bonus), w/ Bob Pop Collie

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The Microsoft MVP Take: Innovation, Hype, and the Future of Data 44:37

9M ago44:37

44:37

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…

1
Misaligned Incentives, Failures of Government, and Coca-Cola's AI Misstep 37:00

10M ago37:00

37:00

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 ot…

1
Riding the Tsunami: Why Expanding into Unmet Demand Makes Our Jobs Safe 18:52

10M ago18:52

18:52

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 …

1
The Crutches Paradox (and Why Senior Software Engineers Don’t Care About AI) 45:42

10M ago45:42

45:42

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 poli…

1
Taking the Week Off 0:50

10M ago0:50

0:50

A little note from Rob to share about this week's episode, and what's coming!

1
A Lifelong Learner Embraces AI, w/Brian Julius 1:06:27

11M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

This week on Raw Data, Justin’s flying solo and catching up with Brian Julius, 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 …

1
There and Back Again: Returning to Seattle 13:43

11M ago13:43

13:43

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 on…

1
Resilience Sometimes Beats Prevention, and Six Ways to Get off the Starting Line with AI 46:44

11M ago46:44

46:44

In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin break down life lessons learned from a simple tool: the Green Biscuit puck. It’s a perfect example of how resilience sometimes beats prevention—because you can’t avoid every bump in the road, but you can adapt and keep moving forward. That same idea applies to AI and Power BI, where working with messy, real-wo…

1
The Curious Case of the CFL Light Bulb 8:44

11M ago8:44

8:44

This week Rob shares his disdain for CFL light bulbs, but it's not necessarily about light bulbs here! It's more of an analogy as to why the status quo weighs absolutely nothing. Something better and disruptive came along, and now it's everywhere. We barely even remember the transition, because the new "light bulb" is far superior to what was previ…

1
Head to Head: Can ChatGPT Replicate Rob's Inspired Solution to a Power Query Challenge? 46:34

12M ago46:34

46:34

In this episode, Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt step onto the data gridiron to test if AI can tackle the complexities of fantasy football data. Rob starts with a Power Query puzzle, full of messy stats, player names, and tricky injury codes—solving it manually in over 30 steps. But can ChatGPT, with Justin’s guidance, run the same play and simplif…

1
Dashboards are Dead! Long Live Dashboards! 15:10

12M ago15:10

15:10

Have you noticed the phrase "Dashboards Are Dead" popping up on LinkedIn? It's catchy, provocative, and designed to grab your attention. But is there any truth to it, or is it just another clickbait strategy? In this episode, Rob Collie dives into the psychology behind these viral statements and why they get under our skin. While dashboards aren’t …

1
A Simple Trick for (Occasionally) Predicting the Future 25:03

12M ago25:03

25:03

In this episode, Rob Collie talks about how anyone can learn to "predict the future"—not with superpowers, but with a normal ability we all have. Rob shares his own stories of seeing big changes coming, like the rise of Power Pivot and the early signs of COVID-19. It’s not about being right all the time, but about recognizing when something big is …

1
Low-Tech Industries and High-Tech AI: a Great Match Explained Through Examples 38:10

1y ago38:10

38:10

In this episode, Rob and Justin explore how AI is making waves not just in tech-heavy industries but in everyday businesses like construction and manufacturing. They talk about how AI tools can help streamline processes, create custom solutions, and make even the most hands-on industries run smoother and more efficiently. They dive into the common …

1
The Power of Data in Real World Industries 32:38

1y ago32:38

32:38

Ever think about how data can solve real-world problems? Rob and Justin are here to break it down! They’re diving into how data analytics is changing the game in industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and construction—where the work is hands-on, and the results matter. From managing logistics to cutting downtime and optimizing inventory, they …

1
Modernizing through Data for Literal Growth with Paul Grissom of PAR 1:13:07

1y ago1:13:07

1:13:07

Think farming and data don’t mix? Think again! In this episode, Paul Grissom from Pacific Ag Rentals (PAR) brings the heat, showing how data is shaking things up in agriculture. From slashing manual work to making on-the-spot decisions with real-time insights, Paul shares how technology is helping PAR not just keep up, but thrive. Whether you're a …

1
A Bathtub of Data Holds an Ocean of Information (plus the Midmarket Paradox and Other News) 27:36

1y ago27:36

27:36

Is the Midmarket Secretly Winning with the Microsoft Data Platform? In this episode, host Rob Collie explores a surprising quirk in how Microsoft's powerful data tools like Power BI and Fabric are being used. It turns out that midsize companies - not big enterprises - are actually getting the most bang for their buck from these game-changing data p…

1
The Power of Empathy & Why Drudge Work is Dying, with Microsoft’s Scott Sewell 1:12:06

1y ago1:12:06

1:12:06

Join us for a down-to-earth chat with Microsoft’s Scott Sewell, a guy who’s seen it all when it comes to the crossroads of tech, business, and just being human. Scott’s got a front-row seat to how empathy—yeah, that often-overlooked human quality—is actually a game-changer in today’s tech-driven world. We talk about why understanding what makes peo…

1
Microsoft Fabric: Early Case Studies and Business Impact 27:47

1y ago27:47

27:47

We're still buzzing with excitement over here at P3 Adaptive about Microsoft Fabric and this week, Rob and Justin take a look at some client use cases. The gist of it? This tool is seriously shaking things up for our clients in the best way possible. The P3 Adaptive team has been playing around with Fabric, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer.…

1
Knowing WHAT Formula You Need is More Important than Knowing HOW to Write It 35:25

1y ago35:25

35:25

Ever feel like everyone's got an opinion on AI these days? Rob and Justin sure do, and in this episode of Raw Data, they're not afraid to call it as they see it. Fresh off Rob's solo deep dive into AI, they sit down to unpack the good, the bad, and the overhyped in the world of artificial intelligence. No jargon, no buzzwords - just straight talk a…

1
The Manufacturing Industry is a Sweet Spot for Power BI and Power Apps, w/Madison Brooks 53:14

1y ago53:14

53:14

Dive into the world of manufacturing where data meets decision-making with Madison Brooks, an expert from P3 Adaptive who brings her chemical engineering and industry experience to the forefront. This episode zeroes in on why the manufacturing sector is the ideal ground for leveraging Power BI and Power Apps, tools that transform raw data into acti…

1
CrowdStrike as the Exception which Proves the Rule 10:12

1y ago10:12

10:12

Today we are coming at you a day early for a timely bonus episode with Rob Collie diving deep into the digital disruption that shook the world: The Great CrowdStrike Hiccup of 2024. Picture this: a day when the antivirus behemoth stumbled, and the digital realm felt the shockwaves, akin to a #VALUE! error in your perfectly tuned DAX formula—but on …

1
My New Clarity and Confidence About AI 46:43

1y ago46:43

46:43

It's time to dive back into the wild world of AI with Rob Collie. Get ready to cut through the hype and uncover the real deal on artificial intelligence. In today’s episode, Rob examines the varied faces of AI, from its potential to revolutionize industries with breakthrough innovations to its ability to streamline our daily activities and make rou…

1
Data from the Outside In, w/ MVP Kristyna Ferris 1:11:08

1y ago1:11:08

1:11:08

This week we're talking with Power BI MVP Kristyna Ferris about flipping the script on how we look at business data. She has some cool ideas about viewing things from the outside that might change how you think about your company's data. Kristyna walks us through her approach, showing how she used Power BI to get a bird's eye view of an organizatio…

1
Is Power BI a Gateway to AI, or Vice Versa? w/ BARC US CEO Shawn Rogers 1:18:10

1y ago1:18:10

1:18:10

Dive into an intriguing exploration with Shawn Rogers, CEO of BARC US, as we delve into whether Power BI is a stepping stone to mastering Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), or if it’s the other way around. This episode isn’t just about technology—it’s a deep dive into the symbiotic relationship between business intelligence too…

1
Finding The Sweet Spot: When Is Your Power BI Model Ready for AI and ML? 45:13

1+ y ago45:13

45:13

Step into the future of data analytics with Rob Collie and Justin Mannhardt in this week's episode. Together, they unravel the critical intersection of Power BI modeling with the advanced capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Machine Learning (ML). Explore what it takes to elevate your data from robust to revolutionary. Rob and J…

1
The Human Side of Data: Using Analytics for Personal Well-being 27:32

1+ y ago27:32

27:32

This week’s Raw Data Podcast features a thoughtful discourse with host Rob Collie, who shares how his expertise in data analytics plays a crucial role far beyond the confines of office walls. Rob discusses the sophisticated data model he has developed to manage the health of a family member, detailing the careful balance of medication, symptoms, an…