Data Wars Podcast

In this episode of Data Wars, Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandramohan sit down with Tiankai Feng, who shares his inspiring journey of blending data, AI, creativity, music, and writing into a unique professional identity. The conversation explores how organizations can move beyond AI hype to focus on real business value, why strong data and AI governance matter more than ever, and how leaders can “follow the pain” to solve meaningful problems. Tiankai also reflects on personal branding, overcoming self-doubt, staying original in an AI-driven world, and why the future belongs to professionals who can bridge technical depth with human-centered thinking.🎧 Watch/Listen Now:▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/0K6y-YpvurM🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/709ream3qQdqfmT593NMuU?si=4t01hqxgQNmaPvj3CrIHvQ🍎 Apple Podcasts:

In this episode of Data Wars, Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandramohan sit down with Vinay Simha, Founder of Strategic Business Networks and a veteran data leader with 25+ years of experience in enterprise transformation. Vinay shares why he walked away from a high-profile corporate career to pursue a mission-driven venture focused on turning data into business value—especially as AI accelerates.The conversation dives into what it really takes to build a data strategy that works, why leaders must start with a clear vision (not tools), and how India’s Aadhaar + UPI ecosystem is a real-world masterclass in trusted identity, master data, and network effects at scale. Vinay also explores the “human side” of leadership—managing anxiety in volatile job markets, embracing humility, and building resilience through self-care, journaling, and mentorship.By the end, you’ll walk away with practical lessons on MDM, governance, data platforms, and leadership mindset—plus Vinay’s North Star: helping struggling organizations become “the best” by building trust in their data.🎧 Watch/Listen Now:▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/t7h_urm_b5k🎵 Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Tl7JW03R00b🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quitting-corporate-comfort-to-build-a-data-first/id1782784746?i=1000751202632

What does it look like to build AI that’s not just powerful—but human? And how do you turn a non-linear life journey into a blueprint others can “fork” and build on?In this kickoff episode of Data Wars, we sit down with Helena (Qiaoshan) Yu, Data & AI leader at EnStream, to unpack the intersection of AI adoption, digital trust, social impact, and community-led change. Helena shares her path from filmmaking dreams to math and business, how a life-altering accident reshaped her worldview, and why she believes data + story + technology must work together to create meaningful outcomes.We also dive into what it takes to deploy AI responsibly in regulated environments, how bias shows up both in systems and workplaces, and why the future of AI must include the people most affected as co-designers—not just end users. The conversation culminates in a powerful framing: live an “open-source life”—so others can learn from it, remix it, and create something even better.In this episode, we cover:1. Helena’s non-linear journey: film, psychology, math/business, and purpose-driven AI leadership2. The pivotal moment: Microsoft’s AI for Good and “data as a tool for social impact”3. Balancing innovation with trust in banks/insurance: privacy minimization, fairness, and human-centered design4. Ethical AI in practice: discrimination risk, uneven model performance across groups, and responsible feature engineering5. Microaggressions, systemic bias, and the role of allies—especially for women and people of color in tech6. Mentorship lessons: start with the “why,” build your support squad, and stop weaponizing perfectionism7. Climate Resilient Communities: why “parachuting in” doesn’t work—and what community-led data storytelling looks like8. The future of AI: redistributing power through community-led governance and inclusive decision-making9. Helena’s core message: your differences aren’t obstacles—they’re unique advantagesConnect with Helena: Website: helena-yu.ca LinkedIn: Search Qiaoshan (Helena) Yu🎧 Watch/Listen Now:▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/NKdQX0bQzdI🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UyTNRfxA8BQHbLV8t2kRF?si=c_ZSbUHHQe6HvF8FDBemIA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-centered-ai-trust-doing-tech-for-good-insights/id1782784746?i=1000749098820

What does it really take to build companies—again and again—when the highs are euphoric and the lows hit hard?In this episode of Data Wars, we sit down with Andy Elwood, Founder & CEO of Stretch, a shopping intelligence platform reimagining grocery shopping by putting shoppers first. Andy shares hard-earned lessons from scaling Gowalla in the early App Store days (including a Disney partnership that landed them on the New York Times tech front page) to navigating privacy blowback (hello, pleaserobme.com) and ultimately being acquired by Meta (Facebook, pre-IPO).We also go deep on what Andy is building now with Stretch—why grocery pricing transparency matters, why this is a “painkiller” problem, and how AI + collective intent can shift power back to consumers.In this episode, we cover:The mindset of repeat founders: expectations, incentives, and resilienceBuilding teams: why problem-obsession beats “can do the work”“Borrowing audiences” and letting partners take the credit (Disney case study)Why groceries lack a true “source of truth” (like Zillow, Kayak, GasBuddy)Stretch’s 20% savings promise and the intelligence behind itThe data/engineering challenge: retailer-agnostic catalogs, product equivalency, personalizationRetail incentives, pre-purchase intent, and reducing food wasteThe future: shopper-side agents vs retailer-side agents (and why it matters)Andy’s advice when the PTSD kicks in: “You already have what you need.”Connect with Andy:Email: [email protected]: stretchformore.comSocial: @AndyElwood🎧 Watch/Listen Now:▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/HEkkCIb6VJs🎵 Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/YHACR0JRvZb🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-shopping-intelligence-insights-from-andy-elwood/id1782784746?i=1000743192369

What if most of your AI insights are pointing you in the wrong direction?In this episode of Data Wars, we sit down with Mark Stouse, CEO of Proof Causal AI, to unpack why traditional predictive and correlational AI falls short in today’s volatile business environment — and why causal AI is emerging as the real decision-making engine for executives.Mark brings a rare perspective, having served as CEO, CFO, CRO, and CMO, and explains how causal inference helps leaders answer the questions that actually matter:1. What actions truly drive outcomes?2. Where is risk hiding in plain sight?3. Why are 50%+ of go-to-market investments ineffective?We dive into: 1. The difference between predictive AI vs causal AI2. Why CFOs and CMOs often talk past each other on “forecasting”3. How causal AI acts like a Business GPS, constantly recalibrating decisions4. The role of FASB & MASB compliance in AI-driven financial accountability5. Building trust in data using explainable models and synthetic data6. Why humility, timing, and risk-adjusted thinking define great leadershipIf you’re a business leader, data professional, AI practitioner, or investor, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about AI, forecasting, and decision-making.📘 Bonus: Mark also shares insights from his upcoming book “Business GPS”, exploring how causal AI is shaping the future of enterprise strategy.🎧 Watch/Listen Now:▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/hCeDke-8xVY🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/67fjZiSQYpvZbZBhm2Rjwu?si=OcIYNblwSZ6IZq9_IXbrXA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/causal-ai-explained-why-correlation-fails-risk-wins/id1782784746?i=1000741540417

In this episode of Data Wars Podcast, hosts Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandramohan sit down with a very special guest — Dan Everett, a widely respected data leader, marketer, and author of The Techno-Optimist. With 25+ years in data & analytics and a unique journey shaped by neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and personal life experiences, Dan brings a perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.🎯 What we cover:Why organizations STILL fail to show measurable ROI on data & AI investmentsHow cognitive biases (anchoring, status quo, confirmation bias) silently derail transformationsWhy data teams must shift from tech-first to business-outcome–firstThe power of technical storytelling in selling ideas to executivesWhy AI is NOT a magic wand — and what it actually takes to build valueRethinking agents, orchestration, and the future of AI-driven decision systemsThe real dangers of overautomation and losing domain expertiseWhat “technology for good” really means in a world fueled by GenAI🔥 Top takeaways:Stop measuring activity. Start measuring value.Challenge your legacy mental models.Treat AI as a decision system, not the destination.If you care about data leadership, AI adoption, organizational transformation, or simply want to understand why companies struggle despite billions invested — this episode is a must-watch.🎧 Watch/Listen Now:▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ze8DgnO3bOQ🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2puYcZswdNMpXmLuTK2KLc?si=ItP7tMyETh-ffFemOBgbLg🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-ai-roi-fails-how-cognitive-biases-sabotage-data/id1782784746?i=1000739299615If you’re in data leadership, governance, AI, or transformation — this episode will change how you think.#DataWarsPodcast #AI #DataStrategy #CognitiveBias #AnalyticsLeadership #DataGovernance #AIAdoption #TechnoOptimist #RedPicoConsulting

In this episode of Data Wars, hosts Prash Chandramohan and Ash Srivastava sit down with Rudy Ionides— a Senior Data Leader at Walmart with a remarkable journey from Software Engineering to Enterprise Data Strategy.Rudy breaks down 20+ years of deep experience across RBC, TD, healthcare, and retail — sharing practical, real-world insights that every data leader, engineer, and strategist needs to hear.⭐ What you’ll learn in this episode:How Rudy navigated a career from Developer → Dev Manager → Senior Data LeaderWhy cloud migration fails without culture, governance & literacyThe real mindset shift required to move from on-prem to cloudHow to build high-performance data teams using autonomy & recognitionWhy governance is NOT boring — and how to make it a business growth engineWhat regulated industries taught Rudy about data quality, lineage & controlsThe role of analytics CoEs, MVP thinking & operationalizing data productsHow to influence executives and build org-wide data cultureHis honest take on careers, networking, and breaking into new industries🔥 Key themesData governance, AI readiness, data literacy, cloud transformation, leadership, enterprise analytics, customer 360, financial services, privacy, efficiency, and high-impact delivery.🎧 Listen On: YouTube → https://youtu.be/pks09SubT3USpotify → https://open.spotify.com/episode/54uOrSS62LwS9uC74koZi2?si=cTBnAYSUQnCKB4QSte2OIQApple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-leadership-that-works-rudy-ionides-on-governance/id1782784746?i=1000737147699👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. New episodes every week!👉 Follow Data Wars Podcast for conversations with top data & AI leaders from the world’s biggest organizations.

In this episode of Data Wars, hosts Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandramohan sit down with Jeremy de Freitas, Account Executive at Infoverity and long-time Product Information Management (PIM) expert — to explore how AI is reshaping product data, creativity, and customer experience.From automating product descriptions to generating contextual marketing copy, Jeremy shares how AI is transforming industries like retail and grocery while raising deep questions about trust, empathy, and the “human element” in an increasingly automated world.🎶 Jeremy also opens up about his love for music, creative inspiration, and how AI is changing the future of music composition and storytelling.👉 Topics Covered:1. The evolution of PIM and its role in the AI era2. How AI can automate yet preserve creativity and empathy3. The “human connection” in customer experience4. AI regulation, trust, and the emerging secondary markets5. Balancing innovation and human authenticity in business6. Real-world AI use cases in grocery and retail📍 Guest: Jeremy DeFritas – Account Executive, Infoverity🎙️ Hosts: Ash Srivastava & Prash Chandramohan🎧 Available on:🔹 YouTube: https://youtu.be/VK787IpKhYg🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mtT33nRQNrXPFZvLF4MUs?si=Z9EcEAF_S3-MdEHpYpbHvw

In this episode of Data Wars, hosts Prashandra Moan and Ash Srivastava sit down with Dharma Kuttenoor, a seasoned data and AI strategist with over two decades of leadership in data management, analytics, and product marketing — including his time as VP at Informatica and Cisco.Together, they unpack:The evolving role of the data layer in the age of Generative and Agentic AIWhy trusted, contextual, and governed data is the new competitive advantageHow semantic layers, knowledge graphs, and vector databases are transforming the enterprise data landscapeThe future of data governance, orchestration, and AI-driven workflowsWhat new skills and mindsets data professionals need to stay relevant in the AI era👉 Listen now to learn how enterprises can bridge the gap between data management and AI innovation — and why the trusted data foundation is more critical than ever.🎧 Available on:🔹 YouTube: https://youtu.be/vqv4r9XEEsE#DataWars #GenerativeAI #DataGovernance #DataManagement #AgenticAI #SemanticLayer #Podcast #AITrends2025

In this episode of Data Wars, hosts Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandra Mohan sit down with Jagan Srinivasan, an industry veteran with 25+ years of experience across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and finance — to decode how Agentic AI, data governance, and automation are reshaping modern enterprises.Jagan shares his real-world story of transforming a 500-ticket JIRA backlog into an AI-driven workflow using ChatGPT, Python, and prompt engineering — long before Agentic AI became a buzzword.We dive deep into:🚀 How to automate business processes using ChatGPT & OpenAI APIs🧠 The evolution from traditional data systems to vector and multimodal data models🏗️ Why data quality and governance are still the foundation for successful AI👨‍💻 The CIO’s biggest challenge: Moving from AI proof-of-concept to production🎓 How students and professionals can future-proof their careers in the AI era⚙️ Tools and technologies Jagan uses (ChatGPT, LangChain, Hugging Face, Python, C++)This conversation is packed with insights on AI transformation, data modernization, and real-world agentic architectures — a must-watch for data leaders, CIOs, engineers, and AI enthusiasts.🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/

In this episode, hosts Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandramohan sit down with Tejasvi Adigada — an enterprise architect, data strategist, and privacy officer with 17+ years of experience driving data transformation across the US, UK, India, Australia, and Vietnam.🎙️ Tejasvi shares his incredible journey from technology engineering to becoming a leading voice in data governance, AI governance, and cloud modernization. Together, we explore the evolution of global data strategies, challenges across different geographies, and the future of responsible AI adoption.🛡️ Learn how quality data fuels better AI, how privacy frameworks are evolving globally, and what it takes to build a modern, scalable data strategy in today’s fast-changing world.Listen to our podcast on:🎧Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hbwZqdw9yghczLMUDaLBB?si=6867d3b425b1434f🎧Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-wars-podcast/id1782784746📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video. Subscribe for more engaging conversations about data, AI, and business transformation.🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/

In this episode, Ash Srivastava and Prash Chandramohan sit down with David Corrigan, a data management and analytics veteran with over 25 years of experience across startups, high-growth companies, and multinational enterprises.📢 What’s Inside This Episode?💡 How AI, data, and analytics work together to drive business outcomes💡 Why AI hallucination is a data and governance problem💡 The evolution of Master Data Management (MDM) and why monolithic systems must be broken into modular services💡 2025 trends in data modernization, cloud migration, and AI-driven insights💡 How organizations can integrate operational and analytical data for better decision-makingDavid brings a wealth of knowledge on data governance, privacy, and analytics, sharing actionable insights that help organizations stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.Connect with David Corrigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrigan-david/Listen to our podcast on:🎧Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hbwZqdw9yghczLMUDaLBB?si=6867d3b425b1434f🎧Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-wars-podcast/id1782784746📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video. Subscribe for more engaging conversations about data, AI, and business transformation.🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/

In this episode, Ash and Prash are joined by Kevin Bennett, VP of Marketing Operations & Analytics at Informatica, a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in driving growth, pipeline, and operational excellence. Kevin shares his expertise on modern marketing, AI's transformative role, and creating customer-centric strategies that lead to sustainable business growth.Kevin discusses his journey from sales to marketing operations, emphasizing the importance of aligning people, processes, and technology to achieve long-term success. From setting a vision for modern marketing teams to navigating the evolution of B2B strategies, Kevin provides actionable insights to help organizations stay ahead in today’s dynamic landscape.Key highlights include:Setting the vision and execution plan for modern marketing teams.B2B marketing’s maturity journey: LoB vs. IT Ops and lifecycle management.AI as a game-changer in marketing operations and analytics.Empowering customers to make outcome-driven decisions.Discover how Kevin’s leadership style, shaped by empathy and innovation, is redefining marketing strategies at Informatica.Connect with Kevin Bennett through his email [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bennett-83a374/Listen to our podcast on:🎧Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hbwZqdw9yghczLMUDaLBB?si=6867d3b425b1434f🎧Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-wars-podcast/id1782784746📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video. Subscribe for more engaging conversations about data, AI, and business transformation.🔔 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/

In this episode, Ash and Prash are thrilled to be joined by Harro Wiersma, a distinguished thought leader with over 25 years of experience in data governance, master data management, and data strategy. Harro has been at the forefront of helping organizations—from small businesses to global enterprises—navigate the complexities of data management, making him the perfect guest to discuss how to enable a successful data governance strategy. Harro dives deep into simplifying data governance, sharing his approach to turning this often-daunting topic into an actionable framework that organizations can adopt. Whether modernizing your SAP ERP system or empowering your team to take ownership of data quality, this episode is packed with real-world examples, best practices, and actionable advice.Key highlights include democratizing data governance, navigating ERP modernization, building sustainable governance structures, and avoiding common pitfalls. This episode is a must-listener if you want to elevate your data governance and transform how your organization handles data.Connect with Harro on his email address [email protected]. You can also reach out to him on LinkedIn for more insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmwiersma/Listen to our podcast on:🎧Youtube: https://youtu.be/Y4NRoN-0xYA🎧Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-wars-podcast/id1782784746🎙️ Subscribe now and join us for an epic journey into the universe of data!🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and share with your network. Let’s spark the ultimate data conversation!

Get ready to be inspired by AI's limitless potential in our latest episode of Data Wars!Join hosts Ash and Prash as they sit down with the brilliant Taj Sarin, a leading AI consultant with a decade of experience revolutionizing industries through AI and data products. With an impressive background that includes stints at NASA and the US Army, Taj is a tech visionary and a master at translating cutting-edge AI into real-world business solutions.In this power-packed episode, we explore everything from AI's transformative role in health tech and workflow optimization to the exciting future of large language models. Taj shares insider stories, practical tips, and his expert take on how companies can leverage AI to drive growth, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge.Wondering how AI can bridge the gap between technology and business impact? Or how to kickstart your own AI initiatives for tangible results? Taj has got you covered! This is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead in the AI revolution and explore the art of what's possible with AI today and tomorrow.Don't miss out! Connect with Taj on LinkedIn for more insights. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajsarin/Listen to our podcast on:🎧Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hbwZqdw9yghczLMUDaLBB?si=6867d3b425b1434f🎧Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-wars-podcast/id1782784746🎙️ Subscribe now and join us for an epic journey into the universe of data!🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and share with your network. Let’s spark the ultimate data conversation!

Join hosts Ash and Prash for an exciting podcast featuring the dynamic Kranthi Kalagar, a visionary leader in the world of data products! In this episode, Kranthi takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of data products, breaking down what truly sets them apart from traditional data tools and services. Discover how organizations can leverage data products to drive business value, enhance decision-making, and gain an industry competitive edge.Kranthi shares practical insights on how to kickstart data product implementations, including key considerations, best practices, and overcoming common challenges. He also reveals the essential team skills required to make data products successful. Tune in to hear compelling case studies that showcase real-world transformations powered by data products, along with Kranthi's take on emerging trends that every organization should watch out for.Whether you're a data enthusiast, business leader, or just curious about the future of data, this episode is packed with actionable advice and expert knowledge you will want to take advantage of!Don't forget to connect with Kranthi on LinkedIn for more insights. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkalagara22/Listen to our podcast on:🎧Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2hbwZqdw9yghczLMUDaLBB?si=6867d3b425b1434f🎧Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-wars-podcast/id1782784746🎙️ Subscribe now and join us for an epic journey into the universe of data!🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and share with your network. Let’s spark the ultimate data conversation!

🔥 Welcome to Data Wars! 🔥In this premier episode, join Ash Srivatsava and Prash Chandramohan as they kick off a groundbreaking podcast designed for data enthusiasts, professionals, and curious minds.In this episode, we explore:💬 The fiercest debates in the data-driven world🚀 The latest trends and innovations in data science, AI, and big data⚖️ Ethical dilemmas shaping the future of dataGet ready for expert insights, thought-provoking discussions, and powerful strategies that will challenge how you think about the role of data in today’s competitive landscape.🎙️ Subscribe now and join us for an epic journey into the universe of data!🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/datawarspodcast/📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and share with your network. Let’s spark the ultimate data conversation!