The Powered by Data Show

After eight years on WordPress, we tore the whole thing down and rebuilt it ourselves. This is the full tour of the new Data Literacy Learning Academy.We retired the WordPress site we'd run on WP Engine since 2018 and replaced it with a Next.js and Tailwind application built with Claude Code: not just a marketing site, but the learning management system itself. It wasn't a one-weekend build. It took months.Already had an account on the old site? Your badges, completed lessons, and quiz scores all carry over. Just sign up again with the same email address, since passwords don't transfer.WHAT'S NEW• Every course refreshed, and now on a quarterly update cadence. A two-year-old AI course is ancient history, and a one-time rewrite doesn't fix that, but a standing schedule does.• An AI Tutor scoped to the lesson on your screen, an AI Coach that reads your learner profile, and inline definitions for any term you highlight. All in beta, all grounded in every book and course we've written using RAG (retrieval-augmented generation).• Our first fully free course: 21 Key Traits of Data Literacy. Rate yourself on both proficiency and importance, then get a learning roadmap that points at free resources, not just ours.• More coming! Right now, we're playing around with a live SQL sandbox running right in the browser, built on SQLite. I used it to cross-check every query in a client course before we shipped it, something I could never have done on the old site.• New pricing tiers, including a course-only option for people who'd rather skip the AI features entirely.CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome back: a summer spent building0:34 Why we retired the WordPress site after seven years1:00 The new stack: Next.js, Tailwind, and Claude Code1:53 Accounts, badges, and carrying your progress over2:17 Refreshing every course — and a quarterly update cadence3:12 AI in the lessons: inline definitions and the AI tutor4:20 Vectorizing the books and courses with RAG4:48 The AI coach and personalized learning paths5:22 A free course for everyone: 21 Key Traits of Data Literacy6:16 Under the hood: Claude Code, GitHub, Vercel, and Supabase6:56 Demo: an in-browser SQL sandbox for hands-on courses9:35 New pricing tiers and what each one unlocks10:26 Cutting WP Engine and HubSpot out of the stack11:34 Coming next: the Avoiding Data Pitfalls open-source packageLINKSThe new Data Literacy Learning Academy → https://dataliteracy.comEpisode page, show notes, and full transcript → https://poweredbydata.com/podcast/introducing-the-new-data-literacy-learning-academyData Pitfalls Detector → https://poweredbydata.com/tools/data-pitfallsdatapitfalls on GitHub → https://github.com/bjonesdataliteracy/datapitfallsBen Jones on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrjones/Team training and workshops → https://poweredbydata.com/contactThe Powered by Data Show is hosted by Ben Jones, founder of Data Literacy. New episodes on data, AI, and the humans in the middle of it all. Subscribe so you don't miss one.#DataLiteracy #AILiteracy #DataAnalytics #ClaudeCode #NextJS #SQL

Every leader claims to be "data-driven," yet most organizations still can't turn data and AI ambition into operational reality. In this episode of the Powered by Data Show, Ben Jones sits down with Patrick McGarry, Federal Chief Data Officer at ServiceNow, to talk about his new book, The Adaptive Organization: Leading Change in the AI Era.Patrick makes the case that transformation rarely fails because the technology is wrong. It fails because organizations treat a human and systemic challenge as a technology problem. We get into the CATALOG Framework at the heart of his book, why governance is infrastructure rather than overhead, and why the real constraint on AI is the human architecture around it.Ben also presses Patrick on the harder questions: whether governance slows you down in a world where models change weekly, where the "AI frees people up for higher-value work" story breaks down, and what honest leadership looks like when the math on headcount doesn't add up.📘 Pre-order The Adaptive Organization (paperback, hardback, and ebook), available now on Amazon ahead of the June 8th launch: https://www.amazon.com/Adaptive-Organization-Leading-Change-Era/dp/1960907123/Check out Patrick's book site: https://mcgarrycdo.com/In this conversation:00:00 Meet Patrick McGarry and the "accidental" origin of the book03:14 The CATALOG Framework and why transformation is a socio-technical problem05:19 Governance as infrastructure, not overhead: the Deming argument06:52 Does governance slow you down? Addressing the skeptical executive08:39 Building two identities: experimenting fast and scaling responsibly09:33 Governance should scale to consequences, not calendars11:44 The elephant in the room: AI, headcount, and job displacement17:53 The single highest-leverage move a leader can make today19:35 Why adapting once isn't enough, and what "choose to lead" really meansAbout the show:Powered by Data is where Ben Jones hosts candid conversations with data leaders, practitioners, and innovators. Each episode digs into the real challenges and practical approaches behind data strategy, BI modernization, AI adoption, and building data-literate organizations, all at the intersection of humans, data, and AI.

The Powered by Data Show, Episode 003In this episode of The Powered by Data Show, Ben Jones sits down with Rachel Herrera of Hex to explore how AI is changing the day-to-day work of data analysts, and why that shift may be better news than many people think. Instead of spending all their time writing repetitive SQL, cleaning messy data, and rebuilding the same dashboards, analysts now have an opportunity to become curators of context, stewards of trust, and stronger storytellers for the business. Ben and Rachel discuss Hex’s vision for AI-first analytics, including Context Studio, Hex's new feature that empowers data teams to manage and continuously improve agent performance over time. They also dig into what analysts should be learning right now to stay relevant: business understanding, discovery skills, judgment, and the ability to communicate clearly with humans. If you’ve been worried about what the future of the data analyst's role, this conversation might just give you some hope!

The Powered by Data Show, Episode 002Ellie Fields helped shape the self-service analytics era at Tableau. Now, as CEO & co-founder of Ridge AI, she’s helping build what comes next. In this episode, Ben Jones and Ellie dig into the big question of whether dashboards are dead, where conversational AI breaks down, and how dashboards plus data agents may work together to create a better analytics experience.

In this episode of The Powered by Data Show, Ben Jones and Alli Torban introduce the podcast’s new name and vision, exploring why the conversation around data has shifted from understanding to action. They discuss what’s holding BI back from its full potential, how AI is changing the way people interact with data, and what listeners can expect from the show going forward, including real-world stories from leaders navigating the intersection of humans, data, and AI.Show notes: https://dataliteracy.com/pbd001/

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) tackle a question they’re hearing everywhere:“Is our data ready for AI — and what does ‘ready’ really mean?”We introduce DF4AI (Data Foundations for AI), which is a practical 10-minute self-assessment that helps organizations understand their AI readiness without chasing perfection.You’ll learn…Why you don’t need perfect data to start getting AI valueThe five key dimensions of readinessHow weak foundations quietly derail AI initiativesIf your team is experimenting with AI (or feeling pressure to), this episode will help you move forward with clarity and avoid costly missteps.Take the free DF4AI self-assessment: https://df4ai.com/See full show notes here: https://dataliteracy.com/season-02-episode-02/

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, Ben Jones and Alli Torban share 12 predictions for data literacy in 2026, based on key lessons from the past year. They explore what leaders should watch for as data and AI become more embedded in everyday work — from the growing importance of measurement and human skills to the evolving role of AI, storytelling, and organizational change.Show notes: https://dataliteracy.com/season-02-episode-01/

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) talk with Neil Richards, an award-winning data visualization expert and former Global Data Fluency Lead at JLL, about what it really takes to build and sustain a data literacy program inside an organization. He’ll share tips on…Securing early wins and leadership buy-inLittle “data moments” to integrate data into the organization cultureRecognizing the shifts that show your program is workingAnd more!Show notes: https://dataliteracy.com/episode-12

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) share a practical framework to help you identify strong AI automation candidates, reduce risk, and keep quality high over time.Topics covered:How to use the Frequency–Complexity Matrix to spot good automation opportunitiesHow to evaluate a task’s exception rate and decide between full or hybrid automationHow to estimate recovery cost so you can start automating safelyThe four categories of Automation Health Metrics every team should monitorWhy humans still play a critical role in trusted automationLinks mentioned:Show notes: https://dataliteracy.com/episode-11Waitlist for our new course Enhancing Your Workflow with AI: https://dataliteracy.com/enhancing-your-workflow-with-ai/

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) share what makes a strong AI strategy and guide you through the first steps to building one for your organization.Topics covered:What an AI strategy is and the seven important parts of a strong AI strategyCommon mistakes organizations makeThe first three practical steps to take when defining your AI strategyLinks mentioned:⁠The Data Literacy Score and the AI Literacy Score⁠Episode show notes: ⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-10

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) share the most common training styles (on-demand, live virtual, in-person, hybrid, cohort-based, and project-based) and the pros and cons of each.Topics covered:Why on-demand training is great for scalability but often needs added accountabilityHow live virtual sessions boost real-time engagement but can be draining if poorly scheduledWhat makes in-person workshops powerful for retention and connection, despite the higher costWhy project-based training is the gold standard for applied results, and when it works bestLinks mentioned:Data Storytelling for IMPACT On-Demand CourseEpisode show notes: http://dataliteracy.com/episode-09

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) share 3 smart chart swaps that instantly improve the clarity and impact of your data graphics. Whether you're presenting to executives or designing reports, these quick swaps help your audience grasp what matters.Topics covered:Why using two pie charts to show change over time is hard to read, and what to try insteadHow small multiples can solve the problems of cluttered stacked bar chartsWhen to swap a bullet chart for a diverging bar chart to better show performance vs. targetLinks mentioned:⁠Level 1: Learning to See Data on-demand course: learn the building blocks of charts, common types, when to use them, and more.Episode show notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-08

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) introduce their newest initiative: Data Freelancers, a vetted marketplace connecting companies with trusted data and AI experts. They share why they built the platform, how it differs from traditional freelance sites, and what companies can expect when hiring top-tier freelance talent for data and AI projects.Topics covered:Why the current freelance platforms don’t work for data projectsHow Data Freelancers vets and curates talentWhat kinds of projects companies can hire forWhat to expect when working with a data freelancerLinks mentioned:Data Freelancers siteSearch through the vetted freelancers/consultantsPost a project requestApply to become a freelancerEpisode show notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-07

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) explore what the best data stories have in common. Drawing from years of experience and the development of their new course, Data Storytelling for IMPACT, they highlight three essential traits that make data stories impactful, memorable, and persuasive.Topics covered:- Three essential traits of all great data stories- Real-world examplesEpisode show notes: ⁠⁠⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-06

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) introduce a structured, tool-agnostic framework for analyzing data: the WISDOM Framework. Created by Ben, this four-phase process—Wonder, Shape, Discover, and Mature—helps you think critically, uncover meaningful insights, and turn those insights into action, no matter what tool you use.Topics covered:Why data analysis needs more structure.An overview of the WISDOM framework: Wonder, Shape, Discover, MatureTips for making better observations, preparing your data, analyzing for significance, and presenting insights that drive decisionsEpisode show notes: ⁠⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-05

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) introduce a smarter, iterative way to build data stories. They share how using small tests at every step of the process—based on the IMPACT framework—can save you time, reduce frustration, and dramatically increase your chances of success.Topics covered:Why data storytelling should be iterative, not linearAn overview of the IMPACT framework: Insight, Message, Plan, Align, Clarify, TestLightweight testing techniques you can use after each step!Episode show notes: ⁠⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-04

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) share the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is a super-simple primer to help you join the AI conversation!Topics we cover:What is AI? Basic definitionsExamples of AI that we use every dayCommon myths or misconceptionsIf you want to learn more about AI Literacy Fundamentals, take our course or read the book!Episode show notes: ⁠http://dataliteracy.com/episode-03

In this episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) explore three essential—but often ignored—traits that separate truly data-savvy professionals from the rest. Topics we cover: Why adaptability is a must-have mindset in today’s fast-changing data landscape How a culture of continuous improvement leads to better data quality and decision-making The AI knowledge gap—why understanding AI systems and capabilities is now essentialBen and Alli share real-world examples of how these traits show up in the workplace, plus insights from the 21 Key Traits of Data & AI Literacy self-assessment.Episode show notes: http://dataliteracy.com/episode-02

How do you know if your data and AI literacy program is actually working?In this inaugural episode of The Data Literacy Show, hosts Ben Jones (CEO of Data Literacy) and Alli Torban (Senior Data Literacy Advocate) tackle one of the most pressing questions for organizations embarking on their data and AI literacy journeys: How do you measure success?Topics we cover: The difference between objective and subjective assessments—and when to use each. How maturity models and progress tracking help you map out and achieve your goals. The three pillars of measurement—quantity, quality, and perception—and practical ways to monitor each.Ben and Alli also share real-world insights from their experience training thousands of people and helping organizations launch their data literacy programs. Ready to measure your team's data and AI literacy? Tune in for key takeaways and details about the re-launch of our Data Literacy Score team-based assessment.Subscribe now to never miss an episode, and let’s make data accessible for everyone!Episode 01 Show Notes: https://dataliteracy.com/episode-01

Welcome to The Data Literacy Show — the podcast that helps organizations build, measure, and level up their data and AI literacy. The show is hosted by Ben Jones, co-founder and CEO of Data Literacy, and Alli Torban, Senior Data Literacy Advocate, and we want to share everything we've learned from years of training thousands of people across industries in data and AI literacy. In each episode, we’ll share actionable tips, resources, and insights to help you strengthen your own data and AI literacy programs. From assessing your team’s knowledge to uncovering key attitudes and behaviors of successful teams, we’ll cover the topics that matter most, including avoiding common pitfalls like ineffective data storytelling. The show is for executives, managers, or those on the learning and development team. We hope you join us! Show Notes: https://dataliteracy.com/data-literacy-show-trailer