Drinks ’N Data

Hosted by Shawn Helwig, Tony Dahlager

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Drinks 'n Data is a weekly podcast where you will hear expertly crafted conversation that entertains and informs. If you are a "data leader" who wants real-world wisdom about how to successfully use data to improve your organization, this is the podcast for you. Each episode will include a segment discussing a "drink" topic and a segment discussing a "data topic". Shawn & Kanon keep the conversation fun, interesting and informative. Sometimes we will have a guest join the podcast to make things even more interesting. Give it a listen today! drinksndata.com

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34 recent

October 29, 20251 hr 21 min

Episode 33: Data Strategy Best Practices & Coffee Talk (ft. John Swift)

The guys welcome John Swift to the podcast to talk data strategy. They caffeinate the conversation with a lively discussion about coffee! Drinks Sponsor: Black Rifle Coffee Company Data Sponsor: Analytics TO WIN® Drink Mentions: www.kaladicoffee.com Other Mentions: 1) https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfo/ 2) https://adsspot.me/media/tv-commercials/kpmg-school-bus-a3b89e85952b DnD Proverb: Sometimes Filtering is Required

October 2, 20251 hr 18 min

Episode 32: Are Dashboards Really Dead? & Vintage Cocktails

Shawn & Tony weigh in on the popular debate about whether or not dashboards are truly dead. The episode kicks off with a rundown of 15 vintage cocktails. Drink & Data Sponsor: assessIT.io Drink Mentions: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/vintage-drinks/ Data Mentions: Thoughtspot DnD Proverb: Vintage has it's Merits

August 8, 20251 hr 6 min

Episode 31: Data Project Pitfalls, Recent Recommendations & a "Host" of Changes (ft. Tony Dahlager)

The DnD Team is back from a summer break with a "host" of changes, including a new co-host! The guys discuss data project pitfalls and offer some recent drink recommendations. Drink Sponsor: MGFAA.com - Madison Group Fine Arts Appraisal Data Sponsor: assessIT.io Drink Mentions: Diet Coke; Hillsboro Brewing Leaping Lemur Spending More isn't Always Better

May 21, 202541 min

Episode 30: Qlik Connect 2025 Recap with Brian Booden from The Data Mix (ft. Brian Booden)

The guys put a wrap on Qlik Connect 2025 by chatting with Brian Booden from The Data Mix about key takeaways from this year's event. They kick off the episode with another tequila taste test. Drinks Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Data Sponsor: Qlik Drink Mentions: Patron Anejo Don Julio Anejo Milagro Anejo Other Mentions: The Data Mix Podcast Data Mentions: Qlik DnD Proverb: Drinks 'n Data: Both are Better with Cheese

May 18, 20251 hr 9 min

Episode 29: Data Strategy: The glue that joins AI analytics with effective data management & finally, a tequila taste test! (ft. Nick Magnuson & Sam Pierson)

Shawn & Kanon sit down with Qlik's Nick Magnuson and Sam Pierson at Qlik Connect to discuss how a data strategy serves as the glue that joins AI-driven analytics with effective data management. The episode begins with a fabulous blind tequila taste test. Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Drink Mentions: Patron Anejo Don Julio Anejo Milagro Anejo Data Mentions: Qlick DnD Proverb: Drinks 'n Data: Different can be Better

May 15, 20251 hr 12 min

Episode 28: From Millions to Billions: A Data Success Story (ft. Robin Sarkar)

Robin Sarkar from Enstall Group joins the DnD guys in-person at Qlik Connect 2025 to share his story about using data to help grow the company from millions to billions. The insight from this episode will help any organization with their data-related efforts. Drink Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Data Sponsor: Qlik Connect 2025 Drink Mentions: Disney's Resort Blend Coffee Bloody Mary's Data Mentions: Qlik DnD Proverb: Drinks 'n Data: Sometimes the Bad can be Made Good

May 9, 20251 hr 7 min

Episode 27: The Truth about Data Governance & Dutch Delights (ft. Jonathan Clarke)

Shawn welcomes special guest Jonathan Clarke, COO at assessIT.io to the show for a candid chat about the truth of Data Governance. For the drinks segment, they serve up some insights into the Dutch drinking culture! Drink Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Data Sponsor: Qlik Connect 2025 Drink Mentions: Borrel = A Dutch term for an afternoon drink or informal social drink gathering Dale's NA Pils - from Oskar Blues Brewery Other Mentions: assessIT.io - Take Assessments. Get Results. Data Mentions: assessIT.io Qlik Data Catalog Collibra Purview DND Proverb: Drinks 'n Data: Governance Mitigates Chaos

April 16, 20251 hr 12 min

Episode 26: Does AI for Analytics Really Work? & Bourbon Trail Tips (ft. Brendan Grady)

Shawn & Kanon welcome back Brendan Grady, the leader of Qlik's Analytic's business, to chat about the state of AI in the world of Analytics…what is working well and what can be done better. In the drinks segment they share tips for planning your own Bourbon Trail Trip. Drinks Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Data Sponsor: Qlik Connect 2025 Spiritless Kentucky 74 Bourbon Whiskey Gran Gala Liqueur Drinks 'n Data: Artificial Enhancements can make them Better

April 2, 20251 hr 9 min

Episode 25: Managing Data Quality Debt & Conference Cocktail Stories (ft. Drew Clarke)

The guys welcome Drew Clarke, General Manager of Data Solutions at Qlik, to the show for a lively discussion about data quality debt…truly, it was lively. They kick off the episode with memories of past business meetings involving spirits. Drinks Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Data Sponsor: Qlik Connect 2025 Drinks Mentioned: Glenfiddich 12 yr scotch Florida Man Douoble IPS - Cigar City Brewing Ridge East Bench Zinfandel Data Mentioned: Qlik Talend DND Proverb: Drinks 'n Data: Both Can Put you in Debt

March 29, 20251 hr 17 min

Episode 24: Data Engineering Shortcuts & Value Spirits

Is it worth it to take shortcuts with your data engineering efforts? Shawn and Kanon review the advantages and disadvantages. For the drinks segment, they recommend some great value spirits to help stretch your dollars in uncertain times. Drink Sponsor: Qlik Connect Conference www.qlikconnect.com Data Sponsor: Qlik Connect 2025 Drinks Mentions: 1. Glenlivet 12 yr Scotch 2. Glenmorangie 10 yr Scotch 3. Erin 10yr Scotch 4. Laphroig 10 yr Scotch - earthy, peet forward 5. Johnnie Walker Black Scotch 6. Compass Box Whiskey 7. Four Roses Bourbon 8. Bardstown Bourbon 9. San Matias Legado Blanco Tequila 10. Kirkland Blanco Tequila 11. Altos Blanco Tequila Data Mentions: Stitch by Qlik ( ⁠www.stitchdata.com⁠ ) Improvado Databricks Snowflake DND Proverb: Drinks 'n Data: Shortcuts can be Dangerous