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The Rock Bottom Data Feed

The Rock Bottom Data Feed

By: John Ladley and Mark Cooper
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Irreverent yet practical data-focused podcast that isn't a pile of technobabble and repetition of old advice. Our audience is EVERYBODY, because everybody is involved with data. Join us, because when you're here, you're at Rock Bottom.© 2024 Counter Threaded Productions Economics
Episodes
  • The Fuss About Sam Spencer
    Jun 23 2026

    In this episode of the Rock Bottom Data Feed, John and Mark go half-way around the world, literally, to bring you Sam Spencer, CEO and co-founder of Aristotle Metadata. Drawing on experiences ranging from nursing to public service to entrepreneurship, Sam advocates for a more assertive approach to governance that emphasizes accountability, ownership, and organizational responsibility. The wide-ranging conversation covers ISO standards, metadata and asset management, and the parallels between data governance and quality improvement in other disciplines.

    Sam caused a bit of a fuss down under with some unflattering observations about government investments in data. You can read about it on his substack.

    We will also hear from the 8-Bit Consultants and drop in on an unusual Data Poetry Slam. If you have a verse or two to share, or a question in 256-characters, write us.

    Be sure to visit DATAVERSITY where you can use discount code ROCK15 to get 15% off your first purchase!!

    • DATAVERSITY Training Center
    • Live Classes
    • Applied Data Governance Certification | DATAVERSITY

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Archedataology from the Future - Part 3 - 1996; 07:26 – Monologue; 10:10 – Sam Spencer Part 1; 39:43 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 41:49 – The 8-Bit Consultants; 42:49 – Data Poetry Slam; 44:00 – Recap & Close

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    46 mins
  • More Fuss About Christy Crute
    Jun 9 2026

    Christy Crute returns to the Rock Bottom Data Feed to discuss the growing importance of data literacy, critical thinking, and human judgment in an AI-enabled world. In addition to being Professor, Business Analytics at Grove City College, Dr. Crute has also been an executive at multiple Fortune 50 companies. In a wide-ranging conversation, she talks about how metrics can motivate employees, foundational skills that still matter, and that while AI is changing entry-level work, it will not replace the need for deep understanding. In fact, intellectual capital and institutional knowledge are more important than ever, perhaps even to the level of competitive differentiators.

    We also hear from the 8-Bit Consultants, play our famous game show, and visit the Data Poetry Slam. As always, if you have a verse to share or question in 256-characters, write us.

    Be sure to visit DATAVERSITY where you can use discount code ROCK15 to get 15% off your first purchase!!

    • DATAVERSITY Training Center
    • Live Classes
    • Applied Data Governance Certification | DATAVERSITY

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Archedataology from the Future – Part 3; 05:21 – Monologue; 07:47 – Christy Crute Part 2; 28:33 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 30:39 – Data Poetry Slam; 31:11 – The 8-Bit Consultants; 32:16 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 34:19 – Recap & Close

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    36 mins
  • The Fuss About Christy Crute
    May 26 2026

    Who is best to educate corporate executives? How about a college professor who was once a corporate executive herself. John and Mark welcome Christy Crute to the Rock Bottom Data Feed. Former executive at multiple Fortune 50 companies; current Professor, Business Analytics at Grove City College. In the first of our two-part conversation, Dr. Crute shares her observations about how AI is shaping education, not by replacing foundational skills, but by elevating critical thinking, curiosity, and judgment. Students still need deep domain understanding even as AI handles more of the mechanics because "reasonableness" may become one of the most important skills of all.

    In this episode we also preview an upcoming guest: Sam Spencer of Aristotle Metadata in Australia. Not to give too much away, but Sam caused a bit of a fuss down under with some unflattering observations about government investments in data.

    As always, if you have a verse or two for the Data Poetry Slam, or question in 256-characters, write us.

    Be sure to visit DATAVERSITY where you can use discount code ROCK15 to get 15% off your first purchase!!

    • DATAVERSITY Training Center
    • Live Classes
    • Applied Data Governance Certification | DATAVERSITY

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Archedataology from the Future - Part 2; 05:58 – Monologue; 08:41 – Christy Crute Part 1; 37:21 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 39:27 – Data Poetry Slam; 40:25 – The 8-Bit Consultants; 42:02 – Recap & Close

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    44 mins
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