Épisodes

  • From Dental Hygiene to Data: How Thais Cooke Built a Career on Curiosity (and SELECT *)

    From Dental Hygiene to Data: How Thais Cooke Built a Career on Curiosity (and SELECT *)
    Jan 19 2026
    In this episode of The Quietly Ambitious Analyst, I sit down with Thais Cooke, a senior healthcare data analyst who brings a decade of clinical experience into data and AI.

    Thais shares her unconventional path from dental hygiene to analytics, how she got hooked the moment she wrote SELECT *, and why the analysts who stand out aren’t just “data-driven”—they’re context-driven.

    You’ll hear a grounded conversation on:
    • Why multitasking feels productive (and why it backfires)

    • How to leverage your industry background when you’re breaking into analytics

    • What “trust” really looks like with stakeholders (and how fast it can collapse)

    • The underrated power of documentation and “building knowledge that lasts.”

    • Why communication makes or breaks data teams—especially when pipelines break

    If you’re an aspiring/early-career analyst or career switcher who wants to communicate with clarity, build credibility, and do work that actually sticks, this one’s for you.Topics:
    • Transitioning from Dental Hygiene to Data Analytics
    • Leveraging Industry Experience in Data Analytics
    • Intuition and Context in Data Analysis
    • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
    • Growth and Development in the Analytics Field
    • The Importance of Communication in Data Analytics
    • The Power of Observation in Communication
    • Building Knowledge That Lasts
    • Documenting Accomplishments for Career Growth
    • The Intersection of Engineering and Analytics
    • Embracing Change and Career Shifts
    • The Importance of Trust and Honesty
    • Effective Communication in Teams
    Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@quietlyambitiousanalyst

    Follow Thais Cooke
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaiscooke/
    Substack: https://substack.com/@thaiscooke

    Quietly Ambitious Analyst
    Weekly emails for new analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz9
    8-Week Data Communication Course: https://bit.ly/4qJ3o2d
    Free Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: https://bit.ly/4sxbixl

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    31 min
  • Systems Thinking: Using Leverage Points to Fix Bottlenecks with Will Stewart

    Systems Thinking: Using Leverage Points to Fix Bottlenecks with Will Stewart
    Jan 12 2026
    If you’re a data analyst (or an ops-minded founder) who keeps getting stuck in “fix the process” mode but suspects the real issue is bigger than a checklist, this episode is for you.

    I’m joined by Will Stewart, founder of Empower Core Solutions, to break down systems thinking in plain language: a process is linear, but a system is a living network of people, tools, feedback loops, and invisible bottlenecks.

    We talk through how to spot the leverage point that actually changes outcomes (instead of polishing the wrong thing), and why “the data is clear” still isn’t enough if the human side isn’t accounted for.

    Will also shares practical ways to diagnose operational chaos, improve decision-making, and communicate change so stakeholders don’t resist it, plus how to build systems that scale without you becoming the bottleneck.

    Topics:
    • The Power of Systems Thinking
    • Understanding Business Systems
    • Human Elements in Systems
    • Responsibility in System Maintenance
    • Feedback Loops and Organizational Culture
    • Understanding Feedback Loops in Business
    • Challenges in System Organization
    • The Human Element in System Changes
    • The Role of Data Analysts in Persuasion
    • Accepting Limitations in Change
    • Mental Models and Resistance to Change
    • Holistic Approach to Systems Thinking
    Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@quietlyambitiousanalyst
    Follow Will Stewart: Website - www.empower-core.com
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhstewart2/

    Quietly Ambitious Analyst
    Weekly emails for new analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz9
    8-Week Data Communication Course: https://bit.ly/4qJ3o2d
    Free Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: https://bit.ly/4sxbixl

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    47 min
  • Data Leadership Coach: Stop Chasing Data Literacy. Build Business Literacy Instead.

    Data Leadership Coach: Stop Chasing Data Literacy. Build Business Literacy Instead.
    Jan 5 2026
    Title: Stop Chasing Data Literacy. Build Business Literacy Instead. (Tristan Burns)

    Weekly Newsletter for Aspiring + Early Career Analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz9

    ​​What if the reason your work isn’t being used… isn’t your analysis?What if it’s the gap between data language and business language, and the uncomfortable truth that data teams are often closer to dashboards than decisions? In this episode, Tristan Burns, data leadership coach and former global head of data for Pizza Hut’s digital business, explains why “data strategy” is often pointless without business strategy, and how leaders can shift their teams from reactive reporting to driving commercial outcomes. We unpack the leadership skills nobody trains you for, the hidden job market and networking “insurance,” and why the most underrated career advantage in analytics isn’t technical…it’s judgment. This one is a must-listen if you’re quietly ambitious and ready to become the person people trust.

    Topics:
    • What you’re getting wrong about “data literacy”
    • What you need instead: business literacy
    • What to do when no one can explain the business strategy
    • How to stop building “data strategy” in a vacuum
    • How to move from service desk to strategic partner
    • What to do when opinions clash with data at scale
    • How to grow faster by borrowing from other industries
    • What you need to stop micromanaging (and start leading)
    • How to treat networking like career insurance
    • What to do if you want to go freelance: sell before you build
    • What to read if you want to level up (Badass Bookshelf)
    Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@quietlyambitiousanalyst

    Follow Tristan Burns: Website - https://bit.ly/3YoCTD4LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4sh1QOi
    Quietly Ambitious Analyst Weekly emails for aspiring analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz98-Week Communication Course: https://bit.ly/4qJ3o2dFree Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: https://bit.ly/4sxbixl

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    50 min
  • The Human Side of Data: Applying the 80/20 Rule to Analytics with Adel Hassen

    The Human Side of Data: Applying the 80/20 Rule to Analytics with Adel Hassen
    Oct 11 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with Adel Hassen, a data scientist who brings humanity and self-awareness to his work.

    Adel shares how he applies the 80/20 rule to take analyses across the finish line, focusing on what truly matters to stakeholders. He also breaks down his three guiding principles–Direction, Action, and Consistency– and how they help analysts find their flow in a fast-moving field.

    If you've ever struggled to balance quality with progress or doubted your pace, this conversation is a gentle reminder that clarity and consistency often matter more than perfection.

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    30 min
  • Insight ≠ Observation: The 3 Steps to Developing Real Insights

    Insight ≠ Observation: The 3 Steps to Developing Real Insights
    Oct 11 2025
    In this solo episode, we're unpacking a simple but powerful truth: observations aren't insights.

    Through a story about a paid search cannibalization discovery, we'll illustrate how easy it is to stop at surface-level data–and what it takes to move beyond that.

    We'll also cover the three steps to developing real insights and how to bring context, reasoning, and connection into your analysis so your findings actually drive action. If you've ever wondered why your reports don't spark decisions, this episode will help you bridge that gap.

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    6 min
  • Medical Sales to Analytics Manager: Mentorship, Advocacy, & Building Influence with Shrestha Maharaj

    Medical Sales to Analytics Manager: Mentorship, Advocacy, & Building Influence with Shrestha Maharaj
    Oct 11 2025
    In this episode, we're talking with Shrestha Maharaj, an Insights & Analytics Manager who transitioned from medical sales into data analytics–and built a thriving career through mentorship, self-advocacy, and influence.

    Shrestha shares how to navigate career pivots with intention, find mentors who truly guide your growth, and build trust in spaces where you might not fit the traditional mold.

    If you've ever questioned your path or felt boxed in by expectations, this conversation will remind you that your unique background can become your greatest advantage.

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    27 min
  • The Analyst Who Asks Better Questions Wins

    The Analyst Who Asks Better Questions Wins
    Oct 11 2025
    In this solo episode, we're discussing why the best analysts think more like detectives than technicians. From asking sharper stakeholder questions to uncovering the story behind the numbers, we're breaking down how curiosity and critical thinking can transform your analysis–and your credibility.

    You'll also hear a real-world story about a campaign that didn't go as planned, and what it taught me about the power of framing questions before diving into data. If you've ever felt pressure to "just run the numbers", this episode will help you slow down and see what really drives insight.

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    9 min
  • Welcome to the Quietly Ambitious Analyst

    Welcome to the Quietly Ambitious Analyst
    Oct 11 2025
    Welcome to The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–a podcast about mastering the invisible skills that make data professionals stand out: business context, communication, and confidence.

    I'm your host, Seth Forbes, a data strategist and educator. Each episode explores the in-between moments and hidden practices that turn analysis into real-world impact–from asking sharper questions to communicating insights that land.

    This season, you'll hear honest conversations with data professionals, creators, and business leaders who are redefining what it means to be analytical in a human-driven world.

    Because being quietly ambitious isn't about staying small–it's about creating meaningful change in your own way.

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    3 min