Data Hurdles is a podcast that brings the stories of data professionals to life, showcasing the challenges, triumphs, and insights from those shaping the future of data. Hosted by Michael Burke and Chris Detzel, this podcast dives into the real-world experiences of data experts as they navigate topics like data quality, security, AI, data literacy, and machine learning.
Each episode features guest data professionals who share their journeys, lessons learned, and the impact of data on industries, technology, and society. From overcoming obstacles in data pipelines to implementing groundbreaking AI solutions, Data Hurdles highlights the human side of data and the stories behind the innovations that are transforming the world. Join us to hear firsthand accounts of how data professionals are solving complex problems and driving the future of technology.
The Leadership Health Crisis: Rich Williams, Senior VP at Hexaware Technologies, Shares His Wake-Up Call
In this compelling episode of Data Hurdles, hosts Chris Detzel and Michael Burke sit down with Rich Williams, Senior VP and Head of Data Partnerships and Strategy at Hexaware Technologies. Rich shares his remarkable health transformation journey, from weighing 280 pounds and facing life-threatening medical complications to losing over 100 pounds and completely reinventing his approach to wellness.
Rich candidly discusses his wake-up call—a serious medical emergency involving gallstone pancreatitis that left him contemplating mortality on a hospital bed. This pivotal moment led him to make the bold decision to step away from his high-powered career for 15 months to focus exclusively on his health.
Throughout the conversation, Rich offers valuable insights on how high-stress leadership roles in data and consulting can silently erode health through demanding schedules, workplace food culture, and constant pressure. He breaks down his comprehensive approach to wellness into four key components: food, body, mind, and sleep, sharing practical strategies that helped him succeed where previous attempts had failed.
The episode explores how Rich completely reframed his identity, treating his health transformation as a "Project Me" with the same strategic approach he would use for client work. Listeners will gain actionable advice on developing sustainable healthy habits, overcoming setbacks, and prioritizing self-care as the foundation for leadership success rather than an afterthought.
14 Apr 2025
Vital Industries Transformed: Inside Fusable's Data Strategy with Chief Data Officer, Matthew Cox
In this revealing episode of "Data Hurdles," hosts Chris Detzel and Michael Burke interview Matthew Cox, Chief Data Officer at Fusable, about his journey transforming data strategies across traditionally underserved industries.
Matthew shares his unique position overseeing product, data, engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and professional services at Fusable - a company created from multiple acquisitions to deliver vital data services to agriculture, construction, and trucking industries. The conversation explores how these essential sectors, often overlooked in data innovation, are being revolutionized through connected data strategies.
Listeners will gain insights into Matthew's vision for building customer trust through data quality, his excitement about agentic AI's practical applications, and how Fusable creates value by meeting customers at their "moment of truth" when decisions are made. The episode highlights the progression from data-driven to insight-driven decision making and reveals how Matthew's experience at Google informs his approach to democratizing advanced data capabilities across industries that form the backbone of our economy.
A must-listen for data leaders looking to connect traditional business models with cutting-edge data strategies and AI applications.
7 Apr 2025
Enterprise Data Observability and the Future of Agentic AI with Ramon Chen, Chief Product Officer at Acceldata
In this thought-provoking episode of Data Hurdles, hosts Chris Detzel and Michael Burke welcome back Ramon Chen, Chief Product Officer at Acceldata, for an insightful discussion on the rapidly evolving world of enterprise data observability and agentic AI.
Ramon shares how data observability has evolved from an emerging concept to a "full-blown tidal wave" in the industry, now widely recognized as a crucial component of data management that ensures proactive data quality and trustworthiness throughout the data supply chain. The conversation explores how data observability functions as a set of policies and rules that monitor data quality from inception, providing data engineers with timely alerts to resolve issues before they affect business users' reports or downstream AI applications.
The episode dives deep into Acceldata's recent announcement of "Agentic AI data management" - a paradigm shift that applies AI agents to data management in a way similar to their application in customer support and sales. Ramon explains how this approach offers a chat-like interface that adapts to the user's role and intent, providing personalized insights and recommendations about data quality and reliability.
The hosts and Ramon also discuss broader implications of AI advancement, including the changing nature of technical roles, the balance between automation and human oversight, and the emergence of AI observability as a natural extension of data observability. Ramon highlights the upcoming "Autonomous 25" conference on May 20th in San Francisco, where industry leaders will explore agentic AI and its impact on data management.
This episode offers valuable insights for data professionals navigating the intersection of AI and data management in an era of unprecedented technological change.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
10,034
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 76 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
96
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
68
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