The Quietly Ambitious Analyst – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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The Quietly Ambitious Analyst

Seth Forbes

Business

Technology

Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 22

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst is a podcast about mastering the invisible skills that make data professionals stand out–business context, communication, and confidence.

Hosted by Seth Forbes, a data strategist and educator, the show explores what it really takes to influence with data.

Through solo episodes and honest conversations with analysts, creators, and industry professionals, we delve into the in-between moments and hidden practices that create real impact – from asking sharper questions to framing insights that drive decisions.

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Apple

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - careers
13/08/2026
#75
🇨🇦 Canada - careers
24/02/2026
#57
🇨🇦 Canada - careers
12/02/2026
#98
🇨🇦 Canada - careers
25/11/2025
#52
🇩🇪 Germany - careers
24/11/2025
#94

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

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https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
15 shares
https://substack.com/@thaiscooke
2 shares
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.empower-2Dcore.com&amp
1 share

https://www.youtube.com/@quietlyambitiousanalyst
5 shares
https://www.youtube.com/kaifengHumanizing
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 73%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Welcome to the Quietly Ambitious Analyst

Season 1 · Episode 1

Saturday, October 11, 2025 • Duration 03:16

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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The Analyst Who Asks Better Questions Wins

Season 1 · Episode 2

Saturday, October 11, 2025 • Duration 08:46

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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Medical Sales to Analytics Manager: Mentorship, Advocacy, & Building Influence with Shrestha Maharaj

Season 1 · Episode 3

Saturday, October 11, 2025 • Duration 27:00

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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Insight ≠ Observation: The 3 Steps to Developing Real Insights

Season 1 · Episode 4

Saturday, October 11, 2025 • Duration 06:12

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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The Human Side of Data: Applying the 80/20 Rule to Analytics with Adel Hassen

Season 1 · Episode 5

Saturday, October 11, 2025 • Duration 29:33

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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The 5 C's Framework: How to Humanize Your Data Strategy (ft. Tiankai Feng)

Season 2 · Episode 6

Monday, February 9, 2026 • Duration 34:37

Learn the 5 C's framework for humanizing data strategy with Tiankai Feng.
Discover why most data projects fail and how to fix the human factors.

Topics:

Introduction
Humanizing Data: The Human Factor
Tiankai's Journey: From Marketing to Data Leadership
Cultural Background and Inclusivity in Data
First C
Second C
Analyst-Stakeholder Scenarios
Data Ikigai Framework
Third C:
Fourth C
Data Music Performance
Fifth C
Tiankai's Takeaway

Follow Tiankai Feng:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiankaifeng/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kaifengHumanizing
AI Strategy: https://www.amazon.com/Humanizing-AI-Strategy-Leading-Sense-ebook/dp/B0FLVW3ZWH/

Quietly Ambitious AnalystWeekly emails for new analysts:

https://bit.ly/4pjUoz98-Week Data 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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Data Leadership Coach: Stop Chasing Data Literacy. Build Business Literacy Instead.

Season 2 · Episode 1

Monday, January 5, 2026 • Duration 49:37

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/4sxbixlThe Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter

Systems Thinking: Using Leverage Points to Fix Bottlenecks with Will Stewart

Season 2 · Episode 2

Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 46:47

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.comLinkedIn - Quietly Ambitious Analyst Weekly emails for new analysts: 8-Week Data Communication Course: Free Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter

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

Season 2 · Episode 3

Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 31:20

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: Quietly Ambitious AnalystWeekly emails for new analysts: 8-Week Data Communication Course: Free Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter

How to communicate your insights like a senior analyst (3 C's Framework)

Season 2 · Episode 4

Monday, January 26, 2026 • Duration 09:53

Weekly insights to improve your communication skills as an early career analyst → https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter

These 3 simple communication skills are beginner-friendly and can be easily applied the next time you go to share an insight with stakeholders. I am constantly using these!

Topics
Intro to Communication in Data Analytics
Why Comm Skills Are Needed in the Analytics Field
The First C: Clarity
The Second C: Conciseness
The Third C: Being Concrete

→ Improve your communication skills and become the strategic voice in the room. Weekly insights: https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter

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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The Quietly Ambitious Analyst – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other3

Youtube2

LinkedIn5

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other3

Youtube2

LinkedIn5