Between Data & Risk
Between Data and Risk is for founders who are actually building something. After nearly 50 episodes on data, risk, and business ops with corporate leaders, we shifted focus—because the stories that stuck weren’t about scale. They were about the early days, when everything’s uncertain and nothing works yet. Now we talk to founders making real decisions with limited info, tight time, and no safety net. The problems vary, but the terrain is shared: shipping too early, hiring too safe, trusting your gut and hoping you’re right. Your hosts: Artur Guja, ex-CRO and ex-trader who navigated 2008 with gains. Dr. Marian Siwiak, scientist, data whisperer, author of Data Mesh in Action, and creator of artificial sentience. Together, they wrote Starting Data Analytics with ChatGPT. And they still enjoy what matters most: talking to founders figuring it out as they go. Subscribe if you want to learn what works (and what doesn’t) from people who’ve lived it.
Episodes
Why do the smartest people in the room never get hired — and what does AI have to do with it?
In this episode of Between Data and Risk, Dr. Marian Siwiak sits down with Paul Forrest — investor, CAIO, board advisor, and TEDx speaker — to explore how creativity, chaos, and AI collide in the boardroom.
We talk about:
– Why “Mad Mavericks” are critical for innovation (and how to spot the real ones)
– How boards should rethink A...
What do early-stage founders actually need — and why do so many get it wrong?
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Marian Siwiak sits down with Peter Whale — veteran technologist, startup mentor, and Head of Projects at Signapse — to unpack the real challenges behind building something that works. From mentoring blind spots to the tension between shareholder and stakeholder value, this episode dives into the often-overloo...
What does it take to lead a startup without losing yourself?
In this episode of Between Data and Risk, we’re joined by Arianna Cerrito, founder of Startup and Rise and startup mentor at LSE Generate, for a real conversation about the emotional toll of startup leadership. Arianna and Dr. Marian Siwiak explore what it means to lead from the fire — where everything feels urgent, your people rely on you, and burnout lurks behind eve...
What if blockchain isn’t just about coins and speculation—but about real, everyday utility?
In this episode, Dr. Marian Siwiak talks with Lorien Gamaroff @Gamaroff a blockchain pioneer and the founder of Centbee, about how Bitcoin technology can enable true financial inclusion across Africa. Lorien shares the story behind Sentby, a mobile money platform built on Bitcoin that’s leapfrogging traditional banking systems and giving...
What Founders Always Get Wrong (and What to Do Instead)
with Massimiliano Sulpizi, Founder of EquityMatch
Is your startup built to last—or just built to pitch?
In this episode of Between Data and Risk, Dr. Marian Siwiak sits down with investor, advisor, and EquityMatch founder Massimiliano Sulpizi to talk about the harsh truths behind startup success (and failure). It’s not just about the idea. It’s not just about the pitch....
What if the next revolution doesn’t start with a protest—but with a beat?
In this powerful episode of Between Data & Risk, hosts Marian Siwiak and Artur Guja sit down with Ariana Alexander-Sefre, founder of SPOKE, to explore how music, culture, and authenticity can radically reshape mental health care.
Ariana shares her journey from the wellness industry to launching SPOKE, a platform that fuses music with psychology to s...
In this Between Data and Risk episode, Dr. Marian Siwiak and Artur Guja engage with Mark Bjornsgaard of Deep Green to explore innovative solutions for utilizing waste heat from data centers. The conversation delves into the potential for community benefits, the evolving landscape of data center clients, and the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors with cost efficiency. Mark shares insights from his en...
In this conversation, Dr. Marian Siwiak and Artur Guja discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI in the finance sector with Neil Lathia from Gradient Labs. They explore the complexities of building AI solutions in regulated environments, the importance of understanding customer vulnerability, and the role of empathy in AI interactions. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of AI development teams and ...
What happens when government policy meets the business reality?
In this episode of Between Data and Risk, we speak with James Robson, CEO and co-founder of FundOnion, about the intersection of regulation, capital access, and the hiring challenges facing UK SMEs today.
James shares what he’s learned from two recent roundtables with the UK Department for Business and Trade, and breaks down the data from FundOnion’s 2024 SME Sur...
In this installment of "Between Data and Risk", Artur and Marian discuss maritime freight, supply chains and more. Their guest is Alexandros Joseph - Private Equity SCM/Business Consultant.
This podcast is also available on https://bdr.show and your favorite podcast platforms. Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss any future episodes! If you’d like to contact us with comments, suggestions, or complai...
In this installment of "Between Data and Risk", Artur and Marian discuss the practicalities, opportunities, and risks of utilizing Generative AI in the business environment. The canvas for their discussion is their newest book: "Generative AI for Data Analytics", now in Manning Early Access Program -
https://www.manning.com/books/generative-ai-for-data-analytics
Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss any future episodes...
In this installment of "Between Data and Risk", Artur and Marian discuss cybersecurity and cyber resilience. Their guest is Amit Basu, VP, CIO and CISO for International Seaways, Inc.
This podcast is also available on https://bdr.show and your favorite podcast platforms.
Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss any future episodes!
If you’d like to contact us with comments, suggestions, or complaints, email us at podcast@cog...
In this episode of "Between Data and Risk", Artur and Marian discuss the intricacies of using data in the financial industry context. Their guest is Andrew Badstubner, CIO for First Community Mortgage.
This podcast is also available on https://bdr.show and your favorite podcast platforms.
Subscribe today to make sure you don't miss any future episodes!
If you’d like to contact us with comments, suggestions, or complaints, email ...
In this installment of "Between Data and Risk", our hosts Artur and Marian discuss pragmatic and ethical concerns of working with sensitive data with J.D. Whitlock, CIO of Dayton Children’s Hospital.
They discuss how the safety of data is ensured, what are the needs and solutions for data sharing and exchange, and what are the opportunities for AI utilization in healthcare.
You can catch watch their conversation on our website, ...
In the latest installment of "Between Data and Risk", our hosts Artur and Marian discuss building data pipelines with Panduka Nagahawatte, VP of Data Science for Majestic Steel USA.
Yet again, they discuss myths and expectations related to ML and AI, methods of connecting data science with business operations, balancing building data solutions in-house and acquiring them on the external market, and they ponder upon the choice betw...
In the latest installment of "Between Data and Risk", our hosts Artur and Marian delve into the world of global logistics with their special guest, Benjamin Abitbol, a seasoned global supply chain executive.
Uncover the transformative potential of data in reshaping the logistics landscape. Yet, bear in mind that data systems, irrespective of their sophistication, fall short if they aren't seamlessly woven into your organization's ...
In this episode of "Between Data and Risk", our hosts Artur Guja and Marian Siwiak welcome a distinguished guest, Ken Ponder, CIO of Viskase Companies Inc.
A seasoned IT executive with over 38 years of experience, Ken brings invaluable insight into the often misunderstood world of data utilization in business.
Throughout the conversation, Ken uncovers common misconceptions surrounding data availability and usage, emphasizing tha...
In this episode of "Between Data and Risk", hosts Artur and Marian sit down with Allan Gray, Executive Director of Purdue DIAL Ventures. With a primary focus on enhancing digital innovation in the food and agriculture industries, Allan brings a wealth of knowledge and insights on how to create startups from scratch.
DIAL Ventures, a venture studio at Purdue University, has developed a unique approach to startup creation. In thi...
In this episode of "Between Data and Risk", Artur and Marian discuss the processes, innovation, and risk related to the food industry and food-related chemical manufacturing, with their guest, Keith Wolf, Executive Director at one of the global chemical producers.
Find out the reality behind the myths surrounding the chemical industry. Learn what are the most common misconceptions and what negative consequences they have on soci...
In this episode of "Between Data and Risk", Artur and Marian discuss continuous improvement and learning, with their guest, Paula De Santiago, President and CEO of Borderland Partners, and former educator.
Find out how educators measure the effectiveness of their teaching and the performance of educational efforts, and how businesses can learn from this to improve their own performance management practice. Learn about the latest...
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