

Learning Bayesian Statistics
Alexandre Andorra
Are you a researcher or data scientist / analyst / ninja? Do you want to learn Bayesian inference, stay up to date or simply want to understand what Bayesian inference is? Then this podcast is for you! You'll hear from researchers and practitioners of all fields about how they use Bayesian statistics, and how in turn YOU can apply these methods in your modeling workflow. When I started learning Bayesian methods, I really wished there were a podcast out there that could introduce me to the methods, the projects and the people who make all that possible. So I created "Learning Bayesian Statistics", where you'll get to hear how Bayesian statistics are used to detect black matter in outer space, forecast elections or understand how diseases spread and can ultimately be stopped. But this show is not only about successes -- it's also about failures, because that's how we learn best. So you'll often hear the guests talking about what *didn't* work in their projects, why, and how they overcame these challenges. Because, in the end, we're all lifelong learners! My name is Alex Andorra by the way. By day, I'm a Senior data scientist. By night, I don't (yet) fight crime, but I'm an open-source enthusiast and core contributor to the python packages PyMC and ArviZ. I also love Nutella, but I don't like talking about it – I prefer eating it. So, whether you want to learn Bayesian statistics or hear about the latest libraries, books and applications, this podcast is for you -- just subscribe! You can also support the show and unlock exclusive Bayesian swag on Patreon!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 27, 2024 • 1h 2min
#120 Innovations in Infectious Disease Modeling, with Liza Semenova & Chris Wymant
Proudly sponsored by PyMC Labs, the Bayesian Consultancy. Book a call, or get in touch!My Intuitive Bayes Online Courses1:1 Mentorship with meOur theme music is « Good Bayesian », by Baba Brinkman (feat MC Lars and Mega Ran). Check out his awesome work!Visit our Patreon page to unlock exclusive Bayesian swag ;)-------------------------Love the insights from this episode? Make sure you never miss a beat with Chatpods! Whether you're commuting, working out, or just on the go, Chatpods lets you capture and summarize key takeaways effortlessly.Save time, stay organized, and keep your thoughts at your fingertips.Download Chatpods directly from App Store or Google Play and use it to listen to this podcast today!https://www.chatpods.com/?fr=LearningBayesianStatistics-------------------------Takeaways:Epidemiology focuses on health at various scales, while biology often looks at micro-level details.Bayesian statistics helps connect models to data and quantify uncertainty.Recent advancements in data collection have improved the quality of epidemiological research.Collaboration between domain experts and statisticians is essential for effective research.The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased data availability and international cooperation.Modeling infectious diseases requires understanding complex dynamics and statistical methods.Challenges in coding and communication between disciplines can hinder progress.Innovations in machine learning and neural networks are shaping the future of epidemiology.The importance of understanding the context and limitations of data in research. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Bayesian Statistics and Epidemiology03:35 Guest Backgrounds and Their Journey10:04 Understanding Computational Biology vs. Epidemiology16:11 The Role of Bayesian Statistics in Epidemiology21:40 Recent Projects and Applications in Epidemiology31:30...

Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 25min
#119 Causal Inference, Fiction Writing and Career Changes, with Robert Kubinec
Robert Kubinec, an assistant professor of political science at the University of South Carolina, dives into the complexities of studying corruption and the innovative survey techniques that can aid in obtaining honest data. He shares insights on how Bayesian methods enhance research by estimating latent variables and uncertain outcomes. Additionally, Kubinec discusses his novel, 'The Bayesian Hitman,' highlighting how fiction writing can improve academic skills. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community in statistics and the potential of real-time surveys to transform social science research.

Oct 30, 2024 • 59min
#118 Exploring the Future of Stan, with Charles Margossian & Brian Ward
Charles Margossian, a research fellow at the Flatiron Institute, and Brian Ward, a core developer of Stan, dive into the future of the Stan programming language. They discuss recent innovations like the addition of tuples, which enhance data handling efficiency. The duo emphasizes the importance of improved error messages for beginners adjusting to Stan's complexities. They also highlight community engagement and the development of new samplers to enhance performance, paving the way for user-friendly features that make Bayesian statistics more accessible.

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Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 13min
#117 Unveiling the Power of Bayesian Experimental Design, with Desi Ivanova
Desi Ivanova, a distinguished research fellow in machine learning at Oxford, dives into the fascinating world of Bayesian experimental design. She discusses how optimal experiment design is crucial for effective data gathering and uncertainty reduction. Desi sheds light on computational challenges and innovations like amortized Bayesian inference. The conversation also touches on real-world applications of these designs in healthcare and technology and the promising future advancements with AI that could reshape research methodologies.

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 33min
#116 Mastering Soccer Analytics, with Ravi Ramineni
Proudly sponsored by PyMC Labs, the Bayesian Consultancy. Book a call, or get in touch!My Intuitive Bayes Online Courses1:1 Mentorship with meOur theme music is « Good Bayesian », by Baba Brinkman (feat MC Lars and Mega Ran). Check out his awesome work!Visit our Patreon page to unlock exclusive Bayesian swag ;)Takeaways:Building an athlete management system and a scouting and recruitment platform are key goals in football analytics.The focus is on informing training decisions, preventing injuries, and making smart player signings.Avoiding false positives in player evaluations is crucial, and data analysis plays a significant role in making informed decisions.There are similarities between different football teams, and the sport has social and emotional aspects. Transitioning from on-premises SQL servers to cloud-based systems is a significant endeavor in football analytics.Analytics is a tool that aids the decision-making process and helps mitigate biases. The impact of analytics in soccer can be seen in the decline of long-range shots.Collaboration and trust between analysts and decision-makers are crucial for successful implementation of analytics.The limitations of available data in football analytics hinder the ability to directly measure decision-making on the field. Analyzing the impact of coaches in sports analytics is challenging due to the difficulty of separating their effect from other factors. Current data limitations make it hard to evaluate coaching performance accurately.Predictive metrics and modeling play a crucial role in soccer analytics, especially in predicting the career progression of young players.Improving tracking data and expanding its availability will be a significant focus in the future of soccer analytics.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Ravi and His Role at Seattle Sounders 06:30 Building an Analytics Department15:00 The Impact of Analytics on Player Recruitment and Performance 28:00 Challenges and Innovations in Soccer Analytics 42:00 Player Health, Injury Prevention, and Training 55:00 The Evolution of Data-Driven Strategies01:10:00 Future of Analytics in SportsThank you to my Patrons for making this episode possible!Yusuke Saito, Avi Bryant, Ero Carrera, Giuliano Cruz, Tim Gasser, James Wade, Tradd Salvo, William Benton, James Ahloy, Robin Taylor,, Chad Scherrer, Zwelithini Tunyiswa, Bertrand Wilden, James Thompson,

Sep 17, 2024 • 1h 40min
#115 Using Time Series to Estimate Uncertainty, with Nate Haines
Nate Haines, Head of Data Science Research at Ledger Investing and a PhD from Ohio State University, dives into the fascinating world of Bayesian statistics in insurance. He discusses how state space models can forecast loss ratios and the challenges of working with limited data. Haines introduces Bayesian model stacking for blending predictions, showcasing the BayesBlend Python package. He also explores the impact of external factors like economic conditions on insurance forecasting and the importance of simulation-based calibration in ensuring model integrity.

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 2min
#114 From the Field to the Lab – A Journey in Baseball Science, with Jacob Buffa
Proudly sponsored by PyMC Labs, the Bayesian Consultancy. Book a call, or get in touch!My Intuitive Bayes Online Courses1:1 Mentorship with meOur theme music is « Good Bayesian », by Baba Brinkman (feat MC Lars and Mega Ran). Check out his awesome work!Visit our Patreon page to unlock exclusive Bayesian swag ;)Takeaways:Education and visual communication are key in helping athletes understand the impact of nutrition on performance.Bayesian statistics are used to analyze player performance and injury risk.Integrating diverse data sources is a challenge but can provide valuable insights.Understanding the specific needs and characteristics of athletes is crucial in conditioning and injury prevention. The application of Bayesian statistics in baseball science requires experts in Bayesian methods.Traditional statistical methods taught in sports science programs are limited.Communicating complex statistical concepts, such as Bayesian analysis, to coaches and players is crucial.Conveying uncertainties and limitations of the models is essential for effective utilization.Emerging trends in baseball science include the use of biomechanical information and computer vision algorithms.Improving player performance and injury prevention are key goals for the future of baseball science.Chapters:00:00 The Role of Nutrition and Conditioning05:46 Analyzing Player Performance and Managing Injury Risks12:13 Educating Athletes on Dietary Choices18:02 Emerging Trends in Baseball Science29:49 Hierarchical Models and Player Analysis36:03 Challenges of Working with Limited Data39:49 Effective Communication of Statistical Concepts47:59 Future Trends: Biomechanical Data Analysis and Computer Vision AlgorithmsThank you to my Patrons for making this episode possible!Yusuke Saito, Avi Bryant, Ero Carrera, Giuliano Cruz, Tim Gasser, James Wade, Tradd Salvo, William Benton, James Ahloy, Robin Taylor,, Chad Scherrer, Zwelithini Tunyiswa, Bertrand Wilden, James Thompson, Stephen Oates, Gian Luca Di Tanna, Jack Wells, Matthew Maldonado, Ian Costley, Ally Salim, Larry Gill, Ian Moran, Paul Oreto, Colin Caprani, Colin Carroll, Nathaniel Burbank, Michael Osthege, Rémi Louf, Clive Edelsten, Henri Wallen, Hugo Botha, Vinh Nguyen, Marcin Elantkowski, Adam C. Smith, Will Kurt, Andrew Moskowitz, Hector Munoz, Marco Gorelli, Simon Kessell, Bradley Rode, Patrick Kelley, Rick Anderson, Casper de Bruin, Philippe Labonde,...

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Aug 22, 2024 • 1h 31min
#113 A Deep Dive into Bayesian Stats, with Alex Andorra, ft. the Super Data Science Podcast
In this engaging discussion, John Crone, the host of the Super Data Science Podcast, dives deep into the world of Bayesian statistics. He emphasizes its power in addressing complex problems and managing uncertainty. The conversation covers practical applications across various fields, the importance of effective communication in presenting results, and the transformative role of tools like PyMC and Bambi for beginners. John shares valuable insights on the evolving nature of scientific knowledge and the relevance of podcasts for staying informed in the data science landscape.

Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 27min
#112 Advanced Bayesian Regression, with Tomi Capretto
Tomi Capretto, an innovative educator in Bayesian statistics, discusses his creative approach to teaching using an M&M classroom exercise to make complex concepts tangible. He shares insights on the real-world applications of Bayesian methods at PyMC Labs and the importance of community contributions to open-source software like Bambi. Tomi emphasizes the challenges of shifting students from frequentist to Bayesian thought and the future of user-friendly Bayesian tools, aiming to make statistical methods accessible to a broader audience.

Jul 24, 2024 • 1h 26min
#111 Nerdinsights from the Football Field, with Patrick Ward
Guest Patrick Ward discusses applying Bayesian statistics in sports analytics, challenges in communicating concepts to non-statistical decision-makers, predicting training load impact on athlete performance, analyzing player tracking data, and creating a comprehensive patient model in team sports.


