DataNation - Podcast for Data Engineers, Analysts and Scientists
Alex Merced Podcasts
Welcome to "Datanation," the podcast where your host, Alex Merced, takes you on a captivating journey through the fascinating world of data. In each episode, we explore a wide range of data topics, from data engineering and data analytics to the art and science of data-driven decision-making.
In the age of information, data is the currency that drives innovation and progress. "Datanation" is your passport to this ever-evolving landscape, where we unravel the mysteries, dissect the trends, and celebrate the breakthroughs shaping the data-driven future.
Join Alex Merced, a seasoned data enthusiast and educator, as he engages in enlightening discussions, informative interviews, and thought-provoking explorations of data concepts and practices. Whether you're a seasoned data professional, a curious tech enthusiast, or someone simply intrigued by the power of data, this podcast offers valuable insights and knowledge.
Find all episodes at: https://host.alexmercedpodcast.com/series/datanation/
Follow Alex on Twitter @amdatalakehouse
Find Alex's Blogs and Social Links at AlexMerced.com
In the age of information, data is the currency that drives innovation and progress. "Datanation" is your passport to this ever-evolving landscape, where we unravel the mysteries, dissect the trends, and celebrate the breakthroughs shaping the data-driven future.
Join Alex Merced, a seasoned data enthusiast and educator, as he engages in enlightening discussions, informative interviews, and thought-provoking explorations of data concepts and practices. Whether you're a seasoned data professional, a curious tech enthusiast, or someone simply intrigued by the power of data, this podcast offers valuable insights and knowledge.
Find all episodes at: https://host.alexmercedpodcast.com/series/datanation/
Follow Alex on Twitter @amdatalakehouse
Find Alex's Blogs and Social Links at AlexMerced.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 27, 2026 • 14min
Understanding AI Agent Skills, MCP and Custom GPTs/Gems
Alex Merced discusses the differences between different ways of customizing agent behavior and when to use which. – Agent Skills– Model Context Protocol (MCP)– Claude Projects/Custom GPTs/Gemini Gems Follow Alex at AlexMerced.com
Jan 16, 2026 • 22min
Embracing AI Disruption and AI Tooling
Alex Merced talks about how his optimism about the Agentic AI tool and poses the question, if people can run as fast as they could before AI, instead of resenting them for it, ask yourself how much further you can now run with AI. Follow Alex on Social: AlexMerced.com The Data Lakehouse Community: https://www.datalakehousehub.com
Jan 2, 2026 • 24min
More Thoughts on the State of AI Software Development
Alex Merced discusses more about his experience with the Google Anitgravity IDE Follow Alex Merced at AlexMerced.com
4 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 19min
2025 Reflections, Google Antigravity, NotebookLM, Dremio AI Agent, Pangolin Catalog, Dremioframe & Iceframe Python Libraries for Apache Iceberg
Alex Merced (AlexMerced.com) discusses:– his thoughts on thriving in 2026– His use of Google’s Antigravity– His use of NotebookLM– Dremio’s AI tools (dremio.com)– More Check out Pangolin Catalog at PangolinCatalog.org
Nov 25, 2025 • 0sec
Why do Semantic Layers matter so much?
Try the Dremio Free trial at Dremio.com/get-started Follow Alex at AlexMerced.com
Nov 18, 2025 • 0sec
Gaming Handheld Buying Guide and New Lakehouse Free Trial
Guide to the Dremio Free Trial: https://amdatalakehouse.substack.com/p/comprehensive-hands-on-walk-through?r=h4f8p In this episode I make som suggestions on great handhelds you can buy for christmas, here is some websites of the main handheld manufacturers. Retroid: https://www.goretroid.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqmsw4dUCa7w0oODoE05TqOlQzhw8vfewFMVqVKnmF-1iL9pIt3 Anbernic: https://anbernic.com/ Konkr: https://www.ayaneo.com/product/KONKR-Pocket-FIT Mangmi: https://mangmi.com/products/mangmi-air-x XU Retro: https://www.xuretro.com/collections/frontpage Powkiddy: https://powkiddy.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorEoT89yJBBHoB2Ec0cGbfbhTZJUeOr98CnO8djuNacvOrurkR5 Trimui: https://trimui.net/?srsltid=AfmBOooJEXt2RFMBlAVNOgOC2yd9kbECIUBofoZYG4AG4o0xBgCVoip7 Miyoo: https://lomiyoo.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopurOeS9_f9m0tQPvtoYdRjov85qPbJA9dfyG_nulDI2fJzOy3T
Oct 17, 2025 • 0sec
Lakehouse Catalogs Beyond Apache Iceberg, What could they Look Like?
Alex Merced discusses different paths to a Universal Lakehouse Catalog standard and their pros and cons. Find links to books, social and more at AlexMerced.com
Sep 26, 2025 • 0sec
Understanding the role of MCP, Langchain and Agent2Agent
Alex Merced discusses the rising standards within the Agentic AI Space. Buy Alex Merced’s latest book “Architecting an Apache Iceberg Lakehouse” use discount code mercedconf25 for a 40% discount. https://www.manning.com/books/architecting-an-apache-iceberg-lakehouse Follow Alex on Social at AlexMerced.com
Sep 5, 2025 • 0sec
Enabling and Optimizing Agentic AI: Access, Performance and the Semantic Layer
Alex Merced discusses three bottlenecks in building Agentic AI Applications and how platforms like Dremio can address them. Get hands-on with Dremio at Dremio.com Find all of Alex Merced’s blogs and resources at AlexMerced.com
Jun 30, 2025 • 0sec
Why Apache Polaris will Become the Industry Standard Data Lakehouse Catalog
Past is Prologue. Alex Merced discusses lessons from the table format wars that can help predict the outcome of the catalog wars. Follow Alex at AlexMerced.com Join the #amtech channel on the Data Lakehouse Hub to discuss the podcast: https://join.slack.com/t/thedatalakehousehub/shared_invite/zt-274yc8sza-mI2zhCW8LGkOh1uxuf8T5Q
