More Than A Refresh
A podcast about data and the people who wrangle it.
Welcome to the More than a Refresh podcast series, now celebrating its fifth year as your uniquely human gateway into the world of data.
In 2025, we bring you an even more eclectic mix of speakers and subject matter experts from diverse industries and backgrounds. Our guests excel in topics such as leadership, networking, DEIA, data protection and privacy, and cutting-edge technology, including healthtech, edtech, and fintech. Additionally, enjoy top-tier content from leading experts in the open-source community.
Where to listen:
MTAR 51: Buzzword compliance and solutions looking for problems
Welcome to episode 51 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Dotan Horovits, CNCF Ambassador and OpenObservability Talks Podcast Host. This episode is part of our series with The Open Source Observability Day Conference, where we're giving conference speakers an opportunity to speak beyond their abstract.
In this episode, Dotan and JD discuss buzz word compliance, solutions looking for problems, and observability as more than just three pillars.
For more information on The OSOD Conference, please visit https://osoday.com/
You can listen to The OpenObservability Talks Podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/openobservability
To discuss further contact Command Prompt.
MTAR 50: Going viral on Github and observability as a fundamental to a health infrastructure
Welcome to episode 50 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Costa Tsaousis, Founder & CEO @ Netdata. This episode is part of our series with The Open Source Observability Day Conference, where we're giving conference speakers an opportunity to speak beyond their abstract.
In this episode, Costa and JD discuss going viral on GitHub, observability as fundamental to healthy infrastructures, machine learning for instant insights, and loving trouble.
For more information on The OSOD Conference, please visit https://osoday.com/
MTAR 49: The EFF on all things ALPR, the freedom of movement, the normalization of data breaches, and the need for restorative justice.
Welcome to episode 49 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Cooper Quintin, Senior Staff Technologist @ The EFF. Listen in as they discuss all things ALPR, the freedom of movement, the normalization of data breaches, and the need for restorative justice.
For more information on The Atlas of Surveillance, or to donate to the EFF, please visit https://www.eff.org/pages/atlas-surveillance
MTAR 48: The value of a strong first impression, psychological profit, the role of culture fit in hiring
Welcome to Episode 48 of More Than a Refresh! Join JD as he sits down with Super Connector and T-Squared Founder, Marc Nathan, to discuss the value of a strong first impression, psychological profit, the role of culture fit in hiring, and why you don't hear a lot of honking in Texas.
MTAR 47: Tending to databases vs tending to applications and the 80-20 rule.
Welcome to Episode 47 of More Than a Refresh! Join JD as he sits down with Peter Zaitsev, Co-Founder @ Coroot & Founder @ Percona, and Nikolay Sivko, Founder and CEO @ Coroot. In this episode, the trio of founders talks about tending to databases vs. tending to applications, consuming vs. delivering information, and The 80-20 Rule.
To discuss this topic deeper, contact Command Prompt.
MTAR 46: Elizabeth McCormick, Former US ARMY Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot and the intricate relationship between confidence and self-worth, and the power of rhinestone flak jackets.
Welcome to Episode 46 of More Than a Refresh! Join JD as he sits down with Elizabeth McCormick, a former US ARMY Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot turned Inspirational Speaker specializing in Leadership. In this episode, they explore the power of choice in dissatisfaction, the intricate relationship between confidence and self-worth, and the power of rhinestone flak jackets.
MTAR 45: Pragmatic perfectionsim and why Machine Learning should happen in databases
Welcome to episode 45 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Montana Low, Founder and CEO @ PostgresML. Listen in as they discuss pragmatic perfectionism, why ML should happen in databases, and the difference between "hype beast" AI vs. "get shit done" AI.
MTAR 44: Differentiating between failure an opportunity and the link between advertising and UX
Welcome to episode 44 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Lindsey Simon, VP Engineering at Vercel. Listen in as they differentiate between failure and opportunity, discuss the link between advertising and UX, and explain why "the long road" is actually just "the road." Plus, JD finally gets Rickrolled.
MTAR 43: Investing in humans, not assets wile having a fixed mindset vs a growth mindset.
Welcome to episode 43 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Leta Keane, Experienced Front End Engineering Instructor. Listen in as they discuss investing in humans, not assets; having a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset; and why "luxury" isn't just another yacht - it's childcare.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/letakeane/
MTAR 42: SXSW, collaborative problem solving and that time Barack Obama back-channeled to speak at SXSW
Welcome to episode 42 of More Than a Refresh, where JD sits down with Hugh Forrest, Co-President & Chief Programming Officer @ SXSW. Listen in as they discuss collaborative problem solving, how humans parse authenticity, and that time Barack Obama back-channeled to nab a speaking slot at SXSW.