Ben Berkman joins the show to explain the actual work of a Data Scientist. He specifically works on identity graphs at The Trade Desk. Host Larry Port asks Ben to break down how online advertising auctions happen in a fraction of a second. Ben describes his daily routine, which involves about six hours of coding in Scala and two hours of meetings. He clarifies the distinction between data scientists who build models and the software engineers who build the infrastructure to support them.

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Ben also shares how his background in economics and liberal arts helps him ask better questions. He offers an honest look at work-life balance and how AI tools like Claude are changing the way he codes.

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Guest Bio

Ben Berkman is a Graphs and Identity Data Scientist at The Trade Desk. He specializes in building data structures for cross-device identity resolution. Before this role, he worked as a Cost Analyst and Data Scientist at Technomics, Inc., where he focused on defense acquisition data. He holds a Master's in Data Science from NYU and an undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University.

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What We Cover

1. How The Trade Desk facilitates real-time ad auctions for the open internet.
2. The specific breakdown of a data scientist's day: mostly solitary coding with some team collaboration.
3. Differences between data science (creative modeling) and software engineering (plumbing and infrastructure).
4. Why curiosity and communication skills from a liberal arts background are valuable in technical roles.
5. How AI tools are shifting coding workflows from manual typing to agentic oversight.
6. The personality types that thrive in data science: curious problem solvers who enjoy steady work.
7. Realities of work-life balance in a global company with teams in Singapore.

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Resources Mentioned

1. The Trade Desk
2. Scala (Programming Language)
3. Apache Spark
4. Andre Karpathy
5. Claude (Anthropic)
6. Spotify

Many people picture firefighters rushing into burning buildings every day. In reality, modern first responders in South Florida handle mostly medical calls and complex prevention work. Host Larry Port sits down with Marc Juliano, a veteran Firefighter/Paramedic and current Fire Safety Inspector with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue.

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Marc breaks down the truth about the job: from the 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off schedule to the "second family" dynamic at the station. He explains why 88% of calls are medical, the operational toll of the opioid epidemic, and how fire codes prevent tragedies before they start. You will learn exactly how to enter this field, the specific schooling required, and why being late is the ultimate cardinal sin in this line of work.

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About Marc Juliano

Marc Juliano is a Firefighter/Paramedic and Fire Safety Inspector for Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue, contracted through the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). With over 20 years in the service, he spent 16 years "on the trucks" responding to emergency calls before moving into fire prevention and code compliance.

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What We Cover

1. The operational reality of the 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off shift schedule.
2. Why 88% of modern fire rescue calls medically related rather than structural fires?
3. The "Risk a lot to save a lot" philosophy regarding property versus life safety.
4. How a "Kelly Day" works and how firefighters stack vacation time for long breaks.
5. Transitioning from riding the trucks to the preventative side of Fire Safety Inspection.
6. The station dynamic: Grocery shopping, cooking, and training as a "second family."
7. Educational requirements: EMT school, Fire Academy, and Paramedic certification.
8. The impact of the opioid epidemic and Fentanyl on first responder resources.

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Resources Mentioned

1. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
2. Chicago Fire (TV Show)
3. Backdraft (Movie)

Marketing careers offer a unique path for creative professionals seeking stability. This field attracts liberal arts majors, musicians, and writers who want to leverage their right-brain skills while securing a 401 (k). Host Larry Port speaks with Scott Redick, the Managing Director of Retail Acquisition Strategy and Integration at Charles Schwab. Scott breaks down the two main worlds in this industry: agency work versus in-house roles at a brand.

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Scott shares the reality of agency life, which can involve long hours, constant pitching, and fire drills. He contrasts this with the client side, where the pace is often smoother and more focused on long-term strategy. They discuss the "whole brain" thinking required to succeed, blending emotional creativity with analytical logic. Scott also explains why this career requires a thick skin: you might pour your soul into a project only to have a manager request a different color at the last minute.

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Guest Bio

Scott Redick is a marketing executive and strategist currently serving as the Managing Director of Retail Acquisition Strategy and Integration at Charles Schwab. Before joining the client side, he spent years in the agency world, including a role as President and Head of Strategy at Heat (acquired by Deloitte Digital). He has also held leadership roles at Isobar and DDB. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University.

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What We Cover

1. The difference between agency culture (younger, spiky hours, frequent fire drills) and in-house corporate roles (smoother pace, more stability).
2. Why marketing is often a home for "working creatives" like drummers or writers who need a steady paycheck.
3. The "whole brain" approach: combining right-brain emotion with left-brain analytics and math.
4. The reality of pitching in advertising: doing huge amounts of work for free just to win a client.
5. This career is not for people who need a rigid structure or cannot handle ambiguity.
6. The emotional toll of having creative work rejected or changed by upper management.
7. How AI is currently serving as an editor and thought partner rather than a total replacement for human creativity.
8. The influence of 20-somethings on culture and why brands look to them for trends like TikTok.

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Resources Mentioned

1. Charles Schwab
2. Northwestern University