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The Quietly Ambitious Analyst

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst

By: Seth Forbes
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About this listen

 The Quietly Ambitious Analyst is a podcast about mastering the invisible skills that make data professionals stand out–business context, communication, and confidence.

Hosted by Seth Forbes, a data strategist and educator, the show explores what it really takes to influence with data.

Through solo episodes and honest conversations with analysts, creators, and industry professionals, we delve into the in-between moments and hidden practices that create real impact – from asking sharper questions to framing insights that drive decisions.Quietly Ambitious Analyst Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • Beyond the Dashboard: Decoding the Psychology of Ethical Data & Marketing

    Beyond the Dashboard: Decoding the Psychology of Ethical Data & Marketing
    Feb 2 2026
    Weekly Newsletter for Early Career Analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz9

    Data isn't just numbers; it's a reflection of human behavior and relationships.

    In this episode, marketing psychologist Chelsea Burns joins us to break down the 'through-line' between business goals and human ethics.


    For data analysts, this is a masterclass in understanding how the 'subconscious ruts' of your customers impact the charts you build every day. Learn why 'manufactured scarcity' is a short-term win but a long-term data disaster, and how to help your stakeholders build brands based on agency rather than manipulation.

    Topics:

    Chelsea’s Journey: From Corporate Marketing to Psychology
    The Line Between Influence and Manipulation
    The Science: Why 95% of Decisions are Subconscious
    Understanding Brand Equity (The Kleenex Effect)
    Value Aspiration: Finding the "North Star" Metric
    Internal Alignment: Why Disgruntled Employees Break Data
    The Ethical Audit: Audience, Messaging, and Alignment
    How to Measure Long-Term Trust (The ROI of Ethics)
    Rapid Fire: Ethical vs. Unethical Scenarios
    Final Thoughts

    Follow Chelsea Burns:
    Chelsea Burns, M.S. | LinkedIn

    Quietly Ambitious Analyst
    Weekly emails for new analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz9
    8-Week Data Communication Course: https://bit.ly/4qJ3o2d
    Free Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: https://bit.ly/4sxbixl



    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
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    25 mins
  • How to communicate your insights like a senior analyst (3 C's Framework)

    How to communicate your insights like a senior analyst (3 C's Framework)
    Jan 26 2026
    Weekly insights to improve your communication skills as an early career analyst → https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter

    These 3 simple communication skills are beginner-friendly and can be easily applied the next time you go to share an insight with stakeholders. I am constantly using these!

    Topics
    Intro to Communication in Data Analytics
    Why Comm Skills Are Needed in the Analytics Field
    The First C: Clarity
    The Second C: Conciseness
    The Third C: Being Concrete

    → Improve your communication skills and become the strategic voice in the room. Weekly insights: https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter


    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • From Dental Hygiene to Data: How Thais Cooke Built a Career on Curiosity (and SELECT *)

    From Dental Hygiene to Data: How Thais Cooke Built a Career on Curiosity (and SELECT *)
    Jan 19 2026
    In this episode of The Quietly Ambitious Analyst, I sit down with Thais Cooke, a senior healthcare data analyst who brings a decade of clinical experience into data and AI.

    Thais shares her unconventional path from dental hygiene to analytics, how she got hooked the moment she wrote SELECT *, and why the analysts who stand out aren’t just “data-driven”—they’re context-driven.

    You’ll hear a grounded conversation on:
    • Why multitasking feels productive (and why it backfires)

    • How to leverage your industry background when you’re breaking into analytics

    • What “trust” really looks like with stakeholders (and how fast it can collapse)

    • The underrated power of documentation and “building knowledge that lasts.”

    • Why communication makes or breaks data teams—especially when pipelines break

    If you’re an aspiring/early-career analyst or career switcher who wants to communicate with clarity, build credibility, and do work that actually sticks, this one’s for you.Topics:
    • Transitioning from Dental Hygiene to Data Analytics
    • Leveraging Industry Experience in Data Analytics
    • Intuition and Context in Data Analysis
    • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
    • Growth and Development in the Analytics Field
    • The Importance of Communication in Data Analytics
    • The Power of Observation in Communication
    • Building Knowledge That Lasts
    • Documenting Accomplishments for Career Growth
    • The Intersection of Engineering and Analytics
    • Embracing Change and Career Shifts
    • The Importance of Trust and Honesty
    • Effective Communication in Teams
    Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@quietlyambitiousanalyst

    Follow Thais Cooke
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaiscooke/
    Substack: https://substack.com/@thaiscooke

    Quietly Ambitious Analyst
    Weekly emails for new analysts: https://bit.ly/4pjUoz9
    8-Week Data Communication Course: https://bit.ly/4qJ3o2d
    Free Resource - Top 10 Analyst Questions Before Touching Data: https://bit.ly/4sxbixl

    The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication.

    Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.io/subscribe-enewsletter
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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