In this episode, co-hosts Ole Olesen-Bagneux and Emma McGrattan sit down with Nagim Ashufta, founder of DRIVA and one of the most philosophical voices in the data world today. Known for weaving together history, human nature, and the hard realities of data work, Nagim brings a rare and much-needed perspective to the conversation around data, governance, and transformation.

Together, they explore:

• Nagim’s global journey—from Kabul to Hamburg—and how it shaped his unique worldview on data and systems.

• Why his work focuses on enablement over abstraction, and how data teams can act as support systems rather than consultants.

• What a mulberry leaf, silk, and solitude can teach us about the slow, deliberate nature of data work—and why rushing outcomes often misses the point.

• Why terms like data product and data catalog may need to evolve to reflect more human-centered, collaborative paradigms.

• The hidden dynamics of power in federated data strategies—and why acknowledging them is key to sustainable governance.

🎧 Tune in for a reflective conversation that challenges the way we think about data, control, and collaboration—and why the next big leap in data might just begin with people.

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