Finance and Ottawa

In this episode of Statistically Insignificant, Erik and Jaryd sit down with Marta Skreta, a CS PhD student at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Vector Institute and the Matter Lab. Marta shares her journey into the world of deep learning and chemistry, and discusses the impact of machine learning on scientific workflows, and offers insights into academia versus industry. The trio also dives into a plethora of fun underrated vs. overrated topics, from optimization techniques to harpsichord music.

In this episode, Jaryd and Erik discuss the economic rationale behind the carbon tax in Canada, debunk some popular economic misconceptions about it, and analyze why it has become increasingly unpopular and is likely to be scrapped in the next election.

In the 17th episode of the Statistically Insignificant podcast Erik and Jaryd are joined by Seth Kitamura - a jazz musician based out of Vancouver, BC. We discuss what it's like to study jazz in music school, how artists in this field make a living, and the jazz lineage. Seth plays the drums and piano and is a member of Felisha and the Jazz Rejects. For more of Seth's music see his collaboration with JANCIS.

In episode 16, Erik and Jaryd have a 1:1 conversation reflecting on what they've learned since the start of the Covid pandemic. The guys reflect on why they should have taken more vacations, whether single-payer is likely to be sustainable as a healthcare model, if Jaryd consumed too much news, and how likely society is to act on any of the lessons learned.

In episode 15, Jaryd and Erik are joined by Rachel McMullan, an Osteoarchaeologist by training with an expertise in Near Eastern and Classical archaeology. In this fascinating conversation, Rachel talks about her career in archaeology, why digs are more pleasant in England than Canada, clarifies (to Erik) that Boudica was indeed a real person, and discusses the content creation process of her YouTube channel (and much more). Rachel currently works as a Digital Marketing Executive, and interested listeners can follow her on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. 

In episode 14 we are joined by Albert Tam who works as a Data & Risk Management Professional. In this interesting conversation, Albert explains the principles that underlie the risk management framework and how this is used in practice. We also discuss the challenges associated with managing data and why the Pan American Games are underrated.

In the 13th episode of the Statistically Insignificant podcast we are joined by Elizabeth Cook who works as an Economist and Policy Analyst at the Department of Finance in Ottawa. Elizabeth is an expert in tax policy. In this interesting conversation Jaryd and Erik receive a crash course in what it is like to work at the Finance and how the budget is put together. Elizabeth also talks about the skillset that economists need to work in the civil service and what it's like to be a self-publishing author. Elizabeth keeps a blog here. 

In episode 12 we are joined by Joshua Zachariah, an economist who works at the Brookfield Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a think tank, in Toronto, Canada. Joshua’s main research interest is in better understanding how gains from the innovation economy can be more equitably shared. Joshua has a background in economics and has worked for the Ontario public service and the private sector. In this episode we discuss the innovation economy in Canada, and Joshua’s view about economics and econometrics more broadly.

In the 11th Statistically Insignificant episode, Jaryd and Erik are joined by Steve Bank for a wide ranging discussion philosophy, economics, politics, and much more. Intellectually peripatetic, Steve takes us on a journey through many domains during our interesting conversation. 

In the 10th Statistically Insignificant episode, Erik and Jaryd are joined by Megan DeVries - a Policy Analyst currently working for the federal government. Megan's experience with both party politics and the civil service provides an illuminating perspective into the nature of government. We also discuss the future of Christianity as well as other fun bits of Canadiana.