# #286: Metrics Layers. Data Dictionaries. Maybe It's All Semantic (Layers)? With Cindi Howson

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Podcast: [The Analytics Power Hour](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-analytics-power-hour-461338)
Published: 2025-12-09T05:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://analyticshour.io/2025/12/09/286-metrics-layers-data-dictionaries-maybe-its-all-semantic-layers-with-cindi-howson/
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/analyticshour/APH_-_Episode_286_-_Metrics_Layers._Data_Dictionaries._Maybe_Its_All_Semantic_Layers.mp3?dest-id=239292
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Duration seconds: 3344

## Resource

Semantic layers are having something of a moment, but they're not actually new as a concept. Ever since the first database table was designed with cryptic field names that no business user could possibly understand, there's been a need for some form of mapping and translation. Should every company be considering employing a semantic layer? Is the idea of a single, comprehensive semantic layer within an organization a monolithic concept that is doomed to fail? These questions and more get bandied about on this episode, where we were joined by industry legend Cindi Howson , Chief Data & AI Strategy Officer at Thoughtspot . For complete show notes, including links to items mentioned in this episode and a transcript of the show, visit the show page . This episode's Measurement Bite from show sponsor Recast is an explanation of multicollinearity from Michael Kaminsky !

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