Our mission is to make SQL approachable for everyone by explaining technical concepts in the same conversational way we’d talk to a friend—if any of our friends cared at all about SQL.

Here’s the truth: everyone’s data is different. There are plenty of great resources for learning SQL, but real-world data rarely looks like the neat, tidy examples found in tutorials. That’s why we focus on giving you the tools to tackle your data, not just the data in someone else’s lesson plan.

Instead of encouraging you to memorize syntax (which you can always lookup later as needed) we focus on helping you understand how SQL actually works, so you can apply it confidently to your own projects. Our priority is explaining the “why” behind technical concepts and helping you avoid common pitfalls.

Whether you’re exploring SQL for the first time, expanding your technical skills, analyzing business data, or just trying to communicate more clearly with the data-minded people on your team, at Conversational SQL you’ll find clear explanations, relatable examples, and a genuine desire to help you feel more confident working with data.

If SQL feels intimidating to you, I get it. I’ve been there. Back in 2008, I was a server admin who barely knew what a database was. When our DBA left, she gave me a two-hour crash course in SQL Server ending with, “It’s not that hard, you’ll figure it out.”

Fast-forward to today: I’ve been using SQL professionally since 2010, working across roles like analyst, app developer, BI engineer, data engineer, and consultant, collecting a lot of hard-earned lessons along the way.

I’ve spent my career designing and delivering data solutions end-to-end—from managing transactional systems to building data warehouses, designing ETL/ELT pipelines, and creating dynamic reporting dashboards. Alongside this practical experience, I’ve earned professional certificates from IBM and industry certifications from Microsoft and AWS, grounding my work in both real-world expertise and formal education.

This site is inspired by the many people I’ve met—especially during my time in consulting—who didn’t come from a technical background but wanted to learn SQL because they saw how valuable that skill could be in their work and careers. Conversational SQL exists to bridge that gap, giving curious learners from all backgrounds the clarity and confidence to work comfortably with data.