storytelling with data podcast

In this second installment of our new podcast series, The Founder's Journey, we sit down with Odun Odubanjo, CEO and founder of Insight7, a platform making qualitative data instantly actionable.Odun's story starts in Lagos, Nigeria, where a chance internship at Google Zurich opened a door that would eventually lead to founding multiple startups, scaling a business across Africa, working at Shopify in Canada, and launching Insight7 in the U.S. Today, Odun helps organizations turn qualitative data—from customer calls to interviews—into meaningful business insights.In this episode, Randy and Odun talk about:The surprising power of staying in touchLessons learned building startups in Africa and breaking into new marketsHow Insight7 helps teams unlock the hidden value in their qualitative dataThe power of storytelling as a founder, including a “holy moly” moment with a new customerNavigating the AI revolution and how tools like ChatGPT and Claude are reshaping the way we build, communicate, and leadOdun also shares his perspective on why now is the best time to be alive—and to start something new. Tune in and be inspired by the story of a founder who's innovating across continents and categories.Learn more about Insight7 at insight7.ioConnect with Odun on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/odunodu

Want to speak in a way that makes others want to listen? In this episode, Cole dives into the art of confident communication—how to eliminate filler words, command attention with your voice and body language, and project confidence even when you don't feel it. She shares real-world strategies from working with high schoolers, future business leaders, and university students, plus personal lessons learned in her career. Whether you're preparing for a big presentation, an important meeting, or simply want to improve how you communicate every day, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you speak with clarity and impact.Related links:Children's book: Daphne Draws DataTeach kids: Daphne's Data Detectives ProgramWorksheet: the story of youBook: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentationLondon event (Apr 27): Daphne Draws DataLondon event (Apr 28): storytelling and presenting with data masterclassPreorder! storytelling with data: before & afterPlush Daphne on Amazon and in storytellingwithdata.com/shop (enter PODCAST10 for 10% off)Many more resources at storytellingwithdata.com

NEW SERIES: The Founder's Journey – Stories of Building, Scaling & StorytellingWe're launching something new on thestorytelling with data podcast! In this special series, we'll sit down with founders who are building something remarkable—diving into their journeys, the lessons they've learned, and the storytelling strategies that fuel their success.In this episode, Randy is joined by Doni Priliandi, founder of HappyFive, an employee engagement and performance management platform. Doni's path is one of persistence, risk-taking, and strategic storytelling. From cold-emailing Google's Laszlo Bock to hopping on a last-minute flight from Jakarta to Silicon Valley, Doni's story is filled with bold moves and valuable insights. He shares how being an underdog can be a superpower, why storytelling is crucial for founders, and the lessons he's learned while expanding into the U.S. market.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of data, storytelling, and startup success.Related Links:Check out Happy5's performance management software platformLink up with Doni on LNKDRead Work Rules by Laszlo Bock

Time is a finite resource, so how do you make the most of it? Cole is joined by her husband, Randy, for a conversation on the art of getting things done, both in business and in life. From balancing busy work schedules to managing a family of five, they share their strategies for prioritization, productivity, and focus. They break down their individual approaches—covering automation, delegation, scheduling, and the power of saying no—to create more space for what truly matters. Packed with practical insights, this episode will help you reclaim time and boost your productivity. Related links: Follow Randy: LinkedIn | Twitter Daphne Draws Data Episode 13 goals like Google London masterclass

What if a simple pause could transform the way you work? In this episode, Cole delves into the concept of statio—a meditative pause during transitions—and its potential to inspire more thoughtful, impactful decisions in data analysis and communication. From asking the right questions at the start of a project to fine-tuning your slides before a presentation, discover how small, intentional moments of reflection can ignite creativity, sharpen focus, and elevate your work. Ready to pause, breathe, and see things differently? Listening time 21:15  | related links: On-demand online course: behind the slides Big Idea worksheet Feb 6th virtual workshop (use code PODCAST10 for 10% off) 2025 workshop schedule Daphne Draws Data in Spanish DaphneDrawsData.com SWD shop

What do doors, wrapping paper, and speed bumps have in common? In this episode, Cole uncovers how the design of everyday objects can inspire better graphs and slides. Through relatable stories and practical takeaways, discover how thoughtful design can transform confusion into clarity and create moments of delight for your audience. related links: SWD holiday shop (use code PODCAST10 for 10% off in the shop & on workshops/courses) SWD online community 8-week online course SWD chart guide Book: The Design of Everyday Things Book: Universal Principles of Design Book: 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know about People Dec 16th public workshop  2025 public workshop schedule SWD YouTube channel

In this episode, Cole teams up with John Orr, co-founder of Make Math Moments, for an inspiring discussion on how to transform math education for young learners. They dive into Cole's new book, Daphne Draws Data, and explore how storytelling and visual data can empower children to approach math with curiosity and confidence. Cole and John share personal stories and professional insights on why sparking interest in math early is crucial. They also provide practical advice on integrating data visualization into classroom activities to make math both meaningful and engaging for kids. Whether you're an educator, parent, or data enthusiast, this episode offers a fresh perspective on teaching math in a way that sticks. Listening time 24:41  | related links: Related Links: Daphne Draws Data Official Site Register for the Make Math Moments Virtual Conference (Nov. 15-17) Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast Join our Daphne Draws Data Educator Community

In this special episode, Cole unveils her new children's book, "Daphne Draws Data," a vibrant adventure aimed at making data, numbers and graphs accessible to young minds. Inspired by her own children's curiosity, Cole discusses the importance of introducing data literacy early through storytelling, illustrated by the talented John Skewes. Join Cole as she shares insights into creating the book, its enchanting characters, and how Daphne the dragon helps her friends solve problems using data. Discover how you can help ignite a passion for data in the next generation and hear a sample of the audio book! Related Links: Daphne Draws Data Official Site Order on Amazon Listen to the Audiobook Daphne Draws Data Resources for Parents Sign up for the Daphne Mailing List Follow Daphne on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest  

Cole sits down with Steve Glynn in an episode recorded for the Experience Milwaukee podcast that we've recast here. Tune in to hear about Cole's path, books, and…scotch?! The pair dive into Cole's new children's book, Daphne Draws Data: A storytelling with data adventure, talk about life in Wisconsin, and more. Listening time 23:45  | related links: Order Cole's new book! Experience Milwaukee podcast Book: storytelling with data: a data visualization guide for business professionals Book: storytelling with data: let's practice! Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation Upcoming events: DaphneDrawsData.com/events Upcoming masterclass & more: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops  

Join Cole as she chats with Nathan Yau, founder of FlowingData and author of Visualize This and Data Points. Nathan shares his journey from grad school at UCLA to becoming a renowned figure in data visualization. They discuss the evolution of his work, the inception of FlowingData, and the impact of his books on the field. Dive deep into the creative process behind visualizing data, the importance of asking questions, and the iterative nature of both data analysis and visualization. Listening time 51:25 | related links: Follow Nathan: flowingdata.com | LinkedIn | Twitter Buy Nathan's new book! Visualize This, 2nd edition Book: Exploratory Data Analysis (Tukey) Interactive visual: How Americans Spend Their Day Blog post: How You Will Die Blog post: Ebb and Flow of Box Office Receipts (steam graph) Online to do list: Remember The Milk  

Data storyteller Alex talks with information designer Alli Torban about her new book, Chart Spark. Alli believes that creativity isn't a synonym for art; instead, it's the ability to generate new ideas or remix existing ideas in a useful way. When you learn to harness that creativity, you can develop new approaches to create more impactful data communications. Tune in to discover helpful prompts and strategies that will help you push past a mental block when you aren't sure how to visualize your data and capture inspiration for the next time you need a creative idea.  Listening time 42:28 | related links: Follow Alli: website | podcast | LinkedIn | Twitter sChart Spark: https://www.chartsparkbook.com/ SWD live event: http://storytellingwithdata.com/exploreexplain Flatten the curve: https://x.com/drewaharris/status/1233267475036372992?lang=en Alli's tessellation viz: https://www.allitorban.com/home/work4  

In this repost of the Data Viz Today podcast, Information Designer Alli Torban talks with Cole about strategies for delivering data presentations, particularly for introverts. From identifying and managing nervous habits to intentionally adjusting style while maintaining authenticity, they share quick tips and broad strategies to put into practice. Discover how to signal confidence, even before feeling it, and learn about real-time data collection techniques to continually refine your speaking skills. Tune in to learn actionable insights that apply whether you're presenting informally to colleagues or commanding attention in front of a crowd!  Listening time 49:18 | related links: Follow Alli: website | podcast | LinkedIn | Twitter Original post & show notes: dataviztoday.com/shownotes/94 Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation

Cole talks with New Zealand-based data storyteller, Kat Greenbrook, about her new book, The Data Storyteller's Handbook: How to create business impact using data storytelling. Kat shares her empathy for anyone who has ever been told to “make your data tell a story” and isn't sure where to start, and offers guidance for better understanding your audience and arranging insights into a narrative structure. Tune in to learn about frameworks that can help you plot time and character data stories, how to keep things honest, bridging knowledge gaps between you and your stakeholders, and more!  Listening time 52:00 | related links: Follow Kat: website | LinkedIn | BlueSky Book: The Data Storyteller's Handbook  

Cole shares low-tech planning strategies that will set you up for success in any important scenario in which you need to communicate. From crafting the Big Idea (plus a super useful worksheet to assist your efforts) to storyboarding to bringing it all into your tools, you'll learn how a little time up front can streamline the rest of the creative process. Also tune in to hear Cole address questions on feedback, slides that don't quite fit, filler words, and more. Listening time 49:01 | related links The Big Idea worksheet Book storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation Blog article 8 tips for avoiding filler words Podcast episode 70 prepare to present Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Premium sale through 1/31/24 in SWD community: go premium! University instructor upcoming event & resources Watch videos on the SWD YouTube channel

Consider all of the things you do in the course of your daily work from a seated position: might you benefit from changing it up? In this episode, Cole discusses the power of standing up for different reasons and across a variety of situations. Tune in to understand how standing can boost creativity and keep updates and introductions from being overly lengthy. Learn what kinds of feedback and conversations are best had with your feet on the ground, as well as how standing up to present affords you—the presenter—with greater opportunities for better communication. Listening time 18:10 | related links Blog article let it sit Podcast episode 6 say it out loud Book storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation Join our 8-week online course (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Video stand up Subscribe in SWD community: go premium Mugs, coasters, books and posters in SWD shop Watch the mini-workshop; more videos on the SWD YouTube channel

Alberto Cairo drops by to talk about his new book "The Art of Insight," which offers a unique take on data visualization. In conversation with data storyteller Mike, Cairo shares his Camus-inspired belief that life's meaning comes from community and work, and how that conviction shapes his own interests and endeavors. They discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, how seemingly frivolous pursuits can actually be essential, and where to find personal and professional connection amidst ever-changing online communities. Eschewing the mantle of “thought leader,” Cairo reveals why he is reluctant to wield the "soft power" he holds in the data visualization community. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of responsibility, the political nature of work, and the human aspects behind visualization. Listening time 48:59 | related links Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Book: The Art of Insight by Alberto Cairo (in addition, don't miss Cairo's earlier books How Charts Lie, The Functional Art, and The Truthful Art) Book: The Grammar of Graphics by Leland Wilkinson Follow: Aaron Williams on X/Twitter: @aboutaaron Games: many tabletop and role-playing games were mentioned, including Twilight Struggle, Dungeons and Dragons, RuneQuest, Call of Cthulhu, Here I Stand, Gloomhaven, and Empires in Arms Book: Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro Book: Building Science Graphics by Jen Christiansen Book: Joyful Infographics by Nigel Holmes

Sending slides before a meeting and asking your audience to do a pre-read has become the norm. Unfortunately, pre-reads never quite lead to the desired outcome of better questions and discussion, instead they create more challenges. Data storyteller Alex shares her thoughts on pre-reads and how she navigates requests to share content outside of a meeting. Tune in to also hear related questions on slide templates, speaker notes and more! Listening time 24:57 | related links: Article: how to create an executive summary slide Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Combo chart example: diverging bar + data table Combo chart example: line + Gantt chart SWD challenge: create a clever combo chart

Cole walks listeners through her process of preparing for a recent presentation—from turning an idea into slides, to how she readied herself to present powerfully. Tune in to hear how a visual navigation scheme can help you stay on track as you present and create memorable takeaways for your audience, why building buffers into your presentation is key for staying on time, the major benefits of practicing aloud, and more. Plus learn how you can watch the presentation Cole describes preparing! (spoiler: visit storytellingwithdata.com/goodtogreat) related links: Join Cole's upcoming virtual mini-workshop: storytellingwithdata.com/goodtogreat Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation Audiobook: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation Podcast ep 45: the power of post-its Podcast ep 37: it's for THEM Resources for university instructors Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Join data storyteller office hours by going premium in SWD community Learn via videos: SWD YouTube channel  

Whether you've asked for it or not, sometimes critique from others simply gets under our skin. From feel-good platitudes that lack actionability to outright requests to manipulate data—Cole covers five categories of common graph and slide feedback that people hate to receive. Tune in to learn strategies and practical tips that will help you turn undesirable feedback into useful and insightful input for better graphs and presentations. related links: Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation SWD challenge: rebrand it! Attend a workshop (use discount PODCAST10 for 10% off) Resources for university instructors Learn via videos: SWD YouTube channel

What does Cole's 7-year-old daughter have in common with the typical audience member for your data stories? Tune in to find out! In this short episode, Cole discusses a handful of specific things you can do to help set yourself—and others—up for successful data stories. Listening time 12:29 | related links: Resource: the BIG PICTURE worksheet Related SWD community exercise: the big picture Podcast episode 49: become a data viz superstar Video series: become a data viz superstar Article: showing the insights vs. showing off Video: the final presentation More videos: SWD YouTube channel Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation Book: let's practice! (exercise 9.9)  

Graphs and slides are often the first tools we reach for when we need to communicate with data—but when might storytelling withOUT data yield better results? Cole outlines numerous scenarios for alternative approaches, sharing examples from clients, workshops, and her books.  From boardgames to baby pics, tune in to learn about humanizing data, when low fidelity solutions work best, the Picture Superiority Effect, and much more. related links: Book: let's practice! Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation Register for debut storytelling with you virtual workshop (use code PODCAST10 for 10% off) Organize a workshop for your team or organization Access resources for university instructors Learn via video on the SWD YouTube channel

Mike and Alex discuss the advantages and drawbacks of designing visualizations with light and dark backgrounds, using examples from SWD community members to highlight where each approach can be preferable. Then, they dive into history and discuss the staying power of some famous graphs. What makes them memorable—and how we might be able to elevate them, using modern tools and perspectives? Listening time 27:06 | related links: Challenge: Light and dark backgrounds Viz: Rob Reid's gun ownership viz Viz: Rishi Selva's newspaper homage Tool: Datawrapper Tool: Accessible Colors Viz: Mike Cisneros's Last Words viz Challenge: Remake a famous graph Challenge: Making or missing the mark Join data storyteller office hours by going premium in SWD community Learn via video on the SWD YouTube channel  

Cole draws on a recent experience that underscored the power of thoughtful EMPHASIS. Tune in for practical tactics to create contrast visually and verbally, whether for important numbers or words, focusing attention within your table or graph, or communicating clear emphasis through how you speak and move. Cole and colleague Simon also address related questions on tips for virtual presentations, eliminating filler words, preparing content for someone else to present, and more. Listening time 41:54 | related links: Register for Chicago masterclass on May 5th (use code PODCAST10 for 10% off) Order storytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentation Access resources for university instructors Join data storyteller office hours by going premium in SWD community Learn via video on the SWD YouTube channel

You'll probably make a few mistakes when learning to visualize and communicate data. That's okay! It's all a part of the learning journey and can be preferred since we often learn more from our mistakes than our successes. SWD storyteller Alex embraces her early missteps as she takes a trip down memory lane to share where she went wrong and what she learned.  Listening time 18:11 plus intro/outro |  related links: Podcast episode: data viz research with Steven Franconeri Research article (Visual Thinking Lab): Declutter and focus Steve Wexler's article: Should you use dashboards to tell stories? Video: sample presentation with chart animation  Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10)  

SWD storytellers Elizabeth and Mike join forces to tackle some thorny questions about connecting with your audience: how do you know if you've done a good job, and what if you have to deliver bad news? In light of a recent “partner up!” challenge in the SWD community, they explore the benefits of working together with colleagues, friends, strangers, and even family members, while sharing some lessons learned from their own collaborative experiences. Listening time: 34:00 Related links: Website: SWD challenge Article: stop, collaborate and listen (to your audience) Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10) Order storytelling with you Get sample content from Cole's new book  

Tension is a key component of story—and can be used in powerful ways to communicate in a business setting. In this episode, Cole talks tension: what it is, why you should care, and how to identify and use it in your data stories and beyond. Tune in also to hear common questions related to communicating with tension and their answers, plus related resources that will improve your next graph or presentation. Listening time 35:00 |  related links: Article: a quick presentation makeover Article: the structure(s) of story Article: when tension is high, get to the point Book: storytelling with you Book: let's practice! Exercise: build the tension Resource: big idea worksheet Video channel: SWD YouTube Video series: storytelling with cole Video: dashboard to data story makeover Video: record yourself Video: create a storyboard Video: focus attention in data viz Video: avoid these 5 slide mistakes Video: the final presentation Video: don't keep me in suspense (open to premium) Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10) University: instructor resources

SWD storytellers Simon and Mike offer their thoughts on how the recent advancements in AI tools may transform the way we analyze and communicate with data. They also discuss some of their favorite entries and interesting themes from the most recent SWD challenge on the quantified self.   related links:   Website: SWD challenge A year of fitness by Evelina Judeikyte Number of steps in 2022 by Iris van Bussel Reads 2022 by Kirti Vardhan Rathore My 10 Years of Book Reading by Sibi Maran Cook more, eat less meat: Is my good resolution for 2023 being kept? by Line Ton That Water Usage by Rob Reid Personal Carbon Footprint by George-Alexandru Gavrilovici Meditation Tracking + Blue Sky Goals by Sarah Stern A Year of Disc Golf by Bryan Boyle By the time you finish reading this sentence… by Zen Faulkes Lizzy's Goodreads by Shane Reynolds Order storytelling with you Get sample content from Cole's new book  

Have a listen to this cross-cast of Cole's conversation with Brendan McGurgan, host of the ScaleX Insider Podcast and author of Simple Scaling: Ten Proven Principles to 10x Your Business. They discuss scaling organizations and dive deep into the topics of audience, the big idea, storyboarding, using tension to engage your audience, plus tips for improving how you present through practice. related links: Follow Brendan: LinkedIn | Website | Youtube Book: Simple Scaling: Ten Proven Principles to 10x Your Business Podcast: ScaleX Insider Podcast Order storytelling with you Get sample content from Cole's new book

Why don't we use triangles in charts more often? Can design considerations come before we have the data? Do we take data visualization too seriously? Author, speaker, and data literacy advocate Neil Richards raises (and occasionally answers) these and other questions in his new book, Questions in Dataviz: a Data-Driven Process for Data Visualization. In this episode, Neil stops by the podcast to talk about the value of creativity, personal passion projects, experimentation in data visualization, and whether dataviz can change the world.  related links: Follow Neil: Twitter | Website | Tableau Public (portfolio) Book: Questions in Dataviz Podcast: Alli Torban's Dataviz Today  Project: Makeover Monday SWD challenge: https://community.storytellingwithdata.com/challenges Project: Viz for Social Good Project: Andy Kirk's The Seinfeld Chronicles  Viz: US county hexmap Viz: Pet ownership in the UK Project: Data Visualization Society Project: Information is Beautiful Awards Get sample content & order storytelling with you: storytellingwithyou.com University instructor resources: storytelling with data.com/university SWD YouTube channel: storytellingwithdata.com/youtube

Cole shares a number of data visualization and communication questions that could be answered simply with the word, “Don't!” From breaking axes and presenting boxplots to unfamiliar audiences, to providing unsolicited feedback to a colleague, and more—you'll learn why generally not to take these actions, plus hear ideas on what you might do instead. related links: Video: the ins & outs of boxplots Video: transform the teleprompter slide Blog post: how many words should I put on my slide? Blog post: unsolicited feedback Get sample content & order storytelling with you: storytellingwithyou.com Nov 17 virtual workshop: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops (use discount code: PODCAST10) University instructor resources: storytelling with data.com/university SWD YouTube channel: storytellingwithdata.com/youtube

Cole sits down with husband, Randy Knaflic, for a fun chat about her new book, storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation. They discuss why building capability and confidence presenting is especially important for those in technical roles, overcoming challenges communicating to mixed audiences, navigating the writing process, and more. Tune in to learn what jazz improvisation has in common with presenting and gain appreciation for the art of the introduction—including specific steps you can take to craft the story of you. related links: Attend an upcoming storytelling with data workshop in London or virtually Order storytelling with you Get sample content from Cole's new book

As anyone who has ever participated in a fantasy league can tell you, the most fun part of the whole experience is drafting your team. We took that idea to heart, and imagined, “What if, instead of drafting professional athletes, we did a fantasy draft of chart and graph types?” The data storytellers at SWD and premium members of our online community recently did just that, taking part in a (mostly!) friendly competition to build themselves the strongest possible roster of methods for visualizing information. What chart type was chosen first overall? Did anybody pick pie charts? And, who do YOU think wound up with the best team? Listen to find out! related links: Book: Preview and pre-order the new book, storytelling with you  Workshop: Register for an upcoming SWD workshop  Interactive: The Gyllenhaal Experiment at pudding.cool Chart Guides and additional info: area graph | bar chart | bullet graph | bump chart | choropleth map | dot plot | heatmap | histogram | isotype chart | line graph | lollipop chart | pie chart | Sankey diagram | scatterplot | slopegraph | stacked bar chart | waffle (or square area) chart | waterfall  

How can we use beauty to convey meaning, and form to guide function, in our communications? In this episode of the SWD podcast, Dr. Vidya Setlur and Bridget Cogley explore these questions with data storyteller Mike Cisneros. In their upcoming book Functional Aesthetics for Data Visualization, Vidya (the “academic”) and Bridget (the “practitioner”) explore the relationships among what we see, how we encode information, and what we mean. You'll hear about the “bento box” model of organizing our information; how text, tone, register, and language affects our visualizations; how our relationship to food can inform what makes a communication effective; and how to go beyond “it depends” when considering the answers to challenging questions.  related links: Follow Vidya: Twitter (@vsetlur) | LinkedIn  | Tableau Research Follow Bridget: Twitter (@WindsCogley) | LinkedIn | TableauFit blog Book: Functional Aesthetics for Data Visualization Article: Honoring Kelly Martin, including the “Birdstrike Redoux” visualization Article: The Ishango bone, an early mathematical tool Paper: “The medium is the message” by Marshall McLuhan Article: “Light vision” by Margaret Livingstone (regarding isoluminance in Monet) Book: Mind in Motion by Barbara Tversky

Data storyteller Mike Cisneros sat down with Iron Viz champion, Tableau Visionary, and self-described “data jackalope” Joshua Smith to talk about how folklore—the study of how information is communicated, primarily through informal means—provides us a fascinating lens through which to examine how data visualization has evolved and continues to develop, both as a discipline and as a community of practitioners. You'll learn how “best practices” emerge, transform and persist (or are discarded) over time, how informal communication and culture can have unexpected effects on how our work is received, the inextricable links between belief and “objective” data, and how a storyteller can position themselves to be most effective. Several folklorists were mentioned in the course of this discussion. Dan Ben-Amos defined folklore as “Artistic communication in small groups.”  Lynne S. McNeil defined it as “Informally transmitted traditional culture.”  Alan Dundes identified many forms of folklore   William Bascom specified the four functions of folklore: it lets people escape from repressions imposed upon them by society e.g.: tall tales; it validates culture, justifying its rituals and institutions to those who perform and observe them; it is a pedagogic device which reinforces morals and values and builds wit; and it is a means of applying social pressure and exercising social control Richard Bauman explored performance theory and audience evaluation  Andrea Kitta explored the strength of personal narrative  Book |  Info We Trust by RJ Andrews Project | Makeover Monday  Article | Nancy Duarte - “Like Yoda You Must Be”  Article | Lilach Manheim & Mike Cisneros - “Beyond the hook: Building information experiences for attention and engagement”  Visualization | Robert Janezic - “Music Memories” 

Recently, Cole chatted with senior data analyst Shashank Kalanithi for his YouTube channel, where he helps people break into the world of analytics. Listen to this repost of their conversation—you'll hear Cole reflect on a wide range of topics, from why technical experts should double down on communication skills, to the ideal tech stack, to advice for undergrads, graduate students, and those transitioning into a career in data. Tune in also to be among the first to hear details about Cole's new book! Follow Shashank's YouTube channel Watch the original conversation Practice & exchange feedback: SWD community Article: data doesn't speak for itself Article: audience matters Article: audience, audience, audience Article: what tool should I use? Podcast: goals like Google Podcast: data viz research with Steven Franconeri

Through our workshops, we get the rare opportunity to meet thousands of people every year, across a huge variety of industries, companies, and roles. We never know what kinds of questions we're going to be asked. In this episode, SWD storyteller Mike Cisneros highlights a few recent notable questions, ranging from chart choices, to design, to presentation. The range of topics may be broad, but the commonality among everything discussed here is that they're answers to questions you asked. Attend an upcoming workshop: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops  (use promo code PODCAST10 for 10% off the registration fee) Hans Rosling: 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes (BBC) Hans Rosling: The best stats you've ever seen (TED talk) Video: Animating data Blog: Left-aligning chart titles Blog: The right amount of detail SWD community exercise: optimize your output SWD community exercise: storyboard YOUR project ------------------- Additional voice content: Jennifer Schumi Additional music: “Destiny” by ASHUTOSH  https://www.ashutoshmusic.com/music Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

How can you position yourself—and your team—to be a valued analytics consultant by your stakeholders and clients? Cole talks with Simon Rowe, the newest data storyteller on the SWD team, about his experience and tips for building productive partnerships. Tune in to hear about the journey from reactive to proactive data analytics, including practical strategies you can employ to avoid missteps, build relationships, and have greater impact in your work. Related links: Follow Simon: Twitter | LinkedIn

“I want to be able to show it and say, doesn't that feel good? And you know what? We actually know it works well, it's not just your intuition.” In this episode, Cole talks with Northwestern University professor and director of the Visual Thinking Lab, Dr. Steven Franconeri. Hear about research that helps us understand and harness the limits of our visual system and how it can be translated into practical terms to help you design better graphs and dashboards. Cole and Steve discuss several recent studies, how to bridge the chasm between academia and practitioners, some of the unsolved problems of data visualization, and more. Related links: Follow Steve: Twitter | LinkedIn | Faculty page The Visual Thinking Lab Journal: Psychological Science in the Public Interest Paper: The Science of Visual Data Communication: What Works, single page summary Paper: Declutter and Focus: Empirically Evaluating Design Guidelines for Effective Data Communication  Paper: Visual Arrangements of Bar Charts Influence Comparisons in Viewer Takeaways  Paper: Measures of the Benefit of Direct Encoding of Data Deltas for Data Pair Relation Perception Uncertainty: FiveThirtyEight's 2020 Election Forecast Book: The Thinking Eye, the Seeing Brain (James Enns) Book: Visual Thinking for Design (Colin Ware) People mentioned: Lace Padilla, Jessica Hullman, Jeff Zacks, Priti Shah, Christie Nothelfer, Cindy Xiong, Matt Kay 

Establish yourself as a well-respected data visualization practitioner. Cole shares five points that will help you do it. Tune in to hear tips and tactics for setting good goals, learning, evaluating your work, influencing others, and getting the support you need to become—or help members of your team become—a data visualization and storytelling superstar, followed by Q&A. Subscribe to the SWD YouTube channel Watch become a data viz superstar part 1 to see Cole illustrate a progression along the graph spectrum Listen to podcast episode 14: learning data viz For more on OKRs, listen to podcast episode 13: goals like Google Download the Big Picture worksheet Join the SWD community; share your goal in your member profile

Have you encountered challenges in your attempts to drive change with data visualization? In this episode, Cole talks with SWD's newest data storyteller, Amy Esselman, about the difficulties that can arise when you try to impact people's perceptions and behaviors. You'll hear about Amy's research on the status quo bias and her encounters with it in real life. Tune in also for a conversation about the human side of data, developing empathy for those you aim to influence, and practical strategies for overcoming common barriers to change. Related links: Follow Amy: LinkedIn | Twitter Amy's research: A Study of Status Quo Bias in Data Visualization Article: the old way is better Video: overcoming resistance Book: Nudge (Thaler & Sunstein) Share your stories & strategies in the SWD community conversation on change

Fresh off a successful search to expand the SWD team, Cole chats with SWD advisor, husband Randy Knaflic, about a critical part of the hiring process: interviewing. Randy shares tips learned and stories lived over a career of hiring talent, from Google to SpaceX to storytelling with data. From showing compassion for a nerve-racked candidate to strategies for thoughtfully crafting and effectively addressing interview questions—whether interviewer or candidate—there's something for everyone in this episode. Subscribe to the SWD YouTube channel Watch become a data viz superstar part 1 to see Cole illustrate a data viz progression Listen to podcast episode 14: learning data viz For more on OKRs, listen to podcast episode 13: goals like Google

"There's so much value to be gained in the exchange that happens after someone asks a really good question." The Q&A portion of a presentation is important, but the uncertainty can also be intimidating. When should you solicit questions, and for how long? What do you do when a query is off-topic? What if you don't know the answer? Tune in to hear Cole and Alex talk about preparing for successful audience interactions, including strategies for navigating tricky situations. Cole also answers listener inquiries about presenting data visualizations and keeping an audience engaged. Upcoming Milwaukee workshop (use discount code PODCAST10) Podcast: it depends! Blog post: power pairing of color and words

Tune in to hear Cole discuss one of her favorite low-tech planning strategies: storyboarding. Small, sticky, and sublimely potent when used well—she details her penchant for post-it notes and process of using them to brainstorm, edit, and solicit feedback to create shorter, targeted, and generally more effective communications. Article: give it time Book: Info We Trust by RJ Andrews Book: Let's Practice! by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic Book: The Big Picture by Steve Wexler Conversation: my bars don't start at zero Exercise: storyboard YOUR project July 2021 virtual event: a tale of two audiences SWD community: sign up, explore the starter guide TC19 presentation: low-tech SUPERPOWERS for data storytelling Tool: Miro (virtual whiteboard) Upcoming workshops: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops (use discount code PODCAST10)

Cole talks with professional “chart looker-atter” Steve Wexler, about his new book The Big Picture: How to Use Data Visualization to Make Better Decisions—Faster. Tune in for a conversation centered around evangelizing the transformative power of data visualization in an organization, including the value of visualizing for “aha!” (not “ooh and aah”), increasing data fluency, and the importance of collaborating with stakeholders for better results. Also hear Steve's view on why several highly-lauded historical graphs aren't ones he'd recommend emulating, whether dashboards can tell a story, and more. LINKS: Buy Steve's new book! The Big Picture | download a sample Follow Steve: @datarevelations | www.datarevelations.com More by Steve: The Big Book of Dashboards

A good data visualization can reveal and communicate insights. But bad graphs abound. In this episode, Cole chats with Ben Jones about misleading graphs. They discuss a number of common issues, including missorted time, miscalculated area, going against expected norms, spurious correlations, and more. Tune in for tips on how to read graphs and spot issues and avoid being duped, as well as strategies to consider when graphing data so the visualizations you create don't inadvertently misinform. LINKS: Ben Jones | @dataremixed | Data Literacy Books by Ben mentioned: Learning to See Data, Avoiding Data Pitfalls Ben's repository of graphical gaffes: What NOT to Do Book: Mind in Motion (Barbara Tversky) Book: Graphic Methods for Presenting Facts (Williard C. Brinton) Article: Linear vs. Quadratic Change (Robert Kosara) Article: Why not to use two axes, and what to do instead (Lisa Charlotte Rost) Article: The public do not understand logarithmic graphs used to portray COVID-19 Site: ourworldindata.org Site: spurious correlations Site/books: Calling Bullshit (Carl Bergstrom & Jevin West) Tweet/graph: Who emits the most? (Greta Thunberg) Resource: Ben's “16 chart reading tips” checklist SWD workshops: see upcoming dates & register (use discount code PODCAST10 at checkout)

Giving good feedback to others—when done well—can help you sharpen your own thinking and approaches for visualizing and communicating with data. We'll start with this critical topic in our new 10-week course, so it seemed like the perfect timing to repost the original episode of the storytelling with data podcast. I discuss the value of giving and receiving data visualization feedback and potential problem areas to avoid. Hear The Economist's eloquent response to critique of one of their graphs, plus answers to reader questions on when to use graphs, considerations with dashboards, and data viz book recommendations (updated with some recent publications!). MENTIONED LINKS: 10-week course & upcoming workshops: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com Blog post: SWD makeover challenge on The Economist's hurricane graph Article: “Design & Redesign in Data Visualization” by Fernanda Viegas & Martin Wattenberg Blog post: my guiding principles Article: The subtle art that differentiates good designers from great designers by UX Planet Blog post: a tale about opportunity Book: The Big Book of Dashboards by Steve Wexler, Jeff Shaffer & Andy Cotgreave Book: storytelling with data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic Book: WSJ Guide to Information Graphics by Dona Wong Book: Show Me the Numbers by Stephen Few Book: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte Book: Avoiding Data Pitfalls by Ben Jones Book: Better Data Visualizations by Jonathan Schwabish Book: Let's Practice! by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic Resource: SWD community Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com or start a conversation in SWD community

“You don't have to be a cartographer to make a great map.” Cole talks with cartographer Kenneth Field, author of the award-winning book, Cartography. Tune in to hear the thought process for visualizing data when the “where” matters, including different types of maps, how purpose and audience should drive design decisions, and whether there's any such thing as a truly accurate map. Plus, learn how technology has compressed the mapmaking process (for better and worse)—from graphicacy to objectivity and ethics, it's an episode not to miss! LINKS: Follow Ken: @kennethfield | carto.maps.arcgis.com Buy Ken's book: Cartography Also mentioned: How to Lie with Maps (Monmonier) Non-cartographers who made exceptional maps: Charles Minard (map), Florence Nightingale (map), Harry Beck (map)

“For data visualization, you don't need to be an artist to make good sketches.” Cole talks with Data Sketches authors, Shirley Wu and Nadieh Bremer, about their multi-year project that has been turned into a beautiful new book. Listen as they discuss their exploration of the creative side of data visualization through colors, shapes, math, code, and storytelling. Tune in to learn why you should give a 4-year old a watercolor set, the power of a rainbow palette, using flowers to visualize data, and much more. LINKS: Data Sketches: buy on Amazon | datasketch.es | @datasketches Follow Shirley: shirleywu.studio | @sxywu Follow Nadieh: visualcinnamon.com | @NadiehBremer Projects shown/discussed: Nadieh's Lord of the Rings | Shirley's Film Flowers

Cole talks with Jon Schwabish about his latest book, Better Data Visualizations. Tune in to hear about Jon's goal to make people aware of a wider array of graphs, which less common graphs he wishes people would use more, his favorite Sankey diagram, and how Luxembourg highlighted an important lesson about maps. Jon also addresses viewer questions on fact-checking, communicating qualitative data, and his work on racial equity in data visualization, including things we should all be thinking about when we make graphs. Pre-order: Better Data Visualizations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks Other books by Jon: Better Presentations, Elevate the Debate Follow Jon: @jschwabish | www.policyviz.com | Data@Urban Other books mentioned: Storyteller's Secret, Resonate, Slide:ology, Presentation Zen, How Charts Lie, Avoiding Data Pitfalls  People mentioned: Kim Rees, Ann Emery, RJ Andrews, Moritz Stefaner, Nadieh Bremer, Pedro Cruz Jon's 2014 article “An Economist's Guide to Visualizing Data” Jon's projects: The Graphic Continuum, One Chart at a Time video series Exploratory vs. explanatory: Form and Function: Let Your Audience's Needs Drive Your Data Visualization Choices Sankey diagram from Reddit: How 52 Ninth-Graders Spell Camouflage Interactive Sankey from The Pudding: The Gyllenhaal Experiment Medium article: "Word Clouds: We Can't Make Them Go Away, So Let's Improve Them" by Marti Hearst Research resource: Our World In Data Medium article: "Applying Racial Equity Awareness in Data Visualization" by Jon Schwabish and Alice Feng

Being able to introduce yourself eloquently and in a way that captures and keeps your intended audience's attention is a hugely important thing. Yet, we don't commonly devote a lot of time or thought to planning how we do this. In this episode, Cole shares the process that she and the storytelling with data team used to create their intros, plus shares the steps you can use to form your own inspirational introduction. She also addresses listener questions on dot plots, the audience constraint, and tips for slowing down when presenting. Mentioned Links: Workshops: storytellingwithdata.com/custom-workshops Worksheet: the Big Idea worksheet Exercise: storyboard YOUR project Article: the structure(s) of story Exercise: craft your intro Challenge: let's plot with a dot Article: what is a dot plot? Resource: SWD chart guide Podcast: it's for THEM Conversation: slowing it down Video: presenting data Ask a question: start a community conversation Current challenge: visualize your resume Live podcast with Jon Schwabish: register Virtual event (1/26): become a data viz superstar Go premium! premium community membership

How can you get people's attention on what you want to share and drive the action you seek? Carefully consider your audience. In this episode, Cole dives deep on audience, discussing ways to identify who they are and prioritize their needs, strategies for approaching the challenging but common case of the mixed audience, and tips for getting to know an unfamiliar audience. She also addresses listener questions on grad school, gauging data storytelling success, and innovation in data visualization. LINKS: Book: storytelling with data: Let's Practice! Exercises: community.storytellingwithdata.com/exercises Worksheet: the Big Idea worksheet Webinars: storytellingwithdata.com/webinars Conversation: contemplating grad school Conversation: efficacy of data storytelling Challenge: xenographics Challenge: critique then (re)create Virtual event (12/14): member makeovers Go premium! premium community membership