storytelling with data podcast

Latest Episodes:

storytelling with data: #17 which graph should I use? May 27, 2019

Show notes

It sounds like a simple question, yet it’s one with which many people grapple: how do I best visualize my data? In this episode, Cole reviews the most common types of data visualizations used in a business setting and discusses use cases and considerations with each. Tune in also to hear Cole address listener questions on graphing survey results, Tableau vs. PowerBI and how to influence a client who wants default graphs rather than a data-driven story.

LINKS:

SWD blog post: grables and taphs

#SWDchallenge recap: plots with dots

#SWDchallenge recap: 88 annotated line graphs

Curved Discussion post: lines vs. bars

Flourish graph: GOT bar chart race

Data Revelations post: rethinking the divergent stacked bar

BBC Video: Hans Rosling bubblegraph

Tweet: bubblegraph GIF

Map: 100 years of platypus sightings

Map: pasture and crop

Resource: xeno.graphics

#SWDchallenge recap: square area graphs

Twitter thread: Tableau vs. PowerBI

May #SWDchallenge recap: artisanal data

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #16 develop your team Apr 09, 2019

Show notes

Honing your own data visualization and storytelling skills is one thing. But what about when you want to help others around you? In this episode, Cole discusses what you can do—whether a manager interested in developing your team or an individual interesting in influencing those around you—to cultivate organizational capabilities for effective data storytelling. Cole also addresses listener questions on when we should use graphs, data viz tools for beginners, and getting effective feedback.

LINKS:

We’re hiring! SWD careers

Interesting team set ups? Email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Article: A Framework to Give Better Design Feedback: Analyze, Discuss, Suggest

April #SWDchallenge: emulate

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #15 a conversation with RJ Andrews Feb 27, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Cole talks with data storyteller and author of recently published Info We Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data—RJ Andrews. They converse over coffee in his San Francisco kitchen, discussing the book, RJ’s unique creative process (including the 300+ hand drawn images that fill the book) and sources of inspiration for data storytelling.

Listening time: 1:03:57

LINKS:

Buy the book! Info we Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data

Follow @infowetrust | infowetrust.com

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #14 learning dataviz Feb 05, 2019

Show notes

How did you learn to visualize data? Professionals in this space hail from a wide variety of backgrounds and in this episode, you’ll hear a dozen responses to this question, from artists, mathematicians and more. Listen to these industry leaders’ captivating stories and anecdotes—while learning lessons that you can apply to hone your own data visualization skills.

Moritz Stefaner: @moritz_stefaner | truth-and-beauty.net

Andy Cotgreave: @acotgreave | gravyanecdote.com

Jen Christiansen: @ChristiansenJen | jenchristiansen.com

Alberto Cairo: @albertocairo | albertocairo.com

RJ Andrews: @infowetrust | infowetrust.com

Jeffrey Shaffer: @HighVizAbility | dataplusscience.com

Shirley Wu: @sxywu | sxywu.com

Jon Schwabish: @jschwabish | policyviz.com

Naomi B. Robbins: @nbrgraphs | nbr-graphs.com

Steve Wexler: @VizBizWiz | datarevelations.com

Robert Kosara: @eagereyes | eagereyes.org

Elijah Meeks: @Elijah_Meeks | elijahmeeks.com

storytelling with data: #13 goals like Google Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

Why do new year’s resolutions often fail? How do we set good goals? In this episode, Cole discusses the quarterly OKR goal-setting process she learned at Google and how it can be used to foster intentional actions, help achieve major accomplishments, and contribute to success—in work, and in life! Cole also answers listener questions on graphical literacy, how to convince someone that story isn’t fluff, and tips for ensuring success when crafting data stories that someone else will present.

Video: How Google Sets Goals

Upcoming public workshops: 2019 schedule

January #SWDchallenge: let’s try something new!

storytelling with data: book downloads

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @randyknaflic

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #12 a conversation with Elijah Meeks Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

What is the Third Wave of Data Visualization? Elijah Meeks believes it’s happening now and that it means changing constructs and possibly priorities for practitioners. In this episode, Cole sits down with Elijah in Miami after his closing keynote presentation at the Tapestry conference. They discuss his presentation, moving past optimizing for a single chart, building trust to push boundaries, teaching stakeholders data literacy, and more.

LINKS:

Tapestry conference keynote: link to video to be added when available

Book: D3.js in Action

Data visualization survey: 2018 results

Follow Elijah: @Elijah-Meeks | Medium | Github

storytelling with data: book downloads

December #SWDchallenge: visualize the holidays

Upcoming workshops: Q1 2019 schedule

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #11 #MakeoverMonday Nov 14, 2018

Show notes

It’s a community project, it’s a book, it may even be a way to land a new job! Hear Cole talk with coathors Andy Kriebel and Eva Murray about their writing process and lessons from #MakeoverMonday: Improving How We Visualize and Analyze Data, One Chart at a Time, including the importance of simplifying and iterating, why feedback posed as a question can be less intimidating, and experimentation as a way to learn how to better visualize data.

LINKS:

Book: #MakeoverMonday: Improving How We Visualize & Analyze Data, One Chart at a Time

#MakeoverMonday: the project, the gallery, the data, upcoming webinars & workshops

Follow Andy: @VizWizBI | LinkedIn

Follow Eva: @TriMyData | LinkedIn

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #10 right place right graph Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

Could the process of choosing where to live give us some insights on choosing the “right” graph? When it comes to your data presentations, how do you choose the right graph? Is there even such a thing as the “right” graph? In this episode, Cole shares some updates on life changes, discusses the concept of graphing for exploring and understanding your data, graphing for communicating, and some tools that may make your process for landing on an effective visual more efficient. She answers listener Q&A on non-zero baselines, when to use an axis vs. when to label data directly, and how to know when your visualization is complete.

Listening time: 32:58

LINKS:

Zan Armstrong’s video: include link to Zan’s UW talk

Elijah Meeks’ Medium article: What charts do

Juice Analytics Chart Chooser

Ann Emery’s Essentials Chart Choosing Tool

Jon Schwabish’s Graphic Continuum Poster & Cards

Andy Kirk’s Chartmaker Directory

Browse the archives: #SWDchallenge

Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

storytelling with data: #9 Data Stories replay Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

After a brief pause, the storytelling with data podcast is almost back with a replay of a recent podcast Cole did with Moritz Stefaner and Enrico Bertini of Data Stories. Listening time: 37:02 Follow on Twitter: @datastories, @moritz_stefaner, @FILWD

storytelling with data: #8 the many myths of data visualization Jun 19, 2018

Show notes

Do graphs always have to have a zero baseline? Are pie charts evil? Is there a single, “right” answer? In this episode, Cole discusses a number of myths and a few rules in data visualization. She also answers listener Q&A on how to deal with presenting materials you aren’t necessarily proud of, strategies for graphing uneven time intervals, and tips for teams interested in developing data visualization skills.

LINKS:

June #SWDchallenge: slopegraphs

Blog post: connecting...the dots

Podcast: Jon & I chat about non-zero baselines

Blog post: bar charts must have a zero baseline

Blog post: a little math on non-zero baselines

Study: an illustrated tour of the pie charts study results

Blog post: F**k it, let’s use pie charts

Podcast: a conversation with Alberto Cairo (Episode 7)

Book: Data Points

Book: Factfulness

Medium series: Data Visualization, Fast & Slow