storytelling with data podcast
Episodes
storytelling with data podcast: #97 delivering business value with data, with Shachar Meir
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Amy talks with Shachar Meir, a data executive with more than 20 years of experience leading dat...
storytelling with data podcast: #95 Structure Liberates – Why Your Data Needs a Style Guide with Maxine Graze
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How do you ensure your data visuals are consistently effective—and on brand? In this episode, SWD data storyteller, Simon Rowe chats with Maxine Gra...
storytelling with data podcast: #96 what’s the story behind your data? demystifying data equity with Heather Krause
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if the numbers you work with every day weren’t as neutral as you thought?In this episode, Mike is joined by Heather Krause, founder of We All C...
storytelling with data podcast: #94 the uncharted territory of data and music with Chris Dalla Riva
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Dalla Riva is a musician, data analyst, and the author of Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us about the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves. I...
storytelling with data podcast: #93 revisiting the magic of story
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of the *storytelling with data* podcast, Cole celebrates the 10-year anniversary of her best-selling book, *storytelling with ...
storytelling with data podcast: #92 Why Dashboards Die—and How to Save Them With Allison Horst
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Simon chats with Allison Horst—developer advocate at Observable, educator, and beloved data i...
storytelling with data podcast: #91 Dashboards that Deliver with Andy Cotgreave
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Data visualization veteran Andy Cotgreave joins host Mike Cisneros for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of dashboards, the craf...
storytelling with data #90: ask smart questions (rebroadcast)
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Asking good questions can help improve our own and others’ work: both when exploring and explaining data. In this rebroadcast of episode 19, Cole co...
storytelling with data podcast: #89 putting the art in chart with Nadieh Bremer
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Data storyteller Alex talks with Nadieh Bremer, an award-winning data visualization practitioner, about her new book, Chart: Designing Creative Data...
storytelling with data podcast: #88: swimmer, startup, storyteller with fares ksebati
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this founder series edition of the storytelling with data podcast, Randy sits down poolside in Antalya, Turkey with Fares Ksebati—CEO and founder...
storytelling with data podcast: #87: the founder’s journey: From Lagos to Zurich to AI-Powered Insights
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data podcast: #86: speak so others listen
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data podcast: #85 what founders can teach us about storytelling & resilience
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NEW SERIES: The Founder’s Journey – Stories of Building, Scaling & StorytellingWe’re launching something new on thestorytelling with data po...
storytelling with data podcast: #84 mastering time
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 do...
storytelling with data podcast: #83 reflect and refine
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 transitio...
storytelling with data podcast: #82 everyday design & dataviz
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 gr...
storytelling with data podcast: #81 How to Make Math Magical for Kids: Cole & Jon Orr from Make Math Moments
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Cole teams up with Jon Orr, co-founder of Make Math Moments, for an inspiring discussion on how to transform math education for young...
storytelling with data podcast: #80 Inspiring The Next Generation - Daphne Draws Data
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, Cole unveils her new children's book, "Daphne Draws Data," a vibrant adventure aimed at making data, numbers and graphs acces...
storytelling with data podcast: #79 Recast: Cole & EXP Milwaukee
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
storytelling with data podcast: #78 Visualize This with Nathan Yau
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 schoo...
storytelling with data podcast: #77 creativity with data, a chat with Alli Torban
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Data storyteller Alex talks with information designer Alli Torban about her new book, Chart Spark. Alli believes that creativity isn’t a synonym for...
storytelling with data podcast: #76 deliver with confidence
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this repost of the Data Viz Today podcast, Information Designer Alli Torban talks with Cole about strategies for delivering data presentations, par...
storytelling with data podcast: #75 The Data Storyteller’s Handbook with Kat Greenbrook
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cole talks with New Zealand-based data storyteller, Kat Greenbrook, about her new book, The Data Storyteller’s Handbook: How to create business impa...
storytelling with data podcast: #74 planning your presentation
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
storytelling with data podcast: #73 stand up
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, Col...
storytelling with data podcast: #72 Alberto Cairo and the art of insight
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 st...
storytelling with data podcast: #71 pre-reads are risky business
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 desire...
storytelling with data podcast: #70 prepare to present
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cole walks listeners through her process of preparing for a recent presentation—from turning an idea into slides, to how she readied herself to pres...
storytelling with data podcast: #69 feedback you hate to receive
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data podcast: #68: tips for successful data stories
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 episo...
storytelling with data podcast: #67 storytelling withOUT data
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data podcast: #66 Designing in Light and Dark
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Alex discuss the advantages and drawbacks of designing visualizations with light and dark backgrounds, using examples from SWD community memb...
storytelling with data podcast: #65 EMPHASIZE it!
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cole draws on a recent experience that underscored the power of thoughtful EMPHASIS. Tune in for practical tactics to create contrast visually and ver...
storytelling with data podcast: #64 beginner mistakes in data viz
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
storytelling with data podcast: #63 bad news and good feedback
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data podcast: #62 tension in data stories
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data podcast: #61 AI, quantified self, and fingernails
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data podcast: #60 scale with purpose with Brendan McGurgan
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data podcast: #59 questions in dataviz with Neil Richards
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data podcast: #58 don’t! (and what to do instead)
05 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cole shares a number of data visualization and communication questions that could be answered simply with the word, “Don’t!” From breaking axes ...
storytelling with data podcast: #57 storytelling with YOU
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data podcast: #56 graph draft!
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 id...
storytelling with data podcast: #55 functional aesthetics with Dr. Vidya Setlur & Bridget Cogley
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 B...
storytelling with data: #54 storytelling, folklore, and data with Joshua Smith
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Data storyteller Mike Cisneros sat down with Iron Viz champion, Tableau Visionary, and self-described “data jackalope” Joshua Smith to talk about ...
storytelling with data: #53 Shashank Kalanithi interviews Cole
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, Cole chatted with senior data analyst Shashank Kalanithi for his YouTube channel, where he helps people break into the world of analytics. L...
storytelling with data: #52 you asked...
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Through our workshops, we get the rare opportunity to meet thousands of people every year, across a huge variety of industries, companies, and roles. ...
storytelling with data: #51 the path to trusted advisor
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data: #50 data viz research with Steven Franconeri
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“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.”...
storytelling with data: # 49: become a data viz superstar
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 tac...
storytelling with data: # 48: the challenges of change
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you encountered challenges in your attempts to drive change with data visualization? In this episode, Cole talks with SWD’s newest data storyte...
storytelling with data: #47 the art of the interview
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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:...
storytelling with data: #46 questions about questions
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"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 impo...
storytelling with data: #45 the power of post-its
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to hear Cole discuss one of her favorite low-tech planning strategies: storyboarding. Small, sticky, and sublimely potent when used well—she...
storytelling with data: #44 The Big Picture with Steve Wexler
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cole talks with professional “chart looker-atter” Steve Wexler, about his new book The Big Picture: How to Use Data Visualization to Make Better D...
storytelling with data: #43 misleading graphs
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A good data visualization can reveal and communicate insights. But bad graphs abound. In this episode, Cole chats with Ben Jones about misleading grap...
storytelling with data: #42 there is still an art to feedback
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Giving good feedback to others—when done well—can help you sharpen your own thinking and approaches for visualizing and communicating with data. W...
storytelling with data: #41 maps with Kenneth Field
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“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, Cartogr...
storytelling with data: #40 Data Sketches with Shirley Wu & Nadieh Bremer
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“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 Bre...
storytelling with data: #39 Better Data Visualizations with Jon Schwabish
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ar...
storytelling with data: #38 hi, my name is...
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data: #37 it's for THEM
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data: #36 presenting data
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When communicating data in a meeting or presentation, YOU play a very important role. How can you talk about your data in a way that makes others want...
storytelling with data: #35 a conversation with Maarten Lambrechts
28 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A xenographic is simply a chart type not seen before, and in this episode, Cole talks with data journalist and designer Maarten Lambrechts, creator of...
storytelling with data: #34 a conversation with John Zeratsky
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With days defined by distraction, how can we solve big problems and make time for what matters? Cole talks with technology designer and author of Spri...
storytelling with data: #33 the power of drawing with Catherine Madden
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
“Creativity is not stopping at the 1st or 2nd or 3rd iteration. Let’s create a ton of spaghetti and throw it at the wall—eventually something wi...
storytelling with data: #32 a conversation with Andy Kirk
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
“Visualization is a game of decisions.” In this episode, Cole chats with data visualization consultant, teacher, researcher, and author, Andy Kirk...
storytelling with data: #31 presenting virtually with Andy Cotgreave
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to this lively conversation, where Cole chats with The Big Book of Dashboard author and Tableau evangelist, Andy Cotgreave, about optimizing p...
storytelling with data: #30 influencing change for data storytelling
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What should we do when we believe others should place more value on effective data storytelling than they think they should? Don’t fight every fight...
storytelling with data: #29 think like a reporter
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lights, camera, action! Tune in to hear Cole, Randy and the entire SWD team chat with Kristen Johnson, Executive Director of Communications and Market...
storytelling with data: #28 WFH with SWD
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The storytelling with data team has been a work-from-home team since the beginning and in this episode, Randy and data storytellers Elizabeth, Mike, a...
storytelling with data: #27 what is data visualization
22 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we visualize data and what makes data visualization good? Tune in to hear Cole share her thoughts on these and related questions. She also answ...
storytelling with data: #26 Ben Jones and Avoiding Data Pitfalls
27 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While in Seattle recently, Cole sat down with the author of recently published Avoiding Data Pitfalls, Ben Jones. They discuss missteps using data, wh...
storytelling with data: #25 Better Presentations with Jon Schwabish
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When in DC recently, Cole visited the Urban Institute to talk with Jon Schwabish, author of Better Presentations and editor of the soon-to-be-released...
storytelling with data: #24 Andy, Jeff & Steve and The Big Book of Dashboards
18 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Backstage at the Tableau Conference, Cole sat down with the three authors of The Big Book of Dashboards for a lively conversation. Listen to their cha...
storytelling with data: #23 Nancy Duarte & DataStory
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From graphs made with electric tape and exacto knives at NASA to CEO of a renowned Silicon Valley communications firm—in this episode, Cole talks wi...
storytelling with data: #22 Alberto Cairo & How Charts Lie
09 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If good graphs empower us to pose good questions, what happens on the dark side of data viz? In this episode, Cole talks with Alberto Cairo about his ...
storytelling with data: #21 a special conversation with...
22 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The sloppy copy, picture power, and more about Cole’s new book in this special episode of the SWD podcast. LINKS: Pre-order storytelling with data:...
storytelling with data: #20 think like a designer
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcasting from Seville, Spain—a city where modern and traditional meet in design—in this episode, Cole chats with three designers from digital ...
storytelling with data: #19 ask smart questions
24 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Asking good questions can help improve our own and others’ work: both when exploring and explaining data. Tune in to hear Cole cover five smart quer...
storytelling with data: #18 dataklubben replay
07 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
While recently in Copenhagen, Cole had a great chat with dataklubben podcasters Søren Christian Søndergaard Poulsen and Jens-Jacob Aarup. Tune in to...
storytelling with data: #17 which graph should I use?
27 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 mo...
storytelling with data: #16 develop your team
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data: #15 a conversation with RJ Andrews
27 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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. The...
storytelling with data: #14 learning dataviz
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 re...
storytelling with data: #13 goals like Google
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 learn...
storytelling with data: #12 a conversation with Elijah Meeks
04 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What is the Third Wave of Data Visualization? Elijah Meeks believes it’s happening now and that it means changing constructs and possibly priorities...
storytelling with data: #11 #MakeoverMonday
14 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 thei...
storytelling with data: #10 right place right graph
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
storytelling with data: #9 Data Stories replay
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data: #8 the many myths of data visualization
19 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
storytelling with data: #7 a conversation with alberto cairo
29 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Truth or Lie? It isn’t that simple or binary when it comes to visualizing and communicating with data: there is a spectrum. In this episode, Cole ta...
storytelling with data: #6 say it out loud
21 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s a graph, a slide, a presentation, your message, a story—there can be immense value in talking through it, out loud. In this sess...
storytelling with data: #5 the beauty of constraints
24 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We often complain about the constraints we face when communicating via a presentation: we don’t have enough time, we don’t have the right tools, w...
storytelling with data: #4 it depends...
06 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
“It depends.” These two simple words can answer a number of questions raised when it comes to visualizing data and communicating with it effective...
storytelling with data: #3 how I'm building this
10 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
“How did you start storytelling with data?” is a question I receive frequently. In this episode, I’m interviewed by my husband, Randy, and field...
storytelling with data: #2 what is story?
20 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The term "storytelling" is more popular than ever—but moving beyond the buzzword—there is real impact that you can have by framing your data in st...
storytelling with data: #1 the art of feedback
28 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Feedback is a critical component for refining and perfecting data visualization. In this first episode, Cole discusses both the value of giving and re...