storytelling with data podcast

help! my data story feels boring 08.07.2026 12min

Can "nothing changed" still be a compelling data story?Join data storyteller Alli Torban as she shares why "everything is performing as expected" can still be a meaningful data story. Through three examples from the storytelling with data community, you'll learn practical techniques for making "normal" meaningful by establishing expectations, adding helpful context, and giving your audience confidence to make a decision—even when there isn't a dramatic insight hiding in the data.LINKSShow notesThe storytelling with data bookJoin the SWD communitySteven’s submissionRobyn’s submissionGian’s submissionWatch our free AI virtual event LIVE on July 13th, 2026Register for the 4-hour, public workshop on August 20th, 2026

how to teach data storytelling 01.07.2026 40min

How do you teach data storytelling—and how does that change across disciplines, audiences, and experience levels?Join data storyteller Amy Esselman and members of the storytelling with data university instructor community as they discuss how they help students move beyond analyzing data to communicating it clearly. You'll hear practical teaching strategies, including hands-on critique, real-world datasets, audience-centered assignments, and thoughtful conversations about the role of AI in the classroom.Whether you're an educator, trainer, team leader, or aspiring practitioner, you'll come away with ideas for helping yourself and others turn analysis into understanding—and understanding into action.RELATED RESOURCESShow notesSWD instructor resource hubBig Idea worksheetFeatured guests:Francisco Cruzado PerniLisa CarlsonSimon CondliffElizabeth RicksJoel DunahoeRegister for our virtual live event on July 13th, 2026! AI for data storytelling: better graphs, slides, and presentations

storytelling with data podcast: #100 the best episodes we’d send to a friend 25.06.2026 46min

In this special 100th episode, the storytelling with data team looks back at our favorite podcast moments and shares the episodes we'd recommend depending on where you are in your data storytelling journey.Whether you're learning the fundamentals, trying to create more compelling stories, thinking more strategically, influencing stakeholders, or presenting with confidence, we've curated special playlists to help you find the right episodes faster.Along the way, you'll hear memorable clips, practical lessons that have stuck with us over the years, and the moments that changed how we think about communicating with data.If you're new to the podcast, this episode is the perfect place to start. If you've been with us for all 100 episodes, you'll discover hidden gems worth revisiting.Show noteshttps://www.storytellingwithdata.com/podcast/100Spotify PlaylistsLearning data storytelling basics: PlaylistCreating better stories: PlaylistThinking strategically: PlaylistInfluencing people and decisions: PlaylistPresenting with confidence: Playlist

storytelling with data podcast: #99 learn to love critique (even if you’re sensitive) 02.06.2026 59min

Cole and new SWD teammate Alli talk about how to get more comfortable receiving feedback—even if you’re sensitive to critique. They explore how mindset shapes the way you hear feedback, why separating yourself from your work can unlock growth, and how building feedback into your process can help you improve faster. Along the way, they share personal stories—from Cole coaching a fourth-grade presentation to Alli’s early podcasting struggles—and how their own perspectives on feedback have evolved.You’ll also hear practical tips for asking for better feedback and managing the tension that can come with critique. If you create and share ideas at work, this episode is for you. You don’t need thicker skin—you need a new perspective and a better process.Related links:8-week online course: plan, create, and deliver your data story (next cohort starts September 2026)—use code Podcast10 for 10% off!Register for the upcoming SWD free Live Event: AI for data storytellingPodcast episode 6: say it out loudPodcast episode 77: Alli Torban on Chart SparkBook: storytelling with youJoin the storytelling with data community to get feedback on your workData Stories podcast episode 133 (with Enrico Bertini, Moritz Stefaner, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Alli Torban, and Jon Schwabish)

storytelling with data podcast: #98 how to overcome your presentation challenges 06.05.2026 1t 7min

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Simon and Amy tackle common presentation challenges submitted by subscribers to the storytelling with data YouTube channel.They discuss how to turn complex analysis into a clear and engaging story, why storyboarding can help you structure your message before jumping into slides, and how to decide what to include—and what to leave out—when your analysis contains more detail than your audience needs.Simon and Amy also explore practical strategies for presenting dashboards, balancing graphs and tables, preparing for tough questions, connecting with your audience, and managing nerves. Along the way, they share personal presentation mishaps, hard-earned lessons, and concrete tips for building confidence, reducing filler words, and delivering with greater clarity.Whether you’re presenting to executives, clients, colleagues, or classmates, this episode offers practical guidance to help you plan, create, and deliver more effective presentations.Related resources:Subscribe to the storytelling with data YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@storytellingwithdataRegister for the May 14, 2026 virtual workshop: https://storytellingwithdata.com/workshopsUse code Podcast10 for 10% offBook: storytelling with you: https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/booksPodcast episode 86: speak so others listen: https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/confidentcommunicationPodcast episode 46: the question of questions

storytelling with data podcast: #97 delivering business value with data, with Shachar Meir 06.05.2026 54min

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Amy talks with Shahar Meir, a data executive with more than 20 years of experience leading data teams at companies including Meta and PayPal. Together, they explore what it really takes for data professionals to move beyond producing dashboards and reports to driving meaningful business outcomes.Shahar shares why technology alone rarely solves an organization’s data challenges and outlines the four areas he sees mattering most: technology, people, process, and culture. He talks about trust in data, the importance of understanding your audience, and why the best data professionals learn to speak the language of the business rather than the language of tools.You’ll also hear practical advice for individuals who want to increase their impact: how to better understand the business, how to frame data work in terms of outcomes, and why stepping outside your data silo can be one of the most valuable moves for your career. This is a rich conversation for anyone who wants their work with data to be more strategic, more influential, and more closely tied to real business value. RELATED RESOURCESShachar’s LinkedIn | YouTubeCareer unblocking mini-course: career-unblock.shacharmeir.com$1M data professional presentation

storytelling with data podcast: #95 Structure Liberates – Why Your Data Needs a Style Guide with Maxine Graze 09.02.2026 46min

How do you ensure your data visuals are consistently effective—and on brand? In this episode, SWD data storyteller, Simon Rowe chats with Maxine Graze, Senior Data Visualization Engineer at King, about the process of building data visualization style guides. They explore why “structure liberates,” how to balance aesthetics with usability, and why stakeholder feedback is critical. Whether you're designing for dashboards or decks, you'll walk away with ideas on how to bring clarity and consistency to your data storytelling.Related Links:datavizstyleguide.com – Explore open-source data visualization guidelinesBetter Data Visualizations by Jonathan Schwabish – The book that sparked Maxine’s journeyStorytelling with Data Resources – Tools, tips, and templates from the SWD team

storytelling with data podcast: #96 what’s the story behind your data? demystifying data equity with Heather Krause 09.01.2026 41min

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 Count and longtime quantitative researcher, to unpack a powerful concept: data equity. Together, they explore how every step of a data project—from survey design to chart choices—involves hidden decisions that impact what gets measured, who is represented, and what conclusions are drawn.Heather shares the seven stages of the data equity framework, explains why choosing a denominator isn’t as simple as it seems, and offers practical ways to apply an equity lens to dashboards, visualizations, and more. Whether you're building a data product, making policy decisions, or designing a business presentation, this conversation will help you become more accurate, efficient, and intentional in how you generate and communicate evidence.RELATED LINKSLearn more at weallcount.comExplore the Before & After audiobook → Listen here

storytelling with data podcast: #94 the uncharted territory of data and music with Chris Dalla Riva 04.12.2025 41min

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. In this episode, he joins data storyteller Mike Cisneros to talk about musical myths, hidden industry incentives, chart data, and underappreciated hits, as well as the thorny questions about authenticity, categorization, and what it really means to tell an honest story with numbers.RELATED LINKSUncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us about the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves | Chris Dalla Riva’s book Can’t Get Much Higher | Chris’s newsletterAudiomack | Music streaming service where Chris works on analytics and personalizationMax Martin Knows How to Create a #1 Hit | Chris’s The Economist article on song introsSuno AI | Generative AI tool for music creation discussed in the authenticity segmentFollow Chris at @cdallarivamSONGS AND ARTISTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE“Want Ads” by Honey Cone“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals“Hey Jude” by The Beatles“Blinded by the Light” (written by Bruce Springsteen, recorded by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)“Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen“When Doves Cry” by Prince“Believe” by Cher“Golden” by HUNTR/X

storytelling with data podcast: #93 revisiting the magic of story 16.11.2025 39min

In this special episode of the *storytelling with data* podcast, Cole celebrates the 10-year anniversary of her best-selling book, *storytelling with data: a data visualization guide for business professionals*. She shares exciting updates about the newly released 10th Anniversary Edition—including refreshed visuals, updated examples, and new bonus content—along with an invitation to a live virtual event on December 2, 2025.To mark the occasion, Cole reads aloud Chapter 7: *Lessons in Storytelling*—a fan-favorite chapter that explores how story structure can be used to create more compelling data communications. From Red Riding Hood to Aristotle to Robert McKee, this episode blends timeless storytelling wisdom with practical techniques for structuring business presentations, building narrative flow, and engaging your audience through conflict, clarity, and repetition.Whether you're crafting a dashboard, pitching a recommendation, or designing a presentation, this episode is packed with strategies to help you move beyond showing data to telling *a story with data*.🔗 Get the 10th anniversary book: storytellingwithdata.com/SWD10🔗 Join Cole's live virtual mini-workshop (Dec 2): storytellingwithdata.com/swd10register🔗 Listen to the Before & After audiobook: rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/9781663755681/

storytelling with data podcast: #92 Why Dashboards Die—and How to Save Them With Allison Horst 03.10.2025 49min

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Simon chats with Allison Horst—developer advocate at Observable, educator, and beloved data illustrator—to explore the difference between dashboards that get used and those that don’t.They dig into why so many data products go to waste, the importance of co-creating with your audience, and the overlooked power of early feedback. Allison reflects on her experiences helping people go from "I built this thing" to "This actually gets used"—and how teams can better collaborate to avoid dashboard graveyards.Along the way, they talk about environmental storytelling, visual metaphors, teaching the “gray areas” of data viz, and why curiosity (not perfection) is the key to lasting impact.Related Links:Check out Allison's work at: https://allisonhorst.com/Connect with and follow her on LNKD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-horst/Order SWD's latest book, Before & After https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/books

storytelling with data podcast: #91 Dashboards that Deliver with Andy Cotgreave 19.09.2025 52min

Data visualization veteran Andy Cotgreave joins host Mike Cisneros for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of dashboards, the craft of data communication, and the future of generative AI in analytics. Andy reflects on his early career building “dashboards” in Excel for a demanding boss, how that experience shaped two bestselling books (The Big Book of Dashboards and Dashboards That Deliver), and what he’s learned from more than a decade at Tableau as an evangelist and public speaker.They discuss the tension between efficiency and emotion in chart design, why no single chart type is ever “right,” and how semantic drift affects the way we talk about dashboards. Andy shares behind-the-scenes stories from Chart Chat, the Iron Viz competition, and his own evolution as a presenter and magician, offering tips for building confidence on stage and connecting with audiences.Along the way, the conversation touches on the launch of Cole, Mike and Alex’ newest book, the fifth in the storytelling with data series, Before and After, upcoming in-person and on-demand learning opportunities, and the importance of community, practice, and curiosity in becoming a better data storyteller.Related Links:Check out Andy's Books: ⁠Dashboards That Deliver⁠ and ⁠The Big Book of Dashboards ⁠Register for upcoming ⁠workshops and courses⁠⁠Order Before and After⁠⁠Follow ⁠@storywithdata⁠ | share via ⁠#SWDpodcast

storytelling with data #90: ask smart questions (rebroadcast) 19.08.2025 40min

Asking good questions can help improve our own and others’ work: both when exploring and explaining data. In this rebroadcast of episode 19, Cole covers five smart queries to pose and answer during the analytical process and five more to consider when getting ready to explain that data to others.We’re sharing this popular episode again as we look ahead to what’s next: Before and After, the fifth book from storytelling with data, comes out September 23, 2025 — pre-order now wherever you buy books!If you want to put these strategies into practice, join one of our upcoming 2025 sessions:Virtual half-day workshops: August 21 and November 68-week online course: September 15–November 9In-person workshop in NYC: October 14Links:Register for upcoming ⁠workshops and courses⁠Pre-order Before and AfterQuestions? email ⁠askcole@storytellingwithdata.com⁠Follow ⁠@storywithdata⁠ | share via ⁠#SWDpodcast

storytelling with data podcast: #89 putting the art in chart with Nadieh Bremer 30.06.2025 47min

Data storyteller Alex talks with Nadieh Bremer, an award-winning data visualization practitioner, about her new book, Chart: Designing Creative Data Visualizations from Charts to Art. Nadieh talks about her data visualization journey, from losing passion while creating dashboards to finding joy as she pushed the boundaries of data art. During this journey, she shares her tips for becoming a freelancer, suggestions for adding creativity to your work, and discusses the difference between data viz and data art. Tune in to learn Nadieh’s process for creating a visual and hear her advice on how to be more creative with your work.Follow Nadieh: website | Instagram | LinkedInBook: Chart: designing creative data visualizations from charts to artNadieh’s creations that were mentioned during the episodePatchwork KingdomsGenCoopAdyen’s Shareholder ReportWhy do cats and dogs…?Olympic feathers

storytelling with data podcast: #88: swimmer, startup, storyteller with fares ksebati 15.05.2025 50min

In this founder series edition of the storytelling with data podcast, Randy sits down poolside in Antalya, Turkey with Fares Ksebati—CEO and founder of MySwimPro, YouTube creator, and author of Swim Like a Pro and How Not to Drown. From humble beginnings as a walk-on college swimmer to building one of the world’s most recognized swim coaching platforms, Fares shares the behind-the-scenes journey of scaling a global remote company, navigating the tech startup ecosystem, and staying relentlessly curious along the way.They talk about what it means to democratize swimming, using storytelling to build product and community, and how AI and human connection will shape the future of sport. Fares opens up about teaching his mom to swim at 62, launching MySwimPro with zero funding, and the lessons learned from crashing his app right after being named App of the Year by Apple. It’s a candid, inspiring conversation about growth—personal, professional, and everything in between.Check out Fares’s work:swim like a pro the best swimming app myswimpro.comYouTube: MySwimProLinkedIn: Fares Ksebati

storytelling with data podcast: #87: the founder’s journey: From Lagos to Zurich to AI-Powered Insights 10.04.2025 54min

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

storytelling with data podcast: #86: speak so others listen 13.03.2025 37min

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

storytelling with data podcast: #85 what founders can teach us about storytelling & resilience 20.02.2025 42min

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

storytelling with data podcast: #84 mastering time 06.02.2025 33min

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

storytelling with data podcast: #83 reflect and refine 24.01.2025 21min

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