storytelling with data podcast

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: Before & After

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: ⁠Dashboards That Deliver⁠⁠The Big Book of Dashboards ⁠Register for upcoming ⁠workshops and courses⁠⁠Order Before and After⁠

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 6 8-week online course: September 15–November 9 In-person workshop in NYC: October 14 Links: Register for upcoming ⁠workshops and courses⁠ Pre-order Before and After Questions? email ⁠askcole@storytellingwithdata.com⁠ Follow ⁠@storywithdata⁠ | share via ⁠#SWDpodcast

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 | LinkedIn Book: Chart: designing creative data visualizations from charts to art Nadieh’s creations that were mentioned during the episode Patchwork Kingdoms GenCoop Adyen’s Shareholder Report Why do cats and dogs…? Olympic feathers

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 prothe best swimming app myswimpro.com YouTube: MySwimPro LinkedIn: Fares Ksebati

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 touch Lessons learned building startups in Africa and breaking into new markets How Insight7 helps teams unlock the hidden value in their qualitative data The power of storytelling as a founder, including a “holy moly” moment with a new customer Navigating the AI revolution and how tools like ChatGPT and Claude are reshaping the way we build, communicate, and lead Odun 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.io Connect 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: Daphne Draws DataDaphne’s Data Detectives Programthe story of youstorytelling with you: plan, create, & deliver a stellar presentationDaphne Draws Datastorytelling and presenting with data masterclassstorytelling with data: before & afteron Amazonstorytellingwithdata.com/shopstorytellingwithdata.com

NEW SERIES: The Founder’s Journey – Stories of Building, Scaling & Storytelling We’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 byDonny Priliandi, founder ofHappyFive (happy5.co), an employee engagement and performance management platform. Donny’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, Donny’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: Doni on LNKDhappy5.co

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: LinkedInTwitterDaphne Draws DataEpisode 13 goals like GoogleLondon 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 Jon 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 Jon 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 InstagramYouTubePinterest

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