Afleveringen
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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
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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
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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