storytelling with data podcast

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 Register: May 30th (free!) live event Register: upcoming European 1-day workshops May #SWDchallenge recap: artisanal data Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Podcast: constraints (Episode 5) New blog page: #SWDchallenge Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast