storytelling with data podcast

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 Sprint and Make Time, John Zeratsky, about the power of focus for getting things done. John details the design sprint process perfected at Google Ventures—detailing the value of “working alone, together” to generate better ideas, the benefits of prototyping and testing with real customers, particularly when the stakes are high, and much more. He also shares patterns uncovered from successful sprints that can be applied to everyday work. Tune in to learn why we shouldn’t rely on willpower to focus, how to create barriers to distraction, and the satisfaction you can reap by proactively designing your day.   MENTIONED LINKS: Follow John: @jazer | johnzeratsky.com Book: Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems & Test New Ideas in Just Five Days Book: Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day Online course: The Official Sprint Bootcamp (discount code SWD20)

“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 will stick.” Cole talks with illustrator, designer, and facilitator, Catherine Madden, about the power of drawing to think, define, generate ideas, collaborate, and ensure all voices are heard. Catherine shares tactics that get everyone sketching, from doodle birds to Sh*tty First Draft Parties, and discusses why pencils are on her forbidden materials list. They also chat about the value of the shared display, plus more pragmatic tips and tools for effectively facilitating in a virtual setting. LINKS: Follow Catherine: @catmule (Twitter) | @catmule (Instagram) | catherinemadden.com Learn with Catherine: catherinemadden.com/learn Tutorial: how to display your iPad in Zoom  Video: displaying webcam so iPad is not the shared display Select images from Catherine (including visual thinking download) Tools mentioned: Paper, Mural Course: Foundations of Data Equity

“Visualization is a game of decisions.” In this episode, Cole chats with data visualization consultant, teacher, researcher, and author, Andy Kirk. Hear about topics ranging from what can be learned from cartoons and other unexpected sources of inspiration to the importance of curiosity, practice, and editorial judgement for taking work from good to fantastic. They also discuss Andy’s blog series, little of visualization design, his new podcast/video series, Explore Explain, and answer viewer questions on creating “wow” designs, the role of the data viz consultant, and more. LINKS: Follow Andy: @visualisingdata | visualisingdata.com Book: Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design  Blog series: little of visualization design (discussed: axis line fading, colour key titles, reset button, framing containers) Podcast/video series: Explore Explain (discussed: ”Coronavirus tracked” with John Burn-Murdoch)

Join Cole and Andy Cotgreave, a Tableau technical evangelist and co-author of The Big Book of Dashboards, as they dive into the art of virtual presentations. Andy shares practical tips to maintain energy and engagement, like using creative remote exercises and minimizing screen share. He discusses strategies to involve both introverts and extroverts, the importance of feedback, and how to use equipment effectively. Tune in for insights on refining your approach, inspiring your audience, and the clever use of an 'on-air' light to create boundaries!

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, augment rather than replace, and work to understand what’s driving resistance so you can be more nuanced in how you address it. Tune in to hear more on these and additional strategies for influencing change among colleagues, stakeholders, and leadership. Cole also answers listener questions on showing binary data over time, gridlines in graphs, and creating a data visualization portfolio. Mentioned Links:Join: SWD community! use group code PODCAST Book: storytelling with data: Let’s Practice! Exercise: the Big Idea for your project Conversation: your favorite podcasts Upcoming live event: using story in business Go premium! premium community membership

Lights, camera, action! Tune in to hear Cole, Randy and the entire SWD team chat with Kristen Johnson, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing at Wingate University and prior news reporter and executive producer. Given today’s need to communicate virtually, many of us are becoming mini-news reporters from our makeshift home studios and in this segment, you’ll get a variety of pro tips on how to do this successfully. From pragmatic considerations on clothing, light, and camera setup to strategies for practicing and getting comfortable talking to a lens: this episode has something for anyone who finds themselves communicating via camera. For those wondering, the zoom recording didn't turn out (we had the wrong view settings, apparently). So, unfortunately, there is not a Zoom video recording. NEW! May 7th travel-free public workshop Products mentioned: ring light, Samson microphone, Mac StudioFix

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, and Alex discuss how to be productive, stay engaged and maintain sanity when working remotely from others. Tune in to hear learnings ranging from the importance of a comfortable chair to pro-tips for video conferencing and staying connected with colleagues. With a thoughtful approach, working from home means you can fit work into the rhythm of life and measure success based on accomplishments, rather than hours in the office. LINKS: Podcast: goals like Google Learn (organizations): travel-free workshop Learn (individuals): live stream workshop Connect & hone skills: SWD community

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 answers listener questions about chronological versus lead-with-ending ordering for presentations, what to do when trying to show many data series in a line graph, and resources for communicating risk in a way that is easy to understand. LINKS: Join us at the Austin Public workshop on Tuesday, March 10th - enter promo code podcast10 to receive 10% off! Podcast: What makes a visualization memorable? with Michelle Borkin (Data Stories) Conversation: What is the best balance between engaging & informing? (Charlie Hutcheson) Visual: What makes a good data visualization? (David McCandless) Conversation: Resources for communicating risk in a way that is easy to understand Medium post: Florence Nightingale is a design hero (RJ Andrews) Exercise: Let’s draw! Book: Data Points (Nathan Yau) SWDchallenge: small multiples Workshops: 2020 public workshop schedule, custom workshops & webinars Join the SWD community!

While in Seattle recently, Cole sat down with the author of recently published Avoiding Data Pitfalls, Ben Jones. They discuss missteps using data, why they are an expected part of our evolutionary process, and the role that human intuition plays in the analysis and synthesis of data. Listen also to Ben’s journey from engineer to Tableau to founder and CEO of Data Literacy, plus practical tips for interviewing your data, exploring its contours, and increasing data fluency for yourself and your team. LINKS: Books by Ben: Avoiding Data Pitfalls, Communicating Data with Tableau Follow Ben: @dataremixed | dataremixed.com Learn more about Data Literacy

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 book, Elevate the Debate. Tune in to hear them discuss the importance of meeting people where they are, the Pyramid Philosophy for ensuring communications are rooted in sophisticated analysis, plus presentation tips on where to start, incremental slide improvements, and finishing touches. Giving a presentation is like selling an idea—it’s a skill that must be learned and Jon shares ways we can improve our own work and influence those around us. LINKS: Pre-order: Elevate the Debate Book: Better Presentations Follow Jon: @jschwabish | www.policyviz.com | Jon’s collection of warning signs Learn more about the Urban Institute People mentioned: Kim Rees, Andy Kirk, Ann Emery, Hans Rosling, Nancy Duarte, Dave Connell, Charles Schwab, RJ Andrews Image resources: Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay