storytelling with data podcast

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

Truth or Lie? It isn’t that simple or binary when it comes to visualizing and communicating with data: there is a spectrum. In this episode, Cole talks with special guest, famed professor, author, and data journalist Alberto Cairo, about truth with a lowercase “t,” his efforts to bring graphical literacy to the public through the Visual Trumpery tour and his upcoming book, parallels between data visualization & writing, and more. LINKS: Website: albertocairo.com Blog: thefunctionalart.com Twitter: @albertocairo Video: Visual Trumpery (Ihaka lecture) Article: Alberto’s collaboration with Google News Lab Google News Lab’s Data Visualization Projects Upcoming MOOC: data visualization for storytelling & discovery Tool: InZight for Data Analysis

Whether it’s a graph, a slide, a presentation, your message, a story—there can be immense value in talking through it, out loud. In this session, Cole discusses her experiences and the benefits to speaking out loud to refine, practice, and identify better solutions. Cole also answers listener questions on the use of pictures in data visualization, tricks for formatting axis labels, and how to apply data storytelling to augment regular reporting. LINKS: Article: The Perks of Talking to Yourself Study: This time it’s personal: the memory benefit of hearing onesself (related article) Study: ISOTYPE Visualization – Working Memory, Performance, and Engagement with Pictographs (related post) Blog post: supercategory axis labels in Excel Blog post: gridlines are gratuitous Blog post: #SWDchallenge square area graphs (recap coming soon!) Workshop/training inquiries: inquiry@storytellingwithdata.com Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com Follow @storywithdata | share via #SWDpodcast

The podcast discusses the benefits of imposing constraints in decision-making and work, including effective communication, data visualization, and overcoming space limitations. It also provides strategies for dealing with time constraints and emphasizes the importance of understanding tools and establishing a foundation of data visualization training.

“It depends.” These two simple words can answer a number of questions raised when it comes to visualizing data and communicating with it effectively. In this session, Cole discusses 10 common data visualization questions where the answer is “it depends” and discusses what it depends on and the critical thought process required for success in this space. Cole also answers reader questions on considerations between lower and upper case in data visualization related text and Excel resources. Mentioned Show Links: Study on pie charts by Robert Kosara & Drew Skau F**ck it, let’s use pie charts by Jon Schwabish Misleading data & visualizations video, Alberto Cairo at Urban Institute Visualizing incomplete & missing data + Visualizing the uncertainty in data by Nathan Yau Recent #SWDchallenge: 88 annotated line graphsRecent SWD post incorporating reader feedback on where to put text by Elizabeth Ricks How much labeling should you include in a visualization? + Is white space always your friend? by Neil Richards Excel resources: SWD excel downloads, annkemery.com, Peltier Tech & Chandoo Updates: Audible book, upcoming public workshops in London, Zurich, SF & Seattle Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

“How did you start storytelling with data?” is a question I receive frequently. In this episode, I’m interviewed by my husband, Randy, and field questions on how it all came to be, including finding balance between work and family, some book-writing tips, and my outlook on where SWD will go from here. Mentioned Show Links: Follow Randy on Twitter | LinkedIn Google Project Oxygen Study: NYT Article | HBR Business Case Blog posts mentioned: the book you’re holding might be a fake! | that’s not my workshop...   Cole's chocolate chip cookie recipe! Cole's Baked French Toast recipe! Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

The term "storytelling" is more popular than ever—but moving beyond the buzzword—there is real impact that you can have by framing your data in story. In this episode, Cole shares her perspective on what makes a story and why those working with data should care. She tackles listener Q&A on data visualization vs. storytelling, NFL football stats, and how to tell when a visualization is complete. Be sure to subscribe and write a review if you like what you hear!  Mentioned show links: Books: Larry Gets Lost, The Cat in the Hat, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Video: the future of storytelling Other perspectives on story: Jon Schwabish, Robert Kosara Video: example telling a story with data in a live setting & standalone (starting at 17:30) Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com

Feedback is a critical component for refining and perfecting data visualization. In this first episode, Cole discusses both the value of giving and receiving dataviz feedback and potential problem areas to avoid. Hear The Economist’s response to the recent hurricane data visualization challenge as well as answers to reader questions on the topics of when to use graphs, considerations with dashboards and dataviz 101 book resources. Be sure to subscribe and write a review if you like what you hear! Mentioned show links: Feedback? email feedback@storytellingwithdata.com Blog post: SWD makeover challenge on The Economist’s hurricane graph Article: “Design & Redesign in Data Visualization” by Fernanda Viegas & Martin Wattenberg Blog post: my guiding principles Article: The subtle art that differentiates good designers from great designers by UX Planet Blog post: a tale about opportunity Book: The Big Book of Dashboards by Steve Wexler, Jeff Shaffer & Andy Cotgreave Questions? email askcole@storytellingwithdata.com