The PolicyViz Podcast

In this week’s episode, I talk with Chris Parmer, co-founder of Plotly, about how the company is integrating AI into the next generation of data visualization and analytics tools. Chris walks me through the thinking behind Plotly Studio, their new AI-native environment where natural language prompts generate real, auditable code for charts, dashboards, and data apps. We discuss how this approach reduces bottlenecks for data teams, empowers non-technical users, and reshapes the role of the data visualization expert. We also dive into the limits of public dashboards, the rise of generative interfaces, and what a future of AI-driven exploratory analysis might look like. It’s a fascinating look at where data tools are heading and how analysts can stay ahead.Keywords: Plotly, Plotly Studio, data visualization, AI tools, generative AI, dashboards, data apps, Python, code generation, data workflows, data analysis, natural language interfaces, data science, analytics, enterprise data security, data storytelling, Jon Schwabish, Chris ParmerSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Plotly at: https://plotly.com/Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Vincent van Altena, a senior consultant in cartography, and Jakub Wabiński, a researcher in geodesy, delve into the world of tactile mapping. They discuss innovative designs that make maps accessible to people with visual impairments. Insights include balancing tactile and multisensory elements for improved usability, the importance of user-centered design, and real-world applications in museums and public spaces. They also touch on the challenges of scaling inclusive practices and share exciting projects from their new book, 'Tactile Mapping,' aimed at enhancing data accessibility.

Welcome back to the show! In this week’s episode, I chat with Allen Carroll, former Chief Cartographer at National Geographic and part of Esri’s StoryMapsteam. We talk about his new book, Telling Stories with Maps, which explores how maps can communicate meaning, emotion, and narrative. Allen shares his journey from analog map design to interactive, multimedia storytelling—and how digital tools are transforming the way we visualize place and data. We also discuss design choices, the balance between creativity and accessibility, and why storytelling is at the heart of effective communication. It’s a fascinating look at the intersection of geography, design, and technology.Check out Allen's book on Amazon or wherever you get your books.Subscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Giorgia on Twitter and find her book “This is Me and Only Me” on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Welcome back to the show! In this week's episode, I sit down with Doug Elmendorf, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, to talk about the impact of government shutdowns, the challenges of fiscal sustainability, and the importance of independent statistical agencies. We discuss how shutdowns ripple through the economy and people’s lives, the tough choices facing policymakers on entitlements and deficits, and why compromise is vital to our democracy. Doug also shares his perspective on the independence of federal statistical agencies, the role of private sector data, and the optimism he sees in today’s policy students. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about economics, governance, and the future of public service.Subscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this engaging conversation, Justin Evans, a data professional with nearly two decades in media and advertising, shares insights from his book, The Little Book of Data. He reveals the 'four layers of data denial' and discusses the essential traits of a data person, like curiosity and ethics. Justin highlights the importance of storytelling in data, using real-life examples from Nielsen and Samsung to illustrate how effective visualizations can solve problems. This exchange inspires listeners to embrace data literacy and transforms how they engage with information.

In this episode of the show, I talk with David Wessel from the Brookings Institution about the state of the US economy, the reliability of government statistics, and why trust in data matters more than ever. We cover the latest job numbers and what downward revisions mean, the pressures facing agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau, and how politics threatens the credibility of official data. David shares insights on the risks of eroding confidence, what businesses and governments might do in response, and why high-quality, transparent data is essential for policymaking and for the public. It’s a timely and important conversation about the role of data in shaping our economic future.Keywords: David Wessel, Jon Schwabish, PolicyViz Podcast, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, Census Bureau, U.S. economy, economic data, data revisions, trust in data, survey fatigue, government statistics, job market, unemployment, economic indicators, federal data, data transparency, data integrity, public trustSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Giorgia on Twitter and find her book “This is Me and Only Me” on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this episode, I sit down with William Beach, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to dig into how America’s most important economic data are produced. We talk about the nuts and bolts of how the BLS jobs numbers are collected, processed, and released, as well as why revisions happen and what they really mean. Bill shares his perspective on the commissioner’s role, the challenges of falling survey response rates, and how statistical agencies can rebuild public trust in their work. We also touch on his experiences working across two administrations and his ideas for the future of federal data. This conversation sheds light on a system that is often misunderstood, yet vital for understanding the economy.Subscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  X,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

This is a very special episode of the PolicyViz Podcast.  I’m joined by Erica Groshen, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to talk about the latest jobs report and what the numbers really mean for the state of the economy, including why revisions are an essential part of getting the data right. Dr. Groshen explains how the BLS produces its trusted statistics, the commissioner’s role, and what signals she watches for to spot potential recessions. We also discuss the importance of protecting federal statistical agencies, ensuring trust in their data, and what the future might hold for the BLS. It’s a fascinating conversation that connects technical detail with big-picture implications.Keywords: data, data visualization, fPolicyViz Podcast, Erica Groshen, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, jobs report, labor market, economic data, employment situation, job growth, job losses, unemployment rate, data revisions, economic indicators, recession signals, federal statistics, data trust, labor economicsSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out the BLS website for more data!Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

I’m excited to kick off Season 12 of the PolicyViz Podcast! In this short premiere, I share a few personal and professional updates and preview what’s ahead on the show. This season, I’ll focus on three big themes: changes to the U.S. federal data and statistical agency ecosystem, a wave of new data visualization books and their authors, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in data analysis and visualization. With a great lineup of guests and conversations already underway, I’m looking forward to another great year of exploring how we use data to inform, design, and communicate.Keywords: data, data visualization, PolicyViz Podcast, Jon Schwabish, Season 12, data visualization, federal data, statistical agencies, government data, data communication, data policy, AI, artificial intelligence, data tools, visualization books, data storytelling, policy and dataSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow me on LinkedIn and check out my websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Welcome to the Season 11 Finale of the PolicyViz Podcast! I’m ready for a summer break and am super excited to close the season talking with Shirly Wu—data visualization artist, technologist, and community thought leader. We talk about Shirley’s journey from creating vibrant, web-based data visualizations to developing physical, multi-sensory data art. Shirley shares what she learned during her recent graduate studies in art and technology, her reflections on data, emotion, and the role of art, and the ideas behind her widely discussed blog series on the state of innovation in the data visualization field. We also discuss how the pandemic reshaped our community, the challenge of maintaining creative joy, and the importance of making space for both functional and expressive data storytelling. From Tokyo to San Francisco, Shirley’s work bridges client projects and immersive art experiences, all grounded in data.Keywords: Shirley Wu, data visualization, data art, scrollytelling, innovation in dataviz, physical data experiences, emotional data storytelling, PolicyViz Podcast, post-pandemic data, visual storytelling, ITP NYU, creative data design, interdisciplinary art, Jon Schwabish, data literacy, local data engagement, experimental visualizationSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthCheck out Shirley’s websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com