The PolicyViz Podcast

Rich Harris, creator of the Svelte framework, stops by the podcast to talk about his work. Rich shares how Svelte originated from his work in newsrooms at The Guardian and The New York Times, where he developed tools for building interactive data visualizations under tight deadlines. We talk about how Svelte simplifies web development by bridging the gap between HTML/CSS knowledge and interactive applications, making it accessible to both experienced and novice developers. Our chat touches on the broader impact of Svelte, including its adoption in diverse applications like DataWrapper and smart TV interfaces. Rich reflects on the responsibility and challenges of leading an open-source project like Svelte and discusses the ongoing focus on SvelteKit, an application framework built on Svelte, and highlights accessible resources for beginners to get started.Keywords: Svelte, SvelteKit, RichHarris, WebDevelopment, Open-Source Framework, DataVisualization, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, User Interface Framework, Interactive Applications, Newsroom Graphics, DataWrapper, Declarative Programming, Web AccessibilitySubscribe 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 Rich’s website visit the Svelte development websiteFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you’re having a great start to 2025 and are poised to have a happy, healthy, and successful year. I’m excited to start off the podcast this year with my friend Kevin Wee, a Tableau creator and visualizer, who shares his journey into data visualization. Kevin’s Tableau journey starts in 2019 at Purdue University where he faced challenges working with data, but grew in his ability to create interesting and engaging dashboards through creative projects and community involvement. Kevin and I talk about his approach to Tableau, how he incorporates other tools like Figma, PowerPoint, and Excel, and how he is using AI tools to help create better and better data tools. I hope you’ll enjoy this week’s episode of the show!Keywords: data, data visualization, PolicyVizPodcast, JonSchwabisch, KevinWee, Tableau, DataVisualization, TableauCreator, PurdueUniversity, BiomedicalProject, DataCareer, TableauPublic, MakeoverMonday, TableauAmbassador, DataTools, PowerPoint, Excel, TableauCommunity, Figma, InteractiveDashboards, TalkDataPodcastToMe, DataPodcasts, ChatGPT, SalesforceIntegration, AIDevelopment, DataIntegrity, DataHarmonization, DataAnalysts, FutureAmbitionsSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Kevin’s Tableau Public page and check out his website.Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

David Keyes, author of "R for the Rest of Us," shares insights on using R for data communication and visualization, aimed at those without a strong statistics background. He demystifies R, discussing how to create consistent and visually appealing outputs using R Markdown and Quarto. David also explores qualitative analysis in R, automation for data sharing, and the power of R in enhancing workflows. With practical tips for beginners, listeners will feel empowered to embrace data visualization without the intimidation of complex statistics!

In this captivating discussion, John Medina, author of the influential book Brain Rules, shares his insights on brain science and communication. He highlights how storytelling can capture attention and enhance emotional engagement, making presentations more effective. Medina also addresses the myth of multitasking, stressing its detrimental impact on learning. Additionally, he explores the challenges smartphones pose to student focus and retention, offering strategies to combat distractions. This fascinating talk sheds light on the intersection of neuroscience and effective communication.

Join Dr. Laura Sicola, a cognitive linguist and communications expert, as she dives into the art of effective presentation. She discusses the 'expert’s curse' and how technical professionals can enhance communication by tailoring their messages for broader audiences. Learn about the significance of storytelling to establish executive presence and build rapport. Dr. Sicola also shares practical tips on slide design, vocal delivery, and audience engagement, helping listeners convey complex ideas clearly and compellingly.

I’m so excited to welcome Ellen Lupton to the PolicyViz Podcast! Ellen Lupton is a designer, writer, and educator. The all-new edition of her bestselling book Thinking with Type launched in March 2024. Other books include Design Is Storytelling, Graphic Design Thinking, Health Design Thinking, and Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-Racist, Nonbinary Field Guide for Graphic Designers. She teaches in the Graphic Design MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore (MICA), where she serves as the Betty Cooke and William O. Steinmetz Design Chair. She is Curator Emerita at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, where her exhibitions included Herbert Bayer: Bauhaus Master and The Senses: Design Beyond Vision.Keywords: #EllenLupton, #Typography, #Design, #PolicyVizPodcast, #InclusiveDesign, #TypefaceVsFont, #DataVisualization, #ExtraBoldBook, #GraphicDesign, #Underrepresentation, #FintechDesign, #SocioeconomicImpact, #EducationalApproaches, #QualitativeResearch, #UserEngagement, #HumanCenteredDesign, #MICADesign, #BilingualProjects, #InstagramDesign, #TwitterDiscourse, #AIDesignConcerns, #BiasInAI, #AITypefaces, #UnderservedLanguages, #NewRailAlphabet, #FunctionalTypefaces, #WomenInDesign, #CalibriCritique, #TimesNewRoman, #ThinkingWithType, #DesignConceptsSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Ellen on Instagram and her website, and find her latest book, thinking with type on AmazonFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this week’s episode, I interview Natalia Kisileva about her transition from engineering to data visualization and her work in data art and physicalization. We discuss her great Substack newsletter “Flowers and Numbers” and how she shifted her focus to data art, fostering community-building efforts, after the pandemic. Natalia emphasizes making data accessible through tangible experiences and highlights the importance of community, particularly in initiatives like a Telegram group for women learning interactive visualizations. Our conversation explores the relationship between physical and digital data art, and Natalia advocates for creative visualizations to engage audiences emotionally and enhance communication. Learn more about Natalia’s work and how you can bring data art and data physicalization into your own work!Keywords: PolicyVizPodcast, JonSchwabish, NataliaKisileva, EngineeringToDataVisualization, DataArt, Physicalization, FlowersAndNumbers, PandemicShift, CommunityBuilding, TangibleData, DataAccessibility, TelegramGroup, WomenInVisualization, InteractiveVisualizations, PhysicalVsDigital, CreativeVisualizations, EmotionalEngagement, CorporateCommunication, ArtisticDataPresentations, InPersonInteractions, 3DPrinting, TravelInspiredArt, MothersExperiences, StrengthAndBravery, SupportiveCommunity, NewsletterEngagementSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthSign up for Natalia’s Flowers and Numbers newsletter and check out her website.Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

In this episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I talk with Zach Bowders on the intricacies of data visualization, the impact of dashboards on decision-making, and the fine line between plagiarism and inspiration. We discuss the importance of context-driven visualization choices over rigid adherence to traditional formats and highlight the need for flexibility. Our conversation stresses the balance between complexity and user familiarity, the value of learning from failures, and the necessity of client engagement to accurately meet their needs. We also talk about the challenges inherent in building trust with clients, sharing sensitive information, and the implications of changes to the Tableau public license for small nonprofits.Keywords: PolicyVizPodcast, DataVisualization, JohnSchwabisch, ZachBauders, Dashboards, DecisionMaking, PlagiarismVsInspiration, TableauConference, InnovationInDataViz, FlexibilityInDesign, ContextDrivenChoices, VisualizationMethods, LearningFromFailures, DashboardDesign, ClientEngagement, StJudeResearch, TerminologyPrecision, ClientTrust, SensitiveData, TableauPublicLicense, Nonprofits, OriginalityInDesign, CitingInspiration, AttributionGuidelines, SkillDevelopment, ContinuousLearning, TechnicalSkills, SoftSkills, DataPlusLovePodcast, PodcastEpisode, CreativeFields, DataVisualizationChallenges, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Zach on Twitter and find his podcast Data+Love on SpotifyFollow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

On this week’s episode, I talk with Jessica Calarco about her book “Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net” and the role of qualitative data in research and data visualization. Calarco, a sociologist from UW Madison, discusses her research on family life inequalities and the shift to a “DIY society,” where individuals, particularly women, manage risks without government support, leading to reliance on low-wage caregiving. She critiques the wealthy elite for discouraging collective social support and emphasizes the need for policy changes to ensure basic needs, caregiving opportunities, and work-life balance through measures like paid family leave. We also talk about Jessica’s data collection efforts, which involved more than 400 hours of interviews, surveys, and national studies, to understand human experiences deeply. She addresses critiques of qualitative research’s representativeness, arguing its strength lies in capturing life’s complexities.Keywords: data, data visualization, flourish, jessica calarco, holding it together, safety net, DIY, data analysis, qualitative data, qualitative data analysis, qualitative data analysis - coding and developing themes, machine learning, nvivo, dedoose, ai, data scientist, qualitative data analysis thematic analysis, qualitative data collection, university of wisconsin, data analyst, data science, machine learning for beginnersSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthVisit Jessica’s website and find her book “Holding it Together” on AmazonFollow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, Twitter, Website, YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Welcome to Season 11 of the PolicyViz Podcast! After a relaxing summer full of travel and reading and fun, I’m ready to kick off a whole new season of the show. To kick off this season, I’m excited to be joined by Federica Fragapane, an independent designer known for her intricate and beautiful data visualizations. Our conversation delves into her creative process, the tools she uses, and where she finds inspiration. Fragapane, with a Master’s degree in visualization design and experience at Accurat Studio, integrates data into her bespoke visualizations that convey deeper narratives, particularly human experiences and environmental issues. She prefers organic shapes to reflect the living presence behind data, emphasizing beauty, context, audience, and accessibility.Keywords: data, data visualization, flourish, graphic design, how to, information design, graphic design tutorials, graphic design portfolio, graphic design course, online learning, graphic design photoshop, graphic design trends 2024, how to draw, data scientist, Federica fragapane, accurat, AccessibilityInDesign, EngagingVisuals, Inspiration, DataNarratives, VisualizationDesign, InstagramPortfolio, BehancePortfolio, mathematics, Al, machine learningSubscribe 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 Federica's Behance portfolio and follow her on Instagram.Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com