storytelling with data podcast

storytelling with data podcast: #98 how to overcome your presentation challenges

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Simon and Amy tackle common presentation challenges submitted by subscribers to the storytelling with data YouTube channel. They discuss how to turn complex analysis into a clear and engaging story, why storyboarding can help you structure your message before jumping into slides, and how to decide what to include—and what to leave out—when your analysis contains more detail than your audience needs. Simon and Amy also explore practical strategies for presenting dashboards, balancing graphs and tables, preparing for tough questions, connecting with your audience, and managing nerves. Along the way, they share personal presentation mishaps, hard-earned lessons, and concrete tips for building confidence, reducing filler words, and delivering with greater clarity. Whether you’re presenting to executives, clients, colleagues, or classmates, this episode offers practical guidance to help you plan, create, and deliver more effective presentations. Related resources: * Subscribe to the storytelling with data YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@storytellingwithdata * Register for the May 14, 2026 virtual workshop: https://storytellingwithdata.com/workshops [https://storytellingwithdata.com/workshops] * Use code Podcast10 for 10% off * Book: storytelling with you: https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/books [https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/books] * Podcast episode 86: speak so others listen: https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/confidentcommunication * Podcast episode 46: [https://open.spotify.com/episode/67egwyzkefWRQsB6hR5fCv?si=xC5bQOwZQpW5l0au5OOi8A&nd=1&dlsi=cf5aec33ee164c8e] the question of questions

storytelling with data podcast: #98 how to overcome presentation challenges

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Simon and Amy tackle common presentation challenges submitted by subscribers to the storytelling with data YouTube channel. They discuss how to turn complex analysis into a clear and engaging story, why storyboarding can help you structure your message before jumping into slides, and how to decide what to include—and what to leave out—when your analysis contains more detail than your audience needs. Simon and Amy also explore practical strategies for presenting dashboards, balancing graphs and tables, preparing for tough questions, connecting with your audience, and managing nerves. Along the way, they share personal presentation mishaps, hard-earned lessons, and concrete tips for building confidence, reducing filler words, and delivering with greater clarity. Whether you’re presenting to executives, clients, colleagues, or classmates, this episode offers practical guidance to help you plan, create, and deliver more effective presentations. Related resources: * Subscribe to the storytelling with data YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@storytellingwithdata * Register for the May 14, 2026 virtual workshop: https://storytellingwithdata.com/workshops [https://storytellingwithdata.com/workshops] * Use code Podcast10 for 10% off * Book: storytelling with you: https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/books [https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/books] * Podcast episode 86: speak so others listen: https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/confidentcommunication * Podcast episode 46: [https://open.spotify.com/episode/67egwyzkefWRQsB6hR5fCv?si=xC5bQOwZQpW5l0au5OOi8A&nd=1&dlsi=cf5aec33ee164c8e] the question of questions

storytelling with data podcast: #95 Structure Liberates – Why Your Data Needs a Style Guide with Maxine Graze

How do you ensure your data visuals are consistently effective—and on brand? In this episode, SWD data storyteller, Simon Rowe chats with Maxine Graze, Senior Data Visualization Engineer at King, about the process of building data visualization style guides. They explore why “structure liberates,” how to balance aesthetics with usability, and why stakeholder feedback is critical. Whether you're designing for dashboards or decks, you'll walk away with ideas on how to bring clarity and consistency to your data storytelling. Related Links: * datavizstyleguide.com – Explore open-source data visualization guidelines * Better Data Visualizations by Jonathan Schwabish – The book that sparked Maxine’s journey * Storytelling with Data Resources [https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/resources] – Tools, tips, and templates from the SWD team

storytelling with data podcast: #96 what’s the story behind your data? demystifying data equity with Heather Krause

What if the numbers you work with every day weren’t as neutral as you thought? In this episode, Mike is joined by Heather Krause, founder of We All Count and longtime quantitative researcher, to unpack a powerful concept: data equity. Together, they explore how every step of a data project—from survey design to chart choices—involves hidden decisions that impact what gets measured, who is represented, and what conclusions are drawn. Heather shares the seven stages of the data equity framework, explains why choosing a denominator isn’t as simple as it seems, and offers practical ways to apply an equity lens to dashboards, visualizations, and more. Whether you're building a data product, making policy decisions, or designing a business presentation, this conversation will help you become more accurate, efficient, and intentional in how you generate and communicate evidence. RELATED LINKS * Learn more at weallcount.com [https://weallcount.com] * Explore the Before & After audiobook → Listen here [https://rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/9781663755681/]

storytelling with data podcast: #94 the uncharted territory of data and music with Chris Dalla Riva

Chris Dalla Riva is a musician, data analyst, and the author of Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us about the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves. In this episode, he joins data storyteller Mike Cisneros to talk about musical myths, hidden industry incentives, chart data, and underappreciated hits, as well as the thorny questions about authenticity, categorization, and what it really means to tell an honest story with numbers. RELATED LINKS * Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us about the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves [https://bio.site/uncharted_territory] | Chris Dalla Riva’s book  * Can’t Get Much Higher [https://www.cantgetmuchhigher.com/] | Chris’s newsletter * Audiomack [https://audiomack.com/] | Music streaming service where Chris works on analytics and personalization * Max Martin Knows How to Create a #1 Hit [https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/02/03/max-martin-knows-how-to-create-a-number-one-hit] | Chris’s The Economist article on song intros * Suno AI [https://suno.com/home] | Generative AI tool for music creation discussed in the authenticity segment * Follow Chris at @cdallarivam SONGS AND ARTISTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * * “Want Ads [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0V9K0ERzRo&list=RDr0V9K0ERzRo&start_radio=1]” by Honey Cone * * “House of the Rising Sun [https://youtu.be/N4bFqW_eu2I?si=CrIzrRMjDC4AcmP1]” by The Animals * * “Hey [https://youtu.be/A_MjCqQoLLA?si=kc5s5F0QgUY-0XAc&t=41]Jude [https://youtu.be/A_MjCqQoLLA?si=kc5s5F0QgUY-0XAc&t=56]” by The Beatles * * “Blinded by the Light [https://youtu.be/Rzk3x3HZbJI?si=7wXX4YA3xbtplF6a]” (written by Bruce Springsteen, recorded by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) * * “Dancing in the Dark [https://youtu.be/129kuDCQtHs?si=8qzqOI9HuzzicSZs]” by Bruce Springsteen * * “When Doves Cry [https://youtu.be/UG3VcCAlUgE?si=h1RhG4v8S3TMgUOm]” by Prince * “Believe [https://youtu.be/nZXRV4MezEw?si=vsJbWf1FA2tuHqtC]” by Cher * * “Golden [https://youtu.be/yebNIHKAC4A?si=TTq9W01wlM5Wbpfo]” by HUNTR/X