storytelling with data podcast: #100 the best episodes we’d send to a friend

storytelling with data podcast: #100 the best episodes we’d send to a friend

In this special 100th episode, the storytelling with data team looks back at our favorite podcast moments and shares the episodes we'd recommend depending on where you are in your data storytelling journey. Whether you're learning the fundamentals, trying to create more compelling stories, thinking more strategically, influencing stakeholders, or presenting with confidence, we've curated special playlists to help you find the right episodes faster. Along the way, you'll hear memorable clips, practical lessons that have stuck with us over the years, and the moments that changed how we think about communicating with data. If you're new to the podcast, this episode is the perfect place to start. If you've been with us for all 100 episodes, you'll discover hidden gems worth revisiting. * Show notes * https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/podcast/100 [https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/podcast/100] * Spotify Playlists * Learning data storytelling basics: Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4dp3w178UCBaOiGkXCLI4z?si=9c26311b4c4e46b9&pt=72e5ea215a36f35aeae4c15c47ad5833] * Creating better stories: Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gxlVi3r77BIRzUfRESTX0?si=8afdb94bd4d74215&pt=30dc4ac54f32d8cffb49532a9e8869fd] * Thinking strategically: Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4cmAu6nUOG2EgDYHMgqXUP?si=8460effb04054416&pt=f2be12fc6c68ffc6f988301c60bab031] * Influencing people and decisions: Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IKcCJfMCSd8hbln6vHydO?si=7798c54b88d844fc&pt=1eaa8ad1c680a28d5af7cfea723ad32d] * Presenting with confidence: Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/06J1IRVGTTvwMmu2ivwF9e?si=d485ff0f4f914591&pt=2bde68586a2be2da90de4f0a1fe57d70]

storytelling with data podcast: #99 learn to love critique (even if you’re sensitive)

Cole and new SWD teammate Alli talk about how to get more comfortable receiving feedback—even if you’re sensitive to critique. They explore how mindset shapes the way you hear feedback, why separating yourself from your work can unlock growth, and how building feedback into your process can help you improve faster. Along the way, they share personal stories—from Cole coaching a fourth-grade presentation to Alli’s early podcasting struggles—and how their own perspectives on feedback have evolved. You’ll also hear practical tips for asking for better feedback and managing the tension that can come with critique. If you create and share ideas at work, this episode is for you. You don’t need thicker skin—you need a new perspective and a better process. Related links: * 8-week online course: plan, create, and deliver your data story [https://ti.to/storytellingwithdata/course-late2026] (next cohort starts September 2026)—use code Podcast10 for 10% off! * Register for the upcoming SWD free Live Event [https://www.jotform.com/form/261243961663157]: AI for data storytelling * Podcast episode 6: say it out loud [https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/podcast/say-it-out-loud] * Podcast episode 77: Alli Torban on Chart Spark [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gz9t7225lplpd1iOcOd9v?si=CP_kDKMdR7O8pmPoOEBB5A] * Book: storytelling with you [https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/books] * Join the storytelling with data community [https://community.storytellingwithdata.com/] to get feedback on your work * Data Stories podcast episode 133 [https://datastori.es/133-year-review-2018/] (with Enrico Bertini, Moritz Stefaner, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Alli Torban, and Jon Schwabish)

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: #97 delivering business value with data, with Shachar Meir

In this episode of the storytelling with data podcast, Amy talks with Shahar Meir, a data executive with more than 20 years of experience leading data teams at companies including Meta and PayPal. Together, they explore what it really takes for data professionals to move beyond producing dashboards and reports to driving meaningful business outcomes. Shahar shares why technology alone rarely solves an organization’s data challenges and outlines the four areas he sees mattering most: technology, people, process, and culture. He talks about trust in data, the importance of understanding your audience, and why the best data professionals learn to speak the language of the business rather than the language of tools. You’ll also hear practical advice for individuals who want to increase their impact: how to better understand the business, how to frame data work in terms of outcomes, and why stepping outside your data silo can be one of the most valuable moves for your career. This is a rich conversation for anyone who wants their work with data to be more strategic, more influential, and more closely tied to real business value.  RELATED RESOURCES * Shachar’s LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/shacharmeir] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@shacharmeir] * Career unblocking mini-course: career-unblock.shacharmeir.com [http://career-unblock.shacharmeir.com/] * $1M data professional [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRAz9krhAa4&list=PLf5hdm7nLNi8oheWHRxGSex2M0Ij3OpKV] presentation

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