Learn how to be a great data communicator and visualizer with host Jon Schwabish. Hear from experts in the fields of data science, data visualization, and presentation skills to improve how you and your organization collect, analyze, and communicate your data in better, more efficient, and more effective ways.
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PolicyViz Podcasts
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Why Federal Statistics Matter: Rob Santos on Trust, Data Integrity, and the Future of the Census
44:25
44:25
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This is the final episode of 2026! I hope you have enjoyed the show this year and also hope you have a great holiday season and happy new year. In this episode, I sit down with former Census Bureau Director Rob Santos to talk about the state of federal statistics, what’s threatening the quality and independence of federal data, and why surveys like…
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Flourish, Canva, and the Future of Data Storytelling: Duncan Clark Returns to the Podcast
36:26
36:26
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36:26
In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back Duncan Clark from Flourish and Canva to talk about the incredible evolution of both tools over the past few years. We dig into how the Flourish and Canva teams have grown, how they now collaborate, and what that means for users who care about data visualization, storytelling, and workflow. Duncan walks …
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Inside IEEEVIS 2025: Key Themes, Best Papers, and the Future of Visualization
47:20
47:20
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47:20
In this episode, I sit down with Alvitta Ottley and Paul Parsons to recap everything that happened at the 2025 IEEE VIS Conference in Vienna. We talk about our experiences co-organizing the VisCom workshop, the surprising attendance, and the standout keynote from Moritz Stefaner. Alvitta shares insights on accessibility research and the surge of LL…
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Exploring Creative Data Visualization with Nadieh Bremer
43:38
43:38
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43:38
In this episode, I sit down with Nadieh Bremer to talk about her new book, Chart, and the creative process behind her data visualization work. We discuss how she structures the book around a spectrum from straightforward charts to full-on data art, and why uncommon chart types can communicate nuance so effectively. Nadieh shares insights from her t…
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The Future of Dashboards, Data Apps, and AI with Plotly's Chris Parmer
35:29
35:29
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35:29
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, dashboa…
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Beyond the Visual: How Tactile Maps Expand Data Accessibility
45:43
45:43
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45:43
In this week’s episode, I welcome Jakub Wabiński and Vincent van Altena to the show to talk about their new book, Tactile Mapping. We explore how tactile and multisensory design can make maps—and data—more accessible for people with visual impairments and beyond. Jakub and Vincent share insights into how tactile maps are designed, tested, and used …
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Telling Stories with Maps: Allen Carroll on the Art of Map-Based Storytelling
29:46
29:46
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29:46
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…
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Fiscal Policy, Data, and Democracy: Insights from Former CBO Director Doug Elmendorf
29:28
29:28
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29:28
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 live…
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From Data Literacy to Storytelling: Insights from The Little Book of Data
34:27
34:27
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34:27
In this week's episode of the show, I sit down with Justin Evans, author of The Little Book of Data, to talk about what it means to truly think like a data person. Justin shares insights from his 20-year career in data and advertising, reflecting on why so many professionals struggle to embrace data and how his book helps break down those barriers.…
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Economic Data Under Fire: Accuracy, Trust, and Transparency with David Wessel
28:48
28:48
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28:48
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…
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Inside the BLS: William Beach on Trust, Data, and the Future of Federal Statistics
46:28
46:28
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46:28
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 pe…
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Why the BLS Matters with Former Commissioner Erica Groshen
46:39
46:39
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46:39
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 prod…
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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 ev…
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Shirley Wu on Data, Art, and Innovation in Visualization
45:49
45:49
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45:49
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 …
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Edward Tufte: Designing with Data, Art, and Purpose
53:16
53:16
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53:16
In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I am reposting my 2015 interview with Edward Tufte, one of the pioneers of data visualization and author of seminal books like The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. At the time, Tufte was a well-known and hugely influential figure in the field. Over time, his influence has waned, and I find…
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From Tableau to AI: Where Data Visualization Is Headed with Andy Kirk
37:10
37:10
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37:10
My friend Andy Kirk joins the show to reflect on the changing landscape of data visualization. We discuss the evolution of tools like Tableau and Flourish, the dispersion of social media communities, and how, how AI is reshaping workflows and data visualization. Andy shares insights from his freelance experience, the challenges of teaching data pre…
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Drawing Data with Dragons: Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic on Teaching Kids and Adults Alike
37:38
37:38
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37:38
In this episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic joins me to discuss the evolution of her work in data storytelling—from corporate workshops to her newest venture into children’s literature. We explore how the pandemic transformed training formats, the collaborative nature of her team, and the creative process behind her latest boo…
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Amanda Cox on Data Journalism, AI, and Democratizing Design
36:16
36:16
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36:16
Amanda Cox reflects on her career path from the New York Times to Bloomberg News, highlighting her efforts to make data more accessible and meaningful through journalism. We dive into the shifts in data journalism—from scarce print real estate to the rise of AI tools—and how these transitions affect newsroom priorities, audience interaction, and st…
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Data for a Continent: Inside the European Correspondent's Visual Journalism
38:41
38:41
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38:41
In this episode, I chat with Mandy Spaltman and Sebastian Graeff, co-leads of the data team at The European Correspondent, a volunteer-driven journalism initiative covering news across Europe. They discuss how their team of passionate designers and analysts craft daily data visualizations, their creative process, the tools they use, and the challen…
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Data Are Local: Context, Power, and Storytelling with Yanni Loukissas
40:25
40:25
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40:25
In this episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I speak with Yanni Loukissas, an Associate Professor at Georgia Tech, about the importance of context in working with data. Yanni argues that data are not universal but local—shaped by their origins, environments, and the intentions of those who collect them. Our conversation dives into how this perspective…
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Exploring the Evolution of Data Visualization with Moritz Stefaner
41:45
41:45
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41:45
In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I sit down with data visualization expert Moritz Stefaner to reflect on his journey in the field. We discuss Stefaner's work on the Data Stories Podcast, his shift from bespoke data visualization projects to scalable design systems, and his collaborations with organizations like the World Health Orga…
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Engage, Elevate, Communicate: Davina Stanley on Crafting Clear Business Messages
39:54
39:54
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39:54
In this episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I chat with communication expert Davina Stanley about the power of clear and structured messaging in business communication. Davina shares insights from her books Engage and Elevate, discussing how leaders and teams can improve their communication efficiency through message mapping. She explains how a well-…
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Mapping Inequality: Braden Crooks on Redlining and Urban Transformation
35:51
35:51
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35:51
In this week’s episode of the PolicyViz Podcast, I speak with Braden Crooks, co-founder of Designing the We, about their project Undesign the Redline, an interactive exhibit that explores the history and lasting impact of redlining in the U.S. Braden shares how his background in landscape architecture and urban design led him to develop this projec…
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Revolutionizing Web Development: Rich Harris on Svelte's Creation and Impact
34:35
34:35
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34:35
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 t…
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Kevin Wee's Tableau Journey in Visualization and Innovation
35:25
35:25
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35:25
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 wher…
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