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 economics

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Check out the BLS website [https://www.bls.gov/] for more data!

Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jschwabish/?hl=en],  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanschwabish/],  Substack [https://jschwabish.substack.com/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/jschwabish],  Website [https://policyviz.com/],  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/JonSchwabish]

Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Why the BLS Matters with Former Commissioner Erica Groshen 

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 data

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Follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanschwabish/] and check out my website [https://www.policyviz.com]

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Season 12 Premiere!

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 visualization

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Check out Shirley’s website [https://www.shirleywu.studio/]

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Shirley Wu on Data, Art, and Innovation in Visualization

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 that fewer and fewer people are aware of his work and his impacts on the field of data visualization. Before closing up this season next week, I thought it worth looking back to this interview and listen to Tufte as he reflects on analytical thinking, visual reasoning, and the intersection of art and science. We discussed his sculpture work, the evolution of information design, the power of high-resolution displays, and the importance of clarity and excellence in presenting data. The conversation spans from Tufte’s early teaching days to his vision for the future of data communication, offering a rich mix of philosophy, design, and practical insight.

Keywords: Edward Tufte, data visualization, The Thinking Eye, PolicyViz Podcast, Jon Schwabish, analytical thinking, visual reasoning, sculpture, design excellence, high-resolution graphics, information design, flatland, Galileo, data storytelling, maps moving in time

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Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jschwabish/?hl=en],  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanschwabish/],  Substack [https://jschwabish.substack.com/],  Twitter [https://twitter.com/jschwabish],  Website [https://policyviz.com/],  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/JonSchwabish]

Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Edward Tufte: Designing with Data, Art, and Purpose

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 preparation, and his measured take on critique and awards in the field. This episode captures a moment of introspection in data viz—where progress is evident, but big questions remain.

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 learning

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Check out Andy's website [https://visualisingdata.com/] and grab his new book, Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design [https://amzn.to/43nnPr6].

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

From Tableau to AI: Where Data Visualization Is Headed with Andy Kirk

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 book, Daphne Draws Data. Cole reflects on the importance of introducing kids to the visual language of data early in life and shares how simple storytelling principles can empower learners of any age.

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 learning

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Check out Cole's latest book, Daphe Draws Data on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4kC2Sjp] or wherever you get your books!

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Drawing Data with Dragons: Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic on Teaching Kids and Adults Alike

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 storytelling techniques. Amanda emphasizes the importance of reducing friction for domain experts and considers the future implications of AI in data analysis and design.

Keywords: data, data visualization, Amanda Cox, Data journalism, Bloomberg, USAFacts, AI in journalism, Visual storytelling, Data accessibility, Media evolution

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Amanda Cox on Data Journalism, AI, and Democratizing Design

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 challenge of maintaining a cohesive style while allowing artistic freedom. Hear how they balance storytelling and design, and what the future might hold for interactive and multilingual content.

Keywords: data, data visualization, European Correspondent, data visualization, journalism, infographics, storytelling, media startup, volunteer, creative process, visual design, newsletters, Europe

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Check out the European Correspondent [https://www.europeancorrespondent.com/]!

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Data for a Continent: Inside the European Correspondent’s Visual Journalism

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 challenges dominant narratives in data science, particularly the assumption that datasets are neutral or universally applicable. We also discuss how design and storytelling can play a role in exposing the situated nature of data and how educators and practitioners can better teach and communicate these ideas.

Keywords: Yanni Loukissas, PolicyViz Podcast, data visualization, data context, data storytelling, situated data, data ethics, data science, data politics, Georgia Tech, Jon Schwabish, design and data, local data, neutral data myth, data literacy, communicating data, data education, critical data studies, data and power, podcast interview

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Check out Yanni’s website [https://loukissas.lmc.gatech.edu/projects/] and read his book, All Data are Local [https://amzn.to/4jkhPps]

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Data Are Local: Context, Power, and Storytelling with Yanni Loukissas

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 Organization. Moritz shares insights on the evolution of data visualization trends, the importance of clear communication, and the challenges of building sustainable design frameworks.

Keywords: Data visualization, Moritz Stefaner, PolicyViz Podcast, Data Stories Podcast, Design systems, Data journalism, WHO design language, Data communication, AI transcription, Data storytellingmathematics, Al, machine learning

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Explore all of Mortiz’s amazing work on his website [https://truth-and-beauty.net/]

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Email: jon@policyviz.com [jschwabish@gmail.com]

Exploring the Evolution of Data Visualization with Moritz Stefaner

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.

The PolicyViz Podcast

Jon's Show

Helping you do a better job processing, analyzing, sharing, and presenting your data.

Jon

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