Data Stories

Life, data, the universe and all the rest

I initiated and co-hosted the self-produced, independent podcast "Data Stories" together with Enrico Bertini from 2012-2023. With over 2.7 million episode downloads, it has become one of the most popular data visualization podcasts in the world.

Since the launch in 2012, we’ve produced 170 episodes covering a broad spectrum of topics, from cutting-edge visualization tools, data art to the ethics of AI-driven decision-making.

Network of Data Stories topics

We’ve had the privilege of hosting over 100 esteemed guests, including Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec, Randall Munroe / xkcd, Nadieh Bremer and Shirley Wu, Max Roser, Scott McCloud and many others.

Each guest has brought unique perspectives, enriching our understanding of data’s role in shaping the modern world.

Recording an episode with Pedro Cruz and John Wihbey

We’ve become known for our candid and approachable format, blending technical deep dives with humor, curiosity, and an emphasis on storytelling. This unique tone sets us apart from more formal or tutorial-based resources in the field.

Community

In many ways, the podcast was about bridging gaps: between research and practice, different continents, philosophies, … Celebrating the creativity behind the charts, questioning the numbers, and bringing a personal touch to what can often feel like an impersonal subject helped open up new ways of thinking about data.

A selection of reviews from our listeners

The most rewarding part was to get to know so many people interested in the same topics, but from a different angle and to learn how many people have been willing to support the podcast through crowdfunding and sponsorship.

Meeting our listeners was a special treat — and always great fun!

Data Stories meetup in new York
Data Stories meetup in Berlin
Data Stories meetup in Berlin
Data Stories meetup in Berlin

Numbers

All Time: 2,768,837 downloads of all Episodes

00:54:31 is the average length of an episode.
6.4 days is the total playback time of all episodes.
23 days is the average interval until a new episode is released.