NEW SERIES: The Founder’s Journey – Stories of Building, Scaling & Storytelling

We’re launching something new on thestorytelling with data podcast! In this special series, we’ll sit down with founders who are building something remarkable—diving into their journeys, the lessons they’ve learned, and the storytelling strategies that fuel their success.

In this episode, Randy is joined by Doni Priliandi, founder of HappyFive, an employee engagement and performance management platform. Doni’s path is one of persistence, risk-taking, and strategic storytelling. From cold-emailing Google’s Laszlo Bock to hopping on a last-minute flight from Jakarta to Silicon Valley, Doni’s story is filled with bold moves and valuable insights. He shares how being an underdog can be a superpower, why storytelling is crucial for founders, and the lessons he’s learned while expanding into the U.S. market.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of data, storytelling, and startup success.

Related Links:

Check out Happy5's performance management software platform

Link up with Doni on LNKD

Read Work Rules by Laszlo Bock

Time is a finite resource, so how do you make the most of it? Cole is joined by her husband, Randy, for a conversation on the art of getting things done, both in business and in life. From balancing busy work schedules to managing a family of five, they share their strategies for prioritization, productivity, and focus. They break down their individual approaches—covering automation, delegation, scheduling, and the power of saying no—to create more space for what truly matters. Packed with practical insights, this episode will help you reclaim time and boost your productivity.

Related links:

• Follow Randy: LinkedIn | Twitter
• Daphne Draws Data
• Episode 13 goals like Google
• London masterclass

What if a simple pause could transform the way you work? In this episode, Cole delves into the concept of statio—a meditative pause during transitions—and its potential to inspire more thoughtful, impactful decisions in data analysis and communication. From asking the right questions at the start of a project to fine-tuning your slides before a presentation, discover how small, intentional moments of reflection can ignite creativity, sharpen focus, and elevate your work. Ready to pause, breathe, and see things differently?

Listening time 21:15  | related links:

What do doors, wrapping paper, and speed bumps have in common? In this episode, Cole uncovers how the design of everyday objects can inspire better graphs and slides. Through relatable stories and practical takeaways, discover how thoughtful design can transform confusion into clarity and create moments of delight for your audience.

related links:

In this episode, Cole teams up with Jon Orr, co-founder of Make Math Moments, for an inspiring discussion on how to transform math education for young learners. They dive into Cole's new book, Daphne Draws Data, and explore how storytelling and visual data can empower children to approach math with curiosity and confidence. Cole and Jon share personal stories and professional insights on why sparking interest in math early is crucial. They also provide practical advice on integrating data visualization into classroom activities to make math both meaningful and engaging for kids. Whether you're an educator, parent, or data enthusiast, this episode offers a fresh perspective on teaching math in a way that sticks.

Listening time 24:41  | related links:

Related Links:

• Daphne Draws Data Official Site

• Register for the Make Math Moments Virtual Conference (Nov. 15-17)

• Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast

• Join our Daphne Draws Data Educator Community

In this special episode, Cole unveils her new children's book, "Daphne Draws Data," a vibrant adventure aimed at making data, numbers and graphs accessible to young minds. Inspired by her own children's curiosity, Cole discusses the importance of introducing data literacy early through storytelling, illustrated by the talented John Skewes. Join Cole as she shares insights into creating the book, its enchanting characters, and how Daphne the dragon helps her friends solve problems using data. Discover how you can help ignite a passion for data in the next generation and hear a sample of the audio book!

Related Links:

• Daphne Draws Data Official Site

• Order on Amazon

• Listen to the Audiobook

• Daphne Draws Data Resources for Parents

• Sign up for the Daphne Mailing List

• Follow Daphne on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest

Cole sits down with Steve Glynn in an episode recorded for the Experience Milwaukee podcast that we’ve recast here. Tune in to hear about Cole’s path, books, and…scotch?! The pair dive into Cole’s new children’s book, Daphne Draws Data: A storytelling with data adventure, talk about life in Wisconsin, and more.

Listening time 23:45  | related links:

• Order Cole’s new book!

• Experience Milwaukee podcast

• Book: storytelling with data: a data visualization guide for business professionals

• Book: storytelling with data: let’s practice!

• Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation

• Upcoming events: DaphneDrawsData.com/events

• Upcoming masterclass & more: storytellingwithdata.com/workshops

Join Cole as she chats with Nathan Yau, founder of FlowingData and author of Visualize This and Data Points. Nathan shares his journey from grad school at UCLA to becoming a renowned figure in data visualization. They discuss the evolution of his work, the inception of FlowingData, and the impact of his books on the field. Dive deep into the creative process behind visualizing data, the importance of asking questions, and the iterative nature of both data analysis and visualization.

Listening time 51:25 | related links:

• Follow Nathan: flowingdata.com | LinkedIn | Twitter

• Buy Nathan’s new book! Visualize This, 2nd edition

• Book: Exploratory Data Analysis (Tukey)

• Interactive visual: How Americans Spend Their Day

• Blog post: How You Will Die

• Blog post: Ebb and Flow of Box Office Receipts (steam graph)

• Online to do list: Remember The Milk

Data storyteller Alex talks with information designer Alli Torban about her new book, Chart Spark. Alli believes that creativity isn’t a synonym for art; instead, it’s the ability to generate new ideas or remix existing ideas in a useful way. When you learn to harness that creativity, you can develop new approaches to create more impactful data communications. Tune in to discover helpful prompts and strategies that will help you push past a mental block when you aren’t sure how to visualize your data and capture inspiration for the next time you need a creative idea. 

Listening time 42:28 | related links:

• Follow Alli: website | podcast | LinkedIn | Twitter

• sChart Spark: https://www.chartsparkbook.com/

• SWD live event: http://storytellingwithdata.com/exploreexplain

• Flatten the curve: https://x.com/drewaharris/status/1233267475036372992?lang=en

• Alli’s tessellation viz: https://www.allitorban.com/home/work4

In this repost of the Data Viz Today podcast, Information Designer Alli Torban talks with Cole about strategies for delivering data presentations, particularly for introverts. From identifying and managing nervous habits to intentionally adjusting style while maintaining authenticity, they share quick tips and broad strategies to put into practice. Discover how to signal confidence, even before feeling it, and learn about real-time data collection techniques to continually refine your speaking skills. Tune in to learn actionable insights that apply whether you're presenting informally to colleagues or commanding attention in front of a crowd! 

Listening time 49:18 | related links:

• Follow Alli: website | podcast | LinkedIn | Twitter

• Original post & show notes: dataviztoday.com/shownotes/94

Book: storytelling with you: plan, create, and deliver a stellar presentation