Make Data Talk

Dr Selena Fisk
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you finding data daunting? Are you in a job where there are heaps of numbers coming in, but you don't know what to do with them, let alone make them mean something? If so, it's time to make your data talk! Each week Data Storyteller Dr Selena Fisk will help you turn your spreadsheets into stories, as she teaches you important data ideas and skills which help you bring your data to life. Each episode is packed with real examples and insights from Selena's experience helping people like you - to build your confidence, to make data more accessible to you, and to do so in a way that is practical and more interesting than your year 9 maths textbook! Make data talk is your weekly dose of data literacy, data viz, and data storytelling ideas that help make data doable.

  1. 2D AGO

    #49 What if you have an epic data story but you're worried people in the meeting won't get it?

    Most data storytelling advice focuses on the analysis: choosing the right data, selecting the best charts, and building compelling visuals. But in real organisations, the hardest part is often what happens after the analysis — when you have to share the data in a meeting. In this episode, Dr. Selena Fisk explores why data conversations can break down in mixed-skill meetings, where some people speak fluently in metrics, others think in outcomes, and some are quietly trying to interpret the chart (or work out whether what they're seeing is "right"). Without designing for this reality, meetings become predictable: the confident voices dominate, less-confident participants withdraw, and decisions get made on partial understanding and momentum. Instead of a step-by-step process, this episode offers 10 practical principles for data storytelling in meetings to help you facilitate inclusive, productive dialogue while maintaining technical integrity. Some of the things you'll learn in this episode Why leading with purpose (the decision) is more effective than leading with charts How to separate observation, interpretation, and decision-making to reduce unproductive debate How to reduce cognitive load so people can think, not just interpret visuals If you present data in meetings, lead teams, or want better decision-making conversations around metrics, this episode will help you design meetings where more people can participate in meaning-making — and where data leads to action and learning. Keywords: data storytelling in meetings, data storytelling principles, presenting data to stakeholders, mixed-skill teams, leading with purpose, making clarity questions normal, decision-making with data, communicating data insights, inclusive meetings, facilitating data discussions, reduce cognitive load, narrating charts, data-informed leadership #datastorytelling #decisionmaking #leadership #data #meetings #communication

    16 min

  2. MAR 3

    #48 Your data strategy and data plan are two different things - get both!

    In this episode of Make Data Talk, Dr. Selena Fisk breaks down the critical difference between a data strategy and a data plan, and why confusing the two is quietly undermining data-informed decision making in many organisations. Too often, leaders believe they have a data strategy when what they actually have is a collection of dashboards, reporting tools, or technology roadmaps. But a true data strategy defines why data matters, and how it creates value. A data plan, on the other hand, clarifies what data is used, by whom, when, and what responsibility sits behind it. If you care about data governance, building a strong data culture, improving business intelligence, or strengthening data-informed leadership, this episode will help you align strategy with execution. You'll learn: The difference between data strategy and a data plan How to provide clarity for data responsibility across teams Practical steps to build a more data-informed organisation Perfect for executives, leaders, and data professionals who want their data investments to actually change behaviour, not just produce reports.

    11 min

  3. FEB 17

    #47 Your data dashboard IS NOT a data story

    Most dashboards look impressive. They're packed with metrics, trends, and filters, and yet they still leave people asking, "So what?" In this episode of Make Data Talk, Dr. Selena Fisk unpacks why a data dashboard is not a data story (and why confusing the two leads to stalled decisions, misaligned teams, and "insight" that never turns into action). You'll learn the critical importance of meaning-making, how to move from reporting to narrative, and the value in leaders translating charts into clarity. If you're a leader, analyst, or anyone responsible for communicating data, this episode will help you stop presenting information and start creating understanding, so your data actually influences decisions. Keywords: data dashboards, data storytelling, business intelligence, KPI reporting, decision making, data literacy, analytics communication, executive reporting, insight to action

    11 min

  4. FEB 3

    #46 Data literacy has very little to do with maths ability

    "I'm not a numbers person" is one of the most common and most limiting beliefs holding people back from engaging with data. In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk challenges the widespread assumption that data literacy is about maths ability. She explains why modern data work has very little to do with calculations and everything to do with interpretation, critical thinking, and decision-making. You'll learn what data literacy actually means in today's organisations, why equating it with numeracy excludes capable leaders and professionals, and how this misunderstanding narrows data conversations and weakens insight. Selena reframes data literacy as a human thinking skill - one grounded in asking better questions, applying judgement, and making sense of information in context. If your organisation is investing in data but struggling to build confidence, capability, or meaningful data-informed decisions, this episode will help you rethink the skills that truly matter. Keywords: data literacy, data capability, leadership and data, data-informed decision making, data confidence, learning culture

    12 min

  5. JAN 20

    #45 You don't have a data problem - you have a confidence or skills problem

    Many leaders believe their organisation has a data problem...  not enough data, not the right dashboards, not the right systems. In this episode, I unpack why that's rarely the real issue. Instead, most organisations are grappling with a skills or confidence problem. People are surrounded by data but don't feel equipped or safe to ask questions, interpret what they see, or use data once decisions have been made. We explore what leaders often misunderstand about data capability, how well-intentioned investments in tools can backfire, and what actually builds confidence and better decision-making over time. If your organisation feels data-rich but insight-poor, this conversation will help you rethink where the real work needs to happen.

    10 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    #44 What data people can learn from yogis

    Ever wondered what data and yoga have in common? At first, they seem like two very different ideas, but dig a little deeper and you start to see there is much yoga can teach us about data. In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk reflects on the completion of her yoga teacher training and five things it's taught her about data culture in our organisations. Connect with Selena at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/

    15 min

  7. 08/20/2025

    #43 Discovery visuals - the creative process BEFORE you show your charts to others

    Do you brainstorm and plan out your data visualisations before you present them to others?  In this episode, Dr Selena Fisk talks about the idea of discovery visuals, and the process for getting the best visualisation for the data story you want to tell. Connect with Selena at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/

    10 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    #42 The eight archetypes of the 3i impact model

    When making change, it's useful to look at all the different impacts and categorise these so you can focus on what matters to you and your organisation. Last episode, Dr Selena FIsk introduced her new 3i Impact Model, and in this episode, she unpacks the different archetypes each type of impact falls into.  Connect with Selena at https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenafisk/

    18 min
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Trailer

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out of 5
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About

Are you finding data daunting? Are you in a job where there are heaps of numbers coming in, but you don't know what to do with them, let alone make them mean something? If so, it's time to make your data talk! Each week Data Storyteller Dr Selena Fisk will help you turn your spreadsheets into stories, as she teaches you important data ideas and skills which help you bring your data to life. Each episode is packed with real examples and insights from Selena's experience helping people like you - to build your confidence, to make data more accessible to you, and to do so in a way that is practical and more interesting than your year 9 maths textbook! Make data talk is your weekly dose of data literacy, data viz, and data storytelling ideas that help make data doable.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Selena Fisk
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Make Data Talk

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