The Storytellers

Shazeera AZ

Join me, Shazeera Zawawi as we embark on a fascinating journey with a diverse cast of storytellers ; from authors to social activists and documentary filmmakers to data artists. In each episode, we dive into their unique crafts, exploring their thoughts and approaches that make a compelling narrative, regardless of the medium. How does a playwright build tension that we can apply to a dynamic dashboard? What can a photographer teach us about highlighting key insights in a complex dataset? How does a musician's use of rhythm inform the pacing of a data-driven presentation? Through insightful interviews, practical takeaways, and a spirit of curious inquiry, The Storytellers aim to inspire and equip you to transform raw data into impactful, memorable, and human-centered stories. Whether you're a data professional looking to elevate your visualizations, a creative seeking new perspectives, or simply someone who appreciates a good story, this podcast is for you.

  1. 17h ago

    The Basel Art Summer Camp 2026 Pt.3 : The Storytellers & Their Art of Beautifying Life

    Send us Fan Mail I am truly honored to chat with Laura, Cathleen, Gabriella and Stephanie after our successful storytelling show, "The Ladies' Night" in Basel recently.  Ladies’ Night is a storytelling show built for divorcees, women, and friends but it refuses the tired script that says a divorce means you failed. We pull back the curtain on what audiences rarely see: the coaching, the workshops, the prop chaos, the emotional labor, and the care that turns “a kernel of an idea” into a story that makes people gasp, laugh,  We talk about why bringing Ladies’ Night to Art Basel and Basel Art Summer Camp mattered, and the big strategic questions that come with growth: Can we scale this women’s storytelling platform to bigger venues, new cities, and even film or anthology formats without losing the intimacy that makes it crackle? Each of the storyteller shared how they beautify their life : Gabs, a chef and nutritionist, reframes her craft as nourishment instead of numbers, tracing her creativity back to the women in her family. Steph stages a bold, improvised art metaphor where the inner critic gets a name and a voice, proving that perfectionism is easier than creating, but not nearly as alive. Last but not least, Cathleen blended her talent in singing and songwriting to capture her memories on her mother who inspired her creative mind and soul.  If you’re craving authentic storytelling, creative community, and real tools for rebuilding after change, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review telling us what line you’re still thinking about.

  2. Jun 22

    The Basel Art Summer Camp 2026 Pt.2 : Artists Who Brought Joy, Nostalgia and Birds to Their Work

    Send us Fan Mail In the second part of the Basel Art Summer Camp episode, I explored the art and storytelling of emerging artists at SummerCamp during Art Basel, Elise Potelune from France, Isobel Brigham from U.K and Ketevan Jananashvili from Georgia. We discussed how personal experiences, cultural heritage, and emotional expression shape their creative processes and narratives. Each of them brought their own distinctive authentic voice to their work and I can't tell you how inspiring it was to have a chat with them during the summer camp.  Check out the Basel Art Summer Camp website for more details about the artists' profile and their work. If you are interested to follow and support my amazing guests on Instagram: Isobel - @isobel_brigham Elise - @elisepotelune Ketevan - @ketevanjananashvili Enjoy the episode!

  3. Jun 21

    The Basel Art Summer Camp 2026 Pt.1 : The Ladies Who Want to Make Art Affordable & Accessible

    Send us Fan Mail I was at the Basel Art Summer Camp this year, thanks to the opportunity to be part of the Ladies' Night Show and what an experience it was!  In this episode, I sit down with Monica Ray Scott, Tayla Bastion, and Tanisha Raj, the visionary women behind the summer camp that celebrate emerging artists and budding art collectors. Together, they shared their mission and motivation in driving the Summer Camp ; creating inclusive spaces for emerging artists, and making art accessible and affordable during the Art Basel. Whether you are an aspiring creator or someone curious about starting your own art collection, this conversation offers an inspiring roadmap on how to engage with art beyond the gallery walls and how these wonderful amazing souls create a space for emerging storytellers, organisers and collectors to thrive in the art world. Check out more about the Art Summer Camp here  and on Instagram at @thebaselartsummercamp. You can also connect with my wonderful guests on Instagram: Monica Ray Scott - @monicainmuseums Tayla Bastion - @_tayzie_ Tanisha Raj - @carvedbytanisha I hope you enjoy this first part of my adventure! More are coming soon!

  4. May 5

    S2E5: The Partners in Data That Turn Numbers into Fairytales

    Send us Fan Mail This is one of the most fun I had on the podcast. My guest brought some originality to this episode by singing the intro tune for us!  My guests this week, are Alex Kolokolov and Natalia Kiseleva, a brilliant duo who are leading the mission to unlock the magic of data for kids as they transform data into a playful tool for creativity and empowerment. Discover from our chat, how storytelling and art make data accessible and fun, inspiring the next generation of data-savvy kids.  From their vibrant children's books to an engaging competition where everyone is a winner (or super winners), learn how Alex and Natalia, inspired by their own beloved kids, nurture curiosity and critical thinking among our children in a data-driven world. I hope parents and educators will find this particular episode enlightening and inspiring!  Explore more: Data2Kids Award | Data2Speak Read Natalia's insightful work through her article in the Nightingale Journal here.

  5. Apr 11

    S2E4:Laura Howe -The One Who Rewrote Divorce Endings

    Send us Fan Mail Divorce doesn't have to be a negative or a dirty word—just ask Laura Howe. In this episode, the woman behind Dispatch Divorcée shares how she built a sanctuary for women to rewrite their own endings. We talk healing through storytelling, the evolution of her powerhouse event, the Ladies' Night in Lausanne, and why the best love stories aren't always romances. Grab a coffee and join us for a conversation that is as inspiring as it is essential. I also want to give a shout out to my amazing friends in Lausanne - Rashida, Ana, Sara who, help me connect with Laura and the Ladies' Night. You are part of my storytelling universe! Click here if you are interested in joining the DD club. Want to be on stage and share your story?  Submit your pitch for the Ladies' Night's next chapter or get your tickets to the show now! Last but not least, follow Laura on Instagram, here and here.

  6. Mar 14

    S2E3: Maxene Graze - The One Who Made Kimchi Sings

    Send us Fan Mail "The sound of microbes is organic and playful." "Fermentation is a multisensory experience." "Japanese have rich onomatopoeia for sounds." In this episode, I  learned so much about the innovative intersection of data visualization and fermentation with Maxene Graze, who uniquely incorporates organic, microbial, and sensory elements into her storytelling. Discover how she challenges traditional data methods, making complex processes accessible and engaging through multisensory experiences. This is one of my favourite conversations on the podcast so far! If you want to get to know Maxene better or learned more about her wonderful projects, here are some resources to guide you: Check out her website and the three projects discussed in the podcast: https://datagrazing.com/Her Koji substack: https://thekojicollection.substack.com/aboutFollow her journey and network with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxene-graze/

  7. Feb 21

    S2E2: Kevin Wee - The One Who Will be in the Iron Viz Final Battle

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to be one of the best data storytellers on the planet? Today, I’m joined by my good friend, fellow Malaysian and Tableau Visionary, Kevin Wee, to talk about his incredible journey to the Iron Viz 2026 Finals. After beating out over a hundred competitors from 33 countries, Kevin is heading to San Diego to compete in the "World Cup of Data." We explore the personal experiences that fuel his work, the cultural significance of food in his latest viz, and his advice for anyone looking to turn raw numbers into a compelling narrative. Get to know more about Kevin and his amazing work with the links below: His IronViz qualifier: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kevin.wee/viz/NutritionValuesofDimSumIronVizedition/Dashboard"Dim Sum Field Guide" by Carolyn Phillips: https://www.madamehuang.com/the-dim-sum-field-guideOriginal Dim Sum Viz: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kevin.wee/viz/NutritionValuesofDimSum/DashboardMy blog: https://kevinwee.com/my-tableau-cv/All social media links: https://linktr.ee/kevinwee90Enjoy the show!

  8. Feb 13

    S2E1 : Sophie Sparks - The One Who Humanise Data Through Art and Storytelling

    Send us Fan Mail In this special episode for Valentine's Day, I chatted with data artist Sophie Sparks about the intersection of data, art, and storytelling. They explore the importance of using pen and paper in data visualization, the human experience behind data, and how to overcome the fear of imperfection in creative expression. Sophie shares insights on the role of hand-drawn visuals in communication, the significance of process in data art, and the impact of live drawing on audience engagement. They also discuss self-quantification, the importance of data badges in fostering connections, and the upcoming projects Sophie is working on. We also have a fun lightning round of questions about data visualization practices and personal insights on the art of data. Enjoy! Resources: Connect with Sophie : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiesparkes/Read the book : https ://data-feminism.mitpress.mit.edu/Jonni Walker is here : https://www.tableau.com/de-de/blog/using-tableau-help-natural-world

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About

Join me, Shazeera Zawawi as we embark on a fascinating journey with a diverse cast of storytellers ; from authors to social activists and documentary filmmakers to data artists. In each episode, we dive into their unique crafts, exploring their thoughts and approaches that make a compelling narrative, regardless of the medium. How does a playwright build tension that we can apply to a dynamic dashboard? What can a photographer teach us about highlighting key insights in a complex dataset? How does a musician's use of rhythm inform the pacing of a data-driven presentation? Through insightful interviews, practical takeaways, and a spirit of curious inquiry, The Storytellers aim to inspire and equip you to transform raw data into impactful, memorable, and human-centered stories. Whether you're a data professional looking to elevate your visualizations, a creative seeking new perspectives, or simply someone who appreciates a good story, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Shazeera AZ
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Storytellers
  • Show Website
    The Storytellers