Storytelling with Data: Before and After

Practical Makeovers for Powerful Data Stories

By: Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Mike Cisneros, Alex Velez

Narrated by: Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Mike Cisneros, Alex Velez

For more than a decade, the team at storytelling with data has helped leading organizations and countless professionals transform their business communications into action-inspiring narratives. Now, they're bringing the best of those lessons to you―in the beloved before-and-after format synonymous with their popular workshops.

World-renowned data storytellers Mike Cisneros, Alex Velez, and SWD founder Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic guide you through proven methods to strengthen your communications, sharing the thought process behind each redesign so you can confidently apply the concepts to your work. Building on core principles from the international bestseller storytelling with data, refined through thousands of workshops, they demonstrate the straightforward, intentional changes―like simplifying visuals, eliminating clutter, and emphasizing key insights―that will transform your graphs and slides from the expected to the extraordinary.

In storytelling with data: before and after, you'll learn how to structure stories that connect with your audience; create visuals that clarify complex information; apply color, layout, and design to focus attention on what matters most; overcome common challenges like time constraints and poorly designed templates; and craft narratives that make an impact and influence outcomes.

©2026 Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic (P)2026 Ascent Audio

Accompanying PDF is needed

The audiobook relies heavily on verbal descriptions of graphs, which makes it challenging to fully grasp the material without visual support. An accompanying PDF would greatly improve the listening experience.