Explore Explain
Hosted by Explore Explain
A deep-dive podcast that explores the hidden design process and thinking behind individual data visualization projects.
This is a process-oriented show for data visualization professionals. Rather than discussing broad trends, host Andy Kirk methodically deconstructs a single piece of work with its creator(s). Conversations focus on the practical and intellectual journey: initial motivations, data sourcing, technical hurdles, design trade-offs, and lessons learned.
“Its singular focus on deconstructing one project per episode sets it apart. Unlike broader interview shows, Explore Explain is a case study in action, providing a granular, 'behind-the-scenes' look at the craft from the creator's perspective.”
Who hosts this show
Explore Explain is a long-form podcast and video series hosted by UK-based data visualization expert Andy Kirk. Launched in 2020, each episode features a detailed conversation with designers, developers, or data journalists to uncover the story behind a specific visualization or a major project. The show dissects the 'what, why, and how'—exploring the challenges, breakthroughs, and the countless small decisions that shape the final work.
Credentials & credits
- Independent data visualisation consultant and trainer.
- Author of four books, including "Visualising Data: A Handbook for Data Driven Design".
- Former adjunct lecturer at MICA, Imperial College, and University College London (UCL).
- Founder and editor of the blog visualisingdata.com.
- Founder of the consultancy Visualising Data Ltd.
Other ventures
- visualisingdata.com (blog and resource collection)
- Visualising Data Ltd. (consultancy and training company).
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01S6E8 - MORITZ STEFANER & ENRICO BERTINI - Works that shaped my thinking (Part 2)Mar 30, 2026 · 46 min
- 02S6E7 - MORITZ STEFANER & ENRICO BERTINI - Works that shaped my thinking (Part 1)Mar 20, 2026 · 43 min
- 03S6E6 - NICOLA RENNIE & ANSGAR WOLSING - 30 Day Map ChallengeFeb 25, 2026 · 1h 14m
- 04S6E5 - CHAZ HUTTON - All about cartoons!Feb 4, 2026 · 59 min
- 05S6E4 - COLE NUSSBAUMER KNAFLIC & MIKE CISNEROS - Before & AfterNov 26, 2025 · 1h 02m
- 06S6E3 - LIUHUAYING YANG - Not My NameOct 24, 2025 · 1h 03m
- 07S6E2 - DR ANNA LOMBARDI - The European State of the Climate 2024Sep 11, 2025 · 1h 15m
- 08S5E9 Highlights - ALAN SMITHJul 22, 2025 · 15 min
Notable episodes
- 01S6E7 & S6E8 - MORITZ STEFANER & ENRICO BERTINI - Works that shaped my thinking
A two-part special where two veterans of the field discuss the foundational academic papers and practitioner works that influenced their careers, offering a history of modern data visualization.
- 02S6E6 - NICOLA RENNIE & ANSGAR WOLSING - 30 Day Map Challenge
This episode provides a practical look into the creative process and learning benefits of community-driven challenges by deconstructing several maps made under daily deadlines.
- 03S6E4 - COLE NUSSBAUMER KNAFLIC & MIKE CISNEROS - Before & After
Features the creators of the popular 'Storytelling With Data' brand discussing their book of visualization makeovers, a core topic for many practitioners.
What you'll be asked on this show
Andy Kirk's interview style is methodical and educational. He typically opens by establishing the guest's background and origin story in the data visualization field. He then introduces the central project or theme for the episode (e.g., the '30-Day Map Challenge' or a '5+1 works' retrospective) before systematically stepping through the work. Key moves include asking guests for a verbal description of a visual project for the audio audience, probing for the motivation behind specific design choices, and facilitating dialogue by inviting one guest to comment on another's work. His questions are designed to unpack the entire process, from conception and constraints ('any bumps along the way?') to the final output.
The host, Andy Kirk, is a knowledgeable and structured facilitator who often frames the episode's agenda upfront. He guides a long-form, detailed conversation, frequently screen-sharing the visualization being discussed to provide visual context for the YouTube audience. Episodes are meticulously focused on the 'how' and 'why' of the creative process.
Questions Explore Explain keeps coming back to
10 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Explore Explain reaches for it.
personal
1- Q.01
“Could you introduce yourself, where you are, and what you're up to?”
This is his standard opening to allow guests to establish their current role and location.
origin
1- Q.01
“When and how did you get into data viz, as a subject and a profession?”
A recurring opening question to establish the guest's origin story and context within the field.
process
3- Q.01
“Can you give a visual description of what this project looks like and portrays?”
He asks this frequently to help audio-only listeners picture the visualization being discussed.
- Q.02
“What was the motivation to pursue that specific direction or choice?”
A common follow-up to understand the reasoning behind a particular design or analytical decision.
- Q.03
“Do you ever set yourself artificial constraints, like a time limit?”
He asks this to probe into a creator's personal strategies and creative process.
craft
2- Q.01
“Can you share insights into what you made, why you made it, and any bumps along the way?”
This is the core question used to kick off a deep dive into a specific project.
- Q.02
“What's going on with this one?”
A casual, open-ended prompt for the guest to begin explaining a specific chart or map.
industry
1- Q.01
“[Guest 2], what do you think of [Guest 1]'s selection/point?”
In multi-guest episodes, he uses this to create a conversational dynamic and elicit commentary.
values
1- Q.01
“Why did you feel this work was worthy of selection?”
Used in retrospective episodes to understand the significance of an influential piece of work.
future
1- Q.01
“How healthy is the relationship between the academic and practitioner sides of the field right now?”
This type of question zooms out to gauge the guest's perspective on the state of the industry.
Signature segments
- · Project Deconstruction
- · Works That Shaped My Thinking (5+1 Format)
- · Multi-guest conversations
- · Focus on process over personality
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are a global mix of data visualization designers, developers, data journalists, and academics who have created a specific, interesting project. They range from well-known figures in the field to practitioners doing unique work in niche areas.
- Moritz Stefaneron S6E8 - MORITZ STEFANER & ENRICO BERTINI - Works that shaped my thinking (Part 2)
- Enrico Bertinion S6E8 - MORITZ STEFANER & ENRICO BERTINI - Works that shaped my thinking (Part 2)
- Nicola Rennieon S6E6 - NICOLA RENNIE & ANSGAR WOLSING - 30 Day Map Challenge
- Ansgar Wolsingon S6E6 - NICOLA RENNIE & ANSGAR WOLSING - 30 Day Map Challenge
- Chaz Huttonon S6E5 - CHAZ HUTTON - All about cartoons!
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast does not appear to feature external sponsors in the provided evidence. It serves as a content marketing platform for host Andy Kirk's primary business, which includes training, consulting, and book sales.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch Explore Explain
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People also ask
- What is the host's real name?
- The host is Andy Kirk, a well-known data visualization consultant, author, and trainer.
- Is the podcast still being produced?
- Yes, based on the recent episode dates from early 2026, the podcast is actively producing new episodes.
- What is the format of the show?
- It's a long-form interview show, available as video and audio, where host Andy Kirk deconstructs a single data visualization project or a related body of work with its creator(s).
- Where can I listen to or watch the podcast?
- The podcast is available on major audio platforms like Apple Podcasts and as a video series on the Explore Explain YouTube channel.
- Who is this podcast for?
- It's for anyone involved in creating data visualizations—designers, developers, data scientists, and journalists—who wants a deeper understanding of the creative and technical process.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]About Andy Kirk - Visualising Datavisualisingdata.com
- [02]Home - Visualising Datavisualisingdata.com
- [03]Explore Explain - Podcast.copodcast.co
- [04]Explore Explain - YouTubeyoutube.com
- [05]Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design - Bookus.sagepub.com
- [06]Interview with Andy Kirk of visualisingdata.comdataremixed.com
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