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Artwork for Stats + Stories
Statistics
Covid-19
Climate Change
American Statistical Association
Data Science
Data Visualization
National Football League
Football Analytics
Miami University
Education
Science Communication
Official Statistics
Public Health
Tigray Civil War
Data Communication
Statistical Literacy
Statistical Models
Human Trafficking
Statistical Methods
Digital Marketing

Statistics need Stories to give them meaning. Stories need Statistics to give them credibility. Every Thursday John Bailer & Rosemary Pennington get together with a new, interesting guest to bring you the Statistics behind the Stories and the Stories behind the Statistics.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes449Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for Stats + Stories

Latest Episodes

During the 2010s, the United States netted just under one million new immigrants each year; between 2022 and 2024, that number was closer to three million. But since the election of Donald Trump, immigration to the U.S. has taken a nosedive, and pote... more

When reporters cover mass shootings news outlets often struggle to find ways to cover the event that won’t inspire others to do the same thing. Something similar follows in the wake of a suicide. Journalists don’t always cover suicides in their commu... more

When you think about science’s contribution to society, do you think first about new inventions with an immediate economic benefit? What about scientific advances that deliver enormous societal or environmental benefits—but whose economic value may n... more

Research suggests that more than half of Americans could benefit from taking a GLP-1 RA medication. The drugs were originally designed to help manage type two diabetes, but in 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved one GLP-1, Semaglutide, fo... more

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Recent Guests

Joel Greenhouse
Professor in the Department of Statistics at Carnegie Mellon University; ASA fellow
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: '13 Reasons Why' Association with Youth Suicide | Stats + Stories Episode 144 (REPOST)
Alexandra Freeman
Baroness Freeman of Steventon, science communicator, life peer, former BBC producer
House of Lords (Crossbench), Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication, University of Cambridge
Episode: Communicating Scientific Contributions | Stats + Stories Episode 394
Jordan Miller
Post-baccalaureate student; co-author
UT San Antonio
Episode: The Dangers of GLP-1s | Stats + Stories Episode 393
Robert Miller
Specialist in poison information
South Texas Poison Center at UT San Antonio
Episode: The Dangers of GLP-1s | Stats + Stories Episode 393
Amanda Golbeck
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Professor of Biostatistics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Episode: Leadership and Women in Statistics | Stats + Stories Episode 392
Jessica Hargreaves
Chair of RSS Statistics in Sport Section; lecturer at University of York
Royal Statistical Society; University of York
Episode: The Best Sports Stats from the Past Year | Stats + Stories Episode 391
Rob Mastrodomenico
Sports statistician; RSS ambassador; Director of Data Science at Blue Crow Sports Group
Blue Crow Sports Group; Royal Statistical Society
Episode: The Best Sports Stats from the Past Year | Stats + Stories Episode 391
Riley Acton
Assistant Professor of Economics, Miami University; research affiliate at Institute of Labor Economics and the College Crisis Initiative
Miami University; Institute of Labor Economics; College Crisis Initiative
Episode: The Impact of College Vaccine Mandates | Stats + Stories Episode 244 (REPOST)
Marina Ferrari de Aquino Klemm
Associate curator at the Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Episode: Taylor Swift and Markov Chains | Stats + Stories Episode 390

Hosts

Rosemary Pennington
Host of Stats and Stories; co-host with a focus on statistical storytelling and media & journalism connections
John Bailer
Host of Stats and Stories; co-host and statistics educator with deep ties to academia and professional associations

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 77 ratings
  • Excellent show

    One of my favourite podcasts. Brilliant content, great hosts, easy listening, great interview format. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sophie.i.d
    Australia4 years ago
  • Thanks for this effort

    It is a such good podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    medo1029
    Saudi Arabia7 years ago
  • Best way to learn about and appreciate quantitative thinking

    I found this podcast while enrolled in a beginning quantitative methods course. It has been so incredibly helpful (and inspiring!) to hear the interviews from statisticians and researchers who work with data, and put it into the context of the stories they're trying to understand. The interviews are interesting and entertaining, and helpfully put all of these concepts that I've been abstractly learning about into practical realities.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KAyflew
    United States8 years ago
  • Listener

    I just listened to Episode 48: "Were the cancer clusters real? Statistical support for evaluating public policy" with guest David Banks - interesting topic & knowledgable guest. This episode highlighted how Statisticians can help make the world a better place when they work together with Journalists/the Media. I'm still a bit crushed by what I learned about Gregor Mendel, though.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OxfordListener
    United States9 years ago
  • Great Podcast!

    Statistics affect our lives in so many ways but most people are not aware of it. Understanding how statistics relate to my everyday life makes this a really interesting podcast! Give it a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Midwest_Surf_Guy
    United States10 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the mix of rigorous data analysis and engaging storytelling.
Clear, accessible discussions that make quantitative topics approachable.
Dascination with diverse guests providing broad perspectives on statistics in real-world contexts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'13 Reasons Why' Association with Youth Suicide | Stats + Stories Episode 144 (REPOST)
Q: Could you talk through what contagion means in the context of suicide and how it differs from a simple association?
Contagion refers to the idea that exposure to a media event can influence behaviors in a population, but it does not imply a direct causal link; ecological studies show associations at the group level and cannot confirm individual exposure or causation. We emphasize cautious interpretation and separate correlation from causation, while noting patterns that may warrant further, more direct data.
Communicating Scientific Contributions | Stats + Stories Episode 394
Q: What were your goals for your maiden speech in the science and technology economy debate?
To introduce herself to the House, explain her background as a scientist and communicator, and challenge the narrow view that science only contributes to the economy through monetizable innovations, while also highlighting societal benefits that are harder to measure.
The Best Sports Stats from the Past Year | Stats + Stories Episode 391
Q: How did the judges view the cricket stat in the context of Bazball?
Judges acknowledged the stat as a strong encapsulation of a strategic shift in cricket, illustrating how a fast-scoring approach can backfire or succeed, depending on the context and execution.
The Best Sports Stats from the Past Year | Stats + Stories Episode 391
Q: Was there any direct response from the Lionesses to being named in the Stat of the Year?
No direct responses were heard yet, but the discussion noted plans to include an England Women's Football Team analyst in a RSS Conference panel to address data gaps in women's sport.
The Best Sports Stats from the Past Year | Stats + Stories Episode 391
Q: What made the Lionesses' lead time so remarkable in the knockout stages of Euro 2025?
The stat showed they led for only a tiny portion of the knockout games—4 minutes 52 seconds in total—which contrasted with expectations of dominance and underscored the efficiency and resilience of their performances.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Stats + Stories

What is Stats + Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A analytically minded show that blends data-driven storytelling with accessible conversations. Episodes span topics from sports statistics and vaccine policy to data equity, urban housing, and the history of statistical language, often featuring researchers, professors, journalists, and practitioners who illustrate how numbers influence real-world narratives. The format emphasizes rigorous methods, clear explanations, and storytelling that makes complex concepts tangible. A notable strength is the breadth of guests—from biostatisticians and economists to visual artists—resulting in a diverse, ideas-rich listening experience that appeals to researchers, policymakers, and curious general audiences alike.

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How many subscribers and views does Stats + Stories have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Stats + Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Stats + Stories:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
3. Plain English with Derek Thompson
4. Hidden Brain
5. WSJ What’s News

How many episodes of Stats + Stories are there?

Stats + Stories launched 13 years ago and published 449 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Stats + Stories?

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What guests have appeared on Stats + Stories?

Recent guests on Stats + Stories include:

1. Joel Greenhouse
2. Alexandra Freeman
3. Jordan Miller
4. Robert Miller
5. Amanda Golbeck
6. Jessica Hargreaves
7. Rob Mastrodomenico
8. Riley Acton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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