Episode 73

73 - This Episode Correlates with Success

73 - This Episode Correlates to Success

I talk about something really important: how to avoid being misled by correlations. I've seen so many people fall for statistical mistakes and manipulations, and I want to help you avoid making the same mistakes.

One of the most common ways people manipulate statistics is by cherry-picking data. They'll choose only the data that supports their argument and ignore everything else. Another trick is to mislabel the axis, which can make the data look more significant than it is. And then there are the emotional stories, which can be used to manipulate people's emotions and convince them of something untrue.

The key thing to remember is that correlation does not equal causation. Just because two things are correlated doesn't mean one caused the other. It's important to be critical of statistics and charts presented to you and to always ask questions.

I hope this will be helpful in understanding how to avoid being misled by correlations. Stay curious and always question the data presented to you!

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3069


https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3069https://statanalytica.com/blog/misuse-of-statistics/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misuse_of_statistics

https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/availability-heuristic/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfVaOqLUbZA – How Not to Fall for Bad Statistics – with Jennifer Rogers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91bGT9BjYk    – How to spot a misleading graph – Lea Gaslowitz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVG2OQp6jEQ – This is How Easy It Is to Lie With Statistics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioxWuCd-mn0 This is how easy it is to manipulate public perception

https://tylervigen.com/discover – Spurious Correlations Generator

 
Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps

Twitter startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

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About the Podcast

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Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

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About your host

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Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.