Fame Host (https://fame.so) The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast https://podcasts.fame.so/the-current-curiosity-a-market-research-podcast https://feeds.fame.so/the-current-curiosity-a-market-research-podcast Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. © 2025 AYTM. All right reserved. en Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:48:32 +0000 Fri, 22 May 2026 00:40:21 +0000 https://content.fameapp.so/uploads/xz108zl1/dd2b2590-e548-11ef-a280-b9c3956e3704/dd2b2690-e548-11ef-a33f-372c997860a0.jpg The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast https://podcasts.fame.so/the-current-curiosity-a-market-research-podcast Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. AYTM Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. No No episodic AYTM Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. Stephanie Vance, Matt Mahan, AYTM, market analysis podcast, the consumer insights podcast, happy market research podcast, podcast market analysis, market research podcast, maximize market research, market research ai, market research analyst, market resea Jessica Glace team@fame.so No No No An outsider's case for why surveys will outlast every trend with Marin Mrsa https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jy5mwn-why-surveys-will-outlast-every-trend-marin-mrsa An outsider's case for why surveys will outlast every trend with Marin Mrsa 59 No No 41pq93l0 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance is joined by Marin Mrsa, Founder and CEO of Peakator, to discuss the evolving landscape of research technology. Marin shares his journey of entering the insights industry from the outside and how that perspective shaped his vision for a more efficient research process. The conversation explores why surveys remain a vital communication tool between brands and consumers, the role of AI in automating tedious tasks, and why human judgment is more important than ever for strategic decision making. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance is joined by Marin Mrsa, Founder and CEO of Peakator. Marin details his unconventional path into the insights world, which began after he sold his car to launch a research startup in Croatia with no prior industry experience. This outsider perspective allowed him to recognize that the traditional research process was often fractured across too many disconnected tools.

The discussion centers on the necessity of consolidating the research stack to reduce friction and help teams focus on actual insights. Marin explains why he believes surveys are future proof, viewing them as a scalable communication tool rather than just a collection of questions. He also shares his approach to integrating AI, emphasizing that while automation is excellent for tasks like auto coding open ends, it should never replace the final decision making of a researcher. The episode concludes with a look at the skills researchers need to thrive in the future, including adaptability and discernment, and a call for more collaboration across the industry to solve shared challenges like data quality and fraud.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why surveys have survived for over a century and remain a primary communication tool for brands
  • How a background in hotel accounting led to the creation of a global research technology company
  • The major inefficiencies Marin discovered when first entering the closed world of market research
  • Why the current research process is often broken across five or six different platforms
  • The benefits of using a unified tool to streamline the workflow from scripting to reporting
  • How AI can be used to accelerate research processes without compromising data integrity
  • Why researchers must avoid the trap of letting AI design questionnaires or make strategic decisions
  • The importance of adaptability and curiosity for insights professionals in an automated world
  • Why collaboration between competitors is necessary to solve the issue of industry fraud
  • The distinction between the role of research technology and the role of high level consultancy

About the Guest:

Marin Mrsa is the Founder and CEO of Peakator, a company dedicated to streamlining the research process through innovative technology. He launched the business in 2017 after selling his car to move to Zagreb and has since built it into a global firm. Marin is a recognized voice in the industry, frequently discussing topics such as survey quality, data integrity, and the intersection of human expertise and automation. He brings an entrepreneurial spirit to the insights field, focusing on how technology can empower curiosity and improve the way brands connect with their customers.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1806 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance is joined by Marin Mrsa, Founder and CEO of Peakator, to discuss the evolving landscape of research technology. Marin shares his journey of entering the insights industry from the outside and how that perspective shaped his vision for a more efficient research process. The conversation explores why surveys remain a vital communication tool between brands and consumers, the role of AI in automating tedious tasks, and why human judgment is more important than ever for strategic decision making. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance is joined by Marin Mrsa, Founder and CEO of Peakator, to discuss the evolving landscape of research technology. Marin shares his journey of entering the insights industry from the outside and how that perspective shaped his vision for a more efficient research process. The conversation explores why surveys remain a vital communication tool between brands and consumers, the role of AI in automating tedious tasks, and why human judgment is more important than ever for strategic decision making. Market Research, research process, high level consultancy, research technology, insights professionals, market research, survey, researcher, AI, insights, research stack, Peakator, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No The bystander problem in market research with Brooke Reavey https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kl599n-the-bystander-problem-in-market-research-brooke-reavey The bystander problem in market research with Brooke Reavey 58 No No 71wjkxx0 Breaking into market research is getting harder, and it has long term consequences for the industry. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Brooke Reavey, Professor of Marketing at Dominican University, about the shrinking talent pipeline in insights. Brooke shares why internships and entry level roles are disappearing, how AI is reshaping both learning and work, and what the industry risks losing if practical experience continues to fade. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Brooke Reavey, Professor of Marketing at Dominican University and founder of the Marketing Research Competition. They discuss the growing disconnect between academic training and real-world experience in market research, and why breaking into the field is becoming increasingly difficult.

Brooke introduces the idea of a “bystander problem” in the industry, where companies assume someone else will take responsibility for training the next generation. As internships and entry-level roles decline due to automation and structural shifts, students are being pushed toward expensive degrees without gaining the hands-on experience needed to succeed. The conversation explores what is lost when practical training disappears, including diversity of thought and long-term innovation.

Brooke also explains why foundational learning still matters and why overreliance on AI can weaken critical thinking. The episode closes with a look at solutions, including apprenticeship models, industry accountability, and the role of initiatives like the Marketing Research Competition in bridging the gap.

What you’ll learn:
  • Why the “bystander problem” is shaping the future of the research talent pipeline
  • How automation is eliminating traditional entry points into market research
  • What companies lose when practical, hands-on training disappears
  • How AI is changing both research workflows and learning environments
  • Why foundational skills and critical thinking still matter in an AI-driven world
  • The role of internships and apprenticeships in building long-term capability
  • How real-world projects help signal competence beyond grades
  • Why diversity of thought is critical for innovation in insights
  • How educators and employers can better align on talent development

About the guest:
Brooke Reavey is the John and Jeanne Roe Distinguished Professor of Marketing at Dominican University and the founder and president of the Marketing Research Competition. She teaches marketing research, digital marketing, and sales, with a focus on applied analytics, ethics, and decision making. Brooke is also a research fellow at the Brennan AI Innovation Hub and a two time Fulbright awardee, with extensive experience bridging academia and industry.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2650 Breaking into market research is getting harder, and it has long term consequences for the industry. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Brooke Reavey, Professor of Marketing at Dominican University, about the shrinking talent pipeline in insights. Brooke shares why internships and entry level roles are disappearing, how AI is reshaping both learning and work, and what the industry risks losing if practical experience continues to fade. Breaking into market research is getting harder, and it has long term consequences for the industry. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Brooke Reavey, Professor of Marketing at Dominican University, about the shrinking talent pipeline in insights. Brooke shares why internships and entry level roles are disappearing, how AI is reshaping both learning and work, and what the industry risks losing if practical experience continues to fade. digital marketing, sales, innovation in insights, AI-driven world, AI, foundational learning, bystander problem, market research, Marketing Research Competition, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Why transparency is the real AI challenge in market research with Howard Fienberg https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nr7vrl8-why-transparency-is-the-real-ai-challenge-howard-fienberg Why transparency is the real AI challenge in market research with Howard Fienberg 57 No No 815r5680 AI is transforming market research, but regulation and ethics are struggling to keep pace. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Howard Fienberg, Senior Vice President of Advocacy at the Insights Association, about how researchers can navigate growing complexity around AI, privacy laws, and participant trust. Howard shares guidance on staying responsible while the tools and expectations continue to evolve. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Howard Fienberg, Senior Vice President of Advocacy at the Insights Association. They discuss how AI is reshaping market research, the challenges of keeping up with evolving regulations, and the ethical responsibilities that remain constant despite rapid technological change.

Howard explains that both policymakers and the insights industry are navigating a mix of optimism and uncertainty when it comes to AI. As tools become more powerful, expectations around transparency, consent, and data handling are becoming more important. The conversation explores what transparency looks like in practice.

They also unpack the complexity of the regulatory landscape. The discussion touches on the Insights Association’s updated code of ethics, the importance of keeping humans involved in research processes, and how to maintain respect for participants in an increasingly automated environment.

The episode closes with a broader look at the census, data quality, and the importance of advocacy in shaping the future of the insights industry.

What you’ll learn:
  • How AI is shaping both industry practices and regulatory thinking in market research
  • Why transparency is becoming the most critical principle in AI-driven research
  • How to navigate fragmented privacy laws across multiple jurisdictions
  • The risks of misalignment between your policies and actual research practices
  • What the updated Insights Association ethics code means in practical terms
  • Why human oversight remains essential in AI-assisted research workflows
  • How to design research that respects participants’ time, data, and expectations
  • What researchers need to understand about the census and its impact on sampling
  • Where to start if you want to stay compliant in a fast-changing regulatory environment

About the guest:

Howard Fienberg is the Senior Vice President of Advocacy at the Insights Association, where he works at the intersection of public policy and the market research industry. He engages with lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders on issues including consumer privacy, AI regulation, research ethics, and data policy. With nearly two decades of experience, Howard plays a key role in shaping how the insights industry responds to evolving legal and ethical challenges.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 05 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3141 AI is transforming market research, but regulation and ethics are struggling to keep pace. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Howard Fienberg, Senior Vice President of Advocacy at the Insights Association, about how researchers can navigate growing complexity around AI, privacy laws, and participant trust. Howard shares guidance on staying responsible while the tools and expectations continue to evolve. AI is transforming market research, but regulation and ethics are struggling to keep pace. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Howard Fienberg, Senior Vice President of Advocacy at the Insights Association, about how researchers can navigate growing complexity around AI, privacy laws, and participant trust. Howard shares guidance on staying responsible while the tools and expectations continue to evolve. AI-assisted research, AI-driven research, insights industry, research processes, automated environment, rapid technological change, market research, AI, the Insights Association, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No What cleaning habits reveal about consumer psychology with Oksana Sobol https://podcasts.fame.so/e/68r7jv2n-what-cleaning-habits-reveal-about-consumer-psychology-oksana-sobol What cleaning habits reveal about consumer psychology with Oksana Sobol 56 No No 805rj571 Cleaning is no longer just about hygiene. New research shows consumers increasingly see it as a source of control, satisfaction, and emotional reset. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie Vance and Lev Mazin speak with Oksana Sobol, Vice President of Consumer Insights at The Clorox Company. They discuss how people’s relationships with their homes are evolving. Drawing from the Home Care Redefined report, Oksana explains why emotional outcomes from cleaning are rising in importance, how “in-the-flow cleaning” is replacing traditional routines, and what these shifts signal for brands, researchers, and the future of home care innovation. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie Vance and Lev Mazin are joined by Oksana Sobol, Vice President of Consumer Insights at The Clorox Company. Oksana leads trend discovery and consumer trend landscaping at Clorox, helping the company translate cultural signals into strategic business decisions.

The conversation explores insights from the Home Care Redefined report, a major research initiative examining how Americans’ relationships with their homes are evolving. Oksana explains how Clorox identifies and validates long-term consumer trends, and why the most important signals often come from understanding what doesn’t change in consumer behavior.

A major shift the research uncovered is that emotional and social outcomes from cleaning are now as important as functional ones. Consumers increasingly see cleaning not just as a task, but as a reset. A way to restore a sense of control, accomplishment, and well-being. This shift is especially visible among younger generations, who approach cleaning with experimentation, creativity, and inspiration from social media.

Stephanie, Lev, and Oksana also discuss the rise of “in-the-flow” cleaning, where tasks are woven into daily routines rather than reserved for traditional deep cleaning sessions. This shift is reshaping product design, packaging, and innovation priorities for brands operating in the home care category.

The episode also explores how social media has transformed cleaning into a form of content and identity expression, creating new opportunities for researchers to observe behavior directly rather than relying solely on self-reported data.

Finally, Oksana shares how insights teams combine social listening, real-world observation, and traditional research to identify meaningful consumer trends and translate them into strategic opportunities for brands.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why the most valuable trends often come from identifying what doesn’t change in consumer behavior
  • How emotional outcomes like satisfaction and control are reshaping the meaning of cleaning
  • What the rise of “in-the-flow cleaning” reveals about modern lifestyles
  • Why social media has become a powerful research environment 
  • How insights teams can identify unspoken consumer needs by watching what people do
  • The three key sources of trend discovery: digital signals, real-world observation, and traditional research
  • Why laundry remains one of the most unresolved consumer pain points in home care

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2102 Cleaning is no longer just about hygiene. New research shows consumers increasingly see it as a source of control, satisfaction, and emotional reset. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie Vance and Lev Mazin speak with Oksana Sobol, Vice President of Consumer Insights at The Clorox Company. They discuss how people’s relationships with their homes are evolving. Drawing from the Home Care Redefined report, Oksana explains why emotional outcomes from cleaning are rising in importance, how “in-the-flow cleaning” is replacing traditional routines, and what these shifts signal for brands, researchers, and the future of home care innovation. Cleaning is no longer just about hygiene. New research shows consumers increasingly see it as a source of control, satisfaction, and emotional reset. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie Vance and Lev Mazin speak with Oksana Sobol, Vice President of Consumer Insights at The Clorox Company. They discuss how people’s relationships with their homes are evolving. Drawing from the Home Care Redefined report, Oksana explains why emotional outcomes from cleaning are rising in importance, how “in-the-flow cleaning” is replacing traditional routines, and what these shifts signal for brands, researchers, and the future of home care innovation. Market Research, trend discovery, research environment, in-the-flow cleaning, consumer behavior, Home Care Redefined, consumer trend, Clorox, consumer trend landscaping, The Clorox Company, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Closing the say-do gap: what live experiments reveal that surveys miss with Kate O'Keeffe https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833jpj8-closing-the-say-do-gap-with-kate-o-keeffe Closing the say-do gap: what live experiments reveal that surveys miss with Kate O'Keeffe 57 No No m0jpqlq0 Consumers often behave very differently from what they say in surveys, creating a critical gap in how decisions are made. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Kate O’Keeffe, CEO and co-founder of Heatseeker, explains why traditional research methods struggle to predict real-world behavior. She explores how live market experiments help teams identify true buying drivers, validate decisions before launch, and generate insights that reflect actual customer actions rather than stated intent..This episode explores how live experiments reveal what actually drives decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Kate O’Keeffe, CEO and co-founder of Heatseeker joins Molly to discuss the limitations of traditional market research, the persistent gap between what people say and what they do, and how live market experimentation is reshaping how modern teams make decisions.

Kate shares her journey from building a consumer brand to leading innovation at Cisco and BCG, where she saw firsthand how difficult it was to get reliable customer insight. That experience led her to build Heatseeker, a platform designed to test real customer behavior through live experiments rather than relying solely on surveys or interviews.

The conversation explores why surveys often fail to predict real-world behavior, how marketers can identify true buying drivers, and what it takes to generate insights that actually influence decisions. Kate also explains how experimentation and synthetic audiences can work together, and why the future of market research depends on combining behavioral data with real-time validation.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why there is only a 20 to 30 percent correlation between stated intent and real behavior
  • How live market experiments reveal true buying drivers
  • Why surveys struggle to capture real decision-making context
  • How to use experimentation to validate strategy before launch
  • What synthetic audiences can and cannot do today
  • How to ensure research is applied instead of ignored
  • Why real-time insight is becoming critical in modern marketing

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2682 Consumers often behave very differently from what they say in surveys, creating a critical gap in how decisions are made. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Kate O’Keeffe, CEO and co-founder of Heatseeker, explains why traditional research methods struggle to predict real-world behavior. She explores how live market experiments help teams identify true buying drivers, validate decisions before launch, and generate insights that reflect actual customer actions rather than stated intent..This episode explores how live experiments reveal what actually drives decisions. Consumers often behave very differently from what they say in surveys, creating a critical gap in how decisions are made. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Kate O’Keeffe, CEO and co-founder of Heatseeker, explains why traditional research methods struggle to predict real-world behavior. She explores how live market experiments help teams identify true buying drivers, validate decisions before launch, and generate insights that reflect actual customer actions rather than stated intent..This episode explores how live experiments reveal what actually drives decisions. real-time insight, modern marketing, real-time validation, behavioral data, interview, survey, Heatseeker, market experimentation, market research, traditional market research, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No The menu adoption curve: what food brands get wrong about trends https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8ll0pw8-the-menu-adoption-curve-gloria-reardon The menu adoption curve: what food brands get wrong about trends 55 No No x1l6qx31 Research defines and informs food and beverage decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Gloria Reardon, a brand marketing leader with deep roots in the food and beverage industry, about how consumer insights shape brand strategy, drive product innovation, and help marketers connect with consumers in meaningful ways. Gloria draws on her experience at Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Captain D's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and The Fresh Market to explain why skipping the research is a risk no brand can afford. Gloria Reardon began her career in a field office at Pizza Hut during the launch of stuffed crust and worked her way through brand, insights, and marketing roles across Yum! Brands, Captain D's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and The Fresh Market. Along the way, she developed an appreciation for what research actually does inside an organization: not just answering questions, but feeding the creative, aligning cross-functional teams, and giving marketers the evidence they need to sell ideas both internally and to franchisees.

In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Gloria explores the food trends she has tracked across her career, from the rise of functional beverages and botanical flavors post-COVID to the nostalgia wave that brought scratch cooking back into home kitchens. She explains how the menu adoption curve shapes where QSR brands can and cannot play, and why The Fresh Market operated differently as a specialty grocer with an appetite for earlier adoption. She also shares what it took to launch nitro cold brew at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, walking through the intercept testing, focus groups, and communications research that helped the team find language consumers could actually connect with.

The conversation turns to the research practices Gloria sees eroding inside modern food companies, including the abandonment of stage gate processes, the failure to do sensory work before changing core products, and the tendency to change multiple variables at once and then wonder why sales shifted. Gloria is direct about what this costs brands and what younger marketers need to understand about the fundamentals that drive long-term success. She closes with career advice grounded in trust, cross-functional relationships, and intellectual curiosity.

What you'll learn:
  • How the menu adoption curve shapes product and trend strategy in food and beverage
  • Why consumer research is the insurance policy that feeds the creative
  • What it takes to launch a new product category consumers have never heard of
  • How cross-functional trust helps teams move faster when it matters
  • Why sensory research is non-negotiable when changing a core product
  • How to read a food trend before it peaks and position a brand accordingly
  • What stage gate discipline looks like and why it is disappearing
  • Practical advice for building influence as an early-career marketer in food and beverage

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Gloria Reardon on LinkedIn
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3364 Research defines and informs food and beverage decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Gloria Reardon, a brand marketing leader with deep roots in the food and beverage industry, about how consumer insights shape brand strategy, drive product innovation, and help marketers connect with consumers in meaningful ways. Gloria draws on her experience at Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Captain D's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and The Fresh Market to explain why skipping the research is a risk no brand can afford. Research defines and informs food and beverage decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Gloria Reardon, a brand marketing leader with deep roots in the food and beverage industry, about how consumer insights shape brand strategy, drive product innovation, and help marketers connect with consumers in meaningful ways. Gloria draws on her experience at Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Captain D's, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and The Fresh Market to explain why skipping the research is a risk no brand can afford. cross-functional relationships, intellectual curiosity, research practices, intercept testing, focus groups, communications research, menu adoption curve, QSR brands, food trends, marketer, cross-functional teams, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No The future of qualitative insights in an AI driven research world with Sarah Haftings https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8ll09l8-the-future-of-qualitative-insights-with-sarah-haftings The future of qualitative insights in an AI driven research world with Sarah Haftings 54 No No x1l6qv61 Speed is reshaping how insights teams operate, but hearing directly from customers still matters. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Sarah Haftings, Insights Manager at Shurtape Technologies. They talk about why qualitative research remains essential even as AI accelerates insight generation. Sarah shares how her team balances qualitative and quantitative methods, evaluates new research technologies, and uses AI powered tools to scale voice of customer insights without losing the human perspective that makes research meaningful. Sarah Haftings has spent nearly fifteen years helping organizations understand their customers more deeply. As Insights Manager at Shurtape Technologies, she leads research initiatives across both consumer and industrial markets, translating voice of customer insights into strategic decisions that shape product innovation and long term planning.

In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Sarah joins Stephanie and Molly to explore how qualitative research continues to play a critical role in modern market research, even as AI accelerates the pace of insight generation. Drawing from her early career experiences conducting in-person surveys and analyzing open-ended responses, she explains why hearing directly from customers often reveals insights that structured data alone cannot capture.

The conversation examines how insights teams can balance qualitative depth with the speed demands of modern business. Sarah discusses how AI powered tools have transformed qualitative analysis, enabling her small team to process open ended responses faster, increase the number of projects they handle, and deliver insights to stakeholders more quickly than ever before. At the same time, she emphasizes that choosing the right methodology still depends on the problem being solved.

Stephanie and Molly also explore Sarah’s approach to evaluating research technology. Rather than chasing new tools with impressive features, she focuses on defining the problem first and carefully assessing whether a tool will save time, reduce cost, and truly fit the needs of a small insights team.

The episode also dives into how research teams can connect macro trends to product innovation. Sarah shares how long term demographic shifts such as aging in place influence both consumer and industrial product development, demonstrating how insights professionals translate broad societal trends into actionable business strategies.

The conversation closes with practical advice for early career researchers on maintaining curiosity, advocating for the customer perspective, and confidently pushing back when the data tells a different story than stakeholders expect.

What you’ll learn:
  • How qualitative research continues to deliver insight that structured data alone cannot capture
  • How AI powered qualitative platforms accelerate analysis and scale voice of customer programs
  • Why defining the research problem is essential before choosing any new technology
  • How small insights teams evaluate tools based on time savings, cost efficiency, and usability
  • How macro societal trends can guide long term product innovation strategies
  • Why curiosity and confidence are essential traits for successful researchers

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2735 Speed is reshaping how insights teams operate, but hearing directly from customers still matters. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Sarah Haftings, Insights Manager at Shurtape Technologies. They talk about why qualitative research remains essential even as AI accelerates insight generation. Sarah shares how her team balances qualitative and quantitative methods, evaluates new research technologies, and uses AI powered tools to scale voice of customer insights without losing the human perspective that makes research meaningful. Speed is reshaping how insights teams operate, but hearing directly from customers still matters. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Sarah Haftings, Insights Manager at Shurtape Technologies. They talk about why qualitative research remains essential even as AI accelerates insight generation. Sarah shares how her team balances qualitative and quantitative methods, evaluates new research technologies, and uses AI powered tools to scale voice of customer insights without losing the human perspective that makes research meaningful. curiosity, qualitative research, insights professional, AI powered tools, AI, long term planning, product innovation, customer insights , The Curiosity Current, Shurtape Technologies, aytm No No Measuring what matters in a world of short attention spans with Aarti Bhaskaran https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8vlv0x8-measuring-what-matters-in-a-world-of-short-attention-spans-aarti-bhaskaran Measuring what matters in a world of short attention spans with Aarti Bhaskaran 53 No No 70ypr9x1 The people behind good research have to speak for it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Aarti Bhaskaran, Global Head of Research and Insights at Snap Inc., about how insights professionals stay impactful as platforms, audiences, and attention spans all shift at once. Aarti shares how she leads global teams, tells research stories that cut through, measures brand health across a uniquely fragmented competitive set, and advocates for the bold, boundary-setting mindset that keeps insights functions relevant. Aarti Bhaskaran began her career in India at a time when global brands were flooding into the market, which gave her an early appreciation for variety, cultural nuance, and the challenge of making unfamiliar ideas land with new audiences. That foundation has shaped everything since, from regional roles in Singapore covering markets across Asia, to her current position leading global research and insights at Snap Inc. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Aarti reflects on what has changed in how insights work gets done and communicated, and what must stay constant. She explains why attention spans have forced researchers to rethink not just surveys but storytelling, and how her team at Snap delivers research in formats as creative as the platform itself, including one study released as a Christmas carol. The conversation digs into the specific complexity of measuring brand health at Snap, where competition shifts depending on whether you are looking at chat, augmented reality, or content consumption, and where audiences span both B2C and B2B. Aarti also addresses the global versus local tension that defines enterprise insight work, sharing how she structures her team and planning cycles to honor market-level nuance without losing strategic coherence. The episode closes with a clear-eyed take on AI, the democratization of research, and the qualities that will keep insights professionals irreplaceable: empathy, critical thinking, and the confidence to stake a claim at the table where decisions actually get made.

What You'll Learn:
  • Why researchers must communicate with the same discipline they apply to their methods 
  • How to set scope boundaries that protect measurement programs from scope creep
  • What brand measurement looks like when competitive sets shift by feature and audience 
  • How to lead global insight work that stays locally relevant across very different markets
  • Where AI genuinely improves insight workflows and where human judgment cannot be delegated 
  • Why bold advocacy is now part of the insight professional's job description 
  • How to design surveys and discussion guides that respect the attention of respondents
  • What it takes to build and lead high-performing global research teams

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2779 The people behind good research have to speak for it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Aarti Bhaskaran, Global Head of Research and Insights at Snap Inc., about how insights professionals stay impactful as platforms, audiences, and attention spans all shift at once. Aarti shares how she leads global teams, tells research stories that cut through, measures brand health across a uniquely fragmented competitive set, and advocates for the bold, boundary-setting mindset that keeps insights functions relevant. The people behind good research have to speak for it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Aarti Bhaskaran, Global Head of Research and Insights at Snap Inc., about how insights professionals stay impactful as platforms, audiences, and attention spans all shift at once. Aarti shares how she leads global teams, tells research stories that cut through, measures brand health across a uniquely fragmented competitive set, and advocates for the bold, boundary-setting mindset that keeps insights functions relevant. Research, global research teams, global insight work, Market Research, storytelling, insights, The Curiosity Current, Snap Inc., aytm No No Human-powered sampling in the age of ai with Lisa Wilding Brown https://podcasts.fame.so/e/5nz72vv8-human-powered-sampling-in-the-age-of-ai-with-lisa-wilding-brown Human-powered sampling in the age of ai with Lisa Wilding Brown 52 No No 80znp990 AI is accelerating research, but it isn’t replacing human judgment. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, Molly Strawn-Carreño is joined by Lisa Wilding Brown, CEO at InnovateMR. They explore what “data quality” really means in today’s environment of AI-powered tools, hybrid methodologies, and increasing fraud risk. Lisa shares why there is no silver bullet for quality, how respondent experience directly impacts insight integrity, and where human-powered sampling still makes the difference between surface-level metrics and meaningful foresight. AI is accelerating research, but it isn’t replacing human judgment.

In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, Molly Strawn-Carreño is joined by Lisa Wilding Brown, CEO at InnovateMR. They discuss hybrid research methodologies, human-powered sampling, and how to protect data quality in an era defined by speed, automation, and AI.

Drawing on more than two decades in digital research, Lisa explains why quality exists on a spectrum and why fraud is only one piece of the equation. From survey design and respondent experience to field time compression and incidence rates, she outlines the trade-offs researchers often overlook when prioritizing speed. With nearly half of global online traffic estimated to be non-human, Lisa emphasizes that quality is a shared responsibility between researchers, sample providers, and technology partners.

The conversation also explores the strategic thinking behind InnovateMR’s acquisition of Ivy Exec and the growing demand for hybrid qualitative and quantitative solutions. By integrating expert networks with large-scale sampling, research teams can move beyond isolated data points and toward more holistic, forward-looking insights.

As AI continues to reshape workflows, Lisa offers a pragmatic perspective: treat AI as fit-for-purpose. Use it to remove repetitive tasks, accelerate iteration, and enhance operational efficiency. However,  reserve high-stakes decisions for real human context and validation. AI can sharpen processes, but empathy, nuance, and trust remain fundamentally human.

The episode closes with a personal reflection on curiosity, risk-taking, and career growth. From aspiring journalist to CEO, Lisa shares why growth never happens inside your comfort zone. She emphasises how doing the hard, uncomfortable things often creates the greatest professional acceleration.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why data quality is a shared responsibility and why no vendor can “solve” fraud alone
  • How to think about AI as fit-for-purpose instead of a replacement for human insight
  • The trade-offs between speed, incidence rate, and field time in modern sampling
  • Why respondent experience directly impacts data integrity
  • How hybrid qualitative and quantitative models create more holistic insight
  • When faster fieldwork creates hidden costs in data quality
  • Why career growth requires stepping outside your comfort zone

About the Guest:
Lisa Wilding Brown is CEO at InnovateMR, a global sampling and data collection company focused on delivering high-quality, tech-enabled research solutions. With more than two decades in digital research, Lisa has played a pivotal role in advancing online methodologies, panel development, and hybrid qualitative-quantitative approaches across the industry.

She is an Insights Association Laureate, a former member of the SMAR Council, and a founding member of the Multicultural Insights Collective. Lisa also serves on the boards of WIRE and SampleCon, has been named to the Insight250 list, and was recognized as an MRS Research Hero in 2021.

Known for her focus on data integrity, respondent experience, and human-powered sampling, Lisa is a respected voice on the evolving intersection of technology, AI, and research quality.

Episode resources:
  • Lisa Wilding-Brown on LinkedIn
  • InnovateMR Website
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2424 AI is accelerating research, but it isn’t replacing human judgment. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, Molly Strawn-Carreño is joined by Lisa Wilding Brown, CEO at InnovateMR. They explore what “data quality” really means in today’s environment of AI-powered tools, hybrid methodologies, and increasing fraud risk. Lisa shares why there is no silver bullet for quality, how respondent experience directly impacts insight integrity, and where human-powered sampling still makes the difference between surface-level metrics and meaningful foresight. AI is accelerating research, but it isn’t replacing human judgment. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, Molly Strawn-Carreño is joined by Lisa Wilding Brown, CEO at InnovateMR. They explore what “data quality” really means in today’s environment of AI-powered tools, hybrid methodologies, and increasing fraud risk. Lisa shares why there is no silver bullet for quality, how respondent experience directly impacts insight integrity, and where human-powered sampling still makes the difference between surface-level metrics and meaningful foresight. data quality, research quality, large-scale sampling, InnovateMR, digital research, AI, research, Market Research Podcast, Market Research, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Five lessons from a year of market research conversations with Stephanie and Molly https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnm7w75n-five-lessons-from-a-year-of-market-research-conversations-stephanie-and-molly Five lessons from a year of market research conversations with Stephanie and Molly 51 No No 71v595l0 Research, trends and insights do not stand still, and neither do the people who practice it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly step away from guest interviews to reflect on five lessons from the past year of conversations with researchers, strategists, and marketers. They share what surprised them, what made them uncomfortable, where they disagree on speed versus rigor, and the open questions they are still wrestling with about influence, measurement, and the future of insights roles. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie Vance and Molly Strawn-Carreño turn the microphone inward. After months of conversations with researchers, strategists, product leaders, and marketers, they pause to reflect on what has shifted in their own thinking.

They revisit unexpected takeaways, from the regulatory complexity behind pharmaceutical naming to research on sports fandom that reframes loyalty as social connection rather than team allegiance. They explore how LEGO Serious Play challenged assumptions about what rigorous research can look like and why creative expression can surface insight in ways traditional methods cannot.

The conversation also moves into more uncomfortable territory. Stephanie reflects on repeated themes around researcher influence and the limits of “letting the data speak for itself.” Molly considers what it means to move fast in marketing without mistaking motion for progress. Together, they debate the ongoing tension between speed and depth, where rigor matters, and when action cannot wait.

They also offer advice to their younger selves about curiosity, business fluency, and building influence beyond technical skill. The episode closes with the big questions they are still sitting with: what is truly worth measuring in a world flooded with data, and what the insights professional of the next few years will need to know in an AI-augmented environment.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How influence in research depends on storytelling, not just strong data
  • Why speed without clarity creates noise instead of impact
  • How creative methods like LEGO Serious Play can surface deeper insights
  • When the risk of inaction outweighs the risk of imperfect action
  • How to decide what is truly worth measuring in a data-rich world
  • Why business fluency is as critical as methodological rigor
  • What insights professionals need to consider about AI and the future of their roles

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2173 Research, trends and insights do not stand still, and neither do the people who practice it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly step away from guest interviews to reflect on five lessons from the past year of conversations with researchers, strategists, and marketers. They share what surprised them, what made them uncomfortable, where they disagree on speed versus rigor, and the open questions they are still wrestling with about influence, measurement, and the future of insights roles. Research, trends and insights do not stand still, and neither do the people who practice it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly step away from guest interviews to reflect on five lessons from the past year of conversations with researchers, strategists, and marketers. They share what surprised them, what made them uncomfortable, where they disagree on speed versus rigor, and the open questions they are still wrestling with about influence, measurement, and the future of insights roles. Market Research, AI, storytelling, AI-augmented environment, curiosity, business fluency, building influence, LEGO, LEGO Serious Play, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Why food consumers say one thing and do another with Laurie Demeritt https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1n33w6wn-why-food-consumers-say-one-thing-and-do-another-laurie-demeritt Why food consumers say one thing and do another with Laurie Demeritt 50 No No m1jpm7m1 Consumers say they care about health, sustainability, and quality… but their behavior doesn’t always align. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group, explains why the aspiration–behavior gap in food and beverage is human, not irrational. She explores how integrating quantitative and qualitative research reveals emotional trade-offs, how to interpret consumer skepticism around claims, and what emerging wellness shifts including GLP-1 adoption mean for brands trying to make smarter decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Molly are joined by Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group. Together, they explore one of the most persistent challenges in food and beverage research: the gap between what consumers say and what they actually do. Laurie explains why this aspiration–behavior divide isn’t evidence of irrationality, but a reflection of competing priorities like identity, budget, convenience, emotion, and context; all playing out in real time.

A central theme of the conversation is the integration of quantitative and qualitative research. Rather than treating them as opposing methodologies, Laurie argues for a connected approach where insights are refined across methods. When quant and qual inform each other, contradictions become granular clarity, and researchers can better understand the trade-offs that shape purchase decisions.

The discussion also examines growing consumer skepticism around sustainability, health, and ingredient claims. While top-line data may suggest widespread distrust, qualitative nuance reveals something more complex: consumers evaluate credibility differently depending on the brand, category, and perceived authenticity. 

Laurie also shares her perspective on distinguishing lasting cultural shifts from short-lived fads. From the rise of organic food to the emerging influence of GLP-1–driven behavior changes, food culture is evolving in layered ways that require deeper interpretation than surface trend spotting.

The episode closes with a leadership lens for insights professionals. For teams seeking greater strategic influence, empathy—rather than attempting to “educate” consumers—is what builds credibility and drives better decision-making.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why the aspiration–behavior gap in food and beverage is human and how to research it more effectively
  • How integrating quantitative and qualitative research leads to stronger, more defensible insights
  • What consumer skepticism around health and sustainability claims actually signals
  • How to measure real trade-offs beyond simple willingness-to-pay metrics
  • How to distinguish durable food trends from short-lived fads
  • Why empathy is a strategic advantage for insights leaders seeking greater influence

About the Guest:
Laurie Demeritt is the CEO of The Hartman Group, a leading food and beverage research consultancy focused on the cultural forces shaping consumer behavior. With decades of experience in qualitative and quantitative research, Laurie has advised global brands on health, wellness, sustainability, and emerging food trends. She is known for helping organizations move beyond surface-level data to understand the deeper motivations, trade-offs, and cultural shifts influencing how and why people eat.

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2630 Consumers say they care about health, sustainability, and quality… but their behavior doesn’t always align. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group, explains why the aspiration–behavior gap in food and beverage is human, not irrational. She explores how integrating quantitative and qualitative research reveals emotional trade-offs, how to interpret consumer skepticism around claims, and what emerging wellness shifts including GLP-1 adoption mean for brands trying to make smarter decisions. Consumers say they care about health, sustainability, and quality… but their behavior doesn’t always align. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group, explains why the aspiration–behavior gap in food and beverage is human, not irrational. She explores how integrating quantitative and qualitative research reveals emotional trade-offs, how to interpret consumer skepticism around claims, and what emerging wellness shifts including GLP-1 adoption mean for brands trying to make smarter decisions. empathy, insights professionals, leadership lens, sustainability, health, ingredient claims, shape purchase decisions, qualitative, quantitative, quantitative and qualitative research, identity, budget, convenience, emotion, context, food and beverage research, The Hartman Group, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No What AI can’t replace in consumer insights with Lev Mazin and Shanon Adams https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833w968-what-ai-can-t-replace-in-consumer-insights-lev-mazin-and-shanon-adams What AI can’t replace in consumer insights with Lev Mazin and Shanon Adams 49 No No m0jpmx70 In this 50th episode, Shanon and Lev reflect on the journey of building a meaningful B2B podcast. They explore the lessons learned from 50 guest conversations the consistency and collaboration required behind the scenes, and the themes that continue to shape the show. Looking ahead, they reaffirm their commitment to creating thoughtful, long-term value through conversation. In this milestone 50th episode, Shanon and Lev take a step back to reflect on the journey so far: what it has taken to build the podcast, what they’ve learned from their guests, and why the project has become one of the most meaningful initiatives they’re involved in.

Across 50 episodes, the show has evolved into more than just a content channel. It has become a platform for thoughtful conversations with founders, marketers and leaders who are shaping their industries. Shanon and Lev reflect on the consistency, commitment and collaboration required to sustain a podcast over time, especially in the B2B space, where attention is hard won and trust is built gradually.

They discuss the importance of giving guests a space to share real insights rather than surface-level commentary, and how those conversations have influenced their own thinking. Patterns have emerged across episodes: the value of long-term strategy over short-term wins the power of clear positioning, and the role of meaningful storytelling in building brands that last.

The episode also shines a light on the team behind the scenes, acknowledging the production and coordination effort that underpins every release. For Shanon and Lev, the podcast represents more than marketing output. It’s a long-term commitment to dialogue, learning and community-building.

As they look ahead to the next 500 episodes, the focus remains the same: continue elevating expert voices, deepening conversations, and creating content that delivers lasting value.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why AI in 2025 feels fundamentally different from 2024
  • The difference between speeding up tasks and unlocking new capabilities
  • How to avoid “research theater” when using synthetic or predictive data
  • Why data quality is an evolving process and not a toggle
  • How empathy directly improves respondent experience and survey outcomes
  • Why structured data remains a challenge for AI systems
  • How to balance speed with rigor inside fast-moving organizations
  • What defines the next generation of insight seekers
  • The three traits that will define successful insight professionals: curiosity, technical savviness, and critical thinking

About the guests:
Lev Mazin is the CEO and cofounder of aytm, where he leads the company’s vision around agile, technology-powered consumer insights. With a background in innovation and product development, Lev has spent his career focused on building systems that make research more accessible, rigorous, and actionable.

Shanon Adams is President and COO of aytm, bringing deep experience across growth, marketing, and operations. She works closely with insight teams and enterprise organizations to translate research into strategic action, with a strong focus on customer experience, data quality, and scalable innovation.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3762 In this 50th episode, Shanon and Lev reflect on the journey of building a meaningful B2B podcast. They explore the lessons learned from 50 guest conversations the consistency and collaboration required behind the scenes, and the themes that continue to shape the show. Looking ahead, they reaffirm their commitment to creating thoughtful, long-term value through conversation. In this 50th episode, Shanon and Lev reflect on the journey of building a meaningful B2B podcast. They explore the lessons learned from 50 guest conversations the consistency and collaboration required behind the scenes, and the themes that continue to shape the show. Looking ahead, they reaffirm their commitment to creating thoughtful, long-term value through conversation. insight seekers, research theater, data quality, lasting value, AI in 2025, brands that last, storytelling, long-term strategy, insights, B2B space, consistency, commitment, collaboration, leaders, marketers, 50th episode, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No When the data is right but the decision is wrong with Ernest Baskin https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rn747628-when-the-data-is-right-but-the-decision-is-wrong-ernest-baskin When the data is right but the decision is wrong with Ernest Baskin 48 No No k18yl2p0 Market research only works when companies actually listen to it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Ernest Baskin, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University, about why market research still matters and why it does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Ernest explains how organizations misuse data, overlook bias, and skip context, then shows how simple, intentional research practices can lead to better decisions, fewer failed launches, and a deeper understanding of customers. Ernest Baskin has built his career across academia and industry, teaching market research while applying it in real business settings. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, he explains why market research continues to fail organizations, even when they believe they are surrounded by data. The conversation opens with the New Coke example. Ernest reframes the failure as a breakdown in how research was used, not whether it existed. Qualitative insights that signaled emotional backlash were sidelined in favor of cleaner quantitative summaries. The decision appeared sound on paper and failed in the real world. Research fails when inconvenient insight is ignored or when the process is shortened. Stephanie and Molly explore a common executive mindset: companies already have more data than they can handle. Ernest explains why this logic falls short. Most internal data looks backward. It shows what happened, not why it happened. Without direct customer conversation, teams miss motivations, barriers, and tradeoffs that shape real behavior. The episode also challenges the belief that primary research must be slow or expensive. Ernest explains how outsourcing expertise has normalized inflated costs, while modern tools allow teams to design and run credible research quickly when expertise stays in-house. The conversation closes with behavioral nudge examples showing how small environmental changes can quietly but meaningfully shift behavior, reinforcing why well-designed research still matters.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why market research fails when organizations ignore uncomfortable insights
  • The difference between having data and understanding customers
  • How to run meaningful research without massive budgets
  • Common survey design mistakes that introduce bias and noise
  • Why context matters when testing products and concepts
  • How small environmental changes can dramatically shift behavior
  • What research teams should stop doing immediately
  • A simple habit that increases trust and credibility in research findings

Episode Resources:
  • Ernest Baskin on LinkedIn
  • Saint Joseph's University Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2306 Market research only works when companies actually listen to it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Ernest Baskin, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University, about why market research still matters and why it does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Ernest explains how organizations misuse data, overlook bias, and skip context, then shows how simple, intentional research practices can lead to better decisions, fewer failed launches, and a deeper understanding of customers. Market research only works when companies actually listen to it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Ernest Baskin, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University, about why market research still matters and why it does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Ernest explains how organizations misuse data, overlook bias, and skip context, then shows how simple, intentional research practices can lead to better decisions, fewer failed launches, and a deeper understanding of customers. Saint Joseph's University, understanding customers, market research, well-designed research, customer conversation, quantitative summaries, Qualitative insights, New Coke, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Earning trust as a strategic insights function with Christopher Khoury https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4l5wkn-earning-trust-as-a-strategic-insights-function-christopher-khoury Earning trust as a strategic insights function with Christopher Khoury 47 No No x06r3vw0 Strategic insights only matter when leaders trust them. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Christopher Khoury, Vice President of Strategic Insights at the American Medical Association, about how credibility is built over time inside complex, highly regulated organizations. Christopher shares how insights teams earn trust by saying yes early, getting close to the business, building strong team chemistry, and using market intelligence to guide leaders through uncertainty rather than chasing shiny ideas. Christopher Khoury has built his career at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and policy, a perspective that shapes how he approaches strategy and insight. He began in electrical engineering and medical device development, but exposure to physiology and a personal loss anchored his long-term commitment to healthcare. Over time, his work expanded beyond products and research into understanding how systems, incentives, regulation, and people interact at scale. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Christopher reflects on building and leading the Strategic Insights Group at the American Medical Association. When he joined the AMA more than a decade ago, there was no formal strategic insights function and little belief that new intelligence was needed. Credibility had to be earned. He explains how trust was built by saying yes to difficult questions, embedding the team in real business and policy work, and taking social-capital risks by showing up where insights had not previously been invited. The conversation explores why market intelligence in healthcare is uniquely complex. The customer is rarely a single person. Physicians, patients, payers, policymakers, and technology companies all influence outcomes, often with competing incentives. Christopher explains how frameworks and taxonomies help organize this complexity, while emphasizing the need for flexibility in a system shaped by constant change. Stephanie and Molly also discuss how relationships outside the organization strengthen insight quality. Christopher shares lessons from working with startups and cross-sector partners, using the aircraft carrier and speedboat analogy to describe the tension between institutional scale and startup speed. The episode closes with reflections on cross-training teams, approaching AI as a socio-technical system, and building long-term impact through curiosity, patience, mentoring, and relationships.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How insights teams earn credibility inside legacy organizations
  • Why trust is built through contribution, not positioning
  • How to manage market intelligence in healthcare’s multi-stakeholder reality
  • What cross-training looks like in high-performing insights teams
  • How relationships outside the organization amplify strategic insight
  • How to think about AI as a socio-technical system, not a silver bullet
  • When to push back on leadership ideas without becoming a blocker
  • Practical career advice for building long-term influence in insights roles

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Christopher Khoury on LinkedIn
  • American Medical Association Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2816 Strategic insights only matter when leaders trust them. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Christopher Khoury, Vice President of Strategic Insights at the American Medical Association, about how credibility is built over time inside complex, highly regulated organizations. Christopher shares how insights teams earn trust by saying yes early, getting close to the business, building strong team chemistry, and using market intelligence to guide leaders through uncertainty rather than chasing shiny ideas. Strategic insights only matter when leaders trust them. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly speak with Christopher Khoury, Vice President of Strategic Insights at the American Medical Association, about how credibility is built over time inside complex, highly regulated organizations. Christopher shares how insights teams earn trust by saying yes early, getting close to the business, building strong team chemistry, and using market intelligence to guide leaders through uncertainty rather than chasing shiny ideas. aircraft carrier analogy, speedboat analogy, curiosity, patience, mentoring, relationships, insights roles, cross-training teams, approaching AI, Strategic Insights, The Curiosity Current, social-capital risks, AMA, American Medical Association, strategy, insight., healthcare, technology, policy, aytm No No From scattered research to shared reality with Kylee Lessard https://podcasts.fame.so/e/qn0v979n-from-scattered-research-to-shared-reality-with-kylee-lessard From scattered research to shared reality with Kylee Lessard 46 No No p1knywy0 Enterprise research teams often produce plenty of insight but struggle to influence real decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie speaks with Kylee Lessard, Group/Principal Product Marketing Manager for Insights & Strategy at LinkedIn, about how she helped build a centralized insights function that leadership actually relies on. Kylee breaks down the practical steps she used to move from scattered, ad-hoc research to a shared system for prioritization, synthesis, and decision support. The conversation covers how to design insight charters, align research to planning cycles, separate signal from noise, and use simple AI workflows to stay close to both market shifts and customer reality. Kylee Lessard did not come up through a traditional research path, and that shapes how she approaches insights today. After roles in content, product marketing, and an interim chief of staff position, she stepped into leading insights and strategy for LinkedIn’s advertising business with a clear view of the problem: research was happening everywhere, but decision-makers lacked a single, trusted source of synthesis. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Kylee explains how she helped move LinkedIn from scattered, ad-hoc research toward a more centralized insights model that leaders could rely on. She walks through her practical playbook: starting with a stakeholder listening tour, defining and socializing a clear charter, and creating early wins that built credibility quickly. One of those wins was democratizing access to research through a shared repository and consistent insight-sharing cadence, reducing duplication and misalignment. Kylee also explains how the team anchored research to real decision moments by aligning insights to biannual planning cycles and introducing a recurring market report that synthesizes customer, competitive, and market intelligence at different levels of detail for different audiences. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that the core challenge today is no longer data scarcity, but separating signal from noise. The episode closes with practical examples of how AI supports competitive intelligence and internal awareness, and clear advice for early-career professionals on building influence by staying close to customers and tying insights directly to business outcomes.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How to move from fragmented research to a trusted insights system
  • A practical framework for standing up an enterprise insights function
  • How to align research with real planning and decision cycles
  • Why signal vs noise is now the central insights challenge
  • How AI supports market and customer awareness without replacing judgment
  • How to build strategic influence by connecting insight to business outcomes

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 aytm aytm 2676 Enterprise research teams often produce plenty of insight but struggle to influence real decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie speaks with Kylee Lessard, Group/Principal Product Marketing Manager for Insights & Strategy at LinkedIn, about how she helped build a centralized insights function that leadership actually relies on. Kylee breaks down the practical steps she used to move from scattered, ad-hoc research to a shared system for prioritization, synthesis, and decision support. The conversation covers how to design insight charters, align research to planning cycles, separate signal from noise, and use simple AI workflows to stay close to both market shifts and customer reality. Enterprise research teams often produce plenty of insight but struggle to influence real decisions. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie speaks with Kylee Lessard, Group/Principal Product Marketing Manager for Insights & Strategy at LinkedIn, about how she helped build a centralized insights function that leadership actually relies on. Kylee breaks down the practical steps she used to move from scattered, ad-hoc research to a shared system for prioritization, synthesis, and decision support. The conversation covers how to design insight charters, align research to planning cycles, separate signal from noise, and use simple AI workflows to stay close to both market shifts and customer reality. customer awareness, signal vs noise, trusted insights system, AI, centralized insights model, insights and strategy, LinkedIn, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Older adults, gaming, and tech stereotypes with Dr. Brittne Kakulla https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n9m906n-older-adults-gaming-and-tech-stereotypes-with-dr-brittne-kakulla Older adults, gaming, and tech stereotypes with Dr. Brittne Kakulla 45 No No v07rl4q1 The story that older adults struggle with technology keeps showing up. The data says otherwise. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly is joined by Dr. Brittne Kakulla, Senior Consumer Insights Manager at AARP, with special guest co-host Elana Marmorstein, aytm’s Market Revenue Operations Specialist and host of Waves of Thinking. Brittne shares what over two decades of research reveal about older adults in tech, including gaming, smart devices, and AI. The conversation reframes adoption as selectivity, not reluctance, and shows why trust, usefulness, and life stage matter more than age when designing technology for the 50+ market. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly and guest co-host Elana Marmorstein sit down with Dr. Brittne Kakulla, Senior Consumer Insights Manager at AARP, to challenge one of tech’s most persistent assumptions that older adults are left behind by technology. Drawing on more than twenty-one years of research at AARP, Brittne reframes the conversation with a stat that stops most brands in their tracks. Ninety-nine percent of adults 50 and older own at least one tech device, and ninety percent own a smartphone. Adoption is not the problem. The shift now sits in how older adults decide what technology earns a place in their lives. Brittne explains why older adults should be understood as selective, not reluctant. Their choices are shaped by lived experience and grounded questions around usefulness, privacy, trust, and fit. Technology succeeds when it supports independence, respects control over personal data, and solves real problems. The conversation moves through AgeTech, gaming, smart home devices, and wearables, with insights from CES highlighting why no single device works for everyone. Life stage, caregiving needs, household context, and cost all shape adoption. Molly and Alana also explore the rise of AI curiosity among older adults. Using a Jobs To Be Done lens, Brittne shares why simplifying complex information, especially health information, stands out as one of AI’s most meaningful use cases. The episode closes with a clear takeaway that designing technology with older adults from the start leads to better products for everyone.

What You’ll Learn:
  • What AARP research reveals about technology adoption among adults 50+
  • Why older adults adopt technology, then become more selective over time
  • How trust, privacy, and usefulness shape tech decisions after 50
  • Why older adults are not anti-tech, but anti-wasted effort
  • How gaming, wearables, and smart devices fit into daily life for older adults
  • What is driving rising AI curiosity and adoption in the 50+ market
  • How a Jobs To Be Done framework clarifies real AI use cases
  • Why “designing for seniors” often backfires
  • How life stage explains behavior better than age brackets
  • What inclusive design looks like when older adults stay in the process

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2402 The story that older adults struggle with technology keeps showing up. The data says otherwise. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly is joined by Dr. Brittne Kakulla, Senior Consumer Insights Manager at AARP, with special guest co-host Elana Marmorstein, aytm’s Market Revenue Operations Specialist and host of Waves of Thinking. Brittne shares what over two decades of research reveal about older adults in tech, including gaming, smart devices, and AI. The conversation reframes adoption as selectivity, not reluctance, and shows why trust, usefulness, and life stage matter more than age when designing technology for the 50+ market. The story that older adults struggle with technology keeps showing up. The data says otherwise. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly is joined by Dr. Brittne Kakulla, Senior Consumer Insights Manager at AARP, with special guest co-host Elana Marmorstein, aytm’s Market Revenue Operations Specialist and host of Waves of Thinking. Brittne shares what over two decades of research reveal about older adults in tech, including gaming, smart devices, and AI. The conversation reframes adoption as selectivity, not reluctance, and shows why trust, usefulness, and life stage matter more than age when designing technology for the 50+ market. Market Research, designing for seniors, AI, CES, AgeTech, gaming, smart home devices, wearables, technology, AARP, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Why LEGO belongs in market research with Garret Westlake https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jyxxmn-why-lego-belongs-in-market-research-with-garret-westlake Why LEGO belongs in market research with Garret Westlake 44 No No 41pqpp30 Market research often rewards speed, confidence, and verbal fluency. That leaves insight behind. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly is joined by Garret Westlake, Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, with special guest co-host Katie Bernal, Senior Director of Learning and Enablement at aytm. Garret explains how LEGO SERIOUS PLAY can be used as a legitimate market research methodology, why embodied and visual thinking matter, and how serious play creates space for insight from people who do not thrive in verbal-first research settings. The conversation explores inclusion, storytelling, innovation, and how AI can support creative sense-making without replacing human judgment. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly and guest co-host Katie Bernal sit down with Garret Westlake to explore how LEGO SERIOUS PLAY can be used to conduct market research that captures deeper and more inclusive insight. Garret shares how his experience as a neurodivergent learner shaped his view that many research and learning environments reward certain voices while unintentionally pushing others to the margins. Drawing from his work across higher education, innovation consulting, and organizational research, Garret explains how traditional market research often favors speed, verbal confidence, and quick responses. Those conditions can exclude participants who need time to reflect or who think more visually and physically. LEGO SERIOUS PLAY shifts that dynamic by giving everyone space to think, build, and express meaning through metaphor before speaking. The conversation shows how serious play creates psychological safety by removing the pressure to deliver the right answer. Abstract building makes difference visible and expected. That openness allows participants to share insights they might otherwise hold back. Garret also discusses how vivid metaphors built with LEGO bricks have helped teams surface hidden friction in customer journeys and reframe problems in ways leadership could finally see and act on. The episode closes with a reflection on innovation, play, and the role of AI in supporting human sense-making rather than replacing it.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How LEGO SERIOUS PLAY works as a market research methodology
  • Why embodied and visual thinking surface insight surveys miss
  • How serious play creates more inclusive research environments
  • Why removing “right answers” improves insight quality
  • How metaphors help stakeholders see problems clearly
  • The difference between optimizing research and innovating through it
  • How AI can support creative sense-making without replacing judgment
  • Why storytelling matters in insight communication
  • Remembering the “why” behind research
  • How curiosity drives better research outcomes

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Garret Westlake on LinkedIn
  • Virginia Commonwealth University Website
  • Katie Bernal on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2607 Market research often rewards speed, confidence, and verbal fluency. That leaves insight behind. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly is joined by Garret Westlake, Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, with special guest co-host Katie Bernal, Senior Director of Learning and Enablement at aytm. Garret explains how LEGO SERIOUS PLAY can be used as a legitimate market research methodology, why embodied and visual thinking matter, and how serious play creates space for insight from people who do not thrive in verbal-first research settings. The conversation explores inclusion, storytelling, innovation, and how AI can support creative sense-making without replacing human judgment. Market research often rewards speed, confidence, and verbal fluency. That leaves insight behind. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Molly is joined by Garret Westlake, Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, with special guest co-host Katie Bernal, Senior Director of Learning and Enablement at aytm. Garret explains how LEGO SERIOUS PLAY can be used as a legitimate market research methodology, why embodied and visual thinking matter, and how serious play creates space for insight from people who do not thrive in verbal-first research settings. The conversation explores inclusion, storytelling, innovation, and how AI can support creative sense-making without replacing human judgment. Virginia Commonwealth University, curiosity, better research outcomes, market research methodology, insight communication, AI, LEGO bricks, psychological safety, serious play, market research, LEGO SERIOUS PLAY, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No How causal AI is revolutionizing consumer and market research with Jason Cohen https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8llkrm8-causal-ai-revolutionizing-consumer-and-market-research-jason-cohen How causal AI is revolutionizing consumer and market research with Jason Cohen 43 No No x1l69w71 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Jason Cohen, Founder and CEO of Simulacra, to explore how causal AI and scenario modeling are changing the way market research actually works. Jason explains why more rows rarely fix weak studies, how seeded synthetic data can extract insight from incomplete datasets, and why understanding cause and effect matters more than ever in modern consumer research. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Jason Cohen, Founder and CEO of Simulacra, to explore how causal AI and synthetic data can accelerate insight without removing real consumers or human judgment from the process. Jason traces his thinking back to his early work in sensory science and his decade building Gastrograph AI. Traditional statistical methods measured well, but they struggled to predict what people would actually like. The turning point came when models began forecasting taste and preference with consistency. That shift transformed academic research into a commercial platform and revealed a broader industry issue: many studies quietly fail to deliver statistically valid or decision-ready results. At Simulacra, Jason applies those lessons through causal AI and scenario modeling. Rather than positioning synthetic data as a replacement for research, he frames it as a way to recover value from existing datasets, especially when samples are small, uneven, or incomplete. By conditioning models on outcomes instead of correlations, teams can see what truly changes and which levers they can control. Through practical examples, Jason explains how this approach improves product optimization, reveals insight in undersampled populations, and passes validation by matching causal structure, not surface patterns. The episode closes with a clear message: tools remove technical friction, but clarity, judgment, and better questions now matter more than ever.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How causal AI differs from correlation, regression, and predictive modeling
  • Why more data rows rarely solve underpowered or messy studies
  • How scenario modeling helps teams focus on outcomes and decision levers
  • When synthetic data works and when it breaks down
  • How to validate synthetic data by matching causal structure
  • How researchers can extract insight from undersampled populations
  • Why question quality shapes insight long before analysis begins
  • Where AI accelerates research and where human judgment remains essential
  • What market research should stop doing and what to start doing next

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Jason Cohen on LinkedIn
  • Simulacra Synthetic Data Studio Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2872 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Jason Cohen, Founder and CEO of Simulacra, to explore how causal AI and scenario modeling are changing the way market research actually works. Jason explains why more rows rarely fix weak studies, how seeded synthetic data can extract insight from incomplete datasets, and why understanding cause and effect matters more than ever in modern consumer research. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Jason Cohen, Founder and CEO of Simulacra, to explore how causal AI and scenario modeling are changing the way market research actually works. Jason explains why more rows rarely fix weak studies, how seeded synthetic data can extract insight from incomplete datasets, and why understanding cause and effect matters more than ever in modern consumer research. market research, AI accelerates research, matching causal structure, causal AI, matching causal structure, Gastrograph AI, synthetic data, AI, Simulacra, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No The researchers you need aren't looking for research jobs with Charitie Dantis-Gayo https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jyx66n-researchers-aren-t-looking-for-research-jobs-charitie-dantis-gayo The researchers you need aren't looking for research jobs with Charitie Dantis-Gayo 42 No No 41pqp550 Market research is losing great talent because the career path remains invisible. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Charitie Dantis-Gayo, Corporate Vice President, Center for Consumer Insights at New York Life Insurance Company. Charitie shares her nonlinear path into market research, explains why visibility matters more than credentials, and outlines what truly attracts and develops the next generation of researchers. The conversation covers recruiting for initiative and curiosity, using AI with discipline, and why human judgment and fieldwork remain essential in modern insights work. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Charitie Dantis-Gayo, Corporate Vice President at the Center for Consumer Insights at New York Life Insurance Company, to explore how the industry can inspire and recruit the next generation of market researchers. Charitie shares a career path shaped by curiosity rather than planning, beginning in finance before discovering consumer behavior and the human side of research. Early hands-on experience showed her that insights work could be creative, practical, and closely connected to real business decisions. The conversation moves beyond personal history to a larger industry challenge. Market research remains invisible to many students and early career professionals simply because people don't see or hear about it early enough. Charitie explains why visibility matters more than credentials and why everyday conversations, mentoring, and outreach play a meaningful role in expanding the talent pipeline. She also discusses how she hires for initiative and learning agility, often preferring candidates from outside her own industry to avoid repetition and narrow thinking. As the discussion turns to technology, Charitie offers a grounded view on AI. She describes it as a useful support tool that accelerates work while emphasizing that judgment, interpretation, and empathy remain human responsibilities. The episode closes with a clear message: fieldwork, observation, and real stories continue to shape better insight and stronger influence.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why market research remains a hidden career for many students and professionals
  • How visibility and storytelling shape the future talent pipeline
  • Why nonlinear career paths strengthen insights teams
  • What "will" looks like in interviews and on the job
  • How to recruit for curiosity, initiative, and learning agility
  • Where AI helps market research move faster and where it falls short
  • Why human judgment and empathy still define strong insight
  • What early-career professionals lost during COVID and how leaders can rebuild human skills
  • Why analytics and insights deliver more value together
  • How fieldwork reveals behavior that surveys and synthetic data miss

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Charitie Dantis-Gayo on LinkedIn
  • New York Life Insurance Company Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2964 Market research is losing great talent because the career path remains invisible. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Charitie Dantis-Gayo, Corporate Vice President, Center for Consumer Insights at New York Life Insurance Company. Charitie shares her nonlinear path into market research, explains why visibility matters more than credentials, and outlines what truly attracts and develops the next generation of researchers. The conversation covers recruiting for initiative and curiosity, using AI with discipline, and why human judgment and fieldwork remain essential in modern insights work. Market research is losing great talent because the career path remains invisible. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Charitie Dantis-Gayo, Corporate Vice President, Center for Consumer Insights at New York Life Insurance Company. Charitie shares her nonlinear path into market research, explains why visibility matters more than credentials, and outlines what truly attracts and develops the next generation of researchers. The conversation covers recruiting for initiative and curiosity, using AI with discipline, and why human judgment and fieldwork remain essential in modern insights work. rebuild human skills, empathy, human judgment, AI, Market research, human side of research, consumer behavior, market researcher, New York Life Insurance Company, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The human context AI can’t replicate with Nancee Halpin https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286q9pzn-the-human-context-ai-can-t-replicate-with-nancee-halpin The human context AI can’t replicate with Nancee Halpin 41 No No j12rn581 AI can accelerate research. It cannot replace context. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Nancee Halpin, a researcher and insights specialist whose career spans Fuel Cycle, SurveyMonkey, Highlight, and Strella. Nancee explains why human judgment, curiosity, and lived context still sit at the center of good research, even as AI reshapes how fast teams can move. The conversation explores where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and why researchers remain essential interpreters between data and decision-making. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Nancee Halpin, a researcher and insights specialist whose career has been shaped inside tech-enabled research companies including Fuel Cycle, SurveyMonkey, Highlight, and Strella. Having worked across research, product marketing, and solutions engineering, Nancee brings a clear-eyed view of what happens when research moves into SaaS environments built for speed. She shares how her role evolved from running studies to protecting research quality inside systems optimized for scale. Much of her work now centers on helping teams understand trade-offs, explaining methodology to non-researchers, and ensuring insight remains trustworthy when timelines shrink. Nancee explains why leadership teams continue to respond more strongly to real language and lived context than to high-volume data alone, especially in a market where differentiation is hard to sustain. The conversation also addresses AI directly. While AI accelerates setup and reporting, Nancee makes clear that context, judgment, and storytelling still sit with humans. The episode offers a grounded look at how good research survives and stays relevant in a tech-first world.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why AI cannot replicate human context in research
  • Where AI strengthens research workflows and where it falls short
  • How context shapes which insights actually influence decisions
  • Why leaders respond more to real voices than polished charts
  • What breaks first when research moves too fast
  • How researchers protect rigor without slowing teams down
  • Why curiosity remains a core professional advantage
  • How to operate confidently at the intersection of AI and insight

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Nancee Halpin on LinkedIn
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2806 AI can accelerate research. It cannot replace context. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Nancee Halpin, a researcher and insights specialist whose career spans Fuel Cycle, SurveyMonkey, Highlight, and Strella. Nancee explains why human judgment, curiosity, and lived context still sit at the center of good research, even as AI reshapes how fast teams can move. The conversation explores where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and why researchers remain essential interpreters between data and decision-making. AI can accelerate research. It cannot replace context. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Nancee Halpin, a researcher and insights specialist whose career spans Fuel Cycle, SurveyMonkey, Highlight, and Strella. Nancee explains why human judgment, curiosity, and lived context still sit at the center of good research, even as AI reshapes how fast teams can move. The conversation explores where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and why researchers remain essential interpreters between data and decision-making. researcher, research workflows, AI, tech-first world, good research, context, judgment, storytelling, trade-offs, solutions engineering, product marketing, Fuel Cycle, SurveyMonkey, Highlight, Strella, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Earning a seat at the table: risk, value, and the power of insight with Ed Kahn https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0njyprl8-earning-a-seat-at-the-table-with-ed-kahn Earning a seat at the table: risk, value, and the power of insight with Ed Kahn 40 No No 40pq6vr1 Influence does not come from more data. It comes from understanding risk, value, and timing. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Ed Kahn, Senior Principal of CX Research and Insights at Mutual of America Financial Group. With a career spanning consumer electronics, syndicated research, and financial services, Ed shares why researchers often feel excluded from decisions and what actually changes that dynamic. He explains how fluency in business context, clarity around risk, and relevance in the moment turn research into influence. This conversation reframes the idea of a “seat at the table” and offers practical ways insights teams can earn it. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Ed Kahn, Senior Principal of CX Research and Insights at Mutual of America Financial Group, to unpack one of the most common frustrations in the research world: the feeling of not having a seat at the table. Ed’s career spans more than two decades across consumer electronics, syndicated research, and financial services, with leadership roles at Samsung, Sony, MetLife, Citi, and now Mutual of America. With a foundation in anthropology and psychology and an MBA in finance and international business, Ed brings a rare blend of human understanding and business fluency to his work. Ed challenges the idea that access alone is what researchers lack. Instead, he argues that influence grows when researchers deeply understand how the business makes money, where risk truly sits, and which decisions matter now versus later. He shares real examples of pushing back on low-value research requests, reframing conversations around scale and impact, and knowing when an interesting insight belongs in tomorrow’s discussion rather than today’s decision. Ed also explores the discipline of relevance, the importance of being transparent about confidence and limitations, and why overselling research can quietly erode trust. He reflects on working in highly regulated financial services environments, where downstream consequences sharpen a researcher’s sense of responsibility and influence. The takeaway from this conversation is that earning influence often starts with a conversation, not a deliverable. By showing curiosity about colleagues’ roles, risks, and pressures, researchers build the context that allows their work to shape decisions long before a study is launched.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why “not having a seat at the table” is often a misunderstanding of influence
  • How understanding business risk changes how leaders hear research
  • When to say no to a study and how to do it without breaking trust
  • How relevance turns interesting findings into strategic leverage
  • Why transparency about confidence and limitations builds credibility
  • How CX insights earn influence in regulated environments
  • Where technology helps research scale and where judgment must stay human
  • Why collaboration matters more than perfect methodology
  • How to move from validation work to proactive decision support
  • One simple action researchers can take in the next 30 days to build influence

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Ed Kahn on LinkedIn
  • Mutual of America Financial Group Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2590 Influence does not come from more data. It comes from understanding risk, value, and timing. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Ed Kahn, Senior Principal of CX Research and Insights at Mutual of America Financial Group. With a career spanning consumer electronics, syndicated research, and financial services, Ed shares why researchers often feel excluded from decisions and what actually changes that dynamic. He explains how fluency in business context, clarity around risk, and relevance in the moment turn research into influence. This conversation reframes the idea of a “seat at the table” and offers practical ways insights teams can earn it. Influence does not come from more data. It comes from understanding risk, value, and timing. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly are joined by Ed Kahn, Senior Principal of CX Research and Insights at Mutual of America Financial Group. With a career spanning consumer electronics, syndicated research, and financial services, Ed shares why researchers often feel excluded from decisions and what actually changes that dynamic. He explains how fluency in business context, clarity around risk, and relevance in the moment turn research into influence. This conversation reframes the idea of a “seat at the table” and offers practical ways insights teams can earn it. Market Research, curiosity, build influence, CX insights, financial services, syndicated research, consumer electronics, Mutual of America Financial Group, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The psychology of human-centered AI with David Evans https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80vjv68-the-psychology-of-human-centered-ai-with-david-evans The psychology of human-centered AI with David Evans 39 No No p0knxnz1 AI is transforming research, but human judgment still anchors the work. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with David Evans, Director of Market Research at Microsoft and author of Bottlenecks, to explore the realities of building AI and digital products that respect how humans think, feel, and decide. David draws on a decade of applied psychology at Microsoft to examine where AI truly accelerates research, where rigor is at risk, and why the voice of the customer must guide decisions long before any model speaks. From synthetic data to privacy, from UX bottlenecks to conversational interfaces, this episode reframes AI not as a shortcut, but as a partner that demands stronger theory, clearer ethics, and deeper accountability. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with David Evans, a social psychologist turned research leader who has spent more than a decade shaping Microsoft’s approach to AI, brand strategy, and user experience. David entered tech as social media was reshaping behavior and quickly saw how teams were obsessed with what technology could do, while he remained anchored in what humans needed. That tension still drives his work today. David talks about the “bottlenecks” in human attention, memory, and motivation and why these limits are not obstacles, but protective filters that help people focus on what matters. He shows how this lens guided real product decisions at Microsoft, from easing the transition from Windows 10 to 11 by addressing user fears head-on, to designing Together Mode in Teams to strengthen belonging during remote work. David draws a clear line between using AI to accelerate valuable work like surfacing insights in historical data and deepening qual analysis and using it to cut corners. He calls out the rise of “research theater,” especially when teams fabricate synthetic survey data and attempt to generalize from it. They further examine how conversational interfaces shift UX into a social space where memory, tone, and continuity matter as much as UI patterns. David also broadens the conversation on privacy, emphasizing that protection must include behavioral traces and predictions, not just what people choose to share. He posits that AI can support thinking, but it cannot replace the human work of reasoning, writing, and carrying insight across the finish line.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How psychological theory strengthens AI design and market research
  • How bottlenecks in human attention and memory shape product strategy
  • Why addressing user fears moved more customers to Windows 11
  • How features like Together Mode support belonging and connection
  • Where AI accelerates research workflows and where rigor breaks
  • Why synthetic survey fabrication undermines statistical validity
  • How to use AI for literature reviews, historical analysis, and qual synthesis
  • Why reasoning, context, and accountability remain human responsibilities
  • How privacy extends beyond data to identity, autonomy, and relationships
  • What researchers gain by treating AI as a thought partner, not a shortcut

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2480 AI is transforming research, but human judgment still anchors the work. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with David Evans, Director of Market Research at Microsoft and author of Bottlenecks, to explore the realities of building AI and digital products that respect how humans think, feel, and decide. David draws on a decade of applied psychology at Microsoft to examine where AI truly accelerates research, where rigor is at risk, and why the voice of the customer must guide decisions long before any model speaks. From synthetic data to privacy, from UX bottlenecks to conversational interfaces, this episode reframes AI not as a shortcut, but as a partner that demands stronger theory, clearer ethics, and deeper accountability. AI is transforming research, but human judgment still anchors the work. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with David Evans, Director of Market Research at Microsoft and author of Bottlenecks, to explore the realities of building AI and digital products that respect how humans think, feel, and decide. David draws on a decade of applied psychology at Microsoft to examine where AI truly accelerates research, where rigor is at risk, and why the voice of the customer must guide decisions long before any model speaks. From synthetic data to privacy, from UX bottlenecks to conversational interfaces, this episode reframes AI not as a shortcut, but as a partner that demands stronger theory, clearer ethics, and deeper accountability. product strategy, thought partner, Together Mode, market research, AI design, research theater, Windows 10 to 11, user experience, brand strategy, AI, Microsoft, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No Greatest Hits – The New Shape of Insight: Five Voices Redefine Research, Strategy, and Human Behavior https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4lkjln-greatest-hits-the-new-shape-of-insight Greatest Hits – The New Shape of Insight: Five Voices Redefine Research, Strategy, and Human Behavior 38 No No x06rwzr0 Research is evolving from reporting the past to shaping what comes next, and the most meaningful shifts begin with how we understand people. In this Greatest Hits episode of The Curiosity Current, five guests share the ideas that are redefining the insights profession. From Adam Hagerman’s view of research as a strategic engine, to Lindsey Goodman’s lived-world ethnography, to Marcus Cunha on influence and ROI, to J. Walker Smith’s return to analog life, and Ben Valenta’s work on connection and well-being, this episode brings together the human themes that turn information into impact. Insight takes on its real shape when curiosity meets context. The research field has stretched far beyond reporting the past. Today, it guides decisions, influences strategy, and helps organizations understand the people they hope to serve. 

In this Greatest Hits episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance revisits five conversations that show how insight grows when it is handled with depth, imagination, and care.

Adam Hagerman, a researcher and strategist whose career has spanned Apple, GLG, and Indeed, opens the episode with a shift that changed the way his teams worked. Instead of treating research as a confirmation step, he used theoretical frameworks to help people think more broadly about what they could build. He talks about the moment when leaders stopped looking for reassurance and started exploring possibility. His approach shows how structured thinking and narrative clarity can push teams toward ideas they might have overlooked.

Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide, brings us into the world of lived experience. Ethnography allows her to watch people move through ordinary moments that carry unexpected weight. A shopper pausing at a shoe wall. A runner tightening a lace. A decision made quietly, without explanation. These small details often reveal more truth than direct answers. Through her hindsight–insight–foresight model, she shows how past patterns, present behavior, and emerging signals can work together to shape products that feel intuitive and relevant.

Marcus Cunha Jr., Professor of Marketing at the University of Georgia and Director of the MMR Program, speaks directly to the heart of influence. Research holds real value only when it helps people make decisions. He pushes his students to understand that accuracy alone is not enough. They must connect insight to business outcomes, communicate clearly, and frame their work in ways leaders can act on. Without that discipline, even strong research fades into the background.

J. Walker Smith, Knowledge Lead for Strategy and Consulting at Kantar, zooms out to the cultural landscape. After years of forecasts about a fully digital world, the pandemic revealed something else entirely: people want to return to experiences that feel textured, physical, and human. Markets, festivals, shared gatherings, small rituals, the moments that remind us who we are. He believes that digital tools will evolve to support these analog desires rather than replace them, giving researchers and brands a wider canvas for understanding real life.

Ben Valenta, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Fox Sports and co-author of Fans Have More Friends, brings the episode to a close with the social side of human behavior. Across leagues and across countries, highly engaged fans share common traits: stronger friendships, higher well-being, and a deeper sense of belonging. The patterns hold consistently, even when the sports differ. He explains why fandom is not simply enthusiasm. It is a form of social infrastructure that gives people connection, energy, and meaning.

Across these five conversations, a single thread becomes clear. Insight lives in the ways people think, behave, connect, and create. When researchers understand those layers, their work does more than inform. It guides, aligns, and helps organizations make choices that reflect the real world.

What You'll Learn:
  • How theoretical framing turns research into a strategic driver
  • Why stories, not statistics alone, open teams to new possibilities
  • How ethnography captures the truths people reveal through behavior
  • Why hindsight, insight, and foresight create a full picture of the consumer
  • How to position research as a decision-making force rather than a reporting function
  • Why digital tools are ushering in a renewed appetite for analog experiences
  • How fandom reveals universal patterns of connection and well-being

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1100 Research is evolving from reporting the past to shaping what comes next, and the most meaningful shifts begin with how we understand people. In this Greatest Hits episode of The Curiosity Current, five guests share the ideas that are redefining the insights profession. From Adam Hagerman’s view of research as a strategic engine, to Lindsey Goodman’s lived-world ethnography, to Marcus Cunha on influence and ROI, to J. Walker Smith’s return to analog life, and Ben Valenta’s work on connection and well-being, this episode brings together the human themes that turn information into impact. Research is evolving from reporting the past to shaping what comes next, and the most meaningful shifts begin with how we understand people. In this Greatest Hits episode of The Curiosity Current, five guests share the ideas that are redefining the insights profession. From Adam Hagerman’s view of research as a strategic engine, to Lindsey Goodman’s lived-world ethnography, to Marcus Cunha on influence and ROI, to J. Walker Smith’s return to analog life, and Ben Valenta’s work on connection and well-being, this episode brings together the human themes that turn information into impact. theoretical framing, human behavior, understanding real life, business outcomes, hindsight–insight–foresight model, exploring possibility, curiosity meets context, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No The cost of silence in research with Amberly Miller https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286qwvrn-the-cost-of-silence-in-research-with-amberly-miller The cost of silence in research with Amberly Miller 37 No No j12rj3v1 UX research only matters when it changes something. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Amberly Miller, Director of UX Research at Prudential Financial, to discuss the real work of turning insight into influence inside a heavily regulated, high-stakes enterprise. Amberly shares how she rebuilt Prudential’s approach to research, moving from a tightly gated silo to a democratized model that empowers more than a hundred practitioners and what it takes to deliver insights that land, even when the truth is uncomfortable. From stakeholder silence to C-suite pressure, from separating signal from noise to knowing where AI belongs, this conversation goes beyond theory and speaks to the reality of earning a voice at the table. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly talk with Amberly Miller, Director of UX Research at Prudential Financial, about the internal battles that shape whether research drives action or dies quietly in a repository. Amberly’s path from operations to UX research was built in environments where every decision carried real financial consequence. That pressure became the backbone of her philosophy, which is to “measure twice before you cut.” She explains how she dismantled a research culture built on bottlenecks and fear of doing it wrong, and replaced it with a democratized system that invites more voices in, supported with guardrails, automation, and education that maintain rigor. Amberly also speaks about when silence in the room signaled politics, risk, reputational fear, or the emotional cost of killing work someone has fought for. She discusses preparing for C-suite conversations by learning the business first, tailoring findings to real KPIs, and speaking with a level of clarity that demands attention. They also confront the limits of AI as a research partner and reinforce why human judgment, tribal knowledge, and empathy still carry the work across the finish line. For any researcher questioning their confidence, Amberly reframes the role entirely, that “you are not fighting for your own voice, you are fighting for the customer’s.”

What You’ll Learn:

  • How research earns influence when it becomes a tool for decision-making, not documentation
  • How to deliver hard truths with empathy and strength when silence fills the room
  • How to use democratization to accelerate learning without sacrificing quality
  • How to evaluate signal versus noise when qualitative moments feel loud
  • How to prepare for high-stakes executive conversations with precision and intent
  • How AI accelerates operational work while humans still define meaning
  • Why research should function as a continuous feedback loop not a checkbox activity
  • How confidence grows when researchers advocate for customers rather than for approval

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Amberly Miller on LinkedIn
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2500 UX research only matters when it changes something. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Amberly Miller, Director of UX Research at Prudential Financial, to discuss the real work of turning insight into influence inside a heavily regulated, high-stakes enterprise. Amberly shares how she rebuilt Prudential’s approach to research, moving from a tightly gated silo to a democratized model that empowers more than a hundred practitioners and what it takes to deliver insights that land, even when the truth is uncomfortable. From stakeholder silence to C-suite pressure, from separating signal from noise to knowing where AI belongs, this conversation goes beyond theory and speaks to the reality of earning a voice at the table. UX research only matters when it changes something. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Stephanie and Molly sit down with Amberly Miller, Director of UX Research at Prudential Financial, to discuss the real work of turning insight into influence inside a heavily regulated, high-stakes enterprise. Amberly shares how she rebuilt Prudential’s approach to research, moving from a tightly gated silo to a democratized model that empowers more than a hundred practitioners and what it takes to deliver insights that land, even when the truth is uncomfortable. From stakeholder silence to C-suite pressure, from separating signal from noise to knowing where AI belongs, this conversation goes beyond theory and speaks to the reality of earning a voice at the table. No No Turning insight into impact: What CMOs really want from market research https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xny70v5n-turning-insight-into-impact-steve-olenski Turning insight into impact: What CMOs really want from market research 36 No No l14rp6y1 Modern CMOs are overwhelmed with data yet short on clarity. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly Strawn-Carreño and guest host Shanon Adams, President and COO of aytm, sit down with Steve Olenski, “The CMO Whisperer,” to unpack what CMOs really need from insights partners. Steve explains why insights must be treated as a growth engine, how the strongest teams align on trust, translation, and timing, and why storytelling and speed now matter more than volume. The conversation breaks down how to earn a real seat at the table, how to use AI responsibly, and what separates insights teams that drive decisions from those that only deliver decks. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly Strawn-Carreño and guest host Shanon Adams speak with Steve Olenski, founder of The CMO Whisperer Advisory. Drawing on more than twenty-five years working alongside CMOs at Mastercard, Walmart, the NFL, and other major brands, Steve offers a direct view into what marketing leaders truly need from research. He argues that CMOs are not missing data; they are missing clarity. Insights must operate as a growth engine, not a reporting function, shaping decisions upstream rather than validating them after the fact. Steve outlines a partnership framework built on trust, translation, and timing, and emphasizes why research should be measured by decisions made, not slide volume. He also discusses the role of AI as a force multiplier guided by human judgment, and the importance of courage and honesty in C-suite relationships. For insights leaders, this episode is a blueprint for driving action, relevance, and meaningful impact.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why modern CMOs need clarity more than additional data
  • How to structure a marketing-insights partnership around trust, translation, and timing
  • How storytelling accelerates decisions when spreadsheets stall progress
  • Why AI must enhance human judgment rather than replace it
  • How to earn real influence by challenging assumptions with courage and clarity
  • How speed and empathy work together to create relevance and growth

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Steve Olenski on LinkedIn
  • Shanon Adams on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2711 Modern CMOs are overwhelmed with data yet short on clarity. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly Strawn-Carreño and guest host Shanon Adams, President and COO of aytm, sit down with Steve Olenski, “The CMO Whisperer,” to unpack what CMOs really need from insights partners. Steve explains why insights must be treated as a growth engine, how the strongest teams align on trust, translation, and timing, and why storytelling and speed now matter more than volume. The conversation breaks down how to earn a real seat at the table, how to use AI responsibly, and what separates insights teams that drive decisions from those that only deliver decks. Modern CMOs are overwhelmed with data yet short on clarity. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly Strawn-Carreño and guest host Shanon Adams, President and COO of aytm, sit down with Steve Olenski, “The CMO Whisperer,” to unpack what CMOs really need from insights partners. Steve explains why insights must be treated as a growth engine, how the strongest teams align on trust, translation, and timing, and why storytelling and speed now matter more than volume. The conversation breaks down how to earn a real seat at the table, how to use AI responsibly, and what separates insights teams that drive decisions from those that only deliver decks. Market Research, AI, insights leaders, C-suite relationships, growth engine, CMO, The CMO Whisperer, The Curiosity Current, aytm No No How Shoppers Really Decide: Value, Sensory Shopping, and AI’s Limits with Steve Markenson https://podcasts.fame.so/e/m84lk2m8-how-shoppers-really-decide-steve-markenson How Shoppers Really Decide: Value, Sensory Shopping, and AI’s Limits with Steve Markenson 35 No No x16rw561 Every plate, product, and policy starts with research. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Molly and Stephanie talk with Steve Markenson, Vice President of Research & Insights at FMI – The Food Industry Association and longtime President & Consultant at WBA Research. They explore how industry-wide research shapes the food retail ecosystem, how consumer behavior is evolving, and how emerging technologies and analytics are transforming the way decisions are made across a $1 trillion grocery landscape. From defining value beyond price to balancing speed and rigor in research, Steve reveals how FMI brings data, advocacy, and collaboration together to serve an entire industry. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Molly and Stephanie sit down with Steve Markenson, Vice President of Research & Insights at FMI – The Food Industry Association and President at WBA Research, to explore how broad, industry-wide research shapes the trillion-dollar food retail ecosystem. With more than two decades in market research, Steve explains how FMI connects data, policy, and practice to help the entire food industry make smarter decisions. He breaks down FMI’s ACE model (Advocate, Collaborate, Educate) and shows how research guides everything from SNAP benefits and tariffs to consumer trends and labeling standards. Through the Value Matrix, Steve reframes value as a balance of quality, relevance, experience, and convenience, helping brands see why shoppers’ trade-offs are rarely irrational. The discussion turns to the role of technology and AI in the research process. Steve shares why AI can improve speed but not replace the curiosity and empathy that define good insight. He calls it the “paintbrush,” reminding us that real understanding still comes from people. For insight leaders and researchers, this episode is a vivid look at how data, discipline, and human judgment come together to feed an entire industry.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How industry-wide research informs food policy, retail operations, and consumer education.
  • Why value today is defined by quality, relevance, experience, and convenience, not just price.
  • How FMI’s ACE model drives advocacy and insight across the supply chain.
  • Why 90% of grocery shoppers still buy in-store and how sensory shopping sustains retail loyalty.
  • What “AI is the paintbrush, people are the painters” means for the next era of insights.
  • How life stage often predicts purchase behavior better than generational labels.
  • How to balance speed and rigor when delivering decision-ready research.
  • The importance of tracing the path to purchase, from social media to shelf.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Steve Markenson on LinkedIn
  • FMI- The Food Industry Association Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2867 Every plate, product, and policy starts with research. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Molly and Stephanie talk with Steve Markenson, Vice President of Research & Insights at FMI – The Food Industry Association and longtime President & Consultant at WBA Research. They explore how industry-wide research shapes the food retail ecosystem, how consumer behavior is evolving, and how emerging technologies and analytics are transforming the way decisions are made across a $1 trillion grocery landscape. From defining value beyond price to balancing speed and rigor in research, Steve reveals how FMI brings data, advocacy, and collaboration together to serve an entire industry. Every plate, product, and policy starts with research. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Molly and Stephanie talk with Steve Markenson, Vice President of Research & Insights at FMI – The Food Industry Association and longtime President & Consultant at WBA Research. They explore how industry-wide research shapes the food retail ecosystem, how consumer behavior is evolving, and how emerging technologies and analytics are transforming the way decisions are made across a $1 trillion grocery landscape. From defining value beyond price to balancing speed and rigor in research, Steve reveals how FMI brings data, advocacy, and collaboration together to serve an entire industry. insight researchers, insight leaders, ACE model, consumer education, food policy, retail operations, FMI, The Food Industry Association, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Stop Chasing Speed: Build Consistency That Predicts Outcomes https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nr71608-build-consistency-that-predicts-outcomes-charlie-grossman Stop Chasing Speed: Build Consistency That Predicts Outcomes 34 No No 815rkvn0 Speed gets the headlines. Consistency drives the decision. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly and co-host Stephanie sit down with Charlie Grossman, Owner of CG Research & Consulting and former VP at BASES and Burke, to unpack what makes research trustworthy and actionable. Charlie explains why context and consistency beat one-off metrics, how to avoid the novelty trap of high purchase intent, and where AI helps and hurts interpretation. He shares practical rules for parallel testing, targeting true decision makers, and managing promise so launches create repeat, not just trial. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Molly and Stephanie sit down with Charlie Grossman, Owner of CG Research & Consulting and former Vice President at BASES and Burke, to explore what makes research trustworthy and actionable. With over thirty years in market research, Charlie explains that while technology has made studies faster and cheaper, quality depends on context, consistency, and interpretation. He warns that DIY platforms and automation can sacrifice reliability for convenience, introducing bots, bias, and poor sampling. For Charlie, every number needs history behind it, without benchmarks or parallel testing, data loses meaning. He shares examples where high purchase intent failed to translate into repeat sales and explains how clear decision rules help teams avoid the “novelty trap.” He also highlights how human judgment remains essential even as AI transforms analysis, arguing that machines can scale insight but not replace empathy. True progress, he says, lies in mastering both, the precision of technology and the discernment of human experience. For today’s research leaders, this episode is a reminder that the fundamentals – clarity, consistency, and context, still drive the smartest decisions.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to separate data quality from number meaning and why both matter
  • Why consistency across method, sample, and timing is the foundation of credible insight
  • How to write decision rules with smart exceptions that reduce organisational bias
  • The difference between trial and repeat, and how to detect the novelty trap
  • How to balance AI efficiency with human empathy for open-ends and storytelling
  • When to parallel test to protect historical continuity
  • How to identify and survey the true decision maker so results actually forecast outcomes

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Charlie Grossman on LinkedIn
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • Molly Strawn-Carreño on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2991 Speed gets the headlines. Consistency drives the decision. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly and co-host Stephanie sit down with Charlie Grossman, Owner of CG Research & Consulting and former VP at BASES and Burke, to unpack what makes research trustworthy and actionable. Charlie explains why context and consistency beat one-off metrics, how to avoid the novelty trap of high purchase intent, and where AI helps and hurts interpretation. He shares practical rules for parallel testing, targeting true decision makers, and managing promise so launches create repeat, not just trial. Speed gets the headlines. Consistency drives the decision. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Molly and co-host Stephanie sit down with Charlie Grossman, Owner of CG Research & Consulting and former VP at BASES and Burke, to unpack what makes research trustworthy and actionable. Charlie explains why context and consistency beat one-off metrics, how to avoid the novelty trap of high purchase intent, and where AI helps and hurts interpretation. He shares practical rules for parallel testing, targeting true decision makers, and managing promise so launches create repeat, not just trial. AI efficiency, AI, novelty trap, market research, research, CG Research & Consulting, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The One Thing That Moves Consumers with J. Walker Smith https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jyp9xn-the-one-thing-that-moves-consumers-with-j-walker-smith The One Thing That Moves Consumers with J. Walker Smith 33 No No 41pq68p0 Change gets the headlines. Fundamentals drive the business. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie and co-host Andrew Kawalek sit down with J. Walker Smith, Knowledge Lead for Strategy & Consulting at Kantar, to unpack what truly shapes consumer behavior. Walker explains why convenience remains the strongest driver of choice, how pricing tells a brand’s story, and why storytelling, not dashboards, still persuades. He shares his practical mantra, “one thing” for clarity in communication, a measured view on AI’s role in research, and a compelling argument for using technology to give people back their time. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie is joined by Andrew Kawalek, Senior Director of Global Sales at AYTM, for a conversation with J. Walker Smith, Knowledge Lead for Strategy and Consulting at Kantar. After decades of guiding brands through cultural and technological change, Walker has learned that the fundamentals of marketing rarely shift. While AI, automation, and analytics dominate today’s conversations, he reminds us that real progress comes from mastering constants: understanding people, respecting time, and crafting stories that stick. Walker reframes AI as being in its first phase, making old processes faster rather than transforming how consumers shop or decide. For now, AI helps marketers execute the basics more efficiently while freeing them to think more deeply. He argues that the true competitive advantage lies in this thinking time, space to anticipate what’s next instead of reacting to every new tool. From pricing strategy to agile research, Walker explains how price functions as narrative, influencing perception far beyond transaction. He warns that cutting prices can cheapen brand meaning just as easily as overpricing can stretch credibility. And when it comes to storytelling, he urges leaders to focus on “one thing,” the single insight, slide, or sentence the audience will remember. Looking ahead, he predicts a return to analog. As digital saturates life, people will crave more human, tangible experiences. The future of digital, he says, “is analog.” For marketers and researchers alike, that means pairing data with empathy, structure with spontaneity, and automation with imagination.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why convenience remains the strongest driver of consumer choice
  • How to think about price as brand story, not just a transaction
  • The three phases of AI in marketing and where we are today
  • The “one thing” principle for storytelling that persuades and lasts
  • How to build agility through thinking time, not just faster tools
  • The evolving roles of data stewards and storytellers in research
  • Why the future of digital is analog and what it means for CX

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2141 Change gets the headlines. Fundamentals drive the business. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie and co-host Andrew Kawalek sit down with J. Walker Smith, Knowledge Lead for Strategy & Consulting at Kantar, to unpack what truly shapes consumer behavior. Walker explains why convenience remains the strongest driver of choice, how pricing tells a brand’s story, and why storytelling, not dashboards, still persuades. He shares his practical mantra, “one thing” for clarity in communication, a measured view on AI’s role in research, and a compelling argument for using technology to give people back their time. Change gets the headlines. Fundamentals drive the business. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie and co-host Andrew Kawalek sit down with J. Walker Smith, Knowledge Lead for Strategy & Consulting at Kantar, to unpack what truly shapes consumer behavior. Walker explains why convenience remains the strongest driver of choice, how pricing tells a brand’s story, and why storytelling, not dashboards, still persuades. He shares his practical mantra, “one thing” for clarity in communication, a measured view on AI’s role in research, and a compelling argument for using technology to give people back their time. AI in marketing, future of digital, consumer choice, structure with spontaneity, automation with imagination, researchers, marketers, analog, storytelling, analytics, automation, AI, Kantar, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Behavior Over Opinion: How to Predict Packaging Success https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m73jl8-behavior-over-opinion-how-to-predict-packaging-success Behavior Over Opinion: How to Predict Packaging Success 32 No No 70v5k7j1 Every brand has a voice but few realise their loudest one sits quietly on the shelf. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Matt Salem, SVP of Customer Success at Behaviorally and co-author of unPACKED: Predict Packaging That Sells. Matt explains how the Four-S framework: Seen, Shoppable, Seductive, Selected, helps brands design packaging that drives decisions at the shelf and online. He shares how behavioral science, real shopper observation, and AI-powered tools like Pack.AI are transforming packaging into a measurable growth engine for brands that want their design to sell. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Matt Salem, SVP of Customer Success at Behaviorally and co-author of unPACKED: Predict Packaging That Sells. Drawing on over two decades of behavioral research, Matt shares how packaging serves as a brand’s silent salesperson, shaping attention, emotion, and purchase decisions at the moment of choice. He introduces the Four-S Framework: Seen, Shoppable, Seductive, Selected, a behavioral model that helps brands design packaging that wins on the shelf and online. Matt explains how visibility captures attention, shoppability simplifies navigation, seduction communicates difference, and selection confirms success through real buying behavior. He also discusses Pack.AI, Behaviorally’s predictive engine built on decades of human shopping data, which allows brands to test and refine designs with accuracy and speed. The conversation extends into e-commerce, where mobile-ready hero images, size cues, and optimized visuals redefine what works in digital retail. Matt highlights how post-purchase moments, from ergonomics to everyday usability, reinforce brand loyalty and repeat buying. He emphasizes the need for a shared language across research, design, and marketing teams, reminding listeners that packaging sells when powered by behavioral insight and consistent measurement.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to use the Four S’s: Seen, Shoppable, Seductive, Selected, to predict packaging success
  • Why behavior-based observation is more reliable than aesthetic opinion
  • How to weight the framework differently for established brands versus challengers
  • What shifts when packaging moves online: hero images, variant clarity, and size cues
  • Why post-purchase functionality and ergonomics reinforce loyalty and habit
  • How Pack.AI and MyBehaviorally enable rapid design iteration using behavioral data
  • Why shared metrics and consistent language align global teams around packaging ROI

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2441 Every brand has a voice but few realise their loudest one sits quietly on the shelf. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Matt Salem, SVP of Customer Success at Behaviorally and co-author of unPACKED: Predict Packaging That Sells. Matt explains how the Four-S framework: Seen, Shoppable, Seductive, Selected, helps brands design packaging that drives decisions at the shelf and online. He shares how behavioral science, real shopper observation, and AI-powered tools like Pack.AI are transforming packaging into a measurable growth engine for brands that want their design to sell. Every brand has a voice but few realise their loudest one sits quietly on the shelf. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Matt Salem, SVP of Customer Success at Behaviorally and co-author of unPACKED: Predict Packaging That Sells. Matt explains how the Four-S framework: Seen, Shoppable, Seductive, Selected, helps brands design packaging that drives decisions at the shelf and online. He shares how behavioral science, real shopper observation, and AI-powered tools like Pack.AI are transforming packaging into a measurable growth engine for brands that want their design to sell. consistent measurement, behavioral insight, digital retail, human shopping data, PAC AI, Four-S Framework, Packaging That Sells, unPACKED, Behaviorally, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Greatest Hits – Why Mental Health is Every Leader’s Superpower https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8y757r8-greatest-hits-raina-rusnak Greatest Hits – Why Mental Health is Every Leader’s Superpower 31 No No l04ryr20 We’re revisiting one of the most grounded and inspiring conversations from The Curiosity Current featuring Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research. In this Greatest Hits episode, Raina shares the lessons that connect mountaineering, leadership, and mental health, from knowing when to lean on your team to the science of taking just ten minutes outdoors each day. If you’ve ever struggled to find balance in a high-pressure career, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that resilience is built, not found and that leading well begins with being human first. Leadership reveals itself when pressure rises and calm feels far away. Few voices capture that balance of strength and empathy quite like Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist.

In this Greatest Hits episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance revisits a conversation that blends science, self-awareness, and heart. Raina draws on her experience as a mountaineer and research leader to show how teamwork, communication, and reflection create both personal and professional resilience. She speaks about the “10-minute nature rule,” a simple daily ritual that sharpens focus and restores energy, and shares why leading well begins with understanding people before projects. This episode feels like a breath of fresh air for anyone navigating fast-paced, high-stakes work. It reminds us that leadership is not pushing harder but being the grounded abd human presence that guide others through the climb.

What You'll Learn:
  • How teamwork and communication create stronger outcomes in research and in life
  • The “10-Minute Nature Rule” that helps leaders reset, refocus, and recharge
  • Why empathy and flexibility are essential leadership traits in modern organizations
  • How to support team morale through simple but meaningful actions
  • The role of qualitative reflection in improving mental wellness and self-awareness
  • How to recognize burnout before it happens and set healthy boundaries

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1483 We’re revisiting one of the most grounded and inspiring conversations from The Curiosity Current featuring Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research. In this Greatest Hits episode, Raina shares the lessons that connect mountaineering, leadership, and mental health, from knowing when to lean on your team to the science of taking just ten minutes outdoors each day. If you’ve ever struggled to find balance in a high-pressure career, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that resilience is built, not found and that leading well begins with being human first. We’re revisiting one of the most grounded and inspiring conversations from The Curiosity Current featuring Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research. In this Greatest Hits episode, Raina shares the lessons that connect mountaineering, leadership, and mental health, from knowing when to lean on your team to the science of taking just ten minutes outdoors each day. If you’ve ever struggled to find balance in a high-pressure career, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that resilience is built, not found and that leading well begins with being human first. human first, improving mental wellness, support team morale, communication, teamwork, 10-minute nature rule, StarKist, Greatest Hits, The Curiosity Current No No Greatest Hits – Ethnography in Action: How Lindsey Goodman Turns Observation Into Innovation https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vn5jrr98-greatest-hits-lindsey-goodman Greatest Hits – Ethnography in Action: How Lindsey Goodman Turns Observation Into Innovation 30 No No 80q399l0 We’re bringing back one of the most insightful conversations from The Curiosity Current, featuring Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Lindsey shares how ethnography brings human truth back into research, turning observation into innovation and data into action. From trail runners who run for donuts to a framework that connects Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight, she shows how empathy and curiosity can reshape products, messaging, and the culture of research itself. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to rediscover why this episode became a listener favorite. Some conversations stay with you long after they end, and this one with Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide, is one of them.

In this Greatest Hits episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt revisit a timeless discussion about the art and impact of ethnographic research. Lindsey takes us inside the work of uncovering human truths that shape powerful brand decisions. showing how empathy, observation, and curiosity can bridge the gap between data and meaning. From trail runners who run for donuts to mobile ethnography during global disruption, Lindsey shows how simple observations can become brand-defining insights. She also explores why the 50-plus market is an overlooked growth engine for forward-thinking brands. Whether you work in research, strategy, or creative, this conversation is a masterclass in making data human and curiosity actionable.

What You'll Learn:
  • How the Hindsight–Insight–Foresight framework creates a full picture of the consumer journey
  • Why ethnography uncovers meaning beyond traditional research methods
  • The 4D process (Define, Discover, Dream, Design) for building empathy into innovation
  • How to democratize insights and involve cross-functional teams early
  • The power of mobile ethnography to track real-time lifestyle shifts
  • Why authentic stories like Converse’s “Made By You,” turn consumers into co-creators
  • How the 50-plus segment opens new possibilities for brand storytelling

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1691 We’re bringing back one of the most insightful conversations from The Curiosity Current, featuring Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Lindsey shares how ethnography brings human truth back into research, turning observation into innovation and data into action. From trail runners who run for donuts to a framework that connects Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight, she shows how empathy and curiosity can reshape products, messaging, and the culture of research itself. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to rediscover why this episode became a listener favorite. We’re bringing back one of the most insightful conversations from The Curiosity Current, featuring Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, Lindsey shares how ethnography brings human truth back into research, turning observation into innovation and data into action. From trail runners who run for donuts to a framework that connects Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight, she shows how empathy and curiosity can reshape products, messaging, and the culture of research itself. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to rediscover why this episode became a listener favorite. democratize insights, innovation, brand storytelling, 4D process, ethnographic research, ethnography, mobile ethnography, Wolverine Worldwide, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Trust, context, action: Leena Doshi on designing Surveys that drive decisions https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x812wxrn-leena-doshi-on-designing-surveys-that-drive-decisions Trust, context, action: Leena Doshi on designing Surveys that drive decisions 29 No No 713rxjz0 Insights do more than just analyse what happened; they guide what to do next. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Brianna Boyer sit down with Leena Doshi, Senior Manager of Research at Electronic Arts (EA). Leena shares how she built and scaled research functions at EA and uShip, why trust and context are the real drivers of influence, and how framing problems as a puzzle (one answer) versus a mystery (ambiguous, multi-answer) can change the way organisations use insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Brianna Boyer talk with Leena Doshi, Senior Manager of Research at Electronic Arts (EA), whose career spans EA and uShip. Leena explains how insights teams differ from analytics by creating new data to answer human questions, and why framing problems as puzzles (one solution) versus mysteries (ambiguous, multi-solution) is essential in fast-paced industries like gaming. She shares lessons from leading a 10,000-respondent global study, why trust is the real driver of influence, and how her “one new thing per quarter” rule keeps her ahead of technology shifts. Leena also highlights the role of AI in processing unstructured data, the importance of sharp survey objectives (“you can’t boil the ocean”), and why insights must evolve from reactive validation to proactive strategy guiding tomorrow’s decisions.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How to frame problems as puzzles vs. mysteries for sharper research decisions
  • Why insights teams create new data while analytics teams analyse existing data
  • How to navigate complex gaming audiences without oversimplifying differences
  • Why trust and relationships are the real currency for scalable research functions
  • How AI can handle unstructured data while humans provide context and judgment
  • Why survey design starts with razor-sharp objectives (“you can’t boil the ocean”)
  • How insights evolve from reactive reporting to proactive strategy that guides tomorrow’s decisions

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Leena Doshi on LinkedIn
  • Electronic Arts (EA) Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify               
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1960 Insights do more than just analyse what happened; they guide what to do next. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Brianna Boyer sit down with Leena Doshi, Senior Manager of Research at Electronic Arts (EA). Leena shares how she built and scaled research functions at EA and uShip, why trust and context are the real drivers of influence, and how framing problems as a puzzle (one answer) versus a mystery (ambiguous, multi-answer) can change the way organisations use insights. Insights do more than just analyse what happened; they guide what to do next. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Brianna Boyer sit down with Leena Doshi, Senior Manager of Research at Electronic Arts (EA). Leena shares how she built and scaled research functions at EA and uShip, why trust and context are the real drivers of influence, and how framing problems as a puzzle (one answer) versus a mystery (ambiguous, multi-answer) can change the way organisations use insights. Insights, scalable research functions, analytics teams, sharper research decisions, reactive validation, proactive strategy, AI, EA, Electronic Arts, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Usable vs. useful: Adam Hagerman on UX and the future of research in product development https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rn741xp8-ux-and-the-future-of-research-in-product-development-adam-hagerman Usable vs. useful: Adam Hagerman on UX and the future of research in product development 28 No No k18yr350 The role of research is shifting from reactive validation to a proactive strategy. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Elana Marmorstein sit down with Adam Hagerman, whose career spans Apple, GLG, and Indeed, to explore how research can move beyond usability into usefulness, why Jobs-to-Be-Done reframes product growth, and what the next generation of insights professionals must master to connect strategy with real user needs. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Elana Marmorstein talk with Adam Hagerman, a researcher and strategist whose career has spanned Apple, GLG, and Indeed. With a background in music, history, and public affairs, Adam brings a systems-thinking approach to research, blending qualitative depth and quantitative rigor to turn complexity into strategy. Adam explains how his career journey, from retail inefficiencies to shaping UX research functions at Indeed, revealed a truth: research is most valuable when it controls the narrative and informs what gets built, not just validates what already exists. He shares why the difference between usability and usefulness matters, how Jobs-to-Be-Done uncovers unmet needs, and why metrics like in-situ usefulness outperform NPS for guiding product teams. The discussion also explores how AI and automation can take on the dull and repetitive work, freeing researchers to focus on high-stakes, human-centered decisions. Adam emphasizes that influence in research is social as much as it is analytical; next-generation professionals must combine storytelling, contextual awareness, and foresight. His mantra is simple but powerful: when research is involved, good things happen.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How research evolves from a feedback mechanism to a strategic driver
  • The difference between usability (wants) and usefulness (needs)
  • Why Jobs-to-Be-Done reframes outcomes and reveals white space
  • How to move beyond NPS with more actionable metrics
  • The role of AI in automating dull, dirty, and repetitive tasks, and where humans must lead
  • Influence strategies: how researchers can control the narrative with stakeholders
  • Why next-gen researchers need to master systems thinking, storytelling, and foresight

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:


 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3216 The role of research is shifting from reactive validation to a proactive strategy. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Elana Marmorstein sit down with Adam Hagerman, whose career spans Apple, GLG, and Indeed, to explore how research can move beyond usability into usefulness, why Jobs-to-Be-Done reframes product growth, and what the next generation of insights professionals must master to connect strategy with real user needs. The role of research is shifting from reactive validation to a proactive strategy. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Elana Marmorstein sit down with Adam Hagerman, whose career spans Apple, GLG, and Indeed, to explore how research can move beyond usability into usefulness, why Jobs-to-Be-Done reframes product growth, and what the next generation of insights professionals must master to connect strategy with real user needs. foresight, contextual awareness, storytelling, AI and automation, Indeed, UX research, quantitative rigor, qualitative depth, research, systems-thinking approach, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Measuring the Subconscious Shopper: How Dr. Hassan Aleem Brings Behavioral Science to Grocery Decisions https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8y7z218-measuring-the-subconscious-shopper-dr-hassan-aleem Measuring the Subconscious Shopper: How Dr. Hassan Aleem Brings Behavioral Science to Grocery Decisions 27 No No l04rxql0 How do subconscious drivers shape the way we shop for groceries? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Julie Myers sit down with Dr. Hassan Aleem, Senior Consumer Insights Partner at Amazon, to explore how behavioral science and neuroscience help brands measure behavior in complex retail settings. From intercepts and shop-alongs to basket analysis and packaging cues, Hassan explains how to capture what people really do, not just what they say. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Julie Myers talk with Dr. Hassan Aleem, Senior Consumer Insights Partner at Amazon, about how behavioral science can decode the messy world of grocery shopping. Drawing on his academic background in neuroaesthetics at Georgetown University and applied work in UX research and consulting, Hassan explains why grocery retail poses unique challenges for measurement and how researchers can combine methods like basket analysis, receipt-linked surveys, shop-alongs, and intercepts to capture subconscious drivers of behavior. He shares how the choice, preference loop shows that even one small decision can reshape future liking, why negative experiences can eliminate entire categories from consideration, and how an aesthetic mindset, shaped by abstract art or packaging design, can influence perceptions of quality and even alter taste. The discussion also explores the limits of translating in-store insights into online grocery, why experience design matters for reducing decision fatigue and building loyalty, and how longitudinal methods like diary studies can reveal the before-and-after context of consumer choices. It’s both a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s largest retailers applies behavioral science in a physical space and a practical guide for turning consumer psychology into strategies that improve loyalty, differentiate experiences, and connect directly to business outcomes.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why A/B testing breaks down in physical grocery settings
  • How to combine surveys, POS data, intercepts, and ethnography for richer insight
  • The choice, preference loop: how one purchase reshapes future attention and liking
  • Why negative experiences can erase entire categories from consumer consideration
  • How packaging design and abstract art prime perceptions of quality, price, and taste
  • The pitfalls of assuming in-store insights translate directly to online grocery
  • How to design in-store experiences that reduce fatigue and delight families
  • Why longitudinal studies and contextual elicitation are the future of retail research
  • Career advice for new insights professionals: curiosity > credentials

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2273 How do subconscious drivers shape the way we shop for groceries? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Julie Myers sit down with Dr. Hassan Aleem, Senior Consumer Insights Partner at Amazon, to explore how behavioral science and neuroscience help brands measure behavior in complex retail settings. From intercepts and shop-alongs to basket analysis and packaging cues, Hassan explains how to capture what people really do, not just what they say. How do subconscious drivers shape the way we shop for groceries? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Julie Myers sit down with Dr. Hassan Aleem, Senior Consumer Insights Partner at Amazon, to explore how behavioral science and neuroscience help brands measure behavior in complex retail settings. From intercepts and shop-alongs to basket analysis and packaging cues, Hassan explains how to capture what people really do, not just what they say. retail research, consumer choices, diary studies, online grocery, in-store insights, consulting, UX research, grocery shopping, Amazon, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The Gig Economy, Affluent Consumers, and What They Mean for Brands https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnll9x0n-the-gig-economy-affluent-consumers-and-what-they-mean-for-brands The Gig Economy, Affluent Consumers, and What They Mean for Brands 26 No No x0l6vnq0 Consumer behavior is being reshaped by agentic AI, shifting economic realities, and the rise of non-traditional workforces. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Glenn Fleischman, sit down with Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa, to explore how AI, affluent consumers, and the gig economy are influencing payment trends and brand strategy, his career journey, his approach to blending transactional and behavioral data, and what leaders can do to turn insights teams into strategic partners. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Glenn Fleischman talk with Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa, about how AI, affluent consumers, and the gig economy are reshaping payment trends and brand strategy. Drawing on his career spanning roles at Danaher, IRI, and Charles Schwab, Michael explains how curiosity guided his path into insights and why blending transactional and behavioral data is essential for building a true 360° view of the consumer. He shares perspectives on affluent households sustaining spend, the diverse motivations of gig workers, and the growing need for brands to address long-term consumer anxieties around trust, security, and opportunity. The discussion also explores how agentic AI enables real-time insights and hyper-personalization, why synthetic data must prove its reliability, and what leaders can do to position insights teams as strategic partners rather than order takers. Michael underscores the value of mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and intellectual curiosity as the foundation for driving foresight and growth.

What You’ll Learn

  • How agentic AI transforms research with real-time, unbiased personalization
  • Why affluent consumers sustain spending while others contract, and how brands should respond
  • The hidden structure of the gig economy (direct freelancers, platform workers, fractional executives)
  • How to build a 360° consumer view by combining transactional and traditional research
  • What brands can do to address long-term consumer anxieties around trust, housing, and education?n
  • How insights leaders can foster teams that are internal strategy consultants rather than order-takers
  • Why synthetic data adoption depends on transparency and proof, not just hype
  • The career value of curiosity and mentorship in building resilience and foresight

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3326 Consumer behavior is being reshaped by agentic AI, shifting economic realities, and the rise of non-traditional workforces. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Glenn Fleischman, sit down with Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa, to explore how AI, affluent consumers, and the gig economy are influencing payment trends and brand strategy, his career journey, his approach to blending transactional and behavioral data, and what leaders can do to turn insights teams into strategic partners. Consumer behavior is being reshaped by agentic AI, shifting economic realities, and the rise of non-traditional workforces. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Glenn Fleischman, sit down with Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa, to explore how AI, affluent consumers, and the gig economy are influencing payment trends and brand strategy, his career journey, his approach to blending transactional and behavioral data, and what leaders can do to turn insights teams into strategic partners. agentic AI, intellectual curiosity, cross-functional collaboration, value of mentorship, synthetic data, opportunity, security, consumer anxieties, curiosity, brand strategy, gig economy, affluent consumers, AI, Visa, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Teaching the Human in the Loop: Why AI Can’t Replace Curiosity and Storytelling https://podcasts.fame.so/e/lnqw9r4n-teaching-the-human-in-the-loop-marcus-cunha Teaching the Human in the Loop: Why AI Can’t Replace Curiosity and Storytelling 25 No No 81nvljx1 How do you prepare researchers not just to analyze data but to shape strategy and deliver ROI? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Tiffany sit down with Marcus Cunha Jr., Professor of Marketing at the University of Georgia and Director of the MMR Program, to explore how graduate education is evolving in an era of AI, automation, and rapidly shifting consumer behavior. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Tiffany talk with Marcus Cunha Jr., Robert O. Arnold Professor of Marketing and Director of the Master of Marketing Research program at the University of Georgia, about preparing the next generation of insights leaders. Drawing on real-world projects with companies like UPS and Coca-Cola, Marcus explains how the program blends academic rigor with practical experience to ensure students learn to connect insights to ROI and business impact. He shares how AI and automation are reshaping skill requirements, why curiosity, adaptability, and storytelling remain irreplaceable, and how alumni continue to rise into leadership roles across the industry. The discussion also touches on his research into how popularity shapes perceptions of expertise and how color saturation influences consumer judgments of product potency. It’s both a window into how one of the most respected programs in the field is evolving and a practical guide for turning research into a driver of strategy rather than just a source of data.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How UGA’s MMR program blends academic rigor with industry-ready skills
  • Why research without influence is just a cost, and how to tie insights to ROI
  • Real examples of student projects adopted by UPS and Coca-Cola
  • How AI changes skill requirements, but why curiosity, empathy, and storytelling matter more than ever
  • The career trade-offs between supplier and client roles for emerging researchers
  • Why are persuasive delivery and presentation skills as vital as analytics
  • How Marcus’s research connects popularity with perceived expertise and color with perceived potency

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2137 How do you prepare researchers not just to analyze data but to shape strategy and deliver ROI? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Tiffany sit down with Marcus Cunha Jr., Professor of Marketing at the University of Georgia and Director of the MMR Program, to explore how graduate education is evolving in an era of AI, automation, and rapidly shifting consumer behavior. How do you prepare researchers not just to analyze data but to shape strategy and deliver ROI? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Tiffany sit down with Marcus Cunha Jr., Professor of Marketing at the University of Georgia and Director of the MMR Program, to explore how graduate education is evolving in an era of AI, automation, and rapidly shifting consumer behavior. tie insights to ROI, industry-ready skills, academic rigor, MMR program, driver of strategy, adaptability, curiosity, storytelling, AI and automation, business impact, connect insights to ROI, University of Georgia, The Curiosity Current, aytm, AYTM No No Scaling Consumer Insights: Design Thinking, Empathy, Tech & Analytics in Action https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x812lqvn-scaling-consumer-insights-lev-mazin Scaling Consumer Insights: Design Thinking, Empathy, Tech & Analytics in Action 24 No No 713rv640 The future of consumer insights hinges on striking a balance between innovation and respect for the individuals behind the data. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie sits down with Lev Mazin, CEO and Co-Founder of aytm, to explore how design thinking, integrated panels, automated analytics, and a respondent-first philosophy are reshaping research and preparing the industry for an AI-driven future. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie talks with Lev Mazin, CEO and Co-Founder of aytm, about reimagining how consumer insights are generated and used. Beginning with aytm’s origins under the lean startup movement, Lev explains how design thinking shaped the platform’s evolution from a scrappy prototype to a trusted global solution. He outlines how integrated panels solved the disconnect between survey tools and respondents, and how automation, such as advanced analytics like perceptual, mapping, and MaxDif, made once-exclusive methods accessible to a wider audience. The conversation also highlights aytm’s respondent-first philosophy through PaidViewpoint, where incentives, fairness, and respect became the foundation for data quality. Lev explores the rise of synthetic data, the challenge of distinguishing signal from noise, and why dormant corporate data represents the next frontier for insights. Grounded in curiosity, adaptability, and respect for people, the discussion offers a forward-looking view of how technology and human-centered design will shape the future of research.

What You’ll Learn

  • How aytm evolved from a design studio project into a global insights platform

  • Why integrating panels and automating analytics reshaped accessibility in research.

  • How design thinking informs product development for both experts and non-researchers

  • Why treating respondents as partners, not commodities, is key to data quality

  • How aytm’s PayViewpoint redefined respondent incentives and trust

  • The role of synthetic data and AI in the future of consumer insights

  • Why dormant corporate data may be the biggest untapped opportunity in the next decade

  • Practical advice for new researchers entering a rapidly evolving field

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
  • Lev Mazin on LinkedIn
  • aytm (Ask Your Target Market) Website
  • PaidViewpoint Website
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3329 The future of consumer insights hinges on striking a balance between innovation and respect for the individuals behind the data. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie sits down with Lev Mazin, CEO and Co-Founder of aytm, to explore how design thinking, integrated panels, automated analytics, and a respondent-first philosophy are reshaping research and preparing the industry for an AI-driven future. The future of consumer insights hinges on striking a balance between innovation and respect for the individuals behind the data. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie sits down with Lev Mazin, CEO and Co-Founder of aytm, to explore how design thinking, integrated panels, automated analytics, and a respondent-first philosophy are reshaping research and preparing the industry for an AI-driven future. AI, synthetic data, consumer insights, data quality, global insights platform, future of research, human-centered design, respect for people, adaptability, curiosity, distinguishing signal from noise, synthetic data, trusted global solution, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Best Bits: 10 Hot Takes on Leadership, Storytelling & Human Connection https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8121zjn-10-hot-takes-on-leadership-storytelling-human-connection Best Bits: 10 Hot Takes on Leadership, Storytelling & Human Connection 23 No No 713rw530 The boldest insights often come when people are willing to say what others won’t. In this Best Bits episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie share 10 unforgettable hot takes from past guests, from calling out the myth of the all-knowing CEO, to predicting the comeback of paper surveys, to reframing “sports hate” as a surprising form of connection. These best bits challenge how we think about leadership, research, and the ways people truly connect. In this Best Bits episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie bring together 10 of the boldest hot takes from past conversations with researchers, strategists, and leaders who aren’t afraid to challenge convention. Each guest answers one provocative question:

“What’s the boldest hot take you have about leadership, research, or human connection?”

Rand Fishkin pulls no punches in exposing the myth of the all-knowing CEO and opens up about the tension between money, ego, and staying grounded. Leyla Doany explains why storytelling, not statistics, is what breaks through executive overload, while Ashley Hopkins draws creative parallels between shoes and mattresses to unlock new ways of thinking about user experience.

Jeff Dahms argues that paper surveys are making a comeback as digital channels erode trust, and Roddy Knowles highlights how poor study design can drive participants away before insights are even collected. Raina Rusnak underscores the role of empathy in building loyalty and trust within teams, while Louisea Hudson champions researchers as the true voice of the customer. Subhasish Nanda reframes telecom as a relationship business, not just a commodity, and Dave Ritter cautions that AI is only as valuable as the humans who validate and guide it. Finally, Ben Valenta turns “sports hate” on its head, showing how rivalries actually foster deeper community and connection.

This episode is a curated collection of the sharpest, funniest, and most thought-provoking moments from The Curiosity Current, a practical guide to rethinking leadership, research, and the human connections that shape them.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why Rand Fishkin believes CEOs are “just pretending”  and why wealth doesn’t have to turn you into a “turd burger.”
  • How storytelling creates emotional resonance in overloaded executive environments.
  • Why paper surveys may feel safer and more reliable in today’s trust-challenged world.
  • What shoes and mattresses reveal about parallels in user experience research.
  • How to protect participants from burnout and keep them coming back.
  • Why empathy and genuine support are the foundation of strong leadership.
  • How researchers can be more than data keepers, becoming the true voice of the customer.
  • Why telecom is about relationships, not just devices.
  • The limits of AI in insights and why human validation still matters.
  • How “sports hate” can create deeper bonds between communities of fans.

If you enjoyed this Best Bits episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 829 The boldest insights often come when people are willing to say what others won’t. In this Best Bits episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie share 10 unforgettable hot takes from past guests, from calling out the myth of the all-knowing CEO, to predicting the comeback of paper surveys, to reframing “sports hate” as a surprising form of connection. These best bits challenge how we think about leadership, research, and the ways people truly connect. The boldest insights often come when people are willing to say what others won’t. In this Best Bits episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie share 10 unforgettable hot takes from past guests, from calling out the myth of the all-knowing CEO, to predicting the comeback of paper surveys, to reframing “sports hate” as a surprising form of connection. These best bits challenge how we think about leadership, research, and the ways people truly connect. user experience, human connections, leadership, research, thought-provoking moments, hot takes, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The Socratic Method and Consumer Understanding: Asking Better Questions with Sarah Montgomery https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x8y717l8-the-socratic-method-and-consumer-understanding-sarah-montgomery The Socratic Method and Consumer Understanding: Asking Better Questions with Sarah Montgomery 22 No No l04rlrw0 The most valuable consumer insights often emerge when we’re willing to challenge our own assumptions and those of others. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Victoria sit down with Sarah Montgomery, Director of Human Insights at The Coca-Cola Company, to explore how the Socratic method can help researchers question ingrained beliefs, push beyond confirmation bias, and uncover the deeper truths that move businesses forward. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Victoria talk with Sarah Montgomery, Director of Human Insights at The Coca-Cola Company, about using the Socratic method to uncover deeper truths in research. Drawing on her work with brands like Vitaminwater, Smartwater, Dasani, Simply, and Honest Kids, Sarah explains how disciplined questioning helps challenge assumptions, avoid confirmation bias, and bridge the gap between corporate jargon and consumer reality. She shares techniques for addressing uncomfortable insights without damaging trust, and why intellectual courage is essential for moving past consensus-driven decision-making. The discussion also explores how to balance speed and rigor in an AI-driven research environment while maintaining focus on what truly matters. Sarah underscores the importance of broad curiosity beyond data and into culture, as a tool for better understanding human behavior. It’s a practical guide for turning research into a strategic driver rather than just a source of answers.

What You’ll Learn:
  • What the Socratic method is and how it sharpens critical thinking in market research
  • How disciplined questioning helps researchers avoid confirmation bias and surface deeper insights
  • Why intellectual courage is essential for delivering inconvenient truths that challenge the status quo
  • How to reintroduce “the vernacular of real people” into research and brand decisions
  • Ways to deliver difficult findings constructively, preserving collaboration with creative and brand teams
  • The risk of mistaking speed for meaning in agile, AI-enabled research environments
  • Why cultivating broad curiosity, in art, literature, history, and beyond, makes you a better researcher
  • How to build stakeholder relationships that move you from “order taker” to trusted thought partner

Episode Resources:
  • Sarah Montgomery on LinkedIn
  • The Coca-Cola Company Website
  • Victoria Waldman on LinkedIn
  • Stephanie Vance on LinkedIn
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify
  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2859 The most valuable consumer insights often emerge when we’re willing to challenge our own assumptions and those of others. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Victoria sit down with Sarah Montgomery, Director of Human Insights at The Coca-Cola Company, to explore how the Socratic method can help researchers question ingrained beliefs, push beyond confirmation bias, and uncover the deeper truths that move businesses forward. The most valuable consumer insights often emerge when we’re willing to challenge our own assumptions and those of others. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Victoria sit down with Sarah Montgomery, Director of Human Insights at The Coca-Cola Company, to explore how the Socratic method can help researchers question ingrained beliefs, push beyond confirmation bias, and uncover the deeper truths that move businesses forward. the vernacular of real people, Socratic method, AI-driven research environment, consensus-driven decision-making, intellectual courage, The Coca-Cola Company, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The altitude of leadership: Building unshakable teams in high-pressure industries with Raina Rusnak https://podcasts.fame.so/e/182r17r8-the-altitude-of-leadership-raina-rusnak The altitude of leadership: Building unshakable teams in high-pressure industries with Raina Rusnak 21 No No 2099pn90 In this insightful episode, a seasoned market research expert shares valuable perspectives on maintaining mental health in high-pressure research environments while leveraging qualitative techniques to drive meaningful insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research, about balancing professional excellence with personal wellbeing, the evolution of consumer insights, and using research methodologies to support mental health initiatives. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie sits down with Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research, to explore the intersection of mental health and market research. From leveraging qualitative techniques to foster workplace resilience to transforming unemployment into opportunities for growth, Raina shares insights from her book "Sampling Life" and her experience as both a researcher and mountaineer. Whether you're navigating career transitions or leading insights teams, this conversation offers practical strategies for maintaining mental wellness in high-pressure environments while delivering impactful research. Tune in to discover how combining empathetic leadership with methodological rigor can create stronger teams and better insights.

What You’ll Learn:
  • How mountaineering principles translate to professional success through teamwork, communication, and resilience
  • The power of sensory research in product development and how to integrate consumer feedback into flavor creation
  • Why qualitative research remains crucial for understanding deeper emotional connections between consumers and brands
  • How to transform unemployment periods into opportunities for personal growth and community impact
  • The "10-minute nature rule" for maintaining mental health in high-pressure work environments
  • Why leading with empathy and flexibility creates stronger, more productive research teams
  • How AI and automation can enhance qualitative research while maintaining the human element
  • The evolution of consumer insights from traditional methods to real-time feedback loops

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 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2179 In this insightful episode, a seasoned market research expert shares valuable perspectives on maintaining mental health in high-pressure research environments while leveraging qualitative techniques to drive meaningful insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research, about balancing professional excellence with personal wellbeing, the evolution of consumer insights, and using research methodologies to support mental health initiatives. In this insightful episode, a seasoned market research expert shares valuable perspectives on maintaining mental health in high-pressure research environments while leveraging qualitative techniques to drive meaningful insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Raina Rusnak, Head of Market Research and Business Intelligence at StarKist and CEO of 750 Research, about balancing professional excellence with personal wellbeing, the evolution of consumer insights, and using research methodologies to support mental health initiatives. automation, AI, consumer insights, 10-minute nature rule, empathetic leadership, Sampling Life, market research, mental health, 750 Research, StarKist, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The Emotion Metric: Ben Valenta on Measuring Connection in Sports and Culture https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m703y8-the-emotion-metric-ben-valenta The Emotion Metric: Ben Valenta on Measuring Connection in Sports and Culture 20 No No 70v5nk41 Sports fandom is fundamentally about community building and social connections, serving as a powerful indicator of broader social engagement and consumer behavior. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Ben Valenta, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Fox Sports and co-author of "Fans Have More Friends," to explore how sports fandom creates meaningful social bonds and what this means for businesses and brands. In this fascinating episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt explore the powerful social dynamics of sports fandom with Ben Valenta, SVP of Strategy at Fox Sports and co-author of "Fans Have More Friends." Discover why fandom is about more than just watching games, how sports create lasting social bonds, and why engaged sports fans are consistently the most active consumers across all media. Whether you're a marketer seeking to understand consumer behavior or curious about the science behind fan communities, this conversation reveals how sports fandom signals deeper social engagement and delivers surprising insights about human connection. Learn why the biggest sports fans aren't just passionate about games - they're more engaged in every aspect of society.

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why sports fandom is primarily driven by community connection rather than entertainment value
  • How the "Fan Flywheel" principle explains the development of sustained fandom through repeated social interactions
  • The surprising truth about sports rivalries and why they're less important than commonly believed
  • Why viewing sports as "escapism" misframes consumer motivation and leads to incorrect business strategies
  • How to leverage sports fandom as a powerful signal of broader consumer engagement and brand affinity
  • Why sports fans are consistently the most engaged consumers across all media categories and product types
  • The critical role of long-term thinking in cultivating fan communities and creating meaningful engagement
  • How brands can better facilitate social connections rather than just focusing on content delivery

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

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 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2445 Sports fandom is fundamentally about community building and social connections, serving as a powerful indicator of broader social engagement and consumer behavior. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Ben Valenta, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Fox Sports and co-author of "Fans Have More Friends," to explore how sports fandom creates meaningful social bonds and what this means for businesses and brands. Sports fandom is fundamentally about community building and social connections, serving as a powerful indicator of broader social engagement and consumer behavior. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Ben Valenta, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Fox Sports and co-author of "Fans Have More Friends," to explore how sports fandom creates meaningful social bonds and what this means for businesses and brands. cultivating fan communities, brand affinity, consumer engagement, Fan Flywheel, sports fandom, sports fans, Fans Have More Friends, Fox Sports, AYTM, The Curiosity Current No No Zero-Click Marketing: The Hidden Strategy Behind Platform Algorithm Changes with Rand Fishkin https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jywjln-zero-click-marketing-the-hidden-strategy-rand-fishkin Zero-Click Marketing: The Hidden Strategy Behind Platform Algorithm Changes with Rand Fishkin 19 No No 41pqlnr0 Serial entrepreneur Rand Fishkin shares candid insights on ethical business building, the future of audience research, and the reality behind AI hype. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Rand Fishkin, CEO of SparkToro and former CEO of Moz, to explore his journey from SEO pioneer to audience research innovator, while discussing the challenges of ethical entrepreneurship and the responsible use of emerging technologies. In this candid conversation, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Rand Fishkin, CEO of SparkToro and former CEO of Moz, to explore the evolving landscape of audience research and ethical AI implementation. From challenging traditional venture capital models to building "chill work" companies, Rand shares invaluable insights on creating sustainable businesses without sacrificing personal values. Whether you're a marketer seeking better audience understanding, an entrepreneur navigating the startup world, or simply curious about the future of consumer insights, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on doing business differently in today's tech-driven world.

  • Key topics include reimagining audience research, ethical AI adoption, and building sustainable tech companies
  • Learn about SparkToro's innovative approach to understanding target audiences
  • Discover why traditional survey methods may be misleading and how to gather more accurate consumer insights
  • Understand the real impact of AI on marketing and business strategy

What You’ll Learn:
  • How to build a "chill work" company culture that prioritizes work-life balance while maintaining profitability
  • Why traditional post-purchase surveys often mislead marketers and how to gather more accurate customer insights
  • The truth about AI's capabilities and limitations in business applications
  • How to approach audience research with a problem-first mindset rather than a data-first approach
  • Why zero-click marketing is becoming increasingly important as platforms reduce outbound traffic
  • The "Statistical Truth" principle for balancing vocal minority feedback with broader market data
  • How to maintain ethical business practices while navigating venture capital and emerging technologies
  • Why visual presentation of data has become crucial for marketing professionals pitching to leadership

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2709 Serial entrepreneur Rand Fishkin shares candid insights on ethical business building, the future of audience research, and the reality behind AI hype. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Rand Fishkin, CEO of SparkToro and former CEO of Moz, to explore his journey from SEO pioneer to audience research innovator, while discussing the challenges of ethical entrepreneurship and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Serial entrepreneur Rand Fishkin shares candid insights on ethical business building, the future of audience research, and the reality behind AI hype. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Rand Fishkin, CEO of SparkToro and former CEO of Moz, to explore his journey from SEO pioneer to audience research innovator, while discussing the challenges of ethical entrepreneurship and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Statistical Truth, market data, zero-click marketing, AI, marketing, business strategy, tech-driven world, consumer insights, chill work, venture capital models, audience research, ethical AI implementation, Moz, AYTM, SparkToro No No From Classroom to Boardroom: Don DeVeaux on Training the Next Gen of Researchers https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286qy6mn-from-classroom-to-boardroom-don-deveaux From Classroom to Boardroom: Don DeVeaux on Training the Next Gen of Researchers 18 No No j12rw971 The Future of Market Research Education: Balancing Technology with Human Skills. In this episode of the Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Don DeVeaux, Professor at Michigan State University's Masters of Science in Marketing Research program, about shaping the next generation of insights professionals. Drawing from his 17+ years each at General Motors and GfK, Don shares valuable perspectives on how academic institutions and industry can better prepare researchers for success. Join hosts Matt and Stephanie as they sit down with Don DeVeaux, Professor of Practice at Michigan State University's MSMR program, to explore the evolving landscape of market research education and talent development. With over three decades of experience spanning General Motors, GfK, and academia, Don shares invaluable insights on preparing the next generation of researchers, navigating the AI revolution, and the enduring importance of human skills in insights work. Whether you're a seasoned researcher, hiring manager, or considering a career in insights, this episode offers a fascinating look at how academic institutions and industry partners are collaborating to shape tomorrow's research leaders.

  • From classroom to boardroom: Bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application
  • Critical soft skills that set successful researchers apart
  • How AI is transforming research education while core fundamentals remain unchanged
  • The expanding career opportunities for insights professionals beyond traditional research roles

What You’ll Learn:

- Why fundamental research skills remain critical even as technology evolves
- How to build effective mentorship relationships in modern research careers
- The essential soft skills new researchers need to develop, from communication to critical thinking
- Why the first 2-3 years are transformative for young researchers' confidence and capabilities
- How AI should be integrated into research education as a tool, not a replacement
- Why an MSMR degree creates versatile career paths beyond traditional research roles
- The importance of balancing technical skills with real-world application in research education
- How academic-industry partnerships strengthen the talent pipeline through hands-on experience
- Why teaching problem-solving and client communication remains as crucial as technical skills
- The value of structured support systems for remote and in-person research professionals

Episode Resources:


 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3118 The Future of Market Research Education: Balancing Technology with Human Skills. In this episode of the Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Don DeVeaux, Professor at Michigan State University's Masters of Science in Marketing Research program, about shaping the next generation of insights professionals. Drawing from his 17+ years each at General Motors and GfK, Don shares valuable perspectives on how academic institutions and industry can better prepare researchers for success. The Future of Market Research Education: Balancing Technology with Human Skills. In this episode of the Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Don DeVeaux, Professor at Michigan State University's Masters of Science in Marketing Research program, about shaping the next generation of insights professionals. Drawing from his 17+ years each at General Motors and GfK, Don shares valuable perspectives on how academic institutions and industry can better prepare researchers for success. client communication, structured support systems, insights professionals, successful researchers, AI revolution, talent development, market research education, Michigan State University, the Curiosity Current, AYTM No No From Data to Loyalty: How Verizon Uses Insights to Retain Customers with Subhasish Nanda https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v85jzmxn-from-data-to-loyalty-subhasish-nanda From Data to Loyalty: How Verizon Uses Insights to Retain Customers with Subhasish Nanda 17 No No 81q3kz61 How Data Science is Revolutionizing Customer Retention: Moving from Reactive Analytics to Predictive Strategy In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Subhasish Nanda, Director of Customer Insights and Analytics at Verizon, exploring how data science and customer analytics have evolved to drive retention strategies and shape customer experiences in the telecommunications industry. In this insightful episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie sits down with Subhasish Nanda, Director of Customer Insights and Analytics at Verizon, to explore the evolving landscape of data-driven customer retention. Discover how AI and analytics are revolutionizing customer experience, why traditional loyalty programs are being reimagined, and what really drives customer decisions beyond price. Whether you're a business leader, analytics professional, or curious about the future of customer engagement, this conversation offers valuable insights into how major telecom companies are leveraging data to build stronger customer relationships. Tune in to learn why understanding your product and customers remains paramount even in an AI-driven world.

  • Key customer retention insights from Verizon's data analytics leader
  • Evolution from data-supported to data-driven decision making
  • Why customer experience trumps price in retention strategy
  • Future of AI-powered personalization in customer loyalty
  • Essential career advice for aspiring analytics professionals

What You’ll Learn:
  • Why data science has evolved from a support function to the primary driver of marketing strategy
  • How AI tools are transforming anomaly detection and freeing analysts to focus on strategic interpretation
  • The truth behind price sensitivity myths and why customer experience matters more than discounts
  • Why three-year device commitments are replacing two-year cycles and how this reflects changing consumer behavior
  • How to approach retention strategies for specialized markets like public safety, where network reliability trumps price
  • The delicate balance between personalization and privacy in AI-driven customer engagement
  • Why understanding core business operations and customer behavior is more crucial than technical expertise alone
  • How to leverage behavioral triggers and customer signals to predict and prevent churn without appearing intrusive

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2034 How Data Science is Revolutionizing Customer Retention: Moving from Reactive Analytics to Predictive Strategy In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Subhasish Nanda, Director of Customer Insights and Analytics at Verizon, exploring how data science and customer analytics have evolved to drive retention strategies and shape customer experiences in the telecommunications industry. How Data Science is Revolutionizing Customer Retention: Moving from Reactive Analytics to Predictive Strategy In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie speaks with Subhasish Nanda, Director of Customer Insights and Analytics at Verizon, exploring how data science and customer analytics have evolved to drive retention strategies and shape customer experiences in the telecommunications industry. AI-driven world, stronger customer relationships, leveraging data, future of customer engagement, customer experience, AI and analytics, data-driven customer retention, Verizon, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Anticipating the Future: Dave Ritter on AI, Analytics, and Retail Insights at Walmart https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r874z07n-anticipating-the-future-dave-ritter Anticipating the Future: Dave Ritter on AI, Analytics, and Retail Insights at Walmart 16 No No k08yvzl1 AI is reshaping how businesses gather, analyze, and democratize consumer insights, while maintaining the critical role of human expertise and intervention. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Dave Ritter, Director of Insights and Consulting at Walmart, exploring how AI is transforming market research, consumer segmentation, and customer insights while discussing the balance between technological advancement and human intuition. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt explore the evolving landscape of consumer insights with Dave Ritter, Director of Insights and Consulting at Walmart. From revolutionizing primary research with AI to democratizing customer insights across organizations, Dave shares practical perspectives on balancing traditional methods with emerging technologies. Whether you're navigating the qual-quant divide, exploring AI's role in segmentation, or seeking to optimize customer experience, this conversation offers fresh frameworks for leveraging AI while maintaining human expertise. Tune in to discover why AI might be "the new calculator" and how researchers can embrace its potential while knowing when human intervention matters most.

  • Deep dive into AI's impact on market research and consumer insights
  • Framework for balancing AI automation with human expertise
  • Fresh perspectives on democratizing insights across organizations
  • Practical approaches to qual/quant integration using AI
  • Strategic view on the future of consumer behavior prediction

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to effectively integrate AI into market research through a test-and-learn approach, from survey writing to automated reporting
  • The "No/Moderate/Full Intervention Framework" for determining when and how to deploy AI in research
  • Why qualitative research at scale is becoming more powerful through AI-enabled video and audio analysis
  • How AI is evolving consumer segmentation from broad clusters to hyper-personalization
  • The critical role of human expertise in validating AI insights and navigating disruptive market changes
  • Why researchers should embrace AI as a "calculator for insights" while maintaining fundamental research principles
  • How to leverage AI for faster threat and opportunity detection in brand management and crisis response
  • The importance of validating AI findings against traditional research methods before implementation

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1564 AI is reshaping how businesses gather, analyze, and democratize consumer insights, while maintaining the critical role of human expertise and intervention. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Dave Ritter, Director of Insights and Consulting at Walmart, exploring how AI is transforming market research, consumer segmentation, and customer insights while discussing the balance between technological advancement and human intuition. AI is reshaping how businesses gather, analyze, and democratize consumer insights, while maintaining the critical role of human expertise and intervention. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Dave Ritter, Director of Insights and Consulting at Walmart, exploring how AI is transforming market research, consumer segmentation, and customer insights while discussing the balance between technological advancement and human intuition. survey writing, automated reporting, leverage AI, AI automation, market research, human intervention, the new calculator, AI's role in segmentation, qual-quant divide, customer insights, AI, Walmart, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The art and science of innovation: Why mixed methods drive better results https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n9mq3vn-the-art-and-science-of-innovation-louisea-hudson The art and science of innovation: Why mixed methods drive better results 15 No No v07r7251 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie speak with Louisea Hudson, Principal Customer Researcher at Amazon, about leveraging diverse thinking styles in research, the power of mixed methodologies, and how neurodivergence can enhance innovation and customer understanding. In this illuminating episode of the Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Louisea Hudson, Principal Customer Researcher at Amazon, to explore the powerful intersection of neurodivergent thinking and market research. Discover how mixed-method approaches, diverse perspectives, and inclusive research practices can transform the insights industry. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting your career, learn why embracing different cognitive styles is a superpower in research, how to effectively combine qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and why making research more accessible benefits everyone. Plus, get practical advice on leveraging AI as a research companion while maintaining the human element in customer insights.

  • Neurodivergent perspectives as an asset in research
  • Mixed-method research approaches and their impact
  • Making research more inclusive and accessible
  • Practical applications of AI in insights
  • Career advice for researchers who think differently

What You’ll Learn:
- How neurodivergent thinking styles can become superpowers in research, particularly in spotting unobvious connections and innovative solutions
- The essential balance between scientific rigor and creative exploration in mixed-method research
- Why fluid research processes are crucial for accommodating diverse thinking styles and achieving better insights
- How to make research more inclusive and accessible for both researchers and participants
- The value of storytelling in translating data into meaningful insights that resonate with stakeholders
- Why diverse teams (in thinking styles, backgrounds, and experience levels) create stronger research outcomes
- How to effectively use AI as a companion tool in research while maintaining human oversight
- The importance of adapting research methodologies to match participant communication styles and preferences

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1932 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie speak with Louisea Hudson, Principal Customer Researcher at Amazon, about leveraging diverse thinking styles in research, the power of mixed methodologies, and how neurodivergence can enhance innovation and customer understanding. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie speak with Louisea Hudson, Principal Customer Researcher at Amazon, about leveraging diverse thinking styles in research, the power of mixed methodologies, and how neurodivergence can enhance innovation and customer understanding. Practical applications of AI, customer insights, leveraging AI, quantitative, qualitative, different cognitive styles, inclusive research practices, diverse perspectives, mixed-method approaches, market research, neurodivergent thinking, Amazon, Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Beyond Demographics: Redefining Flavor Segmentation with Kim Duncan https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkl7wz8-redefining-flavor-segmentation-with-kim-duncan Beyond Demographics: Redefining Flavor Segmentation with Kim Duncan 14 No No 70wj6421 A groundbreaking segmentation framework reveals how behavioral and emotional dimensions shape flavor preferences, going far beyond traditional demographic-based consumer insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie speak with Kim Duncan, Head of Consumer Insights at Givaudan, about FlavorFinders—a revolutionary segmentation framework that examines how consumers approach and adopt new flavors across the food and beverage landscape. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Kim Duncan, Head of Consumer Insights at Givaudan, to explore FlavorFinders—a groundbreaking segmentation framework that's redefining how brands understand and innovate around flavor preferences. From challenging traditional demographic-based approaches to revealing surprising insights about risk tolerance and flavor adoption, this conversation unpacks how behavioral and emotional dimensions shape consumer taste. Whether you're a researcher looking to enhance your segmentation strategies or a brand innovator seeking fresh perspectives on product development, discover how FlavorFinders' decade of behavioral research is helping create more targeted, successful flavor innovations in today's fast-moving food and beverage market.

What You'll Learn:
  • How FlavorFinders evolved from a decade of research to challenge traditional demographic-based segmentation
  • Why behavioral and emotional dimensions are better predictors of flavor preferences than demographics
  • The four key consumer segments that define flavor adoption, from trailblazers to hesitators
  • How to align product innovation and marketing strategies with different risk tolerance levels across segments
  • Why understanding "adventure" and "risk" means different things to different consumer segments
  • How complementary segmentation frameworks can enhance existing customer insights
  • The role of AI and predictive analytics in accelerating product development cycles
  • Why successful flavor innovation requires targeting the right segment rather than trying to appeal to everyone

Episode Resources
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2701 A groundbreaking segmentation framework reveals how behavioral and emotional dimensions shape flavor preferences, going far beyond traditional demographic-based consumer insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie speak with Kim Duncan, Head of Consumer Insights at Givaudan, about FlavorFinders—a revolutionary segmentation framework that examines how consumers approach and adopt new flavors across the food and beverage landscape. A groundbreaking segmentation framework reveals how behavioral and emotional dimensions shape flavor preferences, going far beyond traditional demographic-based consumer insights. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie speak with Kim Duncan, Head of Consumer Insights at Givaudan, about FlavorFinders—a revolutionary segmentation framework that examines how consumers approach and adopt new flavors across the food and beverage landscape. marketing strategies, product innovation, food and beverage market, successful flavor innovations, behavioral research, shape consumer taste, flavor adoption, flavor preferences, FlavorFinders, Givaudan, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Ethnography in Action: How Lindsey Goodman Turns Observation Into Innovation https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8ll4r48-ethnography-in-action-lindsey Ethnography in Action: How Lindsey Goodman Turns Observation Into Innovation 13 No No x1l6ywy1 Ethnographic research emerges as a powerful tool for uncovering deep consumer insights, revealing the human stories and unexpected truths that drive successful brand strategies. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide, about how ethnographic research uncovers hidden consumer insights and drives innovation across major footwear and apparel brands. What if you could unlock deeper consumer insights through the power of ethnographic research? In this episode of Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt sit down with Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide, to explore why ethnography remains crucial for understanding consumer behavior, how brands can democratize insights across organizations, and strategies for uncovering hidden consumer truths. Whether you're a market researcher, brand strategist, or insights professional, this conversation is packed with real-world examples from iconic brands like Converse, Merrell, and Saucony. Tune in to discover how combining hindsight, insight, and foresight can transform your approach to consumer understanding.

What You'll Learn:
  • How to use the "Hindsight, Insight, Foresight" framework to build comprehensive consumer understanding
  • Why ethnography reveals insights that surveys and focus groups can't capture
  • The "Four D" process (Define, Discover, Dream, Design) for embedding empathy into innovation
  • How to democratize consumer insights across organizations through storytelling and shared experiences
  • The power of mobile ethnography for maintaining deep consumer connections during disruptive periods
  • Why involving cross-functional teams in ethnographic research creates lasting organizational impact
  • How authentic consumer stories, like Converse's "Made By You" campaign, can drive powerful brand narratives
  • Why the 50+ consumer segment represents an overlooked opportunity for brands to reinvent marketing approaches

Episode Resources
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2598 Ethnographic research emerges as a powerful tool for uncovering deep consumer insights, revealing the human stories and unexpected truths that drive successful brand strategies. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide, about how ethnographic research uncovers hidden consumer insights and drives innovation across major footwear and apparel brands. Ethnographic research emerges as a powerful tool for uncovering deep consumer insights, revealing the human stories and unexpected truths that drive successful brand strategies. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Lindsey Goodman, Consumer Insights Leader at Wolverine Worldwide, about how ethnographic research uncovers hidden consumer insights and drives innovation across major footwear and apparel brands. insights professional, brand strategist, ethnographic research, reinvent marketing approaches, mobile ethnography, "Hindsight, Insight, Foresight, Consumer Insights, uncovering hidden consumer truths, understanding consumer behavior, Wolverine Worldwide, Curiosity Current, Venture Guides No No The Architect of Insights: Building Programs and Buy-In with Ashley Hopkins https://podcasts.fame.so/e/286qyzwn-building-programs-and-buy-in-ashley-hopkins The Architect of Insights: Building Programs and Buy-In with Ashley Hopkins 12 No No j12rw8j1 Building a successful insights function requires strategic listening, intentional relationship-building, and a clear vision for delivering value across the organization. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Ashley Hopkins, an insights leader who has built consumer research functions from scratch at companies like ASICS, Wayfair, and now Resident (home of Nectar and DreamCloud mattresses), about the art and science of establishing impactful insights programs. What if you could build a consumer insights function from scratch and get immediate buy-in across your organization? In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Matt sit down with Ashley Hopkins, a veteran insights leader who has transformed research functions at ASICS, Wayfair, and now Resident. Learn how to conduct effective "listening tours" to build trust, create impactful insights programs that scale, and master the art of getting executive buy-in through identifying key sponsors and skeptics. Whether you're building an insights team or looking to increase your research impact, this conversation offers practical strategies for embedding consumer understanding into every facet of your business. Tune in to discover why treating your internal stakeholders like research participants might be the key to lasting organizational influence.

Episode Resources
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2531 Building a successful insights function requires strategic listening, intentional relationship-building, and a clear vision for delivering value across the organization. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Ashley Hopkins, an insights leader who has built consumer research functions from scratch at companies like ASICS, Wayfair, and now Resident (home of Nectar and DreamCloud mattresses), about the art and science of establishing impactful insights programs. Building a successful insights function requires strategic listening, intentional relationship-building, and a clear vision for delivering value across the organization. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Ashley Hopkins, an insights leader who has built consumer research functions from scratch at companies like ASICS, Wayfair, and now Resident (home of Nectar and DreamCloud mattresses), about the art and science of establishing impactful insights programs. research, consumer understanding, organizational influence, insights team, executive buy-in, insights programs, listening tours, Resident, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Building an Insight-Driven Culture with Leyla Doany https://podcasts.fame.so/e/08jy95jn-building-an-insight-driven-culture-with-leyla-doany Building an Insight-Driven Culture with Leyla Doany 11 No No 41pq89n0 Building an Insights-Driven Culture: From Instinct to Evidence-Based Decision Making In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Leyla, a consumer insights leader who transformed JOOLA from an instinct-driven business into an insights powerhouse. The conversation explores how to build an insights function from scratch, embed research into company culture, and leverage storytelling to drive organizational change. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, join Leyla Doany, a consumer insights leader, as she shares her journey transforming an instinct-driven business into an insights powerhouse at JOOLA. Discover how to build an insights function from scratch, unlock untapped market potential through creative data analysis, and leverage storytelling to drive organizational change. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or brand strategist, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on balancing rigorous methodology with real-world business needs, including how to uncover a $374M market opportunity in the growing pickleball industry. Plus, learn why being "a storyteller disguised as a strategist" might be the key to making research insights truly actionable.

  • Building an insights function from scratch in a fast-growing industry
  • Creative approaches to market sizing with limited data
  • Using storytelling to drive organizational change and research adoption
  • Balancing research rigor with business demands
  • Transforming instinct-driven decisions into insights-led strategy

Episode Resources:
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2884 Building an Insights-Driven Culture: From Instinct to Evidence-Based Decision Making In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Leyla, a consumer insights leader who transformed JOOLA from an instinct-driven business into an insights powerhouse. The conversation explores how to build an insights function from scratch, embed research into company culture, and leverage storytelling to drive organizational change. Building an Insights-Driven Culture: From Instinct to Evidence-Based Decision Making In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Matt speak with Leyla, a consumer insights leader who transformed JOOLA from an instinct-driven business into an insights powerhouse. The conversation explores how to build an insights function from scratch, embed research into company culture, and leverage storytelling to drive organizational change. research insights, $374M market opportunity, real-world business needs, organizational changem storytelling, creative data analysis, insights function, JOOLA, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No From Skeptic to Advocate: Dr. Jeff Dahms on How Physicians Mutual Transformed CX Without Breaking Trust https://podcasts.fame.so/e/6nr7y3w8-from-skeptic-to-advocate-dr-jeff-dahms From Skeptic to Advocate: Dr. Jeff Dahms on How Physicians Mutual Transformed CX Without Breaking Trust 10 No No 815rpxl0 What does it take to build a truly customer-driven organization? In this episode, CX strategist Dr. Jeff Dahms joins The Curiosity Current to explore how market research, team culture, and smart data practices can turn insights into business impact. Customer experience isn’t just a department—it’s a strategy.

In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan speak with Dr. Jeff Dahms, Director of CX Research & Insights at Physicians Mutual. Drawing from a career that spans insurance, finance, and academia, Jeff breaks down what it really takes to embed customer-centric thinking across an organization.

From his “Cycle of Success” framework to lessons learned managing in-house customer panels, Jeff reveals how great CX starts with building credibility, understanding business priorities, and translating data into action. You’ll also hear about the role of AI in research, what not to do with internal panels, and why he thinks paper surveys might just be making a comeback.

Episode Resources
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 27 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3202 What does it take to build a truly customer-driven organization? In this episode, CX strategist Dr. Jeff Dahms joins The Curiosity Current to explore how market research, team culture, and smart data practices can turn insights into business impact. What does it take to build a truly customer-driven organization? In this episode, CX strategist Dr. Jeff Dahms joins The Curiosity Current to explore how market research, team culture, and smart data practices can turn insights into business impact. customer experience strategy, CX research, customer insights, customer feedback management, customer panel research, insurance industry CX, Physicians Mutual, The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No Bridging Silos and Strategy in Pharma Research with Shawn McKenna https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rn74pr38-bridging-silos-and-strategy-in-pharma-research-shawn-mckenna Bridging Silos and Strategy in Pharma Research with Shawn McKenna 9 No No k18y5870 How do you navigate the complexity of pharma research without losing strategic clarity? In this episode, Shawn McKenna, Senior Director of Analytics at Currax Pharmaceuticals, shares real-world lessons on team building, AI, and staying grounded in what truly matters: the human side of health insights. What does it really take to lead successful pharma insights today?

In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan talk with Shawn McKenna, Senior Director of Analytics at Currax Pharmaceuticals. Drawing from experience across the supplier and client side, Shawn dives into the critical junction of data science, primary and secondary research, and business strategy.

From overcoming siloed teams to navigating AI’s promises and pitfalls, this episode is a masterclass in thoughtful leadership. Shawn discusses what agile really means in pharma, how to structure integrated teams, and why creativity and curiosity are the most underrated tools in modern analytics.

If you work in life sciences, lead an insights team, or are rethinking your relationship with AI—this one’s for you.

Episode Resources
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 20 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 3139 How do you navigate the complexity of pharma research without losing strategic clarity? In this episode, Shawn McKenna, Senior Director of Analytics at Currax Pharmaceuticals, shares real-world lessons on team building, AI, and staying grounded in what truly matters: the human side of health insights. How do you navigate the complexity of pharma research without losing strategic clarity? In this episode, Shawn McKenna, Senior Director of Analytics at Currax Pharmaceuticals, shares real-world lessons on team building, AI, and staying grounded in what truly matters: the human side of health insights. insights team, life sciences, modern analytics, creativity and curiosity, pharma, siloed teams, business strategy, data science, Currax Pharmaceuticals, Podcast, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The Real Cost of Bad Data: Survey Fraud, AI Agents, and Data Integrity with Roddy Knowles https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kljjkn-the-real-cost-of-bad-data-roddy-knowles The Real Cost of Bad Data: Survey Fraud, AI Agents, and Data Integrity with Roddy Knowles 8 No No 71wj99z0 What if up to 40% of your research data is bad—and you don’t even know it? In this episode, Roddy Knowles, COO of dtect and host of This is Product Management, joins The Curiosity Current to talk about the silent crisis facing the market research industry: survey fraud. From undercover operations in fraud networks to the rise of AI agents completing surveys, Roddy brings the heat—and the expertise—on what it really takes to defend your data. What if you could protect your research data from increasingly sophisticated fraud? In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Roddy Knowles, COO of dtect, to explore the evolving landscape of survey fraud and data quality management. From organized fraud networks to AI-powered threats, discover why data quality has become an existential challenge for market researchers, how to implement effective fraud prevention strategies, and why questionnaire design remains crucial in maintaining data integrity. Whether you're a research provider, agency, or brand insights professional, this conversation offers practical solutions for safeguarding your data quality and maintaining research credibility in an era of unprecedented threats.

  • Uncover the latest trends in survey fraud
  • Learn proactive strategies for fraud prevention
  • Explore the role of AI in both creating and combating fraud
  • Understand best practices for questionnaire design
  • Gain insights into the future of data quality management

Episode Resources
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1931 What if up to 40% of your research data is bad—and you don’t even know it? In this episode, Roddy Knowles, COO of dtect and host of This is Product Management, joins The Curiosity Current to talk about the silent crisis facing the market research industry: survey fraud. From undercover operations in fraud networks to the rise of AI agents completing surveys, Roddy brings the heat—and the expertise—on what it really takes to defend your data. What if up to 40% of your research data is bad—and you don’t even know it? In this episode, Roddy Knowles, COO of dtect and host of This is Product Management, joins The Curiosity Current to talk about the silent crisis facing the market research industry: survey fraud. From undercover operations in fraud networks to the rise of AI agents completing surveys, Roddy brings the heat—and the expertise—on what it really takes to defend your data. combating fraud, research credibility, maintaining data integrity, questionnaire design, data quality management, survey fraud, fraud networks, AI-powered threats, dtect, The Curiosity Current, AYTM No No The Human Side of AI: Empathy, Insights, and Innovation with Idil Miriam Cakim https://podcasts.fame.so/e/q80q700n-the-human-side-of-ai-with-idil-miriam-cakim The Human Side of AI: Empathy, Insights, and Innovation with Idil Miriam Cakim 7 No No p0kpw661 How can we balance AI’s power with the human touch? In this episode, researcher and thought leader Idil Miriam Cakim joins The Curiosity Current to explore empathy, ethics, and innovation in AI-powered insights. From the value of storytelling to navigating AI adoption in the workplace, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating AI and insights with a human lens. How can we balance the power of AI with the human touch?

In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan are joined by Idil Miriam Cakim, Founder and CEO of Iris Flex, a pioneering thought leadership research firm. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping the research landscape, discussing how curiosity, empathy, and strategic questioning are becoming essential skills in a world of accelerating automation.

From AI-powered storytelling and visual design to the complexities of hyper-personalization and workplace adoption, Idil shares her insights on how researchers and organizations can stay human-centered while innovating with AI. She also shares findings from her recent “AI Gap Study” and offers thoughtful perspectives on how AI is reshaping not just work—but life.

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 06 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2409 How can we balance AI’s power with the human touch? In this episode, researcher and thought leader Idil Miriam Cakim joins The Curiosity Current to explore empathy, ethics, and innovation in AI-powered insights. From the value of storytelling to navigating AI adoption in the workplace, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating AI and insights with a human lens. How can we balance AI’s power with the human touch? In this episode, researcher and thought leader Idil Miriam Cakim joins The Curiosity Current to explore empathy, ethics, and innovation in AI-powered insights. From the value of storytelling to navigating AI adoption in the workplace, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating AI and insights with a human lens. AI Gap Study, human-centered, workplace adoption, hyper-personalization, visual design, storytelling, accelerating automation, research landscape, leadership research, Iris Flex, The Curiosity Current, The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, human touch, power of AI, AYTM No No Moving Brands Beyond the Friend Zone: Doug Zarkin on Building Emotional Customer Connections https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m5z7p8-moving-brands-beyond-the-friend-zone-doug-zarkin-on-building-emotional-customer-connections Moving Brands Beyond the Friend Zone: Doug Zarkin on Building Emotional Customer Connections 6 No No 70vl85q0 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Doug Zarkin, Chief Brand Officer at Modern Performance and Recovery Brands and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Doug Zarkin, Chief Brand Officer at Modern Performance and Recovery Brands and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone.

Doug Zarkin is the Chief Brand Officer at Modern Performance and Recovery Brands, where he specializes in creating meaningful consumer connections and revitalizing iconic brands. With an impressive career spanning leadership roles at Pearle Vision, Victoria's Secret Pink, and Avon, Doug has established himself as a visionary in brand transformation and customer engagement. He is the author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone," a groundbreaking book that explores how brands can transcend surface-level relationships to build lasting emotional connections with customers. In this episode, Doug shares invaluable insights on creating brand love stories, the "thinking human" approach to marketing, and the delicate balance between data-driven decisions and human intuition. His expertise in transforming brand-consumer relationships and establishing meaningful customer connections makes this conversation essential for marketers, researchers, and brand strategists looking to enhance their emotional engagement strategies in today's digital-first marketplace.
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 1488 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Doug Zarkin, Chief Brand Officer at Modern Performance and Recovery Brands and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Doug Zarkin, Chief Brand Officer at Modern Performance and Recovery Brands and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone. brand marketing, emotional connections, brand love, customer loyalty, brand storytelling, marketing strategy, brand value equation, consumer engagement, customer experience, brand authenticity, brand health tracking, marketing analytics, brand positioning, customer service, value proposition, brand transformation No No Storytelling, Service & AI: Tanya Pinto's Journey https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m5zkv8-storytelling-service-and-ai-tanya-pintos-journey Storytelling, Service & AI: Tanya Pinto's Journey 5 No No 70vl8630 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Tanya Pinto, Principal UX Researcher at Microsoft focused on Copilot AI, to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human insight. Through the lens of both her corporate work and humanitarian efforts as founder of Baal Dan Charities, Tanya shares valuable perspectives on maintaining empathy in research, leveraging AI tools effectively, and creating space for authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a researcher navigating AI integration or a leader fostering team growth, this conversation offers practical insights on balancing technological advancement with human-centered approaches. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Tanya Pinto, Principal UX Researcher at Microsoft focused on Copilot AI, to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human insight. Through the lens of both her corporate work and humanitarian efforts as founder of Baal Dan Charities, Tanya shares valuable perspectives on maintaining empathy in research, leveraging AI tools effectively, and creating space for authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a researcher navigating AI integration or a leader fostering team growth, this conversation offers practical insights on balancing technological advancement with human-centered approaches.

Tanya Pinto is a Principal UX Researcher at Microsoft, focusing on Copilot AI for the Office Suite, and the founder and president of Baal Dan Charities. With a background in journalism and extensive experience in branding, consumer insights, and UX research, she brings a unique perspective to understanding human behavior and decision-making. Through Baal Dan Charities, Tanya has helped provide food, education, and supplies to over 14,000 children across 14 countries, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian work. In this episode, she shares valuable insights on AI's role in transforming workplace productivity, inclusive research practices, and the importance of maintaining human-centered approaches in an increasingly AI-driven world. Her expertise in bridging technology and human understanding, combined with her humanitarian work, offers listeners a comprehensive view of how empathy and technology can work together to create meaningful impact.
 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2386 In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Tanya Pinto, Principal UX Researcher at Microsoft focused on Copilot AI, to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human insight. Through the lens of both her corporate work and humanitarian efforts as founder of Baal Dan Charities, Tanya shares valuable perspectives on maintaining empathy in research, leveraging AI tools effectively, and creating space for authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a researcher navigating AI integration or a leader fostering team growth, this conversation offers practical insights on balancing technological advancement with human-centered approaches. In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Matt and Stephanie sit down with Tanya Pinto, Principal UX Researcher at Microsoft focused on Copilot AI, to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human insight. Through the lens of both her corporate work and humanitarian efforts as founder of Baal Dan Charities, Tanya shares valuable perspectives on maintaining empathy in research, leveraging AI tools effectively, and creating space for authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a researcher navigating AI integration or a leader fostering team growth, this conversation offers practical insights on balancing technological advancement with human-centered approaches. AI in research, UX research methodology, human empathy, Microsoft Copilot, humanitarian work No No The Keys to the Future: AI and Data Analytics with Saket Kumar of Citi https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xn14mzy8-the-keys-to-the-future-ai-and-data-analytics-with-saket-kumar-of-citi The Keys to the Future: AI and Data Analytics with Saket Kumar of Citi 4 No No 703pk5q1 How do AI and data shape the world? And, how can you be the sculptor? In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Saket Kumar, Vice President of Consumer Analytics at Citi, to explore the true power of deep data analytics and AI in the enhancement of customer experience. Through the episode, they discuss the criticality of AI governance frameworks, balancing automation with human expertise and how organizations can effectively integrate large language models into their analytics workflows. This conversation highlights the intersectionality of generative AI and data analytics, proposing a shift in perception of AI - from a task executor to a thought partner. Tune in for actionable insights to help you understand the art of data and its meaning, and the role of AI in it all. How do AI and data shape the world? And, how can you be the sculptor? In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Saket Kumar, Vice President of Consumer Analytics at Citi, to explore the true power of deep data analytics and AI in the enhancement of customer experience. Through the episode, they discuss the criticality of AI governance frameworks, balancing automation with human expertise and how organizations can effectively integrate large language models into their analytics workflows. This conversation highlights the intersectionality of generative AI and data analytics, proposing a shift in perception of AI - from a task executor to a thought partner. 

Saket Kumar is the Vice President of Consumer Analytics at Citi, where he leads transformative initiatives in data science and artificial intelligence. With an extensive background spanning aerospace, energy, and finance, he has pioneered the implementation of advanced analytics solutions and cloud computing architectures across multiple industries. His expertise includes leveraging generative AI and large language models to enhance data analytics capabilities and drive organizational innovation. His work in developing conversational analytics solutions and championing AI adoption has helped organizations transition from traditional data analysis to more strategic, insight-driven approaches, making this conversation essential for professionals interested in the future of data analytics and AI implementation.

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:50:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2704 How do AI and data shape the world? And, how can you be the sculptor? In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Saket Kumar, Vice President of Consumer Analytics at Citi, to explore the true power of deep data analytics and AI in the enhancement of customer experience. Through the episode, they discuss the criticality of AI governance frameworks, balancing automation with human expertise and how organizations can effectively integrate large language models into their analytics workflows. This conversation highlights the intersectionality of generative AI and data analytics, proposing a shift in perception of AI - from a task executor to a thought partner. Tune in for actionable insights to help you understand the art of data and its meaning, and the role of AI in it all. How do AI and data shape the world? And, how can you be the sculptor? In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Saket Kumar, Vice President of Consumer Analytics at Citi, to explore the true power of deep data analytics and AI in the enhancement of customer experience. Through the episode, they discuss the criticality of AI governance frameworks, balancing automation with human expertise and how organizations can effectively integrate large language models into their analytics workflows. This conversation highlights the intersectionality of generative AI and data analytics, proposing a shift in perception of AI - from a task executor to a thought partner. Tune in for actionable insights to help you understand the art of data and its meaning, and the role of AI in it all. market research, AI, consumer analytics, data, consumer insights No No Mastering the Language of Data for Impact with Karen Kraft from Johnsonville https://podcasts.fame.so/e/l8q27z4n-mastering-the-language-of-data-for-impact-with-karen-kraft-from-johnsonville Mastering the Language of Data for Impact with Karen Kraft from Johnsonville 3 No No 80nkmnx1 Collecting data is one thing; creating impact with it is an art that needs to be mastered. In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Karen Kraft, Associate Director of Consumer Insights at Johnsonville, to share her secrets behind the art and science of turning data into impact. From mastering the chameleon-like ability to speak different business languages to revolutionizing creative testing and knowledge management, Karen shares battle-tested strategies that have earned her a seat at the executive table. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting your insights journey, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building influence, telling compelling stories, and navigating male-dominated industries. Tune in to discover a whole new way of creating meaning with data. Collecting data is one thing; creating impact with it is an art that needs to be mastered. In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Karen Kraft, Associate Director of Consumer Insights at Johnsonville, to share her secrets behind the art and science of turning data into impact. From mastering the chameleon-like ability to speak different business languages to revolutionizing creative testing and knowledge management, Karen shares battle-tested strategies that have earned her a seat at the executive table. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting your insights journey, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building influence, telling compelling stories, and navigating male-dominated industries. Tune in to discover a whole new way of creating meaning with data. 

Karen Kraft joins the podcast as a trailblazer in the world of brand-side market research. As the associate director of consumer insights and analytics at Johnsonville, she has been instrumental in driving innovation through initiatives like the widely celebrated “Keep It Juicy” campaign - one of many that bear the hallmark of engagement. With a wealth of experience from her time at Johnsonville and Hormel Foods, she has navigated the ever evolving landscape of market research with a focus in segmentation, ad testing, and innovative ways of leveraging technology to deliver impactful insights.

In this episode, Karen spills the beans on her strategies for balancing the multifaceted roles of a market researcher, the critical and absolute importance of knowing your consumer, and how to turn insights into real world impact. 

Quotes

  1. "I quickly learned how much agencies don't like testing. It's not a secret. Especially creatives, you're like, this is art. But at the end of the day, we're trying to sell something in thirty seconds. And where I finally evolved to was I try to make sure that both my agency partners and my internal partners understand that creative testing is one diagnostic tool."

  1. "Don't be afraid to speak up, and don't be an order taker. You're an expert. You're a consultant, and that's how you need to treat yourself. Even when you're at the junior level, you know information that other people don't, and you need to use that information as power."

  1. "On more than one occasion, earlier in my client side career, I saw how sometimes a brand manager can put on rose colored glasses. And when they're presenting the research, they're only telling the part of the story that they want to tell to get a decision made in their favor. Sometimes you have to be able to stand up there and say, “hey, this isn't the best."

  1. "Storytelling and creativity are the key parts of the art and science of consumer insights and market research.”

  1. "If your product isn't solving someone's problem, whether it's a huge stated problem or just a small 'I just need to feed someone dinner tonight,' you still need to know why people are turning to your product."


Episode Resources

  • Karen Kraft on LinkedIn

  • Johnsonville Website

  • Stephanie on LinkedIn

  • Matt on LinkedIn

  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts

  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify

  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2596 Collecting data is one thing; creating impact with it is an art that needs to be mastered. In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Karen Kraft, Associate Director of Consumer Insights at Johnsonville, to share her secrets behind the art and science of turning data into impact. From mastering the chameleon-like ability to speak different business languages to revolutionizing creative testing and knowledge management, Karen shares battle-tested strategies that have earned her a seat at the executive table. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting your insights journey, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building influence, telling compelling stories, and navigating male-dominated industries. Tune in to discover a whole new way of creating meaning with data. Collecting data is one thing; creating impact with it is an art that needs to be mastered. In the latest episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan welcome Karen Kraft, Associate Director of Consumer Insights at Johnsonville, to share her secrets behind the art and science of turning data into impact. From mastering the chameleon-like ability to speak different business languages to revolutionizing creative testing and knowledge management, Karen shares battle-tested strategies that have earned her a seat at the executive table. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting your insights journey, this conversation offers practical wisdom on building influence, telling compelling stories, and navigating male-dominated industries. Tune in to discover a whole new way of creating meaning with data. Data , Impact, Karen Karft, Using Data to Build Influence, Data Table, battle-tested strategies, knowledge management, market, marketing, insights, consumer insights No No Inclusive Marketing and the Future of Research: A Conversation with Tina Tonielli of Haleon https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8m513x8-inclusive-marketing-and-the-future-of-research-a-conversation-with-tina-tonelli-of-halion Inclusive Marketing and the Future of Research: A Conversation with Tina Tonielli of Haleon 2 No No 70vlzk20 In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Tina Tonielli, North America Lead for Consumer and Business Insights at Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, specializing in innovative solutions that prioritize everyday well-being. Tina discusses her journey from brand management to market research, blending curiosity and business acumen to transform consumer insights into impactful business strategies. Tina shares her expertise in integrating consumer insights into business strategy, fostering inclusivity in market research, and leveraging generative AI for transformative change. This episode is a must-listen for an inspiring discussion for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of impactful market research and strategic decision-making. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Tina Tonielli, North America Lead for Consumer and Business Insights at Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, specializing in innovative solutions that prioritize everyday well-being. Tina discusses her journey from brand management to market research, blending curiosity and business acumen to transform consumer insights into impactful business strategies. Tina shares her expertise in integrating consumer insights into business strategy, fostering inclusivity in market research, and leveraging generative AI for transformative change. This episode is a must-listen for an inspiring discussion for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of impactful market research and strategic decision-making.

Tina Tonielli is a visionary leader in the world of insights and analytics in the consumer health space. With a background in brand management and market research, Tina has spent her career bridging the gap between data and strategic decision-making. As the North American lead for Consumer and Business Insights at Haleon, she has championed initiatives around inclusive marketing, leveraging AI-driven innovation, and transforming insights teams into strategic partners. Tina is passionate about using data for good, helping consumers improve their health and well-being while driving business success.

Episode Topics and Highlights

  • [00:00] Intro: Navigating Market Research with Tina Tonielli
  • [02:20] From Marketing to Insights: Tina’s Business-Minded Journey
  • [06:28] Building Authentic Frameworks for Inclusive Research
  • [13:25] Transforming Insights Teams from Order-Takers to Strategic Partners
  • [22:30] Proving ROI: Quantifying Research Impact Through Simple Metrics
  • [29:18] Balancing Speed and Quality: The Agile Research Debate
  • [34:32] Future-Focused Research: Going Beyond Current Trends
  • [38:06] Key Takeaways: The Power of Business Impact and Storytelling


Quotes

  1. “You can’t fall in love with the research; you have to fall in love with making a difference with your research. It’s not enough to be academically rigorous or data-driven, you need to focus on the impact your insights can create in the real world.”

  1. “Inclusive marketing starts with challenging assumptions about who is underserved. It’s about amplifying voices that aren’t being heard and creating authentic, impactful connections that resonate with people and align with your brand’s purpose.”
  2. “Transforming insights teams from order-takers to strategic partners starts with a mindset shift. It’s about asking the right business questions upfront, having the courage to share a strong point of view, and building trust with stakeholders so they see you as a collaborator, not just a researcher.”

  1. “Generative AI is like Harry Potter in his first year, it’s this new, exciting tool with immense potential, but it needs guidance and oversight. It’s not about replacing researchers but enhancing their ability to uncover deeper, more actionable insights.”

  1. “Storytelling is the bridge between research findings and real-world impact. Numbers can inform, but stories move people. When you emotionally engage your stakeholders, you make your insights unforgettable and drive meaningful change.”


Episode Resources

  • Tina Tonielli on LinkedIn

  • Haleon Official Website

  • Stephanie on LinkedIn

  • Matt on LinkedIn

  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Apple Podcasts

  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on Spotify

  • The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast on YouTube

 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2371 In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Tina Tonielli, North America Lead for Consumer and Business Insights at Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, specializing in innovative solutions that prioritize everyday well-being. Tina discusses her journey from brand management to market research, blending curiosity and business acumen to transform consumer insights into impactful business strategies. Tina shares her expertise in integrating consumer insights into business strategy, fostering inclusivity in market research, and leveraging generative AI for transformative change. This episode is a must-listen for an inspiring discussion for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of impactful market research and strategic decision-making. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Tina Tonielli, North America Lead for Consumer and Business Insights at Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, specializing in innovative solutions that prioritize everyday well-being. Tina discusses her journey from brand management to market research, blending curiosity and business acumen to transform consumer insights into impactful business strategies. Tina shares her expertise in integrating consumer insights into business strategy, fostering inclusivity in market research, and leveraging generative AI for transformative change. This episode is a must-listen for an inspiring discussion for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of impactful market research and strategic decision-making. Tina Tonielli, Market Research, Podcast, Stephanie Vance, Matt Mahan, Brand Management, Decision-Making, Research, Inclusive Marketing, Underserved Audiences, Cultural Fluency, Generative AI in Research No No Redefining Market Research: Insights from Leonard Murphy on Innovation and AI https://podcasts.fame.so/e/l8q2mk1n-redefining-market-research-insights-from-leonard-murphy-on-innovation-and-ai Redefining Market Research: Insights from Leonard Murphy on Innovation and AI 1 No No 80nk67p1 In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Lenny Murphy, a trailblazer in market research and a thought leader in leveraging technology for transformative business impact. Known for his work with GreenBook and Gen2 Advisors, Lenny discusses his unconventional entry into the industry, his passion for innovation, and how he has evolved to become a trusted advisor to industry leaders navigating disruption. Lenny also shares his insights into the industry's evolution and gives his perspective on the role of AI in shaping the future of research. From the importance of asking the right questions to navigating the challenges of disruption, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the market research space. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Lenny Murphy, a trailblazer in market research and a thought leader in leveraging technology for transformative business impact. Known for his work with GreenBook and Gen2 Advisors, Lenny discusses his unconventional entry into the industry, his passion for innovation, and how he has evolved to become a trusted advisor to industry leaders navigating disruption. Lenny shares his insights into the industry's evolution and gives his perspective on the role of AI in shaping the future of research. From the importance of asking the right questions to navigating the challenges of disruption, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the market research space.

Lenny Murphy is a recognized pioneer in the field of market research, with over two decades of experience at the intersection of insights, technology, and business strategy. As the driving force behind GreenBook and Gen2 Advisors, Lenny has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry, helping organizations navigate disruption and embrace innovation. He’s a champion of transformative technologies like AI, advocating for their thoughtful integration to amplify human expertise and unlock deeper insights. Lenny is a true visionary—guiding countless businesses in leveraging data and insights to drive smarter decisions and achieve sustainable growth. His expertise and influence have made him one of the most respected voices in the market research community.

Quotes

  1. “Disruption occurs when we work in the business, not on the business. Leaders need to focus on where the puck is going, not just where it is now because staying ahead means anticipating tomorrow’s game today.”

2. “AI connects the dots like never before, making it easier to integrate, synthesize, and act on insights. But it’s still up to humans to ask the right questions, validate the answers, and ensure innovation aligns with purpose.”

3. “We’re not just researchers; we’re the keepers of the ‘why.’ Our job is to understand data, connect the dots, and deliver insights that drive meaningful decisions, turning complexity into clarity and action." 

4. “The pace of change is faster than ever. If you’re not actively adapting and embracing new tools, you’re already falling behind, but those who stay curious and agile can turn disruption into opportunity.”


Episode Resources


 The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000 AYTM AYTM 2516 In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Lenny Murphy, a trailblazer in market research and a thought leader in leveraging technology for transformative business impact. Known for his work with GreenBook and Gen2 Advisors, Lenny discusses his unconventional entry into the industry, his passion for innovation, and how he has evolved to become a trusted advisor to industry leaders navigating disruption. Lenny also shares his insights into the industry's evolution and gives his perspective on the role of AI in shaping the future of research. From the importance of asking the right questions to navigating the challenges of disruption, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the market research space. In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast, hosts Stephanie and Matt are joined by Lenny Murphy, a trailblazer in market research and a thought leader in leveraging technology for transformative business impact. Known for his work with GreenBook and Gen2 Advisors, Lenny discusses his unconventional entry into the industry, his passion for innovation, and how he has evolved to become a trusted advisor to industry leaders navigating disruption. Lenny also shares his insights into the industry's evolution and gives his perspective on the role of AI in shaping the future of research. From the importance of asking the right questions to navigating the challenges of disruption, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the market research space. Market Research Innovation, Changing Market Research, AI, Technology, data, market insight, consumer insight, Stephanie Vance, Matt Mahan, AYTM, Leonard Murphy No No The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4xr42n-the-curiosity-current-a-market-research-podcast The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast 0 No No x06lp950 Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life.  The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Jessica Glace Jessica Glace 64 Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. Do you find yourself pondering what today’s trends and insights tell us about tomorrow’s consumers? Ever wonder how technology is changing the market research landscape? Are you curious about what keeps insights professionals up at night? Get swept away by the Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast about two world-leading market research experts who follow their natural curiosity to bring consumer insights to life. market research, AYT, AYTM, market insight, consumer insight, market research landscape, sales, Stephanie Vance, market professionals No No