Oliver Atkinson sits down with Dr. Gemma Calvert, Professor of Consumer Neuroscience, Nanyang Technological University and Co-Founder of Split Second Research, to decode how always-on dopamine loops, “digital amnesia,” and story structure shape attention, memory, and action, so your content sticks and drives behaviour. Calvert maps three rewired systems, attention, memory, emotional regulation, and shows how constant interruptions (and our own self-interruptions) splinter focus, why the “Google effect” shifts recall from the head to the handset, and how teens speak more candidly to an AI interviewer than to adults. Her hooks playbook starts with movement, novelty, and ambiguity, think chimeric images that stop the brain, then earns permission for longer stories that embed in long-term memory. And her best metaphor? The shift isn’t reversible, the train has left the station, but brands can fit seatbelts: design for responsible scrolls, cue reminders, and build human, two-way relationships. In a world where feeds deliver micro-rewards all day and single exposures rarely encode, long-form isn’t dead, it partners with snackable teasers to deepen immersion. Marketers, creatives, and leaders will leave with neuromarketing tools (eye-tracking, facial decoding, implicit tests) and a practical framework to architect recall ethically. Follow Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with behavioral-science heavy hitter Richard Shotton to unpack the simple nudges, concreteness, distinctiveness, and smart pricing frames that help your ideas get noticed, remembered, and bought in B2B and consumer campaigns alike. We dig into Richard’s new book, Hacking the Human Mind: The Behavioral Science Secrets Behind 17 of the World's Best Brand, referencing well-known brands as living case studies to show why distinctiveness beats differentiation and how context reshapes value, what you place next to an offer matters as much as the offer itself. Richard translates these principles into everyday tools for Learning & Development, sequencing content to harness the peak-end rule, reframing modules to highlight immediate rewards, and designing “choice architecture” that puts the apple at eye level so learners opt-in without the hard sell. In a world of crowded feeds and content fatigue, the teams who apply behavioral science gain an unfair edge, earning attention, improving completion, and nudging real behavior change. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Lydia Chan is joined by Braden Dragomir, filmmaker, story strategist, and founder of Untold Storytelling, to explore the intersection of authentic storytelling, brand strategy, and the science behind what makes stories stick. Braden shares how he bridges authentic documentary storytelling with brand objectives and reveals why his team dedicates 60 percent of project time to strategy before filming begins, conducting extensive character research to find the most emotionally compelling stories rather than defaulting to safe choices like CEO profiles. He explains the science behind why our brains are wired for story and how conflict creates psychological questions that keep audiences engaged, resulting in his team achieving 60 percent completion rates on 15-minute brand documentaries. The conversation covers practical approaches to measuring storytelling impact, including how customers who first encounter brands through storytelling are twice as cheap to convert as those from traditional marketing. Learn how brands like Yeti and Patagonia have built loyal audiences through patience and purpose—not quick wins. Whether you're a content director, marketing leader, or communication professional struggling to convince stakeholders to invest in storytelling craft, this episode offers actionable insights on creating brand films that actually move audiences and deliver measurable results.  Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with neuroscientist and ad veteran Christopher Demetrakos to unpack “Gen 3” marketing, how aligning creative to cognitive traits sparks dopamine, cuts through the brain’s ad-blocker, and drives action, not just likes. Chris breaks down why 95–99% of decisions happen non-consciously and how the brain’s natural ad-blocker (the reticular activating system) bins generic ads while trait-tuned cues slip through. He also shared the case study that lifted revenue 56% in three months with one tiny framing change that did most of the work; you’ll find out which and why. He also reveals how a quirky soda spot beat a celebrity-crammed Alexa ad on immersion and action, and the simple category marker that made the difference. With attention shrinking, and budgets under scrutiny, every wasted impression is expensive. Marketers, creatives, and leaders will learn how targeting cognitive traits lifts the actions that matter, clicks, sign-ups, and sales, by pairing the right cues with the right minds and measuring immersion to prove it. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

ICYMI: Lydia Chan sits down with award-winning documentary filmmaker and commercial director Eternal Polk to discuss brand storytelling, emotional marketing, and authentic audience connection. Eternal shares insights on cultural marketing strategy, building diverse creative teams, and why brands need a "Chief Curiosity Officer" to create campaigns that resonate. Essential for marketers, filmmakers, and brand strategists looking to craft impactful branded content.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with Dr. Imran Rashid, physician, author, and adviser to Denmark’s prime minister on digital well-being, to explore how brands can shift from chasing clicks to designing for intention, and why feelings, not claims, drive real behavior change. Imran says authenticity has to be felt: trust lives in the body (think oxytocin), and one face-to-face moment lets the brain “fill in the blanks” on later video calls. He shares simple guardrails, treating people as humans, not “eyeballs”; ask “Why this? Why me? Why now?”; even consider a Chief Emotional Officer, and push for content that helps, not hooks. His metaphors stick: trying to replace human connection with screens is like watering a plant with a picture; be the “feely fish,” not just the “thinking birds.” He also highlights the Batman costume study, identity plus story boosts effort, and how data can predict churn well before it happens. With platforms running the biggest A/B test in history and impulse-driven feeds shaping habits, the stakes are real: your creative choices influence attention, emotion, and health. Marketers, product designers, and creative leaders will leave with practical ways to build trust, and measure it, through humane stories and intentional design. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates. 

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Oliver Atkinson sits with Phill Agnew, host of UK's #1 marketing podcast Nudge, to unpack the behavioral science tricks that keep us hooked, whether it’s binge-watching, endless scrolling, or unforgettable branding. Hear why a single shout of “polar bear!” jolts wandering minds back on track, and how Waitrose’s rainbow-stacked veg aisle proves the contrast effect you can steal for thumbnails and B2B palettes.  Phill decodes the U.S. Office twin-plot rhythm, shows why MrBeast’s 1080p uploads outperform studio polish, warns against KPI-driven long-form that forgets to tell an actual story, and shares a brainstorm tweak that surfaces genuinely original ideas. With attention spans shrinking and AI unleashing billions of bland posts daily, mastering these principles is survival-level work. Marketers, creatives, and leaders will leave ready to craft cuts, scripts, and series that earn deeper exposure, richer engagement, and lasting recall, no skyscraper budget required. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

In this two-part episode, Oliver Atkinson is joined by behavioral-science storyteller Phill Agnew, host of UK's #1 marketing podcast, Nudge Podcast, to show how psychology-laced narratives can supercharge your pitch and keep audiences glued. Agnew proves the power of costly signaling with his now-legendary 60-kilometre trek, blisters and all, to keynote a conference, instantly elevating his message’s worth . He dissects the Labor Illusion, revealing why simply showing your “work in progress” makes content feel premium , and shares the one-word subject-line tweak (“this”) that lifted email opens 40 percent in client tests .  A detour to Starbucks shows how banning baristas from speed-pouring four lattes at once actually boosted sales by signalling craft . Layer in the Pratfall Effect, strategically flaunting a small flaw to appear more human, and you’ve got a playbook of grab-and-go hooks for subjects, thumbnails, and video intros. With feeds blasting hundreds of messages a day, these evidence-backed nudges give marketers, creatives, founders, and team leaders a low-cost lever for dramatic, measurable engagement gains. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver sits down with Orlando Wood, Chief Innovation Officer at System1 Group and author of Lemon and Look Out, to unpack how advertising has shifted from right-brain showmanship to left-brain salesmanship, and why that’s costing brands attention, memorability, and growth. From Yorkshire Tea’s witty, character-led “Everything’s Done Proper” to the unsettling “stare” creeping into modern branding, Orlando shows how right-brain showmanship, story, character, humor, and music consistently outperform left-brain salesmanship, tight close-ups, on-screen commands, and cut-heavy edits. He explains how rebalancing the two can boost emotional connection, embed memories, and make both brand building and performance work harder across B2C and B2B. With billions wasted on dull ads, the stakes are real: emotionally engaging creative amplifies extra-share-of-voice returns, reduces price sensitivity, and strengthens brand salience.  For marketers, creatives, and business leaders, this episode delivers actionable insights on anchoring ideas in brand purpose, stress-testing creative through iterative sprints, and using automation to amplify, not replace, emotional storytelling. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

In this episode of Audience Connection, Lydia Chan sits down with Terrence Wiggins, Director of Global Marketing at Cook Medical's Vascular Division, to explore what it takes to build trust and tell authentic stories in one of the world’s most highly regulated industries, MedTech. With over 25 years of experience, Terrence shares how effective marketing in healthcare goes beyond physicians to reach hospital executives, patients, and clinical staff. He explains how storytelling must adapt for each audience segment, whether it’s patient impact stories that humanize outcomes, clinical data that validates innovation, or economic tools that speak to hospital decision-makers. The conversation dives into the balance between authenticity and compliance, highlighting how transparency and consistency earn long-term trust. Terrence also unpacks the interplay of data and emotion in storytelling, why innovation is central to brand perception, and how marketers can prepare for the future by focusing on personalization and proof-driven messaging. If you’re interested in how to communicate with clarity in complex, regulated environments or how brands can foster deeper connections with audiences through authenticity and innovation, this episode is packed with insights. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Originally released in February 2025, this conversation with Brad Argent offers timeless lessons on building audience connection. From the art of unbranded storytelling to the long game of content creation, Brad shows how curiosity and trust can fuel authentic demand. It’s an episode worth revisiting. Episode Description:  In this episode of the Audience Connection Podcast, Lydia Chan sits down with Brad Argent, Head of Ancestry Studios, to uncover the art of unbranded storytelling and its power to build authentic audience connections. Drawing from his nearly two decades of experience at Ancestry, Brad shares his innovative approach to content creation that transcends traditional advertising. Discover how confirmation and transformation narratives can work together, why letting go might be the key to building trust, and how brands can play the long game in content creation. Brad's unique perspective on inspiring curiosity through storytelling offers fresh insights for content creators looking to make a lasting impact. Join us for an illuminating conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical strategies for evolving your brand's storytelling approach. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

In this episode of the Audience Connection, host Lydia Chan shares a live panel discussion with Jennifer Apy, Partner and CMO at Chief Outsiders and Shveta Berry, Executive Producer and Content Marketing Leader. They explore how algorithms and benchmarks are reshaping the way we create content, often at the expense of authentic storytelling, while organizations increasingly prioritize volume over meaningful audience connections. Key insights include Shveta's research showing that viewer drop-off rates remain consistent at 40-50% regardless of video length, challenging assumptions about optimal content duration. The conversation reveals how data should inform rather than dictate creative decisions, with Jennifer emphasizing that data represents interactions, not facts, requiring human interpretation and qualitative feedback to understand true audience engagement. Looking ahead, the panel addresses AI's growing influence on content creation. While AI promises personalized recommendations, it threatens to flood the market with templated content lacking human authenticity. The experts conclude that success isn't about choosing data versus art, but combining both while maintaining authentic human connections through empathetic storytelling that addresses real customer problems. Essential listening for content creators, marketers, and business leaders navigating modern digital storytelling while preserving authentic audience connections. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with Dr Paul J Zak, Professor of Economic Sciences, Psychology & Management at Claremont Graduate University and Founder/Chief Immersion Officer at Immersion Neuroscience, to explore how measuring emotion rewrites the rules of brand storytelling. Discover why he calls immersion “the give-a-shit metric,” and dive into the science showing you need just six peak moments a day to thrive. The discussion ranges from a Diet Coke Super Bowl spot that won neurologic attention despite lukewarm “likes,” to a free smartwatch app that lets anyone track real-time audience resonance. Along the way, Zak unpacks the ethics of persuasion, reveals why AR often outperforms VR, and explains how emotional fitness could become the next health-insurance benchmark. With 30-second Super Bowl ads now topping $7 million, learn how actionable brain data turns creative risk into competitive edge, and why slight “messiness” keeps stories human in an AI age. For marketers, creatives and business leaders, this episode delivers actionable insights on crafting tension-rich narrative arcs, stress-testing content with second-by-second immersion scores, and designing experiences that amplify (rather than dull) genuine empathy. Explore more from Dr. Paul J Zak: SIX emotional-fitness app – Google Play Apple The Little Book of Happiness by Dr Paul J Zak – available on Amazon and other major retailers More of Dr. Zak’s work – pauljzak.com  Follow The Audience Connection Podcast: Website: casualfilms.com Instagram: @casualglobal LinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with Nicky Russell, Managing partner at ‘We Deliver Change’ (WDC) and co-founder of The In-house Agency Leaders Club, to reveal the hidden formula behind top creative teams. With experience on both agency and brand sides, Nicky shows why creative operations are the “connective tissue” that transform big ideas into genuine audience connection. The conversation ranges from a live-action Cancer Research campaign that boosted donations by 40 percent to Nicky’s role as a “shock absorber” who shields talent from board-room turbulence. Expect candid insights on the class gap still haunting advertising, and why hybrid work risks a lost generation of mentors. With big retainers shrinking and AI pushing cost-cutters toward automation, discover how reinvesting efficiency gains into human craft turns pressure into breakthrough storytelling. For marketers, creatives and business leaders, this episode delivers actionable guidance on forging agency-in-house partnerships, designing operations that nurture psychological safety, and mentoring Gen Z talent before burnout sets in. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:Website: casualfilms.comInstagram: @casualglobalLinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with global brand strategist Sabrina Godden, fresh off her tenure as Vodafone’s Global Creative Director, to explore how authenticity can survive when machines do the heavy lifting. Discover why the best prompt you can give an AI is “Tell me why this idea won’t work,” and dive into the mindset shift that keeps human judgment at the center of every campaign. The discussion ranges from a playful riff on AI as a “creative intern” to the hard realities of scaling content responsibly in heavily regulated markets. With analysts predicting that AI-made media will triple by 2026, learn how a critical, curiosity-driven process turns automation into competitive advantage rather than brand risk. For marketers, creatives and business leaders, this episode delivers actionable insights on anchoring ideas in brand purpose, stress-testing creative through iterative sprints, and using automation to amplify, not replace, emotional storytelling. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:Website: casualfilms.comInstagram: @casualglobalLinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

What do the world's most beloved animated films and today’s top-performing brands have in common? They understand the importance and craft of storytelling. In this episode, Lydia Chan is joined by Matthew Luhn, a master storytelling consultant and advisor to Fortune 500 brands. Matthew is a Pixar veteran who worked on beloved classics like Toy Story, Monsters Inc, and Finding Nemo. Now he advises businesses on how the mechanics of great storytelling translate directly into business impact. Matthew breaks down why your customer should be the hero of your business story, not your company, and shares the three scientific reasons why stories work so effectively in business. He discusses the biggest mistakes companies make when attempting storytelling and his views on AI technology's impact to storytelling. This conversation also covers practical frameworks for hooking audiences, creating authentic connections, and why storytelling requires iteration rather than a checkbox approach. Tune in to hear why, in any medium or market, the best story always wins. Explore more from Matthew:Storytelling for Business – Watch on YouTubeSpeaker Bio – View on Sweeney AgencyBook: The Best Story Wins by Matthew Luhn (translated into multiple languages) - Buy on Amazon Connect with Matthew:Instagram: @matthewluhnstory (for visuals, his artworks, and more storytelling tips)LinkedIn: Matthew LuhnWebsite/Profile: https://matthewluhnstory.com/ (for keynotes, workshops, and consulting services)Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:Website: casualfilms.comInstagram: @casualglobalLinkedIn: Casual Films InternationalBlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

Oliver Atkinson sits down with Dr. David Parkinson FHEA, Assistant Professor of Industrial Design and Director of Post-Graduate Research at Northumbria University’s School of Design, to explore how narrative can supercharge your pitch. Discover why the right story earns belief in even the toughest boardrooms, and dive into the neuroscience that makes audiences more open to new ideas.  The discussion ranges from a playful “Bob the Builder” analogy that recast parking enforcement as a civic hero to a John Lewis concept that turned spent coffee grounds into gourmet mushrooms. With product-launch failure rates hovering near 80 percent, learn how a shared story aligns cross-functional teams and slashes miscommunication before it starts. For marketers, creatives and business leaders, this episode delivers actionable insights on anchoring ideas in audience culture, framing origin stories for trust, and wielding metaphor to ignite curiosity. Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:Website: casualfilms.comInstagram: @casualglobalLinkedIn: Casual Films International BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.

<p>Discover how to transform complex technology into compelling human stories with Marcus Jones, former Global Head of Branded Video Content at WIRED and AI storytelling expert. Marcus reveals why the biggest mistake tech companies make is leading with features instead of use cases, and shares his proven framework for translating complex concepts into stories that resonate with both technical and business decision-makers.</p><p>Drawing from campaigns for AWS, IBM, and major sports leagues, Marcus discusses his role as part translator, part storyteller, bridging the gap between marketing teams and technical product managers. He emphasizes establishing clear stakes and compelling characters while embedding technical narratives within larger, engaging stories about real-world applications and human benefits.</p><p>The conversation covers Marcus’s practical use of generative AI tools in creative workflows, providing honest insights about where AI excels and where it falls short. Explaining why human storytellers remain irreplaceable for creating surprising, above-average content.</p><p>Perfect for content creators, marketers, filmmakers, and anyone tasked with explaining complex technologies, this episode delivers immediately applicable strategies for creating tech content that truly connects with human audiences while predicting new storytelling formats emerging from AI adoption.</p><p>Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:<br />Website: <a href="http://casualfilms.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">casualfilms.com</a><br />Instagram: <a href="https://casualfilmsglobal.slack.com/admin/user_groups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@casualglobal</a><br />LinkedIn: Casual Films International<br />BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social</p><p>Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.</p>

<p>Lydia Chan sits down with Cliff Chiet, Chief Integrated Marketing Director at iHeartMedia, America's largest audio company, to explore audio marketing, discover why podcasts are twice as trustworthy as any other medium, and dive into the neuroscience behind audio's emotional impact.<br /></p><p>The discussion covers targeting strategies using psychographic data to reach audiences in their preferred content regardless of topic relevance. Cliff walks through compelling case studies, including Marriott's pandemic strategy that combined geographic targeting with lifestyle interests for maximum effectiveness.<br /></p><p>As podcasting has officially hit the mainstream, discover why this intimate medium achieves engagement rates that other platforms can only dream of, and learn how smart brands are leveraging these insights to connect with audiences in ways that actually drive results.<br /></p><p>For marketers and business leaders, this episode provides actionable insights into leveraging audio for brand building, understanding attribution challenges, and connecting with audiences through real dialogue in an increasingly crowded media environment.</p><p>Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:<br />Website: casualfilms.com<br />Instagram: <a href="https://casualfilmsglobal.slack.com/admin/user_groups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@casualglobal</a><br />LinkedIn: Casual Films International</p><p>BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social</p><p>Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.</p>

<p><em>In this special episode of the Audience Connection Podcast, host Lydia Chan shares a live panel discussion on creating quality content with condensed timelines with Cristina Pandol, Executive Creative Director, Golden State Warriors, and Mandy Sprinkel, a seasoned creative producer. Together they reveal strategies for meeting demanding deadlines without sacrificing creativity or burning out teams.</em></p><p><em>Cristina compares content strategy to personal finance, with brands needing both "checking account" quick-turn content and "savings account" long-form storytelling.  Mandy shares practical advice on how teams can pushback on unrealistic demands and educate stakeholders on realistic expectations. they also explore the surprising ways AI is transforming production workflows despite legal ownership challenges.</em></p><p><em>Whether you're struggling with short turnarounds or looking to balance speed and quality, this conversation delivers practical advice from industry veterans who understand the pressure. Connect with Lydia at </em><a href="mailto:lydia@casualfilms.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">lydia@casualfilms.com</a><em> to learn how Casual Films can help tell better stories that truly connect with your audiences.</em></p><p><em>Follow The Audience Connection Podcast:</em><br /><em>Website: </em><a href="http://casualfilms.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">casualfilms.com</a><br /><em>Instagram: </em><a href="https://casualfilmsglobal.slack.com/admin/user_groups" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@casualglobal</a><br /><em>LinkedIn: Casual Films International</em></p><p><em>BlueSky: @casualglobal.bsky.social</em></p><p><em>Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating content that truly resonates.</em></p>