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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 PAC AI are transforming packaging into a measurable growth engine for brands that want their design to sell.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.