Talking Insights

The landscape of trust, technology, and human behavior is shifting faster than ever—are we prepared?  Michelle Harrison, the global president of Varian Group, is a renowned expert in public opinion, behavioral science, and social change, advising global leaders and organizations on societal transformation and inclusive leadership. Her insights into the future of trust and technology are more relev...

Most organizations are unknowingly killing the very human touch that makes AI truly valuable.  Manuel Garcia-Garcia reveals why focusing solely on accuracy and speed in AI systems is a mistake—and how empathy, trust, and human oversight are essential for AI to work with us, not without us. In this episode, Manuel shares eye-opening insights from his upcoming book, Smarter Together , which explores...

Unlock how AI is revolutionizing consumer insights—shifting from slow, project-based research to an always-on, real-time understanding of people's needs and contradictions. Ester Marchetti, Chief Innovation Officer at Bolt Insights, reveals how advanced AI tools are enabling brands to connect more authentically with consumers, uncover hidden truths, and make faster, more impactful decisions i...

Most brands struggle to grow consistently, not because of market conditions—it's the leadership decisions that make or break sustained success.  Lucas Hulsebos, CEO of DVJ Insights and author of The Growth Decision , reveals the hidden architecture behind what separates unstoppable brands from those stuck in stagnation. In this eye-opening episode, Lucas shares insights from over 20,000 inter...

Most organizations are missing out on invaluable human stories because they fear AI will strip away the soul of qualitative data. But what if the real breakthrough lies in how humans and AI collaborate?  James Goh, CEO of the groundbreaking platform iLiz, reveals how responsible "human-in-the-loop" AI is reshaping global research — from UNICEF to UN evaluations — by empowering, not repla...

Most teams struggle to turn rich qualitative insights into scalable, actionable business strategies — but what if you could transform deep research into a measurable, organization-wide advantage? Melissa Ramon and Nadja Baum reveal how they bridged that gap using a hybrid approach that combines qualitative depth with quantitative rigor, all without starting from scratch. Their innovative framework...

In this conversation, our host, Antonio and Ariana Arciniega (Intercept Music) discuss the transformative impact of technology on the music industry in Latin America, focusing on the evolution of artist-fan relationships, the importance of data analytics, and the challenges faced by independent artists. They explore how streaming has enabled artists to connect with fans and the significance of sup...

The conversation explores the integration of AI in research methodologies, emphasizing its potential to enhance understanding of consumer behavior and improve productivity in report writing. Send us Fan Mail ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production.  Hosted by Antonio Almeida Music by...

The conversation focuses on the upcoming Esomar event in Africa, discussing its vision, the importance of community engagement, the diversity of the continent, and the role of youth and innovation in shaping the insights industry. Dharmendra Jain shares insights on the event's significance, the excitement surrounding it, and highlights key presentations that will be featured. Know more about...

In this episode of Talking Insights, we welcome Sandro Kaulartz, Ajay Bangia, April Jeffries, and Karin O’Neill to explore the EDGE Framework, a methodology that focuses on identifying high-growth opportunities by examining extreme behaviors and divergences from the norm. The conversation delves into the integration of AI with qualitative research to uncover insights about user behavior at the mar...

The conversation explores the significance of language in understanding human motivation, focusing on motivational analysis and lexical analysis as tools to uncover underlying thoughts and influences. Send us Fan Mail ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production.  Hosted by Antonio Almeida...

The conversation explores the evolving public perception of military forces in Ukraine, highlighting the initial appreciation for their bravery but also the hesitance in forming personal relationships with veterans. It discusses the significant impact of media, particularly a television show, in shifting social norms and increasing openness towards veterans. Send us Fan Mail ----------------------...

The conversation explores the development and implications of a global feelings toolkit designed to understand emotions across cultures. Tara Howes and Tomas Gonsorcik discuss the project's phases, the importance of emotional connections in marketing, and the cultural nuances that affect how feelings are interpreted. They also share insights on future directions for the toolkit and offer advi...

In this conversation, Vas Bakopoulos discusses his award-winning projects, the Movable Middles Growth Framework and the Brandeis Performance study. He explains the importance of targeting the 'movable middles' in marketing, which are consumers who are more responsive to advertising. The discussion also covers the design and outcomes of the Brandeis Performance study, emphasizing the need...

In this conversation, Antonio and Jori van de Spijker discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence in advertising, particularly focusing on how AI can optimize advertising engagements by understanding cognitive demand. They explore the relationship between cognitive demand and real-world ad impact, the importance of collaboration between advertisers and creative agencies, and the fut...

In this insightful conversation, Ariadna Carrascal discusses her award-winning data-driven marketing strategy for Samsung, focusing on the importance of emotional connections with consumers. She shares how a comprehensive analysis of consumer data led to a revolutionary approach that prioritized emotional engagement over technical specifications. The discussion highlights innovative research metho...

In this episode, host Antonio discusses the evolution of the Insights Career Network (ICN) with Kahren Kersten and Brian Fowler. They explore the impact of the pandemic on the job market, the transition of ICN to a nonprofit organization, the importance of partnerships, and the skills needed for future researchers in an AI-driven landscape. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous netwo...

This conversation with Beth Bleathman focuses on understanding customer experiences and building relationships with local communities, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decisions for effective support. It's part of the celebration of the best of the year at Esomar. Send us Fan Mail ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talking...

In this conversation, Jean-Yves Laffon (from Appinio) discusses the impactful project on food labelling that earned him the Research Impact Award at the Esomar Awards.  He explains the importance of transparency in food labelling, the design and methodology of the study conducted, and how consumer behavior is influenced by clear labelling. The discussion also touches on the role of the insights in...

We keep exploring the best of the year at Esomar and in this conversation, Matteo Cera (from Glaut) explores the evolution of traditional surveys into more engaging and personalized experiences, aiming to better understand respondents' true thoughts and feelings without confining them to predefined options. Developed by Glaut, AIMI is redefining how qualitative data can be collected at scale—...

In this new season of the Talking Insights podcast, we celebrate the best of the year at Esomar. For this episode we discuss the collaboration between Kantar and Google, which won the Best Use of Data Award at the 2025 Esomar Awards. Guests Mary Kyriakidi and Jorge Alagon share insights on bridging the gap between marketing and finance, emphasizing the importance of a shared language and metrics t...

This conversation explores the significance of sonic branding in today's digital landscape, emphasizing its role in enhancing brand identity and engagement on social media. The speakers share their backgrounds in music and creative direction, discussing how sound influences consumer perception and brand equity. They delve into the challenges of creating a cohesive sonic identity across divers...

The conversation highlights the innovative approach taken by the Cancer Council in Australia to engage young people through social media influencers. Kathryn Hull discusses the successful implementation of an influencer-led campaign aimed at promoting SunSmart behaviors, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new channels to effectively reach the youth demographic. Send us Fan Mail ------------...

This episode recorded live at the Esomar Congress 2025 in Prague explores the significance of color in branding and marketing.  Wim and Uyen discuss the importance of objective data in color selection for products, and the broader implications of color psychology in consumer behavior. They emphasize the need for brands to understand the impact of color on decision-making processes and how it can e...

The conversation with Michael Nevski, recorded live at the Esomar Congress in Prague, explores the rise of the gig economy, its implications for different generations, the role of technology, and what companies can learn from these trends. It highlights the flexibility and independence that gig work offers, especially to millennials and Gen Z, while also addressing the challenges gig workers face...