Happy Market Research Podcast

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood and Alex Gardner explore what it takes for researchers to become more strategic inside complex organizations. Alex explains that while many researchers are pulled across market research, UX, CX, product research, analytics, and data science, the goal should not be to master everything. Instead, researchers need to know their strengths, understand adjacent disciplines...

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood talks with Svetlana Gershman about the intersection of market research, PR, media coverage, and thought leadership. Svetlana shares how she entered market research after initially planning to become a lawyer, eventually beginning her career as a data analyst at PSB working on messaging research for Microsoft. She explains how her current role at Method Communications...

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood talks with Andy Garlikov about the changing role of qualitative researchers as AI becomes more common in research workflows. Andy explains how he fell into market research after years in customer and executive engagement, discovering that the facilitation skills he developed in advisory boards and executive programs applied directly to qualitative research. He argues...

In this special live episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood records from IIEX and speaks with three guests about the biggest conversations happening across the insights industry. Stan Sthanunathan shares a candid perspective on AI, the urgent need for reskilling, and why data quality must return to the center of the conversation. Brian Madden talks about the continued value of...

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood speaks with David Iudica , an experienced insights and analytics leader who has worked across major organizations including Meta, Citi, and now Uber Ads. David shares his career journey from agency-side research to leading global measurement and analytics teams. He explains how his team supports advertisers by helping them understand what’s actually driving performan...

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood speaks with Eric Rasmussen, an experienced researcher who has worked across major companies including 23andMe, ebay and Groupon. Eric shares stories from his career working at the intersection of consumer behavior, technology, and product development. He discusses what it takes to turn complex innovation into something people actually adopt, and why many companies st...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood speaks with Janani Venkataraman, Director of Research & Insights at BILL, about how the role of research is evolving inside modern organizations. Janani shares her journey across agency, supplier, and client-side roles, and explains how her team supports go-to-market functions including sales, marketing, and customer experience. T...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood chats with Kajoli Tankha, who leads Microsoft’s consumer insights function. Kajoli shares her personal journey from agency life to leading a global team at Microsoft, discussing the challenges and rewards of guiding insights across AI, gaming, and more. They dive into how her team’s research influences product and marketing decisi...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Brianna Sylver, author and founder of Sylver Consulting, about the power of qualitative research in shaping brand and business strategy. Brianna shares her journey from researcher to founder, how she approaches deep consumer understanding, and why strong qualitative work goes beyond surface-level insights. The conversat...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Nick King, Insight Director at AutoTrader, about what it takes to deliver impactful insights inside a large digital marketplace. Nick shares how his team partners with product, UX, and commercial teams to ensure research informs real decisions. The conversation explores insight prioritization, speed versus depth, and ho...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Marilisa Beatty, VP of Qualitative Research at KJT, about what it truly takes to deliver strong qualitative research. Marilisa shares her perspective on rigor, thoughtful design, and building meaningful client partnerships. The conversation explores how qualitative researchers can balance structure with flexibility, men...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Laurie Michaels, Associate Director of Market Research at Innovation Partners, about what it really takes to make research useful inside organizations. Laurie shares her experience working closely with internal stakeholders, translating insights into action, and balancing rigor with real-world constraints. They discuss...

Dan Fleetwood talks with Gary Rudman, President of GTR Consulting and widely known as the Gen Z Whisperer , about what brands and researchers often misunderstand about Gen Z. Gary shares insights from years of youth culture research, exploring what truly resonates with this generation—from authenticity and identity to the impact of social media and brand purpose. They discuss how researchers can b...

Dan Fleetwood speaks with Susan Rose, Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Advisory Services at GovExec, about the intersection of data, research, and thought leadership in the public sector. Susan shares her journey from journalism to marketing, explaining how she uses research to back up compelling narratives that influence decision-makers. They explore the role of data in shaping effective c...

Dan Fleetwood speaks with Giovanni Riggioni, Customer & Market Insights Manager at HP, about the evolving role of customer insights in driving product strategy. Gio shares how his team uses data to inform product decisions, enhance customer experiences, and align research with business goals at HP. They discuss the integration of behavioral data, the impact of AI in shaping insights, and how quali...

Dan Fleetwood speaks with Jamie Ross-Skinner, Insights and Growth Director at ROAST, about how social listening is reshaping the insights landscape. Jamie explains how combining AI with human understanding helps brands uncover real consumer sentiment beyond traditional research. They explore how to turn social data into meaningful stories, the balance between automation and empathy, and why curios...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, host Dan Fleetwood chats with Cecilia Rodriguez, research and insights leader at Discover Puerto Rico. Cecilia shares how her team leverages data to better understand travelers, builds trust in the tourism industry, and turns research into strategies that strengthen Puerto Rico’s global brand. From consumer insights to industry trends, this con...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, host Dan Fleetwood sits down with Brooke Reavey, marketing professor at Dominican University, to talk about the challenges and opportunities in market research education. They explore the rise of survey fraud, why academic trust matters now more than ever, and how competitions and classroom projects are helping prepare students for real-world r...

The opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and guest only, and do not reflect the views of any company.   In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, host Dan Fleetwood sits down with Mary Hayes, Product Insights Manager at L&E Research, to explore the critical balance between AI efficiency and human connection in market research. Mary shares her unique career journey,...

In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood chats with Doug Keith, Founder of Future Research Consulting, about the evolving landscape of market research. Doug shares his insights on how the industry has changed over the years and the critical need to push past the "safe" middle-ground to embrace true innovation. From the rise of agile research and AI to fostering deeper co...

Dan Fleetwood sits down with Josh LaMar, CEO and Co-Founder of Amplinate, to discuss how understanding your customers can exponentially grow your business. From his early days at Microsoft to starting Amplinate, Josh shares how applying customer insights through UX research has led to transformative business decisions. They dive into the importance of asking the right questions, listening to custo...

Dan Fleetwood speaks with Andrew Moffatt, CEO and Co-Founder of Qrious Insight, about the evolution of behavioral research and the challenges with data quality in today's market. Andrew shares how continuous, real-time data collection can solve many of the existing problems in traditional survey-based research.  This episode also explores the role of AI, the growing importance of behavioral data,...

Dan Fleetwood talks with Tyler Lewtan, CEO of Zintro and ThinkEasy, about the real risks plaguing the research industry—from fraudulent respondents to outdated practices. Tyler shares how his journey from sales into research led him to uncover systemic issues in sample quality, and why B2B qual might be the last defense against a growing trust crisis. They explore the rise of synthetic fraud, how...

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood chats with Tim Sanders, VP of Research at G2, about the 2025 Buyer Behavior Report and why AI is now a baseline expectation, not a bonus. From survey design to buyer churn, Tim explains how AI is reshaping B2B decisions, and what sellers need to know about adoption, value, and the future of software discovery.   Guest: Tim Sanders – VP of Research & Insights at G2 an...

In this episode, Dan Fleetwood sits down with UX research veterans Nik Blach, former Senior Manager UX Data Research at Epic Games, and Rob Aseron, a research consultant and former Director of UX Research at Zynga, along with Vivek Bhaskaran, founder and CEO of QuestionPro. Together, they unpack how player-centric research drives innovation and engagement in gaming. From measuring "fun" and master...