The History Factory Podcast

Join host Erin Narloch and sneaker design icon Steven Smith for a conversation on taking risks while staying connected to what made a brand successful in the first place.

Hear about the “invisible” side of AI—context and context windows, aka the memory of LLMs—in the final episode of our three-part miniseries on Chroniqle™ and AI-ready data. Host Erin Narloch and Fred D’Silva explore what these are, why they matter and how Chroniqle is structured so that it gives verified, cited information with every response.

Erin Narloch and Fred D’Silva discuss the role of data structure in providing AI models with information they can read, History Factory’s data conversion process for Chroniqle™ that keeps humans in the loop, and the broader implications of AI readiness.

Dive into hybrid intelligence and AI readiness in the first episode of this special Chroniqle™ AI three-part podcast miniseries. Host Erin Narloch and Fred D’Silva, History Factory’s head of technology enablement, explore why having people with archival and research expertise involved in curation and validation is an essential part of our AI data intake process and how this differentiates the reli...

Join host Erin Narloch on this episode of “The History Factory Podcast” as she dives into the Guinness Archive with Eibhlin Colgan, Guinness Archive manager. Colgan shares how the collection, housed at St. James’s Gate Brewery, helps the brand maintain its authenticity; the true stories behind a few popular myths; and how the archives continues to evolve to better support the company’s future.

Communications and technology authority Dan Nestle joins host Jason Dressel to discuss the fast-changing state of artificial intelligence, how AI can help people and organizations surface insights and knowledge, and how to use that expertise to be an authority in the marketplace.

In this episode, cultural psychologist Michael Morris joins host Jason Dressel. They discuss Morris’ book “Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together,” and Morris explains how tribal instincts are rooted in shared culture and solidarity rather than conflict and can be a powerful asset for companies that use them authentically and strategically. 

Host Erin Narloch sits down with Melissa Ziobro, curator at the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University, to discuss Springsteen’s and the archives’ commitment to education, the value of authenticity, insights from Springsteen’s collection and how music helps us understand broader stories about American history and culture.

BACARDÍ Heritage Curator Rachel Guerin joins host Jason Dressel to kick off a new season of the History Factory Podcast on the rum brand’s founder’s day by exploring the iconic spirit’s ongoing legacy. A sixth-generation Bacardí family member, Rachel oversees the BACARDÍ Archives, a private collection of more than 20,000 historical artifacts in Miami, Florida, that showcases the 164-year history o...

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how organizations access and apply information, many companies are overlooking one of their most powerful resources: corporate archives. Chris Juhasz, senior director of archives at History Factory, explains how archival collections—when properly digitized, structured and made accessible—can serve as a trusted foundation for AI tools and enterprise-w...

Brewing Up History: A Chat With Dogfish Head Founder Sam Calagione by The History Factory Podcast

Host Erin Narloch sits down with Tara McRae, the new president and managing director of PUMA North America, to unravel the intricate dance between a brand’s storied past and its vibrant future. McRae, a veteran of iconic brands including Bose and Clarks, champions “true authenticity” as the bedrock of a successful brand.

Nina Thomas, director of exhibits and public programs at the Delta Flight Museum, joins host Jason Dressel for an insider’s look at how Delta Air Lines is celebrating 100 years of flight.

History Versus Heritage: Demystifying Brand Storytelling by The History Factory Podcast

In this episode, History Factory’s Erin Narloch interviews longtime employees of the Dickies archives Ann Richardson, director of trend development, and Corinna Wright, senior design manager. Ann and Corinna, who have been with Dickies for 50 and 28 years respectively, discuss their roles in merchandising, product development and the creation of the archives.

What goes into the 75-year legacy of one of the world’s most iconic footwear brands? Erin Narloch interviews Sandra Trapp, senior manager of history management and adidas global brands brand partnerships, on the adidas archival collection, its history and its role in the company. Founded in 2009, the collection holds around 40,000 catalog pieces, including footwear, apparel and file storage equiva...

Utah State University (USU) owns the Outdoor Recreation Archive, a living archives documenting the history of outdoor gear. Since its inception, it has been accessed by some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including REI, Nike, Columbia and others. Host Erin Narloch sits down with Chase Anderson, industry relations manager for outdoor product design and development and the Outdoor Recreati...

In this podcast episode, we talk with Halley Knigge, REI’s divisional vice president of communications, and Will Dunn, Co-op Living Archive and impact communications program manager, on the creation of REI’s Living Archive and the impact of the collection. The archives includes artifacts from the 1880s to the present day, serving as a portal for business units across the company to access historic...

In this new episode, Jason Dressel hosts Susan Morrison, author of “Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live,” on “The History Factory Podcast.” Morrison discusses Lorne Michaels’ leadership style, emphasizing his intuitive management, remote presence and minimal praise. She highlights Michaels’ ability to maintain SNL’s format while evolving its content, as well as his strategic approach t...

In our latest podcast episode, we gave the mic to our own people to discuss our recently released report, “The Heritage Gap.” CEO Jason Dressel is joined by Adrian Gianforti, Director of Marketing and Communications, Erin Narloch, Senior Director of Business Insights and Performance, and Andrew Rugg, President of Certus Insights, to discuss key findings from the report and History Factory’s new Br...

Join us on the open road to celebrate the Ford Mustang’s 60th birthday with Ted Ryan, Ford’s archives and heritage brand manager. He and History Factory CEO Jason Dressel discuss the iconic vehicle’s seven generations and its impact on pop culture—including its appearance in more than 8,000 movies and videos—and the most popular models today. Ryan talks about the transformation of the Mustang mode...

In this episode, we dive into nostalgia’s dual role as a management and creative tool. Dr. Agnes Arnold-Forster and History Factory’s Erin Narloch discuss how nostalgia is used in marketing to evoke emotional connections with brands and how organizations use it as a management tool to foster employee loyalty and engagement. Tune in for this conversation on the enduring influence of nostalgia.

In this episode, host Erin Narloch sits down with author and social historian Virginia Nicholson to discuss her latest book, All the Rage: Stories from the Front Line of Beauty Virginia, known for her compelling exploration of women’s lives and social history, shares insights from her research into the complex relationship between women and their appearance. They delve into how societal expectatio...

In this episode of “The History Factory Podcast,” Jason Dressel sits down with Dr. Clay Routledge, a leading expert in existential psychology and human motivation. They delve into the complex, often misunderstood emotion of nostalgia, which is deeply influential in our lives. Dr. Routledge discusses his research on how nostalgic feelings can be a powerful tool for organizations and individuals ali...

In the latest episode of “The History Factory Podcast,” CEO Jason Dressel and Dr. Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, an esteemed historian and sports diplomacy expert, have a riveting conversation about the multifaceted role of businesses and brands in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. They discuss the intricate involvement of conglomerates like LVMH, exploring these organizations’ creative contributions to...