The Human Risk Podcast Human Risk: Behind The Scenes
May 3, 2025
01:32:39
What really happens Behind The Scenes at Human Risk?
📝 Episode Summary
In this special ‘takeover’ episode of the show, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my work at Human Risk. Because interviewing myself would be odd, friend of the show Sarah Abramson takes the interviewer’s seat. She delves into my journey, exploring the intersections of curiosity, compliance, and creativity that have shaped my career.
We discuss the origins of my interest in human behaviour, the evolution of the Human Risk brand, and how blending personal experiences with professional insights can lead to more authentic and engaging content.
I reflect on the challenges and rewards of building a brand that aligns closely with one's identity, the importance of storytelling, the role of improvisation in presentations, and the value of staying curious.
I also talk about the show, why I started it, and the principles behind it.
👤 Guest Biography
Christian Hunt is the host of the show and the founder of Human Risk Ltd, a behavioural Science-led consultancy and training firm. Guest host Sarah Abramson is a marketing and communications professional with a passion for storytelling and human-centred design.
She is the Head of Marketing at Acteon, a communication and learning agency based in Cambridge. Sarah also organises ‘Speak to the Human’ an annual event, which focuses on effective communication strategies in organisations. Her work emphasises the importance of understanding human behaviour to drive meaningful change.
⏱️ AI-Generated Timestamped Summary
[00:00:00] Sarah introduces the episode and takes over hosting duties
[00:02:00] Christian shares how his curiosity about human behaviour began in childhood
[00:04:00] Why irrational behaviour fascinates him and how literature shaped his thinking
[00:06:00] From regulation to behavioural science — realising compliance needed a human lens
[00:12:00] Christian explains why Human Risk is really a “C2C” business, not B2B
[00:15:00] The three types of clients who engage him and why middle-ground organisations don’t
[00:21:00] The Twitter account mix-up that made Christian realise the brand is him
[00:27:00] Christian describes his creative process and taking inspiration from odd places
[00:32:00] Why performance matters in speaking — and why he refuses to send slides early
[00:38:00] On using virtual presentation tools to create better audience experiences
[00:43:00] Why rinse-and-repeat keynotes don’t work — what live shows can learn from comedians
[00:56:00] Using personality and humour to engage on social media and at conferences
[01:03:00] Christian explains how podcasting fits his personal and professional goals
[01:24:00] Advising clients: letting them be the hero and respecting their resistance
[01:26:00] The psychology of change and why agency matters
[01:28:00] What excites Christian about AI — especially human responses to it
[01:30:00] Wrap-up and final thoughts
🔗 Relevant Links & Podcast Episodes
Acteon Communications: https://www.acteoncommunication.com/
Human Risk pod
Sarah Abramson on Speaking to The Human 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/sarah-abramson-on-speaking-to-the-human/
Hannah Williams on the Art of Live Scribing 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/hannah-williams-on-the-art-of-live-scribing/
Heather Urquhart on Improvisation Part One 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/heather-urquhart-on-improvisation-part-one/ Part Two 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/heather-urquhart-on-improvisation-part-two/
Fraser Simpson on Making Ethics Engaging 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/fraser-simpson-on-making-ethics-engaging/
Speak To The Human pod
Christian Hunt on Bringing Behavioural Science to Risk Management
🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-2/
Fraser Simpson on a Game-Changing Ethics Engagement
🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-5/
Heather Urquhart on Overcoming Fear of Failure 🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-9/
Hannah Williams on Visual Communication
🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-12/
📝 Episode Summary
In this special ‘takeover’ episode of the show, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my work at Human Risk. Because interviewing myself would be odd, friend of the show Sarah Abramson takes the interviewer’s seat. She delves into my journey, exploring the intersections of curiosity, compliance, and creativity that have shaped my career.
We discuss the origins of my interest in human behaviour, the evolution of the Human Risk brand, and how blending personal experiences with professional insights can lead to more authentic and engaging content.
I reflect on the challenges and rewards of building a brand that aligns closely with one's identity, the importance of storytelling, the role of improvisation in presentations, and the value of staying curious.
I also talk about the show, why I started it, and the principles behind it.
👤 Guest Biography
Christian Hunt is the host of the show and the founder of Human Risk Ltd, a behavioural Science-led consultancy and training firm. Guest host Sarah Abramson is a marketing and communications professional with a passion for storytelling and human-centred design.
She is the Head of Marketing at Acteon, a communication and learning agency based in Cambridge. Sarah also organises ‘Speak to the Human’ an annual event, which focuses on effective communication strategies in organisations. Her work emphasises the importance of understanding human behaviour to drive meaningful change.
⏱️ AI-Generated Timestamped Summary
[00:00:00] Sarah introduces the episode and takes over hosting duties
[00:02:00] Christian shares how his curiosity about human behaviour began in childhood
[00:04:00] Why irrational behaviour fascinates him and how literature shaped his thinking
[00:06:00] From regulation to behavioural science — realising compliance needed a human lens
[00:12:00] Christian explains why Human Risk is really a “C2C” business, not B2B
[00:15:00] The three types of clients who engage him and why middle-ground organisations don’t
[00:21:00] The Twitter account mix-up that made Christian realise the brand is him
[00:27:00] Christian describes his creative process and taking inspiration from odd places
[00:32:00] Why performance matters in speaking — and why he refuses to send slides early
[00:38:00] On using virtual presentation tools to create better audience experiences
[00:43:00] Why rinse-and-repeat keynotes don’t work — what live shows can learn from comedians
[00:56:00] Using personality and humour to engage on social media and at conferences
[01:03:00] Christian explains how podcasting fits his personal and professional goals
[01:24:00] Advising clients: letting them be the hero and respecting their resistance
[01:26:00] The psychology of change and why agency matters
[01:28:00] What excites Christian about AI — especially human responses to it
[01:30:00] Wrap-up and final thoughts
🔗 Relevant Links & Podcast Episodes
Acteon Communications: https://www.acteoncommunication.com/
Human Risk pod
Sarah Abramson on Speaking to The Human 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/sarah-abramson-on-speaking-to-the-human/
Hannah Williams on the Art of Live Scribing 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/hannah-williams-on-the-art-of-live-scribing/
Heather Urquhart on Improvisation Part One 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/heather-urquhart-on-improvisation-part-one/ Part Two 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/heather-urquhart-on-improvisation-part-two/
Fraser Simpson on Making Ethics Engaging 🎧 👉 https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/fraser-simpson-on-making-ethics-engaging/
Speak To The Human pod
Christian Hunt on Bringing Behavioural Science to Risk Management
🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-2/
Fraser Simpson on a Game-Changing Ethics Engagement
🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-5/
Heather Urquhart on Overcoming Fear of Failure 🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-9/
Hannah Williams on Visual Communication
🎧 👉 https://www.acteoncommunication.com/podcast/episode-12/