The Insighter's Club Podcast

Thor Olof Philogène, Founder and CEO of Stravito, dives deep into the transformative landscape of AI and insights. He reveals that AI is not just a strategy but essential infrastructure for organizations. They shift the conversation from static reports to reusable intelligence systems that enhance decision-making. Thor emphasizes the importance of data quality, storytelling, and commercial acumen for insight leaders. Discover how to turn research waste into valuable insights and why a hybrid human-AI approach will define the future.

Join Christopher Rastin, Head of Global Customer Research at E.ON, Seema Hope, VP of Insight at The Economist, and Leo Moore, Senior Director of Insights at Kellanova for a riveting discussion on transforming insight teams. They explore the vital role of culture over technology, emphasizing the importance of dynamic curation versus static libraries. The trio also tackles the complexities around generative AI and synthetic data, advocating for human judgment and skepticism as essential in using AI effectively. Plus, they share tips on fostering relationships that drive actionable insights.

Insight teams are at a crossroads: stay safe and stay small or claim a seat at the growth table. This is the operating playbook to move from “report factory” to strategic co-pilot.In this special live episode of The Insiders Club Podcast, recorded at Stravito Insights Summit 2025 in Paris, three trailblazing leaders unpack what it really takes to dismantle silos and hard-wire insights into decision-making: Seema Hope (VP of Insight, The Economist), Leo Moore (Senior Director, Category Strategic Insights & Analytics, Europe at Kellanova) and Christopher Rastin (Head of Global Customer Research, E.ON). Together, they reveal tried and tested decisive levers: KPI alignment, process design, internal PR, and finance fluency, that turn insights from a cost center into a value engine.In this conversation, we tackle:Why silos persist (competing KPIs, turf, trust) and a practical path to break them permanently.Why “delivering data” isn’t enough and how to lead with a conclusion, then prove it fast.The secret to embedding insights early (not post-hoc) without losing ownership or control.How to democratize insights so they scale, without diluting standards or rigor.The underrated power move: becoming best friends with finance to show real ROI.If you’re passionate about multiplying your impact as an insights leader, this episode is a call to action to upgrade your operating system, not just your methods.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

Candice Walton, Insights Leader at Lloyd’s Banking Group, brings over ten years of experience in turning data into impactful narratives. She dives into transforming insights from static reports to reusable assets and shares her innovative approach of an Insight Newsroom for crafting engaging headlines. Candice emphasizes the power of simplicity in communication, suggesting insights be presented as if explaining to a ten-year-old. She also highlights the importance of storytelling and measuring engagement to ensure insights don’t just fade into email inboxes.

Jake Burghardt, a consultant and former Amazon research leader, shares his expertise on maximizing the value of existing consumer insights. He highlights the dangers of research waste and the necessity of keeping insights alive beyond initial studies. Listeners learn how to judge the relevance of older insights and create impactful summaries. Jake advocates for transforming lengthy reports into digestible formats and integrating insights into decision-making processes. With practical habits for continuous rediscovery, he inspires teams to utilize their research gold more effectively.

Consumer data is losing its credibility and it’s not just because of bots. For years, incentivized surveys and outdated methods have been quietly warping the truth, leaving brands guessing about what customers really think.In this episode, Stephanie Clapham, Director of Research at Latana, tells us why the old ways aren’t working and what’s replacing them. She shares how her team is ditching tired panel systems for fresh, ad-based sampling that finds real people in their real environments, no incentives, no professional survey takers. Steph lays out how brands can earn back trust and uncover insights they can truly stand behind.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

Insight teams are at a crossroads: stay safe and stay small, or take bold steps to become strategic growth drivers.In this special live episode of The Insighter’s Club Podcast, we bring together three trailblazing leaders who are shaping the future of consumer insights. Recorded at The Stravito Insight Summit in Austin, Texas, Kristi Brown (Chick-fil-A), Michelle Sullivan (Target, General Mills) and Kristen Oeltjenbruns (Cargill) sit down to explore the path to insight excellence.In this candid conversation, we tackle some pressing industry issues:Why are insights teams still stuck in silos, and how can we break these barriers once and for all?Why delivering data alone is no longer enough and how to transform it into actionable storytelling.What’s the secret to embedding insights throughout your organization without losing ownership or control?Why democratizing insights is the key to the future and how gatekeeping can limit your career growth.If you're passionate about amplifying your impact as an insights professional, this episode is a call-to-action to elevate your approach and make a lasting impact across your business.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

Too often, insight teams are asked to deliver fast answers, neglecting the time, tools, or trust to get them right. The cost of that remains usually invisible – until it’s not.In this episode, Jane Frost CBE, CEO of the Market Research Society, digs into why the true job of insight professionals is synthesis, not exclusively analysis, and what it takes to move from being data providers to trusted strategic advisors in today’s organizations. We also discuss:Why great insight is built on connection.The importance of stakeholder relationshipsHow treating insights as reusable assets strengthens long-term decisionsJoin The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

In this special episode, Thor Olof Philogène, Founder & CEO of Stravito, returns to the show to explore the biggest shifts reshaping the insights function in 2025. He and Ross take stock of a turbulent and transformative first half of the year, digging into what it really takes to move from one-off reports to insight systems that inform, influence, and endure.They discuss:The difference between insight that explains and insight that transforms.How AI can either flatten or enhance insight, depending on how it's used.How to turn one-off findings into long-term strategic assets.The 3 skills insight leaders need to drive change across silos.And more!Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.a

Even the smartest insight is useless if it can’t cut through, move people, or drive action. In this episode, Evan Williams, Founder at Perennial Mind and former insights leader at Uber, Mondelēz, and General Mills, breaks down what most insight teams get wrong when trying to make their work stick. Ross and Evan talk about why simplifying insights doesn’t mean watering them down, how AI can help but not replace human thinking, and why great storytelling is often more powerful than another dashboard. We also cover:How simplification plays a crucial role in cutting through, but requires serious skill and careful thought.Why AI’s inability to extrapolate like a human, because of its lack of goal awareness, is a strategic risk.The importance of insight teams as R&D rather than validators.Why written communication is the most under-leveraged skill in the insights function, and the fastest path to real influence.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox