The Great Indoors

Alignment is the cornerstone of a successful company, touching every aspect from the business plan, to the product, to the marketing. A cohesive narrative is what separates the good from the great, and no one understands this better than Chris Hare, founder of The Storied Future. In this episode, Chris joins Matt to unpack the transformative power of storytelling in business. Drawing from his experience with global tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, Chris shares how his time in the industry inspired him to cut through the noise and focus on the compelling stories that leader may not know how to tell. In this episode, he discusses how he helps CEOs uncover their personal "atomic stories"—narratives that not only center their humanity but also act as a North Star, guiding their companies forward. Chris dives into practical storytelling techniques, how to approach 360 interviews, and how to hunt for the "plot twist" that can make your company’s story truly stand out. If you're looking to explore how authentic storytelling can drive both organizational change and personal growth, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!

Ever heard the saying, "You are the company you keep"? It’s true, friends, tastes, and styles all reflect our unique cultural subscriptions. Culture is a dominating factor in how we show up every day, a phenomenon deeply understood by Marcus Collins, a marketing expert and cultural scholar. On this episode of The Great Indoors, Marcus dives into the impact of culture and how its influence goes deeper than points pulled from demographic data. Unpacking the relationship between culture and human behavior, Marcus reveals why consumers like what they like. Moreover, he shares how companies can understand it like McDonald's did when they dug their way out of a PR crisis with an award-winning campaign. Marcus shares what it means to uncover, understand, and implement “fan truths” and how Gen AI is leading to unorthodox content, forcing today’s marketers to adapt or fall behind. Tune in to take steps toward understanding the difficult-to-define, ever-evolving force influencing lives—culture.

What does the future of knowledge look like in the age of generative AI? In this episode, strategist, author, and Outthinker founder Kaihan Krippendorff ,  joins Matthew Roberts to explore the transformative journey of knowledge in an AI-powered world. Together, they unpack how large language models (LLMs) are reshaping how we process, share, and act on information. Uncover how AI is poised to revolutionize storytelling, enabling businesses to craft hyper-personalized narratives that connect like never before. Join Matt and Kaihan as they venture into ethical dilemmas and workforce disruptions AI may bring, asking bold questions about how humans and machines will share the future. How do we balance the power of AI with the expertise and intuition of people? What does this shift mean for strategy, creativity, and the stories we tell? Packed with practical wisdom and thought-provoking ideas, this episode is a must-listen for leaders, innovators, and anyone passionate about shaping the future of business and society.

Trust is the hallmark of a meaningful relationship—personal or professional. Without it, disconnection and detachment can take hold, often with serious consequences. For Geoff Hollingworth, Chief Marketing Officer at Rakuten Symphony, building trust in today’s fast-paced digital world isn’t just a goal, it’s a mission. In this episode, Geoff joins Matt to explore how companies in the digital space can foster trust with consumers and the transformative impact this can have on business. Drawing on his journey from a childhood fascination with fictional worlds to leading innovation in telecom, Geoff unpacks the power of storytelling in connecting people, brands, and ideas. Discover how generative AI is reshaping the storytelling landscape and why Geoff sees it as a tool to amplify human creativity rather than replace it. From cultural nuances to creating narratives rooted in trust, Geoff reveals how compelling stories can transcend borders and redefine the way we communicate. If you’ve ever wondered how trust, storytelling, and technology intertwine, this is an episode you can’t miss!

Ever wonder what makes a story truly unforgettable? How do the best storytellers capture your attention and never let go? In this episode, marketing guru, entrepreneur, advisor, and bestselling author David Meerman Scott joins Matt for a riveting conversation on how storytelling is the backbone of successful marketing. David doesn’t hold back as he shares how the pandemic and a transformative 26-day hike helped him hit pause, reflect on his career, and redefine his approach to marketing. Learn about the surprise success of his book Marketing the Moon, as it became adapted into the blockbuster film Fly Me to the Moon nearly 10 years after it was written. Uncover the timeless marketing lessons hidden in the Apollo Lunar Program as David shares the perfect blend of science and art that makes stories resonate. Dig into David’s book Fanocracy, showing how companies can create vibrant communities of passionate fans. Finally, understand the implications of generative AI on storytelling and its role in modern marketing. For anyone looking to captivate an audience, David Meerman Scott is the storyteller you want to learn from!

Back and better than ever, it's the premiere episode of the Great Indoors Season 9! Diving deep into generative AI and its profound impact on media is guest Doug Shapiro from Boston Consulting Group. Pulling on over 30 years of industry experience, Doug unpacks technology’s immeasurable influence on Hollywood, from the early disruption fueled by companies like Netflix and YouTube to today’s rapid innovation. He pinpoints where the bar for AI in media really is and delves into topics like skeuomorphism, the human touch in storytelling, and even the legacy of Lord of the Rings. This discussion of AI and the silver screen is a season opener you won't want to miss! 

After eight captivating seasons, 150 inspiring guests, and countless miles traveled across the globe, The Great Indoors is back for an exhilarating 9th season! Fueled by bold inquiry, this podcast has ventured to the edges of curiosity, sparking thought-provoking dialogue and meaningful discovery. This season, the journey continues with deeper conversations and fresh perspectives as Matt and Larisa lead us into an exciting new chapter. At its core lies an open invitation to you. Together, we'll explore the all-to-human stories behind the world's most influential technology shaping the ever-evolving human experience. Join us as we navigate the world, one story at a time!

In the Season 8 finale of The Great Indoors, Matt hosts Cameron Coursey, Vice President of Connected Solutions at AT&T, and Anton Monk, Former CTO at Viasat. Cameron and Matt explore the realm of IoT and its evolution with the advent of 5G and Generative AI technology. They also delve into the existing barriers within the IoT landscape and how they can be overcome. Next, Matt speaks to Anton Monk all about the future of satellite technology. Matt dives into the convergence of satellite and connectivity, and how satellite companies are navigating these changes and gearing up to be in a good position in the market. Don’t miss the final episode from MWC Barcelona!

Matt Roberts welcomes three guests in this exciting episode of The Great Indoors! First, he sits down with Federico Karrer, Head of Digital Life Services at CKH Innovations Opportunities Development at Hutchison Whampoa (Europe) Limited. They discuss the digital service marketplace, and how it optimizes user experience and retention. Next Matt speaks with Illya Polshakov, Chief New Business Streams Officer at Kyivstar. Kyivstar is a Ukranian telecommunications company, and they discuss recovering from a cyberattack and the resilience of cloud based data. Finally he is joined by Neil Mendes, Head of Public Mobile, and guest host Gabriel Israel, Global Head of Telco & Media, Stellar Elements Division at Amdocs to discuss MVNO, and how Public Mobile has revolutionized eSIM in Canada.

Join host Matt Roberts in insightful conversations with industry experts on the forefront of data and AI innovation. In the first segment, Matt is joined by Matt Dugan, EVP for Data at AT&T, as they delve into the complexities and potentials of big data utilization. They explore the challenges companies face in harnessing vast amounts of information effectively, and discuss the potential of Generative AI in structuring and contextualizing data. In the second segment, Matt welcomes Don Tirsell, Global Head of Partnerships at Google. Don discusses the evolving landscape of cloud infrastructure and deployment in relation to Big Data. Next, they discuss laying the groundwork for AI to become the 'killer use case' of big data, Google's approach to developing AI pipelines for enterprises, and the partnerships Google is looking for.