Cross Tabs

Subversive marketing tactics and behavioral psychology intersect with modern political strategy, revealing how underdogs can convert attention into meaningful action by understanding human motivation and embracing calculated risk-taking to challenge established systems. Authors Alistair Croll and Emily Ross join Farrah to discuss their new book Just Evil Enough, which examines how challenger brands and political movements can effectively compete against established powers. The conversation spans practical examples from Burger King's "Whopper Detour" campaign to AOC's social media prowess, while exploring the critical difference between gaining attention and converting it into results. The discussion provides fresh insights into how Democrats might approach the election cycle by adopting more effective fighting tactics and embracing strategic norm breaking.  Resources Just Evil Enough by Alistair Croll and Emily Ross  Lean Analytics by Alistair Croll   Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky   Black Pill by Elle Reeve   The Unaccountability Machine by Dan Davies   Running from Office by Jennifer Lawless  'In Tense Call, Governors Push Schumer to Fight Harder Against Trump’ - New York Times  Data Void Techniques - Data & Society  Our Guests Alistair Croll is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and technology industry veteran. He co-authored the influential book Lean Analytics and has founded multiple companies in data analytics and digital governance. As a sought-after advisor and conference chair, he operates at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and behavioral science. Croll frequently speaks on innovation, digital transformation, and the societal impact of emerging technologies. His latest book, Just Evil Enough (co-authored by Emily Ross), builds on his expertise in analytics and behavioral psychology to explore how underdogs can effectively challenge established systems. Emily Ross is a brand strategist and technology marketing expert who leads brand strategy for social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). She founded Inkvine, a consultancy specializing in deep tech and complex technology marketing. Ross serves on the SXSW startup panel and has built her career helping organizations like UNICEF and emerging startups translate complex innovations into compelling narratives. Her expertise spans behavioral science, digital culture, and subversive marketing strategies.  Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify 

Across democracies worldwide, citizens aren't necessarily losing faith in democratic values -- they're frustrated with how democracy is actually working in their countries. New research reveals a striking pattern: from the United States to Italy to South Korea, people want better representation and more responsive leadership, not necessarily a different system of government. In this episode, Pew Research Center's Richard Wike and Patrick Moynihan share insights from their extensive global democracy study spanning 31 countries, explaining how they measure democratic satisfaction across different cultures and political systems and the fascinating regional patterns that are revealed, like the north-south divide in European attitudes and America's uniquely high levels of political polarization. They share their methodological approach to conducting cross-national surveys and touch on upcoming new research on global views about free speech and inequality. Resources Freedom House  Economist Intelligence Unit  V-Dem  International IDEA  World Values Survey  ‘Economic Inequality Seen as Major Challenge Around the World’ - Pew Research Center (Richard Wike et al)  ‘What Can Improve Democracy’ - Pew Research Center  ‘What the World Thinks in 2002’ - Pew Research Center  2022 Political Polarization Study - Pew Research Center  31-Country Democracy Study - Pew Research Center  Global Attitudes Project - Pew Research Center  ‘The Danger of Deconsolidation: The Democratic Disconnect’ - Roberto Stefan Foa, Yascha Mounk  Our Guests Patrick Moynihan is associate director of international research methods at Pew Research Center. Before joining Pew, he served as survey methodologist at the U.S. Department of State and as senior polling analyst at ABC News. He holds a doctorate in sociology from SUNY Stony Brook and has extensive experience in survey design, polling methodology, and election research. Richard Wike is director of global attitudes research at Pew Research Center, where he studies international public opinion on topics like democracy, globalization, and America's global image. His research has been featured in major publications including The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and The Guardian. He holds a doctorate in political science from Emory University. Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify 

This is an interview from last year for another show I do called In The Demo. I talked to The Ringer's Rob Harvilla, host of 60 Song That Explain the 90s, about the role of nostalgia and generational identity in the way we experience music. It's a fun conversation, and I hope a bit of a break from the heaviness of the conversation with Grafton Tanner about the politics of nostalgia.

Nostalgia has transformed from a medical condition in the 1600s into a powerful force wielded by politicians and corporations today, shaping everything from entertainment reboots to presidential campaigns. The tension between preserving the past and embracing change reveals deeper questions about how we process loss, grief, and our relationship with time in an era of relentless information overload. Author and theorist Grafton Tanner draws surprising connections between streaming algorithms, dead malls, and political messaging to explain how nostalgia is strategically deployed to influence behavior. Through analysis of cultural touchstones like Forrest Gump and Mad Men, he examines why some forms of nostalgia successfully drive engagement while others fall flat, and questions whether our current obsession with the past threatens our ability to imagine new futures.  Resources ‘The Hours Have Lost Their Clock’ by Grafton Tanner  ‘Foreverism’ by Grafton Tanner  ‘Millennials Rising’ by Neil Howe and William Strauss   Our Guest Grafton Tanner is the author of Foreverism, The Hours Have Lost Their Clock: The Politics of Nostalgia, The Circle of the Snake: Nostalgia and Utopia in the Age of Big Tech, and Babbling Corpse: Vaporwave and the Commodification of Ghosts). His work focuses on nostalgia, technology, and the rhetoric of neoliberalism, and his writing has appeared in such venues as NPR, The Nation, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Jacobin, and Real Life. He is the host of Delusioneering, a three-episode audio series about the myths of capitalism. Currently he is writing a book on the re-emergence of exorcism in the late twentieth century.  Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify 

The 2024 presidential election revealed deep fractures in American democracy, from the failure of economic messaging to connect with voters to the growing disconnect between Democratic Party leadership and their base constituencies. Through candid analysis of polling data, campaign strategies, and voter psychology, this discussion illuminates why traditional political playbooks are becoming increasingly ineffective in an era of widespread voter disillusionment. In this thoughtful conversation, political strategists Natalie Lupiani and Shannon join host Farrah Bostic to dissect what went wrong in the Democratic campaign and what it means for the future of American politics. They examine how the Democrats' reliance on outdated campaign tactics, failure to engage meaningfully with communities between election cycles, and misreading of voter priorities contributed to their loss. The discussion offers particularly valuable insights into the party's struggles with economic messaging, identity politics, and the challenge of connecting with voters who feel increasingly disconnected from traditional political institutions.  Resources 'Kamala Harris Crushed Donald Trump...and Voters Noticed’ episode of The Bulwark’s Focus Group Podcast  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEpOQw35Vaw ‘Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden’ NYT article by Ezra Klein https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/opinion/ezra-klein-biden-audio-essay.html  'Gen Z’s Vision of Success? Nearly $600,000 a Year’ Yahoo! Finance article by Cara Michelle Smith  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-vision-success-nearly-103005295.html  Our Guests Shannon-Janean Currie is a Vice President of Benenson Strategy Group, with over a decade of experience in research and messaging, specializing in minority audiences and disenfranchised communities. Her work combines quantitative and qualitative methods to help organizations like the ACLU, Fwd.us, and The National Urban League connect with and uplift communities. Known for her groundbreaking studies on Black America and criminal justice reform, Shannon is deeply committed to advocacy, mentorship, and counter-polarization efforts. Natalie Lupiani, is an opinion researcher and strategic consultant with over a decade of experience crafting data-driven strategies for campaigns, branding, corporate culture, and communications. She has partnered with Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, Toyota, and AT&T, as well as nonprofits and advocacy groups, leveraging insights from domestic and international research to drive impactful decisions. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Natalie is passionate about supporting service members through her professional work and volunteer efforts with organizations like TAPS. Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Most voters make election decisions based on limited information and fleeting moments of attention, not careful analysis of policies and positions - even for a presidential race with billions spent on campaigning. The disconnect between how political insiders discuss elections versus how typical voters engage with them leads to fundamental misunderstandings about voter behavior and campaign effectiveness. Natalie Jackson, political analyst and pollster, shares insights from her work on down-ballot campaigns and her recent National Journal article examining voter engagement. Drawing on focus group research and polling data, she discusses how campaigns must adapt messaging for different districts, why negative partisanship strategies don't always work, and the challenges women face in gaining recognition as polling experts despite often leading the actual research teams. Resources National Journal https://www.nationaljournal.com/search/?a=Natalie%20Jackson  Financial Times (FT) chart https://www.ft.com/  Kaiser Family Foundation polling https://www.kff.org/2024-survey-of-women-voters-dashboard-june-initial-survey/  Sarah Longwell's focus groups https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thefocusgroup   YouGov polls https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/50960-how-americans-have-reacted-to-donald-trumps-2024-victory   AAPC post-election event https://theaapc.org/education-events/2024-post-mortem-event-2/   FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast https://fivethirtyeight.com/podcasts/  Our Guest Natalie Jackson, PhD, is Vice President at GQR. She has spent nearly two decades developing extensive expertise in survey research, methodology, and political polling. Her research on how people form opinions, as well as on the election polling and forecasting landscape has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, and she has a weekly column on data politics called Leading Indicators at National Journal. Prior to joining GQR, she was Director of Research at PRRI and Managing Director of Polling at Just Capital. Earlier in her career, she held senior and management positions at the Marist Institute for Public Opinion and The Huffington Post. She is an active member for the American Association for Public Opinion Research, serves on the council for the National Capitol Area Political Science Association, and co-chairs the Careers Diversity Committee for the American Political Science Association. She is on the editorial boards of Social Science Quarterly and PS: Political Science and Politics. Natalie received her PhD in political science from the University of Oklahoma and was a postdoctoral associate at the Duke University Initiative on Survey Methodology. Her BA in political science and history is from West Texas A&M University. She enjoys life in Washington, DC with her cats, but you might also find her hiking in Alaska or the Hudson Valley of New York. Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify 

Modern political polling faces fascinating challenges beyond simple statistical accuracy - from voters who strategically misrepresent their views to express partisan loyalty, to the complex task of predicting who will actually show up to vote. Despite popular perception of a deeply divided America, research suggests voters are far more moderate on individual issues than their partisan voting behavior would indicate. Brian Schaffner, professor at Tufts University and Co-Director of the Cooperative Election Study (CES), joins Farrah on Cross Tabs to discuss the evolution of political polling methodology. He shares insights from running one of the largest academic election surveys, which interviews 60,000 Americans during election years. The conversation covers innovations in online polling, the science of predicting voter turnout, and how political campaigns are increasingly embracing data-driven decision making. Schaffner addresses common misconceptions about polling accuracy and explains why it takes months after an election to fully understand voting patterns and demographic shifts.  Resources Tufts University Cooperative Election Study (CES) https://tischcollege.tufts.edu/research-faculty/research-centers/cooperative-election-study Interactive Visualization Tools from CES https://tischcollege.tufts.edu/research-faculty/research-centers/cooperative-election-study/ces-quick-tools QAnon and Conspiracy Beliefs Report by Brian Schaffner https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-publications/qanon-and-conspiracy-beliefs/ Financial Times, “Democrats join 2024’s graveyard of incumbents” https://www.ft.com/content/e8ac09ea-c300-4249-af7d-109003afb893 Mike Podhorzer’s Weekend Reading “Is this What Democracy Looks Like?” https://www.weekendreading.net/p/is-this-what-democracy-looks-like  Our Guest Brian Schaffner is the inaugural Newhouse Professor of Civic Studies in the Department of Political Science and Tisch College at Tufts University. He is also Co-Director of the Cooperative Election Study, the largest academic survey of the American public and a core resource for academic researchers and the news media for understanding public opinion and American elections.  Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Immersive simulations and war games are transforming how organizations make complex decisions and understand human behavior, with artificial intelligence now making these powerful tools more accessible than ever. By putting participants in realistic scenarios with emotional stakes, these games reveal blind spots in thinking, challenge assumptions, and build cognitive empathy across divides. This episode features Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Eleanor Ross of Valens Games, who discuss their work creating sophisticated political and national security simulations. They share insights on using AI to democratize game design, the importance of incorporating humor and humanity into serious scenarios, and how simulations can help bridge social divisions by encouraging participants to see issues from multiple perspectives. The conversation touches on applications ranging from academic teaching to corporate decision-making, highlighting how games create safe spaces for practicing high-consequence choices. Resources Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore https://a.co/d/5IJOIdS    War Game (Documentary) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26681810/   Providence (Platform) http://providence.valensgames.com/Acceleration (Game) https://valensglobal.com/what-we-do/simulations-hub/wargames-simulations/  Our Guests Daveed Gartenstein-Ross is the founder and CEO of Valens Games, pioneering the use of immersive simulations and AI-powered game design in national security, politics, and organizational decision-making. A counterterrorism expert who previously led the drafting of the Department of Homeland Security's 2019 counterterrorism strategy, Gartenstein-Ross transitioned from teaching at Georgetown University's Security Studies Program to developing innovative educational gaming experiences that help participants challenge assumptions and think differently about complex challenges. Eleanor Ross joined Valens Games after first experiencing their work as a student at Duke University, where she participated in and then team-led national security simulations. With a research background and plans to enter government service, Ross was drawn to Valens Games' unique approach to learning and now helps develop immersive exercises that build cognitive empathy and critical thinking skills. She specializes in creating engaging narratives and characters that make complex scenarios more approachable and meaningful for participants. Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify 

Despite decades of political polling and analysis, most voters know almost nothing about politics, policy, or current events - and traditional campaign strategies completely fail to account for this reality. The key to winning elections isn't policy positions or positive messaging, but rather effectively defining your opponent before they can define you. Dr. Rachel Bitecofer, political analyst and author of Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts, joins Farrah Bostic to break down why Democratic campaign strategies are fundamentally flawed and what actually moves voters. Drawing from her experience as a pollster and strategist, Bitecofer explains how Republicans have mastered "negative partisanship" messaging while Democrats continue to waste resources on micro-targeting and policy-focused campaigns that don't reach or resonate with most voters. She argues that Democrats must adopt more effective branding and messaging strategies that speak to voters' immediate concerns and fears, rather than assuming an informed and engaged electorate that doesn't exist.  Resources Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game by Rachel Bitecofer - https://a.co/d/9gcRHxM  It Was All a Lie by Stuart Stevens - https://a.co/d/hDkoAoJ  Virginia Governor Poll Study (2019-2020) by Rachel Bitecofer - https://cnu.edu/wasoncenter/surveys/2019-10-07-va-leg-1/  Partisan Response Study by Rachel Bitecofer - https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3414607 The Next Level Podcast featuring Sarah Longwell -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-level/id1647085571  Blueprint Research - https://blueprint2024.com/about/  Our Guest Rachel Bitecofer is a political analyst, strategist, and author of Hit Them Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game. After a career in academia where she taught political science and ran a survey research center, Bitecofer shifted to focus on reforming Democratic campaign strategy. Known for her theory of negative partisanship and accurate electoral predictions, she argues that traditional Democratic campaign approaches fundamentally misunderstand voter psychology and behavior.  Unlike conventional pollsters and analysts, she emphasizes that most voters are largely uninformed about politics and make decisions based on emotional triggers rather than policy positions. Bitecofer has worked with the Democratic National Committee to implement more effective messaging strategies and regularly provides commentary on political campaigns and electoral dynamics.  Your Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify 

In this episode, Farrah talks to the Chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, Anil Cacodcar, about the origins and evolution of the Poll, which was started by students in 2000. We discuss the process the student team uses to develop survey questions, organize research topics, and partner with the Ipsos Knowledge Panel to reach young respondents.We also discuss insights from the latest poll data, including a shift in enthusiasm among young Democrats after Kamala Harris joined the ticket, the gender gap in candidate perceptions, and the role of factors like candidate characteristics and social media in shaping youth opinion.We also discussed challenges in measuring the impact of media consumption and events on young voters' opinions in the current information landscape, and get Anil's perspective on the future of youth polling and what he'll be watching for in the upcoming election.Throughout the conversation, we explore the complexities of understanding and reaching the youth electorate, as well as the importance of qualitative research to complement polling data.After the interview, Farrah shares some reflections on the last 2 weeks of the polling landscape — and why you should avert your gaze to other more pressing matters: like defending the votes that are already being cast.Our Guest:Anil Cacodcar, is an undergraduate student at Harvard and Chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, which runs the nation's largest poll on the political opinions and civic attitudes of young Americans. He studies both Economics and Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology. Resources:The latest Harvard Youth Poll Harvard Public Opinion Project "Americans under 21 first voted 50 years ago. It didn’t go as expected." The Washington PostUS Elections ProjectYour Host Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.  Subscribe to Cross Tabs Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify