42courses Podcast

Is AI a job-killer, or is it the spark for a new creative renaissance? Join Chris (CEO, 42courses), Dave Duarte (CEO, Treeshake), and Conor McCarthy (AI Consultant & Engineer) for a candid conversation about navigating the choppy seas of the AI revolution.In this episode, we move past the doom-scrolling and focus on practical optimism. We discuss why AI is the "fastest depreciating asset humanity has ever invented," how to stop being a "secret cyborg" at work, and why the rise of synthetic media is actually driving a massive return to real-world community events. Plus, we share the simple "two Post-it note" strategy to build your AI muscle memory and debate the distinct "personalities" of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.If you’re looking for a safe, optimistic place to make sense of the changing world, this conversation is for you.

Why do customers say "no" even when you offer them something for free? And how can simply changing a question double your sales?In this episode, Chris chats with behavioural science expert and Mindworx founder Matt Suchánek. A former actuary turned consumer psychology pro, Matt reveals why the secret to boosting sales isn't about giving people more reasons to buy—it's about giving them fewer reasons to say no.We discuss:🧠 The "Free" Trap: Why a travel insurance giveaway failed (and how psychology fixed it).🍕 The Pizza Experiment: How a simple reframe changed topping orders by 100%.🏄 The SURF Model: A practical framework to decode customer behaviour.🚫 Psychological Reactance: Why pushing too hard kills the sale.🎁 SPECIAL OFFER: Matt is offering signed copies of his new book, The Hidden Yes, plus a special bonus exclusively for our listeners! 👉 Get your copy here: https://www.thehiddenyes.com/42

Why are 95% of us deficient in the one nutrient that could slash our risk of disease by nearly 30%?In this episode, we chat with Chris Read, founder of the health company Indi. Chris breaks down his journey from the world of sleep products to becoming obsessed with nutrition, revealing the shocking truths about the food industry, from hidden "nasty emulsifiers" to the problems with traditional multivitamins.Tune in to discover:The simple power of adding just 7 more grams of fiber to your diet.How to feed your "second brain" and why 90% of your happiness starts there.Actionable tips, like the two-kiwi-a-night sleep hack and what to really look for on a food label.The story behind Indi's "indigenous" ingredients and the mission to make health convenient.Visit Indi at https://indisupplements.com/Visit 42courses at https://42courses.com

How do you turn a funny idea into primetime chatter and global buzz? In this lively episode, Mike Sharman shares the “Holy Trinity of marketing” that still wins today: activation first, scale it digitally, then PR the living daylights out of it. He breaks down how his team spoofed My Octopus Teacher" into the cult hit “My Creepy Teacher,” why curiosity is a superpower, and how to engineer virality rather than wish for it.Find out more about Mike at retroviral.co.zaFind out more about 42courses at 42courses.comWhat you’ll learnThe Holy Trinity that powers modern viral campaigns.How “My Creepy Teacher” went from a Cape Town shoot to a global hit.  How to build successful creator partnerships.How to use obsessive curiosity as a career advantage.Why being “worthy of the news” is the bar that keeps work sharp.

Why are brands continually out-played, out-thought and out-innovated by artists with zero marketing knowledge, training or experience? In this delightful conversation with globally renowned strategy legends, Rob Campbell and Paula Bloodworth, we take a look at what you can learn from artists and how it can help you get ahead.Rob's Website: https://robcampbell.coPaula's Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-bloodworth-3899833

Why do smart, capable women still freeze up when it comes to money?In this episode of the 42courses podcast, former CNN anchor and author of What’s Up with Women and Money, Alison Kosik, opens up about her own financial journey and why money talk still feels taboo for so many women.From cultural conditioning to salary shame, Alison tackles the myths that keep women financially sidelined. She shares cautionary tales, actionable advice on budgeting and investing, and the one thing every woman needs to do right now to gain control of her finances.It’s equal parts wake-up call and pep talk, and you’ll leave this episode feeling just a little more unstoppable.Read up on Alison's new book here: https://harriman-house.com/authors/alison-kosik/whats-up-with-women-and-money/9781804090534Find out more about 42courses here: https://42courses.com

Chris from 42courses interviews JoséPablo Dominguez from Atla Design. José chats about how Mexican culture shaped his design thinking, the surprising role education played in unlocking his creativity, and his shift from marketing to full-time design. He shares lessons from starting his own agency, why colour is everything in branding, and why design is moving from minimalism to glorious maximalism. There’s also talk of AI tools, and plenty of gold for anyone looking to break into design.Find out more about José's work at https://www.atla.design/ Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

42courses' Louise Ward interviews Greg Davies from Oxford Risk, an expert in behavioural investing and the brains behind our new upcoming course, Behavioural Investing. They talk about how Greg got into behavioural finance, the mental biases affecting financial choices, and why sustainable investing matters. Greg discuses how important it is for people to recognise their own biases and emotional responses when investing, plus a whole host of practical ways to make smarter financial decisions.Find out more about Greg at https://www.innovatefinance.com/profiles/greg-b-davies-phd/Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

42courses Louise Ward interviews storytelling expert and all-around wonderful chap Will Storr. You'll learn about how to use storytelling in business situations, comms, and for a better life in general too.You'll also hear about the evolving role of storytelling in the age of AI as well as lots of other marvellously helpful insights.Find out more about Will at https://www.thescienceofstorytelling.com/Find out more about 42courses at https://42courses.com

Economics isn’t just about numbers, graphs, or GDP, it can also be used to create a happier, more equitable world.In this episode, philosopher and economist Erik Angner, author of How Economics Can Save the World, shares how his unique perspective bridges the gap between data and humanity.Erik’s approachable style and deep insights reveal how economics can tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to our pursuit of happiness. Follow Erik on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikangner/and in Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/erikangner.com