Let's Make This More Interesting

For 10 years Sara Stark was part of the team helping the founders of Dishoom build their restaurant brand and business – a brand that is as rich, engaging and layered as so many other restaurants are superficial and glib.It’s a conversation about stories, and curiosity, and inventiveness, and layering, and pushing the idea. About a continual commitment to exploring and digging and experimenting and keeping things fresh. About thinking about what it means to be different, genuinely different and engaging, in a way that seems entirely unlike the rest of the business.If you are remotely interested in brand building, experience or culture the Dishoom story is an inspiration.Connect with Sara on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-stark-creative-marketing/Explore the layers of the Dishoom story at https://www.dishoom.com/__Follow Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morgan-3a473a/ Let's Make This More Interesting is a podcast from eatbigfish. Thanks to our editor Ruth, our producer Travis, and to Tiny Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warren Berger began exploring how to ask better questions through a journalistic interest in innovation. He’s come to believe the importance of questions is much broader than that, and has come on to champion the development of better questioning skills in everything from education to our personal relationships.He has written widely on the topic, including ‘A More Beautiful Question: The power of inquiry to spark breakthrough ideas’.In a discussion of some of his central findings and ideas we talk about:Why the question can be more important than the answerWhat makes a question dull or interestingHow a good question shifts thingsThe power of ‘Questionstorming’How a good question ‘attracts’ answersHis three part model to asking better questionsWhy businesses should think about having Mission Questions, rather than Mission StatementsAnd the power for all of us in having three big questions that guide our lives.Find out about Warren's books on his website: https://warrenberger.com/warren-bergers-books/__Connect with Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morgan-3a473a/ Let's Make This More Interesting is a podcast from eatbigfish. Thanks to our editor Ruth, our producer Travis, and to Tiny Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louisa Preston and Luisa Baldini, former BBC reporters and co-founders of Composure Media, share their expertise on distilling complex stories into engaging 90-second pitches. They discuss their 'Hook, Line, and Sinker' model, emphasizing the need to lead with a compelling image and overcome the challenges posed by expertise overload. With anecdotes from their time in journalism, they explore maintaining composure under pressure and empowering women in leadership through confident communication techniques. Their insights are invaluable for anyone looking to communicate effectively.

Join Jeffre Jackson, a branding expert and co-founder of Open Intelligence Agency, and Dave Nottoli, a teaching assistant professor and co-author on interestingness, as they dissect the five key components of what makes advertising engaging. They discuss the power of incongruity in memory retention and why authenticity transcends mere buzzword status. Delve into the significance of details, discover the charm of the Cadbury’s Gorilla ad, and learn how to avoid the allure of empty spectacle in the marketing race for attention.

Faris Yakob, author of 'Paid Attention' and co-founder of Genius Steals, shares his insights on how our attention shapes our identities. He explores the quest for meaningful experiences during his nomadic life and discusses the challenges of capturing genuine attention in a saturated media landscape. Faris contrasts urban versus rural lifestyles and highlights the power of everyday moments over constant novelty. He also warns of the psychological impacts of media consumption while sharing strategies for fostering deeper connections through diverse content.

That’s enough about humour and the lighter side of interesting.  It’s time to step into the dark.    This week Adam meets researcher Mathias Clasen, co-founder of the ‘Recreational Fear Lab’ and author of Why Horror Seduces and A Very Nervous Person's Guide to Horror Movies, to talk about what he’s learned from haunted houses and horror movies, and how to find the ‘sweet spot’ of scary.  Adam and Mathias discuss:  The definition of ‘recreational fear’, and why it’s not just for horror film fans  The evidence that shows why fear is good for us. Why children need more ‘risky play’ for their development than we are giving them, and the surprising results of Mathias’ research into fear on our immune systems  The physiological and cognitive relationship between fear and enjoyment  Why we should all make friends with Mr Piggy _Read Mathias's books:Why Horror Seduces A Very Nervous Person's Guide to Horror MoviesWatch Mathias's TedX talk: Lessons from a terrified horror researcherConnect with Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morgan-3a473a/  Let's Make This More Interesting is a podcast from eatbigfish. Thanks to our editor Ruth, our producer Travis, and to Tiny Podcasts.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week’s episode made the business case for humour - but how do we start to find our funny? This week Adam Morgan meets standup comedy writing and speaking coach Chris Head for a comedy masterclass.  Chris shares practical experience and techniques he uses when working with comedians, how he helped stand-up Stepfania Licari push her personal stories for the biggest payoff and coached Richard Lindesay to become a headliner (and TikTok star), all while punching up Adam’s jokes along the way,  They discuss: The power of comedy to help engage people with serious and challenging subjects Simple techniques to build humour and surprise into anything from a story to an internal announcement  The importance of making an immediate connection with the audience to break the tension  The craft involved to go from a joke-shaped thought into a bigger, funnier routine The power of misdirection (but not the magic kind)  _____  Contact Chris (or sign up to a course): https://www.chrishead.com/   Chris’s books: Creating Comedy Narratives for Stage and Screen  A Director's Guide to the Art of Stand-up The Complete Comedy Script Toolkit  _____  Connect with Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morgan-3a473a/  Let's Make This More Interesting is a podcast from eatbigfish. Thanks to our editor Ruth, our producer Travis, and to Tiny Podcasts.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is our business leaving money on the table by being too serious? In this episode, Adam speaks to Bridget Angear, legendary strategic planner and co-founder of Craig + Bridget, about her recent research “The Business Case for Humour in Advertising”.  Adam and Bridget explore the evidence for the business effects of humour as revealed in the IPA database, and the different values that different types of humour can have for us if we’re looking to be more engaging.  They look at why marketing and communications might be less entertaining now than it used to be, and they consider why agencies and clients seriously need to have a bit more fun.  Because, despite the business case for humour, have we all become just too scared to be funny?  -- Connect with Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morgan-3a473a/  Watch Bridget deliver “The Business Case for Humour in Advertising” here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=r91B08Xebtg Bridget's books -The insiders' guide to advertising: How the business of advertising really worksCreative problem solving.: A useful little strategy book by craig+bridgetRevolt: A movement owner's manual--Let's Make This More Interesting is a podcast from eatbigfish. Thanks to our editor Ruth, our producer Travis, and to Tiny Podcasts.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Adam meets award-winning improviser and director of the iconic Assassin’s Creed video games Simon Peacock to explore how the element of surprise makes his work and life more interesting.  Beginning with Simon’s early success as a professional improviser in Montreal, they discuss the 10 commandments of good improvisation, why routine and repetition ruin a performance, and what happens when you apply improv principles to your own wedding.  In the second half, Simon shares what it takes to give a more interesting audition, his experience as a director in the world of video games, and why audiences crave surprise. We find out what preparation it takes to direct 2,000 lines of dialogue in one day, why it’s always a good idea to deliver a unique take in an audition (even if it doesn’t land you the job), and the terrible fate of a canvas sack called Bob.  __  Connect with Adam on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morgan-3a473a/ Let's Make This More Interesting is a podcast from eatbigfish. Thanks to our editor Ruth and our producers at Tiny Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a captivating conversation with Heather McGill, a designer and producer renowned for her work on mega-events like the London 2012 Olympics and the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience, she reveals the art of crafting engaging shared experiences. Heather discusses the balance of 'highs' and 'lulls' in immersive events, the challenges of meeting evolving audience expectations, and the significance of common ownership in experiences. She also shares Sir Jonny Ive’s invaluable advice and why the introduced third spider drop can dramatically enhance the experience.