In this episode, Lenny Murphy sits down with Hakan Yurdakul, CEO of Bolt Insight, to unpack how AI-native research is reshaping qual and quant. Hakan shares his Unilever-to-founder origin story and the personal “bring summer forward” purpose that drives Bolt’s human-centric philosophy. They dig into BoltChatAI and why AI-moderated qual only works when it’s trained on real human interviews and supported by rigorous human-in-the-loop checkpoints.

The conversation explores Bolt’s Dynamic Personas—living profiles that refresh with ongoing human input—plus the limits of synthetic data for innovation. Finally, Hakan lays out a “Jarvis-style” vision for an AI assistant insights officer, and the duo reflects on what this shift means for trust, ethics, and the evolving role of researchers as strategists and storytellers.

Key Discussion Points:

• Hakan’s path from Unilever marketing/insights to founding Bolt Insight—and the “bring summer forward” mission guiding the company.
• What it means to be an AI-native research firm across quant + qual, and why “qual at scale” is now feasible.
• Human-in-the-loop AI moderation: training on real interviews, quality scoring, and guardrails to avoid “chatbot research.”
• Dynamic (living) personas and meta-analysis: how Bolt keeps personas current and useful without over-relying on historic synthetic data.
• The next 2–5 years: AI automates grunt work, pushing researchers toward strategy, storytelling, and doing more with the same.

Resources & Links:

• Bolt Insight
• BoltChatAI features: Dynamic Personas and Meta-Analysis.
• 2025 GRIT Business & Innovation Report

You can reach out to Hakan Yurdakul on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Hakan Yurdakul for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, host Karen Lynch sits down with Jairus Lofton, Senior Manager of Strategic Insights at Panera Bread, to unpack how human-centered insights power menu innovation in QSR and fast casual. Jairus traces his journey from Hershey to Sonic, McDonald’s, and now Panera, sharing a behind-the-scenes case study on rebuilding Sonic’s core burger from the ground up using guest feedback, quant modeling, and rigorous testing.

He explains how culinary inspiration, trend data, and real-world operations come together to decide what actually makes it onto the menu—and stays there. Jairus also talks about serving younger consumers like Gen Z without chasing every shiny trend, why brand authenticity matters more than ever, how AI fits (and doesn’t) into his process, and the philosophy of “flexibility with rigor” that guides his work and advice for other insights professionals.

Key Discussion Points:

• How strategic insights at Panera Bread shape menu innovation, from guest feedback to foresight and trend spotting.
• A deep-dive case study: rebuilding Sonic’s flagship burger based on consumer dissatisfaction, competitive benchmarking, and CLT/taste tests.
• The complex cross-functional ecosystem behind “menu magic”: insights, strategy, culinary, supply chain, and marketing working in lockstep.
• Balancing trend reports, social listening, and culinary creativity to decide which food trends are worth scaling—and which to skip.
• Adapting to Gen Z’s desires for transparency, customization, and unique flavors while staying authentic to the Panera brand.
• Jairus’s advice to insights pros: cross-industry networking, borrowing ideas from other categories, and practicing “flexibility with rigor.”

Resources & Links:

• Panera Bread – Brand & Menu
• The Hershey Company (early career in retail sales & CPG)
• CAVA (example of fast-casual brand resonating with younger consumers)
• 7 Brew Coffee (emerging drive-thru coffee brand mentioned in the episode)
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You can reach out to Jairus Lofton on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Jairus Lofton for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

Survey fraud is having a moment—and not the good kind. Karen Lynch sits down with Steven Snell, PhD, Head of Research at Rep Data, to unpack findings from the forthcoming State of Fraud 2025 initiative, which analyzed 4.1B+ survey attempts.

Steven explains how Research Defender detects evolving tactics (from hyperactivity spikes to location spoofing and batch fraud), why inattentiveness isn’t the same as fraud, and what varies across B2C vs. B2B and by region.

Most importantly, he shares a pragmatic three-part playbook for researchers: better design, always-on fraud prevention, and principled data cleaning. If you care about data quality, respondent trust, and keeping your insights credible, this conversation will help you stay one step ahead—and a lot smarter than the fraudsters.

Key Discussion Points:

• Fraud vs. inattention: distinct problems that often get conflated
• “Hot fraud summer”: hyperactivity surges and what drove them
• Regional patterns: diverse, tech-enabled fraud in large markets vs. volume tactics elsewhere
• B2C vs. B2B: duplicate entries vs. compound/batch, and why incentives matter
• The playbook: user-friendly survey design, proactive fraud defense, and pre-defined cleaning rules

Resources & Links:

• Rep Data
• Research Defender — fraud prevention platform
• Webinar recap: “The State of Fraud” Q&A highlights
• Research on Research hub (methodology deep dives)

You can reach out to Steven Snell on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Steven Snell for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

Conveo co-founder & CPO Hendrik Van Hove joins Lenny Murphy to unpack how AI is reshaping market research—from the rapid normalization of AI moderation to new agency business models and always-on consumer access. Hendrik traces Conveo’s origin (McKinsey to Y Combinator), the importance of bringing veteran researchers into the loop, and why enterprise teams are shifting from “fewer, bigger” studies to many rapid, compounding projects that speed impact (e.g., Unilever sprint examples).

The conversation ranges into what’s next: privacy-centric data ownership, wearables that enable seamless voice/video qual at the shelf, and building living consumer models (digital twins) that connect research directly to decisions. If you’re navigating AI adoption, panel strategy, or the future of insights workflows, this one’s a blueprint.

Key Discussion Points:

• From idea to YC: Why research was a “perfect AI use case” and how Conveo blended tech + MRX expertise.
• AI moderation is table stakes: Market skepticism flipped to acceptance in under a year—and what “better” really means.
• Agency & enterprise transformation: More projects, faster iteration, and business-model shifts beyond cost/speed.
• Data ownership & privacy: Toward participant-controlled data and monetization as passive/voice inputs expand.
• What’s next: Wearables, always-on access, and “digital twin” consumer models that compound learning over time.

Resources & Links:

• Conveo
• Y Combinator
• ESOMAR
• MRII
• GRIT Insights Practice Report
• Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses

You can reach out to Hendrik Van Hove on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Hendrik Van Hove for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

Visa’s Paula Guarín, Head of Consumer Insights & Marketing Analytics for Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC), joins Karen Lynch to unpack how a 13-person team blends primary research with transactional data to drive brand and business results. Paula shares her career path from agency intern to regional leader, explains why embedding insights leaders in-country matters, and breaks down six priority areas—from agile testing to say-do correlation and ROI on insights.

She also spotlights region-specific dynamics (Brazil/Argentina vs. Mexico/DR), double-digit e-commerce growth, and how agentic AI may reshape purchase behavior. Plus: building revenue by selling research to clients, Visa University’s role in upskilling, “five trends in five minutes,” and fresh learnings on ultra-affluent travelers and category liquidity. A masterclass in impact, communication, and human-centered research at scale.

Key Discussion Points:

• Team design: In-country insight leads + regional standards for speed and comparability.
• Data fusion: Precise surveys + transactional “do” data to measure real impact.
• Core priorities: Thought leadership, agile testing, tracking/MMM, descriptives, say-do, and client-funded studies.
• Regional nuance: Different disruption levels (Brazil/Argentina vs. Mexico/DR) and why local vendors matter.
• Trends: Double-digit e-commerce growth and early signals of AI agents influencing purchases.

Resources & Links:

• Visa
• IIEX LATAM
• Walmart Luminate

You can reach out to Paula Guarin on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Paula Guarin for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, host Karen Lynch sits down with Matt O’Mara, President of Cranbrook Search Consultants, to discuss the state of hiring and career development in the insights industry. With more than 30 years of experience spanning client, supplier, and recruiting roles, Matt offers an insider’s view on the opportunities and challenges shaping today’s job market.

From the advantages of working with a search firm, to misconceptions about recruiters, to the growing role of AI in hiring and candidate preparation, this conversation is packed with timely advice. Whether you’re an active job seeker, a hiring manager navigating a slow market, or a researcher thinking about your next career step, Matt’s perspectives on networking, skill-building, and the future of work will leave you with actionable takeaways.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why search firms can be a strategic advantage for both candidates and hiring companies
• Misconceptions about recruiters—and how ethical consultants add real value
• Current hiring market conditions: demand shifts, sector slowdowns, and where growth remains strong
• The role of AI in hiring and how candidates can smartly use AI to prepare resumes and interviews
• Remote, hybrid, and gig work: how work arrangements are evolving in the insights industry

Resources & Links:

• Cranbrook Search Consultants
• Insights Career Network
• Freakonomics Radio (Stephen Dubner’s podcast)
• The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
• Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal
• Insights on the Brink by Tim Hoskins

You can reach out to Matt O’Mara on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Matt O’Mara for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, host Karen Lynch sits down with Bethan Blakeley, Research & CX Manager at SimpliSafe UK, to discuss her journey from agency-side researcher to client-side insights leader. Bethan shares what it’s like to be a research team of one, balancing strategic priorities with stakeholder demands, and how she builds trust with both agencies and internal partners.

She also opens up about work-life balance as a parent of two, the importance of transparent communication, and why trust is at the heart of successful client–agency partnerships. From shaping TV ad campaigns to instilling customer-centricity across her organization, Bethan reveals how insights come to life when researchers are empowered.

Key Discussion Points:

• Transitioning from agency to client side and lessons learned.
• Building insights functions as a team of one at SimpliSafe UK.
• Why trust and transparent communication are essential in client–agency relationships.
• Balancing stakeholder priorities while driving strategic research.
• Navigating parental leave, work-life balance, and modeling healthy boundaries.

Resources & Links:

• SimpliSafe UK
• SimpliSafe US
• Zappi
• AURA UK

You can reach out to Bethan Blakeley on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Bethan Blakeley for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, host Karen Lynch sits down with longtime friend and industry veteran Michelle Finzel, Senior Manager of Consumer Insights at DAP Global. Michelle shares her unique career journey — from growing up in her mother’s market research business, to running Maryland Marketing Source for nearly a decade, to making the leap into corporate life at a leading home improvement manufacturer.

She reflects on navigating the challenges of COVID, letting go of business ownership, and discovering new fulfillment and balance in an in-house role. Along the way, Michelle offers valuable lessons on transferable skills, building collaborative teams, streamlining vendor relationships, and embracing change with confidence.

Key Discussion Points:

• Michelle’s career evolution from small business owner to corporate insights leader
• Lessons learned transitioning from self-employment to working within a large organization
• How DAP integrates research into product development and innovation
• Balancing in-house capabilities with trusted external research partners
• The importance of community, collaboration, and inclusive workplace initiatives

Resources & Links:

• DAP Global
• Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA)

You can reach out to Michelle Finzel on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Michelle Finzel for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, host Lenny Murphy sits down with Tamanna Dhamija, Co-founder and CEO of Convosight and ConvoTrack, to explore the power of AI-driven video intelligence in modern brand building. From her investment banking roots to leading one of the most innovative platforms in consumer insights, Tamana shares her journey of curiosity, problem-solving, and purpose.

She explains how brands can extract real-time, unprompted insights from consumer-generated video content—and why this capability is reshaping how teams across marketing, insights, and even sales make decisions. The conversation touches on AI's role in accelerating action, the rise of one-person "AI-augmented" companies, and why democratizing data access might be the key to staying competitive. If you’re in market research, brand strategy, or digital innovation—don’t miss this one.

Key Discussion Points:

• How ConvoTrack uses AI to analyze video content for deep consumer insights
• The shift from static dashboards to real-time, conversational intelligence
• Why brand, insight, and AI teams need shared access to consumer date
• Tamanna’s journey from investment banking to insights entrepreneurship
• How human engagement and AI augmentation together power innovation

Resources & Links:

• ConvoTrack – AI-powered video intelligence platform
• Convosight – Community-led growth platform

You can reach out to Tamanna Dhamija on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Tamanna Dhamija for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.

In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, Lenny Murphy chats with Matt Powell, Managing Director of North America at B2B International. With over 20 years at the company, Matt shares his journey from phone-room interviewer to senior leadership and offers an insider’s perspective on the evolving world of B2B market research.

The conversation dives deep into how emotional drivers have overtaken rational ones in B2B decision-making, the rising demand for trustworthy data, and the role of synthetic data and AI in delivering faster insights. Matt also discusses how B2B International’s integration into Dentsu and the launch of Dentsu B2B is reshaping end-to-end research, strategy, and execution. For anyone navigating the intersection of business insights and innovation, this is a must-listen.

Key Discussion Points:

• Matt Powell’s 20-year career journey at B2B International and lessons from the phone room
• How emotion and trust are now leading drivers in B2B decision-making
• The role of AI, synthetic data, and rapid insights in modern B2B research
• Importance of data quality and human validation in high-stakes B2B studies
• Dentsu B2B’s integrated model: combining media, creative, CX, and insights

Resources & Links:

• B2B International
• Merkle (Dentsu)
• Greenbook GRIT Report

You can reach out to Matt Powell on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Matt Powell for being our guest. Thanks also to our production team and our editor at Big Bad Audio.