8 Tough Conversations We Had in 2025

Welcome to Friday, futurists. 

We’re sure many of you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile to visit family and friends, or simply to get away from the hustle of everyday life for a while. What better way to keep yourself entertained than to catch up on your favorite podcast?

For this special edition of The Senses, we’re going all-in on sound. We’ve been reflecting on all the inspiring and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had this year, so we thought we’d share some of our favorites with all of you.

‍

The Resurgence of Americana (and Other Commerce Predictions)

To see how far we’ve come in 2025, we have to go back to where it all began (with Phillip and Brian’s predictions, that is). They shared their boldest ideas for the year, including the resurgence of Gen X and Americana as a cultural trend. They also revealed their major winners and losers in commerce, and the tech trends they believed would blow up. 

Want to really have some fun? Listen to the episode, then follow up with our predictions lookback, where Phillip and Brian grade their accuracy and add new color to how their predictions took shape. 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify 

2026: The Year of Economic Correction, Political Realignment, and Consumers Taking Back Control 

“Autonomy” and “sovereignty” are the words of 2026. Phillip and Brian’s predictions for the year point to consumers steering clear of once-trusted institutions and looking inwards towards their own beliefs, values, and scenarios. 

What does this seismic shift in personal identity and accountability mean for the future of retail, healthcare, transportation, and other key sectors? Listen to find out. 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify

‍

Legend Rory Sutherland Shares Why He Thinks Marketing Is Broken 

During his trip to London, Phillip got the rare chance to sit down with Rory Sutherland, chairman of Ogilvy and the poet of persuasion. They got real (and real passionate) about the changing nature of marketing, and why our obsession with thin-tailed attribution is killing creativity. 

Here are Sutherland’s thoughts in a nutshell: Brands are facing an existential crisis in an increasingly brandless, AI-driven world. Current measurement models are not designed to allow marketers to test, fail, learn, and grow, systematically destroying breakthrough potential. It’s all a very narrow view on a much larger, more holistic story. (He even uses a compelling tech comparison to make his case.)

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify

‍

The Changing Art and Science of Creativity 

No, this episode wasn’t about AI. It was a deep dive into Motion’s creative trends report, which analyzed over $100M+ in ad spend across platforms to uncover the new creative playbook. What helps brands break through? Apparently, embracing ads that are faster, funnier, and uglier. Motion’s Head of Content, James Mulvey, gave us the scoop. Do you think these trends will carry through into 2026?

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify

‍

Inside Anthropologie’s Cross-Generational Appeal

With a carefully curated selection of fashion, home decor, and eccentric knick-knacks, Anthropologie has become a home for consumers across generations. What is the secret to its success? Phillip and Alicia sat down with COO Candan Erenguc to explore the operational artistry behind turning cultural moments into commercial gold and why connection always trumps conversion.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify 

‍If you love Anthropologie as much as we do, check out this episode of Step by Step, which features Mindy Massey, the mastermind behind the retailer’s in-store experience, from design to service. You can also get an inside look at how this strategy evolves for the holiday season with our Field Notes repWith a carefully curated selection of fashion, home decor, and eccentric knick-knacks, Anthropologie has become a home for consumers across generations. What is the secret to its success? Phillip and Alicia sat down with COO Candan Erenguc to explore the operational artistry behind turning cultural moments into commercial gold and why connection always trumps conversion.

‍

How Can Brands Truly Be Culturally Relevant?

Ana Andjelic has helped brands ranging from Rebecca Minkoff to Banana Republic become culturally relevant forces of commerce. But how can brands achieve this level of relevance and impact? Ana shares what she learned while writing her latest book, Hitmakers: How Brands Influence Culture, along with real anecdotes from her career.

Discover the secrets of updating heritage brands, keys to transporting customers into imaginative worlds, and how to amplify microtrends to position your brand within cornerstone cultural narratives.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify

‍

Rethinking the Medium and the Message 

How does commerce change when we live in a world electrified by complete digital immersion? Andrew McLuhan—author, speaker, and steward of The McLuhan Institute—shares rich, mind-bending perspectives on the current state of culture, media, connection, and commerce. Drawing on a generations-deep intellectual legacy forged by media theorist and philosopher Marshall McLuhan, Andrew delves into the implications with Phillip and Brian.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify 

‍And for the readers, be sure to check out McLuhan’s latest installment of Explorations in Culture and Commerce, where he revisits his grandfather’s most-mentioned phrase: “the medium is the message.”

‍

AI is the New Religion 

A 2025 HBR report showed that “therapy and companionship” was the top use case for generative AI. Phillip and Brian examine the cultural implications of AI’s new role and what they mean for the future of society as a whole. 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts

🎧 Listen on Spotify