Podcasts

Ep. 24 – Documentation-First Product Philosophy with Josh Angotti | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:03:05 GMT

In this episode, Ellie sits down with Josh Angotti, VP of Product Development at Windstream. He reveals how telecoms use customer speed test patterns to predict churn and build self-healing networks for rural connectivity. He shares his "documentation-first" product philosophy, three-phase AI adoption strategy, and why being "comfortable being wrong" is essential for scaling product teams in complex technical environments.

Ep. 23 - AI Systems That Actually Serve Your Customers. | Kadence

Kadence International — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:48:39 GMT

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer, host Ellie Tehrani sits down with Ilyas Iyoob, Head of Global Research at Kyndryl, to explore how enterprise leaders can master the delicate balance between AI automation and human expertise in mission-critical environments. From implementing AI in the world’s largest IT services infrastructure to understanding when automation enhances versus undermines customer experience, Ilyas shares insights on strategic AI deployment that treats technology as a “rookie with speed and precision” rather than a replacement for human judgment, revealing how organisations can leverage AI’s capabilities while preserving the irreplaceable value of human insight and domain expertise.

Ep. 22 - Unlocking Hidden Value in Energy with AI. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:30:04 GMT

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer, Ellie Tehrani speaks with Akash Sharma, Director of Product Innovation at Enverus, about the seismic shift AI is bringing to energy. From decoding unstated customer needs to deploying generative AI in safety-critical environments, Sharma reveals how innovation meets pragmatism in one of the world’s most risk-averse industries.

Ep. 21 - Voice Fraud, AI, and the Future of Consumer Authentication with Verizon. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:29:48 GMT

How do you go from giving IQ tests to designing AI-enabled fraud detection systems? Don Spaulding, Innovation Manager at Verizon, joins The Elusive Consumer to share his unconventional path from educational psychology to telecom tech. In this episode, Don breaks down the data-driven strategies shaping today’s customer experience—from self-service AI and voice authentication to digital identity and the growing threat of voice fraud. With insights on consumer trust, omnichannel design, and cross-sector collaboration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of customer service in the age of AI.

Ep. 20- From Data to Decisions: Democratizing AI in Marketing. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:29:32 GMT

In this episode, host Ellie Tehrani sits down with AI and data analytics leader Koyelia Ghosh Roy to unpack the transformative power of AI in modern marketing. From democratising data insights to creating hyper-personalised customer experiences, Koyelia shares invaluable insights from her journey from business analyst to AI leadership. Discover how leading brands like Starbucks and Nike leverage AI, learn about the pitfalls to avoid and understand what skills marketers need to thrive in an AI-driven future.

Ep. 19 - The Art of Product Leadership: Building with Purpose. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:29:12 GMT

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer podcast, Ibrahim Bashir, VP of Product at Amplitude, shares his unconventional journey from software engineering to product leadership. He discusses the importance of iteration over ideation, balancing qualitative and quantitative data, and how responsible innovation shapes great products. Tune in to hear insights on scaling B2B products, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and why understanding the entire user journey is key to building impactful solutions.

Ep. 18 - Cracking the Consumer Code: Lessons from Applebee's. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:27:56 GMT

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer, Ellie interviews Jill Marchick, an insights veteran at Applebee’s, to discuss post-pandemic shifts in dining behaviour, AI’s role in research, and the balance between innovation and brand identity. Drawing on her experience at Starbucks and McDonald’s, Jill shares insights into adapting to evolving consumer expectations and staying ahead in the casual dining industry.

Ep. 17: Exploring Human-Centered Design with Yasir Drabu. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:27:37 GMT

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer, we explore the intersection of technology, data, and human-centered design with Yasir Drabu, a visionary tech leader and immigrant entrepreneur. From his journey starting at the foothills of the Himalayas to building a successful software company in America, Yasir shares insights about creating software that truly serves humanity. We discover how data-driven strategies can be balanced with ethical considerations, the future of AI in business, and why empathy should be at the core of technical innovation.

Ep. 16 - AI Ethics and Impact with Neeti Mehta. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:27:14 GMT

In this episode, we dive into the world of automation and AI with Neeti Mehta, co-founder and Social Impact Officer of Automation Anywhere. Neeti shares valuable insights on how robotic process automation (RPA) is transforming industries, the importance of balancing technology with human-centric work, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Neeti also highlights inspiring examples of how RPA is being used for social good and shares her optimistic vision for the future of technology.

Ep. 15 - Data Driven Grooming: Manscaped's Consumer Strategy with Monica Aguilo. | Kadence

Kadence International — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:26:48 GMT

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer, Ellie sits down with Monica Aguilo, a seasoned marketing expert with experience at leading companies like Ford Motor Company, Procter & Gamble, and Nestle. Now spearheading Consumer Insights and Strategy at Manscaped, Monica shares her unique perspective on how data-driven consumer feedback has been a key factor in Manscaped’s rapid growth. From shaping product development to building authentic customer relationships, she delves into the importance of listening to consumers and the surprising insights they’ve gained along the way. This is an insightful conversation on how aligning consumer needs with innovation can drive exponential success.