The Warm Blanket Insight: Why This Show Exists

The data wrangler’s playbook for AI, insights and smarter decision-making

In this episode of Change Agents: Inside Modern Insights, Devora Rogers sits down with Julia Berk, Senior Director of Global Insights, Analytics and Research at Smartly, to explore how research leaders are navigating the AI era without losing sight of quality, context and human insight. Julia reflects on the breakthrough Gen Z research she led at Snapchat, why visual communication transformed social platforms and how AI is changing the way organizations synthesize, reuse and operationalize research. The conversation also dives into stakeholder management, data ethics, synthetic audiences, insight repositories and why semiotics still plays a powerful role in modern research. About the Guest Julia Berk is a Senior Director of Global Analytics, Insights & Research at Smartly, where she leads marketing science, analytics, and research. She focuses on building AI-powered systems that connect customer engagement, creative performance, and marketing effectiveness into actionable insights, helping global brands and internal teams make smarter, faster decisions. She previously held insights leadership roles at Uber Ads and Snapchat.  To learn more, visit: https://alteragents.com/ [https://alteragents.com/] Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers [https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers]

From skeptic to believer: Why research still matters in the age of AI

In this episode of Change Agents, Devora Rogers sits down with Aarti Bhaskaran, global head of research and insights at Snapchat, to unpack the moment that shaped her career and why research remains a critical voice in business decisions. From early lessons in proving skeptics wrong to navigating AI’s growing role in the industry, the conversation explores what makes a great researcher, how to choose the right methodology and why human empathy and curiosity still sit at the center of meaningful insights. About the Guest: Aarti is a storyteller, strategic thinker and insights leader with nearly 20 years of experience in consumer insights. She currently leads global research & insights at Snapchat. In her role, she manages a global team to produce thought leadership to educate the advertising industry and marketing community on new ad formats, audiences and platforms through data-driven insights and empirical evidence. Her team also manages measurement relationships with Global Media Holding companies and media partners. Prior to joining Snap, she was a client leader at Kantar managing a portfolio that included Microsoft, LinkedIn, Visa, TikTok and Snapchat. Before that, she built the Insights and Analytics practice at MediaCom Canada. Here she launched Canada-specific solutions to measure media performance to drive business for MediaCom’s clients. Prior to that, she was located in Singapore, where she was the Asia Pacific lead on brand performance and creative development research for PepsiCo and Friesland Campina. To learn more, visit: https://alteragents.com/ [https://alteragents.com/] Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers [https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers]

Curiosity, connection and the real role of AI in B2B marketing

In this episode of Change Agents: Inside Modern Insights, Devora Rogers sits down with Vita Molis, head of editorial at the B2B Institute at LinkedIn, to explore how thought leadership and research can drive real business impact. Drawing on her experience building the global insights function at TikTok, Vita shares how insights teams can move beyond reporting to become true orchestrators of strategy across organizations. The conversation covers LinkedIn’s “drip effect” approach to brand building, the surprising role of curiosity in AI adoption and why B2B growth depends on long-term thinking, employee voices and multi-method research. It’s a practical look at how marketers and researchers can challenge conventional wisdom and make smarter, more confident decisions. About the Guest Vita Molis is the Head of Editorial for B2B Institute at LinkedIn, where she drives thought leadership and strategic research to shape the future of B2B marketing. She brings nearly 15 years of experience delivering data‑driven insights, shaping marketing strategies, and leading high‑performing teams across media and entertainment. Previously, she built and led the global research and insights function at TikTok, partnering with top brands and major holding companies. Her work has been featured at Cannes Lions, SXSW, and Ad Week, and is recognized for blending analytical rigor with creative strategy. She also serves on industry boards and committees focused on elevating strategic thinking in marketing and advertising. To learn more, visit: https://alteragents.com/ [https://alteragents.com/] Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers [https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers]

What Is an “Insight”? A Human-Centered Intro to Market Research

In this episode of Devora Rogers’ Change Agents: Inside Modern Insights podcast, Devora sits down with colleague Megan French to demystify market research and “insights” in plain language. Together they unpack how brands learn what people really think and do (from surveys and focus groups to modern mobile ethnography), why the work can get messy, and how a single insight can reshape products, messaging and strategy. About the Guest Megan French, Sales Enablement Specialist at Alter Agents Megan French is a Sales Enablement professional at Alter Agents with five years of experience helping sales teams thrive. A former English teacher, her background in communication and writing gives her a unique perspective in the field. A proud wife and mother, Megan is always chasing her next learning opportunity. To learn more, visit: https://alteragents.com/ [https://alteragents.com/] Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers [https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers]

The Warm Blanket Insight: Why This Show Exists

In the premiere of Change Agents: Inside Modern Insights, host Devora Rogers shares the personal moment that sparked the show: an unexpected MS diagnosis, a hospital stay, and a surprising obsession with one simple question: who decided warm blankets should always be available? From “blanket microwaves” to busted assumptions in market research (including a tuna brand growth story no one saw coming), Devora introduces the kind of curiosity-led insights that can reshape strategy, challenge myths, and change everything. To learn more, visit: https://alteragents.com/ [https://alteragents.com/] Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers [https://missionmatters.com/author/devora-rogers]