Episodes
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to three luxury consumers about the essence of high-end living. Explore the world of consumers who have the means and desire to indulge in luxury. Plus, discover what sets luxury shopping apart, and uncover the value of the white-glove experience.
Published 05/01/24
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to three small-town consumers about what makes small-town shopping so different, the challenge of balancing convenience and loyalty, and how online shopping is making a transformative impact on these communities.
Published 04/17/24
Published 04/17/24
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we explore how parents find time for self-care; find the perfect products for children; and find support from their peers, family members and others. We'll learn about the obstacles they encounter and the innovative approaches they adopt to cater to kids’ needs.
Published 04/03/24
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to three outdoor adventurers about their connection with nature, how they choose adventuring gear, and why they keep pushing their personal limits and those of their equipment.
Published 03/20/24
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to four superfans who are devoted followers of their favorite sports teams and musical artists. We'll see just how these superfans became such loyal enthusiasts and how this dedication affects their purchasing and budgeting habits.
Published 03/06/24
Inside the Mind is back for season 4! Join Kearney’s Greg Portell and Katie Thomas as they discover the driving forces behind captivating consumer groups, unravel their identities, and gain valuable insights that'll shape the future of consumer companies. From the emotional aspects influencing their behaviors to the passion that fuels their choices, Inside the Mind uncovers the secrets behind their shopping decisions.
Published 02/28/24
In this special episode, we’re looking back at the themes and consumer groups we explored in Season 3. From conversations with sports bettors and VR users to thrifters and fast fashion consumers, we’re talking about the forces that bring these consumer groups together.
Published 05/17/23
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to three fast fashion consumers in the U.S. and China about what fast fashion means to them and how it informs their fashion decisions. We also examine their views on making fast fashion more sustainable, how it fits into transitional periods such as maternity, and balancing quantity versus quantity.
Published 05/03/23
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to four cannabis enthusiasts in the U.S. about how cannabis factors into their daily wellness plans, how they're consuming cannabis today, and how innovation has changed the space. We'll also examine how decriminalization and legalization have affected consumer usage and whether cannabis enthusiasts are making full use of the space.
Published 04/19/23
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to three sports betting enthusiasts to learn about their experiences with betting and how the industry has evolved. We also discuss how sports betting apps bring in new users, how bettors in certain states work around legal issues, and what they want to see next from betting services and communities.
Published 04/05/23
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to four thrifting enthusiasts to find out what makes this kind of shopping so exciting for them. We’ll explore how thrifting has changed because of social media and influencer content. We’ll also hear about the thrill of the hunt and how each thrifted item contains a bit of personality and nostalgia.
Published 03/22/23
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to four coffee lovers from the U.S. and England about how coffee has become a significant part of their daily routine. We discover how they base their lives around the ritual of coffee and the methods they have for making coffee at home versus purchasing it from a shop. We also talk with the CEO of a ready-to-drink coffee company about industry trends.
Published 03/08/23
In this episode of Inside the Mind, we talk to three VR enthusiasts in the gaming, fitness, and education spaces. We’ll learn how they feel about VR and their healthy skepticism on VR’s scalability. We’ll also discuss how we can continue to make VR more accessible to a wider audience.
Published 02/22/23
Inside the Mind is back for season 3! Join Kearney’s Greg Portell and Katie Thomas as they explore what drives and inspires extraordinary and unique consumer groups. Tune in to hear from cannabis enthusiasts, thrifters, sports gamblers, and more. Discover what motivates these communities and unlocks their passions.
Published 02/15/23
In this special episode, we are looking back at various consumer groups and major themes present in Season 2 of Inside the Mind. From conversations with high-end spirits and dog lovers to cosplayers, we talk about the major driving forces that bring these consumer groups together in this conversation.
Published 04/13/22
Cosplaying is the act of people dressing in elaborate costumes based on characters from comic books, movies, video games, and anime. From its humble beginnings in the 1930s to a growing culture and community, it is set to continue its growth in the years to come. In this episode, we’re talking to three cosplayers to learn about their creative process regarding their costumes, how they immerse themselves in the character, accessibility, and their experiences with witnessing cosplay go...
Published 03/31/22
The use of reusable menstrual products such as menstrual cups and underwear has surged recently and has a real opportunity to disrupt the more traditional menstrual product space — more than many brands realize. In this episode, we’ll talk to three reusable menstrual product users and hear about their reasons for switching from traditional products, how their concerns about sustainability factored into their decision, and why functionality and comfort are significant when choosing the right...
Published 03/15/22
What it means to own a pet has drastically changed. Pet care has modernized, and there has been a significant cultural shift from being a dog owner to more like a dog parent. In this episode, we are talking directly to those dog lovers. We are looking at what consumers are doing to form a closer bond with their dogs, what our guests purchase for their dogs, and how they build their daily routines around the dogs they love.
Published 03/02/22
The narrative surrounding men's skincare has significantly changed as more men have begun to embrace skincare routines as a form of self-care. In today's episode, we'll go inside the mind of three men's skincare users. We discuss their shopping habits and learn how they are overcoming the stigma surrounding men's skincare. We also identify the most significant opportunities in the space and see how brands can create a customized approach that respects the individuality of each person's skin.
Published 02/16/22
In this episode, we examine a consumer group that we've really been looking forward to discussing on the show: sneakerheads. Sneakerheads are a passionate and loyal group of consumers who go above and beyond the casual shoe consumer. We take a close look at the experience of shopping for sneakers. We also discuss themes of authenticity, fighting bots for sneaker drops, avoiding fakes on the resale market and the overall thrill of the hunt for a new pair.
Published 02/02/22
In this episode, we talk to high-end spirits consumers about how high-end spirits have become more attainable in today's world. In the past, people might have imagined that access to luxury spirits was unavailable to general consumption and reserved only for those with large amounts of expendable income. However, like changes in the luxury fashion industry that we explored in season one, the barrier to entry has become much lower, partly due to changes in the culture and the rise of social...
Published 01/19/22
We look back at some of the major themes shared across the consumer groups that we talked to in Season 1. There are shared values that consumer groups hold at their core, even if they are ultimately expressed in different ways. Listen to this discussion about community, authenticity, transparency, and education experiences, as well as how brands tap into consumer emotions to inspire their purchasing decisions. We also revisit China to understand what brands can do to drive retail experiences...
Published 05/19/21
A fashionista is someone with a strong personal style who keeps an eye out for the latest trends in clothing and accessories, particularly in designer and luxury fashion. With the rise of social media, who can participate in this traditionally elite and walled-off community is rapidly changing. In this episode, we talk to consumers about the evolution of luxury fashion, the shift towards luxury being more inclusive, and why unique physical retail experiences are still critical in this category.
Published 05/05/21