The Dumbest Guy in the Room

CivicScience
  • 5.0 (28)
  • BUSINESS

The Podcast Where Data Meets Life

  1. JAN 22

    Episode 605: High Quality News Still Wins With Nick Thompson

    ➡️ Answer questions from the end of the show here In this conversation, John and Nick Thompson discuss the current state of media and publishing, focusing on the challenges and strategies that The Atlantic has employed to thrive in a changing landscape. They explore the importance of quality journalism, the investment in print, the shift towards longer content, and the impact of AI on the industry. Additionally, they delve into themes of trust in media, political tribalism, and personal reflections from Nick's new book, 'The Running Ground', which intertwines his running journey with his relationship with his father. Takeaways The demand for information remains high despite economic challenges. The Atlantic's success is attributed to its commitment to quality journalism. Investing in print can enhance brand value and reach. There is a growing consumer appetite for longer, more substantive content. Trust in media has declined, leading consumers to seek reliable sources. Political tribalism complicates media consumption and audience engagement. AI can enhance journalistic work but poses existential threats. Psychological barriers often limit personal and professional growth. The Atlantic aims to maintain a diverse range of viewpoints. Nick's book explores personal growth through running and family relationships.

    50 min

  2. 10/29/2025

    Episode 604: Why Regional Arts Organizations Need a Business Mindset to Survive with Chantell Ghosh

    In this conversation, John Dick and Chantell Ghosh discuss the critical role of regional arts organizations in community infrastructure and economic sustainability. They explore the challenges these organizations face, including funding, audience engagement, and competition with larger entities like Broadway. Ghosh emphasizes the need for arts organizations to adopt a business mindset, interrogate their models, and connect with younger audiences to ensure their survival and relevance. The discussion highlights the importance of arts in creating vibrant communities and the necessity of political and financial support for these organizations. Answer questions from the end of the episode.  Takeaways Regional arts organizations are vital for community infrastructure.Arts and culture contribute significantly to local economies.The removal of arts education impacts future generations.Inflation and cost of living affect arts organizations' sustainability.Engaging younger audiences is crucial for the future of the arts.Arts organizations must interrogate their business models.Profitability is essential for the survival of arts organizations.Community engagement can enhance the relevance of the arts.Political will is necessary for supporting the arts.Arts organizations should not shy away from making money.

    53 min

  3. 10/22/2025

    Episode 603: Reviving Local News: Insights from Perry Sook

    In this conversation, Perry Sook discusses his journey in the media industry, the importance of local news, and the challenges posed by big tech. He emphasizes the need for strong companies to invest in local journalism and the significance of engaging younger audiences. Sook also highlights the trust that local news holds in communities and the role of personalities in building that trust. The discussion touches on the launch of News Nation and its vision to serve the middle of the country, aiming to provide unbiased news coverage. Answer questions from the end of the show here. Takeaways Perry Sook's journey in media began in small markets. Local news is crucial for community engagement and democracy. Big tech poses significant challenges to local media. Acquisitions can strengthen local news organizations. Younger generations consume news differently from previous ones. Local journalists build trust by being part of the community. News Nation aims to provide unbiased news coverage. The importance of personalities in local news. Engaging with the community is essential for local news. The future of local news relies on adapting to new platforms.

    51 min

  4. 10/10/2025

    Episode 602: Navigating Health Trends with Michael Costello

    In this insightful episode, John Dick and Michael Costello delve into the evolving landscape of health and wellness. They discuss the decline in obesity rates, the rise of strength training, and the impact of vitamins and supplements. Michael shares his journey at GNC and the importance of consumer focus and personalization in retail. The conversation also touches on brand loyalty, the role of science in consumer decisions, and the future of health and wellness. ➡️ Answer questions from the end of the show here. Keywords: Health trends, Obesity decline, Strength training, Supplements, GNC, Consumer focus, Personalization, Retail strategy, Brand loyalty, Science skepticism Takeaways: The decline in obesity rates is linked to increased strength training and supplement use. Strength training is crucial for longevity, weight management, and better sleep. The younger generation is more health-conscious and informed about supplements. GNC's strategy focuses on consumer personalization and education. GLP-1s are seen as an opportunity rather than a threat in weight management. Retail has undergone significant changes, requiring adaptability and consumer focus. GNC emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer needs and providing tailored solutions. The role of science and evidence in product selection at GNC. The impact of social media on health trends and consumer behavior. The importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the retail industry.

    45 min

  5. 09/30/2025

    Episode 601: Mark Cuban's Prescription for Fixing Healthcare

    Greater transparency would go a long way to solve the deep institutional distrust people are feeling across most of government, media, and Corporate America.   Our guest today, Mark Cuban, is tackling this transparency problem in the unnecessarily complex world of prescription drugs. We talked about the story behind CostPlusDrugs.com, his bold vision to “f–k up healthcare,” and lots about sports and family in between.       Weigh in on our topical polls from the end of the episode (and some that didn't make the final cut) below: Do you think playing multiple sports ultimately makes someone a better athlete?To what extent are you concerned about the privacy of your personal data when using AI systems like ChatGPT? What is your opinion of ketchup on eggs? Do you think it's possible to "have it all" as a working parent? Do you think it's a good or bad idea for middle and high school athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL)?

    42 min

  6. 04/25/2024

    Girl Power – Making Winning Bets on America's Most Influential Consumer

    Young women are changing entire categories of retail. Take cosmetics, for example. Gen Z women have decided that beauty is a gesture of self-care, and they’re willing to spend their money on it despite economic headwinds. The smartest person in the room today is Kory Marchisotto, the trailblazing CMO of e.l.f. Beauty — the fastest-growing company on the NYSE for the past five years. Kory and John talked about e.l.f.’s meteoric rise, and how she’s positioned the company at the epicenter of America’s biggest cultural trends.

    54 min

  7. 04/27/2023

    Too Big to Succeed: How to Make Government Work | Diego Piacentini

    Innovation gets harder the older, larger, and more complex an organization becomes. Government agencies that have been around and expanding for hundreds of years are nearly impossible to evolve. And it doesn’t help that modernizing government services seldom grabs big headlines, leading politicians to focus on the biggest problems — even though it could take years before the solutions are felt by the average American.. On this week’s episode of The Dumbest Guy in the Room, host John Dick welcomes Diego Piacentini. Born in Italy, Diego was one of the earliest executives at Amazon. He climbed the ranks there for over 16 years before leaving to bring Amazon’s principles of innovation and customer-obsession to the Italian government. Now he’s back in the private sector as an investor, board member, and advisor. Diego and John talked about how governments can tackle problems, what makes America most unique on the world stage, how adventurous Diego has become at trying new foods, and whether or not he could jumpstart a Ferrari if he had to.

    53 min

  8. 03/16/2023

    Welcome to the Wellness Era | Dave Kimbell, CEO of Ulta Beauty

    It's no surprise that CivicScience data show that Americans' levels of stress are still running high after the coronavirus pandemic. So, people are taking matters into their own hands. Acts of self-care, "revenge travel," and splurging of all kinds are hallmarks of U.S. consumerism right now. Nowhere has this trend been more evident than in the beauty and cosmetics industry. Through all the ups and downs of quarantines, supply chain disruptions, and inflation, the beauty category keeps growing, quarter after quarter.  On this episode of The Dumbest Guy in the Room, host John Dick welcomes Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell. John and Dave discuss how the pandemic changed the way Ulta customers think about beauty products, Ulta's wildly successful partnership with Target, their investments in minority-owned beauty startups, corporate leadership, and the very best way to eat ketchup with a basket of fries.

    46 min
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5
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28 Ratings

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The Podcast Where Data Meets Life

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