Best Wickedly Good Productions Podcasts (2025)

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Touch The Pickle: Marketing Gender Equality 27:43

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9m ago27:43

27:43

If you searched the question: “What player has won the most Wimbledon singles titles,” Google will tell you it’s Roger Federer with 8 wins. But that’s incorrect. Martina Navratilova has 9. This week, we look at remarkable ideas that promote gender equality. Including an idea called Correct the Internet.com And one that challenged menstruation taboo…

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Tilly Norwood: The Black Mirror Episode We're All Living In & The House of Guinness 30:02

8h ago30:02

30:02

Send us a text This week, we ask the big question: Is the viral story of Tilly Norwood, the AI actress from London, the real-life Black Mirror episode we've all been dreading? We dive into why her very existence is a direct threat to a struggling creative industry. Is it "creative exploration," or is it just a soulless cash grab that says more abou…

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Nashville Songwriter Gary Burr Pens A Novel About A Fictional Beatles Reunion 52:22

1h ago52:22

52:22

The Beatlology Interviews (Season 2, Episode 1) What if John Lennon had never died in 1980. What if George Harrison was still with us? What would it have taken to convince the Beatles to give one more major concert? In “Reunion: A Rock ’N Roll Fairy Tale” author Gary Burr tackles all those questions in a very entertaining novel. By the way, Gary ha…

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Allure of Bad-Ass Advertising: Anti Heroes 28:23

7d ago28:23

28:23

20th century movies and TV shows were dominated by the traditional “hero.” With high morals and an ethical code of honour. The 21st century has a different take. Today, we cheer the anti-hero. Like the Sopranos, Dexter and Breaking Bad. Anti-heroes are liberated from that line in the sand that holds the rest of us back. They do things we are afraid…

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K-Pop Demon Hunters & Wicked: For Good: Why Musicals Are Back 29:59

5d ago29:59

29:59

Send us a text The Media Couple dives into the global phenomenon of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most-watched film of all time and explores why Wicked: For Good is already one of the most anticipated musicals in movie history. From the unexpected rise of a K-pop + anime crossover to the powerhouse casting of Ariana Grande as Glinda, we discuss wh…

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Forever Green: Building a cooperative innovation platform for diversification in Midwest agriculture with Nick Jordan & Whitney Clark 1:00:36

7d ago1:00:36

1:00:36

David Sloan Wilson speaks with Professor Nick Jordan and Whitney Clark, Executive Director of Friends of the Mississippi River, about their work on the Forever Green Initiative – a regional effort to scale regenerative agriculture in the Upper Midwest. They reflect on seven years of cross-sector collaboration to develop new crops and farming system…

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Tools for the Family Jewels: Gender Bending Brands 27:29

14d ago27:29

27:29

From our Season 12 Archives... This week, we look at companies that have spent decades advertising to only one gender - then suddenly decide to approach the opposite sex. L’Oreal is now marketing makeup to men. Scotch distillers are now targeting women. And lingerie companies are now designing intimates for men. It’s a brand new, gender-bending wor…

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Hard Days & Golden Knights: The World of Brand Twins 28:07

22d ago28:07

28:07

From our Season 12 Archives. Even though brand names are often protected by trademarks and copyrights, it’s remarkable how many times companies end up with the same names. And they either get along – or they sue each other into oblivion. This week, we look at “Brand Twins.” We’ll talk about when Guns N’ Roses sued Guns and Rosé. We’ll explain why t…

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Netflix’s Unknown Number To The Thursday Murder Club 22:56

19d ago22:56

22:56

Send us a text This week on The Media Couple, Rory and Sophie dive into Netflix’s Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, the documentary that shocked audiences with its unbelievable twist. They explore why the story went viral, how the editing heightened the drama, and what makes it stand out in the crowded true-crime space. Next, it’s Netflix’s …

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You Can Check In, But You Can't Check Out: Branded Hotel Rooms 27:58

24d ago27:58

27:58

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we talk about hotel marketing. Specifically, how some hotels attract guests by advertising specific rooms. Some of those rooms are decorated like TV shows, some are inspired by movies, and some hotels advertise the fact something famous – or infamous - happened in their rooms. Hosted on…

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Lily Phillips vs Bonnie Blue: The Documentary Showdown 23:08

25d ago23:08

23:08

Send us a text This week on The Media Couple, Rory and Sophie unpack Stacey Dooley’s latest Sleeps Over episode with Lily Phillips and how Dooley's empathetic, presenter-led style compares to Channel 4’s more detached Bonnie Blue documentary. We explore why Dooley’s approach resonated more, whether presenter-led docs create bias, and how emotion an…

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Dish Night at the Movies: Marketing Motion Pictures 27:27

1M ago27:27

27:27

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites This week, we’re talking about the creative ways Hollywood markets films. We’ll talk about how a low-budget horror movie got a ton of press just by asking people to smile. And we’ll examine the marketing of Top Gun: Maverick – the Tom Cruise sequel that Steven Spielberg says single-handedly saved t…

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Harry Potter, Thrillers & Why We're Watching The Same Stories in 2025 20:41

1M ago20:41

20:41

Send us a text From Hostage to The Assassin, and even the Harry Potter HBO reboot, TV and movies in 2025 are leaning on familiar stories, safe remakes, and comfort-food thrillers. Why do new shows feel so predictable, and are streamers prioritising what works over originality? In this episode, we break down the trend and explore why familiar storie…

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The Very First Episode of "Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe" Podcast 43:17

1M ago43:17

43:17

People often tell me they love the storytelling in Under the Influence. One of my favourite storytellers of all time is the late, great Stuart McLean. Which is why it’s been such a joy for our network to partner with Stuart’s long-time producer Jess Milton and the Vinyl Cafe team to bring you the podcast “Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe.” Today we are …

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Celebrity Traitors, Real Housewives of London & Love Island’s Cool Rebrand 25:54

1M ago25:54

25:54

Send us a text Reality TV just got a shake-up. This week, we discuss the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors (with 19 celebs from Stephen Fry to Tom Daley), the premiere of The Real Housewives of London (and its first big drama: Teethgate), plus why Love Island’s i-D Magazine spread has totally rebranded the villa as cool again. We also play a special Reality…

1
The Science of Imagined Worlds: Evolution and Ecology for World Builders - A conversation between Carlo Maley, Vaughn Aktipis-Maley & David Sloan Wilson 1:21:21

1M ago1:21:21

1:21:21

Join David Sloan Wilson in conversation with Carlo Maley and Vaughn Aktipis-Maley as they explore how evolutionary science can inspire deeper, more internally consistent worldbuilding. Based on their recent publication Evolution and Ecology for World Builders, this episode blends fantasy storytelling with real-world biology to ask: What makes a cre…

51
When You've Got It, Flaunt It: The George Lois Story 27:38

1M ago27:38

27:38

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. In this episode, we talk about one of the legends of the advertising business – George Lois. Out-spoken and fearless, he launched Xerox, helped elect Robert F. Kennedy, designed famous Esquire magazine covers and even once climbed out onto a window ledge to convince a client to buy an idea. Hosted…

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From Jerry Springer to Mr Beast: 30 Years of Public Humiliation 23:15

2M ago23:15

23:15

Send us a text Once upon a time, TV was cruel. From Fat Families to Kid Nation to the X Factor’s most humiliating auditions, producers engineered public shaming for entertainment. We cancelled it on TV… so why has it come back stronger than ever online? In this episode of The Media Couple, we expose the shocking history of humiliation content and h…

51
Gold, Silver & Spinach: TV Shows As Marketing 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

From our Season 12 Archives.... one of our favourites. With multiple ways to skip commercials at our fingertips, advertisers have found a new way to reach the public. They’re jumping out of commercial breaks and into the storylines of television shows. This week, we look at a list of popular TV shows that aren’t just entertainment. They’re big mark…

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1000 Men and a Missed Opportunity: Deconstructing the Bonnie Blue Documentary 36:15

2M ago36:15

36:15

Send us a text Channel 4’s documentary "1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story" promised an unflinching look at the rise of Bonnie Blue, a viral and controversial online figure, but what we got felt more like access journalism than real exploration. In this episode, we break down exactly what the documentary missed: from surface-level storytelling …

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History of the Goalie Mask 33:43

2M ago33:43

33:43

We thought you might enjoy an episode from our sister podcast, “We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast” - this week it’s the history of the goalie mask. Coaches didn’t want them, managers rejected them, the NHL didn’t want them - but one goalie did. The rest is history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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The Neuroscience of Black Joy: Past, Present, Future 48:47

2M ago48:47

48:47

In this episode of 'Coffee with a Neuroscientist,' Shonté Jovan Taylor delves into the concept of intentional joy, particularly Black joy, as a form of resistance and a power strategy. She explains how experiencing joy can heal hijacked nervous systems and become a tool for individual and collective well-being. Emphasizing the difference between jo…

51
Long Overdue: The Creative Boom of Library Marketing 27:18

2M ago27:18

27:18

From our Season 11 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we look at the ways libraries market themselves. If you think libraries are quiet, you’ve got another thing coming. We’ll talk about a library video series that played like a TV cop show - and - we’ll look at library wars - when libraries battle each other on social media. Hosted on Aca…

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Is This the Era of the “Influencer Documentary”? 31:00

2M ago31:00

31:00

Send us a text Are we witnessing the rise of a new kind of documentary, one led by influencers, built on nostalgia, and rooted in personal brand? This week, we break down Josh Pieters’ Brit Crew doc and ask whether this growing trend of influencer documentaries signals a bigger shift in what audiences now consider “journalism.” Plus, we dive into O…

51
Fish Where The Fish Are: Surprising Help Wanted Ads 26:44

2M ago26:44

26:44

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we take a look at the most creative “help wanted” ads in the world. We’ll talk about how IKEA recruited new workers without needing to buy an ad. How VW found new mechanics by posting ads in the most unusual place. And the amazing ways the intelligence community recruits spies and code …

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When the Cameras Stop Rolling: MasterChef & Media Accountability 21:58

2M ago21:58

21:58

Send us a text This week on The Media Couple, we tackle the fallout from the MasterChef investigation, why 45 allegations were upheld, what it means for the show's future, and how the TV industry keeps repeating the same mistakes. We also dissect WeTransfer’s questionable AI terms and cap things off with an office-themed Rotten Tomatoes game. 🎧 Tha…

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Singer Dion DiMucci 45:51

3M ago45:51

45:51

Now that we’ve moved the Beatlology Interviews to its own feed, you might not be caught up. Thought you might like to hear one of my favourite episodes - singer Dion DiMucci is one of only five people still alive who are on the cover of Sgt. Pepper. Dion was also supposed to be on the plane with Buddy Holly that fateful night - and he tells us that…

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Gregg Wallace, NDAs & the Dark Side of TV Culture 24:23

3M ago24:23

24:23

Send us a text After reports surrounding Gregg Wallace’s exit from MasterChef, we take a deeper look at the TV industry’s NDA problem and how it impacts the people working behind the scenes. We also unpack a major new deal between Disney + and ITV that could reshape how shows are made and streamed. Plus, we finish on a massive Rotten Tomatoes game.…

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The Willy Wonka Secret: Candy Bar Advertising 27:17

3M ago27:17

27:17

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we look at candy bar advertising. Millions are spent marketing candy bars every year. We'll talk about how the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was owned by a candy company. And we'll reveal whether it really was Phil Collins inside that gorilla costume in that famous Cadbury…

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Bezos & Sanchez: PR Wedding of the Century + Bond’s New Director 25:47

3M ago25:47

25:47

Send us a text The Bezos-Sanchez wedding shut down Venice but was it really about love, or about power? This week on The Media Couple, we dissected the billionaire wedding of the century and why it felt more like a PR stunt than a celebration. From Kardashians to DiCaprio, from Vogue to private jets, this was a masterclass in soft power and media m…

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Selling Love: The Business of Online Dating 28:42

3M ago28:42

28:42

From our Season 11 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we explore how dating agencies Sell Love. We’ll talk about the very first dating service in history, we’ll explore one app that is more about lust than love and we’ll talk about how heartthrob Reynolds created one of the best dating commercials of the last 10 years. -------- Get an excl…

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Shaping AI for Good: Prosocial Hybrid Intelligence for a Thriving Future - A conversation between Cornelia Walther and David Sloan Wilson 1:18:14

3M ago1:18:14

1:18:14

AI is no longer a distant future - it’s shaping our lives right now. But what if we could design it not just to be smart, but to be good? In this powerful conversation, Cornelia Walther and evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson explore how we can build AI systems that truly serve people and the planet. They dive into the concept of Prosocial AI…

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Ask Terry 2025 27:51

3M ago27:51

27:51

This week, it’s our annual Ask Terry episode. As we do every year, we open the show to questions from our listeners. This week, we’ll answer a question about the longest-lasting slogans in history, we’ll explore why there is so much dancing going on in commercials these days, and we’ll play a fun game where you have to guess the celebrity voice. Ho…

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Q&A: Is Film School Worth It in 2025? And Other Big Industry Questions 25:41

3M ago25:41

25:41

Send us a text It’s Q&A time! In this episode of The Media Couple, we ask each other 10 big questions about film, TV, and what it’s really like working in the media industry today. Expect honest answers on: Whether you need money or connections to get your foot in the door The truth about film school in 2025 Who we’d cast in every Netflix show (Jak…

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Gone in 60 Seconds: Crazy Automobile Stunt Commercials 27:23

4M ago27:23

27:23

Dramatic car stunts are not just the stuff of movies. They’re also the stuff of car commercials. We’ll talk about one ad where skydivers risked their lives spelling out the word “Honda” in the sky, a commercial where a car speeds on the roof of a skyscraper, and a story about a car that was dropped from an airplane - and the parachute didn’t work. …

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Trump, Musk & The Race to Capture the Internet’s Attention 24:09

4M ago24:09

24:09

Send us a text This week on The Media Couple, Sophie and Rory unpack the media frenzy around the Trump vs Musk feud and the rapid response from broadcasters like Channel 4. With a new documentary set to air just days after the story broke, we ask: is this the future of factual storytelling or a sign that traditional media is adapting to survive? 🎧 …

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Yes I Can: Marketing to People with Disabilities 28:13

4M ago28:13

28:13

This week, we explore how advertisers market to people with disabilities. Disabled people are usually ignored in advertising campaigns. Yet people with disabilities control half a trillion dollars in spending money. We’ll look at four powerful campaigns that not only feature people with disabilities, but these commercials are disrupting the public’…

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Naked Attraction to The Traitors: Why Reality TV Is Getting More Honest 20:08

4M ago20:08

20:08

Send us a text Why do we keep watching reality TV, even when we know it’s fake? Has TikTok changed what we expect from reality shows? Why are shows like Couples Therapy and The Traitors doing so well? Are we moving away from shock value and towards emotional vulnerability, and what does that say about us as viewers? This week, we unpack all of this…

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Democracy’s Deep Roots: From Hunter-Gatherers to Modern Society -- A conversation between Vivek Venkataraman and David Sloan Wilson 1:19:12

4M ago1:19:12

1:19:12

What if the roots of democracy run far deeper than ancient Greece or Enlightenment Europe, but back to our evolutionary origins as humans? In this thought-provoking conversation, evolutionary anthropologist Vivek Venkataraman and renowned scientist David Sloan Wilson dig into how early human societies, particularly hunter-gatherers, managed to bala…

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Brand Envy (2025) 26:54

4M ago26:54

26:54

This week, it’s our annual Brand Envy episode. We look at four brands that I admire. One is a cosmetics empire started by a woman in an era when women couldn’t even vote. One is a band I have a soft spot for. Another is a family-owned business that has lasted 88 years. The fourth is a TV show that broke records. And they all have one thing in commo…

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The Most Dangerous Race You’ve Never Heard Of — And The One You Can’t Escape 30:41

4M ago30:41

30:41

Send us a text You’ve heard of AI but have you heard of a race so dangerous that it’s been banned, revived, and regularly breaks bones barely 10 seconds in? This week, Sophie and Rory go deep on two very different competitions: the death-defying cheese-rolling event in Gloucestershire, and the tech race that’s reshaping media and entertainment. We …

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Why Eurovision Isn’t About Winning Anymore 23:40

4M ago23:40

23:40

Send us a text Eurovision 2025 was a massive live broadcast — but is winning still the point? This week on The Media Couple, we unpack why Eurovision has become less about the trophy and more about creating a viral moment. From the jaw-dropping scale of the live production to the Austria vs. Israel showdown at the end, we break down what Eurovision…

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CAT-alogues & DOG-alogues: Pet Marketing 27:14

5M ago27:14

27:14

This week, we talk about Pet Marketing. The pet products industry is worth about $150 billion dollars. And when you love a pet, money is no object. We’ll listen to a pet food campaign that had dogs conduct a symphony orchestra. We’ll flip through IKEA’s CAT-alogues and DOG-alogues. And we’ll explore Dolly Parton’s “Doggy Parton” fashion line. Hoste…

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Are We Finally Sick of Content? 33:29

5M ago33:29

33:29

Send us a text This week on The Media Couple, Sophie and Rory take on the cultural shift that’s making waves across film, media, and Gen Z habits. Why are analogue experiences—like Blockbuster pop-ups and dumb phones—suddenly back? Is it rebellion, exhaustion, or just the natural correction after a decade of algorithm overload? They also review Ano…

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Bookmarks 2025 32:12

5M ago32:12

32:12

This week, it’s our annual “Bookmarks” episode. We read a lot of books to research this show, and often we stumble on great stories that don’t fit our regular episodes. So we save them up for this show. We’ll talk about a new book on SNL producer Lorne Michaels, we’ll take a few notes from a famous songwriter, and we’ll talk about a Bible with a wi…

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EMERGENCY EP: Trump’s 100% Tariffs, "A Knockout Blow" to UK Film? 33:14

5M ago33:14

33:14

Send us a text Trump’s proposed 100% tariffs on foreign film imports are making headlines, and for good reason. In this emergency episode, The Media Couple breaks down how these tariffs could devastate the UK film industry. As BECTU warns, the impact could be "a knockout blow,” threatening thousands of jobs and billions in production investment. We…

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Seizing The Moment 28:06

5M ago28:06

28:06

This week, we look at how the marketing industry seizes pop culture moments. We’ll talk about a website that got national attention by making a bold prediction about a TV show. How A1 Steak Sauce caught the funniest – and luckiest break. And how Pepsi grabbed a hilarious opportunity by following pizza delivery drivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co…

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Decolonizing Ecology: Rethinking Nature in a Broken World 1:19:48

5M ago1:19:48

1:19:48

A conversation between Madhusudan Katti and Amitangshu Acharya Join us for a thought-provoking virtual dialogue exploring how colonial worldviews have shaped modern ecology - and what it means to decolonize our relationship with nature in an era of social and environmental upheaval. Building on themes from the This View of Life series “Decolonizing…

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Why 'The Studio' Nails Hollywood's Unspoken Rules (And The Bourne Identity Crisis) 25:18

5M ago25:18

25:18

Send us a text This week, Sophie and Rory pull back the curtain on two fascinating entertainment stories. First, they analyze why Seth Rogen's The Studio works as both brilliant satire and accidental documentary - from its painfully accurate portrayal of executive meddling to those stunning continuous shots that say more about filmmaking than any d…

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A Moment I'll Never Forget: The Power of PSAs 27:20

5M ago27:20

27:20

This week, we look at public service announcements. PSAs have to compete with - not just other PSAs - but with all other commercials out there. And do it with an iota of the budget. It requires exceptional creativity. We’ll talk about how Elvis got teens to get a polio vaccine, and a drinking & driving commercial recorded by drunk actors. Hosted on…