What AI can’t replace in consumer insights with Lev Mazin and Shanon Adams
March 3, 2026
In this 50th episode, Shanon and Lev reflect on the journey of building a meaningful B2B podcast. They explore the lessons learned from 50 guest conversations the consistency and collaboration required behind the scenes, and the themes that continue to shape the show. Looking ahead, they reaffirm their commitment to creating thoughtful, long-term value through conversation.
In this milestone 50th episode, Shanon and Lev take a step back to reflect on the journey so far: what it has taken to build the podcast, what they’ve learned from their guests, and why the project has become one of the most meaningful initiatives they’re involved in.
Across 50 episodes, the show has evolved into more than just a content channel. It has become a platform for thoughtful conversations with founders, marketers and leaders who are shaping their industries. Shanon and Lev reflect on the consistency, commitment and collaboration required to sustain a podcast over time, especially in the B2B space, where attention is hard won and trust is built gradually.
They discuss the importance of giving guests a space to share real insights rather than surface-level commentary, and how those conversations have influenced their own thinking. Patterns have emerged across episodes: the value of long-term strategy over short-term wins the power of clear positioning, and the role of meaningful storytelling in building brands that last.
The episode also shines a light on the team behind the scenes, acknowledging the production and coordination effort that underpins every release. For Shanon and Lev, the podcast represents more than marketing output. It’s a long-term commitment to dialogue, learning and community-building.
As they look ahead to the next 500 episodes, the focus remains the same: continue elevating expert voices, deepening conversations, and creating content that delivers lasting value.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why AI in 2025 feels fundamentally different from 2024
- The difference between speeding up tasks and unlocking new capabilities
- How to avoid “research theater” when using synthetic or predictive data
- Why data quality is an evolving process and not a toggle
- How empathy directly improves respondent experience and survey outcomes
- Why structured data remains a challenge for AI systems
- How to balance speed with rigor inside fast-moving organizations
- What defines the next generation of insight seekers
- The three traits that will define successful insight professionals: curiosity, technical savviness, and critical thinking
About the guests:
Lev Mazin is the CEO and cofounder of aytm, where he leads the company’s vision around agile, technology-powered consumer insights. With a background in innovation and product development, Lev has spent his career focused on building systems that make research more accessible, rigorous, and actionable.
Lev Mazin is the CEO and cofounder of aytm, where he leads the company’s vision around agile, technology-powered consumer insights. With a background in innovation and product development, Lev has spent his career focused on building systems that make research more accessible, rigorous, and actionable.
Shanon Adams is President and COO of aytm, bringing deep experience across growth, marketing, and operations. She works closely with insight teams and enterprise organizations to translate research into strategic action, with a strong focus on customer experience, data quality, and scalable innovation.
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Episode Resources:
The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so