Best Gabe And Kat Podcasts (2025)

1
How to Think Like a Futurist: Jennifer Lo 41:08

6d ago41:08

41:08

What does it mean to think like a futurist—and why should every leader learn how? In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, Jennifer Lo, Senior Director of Design Futures at IDEO, shares how futuring can help leaders navigate uncertainty, build resilient strategies, and shape the future they want to see. Learn how to spot signals, expand …

1
Until Dawn: Slasher Summer Fun 1:04:08

6d ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Until Dawn is a wild time-loop slasher film inspired by the game. Ghouls invite their good friend and fellow gamer, June Bethea to talk about the ways the film exceeded their expectations and where it needed work. Perhaps this film could've been called literally anything else? We discuss the director's short film successes and our favorite parts ab…

1
Clown in a Cornfield: Slasher Summer is Here 52:31

20d ago52:31

52:31

With delightfully absurd gore and entertaining banter, Clown in a Cornfield, is a fun summertime slasher. It offers a pleasant, somewhat unexpected twist, some truly bizarre characters and as always beloved in the slasher genre, teen angst.

1
Asked & Answered: Catherine Connors on Storytelling for Leaders, Scale, and the Future of Narrative 38:19

20d ago38:19

38:19

In this bonus episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, storyteller and strategist Catherine Connors returns to answer top questions from our IDEO U community. We explore what it really means to lead with story—beyond frameworks and formats—and how storytelling can be used to build culture, scale ideas, and drive meaningful change.Catherine share…

1
Could Black Mirror's Joan is Awful Happen to You? 1:05:33

1M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Black Mirror’s Joan is Awful is a cautionary tale of our dangerous future in the shadow of hyper-surveillance, deep-fakes, and AI ownership. Joan is Awful explores the horrors of accepting shady terms and conditions. The Ghouls unpack the ways that AI and Data Mining are horrifying even now.

1
Creative Collaboration with IDEO CEO Mike Peng (Replay) 37:20

1M ago37:20

37:20

In this conversation, IDEO CEO Mike Peng shares what it really takes to foster creative collaboration on teams. From designing for trust and tension to navigating ambiguity and divergent thinking, Mike offers a clear-eyed look at how leaders can create the conditions for breakthrough ideas. Originally aired on August 8, 2019, this episode is full o…

1
Storytelling for Change with a Former Disney Exec: Catherine Connors 36:25

2M ago36:25

36:25

What makes a story powerful enough to shift culture?In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, Catherine Connors—former Head of Content at Disney Interactive and founder of storytelling consultancy StoryQuo—shares five key shifts that can help leaders use story as a tool for transformation.From rethinking traditional formats to embracing p…

1
Black Mirror’s Common People: Life Behind a Paywall 1:04:20

2M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Common People is a particularly heartbreaking episode as it feels so much like our lives now. A sharp criticism of our healthcare system, subscription services, and capitalism, Common People pulls no punches despite being housed on the predatory subscription system, Netflix.

1
Companion (2025): A Bloody Honest Take on New Age Romance 1:07:55

2M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Companion is a seamlessly hilarious sci-fi romantic comedy that freshly examines power dynamics in artificial intelligence relationships. Ripe with refreshing and quick twists, the film leaves little room for questions and instead guides us through a bloody tale of deprogramming and toxic relationships.…

1
Asked & Answered: Matthieu Lorrain & Savannah Kunovsky 26:42

2M ago26:42

26:42

How are creative professionals actually using AI today? In this Asked and Answered follow-up episode, Google DeepMind’s Matthieu Lorrain and IDEO’s Savannah Kunovsky respond to questions from the IDEO U community. They cover real-world examples of AI-powered co-design, how to maintain creative control with liquid content, designing for neurodiverge…

1
Mickey 17 Predicts Our Dystopian Future Under Capitalism 1:09:29

3M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Mickey 17 is an entertaining science fiction film that distills the fearful future of unchecked capitalism into a heartfelt, comedic romp. The Ghouls discuss what Mickey 17 gets right about Elon Musk’s Mars plan, our likely dystopian future after a second Trump Presidency, the reality of human cloning, and the horrors of climate change. How close a…

1
AI x Creativity: Matthieu Lorrain & Savannah Kunovsky 46:34

3M ago46:34

46:34

Google DeepMind’s Matthieu Lorrain and IDEO’s Savannah Kunovsky on how AI is reshaping creative work.By IDEO U

1
Defying More Than Gravity: Race, Politics & Power in Wicked 59:32

3M ago59:32

59:32

The Ghouls explore the revolutionary impact of Wicked in 2025. We dissect how Cynthia Erivo's Black Elphaba transforms the green-skinned witch's journey into a searing commentary on race, while simultaneously exposing the musical's chilling political prophecies. From "Defying Gravity" as a representation anthem to the Wizard's propaganda machine mi…

1
Sinners: A Love Letter to Black Culture, Resiliency, and History 1:18:17

3M ago1:18:17

1:18:17

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners feels like two movies in one and both are phenomenal pieces of media. At once a beautiful, heartbreaking, and emotional depiction of Jim Crow era America and a charming, hilarious, and horrific exploration of faith, culture, and folklore. Ghouls unpack their takeaways from a film ripe with meaning and impact diving into the i…

1
Severance: Innies, Exploitation & Modern Company Towns 1:17:12

4M ago1:17:12

1:17:12

Severance has given us one of the most nuanced examinations of identity, consciousness, and labor rights in recent television. The Ghouls dissect Severance Season 2's brilliant dual commentary: the fight for innie personhood alongside corporate America's modern "Sunken Place" for Black professionals. From Helly's rebellion to Milchick's blackface p…

1
Staying Human-Centered in a Tech-First World | Grace Hwang 40:48

4M ago40:48

40:48

Explore how to lead with human-centered design in a tech-driven world. Insights from Grace Hwang on ethical innovation, safety, and designing for impact.By IDEO U

1
Horror with Heart: From Shows the Power of Community in Crisis 1:13:57

4M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

From brilliantly explores Rebecca Solnit's disaster utopia concept, showing how communities respond to catastrophes with solidarity rather than chaos. The Ghouls explore how the trapped townspeople build meaningful connections despite relentless threats. From creates a true disaster utopia, showing people cooperating across backgrounds and sharing …

1
Ghouls Live 300th Celebration! 57:50

5M ago57:50

57:50

The Ghouls Next Door are going LIVE to celebrate 300 spine-tingling, thought-provoking, and downright ghoulish episodes of horror and media literacy! Join Gabe and Kat for a night of chills, thrills, and unforgettable moments as we look back on 300 episodes of turning fear into fierce conversations. Expect live Q&A, fun games, exclusive behind-the-…

1
Introducing Mina Seetharaman: Your New Creative Confidence Podcast Host 20:04

5M ago20:04

20:04

The Creative Confidence Podcast has been going strong for eight years, with more than 120 leaders sharing their advice, tips, and stories with the IDEO U community. Longtime podcast listeners might recognize the voices of IDEO U Founder Suzanne Gibbs Howard and Design Director Coe Leta Stafford, our original hosts who masterfully surfaced insights …

1
What Leaders Should Know About Leading Through Change: Melanie Bell-Mayeda 42:12

6M ago42:12

42:12

Learn how to lead through change and uncertainty with a human-centered approach. Discover three key leadership levers to help your team navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence.By IDEO U

1
Interview with the Vampire: A Bold Reimagining of Queerness, Race & Abuse 1:02:42

6M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

Let’s break down the beauty, horror, and heartbreak of Interview with the Vampire. AMC’s Interview with the Vampire is a haunting, gothic masterpiece that redefines Anne Rice’s classic story through the lens of race, queerness, and power. This deep dive explores the tragic, abusive relationship between Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt…

1
Nosferatu (2024) Feminist Horror: Power, Possession & Repression 1:07:01

7M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

Is Nosferatu a cautionary tale about repression, or an empowering story of feminine defiance? Let’s dive into this gothic nightmare and uncover the terrifying truths behind the fiction. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) is a chilling reflection of historical oppression, medical horror, and the fear of feminine autonomy. The film’s eerie atmosphere, p…

1
The Power of Your Monster (2024): Feminine Rage and Confronting Emotional Neglect 57:25

7M ago57:25

57:25

Ghouls break down the emotional depth and trauma explored in Your Monster (2024), highlighting themes of childhood neglect, feminine rage, and trauma responses like fawning. We dive into how Laura’s emotional repression—stemming from both physical and emotional neglect in childhood—shapes her adult life, relationships, and health. The film subtly e…

1
How to Improve Your Leadership Mindset for Greater Growth: Bonnie Wan 39:22

7M ago39:22

39:22

Explore how overcoming limiting beliefs and enhancing your leadership mindset, with guidance from Bonnie Wan, can propel your growth as a leader.By IDEO U

1
From Grief to Gore: 'Lisa Frankenstein' Brings the Dead to Life 1:02:18

7M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

Lisa Frankenstein is a darkly comedic, neon-soaked horror film set in the late 80s, penned by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams. It explores Lisa’s journey from grief-stricken teen to self-assured misfit as she accidentally resurrects her Victorian crush and navigates a chaotic world filled with small-town gossip, body parts, and dark humo…

1
How to Take Action and Shape Your Future Today: Frederik Pferdt 38:50

8M ago38:50

38:50

Discover how small actions today can shape the future you want. Learn key strategies for taking control of your future with empathy, experimentation, and your unique superpower.By IDEO U

1
The Shape of Water and America Today: Monsters, Empathy, and Division 56:24

8M ago56:24

56:24

Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water feels eerily relevant as we brace for a second Trump presidency. Set in a Cold War-era America steeped in paranoia, oppression, and cruelty, the film critiques the illusion of “greatness” that MAGA rhetoric glorifies. Through characters like Elisa, Giles, Zelda, and the Amphibian Man—people existing on societ…

1
Alien: Romulus – Corporate Greed, Bodily Autonomy, and the Fight for Freedom 55:55

8M ago55:55

55:55

In Alien: Romulus, the latest chapter of the iconic franchise, themes of corporate greed, bodily autonomy, and systemic oppression take center stage. From Rain’s desperate fight for freedom to Andy’s struggle for personhood, we explore how the film critiques unchecked capitalism and its dehumanizing effects. With connections to real-world issues li…

1
The Substance (2024): Beauty Is a Beast 1:04:57

9M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

Ghouls explore The Substance, a satirical body horror film that critiques society’s obsession with youth and beauty. Through the story of Elisabeth Sparkle, we examine the devastating impact of external validation on identity, the pressures of pretty privilege, and the pervasive stigma against aging women. From Hollywood’s unrealistic standards to …

1
Faith, Folklore, and Agrochemicals: The Real-Life Horror in When Evil Lurks (2023) 58:55

9M ago58:55

58:55

When Evil Lurks is a brutal Argentinian horror film blending supernatural terror with real-life issues of faith, isolation, and environmental contamination. Follow along as Ghouls review how Demián Rugna’s tale of demonic possession taps into Argentina’s struggle with pesticide exposure, exploring how folklore and cultural fears bring a chilling de…

1
Beneath the Habit: Exploring Immaculate (2024) and the Catholic Church’s Dark Side 49:30

10M ago49:30

49:30

The Ghouls explore Immaculate, a psychological horror film that delves into themes of bodily autonomy and the dark side of faith through the story of a nun's involuntary pregnancy. We also tackle the systemic misogyny within the Catholic Church, examining how nuns are marginalized and how the Church’s stance on reproductive rights reflects hypocris…

1
Late Night with the Devil (2024): Cults, Conspiracies, and Celebrity Secrets 50:21

10M ago50:21

50:21

Late Night with the Devil is a campy horror that cleverly intertwines reality with the supernatural. Join us as we unpack Jack Delroy’s desperate bid for ratings, culminating in a live séance that spirals into chaos. Gabe discusses the film’s bold commentary on media manipulation and our obsession with the occult, drawing parallels to real-life spi…

1
Unlock the Power of Systems Thinking: Deirdre Cerminaro 31:45

10M ago31:45

31:45

Learn the core mindsets of systems thinking to tackle complex problems. Our beginner's guide helps you zoom in and out, shift perspectives, and reframe challenges for lasting solutions.By IDEO U

1
Longlegs (2024): Satanic Panic, Government Hysteria, and Horror in Girlhood 47:21

10M ago47:21

47:21

Longlegs is a psychological thriller about a supernatural satanic panic killer, who murders without ever touching his victims. From twisted coming-of-age stories to the sinister use of dolls as instruments of control, we examine the cultural obsession with preserving and corrupting girlhood through fear, trauma, and moral panic. We delve into how g…

1
Suspiria (2018): Witchcraft, Dance, and Post-WWII Germany 44:26

11M ago44:26

44:26

Suspiria (2018) is a haunting exploration of power, control, and the horrors of fascism, set against the backdrop of Cold War-era Berlin in 1977. Gabe discusses the differences in the two films, unpacks the themes of facism and guilt, as well as defines the three mothers and their role in Argento's world. Kat gives us a history lesson to understand…

1
Maxxxine (2024): A Neon Drenched Video Nasty 38:12

11M ago38:12

38:12

Maxxxine is the final neon-soaked chapter of Ti West's trilogy, blending genres influenced by their respective decades. Gabe talks about how sexuality is explored in Ti West's trilogy and gives us a film history lesson on video nasties. Kat talks about the 1980s Satanic Panic craze.

1
The Role of Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI 37:53

11M ago37:53

37:53

Discover the importance of human-centered leadership and AI. Learn how to balance technological advancements with empathy and ethics to drive sustainable success with Chair of IDEO, Tim Brown.By IDEO U

1
The Witch (2015): A Folklore of Fanaticism and Family 1:06:56

11M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

The Witch is a psychological, folktale horror film that offers us a slow descent into a puritanical satanic panic. A witchy crucible tale that subverts the traditional empowering women narratives we're used to. Gabe shares what they took from the film and why a second watch left them terribly depressed. Kat gives a history lesson on Puritans, what …

1
I Saw the TV Glow (2024): A Tale of Transition 1:10:30

12M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

I Saw the TV Glow is an experimental, horror film that has audiences facing and exploring their identities. A personal tale of gender dysphoria, the film is heartbreaking and bizarre. Gabe talks about Owen's struggles with their identity, zipping yourself back up to conform to society, and why the sad ending isn't an ending at all. Kat talks about …

1
It Follows (2014): The Many Faces of the Monster 1:01:02

1y ago1:01:02

1:01:02

It Follows is a unique, dwelling horror film that delves into the abrupt loss of innocence after an assault. While it can be seen as a cautionary tale about STIs, its themes run much deeper. Gabe talks about MC Jay's loss of innocence, reflects on the lingering monster of trauma, and deconstructs the myth that this is a film about an STI demon. Kat…

1
Humanistic AI: Tom Gruber, Co-Creator of Siri 40:42

1y ago40:42

40:42

What skills can help us get the most out of AI? When we approach AI in a human way, with people at the center, it can be a powerful tool that augments how we work. As AI becomes more and more widespread across industries, it’s critical to learn the skills to harness and collaborate with AI in a way that is humanistic, ethical, and impactful. In thi…

1
The Craft (1996): Teen Girl Justice, Sisterhood, and Witchcraft 1:01:01

1y ago1:01:01

1:01:01

The Craft is an unapologetically dark film where four teen girls live out a powerful fantasy of retribution and justice. Gabe fans over the power of witchcraft, found families, and outlets for societal rage. We call for justice for Nancy and try to tap into the four corners of the world. Kat gives a history lesson on women, witchcraft, and midwifer…

1
Heathers (1988): A Dark Comedy for Dark Times 1:17:55

1y ago1:17:55

1:17:55

Heathers is a dark comedy film that, through satire, challenges high school politics, social hierarchies, and the illusion of teenage depth. Gabe dives into this cult classic to unpack the weight of social hierarchies in school that mimic the big world outside. Kat gives us some background on why the teens in this film are so broken and what we nee…

1
Talk to Me (2023): Addicted to Possession 1:11:05

1y ago1:11:05

1:11:05

Talk to Me is a supernatural, psychological horror film is a gut-wrenching, emotional film that explores the horrors of a teenage life for Gen Z. Gabe talks about the film's brilliant approach to a delicate subject - addiction. Kat educates on the impact of loss and grief on the growing mind. Talk to Me is a Ghouls favorite in horror. Highly recomm…

1
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022): Gen Z Struggles for Connection 1:03:31

1y ago1:03:31

1:03:31

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is a dark horror comedy that tests friendships and one’s flimsy perception of self. Gabe talks about the woes of Gen Z culture, connection, and community. Kat explores the way youth and wealth can negatively impact your capacity for love, honesty, and trust.

1
Assassination Nation (2019): A Spectacle of Teen Violence 1:12:03

1y ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Assassination Nation is a bloody, intense thriller that mirrors a modern-day witch hunt, tackling head-on the chaos and hysteria fueled by sexism, social media, and toxic American ideals. The Ghouls unpack some of the themes addressed in the film as well as confront the issue of the way the film is packaged.…

1
Creating Impactful Products: YC Sun 38:30

1+ y ago38:30

38:30

Great products and services are driven by great product strategy. But too often we get stuck in the strategy part of product strategy, failing to get tangible enough to make insight-driven decisions about our roadmaps. In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, we speak with YC Sun, Design Director at IDEO. He shares common challenges for …

1
Last of Us: The Resilience of Love at the End of the World 1:09:15

1+ y ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Last of Us is an emotionally charged drama, set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal outbreak, that masterfully intertwines elements of horror and heartfelt storytelling.Gabe explains the horrors of the cordyceps fungus that inspired the game and show's villain. They also talk about the brilliant storytelling that has us in our feels. Ka…

1
Fallout (2024): Societal Experiments & a Plan for the End of the World 1:36:33

1+ y ago1:36:33

1:36:33

Fallout is an ambitious, gore-filled, comedic adaptation of the popular post-apocalyptic video game franchise. What Fallout and our world have in common is endless human suffering, a hatred for communism, manipulative and controlling governments, and war, which never changes. Gabe compares the two worlds and histories. And they dive into all the ho…

1
Manager Mentorship Strategies: David Yeager 46:12

1+ y ago46:12

46:12

We all want to be great managers. But when it comes to actually working with and leading young people, there’s no clear strategy or playbook for success. Too often it feels like we’re having to decide between two extremes: enforce high standards and risk pushing our mentees away, or take a more gentle approach and withhold criticism, therefore miss…

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