In Episode 111 of SIMPLE ALIEN DEEP DIVES, Doug and Stacey explore the fascinating links between animal instincts and human creativity. They begin by discussing how dogs use scent to gather detailed information about each other, drawing parallels to how humans make rapid judgments—known as “thin slicing”—based on subtle cues like body language or tone of voice. This leads to a conversation about vulnerability in the creative process, likening it to a dog offering a sniff to a potential playmate. They delve into the concept of synesthesia, highlighting composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who perceived musical notes as colors, and inventor Louis Bertrand Castel, who attempted to create a “color organ” that played both sound and color. The episode also touches on Nikola Tesla’s ability to visualize complex inventions mentally. Doug and Stacey emphasize the importance of making unexpected connections to fuel creativity, offering practical tips like cross-pollinating interests, engaging multiple senses, and using metaphors and analogies. They conclude by encouraging listeners to embrace open-mindedness and to seek out new perspectives to unlock their creative potential.

In Episode 110 of SIMPLE ALIEN DEEP DIVES, Doug and Stacey delve into the significance of moving beyond holiday-centric content to build deeper, year-round relationships with audiences. They introduce the concept of “Stock and Flow” content—where “Stock” represents evergreen, foundational content that reflects a brand’s core values (like Patagonia’s environmental activism), and “Flow” signifies the ongoing, day-to-day content that keeps audiences engaged (such as Buffer’s consistent social media tips). They discuss the pitfalls of focusing solely on holiday marketing, highlighting issues like market saturation and perceived inauthenticity, noting that 68% of consumers feel bombarded by holiday promotions. By exploring unique examples like Japan’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade, they illustrate alternative ways to engage audiences authentically. Emphasizing the use of unscripted content, live streams, user-generated content, augmented reality experiences, and the importance of cultural sensitivity, they underline how brands can create shareable, authentic experiences that foster genuine, lasting relationships with consumers throughout the year.

In Episode 109 of SIMPLE ALIEN DEEP DIVES, Doug and Stacey explore the rising importance of unscripted content for brands, focusing on the audience's desire for authenticity. Simple Alien’s strategies, such as their Content Plus, Brand Plus, and Event Plus models, illustrate how brands can create ecosystems that resonate with consumers across multiple platforms. They break down successful case studies like Barbecue USA and Build TV, highlighting how brands can achieve long-term engagement by integrating authentic storytelling into their content strategies.