

What It Means: A Forrester Podcast
Forrester
Each episode of the What It Means podcast features Forrester analysts providing their unique perspective on the latest news and trends impacting marketing, CX, and technology leaders.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2026 • 35min
Product Experts Gain New Clout Among B2B Buyers
This is a classic episode that feels even more relevant today. As B2B leaders prepare for the Forrester B2B Summit, its focus on expertise and credibility speaks directly to how trust is earned in today’s buying environment. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Mar 12, 2026 • 29min
Taming B2B Buying Mayhem
This episode is quickly becoming a classic for B2B leaders. As we head into the Forrester B2B Summit, its perspective on buying networks and modern buying complexity is still essential listening for anyone focused on growth. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Feb 19, 2026 • 1min
What It Means Takes A Hiatus
Our flagship podcast is on pause as we think about what comes next and how we can best bring our insights to life in an era of nonstop change.

Feb 5, 2026 • 0sec
Southwest’s CX Soars, WhatsApp’s New Moves, AI’s Energy Puzzle
Discover how Southwest Airlines nails its customer experience, the latest updates to WhatsApp for Business, and how AI is solving its own energy challenges.

Jan 22, 2026 • 0sec
AI’s Impact On The B2B Buying Cycle, Healthcare, And US Jobs
Find out how AI is being used by B2B buyers and healthcare consumers, and get the latest forecast on the impact of AI on US jobs.

Jan 8, 2026 • 28min
Women In Security, Holiday Shopping Trends, AI Agents In Content
Happy New Year! We kick off 2026 by unpacking lessons from 2025 and what they signal for the year ahead. This episode brings together security, marketing, and content leaders’ perspectives so you can act with confidence.

Dec 11, 2025 • 29min
SolarWinds’ Lessons For CISOs, AI In B2B Sales, Shopping In Answer Engines
The holiday season is in full swing, and as retailers vie for consumer dollars, some of the biggest ones are branching out to answer engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity. In this episode, we describe what that experience looks like now and what brands should do in response. We also look at the lasting implications of a high-profile legal case for CISOs and the state of AI in B2B sales.

9 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 21min
Predictions 2026: Breaking Down Three Of Our Boldest Predictions
In this discussion, Ted Shatler, a VP at Forrester who specializes in AI strategy, shares insights on the challenges of AI adoption and warns that 25% of CIOs may need to intervene in failed AI projects. Tony Plek highlights the staggering potential costs of ungoverned AI in B2B, predicting over $10 billion in losses, while emphasizing the importance of governance and training. Audrey Chee-Reed reveals that one-third of consumers are shifting back to offline experiences post-COVID, suggesting brands focus more on in-person engagements.

Oct 30, 2025 • 20min
AWS Outage, Safety On Meta, ChatGPT’s AI-First Browser
Brent Ellis, a principal analyst at Forrester, breaks down the AWS outage, revealing technical failures and the wider implications for industries dependent on cloud services. Kelsey Chickering discusses Meta's new PG-13 guardrails for teens, emphasizing that content filters alone can't tackle greater mental health risks. Stephanie Liu unveils ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-first browser, detailing its innovative features and the privacy concerns it raises as it reshapes web strategy. Together, they navigate the pressing issues in tech today.

Oct 16, 2025 • 26min
California’s New AI Law, Anthropic’s Latest Model, B2C Advertising Options
Principal Analyst Alla Valente breaks down California’s new AI law, VP and Research Director Chris Gardner discusses the impact of AI models on software development roles, and Principal Analyst Nikhil Lai reviews Best Buy’s “in-store takeover” advertising offering.


