An outsider's case for why surveys will outlast every trend with Marin Mrsa

Episode notes

In this episode of The Curiosity Current, host Stephanie Vance is joined by Marin Mrsa, Founder and CEO of Peakator. Marin details his unconventional path into the insights world, which began after he sold his car to launch a research startup in Croatia with no prior industry experience. This outsider perspective allowed him to recognize that the traditional research process was often fractured across too many disconnected tools. The discussion centers on the necessity of consolidating the research stack to reduce friction and help teams focus on actual insights. Marin explains why he believes surveys are future proof, viewing them as a scalable communication tool rather than just a collection of questions. He also shares his approach to integrating AI, emphasizing that while automation is excellent for tasks like auto coding open ends, it should never replace the final decision making of a researcher. The episode concludes with a look at the skills researchers need to thrive in the future, including adaptability and discernment, and a call for more collaboration across the industry to solve shared challenges like data quality and fraud.