Some movies and products flop so badly they become infamous. Others become instant classics. But then there are the ones in the middle. The ones with hype that launch and then disappear without a trace. No cultural impact. No lasting impression. Just a collective… “meh.”

This episode examines that dangerous middle ground we’re calling a culture shrug and why, for companies and creators, it can be worse than outright failure.

Aaron, Melissa, and Qadira explore why projects that check every box still vanish instantly, how companies misread cultural signals, and what it really takes to make something with staying power in an era where trends can shift on a dime.

What we cover

• What a “culture shrug” is and why it can be more painful than a flop

• Why effort, budget, and talent don’t guarantee cultural relevance

• How movies, brands, and products fail when they aim for everyone

• What happens when creativity gets diluted by committees

• Why companies often misunderstand what audiences actually want

• The timing problem between culture speed and corporate speed

• How nostalgia, remakes, and algorithms fail to ignite connection

• The danger of creative teams being shielded from real cultural insight

• Why safety ideas can be instantly forgettable

• Why younger audiences don’t react the way companies assume

• The power of niche enthusiasm and true believers

• How internal culture determines whether bold ideas survive

THE FIX: How to Avoid the Culture Shrug

1. Start with “So what?”

If you cannot answer it clearly, the idea is not ready.

2. Treat data as input, not instruction

Algorithms reveal behavior, not soul, and never the “why now.”

3. Test, but don’t sand down the edges

Over testing destroys personality and guts.

4. Put a trusted tastemaker in charge of final decisions

Not a tyrant, not a committee — a clear, culturally aware leader.

5. Build emotional stickiness

If people don’t feel it, they won’t remember it.

6. Re-evaluate cultural resonance throughout long development cycles

Eighteen months is a lifetime in cultural terms.

7. Find and nurture your early believer community

They amplify when the project finally launches.

8. Leave room for weirdness

The unexpected idea might be the one culture remembers.

9. Conduct a pre mortem

Write the “if this flopped, here’s why” memo before you build.

10. Add delight

Great creative work has soul, not just structure.

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• Website – www.wefixeditpod.com

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Wendy’s was once the fresh, honest, slightly rebellious burger chain. Today it’s stuck between fast food giants on one side and premium burger rivals on the other. Prices match McDonald’s, but the brand isn’t perceived as a value leader. Quality is decent, but not elevated enough to compete with Five Guys or Shake Shack.

So what is Wendy’s now?

We sit down with Paul Tuscano, former Chief Digital Officer at KFC US, the man behind their massive digital reinvention. He shares insights from decades in QSR, hospitality, and customer experience to break down why Wendy’s is struggling and how to fix it.

What we cover

• Why Wendy’s lost its lane

• Whether Project Fresh will work

• The strengths and weaknesses of the Wendy’s menu

• How loyalty, kiosks, personalization, and AI can change QSR

• Why Wendy’s social media works, but the stores don’t reflect it

• Why legacy brands need clarity and simplicity

• How to make Dave Thomas relevant to Gen Z

• Why culture and franchise alignment matter more than new tech

• How Chick fil A wins with consistency, not complexity

• A step by step strategy to rebuild Wendy’s

This episode is a must watch for anyone interested in branding, food, marketing, digital transformation, or turning around legacy companies.

Guest: Paul Tuscano Former Chief Digital Officer, KFC US LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultuscano/

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• Website – www.wefixeditpod.com

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Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them.

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This episode explores one of the biggest questions of our time: are robots replacing humans or helping us reach our full potential?

We sit with Dr. Aadeel Akhtar, the visionary CEO of Psyonic, whose bionic hand technology is restoring touch for amputees and powering next generation robotics at NASA, Amazon, Google, Mercedes, Meta, and more.

Topics include

• Are robots a threat or an opportunity

• Why most robot replacement headlines are exaggerated

• How bionic hands are restoring real human lives

• The business responsibility behind automation

• How companies can prepare their workforce

• Why kids accept humanoid robots faster than adults

• How robotics and AI create new careers

• Why the future is humans plus robots, not humans versus robots

This is a human centered, optimistic, grounded, and deeply personal discussion that reframes the future of work.

Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives.

• Website – www.wefixeditpod.com

• Follow us on:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod

If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends!

Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.