"Brand Strategy, Diet Culture and Cultural Histories of Desire" with Jessica Hamel-Akré

I spoke with Jessica Hamel-Akré about her journey from literary scholar to historian to director of qualitative research at the consulting firm LoveBrands, and her work at the intersection of academia and industry. We discussed her fascinating 2024 book, The Art of Not Eating: A Doubtful History of Appetite and Desire (Atlantic Books), and how her research into the intellectual history of diet culture and desire informs her insights on brand strategy. Jessica shared how she uses historical documents—and historical ways of thinking—to engage with clients, her approach to bridging academic and corporate worlds, and her experiences working with clients in France, where LoveBrands is based. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices