Dear Reader,

Welcome to Between Calls, your weekly dose of hand-picked stories from the worlds of digital marketing, wellness and science. Blending commerce, consciousness and curiosity Between Calls brings you insights to make you think and think again.

This week, we’re diving into Duolingo’s marketing genius, the transformative power of breathwork and the revolutionary discovery of marine fungi fighting pollution. First up we'll see how Duolingo's shock tactic of killing their mascot got everyone talking. Then we'll turn to how entrepreneurs can find peace and clarity amid chaos by just focusing on their breath. And finally, we will explore how fungi are becoming the unsung heroes in the fight against ocean pollution. So, we have a viral campaign, the art of breathwork and pollution fighters this week. Happy reading! 

Kabir says : A viral marketer, a yoga teacher, and a bioremediation expert walk into a bar. The viral marketer boasts, “Give me twenty minutes, and this cocktail will flood everyone’s feed.” The yoga teacher smiles, “Give me twenty breaths, and they’ll realize they don’t need the cocktail or the feed.” The bioremediation expert nods & adds, “Perfect after your hashtag hype and mindful sighs, I’ll compost the remains and make the whole trend actually sustainable.”

DIGITAL MARKETING

#RIPDuo A Mascot's Death

Can a brand’s shock move actually make it unforgettable?
Duolingo's TikTok strategy, known for its quirky and sometimes unhinged antics has recently taken the internet by storm, and for good reason. The brand decided to 'kill' its beloved mascot, Duo the owl, leading to an explosion of social media mentions, a surge in engagement, and a whole lot of buzz. But how did a mascot's dramatic death lead to an incredible 25,000% spike in conversations? By breaking away from the traditional, Duolingo tapped into something far more powerful. All while staying true to its brand personality. Just like an unorthodox social strategy, staying true to your brand's authenticity in the digital world is everything. But then sometimes breaking the norm can create a lasting impact.

WELLNESS

Inhale Focus, Exhale Stress

Can you really reset your mind in just a few minutes a day? Turns out you can, by just following your breath. Breathwork is quickly becoming the go to practice for entrepreneurs who want to combat stress, improve focus, and boost their emotional resilience. Picture this - you’re juggling multiple projects, constant meetings, and endless to-do lists. But instead of reaching for more caffeine or pushing through the exhaustion, you take a few moments to consciously breathe. Breathwork doesn’t just calm you, it reboots your mind and restores mental clarity. It’s a quick, easy and effective way to re-center during busy days. More and more professionals are using breathwork as a tool to stay sharp, reduce burnout, and nurture creativity. As a wise man said, 'Take a deep breath, and go step by step.'

SCIENCE

Marine Fungi, Warriors Of The Deep

Could nature's organisms hold the key to environmental cleanup?
It may sound like science fiction, but marine fungi can indeed eat plastic. And this is exactly what scientists in Hawaii are training these microorganisms to do. By feeding on ocean plastics like polyurethane, these fungi break down harmful materials into harmless organic matter, offering an innovative solution to a growing climate crisis. As we face the challenge of ocean pollution, the solution may not be complex technology but the simplicity of nature itself. This groundbreaking discovery could be a game-changer in cleaning up our oceans, demonstrating that innovation doesn’t always have to be high-tech to make a huge difference.

PROMPTITUDE

Ignite Ideas, One Prompt At A Time: Plug in this prompt to any LLM and learn more about Bioremediation.

As a marine biologist specializing in bioremediation, create a comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide to plastic-eating fungi. Define these specialized fungi and explain their remarkable capability to break down synthetic polymers that typically persist for centuries in marine environments. Break down the biological mechanisms these fungi employ to metabolize plastics, using clear analogies and everyday examples to illustrate complex enzymatic processes. Explore the various species with this ability, their natural habitats, and how they've been discovered or engineered. Discuss current research applications, field tests, and potential large-scale uses for addressing plastic pollution in oceans and waterways. Address common misconceptions about the speed and scope of fungal plastic degradation while maintaining scientific accuracy. Include real-world examples of research breakthroughs and challenges in implementation. Maintain an engaging, accessible tone throughout, using clear explanations and visual descriptions. Your goal is to provide readers with a thorough understanding of this promising biological solution to plastic pollution, balancing scientific rigor with approachable explanations for non-specialists.

FROM THE BOOKSHELF

To do this week : Is Artificial General Intelligence a real possibility ? Watch Dennis Hassabis's discussion on how AI is set to change everything.

Watch here

Stay Informed, Stay Ahead!

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