Your reputation is your most valuable asset — but also the most fragile. In today’s world, a single tweet, leaked email, or bad headline can trigger a crisis faster than you can hit "refresh." But reputation isn’t just about avoiding scandal — it’s about building trust, culture, and resilience before anything goes wrong. In this episode, we speak with Emma Woollcott, one of the UK’s top legal experts in reputation protection, about what organizations need to know now to prepare for the headlines...
Jul 01, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 184
Is your media diet making you smarter? Or just more stubborn? In this episode, we sit down with senior communicator and former journalist Mark Burey to explore how the collapse of shared truth is reshaping public relations. From the erosion of local journalism to the rise of AI-generated content. What does media literacy really looks like today? And what role do PR professionals play in rebuilding trust? Listen For 7:33 What media literacy means in 2025 10:13 The decline of local journalism and ...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 183
Are public relations and marketing two distinct disciplines—or is PR simply one piece of the broader marketing puzzle? It’s a question that stirs up strong opinions in boardrooms, agencies, and comms teams alike. Some argue PR is strategic storytelling aimed at building relationships, while marketing is focused on driving sales. Others say that in today’s world of integrated messaging, the separation is outdated. In this episode, we take on the debate head-on, exploring how the roles overlap, wh...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 182
Most PR strategies still focus on the big three: social, legacy media, and search. But while everyone’s watching the headlines, the real conversations—the ones shaping trust, behavior, and brand reputation—are happening in people’s ears. Podcasts aren’t just a trend or another content format. They’re a strategic intelligence channel, and if you’re not monitoring them, you’re missing critical signals. In this episode of Stories and Strategies , we talk to Bradley Davis, co-founder and CEO of Podc...
Jun 10, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 181
What does public relations look like in a country where radio is still growing, social media still exploding, and communication reaches from rural villages to global platforms? In this episode, we take a closer look at Zambia — a nation with a vibrant, evolving PR landscape shaped by both tradition and innovation. Irene Lungu is one of Zambia’s leading voices in public relations and a board member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. She joins us to talk abou...
Jun 02, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 180
Employee engagement is evolving — and the old assumptions no longer hold. Today, workers want more than a paycheck. They want growth, flexibility, and to feel like their voices matter. In this episode, we unpack surprising new research on what really drives engagement, retention, and belonging inside organizations. Olivia Fajardo joins us to explain why internal communications has become mission critical — and how companies can move from simply talking to truly connecting. If you care about buil...
May 27, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 179
More Americans are turning down the volume on domestic news — and turning up British voices instead. From BBC to The Guardian, outlets across the Atlantic are reshaping how U.S. audiences see their own country. Why is this happening? And what does it say about trust, tone, and the global conversation? Listen For 3:48 British Media’s Rising Credibility in the U.S. 7:23 Could BBC Influence U.S. Culture? 12:29 Feminism, TikTok, and the Tradwife Dilemma 18:47 Femininity and Power Around the World 21...
May 20, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 178
Feeling stuck or stressed at work? You might just need to GROW your way out. Executive coach Sarah Waddington shares the power and practicality of the GROW model — Goal, Reality, Options, Way forward — in transforming workplace performance, especially within high-pressure environments like PR. Sarah breaks down how this deceptively simple coaching framework fosters self-awareness, reduces stress, builds resilience, and helps individuals and teams move from dependency to interdependency. From man...
May 13, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 177
Reputation is often treated like an invisible asset—vital but fragile. And while we insure everything from homes to art collections, very few think to protect their name. In this episode, we speak to PR pioneer Mark Borkowski about a bold new product: crisis insurance for individuals. It’s not just an idea—it’s a rethinking of how we prepare for the worst-case scenario in a world where reputation can be destroyed with just one social media post. Listen For 4:10 The Power of Optimism Bias 10:33 D...
May 06, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 176
What makes a workplace culture truly thrive—especially in the pressure-cooker world of creative agencies? Can you REALLY be tough on the work but kind to your people without compromise? Jo Carr, co-founder of Hope and Glory and President of Women in PR breaks down the complexities of workplace culture, empathy-driven leadership, and how to create spaces where people—and their diverse lives—can flourish. From crafting policies that acknowledge the full spectrum of life’s moments to challenging ou...
Apr 29, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 175
In an age where opinions form faster than facts and headlines spark outrage before understanding, how do brands, leaders, and storytellers stay credible? Is your opinion truly yours? Or just an echo of your tribe? In this episode, Suhel Seth unpacks the transformation of communication in the era of attention deficit — from the collapse of nuance to the rise of instant outrage, and why the art of thoughtful messaging might just be the most urgent skill of our time. Listen For 3:07 The Cult of Imm...
Apr 22, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 174
What happens when the man behind the headlines becomes the headline? Former tabloid editor and Downing Street comms chief Andy Coulson opens up about his very public fall from grace — from resignations and scandal to serving time in prison — and how he rebuilt his life and career in the shadow of cancel culture. With raw honesty and sharp insight, Andy talks about the realities of recovery, the myth of reinvention, and why consistency and character matter more than ever in a world obsessed with ...
Apr 15, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 173
The media landscape is changing – and fast. In this episode, Tina McCorkindale, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations, breaks down the shift away from traditional news and the rise of emerging media. Drawing on insights from a recent survey with PepperCom, she explores how trust in media is evolving and what that means for public relations. From the rise of podcasts and influencers to the decline of legacy outlets, Tina offers essential strategies for communicators in today’s f...
Apr 08, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 172
The public relations industry has long been recognized as a female-dominated field, with women making up approximately two-thirds of the workforce. However, when it comes to leadership, women remain significantly underrepresented, comprising just one-third of top-tier roles. This disparity raises critical questions about the systemic barriers that prevent women from rising to senior leadership positions in PR agencies and organizations. In this episode, we examine the challenges faced by women i...
Apr 01, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 171
Curzon Public Relations CEO, Farzana Baduel , joins the world’s most-listened-to PR podcast, as Guest Resident Co-Host! Alongside host Doug Downs, SCMP and producers Emily Page and David Olajide MPRCA , this season will explore PR through a truly global lens—tackling industry challenges, leadership insights, and the evolving media landscape. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘗𝘙 – 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴...
Mar 28, 2025•1 min
Ideas shape the world, but only when they’re communicated effectively. Some individuals have a remarkable ability to present their ideas in a way that captivates, influences, and inspires. A well-crafted and powerfully delivered idea doesn’t just inform—it transforms. Imagine if you could unlock the exact techniques used by the world’s best communicators, watch them deliver unforgettable presentations, and apply their secrets to engage your own audience. Carmine Gallo, has studied hundreds of TE...
Mar 25, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 170
This episode is in honour of Podcasthon and in support of the Canadian Cancer Society When facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis, how much does communication—between doctors, patients, and loved ones—truly matter? In this deeply moving episode, Doug Downs sits down with Tim Kelter and Pete Paczko, two men with firsthand experience navigating cancer’s devastating impact. Tim shares the heartbreaking story of losing both his daughter and wife to cancer, while Pete, currently battling stage 4 liv...
Mar 18, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 169
What if the key to development isn’t learning more—but unlearning first? In this episode, we explore how rural communities in underdeveloped nations can shape their own futures by moving beyond Western-imposed models of engagement. Professor Anne Gregory, shares insights from her research in rural Indonesia, where micro-hydro powerplants are transforming villages, and explains how a new approach to participatory communication is empowering communities to take charge of their development. Listen ...
Mar 11, 2025•31 min•Season 3Ep. 168
In a world where technology is increasingly intertwined with human emotions, a new frontier is emerging—artificial intelligence that can understand how we feel. Imagine an AI system that doesn’t just analyze data but senses our emotional state through the words we choose, the way we describe our experiences, and even how consistently we check in with ourselves. This isn't science fiction. Advances in natural language processing, psychology, and machine learning are making it possible for AI to i...
Mar 04, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 167
This episode originally published in May 2024. At the end of 2023, PRSA assembled a group of 25 senior communicators from a wide range of industries, in-house and firms, for an additional meeting, with several follow-up meetings with subject matter experts, all spearheaded by Ray Day, 2024 PRSA Chair-elect. Three main actions emerged: We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist) We nee...
Mar 02, 2025•25 min
Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or CEOs—it’s for anyone who wants to stand out, build trust, and create new opportunities. Whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur, or freelancer, the way you present yourself can open doors or close them. In today’s digital world, people aren’t just hiring résumés—they’re hiring reputations. A strong personal brand can make you the go-to expert in your field, help you attract new clients, and even future-proof your career. But crafting a brand that ...
Feb 25, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 166
Ever created a PR or communications plan, only to stash it away and forget about it? You’re not alone. Guest Michelle Garrett breaks down why so many businesses struggle to execute their PR strategies—and what they can do to fix it. You need to set clear goals, measure meaningful metrics beyond just media mentions, and ensure consistency in PR efforts instead of relying on one-off campaigns. Michelle also shares insights on the rising importance of personal branding, the evolving media landscape...
Feb 18, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 165
As brands seek to cut through the digital noise, a fascinating trend has emerged: recording conversations with CEOs and decision-makers to create authentic, shareable content that humanizes their leadership. Kendall Breitman shares her insights on why this strategy is resonating with brands and audiences and how storytelling and transparency are becoming key drivers of brand trust in today’s world. Listen For 5:25 Turning Internal Meetings into Public Content 8:26 The Shift from Logos to Persona...
Feb 11, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 164
Fractional Leadership is a growing, and possibly permanent, trend of fractional leadership and why it’s becoming a permanent shift in the business world. As organizations face leadership gaps, budget constraints, and rapidly evolving challenges, fractional leaders—experienced executives hired on a part-time basis—are stepping in to provide strategic guidance and stability. What is the unique value they bring? How do they differ from consultants and full-time executives? And what does it take to ...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 163
TikTok is a powerful social media tool in the United States. About 170 million Americans use the platform and for many marketing and PR agencies it’s the preferred go to tool. The average time on TikTok in 2024, per user, is estimated to be 58 minutes per day. But several governments have banned TikTok from being used on Government devices – including the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia. In India, TikTok is banned altogether. In late April 2024, President Biden signed a bill into law...
Feb 02, 2025•25 min
Communication is the most important weapon a Navy SEAL can carry—more vital than physical strength, endurance, or even firepower. I was in Salt Lake City recently at a conference and saw former Navy SEAL William Branum speak. He served for 26 years with the US Navy and 23 of those years was a Navy SEAL. In his presentation he talked about how clear, concise, and often nonverbal communication plays a critical role in high-stress, life-or-death situations—whether underwater, in a firefight, or cle...
Jan 28, 2025•19 min•Season 3Ep. 162
Soft Power. It’s the concept of influence… not control – and it can shape global perceptions, drive brand loyalty, and create lasting impact. In this episode we learn what soft power really means, how it differs from traditional PR, and how companies can use it to build trust, foster connections, and stand out in a competitive market (or even world order). Through storytelling, cultural identity, and corporate responsibility, discover how your organization—or personal brand—can expand its reach ...
Jan 21, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 161
She made the internet howl with one absurd phrase. Haliey Welch, the self-proclaimed “Hawk Tuah Girl,” turned a bizarre street interview viral fame almost overnight. What started as a joke spiraled into a full-blown phenomenon, with memes, merchandise, and her very own cryptocurrency. But it was the viral cry that became a crypto crash. In this episode, we unpack the wild story of Haliey Welch’s meteoric fame. Her viral catchphrase to the lawsuits surrounding her failed crypto venture, the absur...
Jan 14, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 160
Rate this podcast with just one click In today’s crowded digital landscape and with marketing budgets tighter than ever, brands are looking for fresh, innovative ways to connect with younger audiences. One emerging frontier? K-12 schools. These classrooms are no longer just hubs of learning—they’re evolving into powerful spaces where brands can make a meaningful impact while building long-term affinity. Whoa… you mean vending machines for soft drinks and chips? No. From sponsoring STEM programs ...
Jan 07, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 159
Wikipedia is one of the top the most-visited websites in the world. Additionally, it has influence. The information on Wikipedia is also disseminated across the web on Google’s Knowledge Graph and associated search page components, quick summaries of topics on Siri and Alexa, and even into news articles, podcast discussions, and government websites. Wikipedia is also of interest for SEO practitioners, heavily influencing Google search results and now impacting outputs from generative AI software...
Jan 05, 2025•22 min
