Podcasts about iabc

Trust used to flow upward. To experts, institutions, and authority. Then it shifted to “people like me.” Now even that circle is tightening. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a growing insularity: smaller tribes, hardened perspectives, and a widening mass-class divide driven by whether people believe the system works for them. Persuasion is shifting to trust brokerage, and what communicators, leaders, and businesses can do when trust itself has become the battleground.Listen For3:10 Skip the opening story and go right to the interview with Tim Weber3:47 What does it mean that we've moved from echo chambers to “turtle shells”7:21 Is polarization economic, cultural, technological—or all three?12:35 How can companies blunt fear and become true trust brokers?20:13 Will AI reinforce our biases and deepen our personal echo chambers?Guest: Tim Weber, Managing Director & EMEA Head of Editorial, EdelmanLinkedIn | Instagram | Bio | Website2026 Edelman Trust Barometer DougSubstack | Website | LinkedInFarzanaSubstack | Website | LinkedInAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

In today's episode of 15:14, Kevin Carson, Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, is joined by Jeff Christianson - pastor, leader, and Executive Director of the International Association of Biblical Counselors, also known as IABC, and a valued member of the BCC Council Board. Jeff brings decades of ministry experience, including pastoral leadership, radio broadcasting, counselor training, university professorship, and organizational leadership within the biblical counseling movement. In this conversation, we'll hear about Jeff's journey into biblical counseling, how the Lord used key influences and relationships to shape his path, and the mission and distinctives behind IABC's training and certification work. We'll also hear about cooperation and unity in biblical counseling, the importance of Scripture's sufficiency in soul care, and how churches can wisely develop counseling ministries in today's ministry landscape. Whether you're a pastor, counselor, or church leader, this conversation will encourage you and give you helpful perspective on the ongoing work of biblical counseling in the local church and beyond. You can reach Jeff at JeffChristianson@gmail.com. You can reach the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC) at www.iabc.net.   FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months go to BoyceCollege.com/five. Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.

Can a joke really sell a brand? Or save it from sameness?Most campaigns sound the same because they're afraid to sound wrong. Safe language, serious faces, purpose-heavy messages that all blur together. And yet one of the most successful creative agencies in North America has built its reputation by doing the opposite. Zulu Alpha Kilo lives by a simple motto… Fight Sameness… and they do it with humor, sarcasm, and a willingness to say the quiet part out loud.Why does that work? Why does making people laugh end up being the fastest way to earn trust? Why does honesty often land better as a joke than a lecture. Listen For3:01 Fast-forward to the start of the interview5:19 Check out an example of a funny (sarcastic) ad by Zulu Alpha Kilo5:36 Why does ad satire feel so personal to marketers?9:11 What tiny detail annoyed people in that absurd ad? Guest: Michael Siegers, Zulu Alpha Kilo Website | InstagramDougSubstack | Website | LinkedIn FarzanaSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

You can be the same person across every channel. Your social media accounts. Your YouTube. Your newsletter. Your blog. The same principles. The same voice. Often even the same message. And many of the people following you on LinkedIn are the same people who see you on Instagram, hear you on a podcast, or read your newsletter. Yet those same people can understand you, trust you, and remember you very differently simply because they encounter you in a different place.Not because you changed.Because they did.They arrive with different expectations.Different attention.Different patience.The channel shapes what they notice, what they believe, and what stays with them, even when the words don't change at all. In this episode, we explore how platforms shape perception, why fractured identities are now the norm, and what that means for communicators who already know better but are running out of time and headspace.Listen For4:30 How do you tailor one piece of content for different platforms?6:04 Is it better to master one channel or be on many?7:49 Can AI help create content that still feels human?12:21 What's the right way to use emojis on LinkedIn?16:35 Are we choosing content or are algorithms choosing for us? Guest: Molly Demellier, Sounds ProfitableEmail | Website | Sounds Profitable LinkedInDougSubstack | Website | LinkedInFarzanaSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

How Christ and His Word shaped my convictions and led me to IABC Jeff Christianson's Story with IABC — Why Christ and His Word Are Enough Many people know the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC), but fewer know the personal story behind how I came to love and serve this ministry. As the current Board President and Executive Director, I wanted to take a moment to share a bit of my journey — not to spotlight myself, but to invite a conversation with those who care deeply about Christ-centered, Scripture-sufficient soul care. My introduction to biblical counseling began in the mid-1990s during Bible college. I took an elective course called Counseling God's Way taught by Bob Hoekstra. That class immediately resonated with me because it wasn't counseling as the world defines it — it was discipleship. It was the Word of God applied to the heart, anchored in the sufficiency of Christ. From there, I was shaped by ministries like the Biblical Counseling Foundation and resources such as the Self-Confrontation Manual, which challenged me to examine my life in light of Scripture (2 Corinthians 13:5). Over time, I became familiar with the broader biblical counseling movement, including organizations like NANC (now ACBC), and I began to see distinct streams developing. What drew me toward IABC was its pastoral warmth, its local-church rootedness, and its unwavering commitment to the truth that Jesus Christ is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and that His Word is enough to equip God's people for life and godliness. This special podcast episode shares that story — how the Lord grew my convictions, clarified my calling, and led me into this lane of ministry. If you've ever wondered where IABC fits historically, or if you share a desire to "return to the Word," I invite you to listen and join the conversation. "Preach the word… fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2–5)

You're using LinkedIn wrongNot because you're not smart… you are. It's because you're using yesterday's LinkedIn. The platform is changing fast. The feed has changed, and the rules for reach have changed with it. This episode shows you what's different now, and how to adapt without turning into a “content person.” Listen For3:29 What happens when you hit publish on LinkedIn?7:21 What makes a post perform well—and why does so much content flop?10:23 Should leaders be posting at all, and if so, how?14:49 Why did Alicia double down on LinkedIn as a career focus?20:42 Why are professionals afraid of being visible on LinkedIn?Guest: Alicia Teltz, The Hype DepartmentLinkedIn | Website  DougSubstack | Website | LinkedInFarzanaSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

When the streets erupt, the headlines explode, and public pressure hits boiling point… can business leaders still afford to say nothing?  In this episode tackle the growing tension between corporate responsibility and political risk. From a CEO letter in Minnesota addressing immigration-fueled violence to Keir Starmer's high-stakes diplomacy in China, we ask: when the world demands clarity, is strategic ambiguity still a safe PR move? Listen For2:08 What is safety in numbers for corporate protest5:03 Is strategic ambiguity a smart way to stay neutral7:12 What is the Business and Democracy Commission9:48 How do leaders speak when policy moves faster than people12:09 Can the UK and EU trade with China and India without angering the USThe Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream Support the show

Personal branding is changing in real time. The first impression is no longer a handshake or a conversation. It is a clip you did not choose, a post someone else shared, a comment you left, or a quote that gets passed around without context.What actually builds trust across today's platforms? It's the different channels and how they shape different versions of you. Consistency matters more than polish. Algorithms and AI search now “interpret” your reputation. Today you need to build a personal brand that holds up when you're not in the room. Listen For:22 What if people meet your story before they meet you?4:00 How does media reshape your message?5:23 How do you stay consistent across platforms?8:40 How do algorithms impact your brand?14:34 Why does personal branding really matter?Guest: Liz Brooks, Interview ValetWebsite DougSubstack | Website | LinkedInFarzanaSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stood up in Davos and didn't waste words. He gave a speech that cut through the noise. The room stood. The world noticed. He said, “If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.” People replayed that line like it was a lifeline. This episode of The Week Unspun comes straight from the snowy peaks of Davos, but the questions are sharp and wide-reaching. Can speeches still move people to action? Can we trust the Edelman Trust Barometer, or has its credibility fractured like the world it measures? And as the World Economic Forum eyes cities like Detroit and Dublin, what happens when the name “Davos” no longer fits the map? Listen For:51 What made Mark Carney's Davos speech go viral?6:54 Why do some PR pros hate the Edelman Trust Barometer? 9:38 Are we living in a “retreater” era of trust and communication? 12:40 Should Davos be moved to Detroit or Dublin? 18:15 Is short-form, flashy content reshaping public opinion? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

PR teams are being asked to win attention in a world that barely gives it. The problem is not reach. The problem is what happens after the click, after the view, after the impression. If your audience does not stay, nothing sticks. Not the message, not the trust, not the reputation you are trying to build.In this episode, we unpack why depth beats scale and why time spent is one of the most overlooked drivers of influence. You will hear a fresh way to think about loyalty, attention, and what it means to create content that people actually choose to come back to, even when the feed is endless.Listen For3:42 How do you separate scale from depth in brand storytelling?6:57 What makes podcast audiences stay or leave?10:20 How can stories compete for time in today's distracted world?12:42 Why does audio create such a deep connection with listeners?15:28 Who really listens to podcasts today? And how is that changing?20:03 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest Jenny ManchesterGuest: Roger Nairn, Jar Podcast SolutionsWebsite | Jar LinkedIn | Roger LinkedIn | YouTube Doug DownsSubstack | Website | LinkedInFarzana BaduelSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

In this week's The Week UnSpun, the panel takes on three high-stakes stories where influence, identity, and global perception collide.  First, the team unpacks the latest flashpoint over Greenland, where the U.S. talks security, Denmark talks sovereignty, and Greenland quietly navigates the space in between. But is this really about narrative control, or something deeper, as David suggests, like the importance of alliances over authorship?  Then, the conversation turns to Minnesota, where deadly ICE encounters have sparked a communications crisis over trust, legitimacy, and who gets to define the truth.  Finally, the group turns to Davos, joined by 18-year World Economic Forum veteran Joanna Gordon, who lifts the curtain on how the global summit has evolved, and whether it still lives up to its founding ideals.  Listen For2:03 Can Greenland Strengthen Partnerships Without Losing Autonomy?3:25 Are Small Nations Heard? Or Just Spoken For?6:43 Is the Real Crisis in Minnesota About Trust?11:45 Has Davos Lost Its Way in the Age of Attention?15:41 Does the World Economic Forum Have a PR Problem?Guest: Joanna GordonLinkedInThe Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

It doesn't matter whether you're 25 or 55. If you speak and people listen politely but not seriously, it hurts. Too young to be trusted.Too old to be creative.The message lands the same way. You are not seen. You are not heard. You are not valued.Ageism cuts in both directions and it leaves a quiet bruise that people carry long after the moment passes.How does this happen in Public Relations, a profession built on understanding people? It does. And ageism is a major component of the profession. That's why a Cultural Reset is needed. Listen For4:50 What does a "cultural reset" in PR mean when addressing ageism?7:30 How does ageism quietly impact training and promotion in PR agencies?9:54 Do certain sectors of PR treat older professionals more fairly than others?15:55 Will AI help or hurt age diversity in PR careers?17:25 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest Cindy Lang Guest: Jenny ManchesterCentre for Ageing Better Website | LinkedInJenny's Report An age-old problem: What can we do to tackle ageism in PR? Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

A headline-grabbing raid, a revolution-in-the-making, and a “beige” prime minister walk into the attention economy… who wins the story?  Farzana and Doug unpack three global flashpoints through a PR and narrative-control lens: the shock capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and the split-screen battle between “law enforcement” framing versus “illegal act of war” backlash; Iran's surging unrest as the rial collapses alongside a fractured top-level message (empathy from President Pezeshkian, crackdown language from Ayatollah Khamenei, and a mobilizing call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi); and the UK's debate over Keir Starmer's “beige” leadership, whether voters truly want competent quiet or charismatic spectacle in a 24/7 scroll-and-click media world.Listen For00:37 How did the Maduro raid become a communications battle overnight?01:33 Why did calling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” change the debate?04:57 Does winning the domestic narrative matter if the world disagrees?07:56 How is Iran's leadership sending mixed signals during unrest?13:05 Is quiet leadership still viable in today's attention economy?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream Support the show

This is a special audio time-jump episode. It's an immersive journey ten years into the future to explore how public relations has managed three of the biggest challenges: the rapid rise of AI, the disappearing entry-level job, and the ongoing gender gap in leadership.Doug and Farzana volunteer for a guided “time crossing” to see how the next generation of PR leaders navigated a decade of disruption. What they find isn't just smarter tech, it's smarter systems, layered cities, holographic hosts, and workplaces where AI and humans collaborate with clarity and conscience.This isn't an episode about how will we fix it, it's about how they already did… and what we can start implementing right now.Welcome to 2036 Listen For5:01 How has technology reshaped the world of PR?6:56 What does it feel like to communicate in a city designed to respond?9:57 How does personalized media target people in real time?10:36 What are holographic briefs and how do they change communication?16:31 Are women finally stepping into more leadership roles?17:44 How did society move beyond the culture war over being ‘woke'?12:59 What's changed most in how we communicate at work?14:55 What does it take to guide AI with real nuance?18:18 How is emotional labor being measured, and addressed, in the future?19:02 What are the future rules of ethical communication with AI? DougSubstack | Website | LinkedInFarzanaSubstack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

What happens when protests shake a regime built on control, not consent? We look at Iran's largest wave of unrest since 2022. Fueled by economic collapse and skyrocketing inflation, the protests are no longer just about hardship, they've become openly anti-government, spreading even into rural areas. We break down Iran's unprecedented tone shift in crisis comms, explore the influential role of the Iranian diaspora, and consider how narratives are being shaped despite media restrictions. And we pivot to examine Donald Trump's striking effort to brand U.S. institutions with his name, followed by a look into 2026 with helpful resources for PR pros preparing for global risks. Listen For:47 What's really fueling Iran's latest wave of protests?4:28 How does Iran's diaspora influence global perception?5:39 Can Trump gain political advantage from Iran's instability?6:14 Why is Trump rebranding national institutions with his name?12:46 What tools can help PR pros prepare for global risks in 2026?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream  Support the show

Public relations shapes what people believe, how communities respond, and which ideas earn trust. It influences elections, corporate crises, government decisions, reputations, and public sentiment. Yet unlike medicine, law, or engineering, anyone can call themselves a PR professional. No license. No minimum standard. No consequences when things go wrong. What happens when a profession with this much power has almost no guardrails?Some say that freedom is essential for open societies. Others say it leaves the public exposed. What happens if we build those guardrails too strong? In this episode we walk the line of tension between protection and freedom.Listen For4:28 What problem is PR regulation really trying to solve?9:47 Does regulation protect the public, or just PR pros?12:38 Could PR regulation threaten free speech?14:23 Is there a middle ground on PR regulation?18:37 Can licensing and ethics training reshape PR?Rate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

This is not just one podcast. It's a feed with two.First is Stories and Strategies with Curzon Public Relations. A weekly show hosted by Doug Downs and Farzana Baduel. Every Tuesday, we tackle the real work of public relations. The strategy behind the stories. The decisions behind the headlines. No fluff. No profiles. Just the issues shaping modern communications.Also in this feed is The Week UnSpun. A live, weekly look at global news through a public relations lens. Hosted by Doug Downs, Farzana Baduel, and David Gallagher of Folgate Advisors. Streaming every Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern, 3 p.m. UK time. With the audio released later the same day.Two shows. One feed. Follow now, and stay ahead of the story.Support the show

What do you say when there's nothing to say?Most workplaces think they handle grief through policy, a few days of bereavement leave, a checklist, and a quiet expectation that people will return “ready” to work. But grief doesn't follow policy. It walks back into the office with someone long before they're prepared, reshaping their focus, their energy, their confidence and their sense of safety. And while HR manages the paperwork, it's the hallway conversations, the team dynamics, the awkward silences and the well-meaning but painful clichés that shape a grieving person's real experience. That isn't an HR problem. That's a communications problem.And yet almost no one prepares for it. Teams don't know what to say. Leaders fear saying the wrong thing. Colleagues avoid eye contact because they're anxious, not uncaring. In this episode, grief expert Cindy Lang shows why communication is the most powerful support any workplace can offer, and how simple, compassionate language can make the difference between someone feeling invisible and someone feeling understood.  Listen For4:11 Why Is Grief First a Communications Issue, Not Just HR's Job?6:45 What Is the “Three-C Model” for Grief-Informed Communication?8:05 How Does Grief Physically and Emotionally Impact a Person at Work?14:51 What Small Act of Kindness Made the Biggest Impact After Loss?19:29 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Marc WhittGuest: Cindy LangWebsite | Facebook | Instagram  Rate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

What happens when a top political strategist forgets the rules of media engagement?  This episode of The Week UnSpun strikes a nerve for PR professionals as Doug unpacks Susie Wiles' widely criticized Vanity Fair interviews, where a lack of structure, message control, and audience awareness turned rare access into a strategic failure. It's a masterclass in what not to do when the stakes are sky-high.  Then, the conversation pivots to a claim that's rippling through the industry in the UK. Sir Martin Sorrell declared on BBC Radio that PR no longer exists, prompting fierce pushback from Farzana. The team's defense of the industry is both impassioned and insightful, raising a critical question for anyone in communications. Is PR losing ground, or is it finally stepping into its own power?Listen For1:23 What went wrong in Susie Wiles' interviews?4:10 What are the 8 media mistakes she made?6:51 Is PR really dead, as Martin Sorrell claims?10:34 Why can't PR pros explain what they do?12:09 Is PR losing ground or evolving fast?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript  Support the show

Nonprofits often describe themselves with a strange sense of pride: “We're the best kept secret.” But in an era where funding is shrinking, donor expectations are shifting, and public trust must be earned every single day, staying a secret is no longer a virtue. It's a liability. So why do so many NGOs still hide behind humility, overwhelm, or the hope that their good work will somehow speak for itself?It's same problem everywhere. Leaders who underestimate the power of strategic communication. Teams overwhelmed by tactical delivery. Fundraisers separated from PR staff. And organizations with extraordinary missions that remain invisible. In this episode, how nonprofits can step out of the shadows, communicate their value with confidence, and build the visibility they need to survive and serve.Listen For5:11 Why doesn't good work speak for itself anymore?10:12 How can NGOs attract top talent without top salaries?18:52 What are the first PR steps for nonprofits to grow visibility?21:04 Answer to Last Week's Question from Cindy LangGuest: Marc WhittWebsite | Email | LinkedIn | XRate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Who's Really Writing the Stories That Shape Our World?This week, we dive into the high-stakes power play unfolding in Hollywood as Netflix and Paramount battle to take over Warner Bros. What looks like a blockbuster business deal is, in fact, a global struggle over who gets to shape the stories that define how we think, feel, and remember.Farzana explores the soft power implications of the deal, asking what happens when control of cultural narratives shifts to private or even foreign-backed hands. Doug examines the potential impact on creators, especially if Netflix, known for tight content licensing, wins control of vast historical archives. David brings in insider chatter from Hollywood, where some fear the deal could spell the end of cinema as we know it.Also in this episode, we unpack why the UK is launching a legal PR offensive to keep English law as the gold standard for global deals and how Singapore is emerging as a serious contender.Plus, is the US hurting its tourism brand with new visa requirements demanding access to social media history? And what can Australia's ban on under-16s using social media teach us about digital policy and parental reality? Listen For3:53 How would this merger reshape global storytelling and soft power?6:58 Why is the UK promoting English law as a global standard?10:12 What makes Singapore law a serious competitor to English law?15:39 Will new US visa rules scare away global travelers and harm tourism?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

In every corner of the world the public mood is shifting, sometimes quietly and sometimes all at once. Climate anxiety, pandemic fears, economic pressure, geopolitical tension and a surge in concern about data security have all reshaped what people expect from companies. For organizations trying to build trust across borders the rules keep changing. What mattered in 2019 did not matter in 2021. What mattered last year may not matter next year. And unless communicators understand these shifts they will miss the signals that determine whether a message lands or falls flat.That is why this conversation with Steve Shepperson-Smith is so valuable. Drawing from Vodafone's 75,000+ annual reputation data points and RepTrak's million-strong global dataset, Stephen shares compelling insights on the critical 60/40 split between capability and character, and why the latter matters more than ever in polarized, politicized times.Listen For4:37 What does global data say about what drives reputation today?6:52 Have public views on social and environmental issues shifted?8:41 Are ESG and DEI labels now hurting more than helping?10:57 Why is data security now a top consumer concern?16:38 How can brands stay local in a divided global landscape?20:40 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Andy WestGuest: Steve Shepperson-Smith, VodaphoneLinkedInRate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Most agencies can tell you how their clients are doing but ask how they are doing and the room gets quiet. The truth is that even the best run firms skip their own checkups. Margins thin out, teams burn out, and culture drifts while the spotlight stays fixed on the next pitch. But what if agencies treated their operations the way a doctor treats a patient, tracking vital signs, diagnosing problems early, and prescribing real solutions before things spiral.From hidden symptoms to running a full-scale agency fitness test, in this episode we look at what separates a healthy firm from one that just looks good on paper.  Listen For3:56 What vital signs show if your agency is healthy or just surviving?5:25 Are agency leaders really surprised by their own problems?8:57 Is AI a threat or a tool for agencies to grow?12:25 What four pillars make an agency profitable and strong?18:15 What aha moment helped an agency turn things around?20:03 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Lionel ZetterGuest: Andy West, West of CenterWebsite | Email | LinkedIn | X | Substack Rate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

This week, we look into the murky ethics of media leaks and their growing role in shaping political, corporate, and cultural narratives. From leaked peace plans that spark international diplomacy to budget details released minutes before parliamentary debate, we dissect whether leaks are ethical whistleblowing or manipulative PR tactics. Farzana argues that leaks often reveal broken internal cultures, while Doug, from a journalistic perspective, explores how leaks are used to test narratives and steer public perception. Also in this episode, David wonders if written reports are becoming relics in a world obsessed with video and visual storytelling.  And we ask: Can AI help restore strategic thinking in PR? And should public relations finally be regulated like other professions?  Watch/Listen For1:45 How will AI reshape PR, tactically or strategically?5:36 Should PR be regulated like law or finance?9:28 Are media leaks ethical, or just PR strategy?14:33 Can visual storytelling replace traditional comms?22:04 Are algorithms killing media access for everyone?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream Support the show

Trust isn't built in boardrooms or over Zoom. It's built in the quiet moments. A conversation that lingers, a promise kept, a drink shared between people who still believe words matter. In this episode, we explore how the foundations of influence have shifted from handshakes to hyperlinks, and what that means for anyone trying to shape opinion or policy in a world that's forgotten how to connect.You'll hear stories from inside the world of public affairs, where relationships once forged in the late hours of party conferences now play out on screens and social feeds. We unpack why the human side of persuasion still decides who gets heard, who gets trusted, and who gets left behind. Because in the end, every message, every movement, and every bit of influence still comes down to people.Listen For6:42 Can you build real relationships online?9:13 Is polarization killing cross-party lobbying?12:52 Are autocrats on the rise?15:00 How is public affairs different from stakeholder work?16:05 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest Nick UsborneGuest: Lionel ZetterWebsite | X | LinkedIn Lionel's new book The Lobbyist Rate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episode Support the show

What happens when PR meets scandal, tech chaos, and gender bias? This episode of The Week UnSpun is a whirlwind of explosive headlines. The trio of David Gallagher, Doug Downs, and guest host Miranda Mitchell look into the renewed Epstein files controversy and its potential to dominate headlines well into 2025. They unravel Cloudflare's swift crisis response and debate the alleged gender bias in LinkedIn's algorithm. Add a healthy dose of Cracker Barrel branding blunders and viral live-TV moments, and you've got a jam-packed show.Listen For2:03 What's coming with the Epstein files and who could be impacted?6:57 How could media coverage of the Epstein case harm innocent people?10:46 How did Cloudflare's apology turn disaster into a win?13:27 Does LinkedIn's algorithm favor male voices?18:47 Is AI helping or hurting your brand voice? Watch For2:10 What will the release of the Epstein files reveal, and who gets hurt?6:00 Should we worry about innocent people in raw investigative data dumps?13:21 Is LinkedIn's algorithm biased against women, and how do we know?20:02 Will AI kill or save PR agencies in the era of LLMs and brand drift?26:09 Did Cracker Barrel's rebrand backfire, and what's the PR lesson?Guest Host Miranda Mitchell, PretailWebsite | LinkedIn | ContactThe Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelWe publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available.Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

AI can imitate your voice, your words, even your face, but it can't steal your story. What happens when companies hand their storytelling to machines that don't understand who they are? As businesses race to automate, they risk losing the very thing that makes them distinct: the human truth that built their brand.Listen For3:15 How are story, narrative, and voice different?7:00 What is brand drift and how does AI cause it?10:04 Why do people distrust AI-generated content?11:33 How does story protect brand identity?14:54 How can you fight disinformation about your brand?15:25 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest Jessica HopeGuest: Nick UsborneWebsite | Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Link to Nick's CoursesFollow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon SubstackStories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Is the BBC losing its grip on journalistic credibility? Or is it being pushed?  This episode of The Week Unspun unpacks a chaotic week in media and politics with sharp insight from PR veterans Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, Doug Downs, and special guest Adrian Monck. The BBC's controversial editing of a Donald Trump speech for Panorama sparks a fierce debate on ethics, institutional accountability, and media governance. From internal BBC politics to the broader implications for press freedom, the team dissects why this incident led to resignations at the highest levels.  The conversation then pivots to the political circus of the U.S. government shutdown and the erosion of trust in public institutions, before exploring the branding brilliance behind Dubai's appeal to wealthy expatriates fleeing taxation and uncertainty in the UK.  Audio Chapters4:06 Should One Edit lead to Top BBC resignations?13:49 Are Governments Held to the Same PR Standards as Corporations?17:45 Why are UK Tech Billionaires Fleeing to Dubai?20:58 Is the UAE Winning the Global Nation Branding Game?  Video Chapters2:02 What did the BBC really edit out of Trump's speech, and why does it matter?4:06 Should one error lead to top BBC resignations?13:49 Are governments held to the same PR standards as corporations?17:45 Why are UK tech billionaires fleeing to Dubai?20:58 Is the UAE winning the global nation branding game?Guest: Adrian MonckWikipedia | Website The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at Noon ET/5pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available. Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

In public relations, success often depends on one quiet skill: knowing how to adapt. The best communicators read the room, sense the temperature, and adjust their tone without losing their message. In this episode, we explore what it really means to be a PR chameleon – someone who can blend into the cultural landscape enough to connect, yet still stand out enough to be remembered. Jessica Hope, founder of Wimbart, has built one of Africa's most respected tech PR agencies by mastering that balance. From WhatsApp-based storytelling to navigating privilege, identity, and power across 54 distinct markets, Jessica reveals how empathy, adaptability, and emotional intelligence have become the true currencies of influence in global communications. Listen For4:36 How Do You Break the “One Africa” Myth in PR?7:40 What Is Emotional Intelligence in African Business?9:22 How Do Comms Channels Differ in Africa?12:06 Should Brands Adjust Their Values in Africa?16:26 What's Africa's Media Landscape Really Like?18:30 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Jo JamiesonGuest: Jessica Hope, WimbartWebsite | Contact Page | Email | LinkedIn | X | InstagramChimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ted Talk Farzana mentionedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg  Rate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon SubstackStories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

In this audience-driven “mailroom” episode of The Week Spun, the conversation opens with a provocative idea from the PRovoke Summit: AI is now being discussed in full-time equivalent (FTE) terms, signaling a shift in how agencies and organizations think about synthetic labor. Guest host Kim Sample, President of the PR Council, joins Doug Downs and David Gallagher to explore what this means for the future of work in PR.From there, the trio digs into listener-submitted questions on everything from Apple's conspicuous silence in the podcasting space, to why PR professionals struggle with personal branding, how fairness is driving consumer outrage, gender representation in politics, and the surprising TikTok-fueled backlash to a Halloween ad campaign from Hatch Sleep.Audio Episode Chapters 1:51 What is a “synthetic FTE” and how is AI reshaping PR teams 4:29 Are brands finally taking owned content like blogs and podcasts seriously 8:11 Does Apple still care about podcasts or is their silence a statement 13:05 Why do PR pros struggle with confidence and self promotion 21:03 Does visibility for women in politics actually equal shared power Video Episode Chapters1:54 What is a “Synthetic FTE” and How Will AI Change PR Teams? 5:16 Are Brands Finally Getting Serious About Owned Media and Podcasts? 10:51 Does Apple Still Care About Podcast? Or Are They Quietly Quitting? 13:15 Why Do PR Pros Struggle With Their Own Personal Branding? 26:14 Does Representation Equal Power in Politic? Or Just PR Optics? Guest Kim Sample, PR CouncilWebsite | Email | LinkedInThe Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelWe publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available.Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

Afraid of posting on LinkedIn? You're not alone, and it's not about time or talent, it's about confidence.In this episode we look at why communicators, especially women, struggle to show up confidently on LinkedIn. Fear, not time or skill, is the biggest barrier to visibility. PR professionals who are used to writing for others often stumble when the byline is their own. From how to post authentically without oversharing, to navigating gendered expectations in professional visibility, to practical LinkedIn content strategies (yes, including algorithm hacks!), we've got smart, tactical advice for anyone looking to show up and stand out online. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or just wondering what to post next, this conversation is your confidence booster and content guide in one.Listen For4:25 Why don't communicators post on LinkedIn?6:44 How do you stay authentic without oversharing?9:40 Why is visibility harder for women online?13:25 What's a simple LinkedIn strategy?16:07 Can you beat the LinkedIn algorithm?17:59 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Tina McCorkindaleGuest: Jo JamiesonEmail | X | LinkedIn | Website Rate this podcast with just one click Follow Farzana on SubstackFollow Doug on SubstackCurzon Substack Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

What do a billionaire climate pivot, AI-fueled layoffs, and a scandalous Italian election have in common? They all got the PR treatment in this episode.  Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, and Doug Downs peel back the media layers behind some of the week's most buzzworthy stories, from Bill Gates' controversial “climate realism” memo and its impact on corporate sustainability narratives, to Amazon's AI-framed mass layoffs and what that messaging means for employer branding.  They also take a wildly entertaining detour into Italian politics where ex-lovers are facing off at the polls, with leaked documents and social media drama in full swing.  Add in royal baseball cap faux-pas and you've got a sharp, witty, and deeply PR-savvy breakdown of the week's biggest headlines. Listen For:58 Is Bill Gates backtracking? Or just reframing climate change?7:54 How is Amazon using AI to spin layoffs as progress?13:43 How does branding tie into an Italian political scandal?16:05 What if your opponent knows all your political secrets?19:26 Did Prince Harry's hat choice betray Canada?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelWe publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available.Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestreamSupport the show

We live in a moment where artificial intelligence can write our emails, plan our meetings, even give us life advice. But here's the problem: these systems are often too agreeable for our own good. They're less like truth tellers and more like digital echo chambers. They nod along, validate our choices, and tell us exactly what we want to hear. To use an outdated term… GenAI is too often like a Yes Man.In this episode we're looking at the rise of sycophancy in generative AI, the tendency of machines to flatter us instead of challenging us. What does this mean for employees, for leaders, and especially for communicators who rely on AI as a tool? And how do we make sure our AI mirrors are giving us clarity, not just compliments? Listen For3:49 Is ChatGPT too nice for our own good?6:55 Can AI flattery mislead leaders?8:52 Do AIs just tell you what you want to hear?14:36 Is generative AI breaking social unity?20:45 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Mark Lowe Guest: Tina McCorkindale, PhDWebsite | LinkedIn | Google Scholar ProfileLink to Tina's LinkedIn article on The Danger of Sycophancy in GenAICheck out the IPR Video Series In a Car with IPR Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Can a cyclist-turned (accused) communist New York mayoral candidate teach the PR world a thing or two about emotional storytelling?  This week we unpack the “Mamdani effect” how Zohran Mamdani is rewriting the rules of political communications with cultural fluency, TikTok charm, and unforgettable soundbites.  Other topics, what are the comms implications of the Omnicom-IPG mega-merger, and what is the likely impact on agency identities, client retention, and the war for talent? From Alberta, Canada… a Teacher's Stike and the Government is paying parents. Is that to help them manage or is it a PR bribe? Are there ethical implications here? Listen For:34 What makes Mamdani a standout communicator?3:10 Can Mamdani's social strategy work outside NYC?10:00 What's the real impact of the Omnicom-IPG merger?14:55 Is Alberta's $30/day tactic good PR or spin?18:49 Are PR communities key in turbulent times? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelWe publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available.Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream Support the show

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss a Reddit post about an agency leader going MIA and the repercussions for the team. They elaborate on the importance of communication, perception, and flexibility for agency owners. The conversation includes personal anecdotes from both hosts, highlighting the need for frequent touchpoints, setting clear expectations, and maintaining a balance between taking personal time and being present for the team. They also stress the significance of transparency during challenging times and the benefits of empowering employees to reduce bottlenecks. Key takeaways Gini Dietrich: “As an owner, I think that you absolutely should be taking time to do things that you’re passionate about. But not at the expense of the business, or of your employees.” Chip Griffin: “If it’s industry events that are causing you to be absent, make sure that the team understands why and how that fits into the bigger picture.” Gini Dietrich: “If you’re consistently having weekly one-to-one meetings, if you’re consistently communicating with them, these things will be mitigated just by the mere fact that you’re talking to your team.” Chip Griffin: “And just as important as talking with your team, you’ve got to listen to them.” Related Weekly 1:1 meetings make a big difference for your agency Building trust and letting your team shine View Transcript The following is a computer-generated transcript. Please listen to the audio to confirm accuracy. Chip Griffin: Hello and welcome to another episode of the Agency Leadership Podcast. I’m Chip Griffin. Gini Dietrich: And I’m Gini Dietrich. What is happening? Chip Griffin: That effect really only works if you’re watching this. Gini Dietrich: I don’t know what just happened. Chip Griffin: I, I slid off screen. I went MIA. Gini Dietrich: Oh my gosh. So I don’t even, that was, that was, I think, the best, the best intro we’ve ever had. You just left the screen. And even though I knew what the topic was, I was like, what is happening right now? Chip Griffin: So it’s just, it’s my way of encouraging listeners to become viewers because. It just, it completely loses the impact of, if you only listened to that portion of it. I, I don’t know how much impact you have, but from watching it either, but, you know, at least it’s, at least you understand what’s going on. Gini Dietrich: He literally just left the screen. Chip Griffin: I left the screen. But no, we are, we are, we were inspired by a Reddit post and we haven’t gone to the Reddit well for quite some time. Gini Dietrich: We haven’t, no. Yeah. Chip Griffin: So we decided to go back to Reddit and see what people were talking about. And so there is a relatively recent thread there where an agency employee says the principle of their firm has gone completely MIA, leaving them to do all of the work and feeling abandoned by the owner. That seems like a worthy topic to be discussing. Gini Dietrich: I feel like the answer is don’t. Don’t do that. Don’t ghost your business or your employees. Chip Griffin: Don’t ghost your business. And here we go, we’re done. Thanks for listening. Gini Dietrich: The end. Don’t do that. Chip Griffin: No, but I, I think it’s, it is, as owners, we sometimes overlook how our actions can be perceived by those who work for us. So it’s, it’s not necessarily being completely MIA, which obviously we would discourage. But your general availability, for example, can play into your team’s perceptions or your client’s perceptions of what your business is like. Absolutely, and we all, we certainly encourage owners to take all of the, the freedom that comes with being a business owner, don’t just take on all of the risk and stress. And so you need to have flexibility. And you shouldn’t feel compelled to, to necessarily, you know, work 9 to 5 every day exactly. You should absolutely build some flexibility in to what you do because that is honestly one of the perks of being an owner. and absolutely, increasingly a perk of being an employee these days. But, you know, that’s a conversation for a separate day. You know, so, but we also have to be mindful of how this can be perceived, particularly by our team members, but also our clients. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, I think you, you’re absolutely right, like taking advantage of the flexibility that you can build in for yourself is one of those things. And I think there are lots of agency owners who do things like maybe they’re giving back to the industry by teaching, or perhaps they’re volunteering for PRSA or IABC or one of those, right? Or, you know, doing something like that that may be tangentially related to what we do, but not taking, taking you away from the business. And I think that those are things are good. I think that you absolutely, those are things that you’re passionate about, that you should absolutely be doing those things. But not at the expense of the business or, or of your employees. Because if, if your employees are feeling like they’re running the agency and they can’t get you to make decisions or to have one-to-ones or be present, that’s a problem. Chip Griffin: Yeah. And look, I mean, this is something that I have struggled with a lot over the years. Not because I just go off and sit in the mountains and, you know, hike and relax and all that kind of stuff. It’s, it’s because I’ve often been running more than one business. Mm-hmm. And so, inevitably one of them will typically get busier than another. And so those involved in the ones that are less busy at the moment may feel abandoned at times, by me. And so I, it’s something I’ve had to be particularly aware of and making sure that, that I’m safeguarding against being too absent from a particular business. Sometimes you’ve got a business in, in my case, I would’ve, businesses that were running really well and smoothly and the team was executing and so I didn’t feel like I needed to be there. But the perception can be very different from the team side, right? Where they feel like, well, why are you ignoring us? Right? And the answer might be, because you’re doing such a great job, I don’t really need, I don’t need, yeah. To be there and I’m not adding the value. But unless you’re communicating that to them, they don’t know that. So I think there’s, there’s two things you need to be mindful of here. One is the perception, and two is your communication strategy around what you’re doing. If it’s industry events and things like that that are causing you to be absent, make sure that the team understands why and how that fits into the, the bigger picture. Because that makes it easier for them to understand and less likely for them to think, oh, well, Chip’s just on another junket. Here he goes, you know, he, he’s off to San Diego or Miami and you know, it’s the middle of the winter. Of course he is. Why not? And, and, those are things that are, that are important to factor in because it can have a meaningful impact on your team’s performance. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, when I was on book tour both times, I was absent from the business every week. I mean, one, I think 2014 I traveled 50 weeks out of the year. So it was extremely hard for me to be on book tour and speaking and business development while also running the business. And my employees. I am fairly confident, felt the, felt the brunt of that. And I don’t think I probably handled it the best way either. I probably shouldn’t have taken on that much travel. It helped the business grow significantly for sure, because I was also doing business development as part of it, but they definitely felt abandoned in that they were running the agency in my absence. And that I was just off traveling the world and having a great time and Right. That was their perception. Right. So I think you do, I think communicating that is right and there are certain things that you still have to do. Like I should have, continued with one-to-ones. And because I was traveling and I was speaking and all that, I just sort of let those slide. I should have continued with all team meetings at least biweekly, if not weekly. So I, I let those things slide because I was traveling and I was exhausted and you know, in many cases I was around the world and so time zones were, were crappy too. But I think that’s right. I think that’s the right approach is that you still have to do certain things. If, if you’re quote unquote, abandoning your agency because you’re doing something else that may or may not be helpful for the agency, or be because you want you, you’re taking advantage of flexibility, which is fine too. Communicate that, but also continue sort of the process things like one-to-one, right, so that people feel like you’re still involved. Chip Griffin: Yeah. I think that’s key is, is putting in that bit of additional effort to show some sense of normalcy to the rest of the team when you’re, you’re doing those kinds of things. And you know, I suspect that if, if we talked to the owner of, of this person’s agency, they probably wouldn’t describe themselves as MIA. They would probably describe themselves as busy with a variety of different things, some of which may be beneficial to the agency directly or indirectly or, or what have you. Or, or they may say, as I did, You’ve got this, I don’t need to be there. Mm-hmm. But making sure that you have those regular touch points with your team can certainly help. I think the other thing to keep in mind is that, and we’ve talked about this before, is that you do have to lead by example. And that means also understanding how the example you are setting is received by your team. So for example, if part of your perception of being MIA is that, that you disappear a couple afternoons a week for your kids’ sporting events. If you are not enabling your team to do that, maybe not with the same frequency, but at least periodically. That can lead to a real disconnect because why is it okay for you and not for me? And look, there, there are certainly things that are okay for the owner to do and not for employees to do. Yes, yes. But the more of those things that happen, the more frequently with which they happen, the larger the gap is between what you can do and what your team can do, the more it tends to underscore things. And, and so you do need to be mindful of that perception because your team will often magnify things beyond what you even realize. And that can then lead to morale issues and, and other things that, that can crop up. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, I think that’s right. You know, I, am most productive really early in the morning. My brain is really fresh and works really well creatively in the morning. So I get up and I work early in the morning just on the, like, the stuff that takes thinking and deep thought, deep work kinds of things. Then I, you know, do the kid thing and I get school off, get ’em off to school and all that, and then I come home and I work out. So. I am at my desk really early, but then not again until 9:30 or 10. And for a while there people didn’t think that was fair. And I was like, okay, well I’ll see you at 4:30 in the morning then. Right, right, right. But what I discovered that after I got over my smart assness. Is that really giving them the opportunity to do those things throughout the day. As long as their work gets done and they’re meeting deadlines and you know, all of the things that matter, and clients aren’t requesting their time, then that’s fine. So I have one person who leaves at 1:50 every day. He goes to the gym at 2, he’s back by 3:15. Okay. That’s totally fine, because he’s doing his job, he’s getting his work done. So giving them the same level of flexibility that you feel comfortable with, I think is an important thing to be able to do as well, because then they don’t feel like you’re getting all this, these advantages and they’re not. Chip Griffin: Right. And I, and I think that it’s important to, to factor these things even more during tough times for your agency. So, you know, if, if the, the business is struggling and so you’ve, you know, maybe you’ve cut back on resources in order to, to save expense. And so maybe you’re asking your team to do a little bit more. That’s the wrong time for you to be perceived to be doing a bit less. Gini Dietrich: Right, right. Chip Griffin: Or, or immediately after layoffs. You know, you show up with a brand new Ferrari or something like that, Gini Dietrich: perhaps Chip Griffin: a bit tone deaf. And, and again, it, it doesn’t necessarily mean that, you know, if you’ve gone through tough times, or are going through tough times as an agency that. That you, you know, you have to, you know, appear to be a pauper. That is not, that is not what I’m telling you. However, you do need to, to understand what the perception will be if you all of a sudden go on a two week vacation to the Alps while you’re taking away resources from your team and making them work, you know, 50, 60 hours a week just to make ends meet within the business. And, and those are not the kinds of things that you wanna do because it does make it appear as if you have abandoned, not necessarily the business, but at least the team members. And that is not how you get the best performance. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, I think the tone deafness and the, the perception piece of this is extraordinarily important. So I, we have a client who about two years ago had to lay off… It was about 35% of their team. And right before they did it, their CEO went on a three week European cruise, all around Europe was gone for three weeks and then he came home and did this. And I remember saying to him, this is a bad idea. Let’s either do it before you go. Or let’s wait a month or six weeks after you get back, like right after you get back is a bad idea. He did not listen, he did it as soon as he got back. He didn’t wanna do it before and he couldn’t wait, and so he did it as soon as he got back and there was one person who, let’s just say rightfully so threw that in his face when he let him go, and then they ended up suing. And I don’t know, it’s, you know, I don’t know if that that person will win that, that suit lawsuit, but you’re still having to go through the process of being sued and, you know, having to provide documentation and things like that. And, you know, he could still take the vacation, he could still take the three week cruise. Sure. Right. But the, the timing of it is what was a problem. And so I think we have to really think about that. I think we have to think about, you know, what kind of car we drive and, you know, if people know what kind of home we live in. And, you know, certainly we have those advantages because we own the company. But at the same time, there are things that people perceive, rightly or wrongly about how you’re running the business and how they’re being treated when, when they have that kind of information about you. Chip Griffin: Right. And it’s, it’s not about, you know, living your, your life differently necessarily, right? Because of these things. It’s, it’s, it’s the awareness of them, right? And trying to figure out, you know, how to, how to either communicate around it or make other decisions that, that don’t make it worse at least. And, and preferably even mitigate it to some degree. And, and this is obviously not the topic for today’s show, but you know, whenever you’ve got bad news for your team, don’t sit on it. Gini Dietrich: Right. Chip Griffin: I mean, you, you, you’ve gotta get it out there because people will find out, and, and the sooner that people have bad news, the easier it is for them to make a course correction because of it. And, and the more that you sit on it, if you know that you’re going to have to lay somebody off, just get it done right. Just get it done Gini Dietrich: right. Chip Griffin: Anytime you’ve got bad news, it, it, it stresses you out. It stresses them out. If they find out that you knew it a month ago, two months ago and didn’t tell them so. Just rip that bandaid off and, and move ahead with it. But again, not, not really the topic for today’s conversation, but I, I feel remiss if I don’t make that point. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, I think you’re right. I mean, it’s, it goes to your point earlier, right? Which is communicate, communicate, communicate, communicate. And if you’re having consistent touch bases, you know, you and I both, both believe in weekly one-to-ones. If you’re consistently doing that, if you’re consistently communicating with them, these things will be mitigated just by the fact, the mere fact that you’re talking to your team. So ensure that you’re doing those things even while you’re doing some of the other things that you might be passionate about or, you know. Have, are enjoying the flexibility with, because that’s the right thing. You know, some people to your point, want to be at their kids’ events and you know, school is not made for working parents. So sometimes that means 2:45 to 5 is they’re gone. Right. You also don’t see them working late into the night or early in the morning because you’re not at your desk at that time. So you have to understand there are things that, that those owners are going to do to, to quote unquote, make up the time where maybe our employees don’t see that. So communicate, just talk to them, tell them what’s going on. Chip Griffin: Yep. Yeah. And, and it’s, you know, just as important it’s to, to talk with ’em. You’ve got to listen to them. Right? Right. Because again, to my point that this owner probably would not describe themselves as MIA, you need to be, you know, tuned into your team so that you can pick up on perhaps that’s the perception. So if, if you finding that they’re saying, Hey, you know, I, I’m not getting the answers I need, or I’m not getting the information I need, or when do you think you might actually be around for this? Or, you know, kind of listen to some of those things and particularly the tone of some of those things and, and key into them so that you can spot some of these issues before they really become major problems for you to deal with. Because if, if you can sense from these conversations and through the listening that there are things that need to be addressed, you can take care of it a lot easier now than you can six months down the road when it reaches a boiling point. Gini Dietrich: Yeah, absolutely. And I think that’s, that’s the exact correct thing to do. And you know, I think if your employees are feeling like they’ve been ghosted or abandoned, that’s, that is definitely a you issue. And that needs to be solved pretty fast. Chip Griffin: Yeah. And you, and you’ve gotta encourage the team to open up to you as much as possible. Sure. I mean, you do sign the paycheck, so you’ve gotta be realistic about how much candid feedback and such you’ll get. But one of the things that, that I have always encouraged my team members to do is to, to feel free to beat me about the head and shoulders if I’m not getting them what they need in a timely enough fashion. And do I believe that they will consistently do that? No. The vast majority of the employees I’ve had haven’t done that consistently, but they know it’s an option to them, so they do tap into that. As and when needed. I’ve had a handful of employees who are actually really good about it, and by really good, I mean, really kind of annoying about it because like the minute I was a minute late in getting them the feedback that I had promised, I, you know, get the, the knock on my, my office door. Hey, you know, I, I need this. But frankly, that was helpful, right? It, it, at least it was, it was direct. It got them what they needed and, and so you need to be listening for those cues so that you can spot them and, and hopefully try to improve your own behavior in that going forward. Whether that’s by setting different expectations of the timeliness with which you can get to it because you’re traveling, because you’ve got these other commitments or whatever. Or simply by, you know, being a little bit quicker to turn those things around. Gini Dietrich: Yes. That is one of the most, I think that’s one of the most challenging things is that piece of it is being the bottleneck on, on certain kinds of things. So. Figuring out ways to communicate that effectively. And sometimes you promise something, like, I could promise something to you by Wednesday, but I don’t know, based on what my schedule is right at this moment. Right, right. But there’s gonna be client things that come up. There are gonna be HR issues that come up that I am not at all expecting, and all of a sudden my whole week is thrown into chaos where there’s no physically possible way I can now get it to you by Wednesday because of all this other stuff and some of that I can’t communicate to the employee. Right? Right. So I just have to say like, some things came up. I’m really sorry. Can I get an extra 48 hours? Or whatever it happens to be. Right? So I think those are the kinds of conversations we have to be really understanding about, because the perception is that you’re just ignoring them and you’re sitting at your desk drinking wine and painting your toenails. Chip Griffin: Yeah, I stopped painting my toenails a few years ago. But anyway, so, you know, but I think that along those lines, I think it’s, it’s important for you, excuse me, to, to be clear about what you actually need to be a bottleneck on. And so sometimes this can be a useful exercise to say, do I really need to, to review and approve this? Do I really need to edit this? If not, maybe that’s something that you can pass off. And so maybe the way that you solve some of those things is by passing it along and saying, you’ve got the authority to handle this now. I completely trust you on this. I don’t need to see this. You take it, you run with it. And, and I’ve often used those situations where I’m becoming an increasing bottleneck to try to figure out how do we change the process. So that I’m not. Either by involving me at a different stage or just taking me out of it altogether. Yep. Because, and that’s particularly true when I would find things where I was consistently just saying, yep, this is good. Yep, this is good. And, and I, and I didn’t feel the need any longer to keep going through that. And so you need to find those things, but also communicate why you are taking yourself outta that process. Because if you just take yourself out of it. That’s where you look like you’re going MIA. Right? If you say, look, I completely trust your judgment you’re doing, I don’t need to see this and you should usually include the caveat unless you want me to look at something, right? Because sometimes someone just feels more confident about, maybe there’s something they’re putting out and they just, they want your set of eyes on it. They just, they want that perspective. Sure. Don’t discourage them from doing that, but let them know that on a routine basis, that’s not necessary. Gini Dietrich: Yeah. I think that’s really important too. So I think there are a few good takeaways from this, that this is not necessarily the, the topic of the day, but you know, breaking up that bottleneck, ensuring that your team is, is you’re consistently running the business from like a process perspective. I think that’s really smart. Communicating effectively is really smart. There was one other that you said our top, the podcast wasn’t about that I thought was really good. Shoot. Chip Griffin: Well, the beauty is people have the recording you, you can just hit rewind, go backwards. They can look at the transcript that Jen puts up on the website. I do that sometimes as well just to see what I said. Right. Figure, figure out, you know, so I’m consistent ish in my advice that I give. So, but in any case. Hopefully you have some, some things that you can use as tools so that you’re not perceived as MIA or if you have to be MIA. How to communicate more effectively and work with your team on it. And lots of bonus tips in here as well, because we just can’t help ourselves and we’ll follow whatever path we might find we do over the course of the conversation, at least after I come back on camera and on work so that I can participate. So with that, I’m gonna go, I guess I’m not MIA because you know that we’re wrapping up and so it will make sense when I leave at the end of this. But I’m Chip Griffin. Gini Dietrich: I’m Gini Dietrich. Chip Griffin: And it depends.

Is attention the new currency? Politicians, brands, influencers, even your neighbor's viral TikTok are all competing for the same scarce resource: your focus. But attention is slippery. It can make you a household name overnight and it can vanish just as quickly. In an age where algorithms decide what we see and artificial intelligence rewrites how we discover information, the fight for attention has never been more intense.What happens when public relations and communications agencies find themselves at the same crossroads media once faced? How do you win attention when the competition is everything else in the feed? How do you turn fleeting visibility into lasting credibility? And how do you build narratives that not only go viral but endure?Listen For5:14 What is attention as a commodity in PR?8:48 How has the attention economy changed branding?11:22 What can PR learn from politics?14:05 Are we paying too much for lost attention?17:51 Are attention spans shorter or content louder?18:53 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Richard BagnallGuest: Mark Lowe, Third CityWebsite | Email | X | Instagram | YouTubeRate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

This episode of PodCatalyst is brought to you by IABC'spartners at the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California. Provided by the PRFuture podcast, this episode features host Fred Cook in conversation with Matt Tidwell, member of the IABC International Executive Board, Barby Seagal and Victoria Hamilton from Zeno Group, and USC Fellow David Michaelson.Together, the group unpacks the findings of the 2025 GlobalCommunication Report: Mind the Gap, that USC developed in partnership with IABC and Zeno Group. The communicators discuss insights from more than 1,000 PR professionals across the globe and weighs in on how AI, hybrid work, generational shifts, influencer culture, and polarization are transforming the communications landscape. Thank you to Fred Cook and the USC Annenberg Center forPublic Relations for their partnership with this report and for providing this insightful conversation to the IABC audience. ++++++++++++++LINKS EpisodeMind the Gap: 2025 GlobalCommunication ReportGenerational Divides on AI, Media,and Polarization Are Shaping the Future of PRIt's Not Just You — GenerationalDivides Are Impacting PR and CommsConnectWith IABC on Social MediaX (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramVisitIABC Online https://www.iabc.com/ https://www.iabc.com/catalyst

The call for better measurement in public relations is not new. For decades, leaders in the field have warned that counting impressions, likes, and advertising value equivalents is not enough. Yet here we are, still leaning on the same empty numbers while the C-suite is asking for proof of outcomes that matter.  The urgency has been with us for years, but too often the industry has not listened to its own advice.  We aren't listening to ourselves! Now, as budgets are cut and communications teams risk being sidelined, the pressure to finally get measurement right has never been greater. Richard Bagnall is recognized as one of the world's foremost experts in PR measurement, past chair of AMEC, and co-creator of the Integrated Evaluation Framework. He has worked with global organizations from NATO to the World Bank and continues to remind practitioners that vanity metrics will not protect their budgets or their jobs.  Listen For4:48 Why does PR measurement matter now?7:27 What are outputs, outtakes, and outcomes?11:41 How do you measure with no budget?14:05 What is “crawl, walk, run”?18:40 Jonathan Mast's answer to last episode's question?Guest: Richard BagnallX | LinkedIn   Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Search is changing faster than most PR professionals realize. For years, SEO was about keywords and backlinks. Now, with AI-driven tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity shaping how people find information, the game is shifting to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).Instead of tricking algorithms, brands need to prove expertise, authority, and trustworthiness at every turn. To stay discoverable, we need to craft smarter prompts, produce content that actually engages, and choose the right AI tools for visibility. AI is rewriting the rules of credibility and your PR efforts might get left behind. Listen For5:32 What's the difference between SEO, AEO, and GEO?8:32 Is Google losing its dominance in the search space to tools like ChatGPT?11:24 Can AI-generated thought leadership be trusted?13:28How should PR professionals train AI tools to deliver better content results?18:19 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Susana MendozaGuest: Jonathan MastWebsite | Email | X | Facebook Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

This episode of 15:14 features Dr. Kevin Carson, who will begin serving as the Executive Director of the BCC in 2026. Dr. Carson is the Pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, and has been teaching biblical counseling in various seminaries since 1999. He also serves as a counselor at Sonrise Biblical Counseling Ministry, is certified by both ACBC and IABC, and serves on the IABC board. In addition, he is an author and a frequent speaker at conferences, retreats, and seminars. Dr. Carson and his wife, Kelly, have four children, one son-in-law, and two grandsons. A BCC Council member since its inception, he shares in this conversation how he came into his new role and what he looks forward to as he leads the BCC.   FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months go to BoyceCollege.com/five.   ONE WORD ONE WORLD CONFERENCE 2025: To learn more and register for the One Word One World Conference presented by the Biblical Counseling Coalition go to: bccglobalsummit.org. Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.

Getting Hispanic communications wrong is not just a slip. It can cost brands credibility, trust, and millions in wasted campaigns. Too often, companies think a simple translation is enough, only to find their carefully crafted message falls flat or even offends the very audience they are trying to reach. With more than 65 million Hispanics in the United States, representing one of the fastest growing and most influential communities, PR professionals cannot afford cultural blind spots.In this episode Susana Mendoza, who helps brands authentically connect with Hispanic audiences, shares where campaigns most often go wrong, how to segment messaging without stereotypes, and why understanding generational and cultural nuances is critical to success. From Univision and Telemundo to influencers and radio, Susana lays out the media landscape and offers practical insights for PR teams navigating sensitive issues such as immigration, healthcare, and public safety.Listen For4:38 Translation Traps & Cultural Missteps 8:27 The Power of Spanish-Language Radio 11:17 Can ChatGPT Really Translate Culture? 15:38 Build Trust Before the Campaign Starts 17:21 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Jackson Wightman Guest: Susana MendozaLinkedIn Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

What do Tylenol, Jimmy Kimmel, and Disney all have in common? They're all caught in the crosshairs of public opinion this week. On this episode hosts David Gallagher and Doug Downs are joined by B2B PR powerhouse Michelle Garrett to dissect a week of PR minefields. From President Trump's dangerous misinformation about Tylenol and pregnancy, to the backlash and brand gymnastics following Jimmy Kimmel's controversial monologue.  The trio also touches on the shifting global perception of American brands and how companies can (and must) navigate reputational risk in polarized times.  Listen For5:42 What did President Trump say about Tylenol? And how should PR teams respond to misinformation?14:52 Why did Jimmy Kimmel get pulled off the air, and what does it say about Disney's PR strategy?26:33 How can political polarization affect brand trust and corporate reputation?Special Guest Michelle GarrettWebsite | Email | X | LinkedInThe Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelWe publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available. Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream Support the show

What happens when your newsfeed becomes a battlefield?In the US and UK, political leaders trade accusations, social media thrives on outrage, and communities are left simmering in distrust. What used to be disagreements over policy now look more like open hostility, with violence creeping closer to the center of public life. Attacks on lawmakers, threats to schools, and the killing of high-profile figures are no longer shocking outliers but part of a troubling pattern.This episode asks a difficult but urgent question: how much of this violence is rooted in the way we communicate? Words frame identities, assign blame, and sometimes push people toward radical action. Sticks and stones may break bones… but in today's world, it's the words that are drawing blood. Listen For3:17 Identity-Based Polarization6:22 How Algorithms Divide Us10:20 The Rush to Blame14:49 Messaging That Can Prevent Violence19:33 Teaching Kids to Resist Radicalization and DisinformationGuest: Amy PateEmail | Website | X Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Google Search still holds about 90% of global search volume as of mid‑2025, but change is underway as more users begin turning to AI. AI search is rewriting the rules of discovery, and PR needs to adapt. With ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity each scraping different corners of the web, the old focus on big-name publications is no longer enough. The most influential sources may now be niche review sites, specialized forums, or content hubs you have never pitched. Knowing what each Large Language Model (LLM) values and how to optimize for it, is becoming a core PR skill.In this episode, we explore how Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is reshaping PR. From the rise of “dual websites” for humans and bots to the ethical tensions between LLMs and media outlets, we discuss how PR teams can rethink targeting, adapt content, and position clients for visibility in an AI‑first world. Listen For5:49 Dual Websites: One for Humans, One for Machines8:39 LLMs as New Media Channels11:38 What AI Tools Scrape (and Why It Matters)14:45 Can Bots Get Past Paywalls? The Legal and Ethical Minefield17:01 Answer to Last Episode's Question From Heather Blundell Guest: Jackson Wightman, Founder Proper PropagandaWebsite | Email | LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Every Friday we scan the PR Mega Chat and pick the stories that actually shaped the week. What happens when narrative control collides with tragedy, misinformation, and an unfiltered digital age?In the second episode of The Week Unspun, hosts Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, and Doug Downs dive into the breaking news of political commentator Charlie Kirk's shocking shooting and the volatile aftermath, both online and off. From exploring how disinformation spreads faster than facts to how leadership (or lack thereof) shapes national reaction, the trio offer PR-savvy analysis of crisis communication, media ethics, and the real-world consequences of social media. They also explore surprising connections between gender inclusion, menopause in the workplace, and how ageism and AI are reshaping the public relations industry.  Listen For4:07 The Vacuum of Information and Divisive Reactions7:58 Unfiltered Violence: Children, Social Media, and Emotional Fallout18:53 Menopause in PR: The Silent Career Killer?24:33 The Great Unbundling of PR Talent30:15 Are Reputations Still Vulnerable in the Teflon Age?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelWe publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it's no longer available. Folgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream Support the show

More women are now leaving the PR industry because of perimenopause and menopause than because of childbirth. That's a staggering, often invisible, that's shift happening right at the top. It's not burnout or work-life balance pushing them out, but a phase of life that's rarely acknowledged and even more rarely supported.This episode is an unflinching conversation about the real pressures senior women face. Why is menopause still a taboo topic at work? How misunderstood are its impacts on confidence, performance, and retention? And what must organizations and agencies do to support their best talent before they quietly walk away? Listen For4:22 The Invisible Workplace Crisis7:01 The “Rush Hour” of Women's Lives10:01 Emotions, Gender, and Professionalism13:37 Finding Balance in Psychological Safety18:53 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Fred CookGuest: Heather Blundell, CEO GraylingWebsite | X | LinkedIn | EmailStories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

PR really is at a crossroads… we've got old playbooks and new players coming in who want to change the rules. In its report Mind the Gap, USC's Center for Public Relations reveals sharp divides between Gen Z and older professionals on everything from AI and hybrid work to media influence and corporate purpose.  While Boomers and Gen X cling to the belief that human creativity will always be irreplaceable, Gen Z is charging ahead, optimistic about technology, eager for flexibility, and expecting brands to stand for something more than just profit. But will that energy survive once they step into leadership — or will they, too, get swallowed by the system?In this episode, we sit down with Fred Cook, Director of USC's Center for Public Relations and author of the Mind the Gap report, to explore whether we're training young professionals for a world that no longer exists. Are we too obsessed with purpose and not focused enough on performance? Are old myths about PR holding us back? And most importantly — can Gen Z avoid the mistakes their predecessors made, or are they destined to repeat them? Listen For3:04 The Weight on Gen Z's Shoulders5:15 Communicating Across Generations in a Fragmented Media Landscape8:08 Polarization as a Business Model12:02 The Death of Corporate Purpose?17:56 Answer to Last Episode's Question From Guest Ayeni Samuels Guest: Fred Cook, Director USC Center for Public RelationsEmail | X | LinkedIn Mind the Gap StudyStories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Ayeni Adekunle Samuel argues that Africa is often misunderstood or reduced to oversimplified stereotypes by global brands, agencies, and even tech platforms.  Despite Africa's complexity, diversity, and economic importance, key decisions — including PR, marketing, and tech strategies — are still shaped in places like New York and London, often without African expertise or context. Ayeni shares his personal journey as a Nigerian entrepreneur building a pan-African and international PR firm, highlighting both the structural barriers (like bias, access to capital, lack of representation) and the opportunities (especially in areas like AI and local innovation).Listen For4:15 The Africa Strategy Mistake Global Brands Keep Making7:41 The Case for Local Advisors12:36 PR Prejudice: The Hidden Hurdles African Firms Face Abroad16:30 Africa Has Talent, But Not Opportunity17:10 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest David GallagherGuest: Ayeni Adekunle SamuelWebsite | Email | InstagramStories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

Why is the PR industry still having the same tired conversation? Year after year, event after event… while the world moves on without us? We talk about getting a seat at the table, then sit quietly when we do. We debate metrics like we haven't had decades to solve them. We celebrate awards for campaigns that often say nothing and change even less.We hold events that are same panel conversations… different year.Somewhere along the way, the industry built for cultural leadership got stuck in a cycle of repetition, imposter syndrome, and comfort. David Gallagher of Folgate Advisors is a veteran voice who's seen the industry from the inside and isn't afraid to say what others won't. It's time to stop outsourcing our thinking and start redefining what this industry is actually for. Listen For4:58 Are We Really as Dynamic as We Claim?10:22 Why PR Avoids True Innovation11:34 How PR Lost Its Science-Driven Edge17:43 Following the Wrong Model: PR as Advertising's Shadow19:30 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest Bill Welser Guest: David Gallagher, Folgate AdvisorsEmail | LinkedIn | Folgate LinkedIn Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show

What does it take to rebrand an entire nation? Not just a logo or slogan—but the name itself. Gökhan Yücel helped lead the campaign to officially shift the international name from Turkey to Türkiye.  It's a move that goes far beyond semantics—touching diplomacy, identity, and global perception. Gökhan pulls back the curtain on how such a monumental change has been communicated to the world and why it matters more than most of us think. But this conversation goes even deeper. From repositioning Türkiye as the “nexus of the world” instead of merely a bridge between East and West, to attracting the next generation of global investors, to reshaping the way governments confront disinformation and how strategic storytelling can reshape the image of an entire country. Listen For3:06 Renaming a country… where do you even start?6:53 How “country as brand” became a global strategy9:42 “Hype is the new narrative” 13:57 Branding Türkiye for audiences in the West16:33 From SEO to AEO — marketing in the AI era18:15 Answer to Last Episode's Question from Guest Bill Welser IVGuest: Gökhan Yücel, Campaign Designer Hello Türkiye Country Rebranding CampaignEmail | X | LinkedIn Hello Türkiye Campaign (YouTube)Türkiye Century Campaign (Official Site) Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteApply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show