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Oscar Trimboli – best-selling author, award-winning podcast host, and workplace listening expert is on the show!
Simple, research-backed strategies to shift from hearing words to understanding true meaning.
1 big thing: Most of us listen poorly and that has a surprising impact on leadership, meetings, and productivity.
Why It Matters: Better listening means more effective communication, shorter meetings, and stronger organizational alignment.Tune in to start transforming how you lead and communicate—because effective listening is the ultimate competitive edge.
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Real-Life Examples: From pre-launch buzz for museum exhibits to crisis pivots that save reputations, Jennifer breaks down how proactive planning drives results.Actionable Advice: Get practical steps for building a comprehensive communications strategy. Learn how to forecast challenges, craft timely messaging, and maintain authenticity even when the unexpected happens.The Balancing Act: Discover why a touch of spontaneity can be as effective as a pre-scripted planand how to balance genuine voice with structured messaging.
1 big topic: We're exploring the nuanced difference between proactive planning and reactive responses. In a world where every comms moment counts, understanding when to lead the narrative, and when to pivot, is crucial.
Jennifer Kaplan, CEO of Evolve PR and Marketing, shares her 25+ years of expertise on turning potential PR disasters into brand victories.
What to expect:Key Takeaway: In today’s real-time media environment, owning your narrative before it owns you isn’t just smart. It’s essential.
Tune in now for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation that challenges conventional PR wisdom and empowers you to control your brand’s story from the get-go.
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Trust in media, institutions, and corporate comms is eroding. Neil Brown, president of Poynter Institute and founder of PolitiFact, knows why—and how to fix it.
🔹 The danger of clickbait & why credibility wins
🔹 How relationships & transparency build trust
🔹 AI’s role in comms & why ethics matter
🔹 Fact-checking: accountability, not censorshipTrust is hard to earn, easy to lose. Learn how to get it—and keep it. 🎧
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Why it matters: Communication is broken. Messages are too long, unclear, and ignored. Smart Brevity is the fix. And Axios HQ's Emily Inverso is here to talk about it.
The big picture: Smart Brevity isn’t just a writing style—it’s a movement reshaping how professionals, executives, and businesses communicate. With over 250,000 copies of the book in circulation and thousands of companies adopting the methodology, it’s proving that less is more.
What’s next:
How Smart Brevity started—and why it worksThe biggest mistakes communicators make (and how to fix them)Why AI won’t replace Smart Brevity, but can enhance itWhat the future holds for concise, impactful communication🚀 Want in? Visit smartbrevity.com to join the movement.
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Why it matters:
Internal communicators often feel like they’re working alone—overwhelmed and under-resourced. But the truth? You’re surrounded by potential contributors who can help extend your reach and impact.What’s happening:
Activate leaders and department heads to contribute meaningful content.Transition from content creators to strategic editors-in-chief.Build stronger collaboration across departments to enhance alignment.
In this episode, Chris Willis talks with Thereasa Roy, Director of Product and Content Marketing at OffSec, about how internal comms teams can:The bottom line:
Internal communications is a team sport. Learn how to mobilize your organization’s leaders and unlock hidden resources to drive better engagement and business outcomes.Listen now and discover how to extend your internal comms team—without adding headcount.
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Why it matters: Communications professionals are struggling to keep their seats at the table in a challenging job market. Becca Chambers, a comms exec with a flair for straight talk, joins WordBirds to explore why comms teams are being cut and how they can shift from "cost center" to "business driver."
Key takeaways:
Post-pandemic priorities have deprioritized brand and engagement efforts.Communicators need to tie their work to outcomes, not outputs.Building alignment internally is critical to long-term success.Becca’s advice: Show your value by speaking the language of business and proving how comms impacts the bottom line.
Listen for: Insights into surviving this comms job market and building a personal brand that stands out, like Becca’s viral LinkedIn strategy that took her from 4k to 40k followers in 12 months.
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Alignment fuels business success—but it’s hard to achieve.
In this episode, Janet Hitchen shares how she used internal comms to:
Build alignment across teams.Simplify complex ideas into clear stories.Drive revenue and growth at Apple, Nespresso, and beyond.💡 Why it matters: Internal comms aren’t just newsletters. They’re the key to smarter, faster, and more strategic business outcomes.
🎧 Tune in for insights you can put into action today.
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Why it matters: Communications leaders face constant change—from evolving technology to shifting workplace dynamics. Staying ahead means mastering new skills, tools, and strategies.
The big picture: Trey Sarten CCO at Anywhere, and a communications veteran, joins us to explore:
The evolving role of communicators as strategic business partners.How to nurture curiosity and adaptability in a remote-first world.Why leveraging AI is no longer optional.What’s next: Hear Trey’s practical advice on navigating challenges, building trust, and positioning your team for long-term success.
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What’s engagement, really?
In this episode of WordBirds, Doreen Maciak from Takeda challenges the buzzword “engagement” and dives into what it truly means.
Why it matters: Engagement isn’t just about clicks and opens—it’s about aligning employees to purpose and business goals.
What you’ll learn:
How to move beyond vanity metrics.Why authenticity and leadership are key to meaningful connections.Practical strategies to measure and improve real engagement.🎧 Listen now to rethink your approach to engagement.
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Cut the jargon. Boost the clarity.
Jolene Peixoto, Relex Solutions’ anti-marketing comms leader, joins WordBirds to challenge buzzwords and embrace plain English messaging.
Why it matters: Clear, concise communication builds trust, drives engagement, and sets your brand apart.
Key takeaway: Prove your value with data and authenticity—not empty claims.
🎧 Listen now to sharpen your message.
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This special episode brings you the top insights from WordBirds Season 6, hosted by AI voices Lance and Audrina (from NotebookLM).
Why it matters: This AI-powered and hosted recap dives into must-hear lessons on intentional communication, bridging generational gaps, and building trust.
Catch up: Perfect for anyone who missed an episode—but don’t stop here. Go back and listen to each conversation in full for the stories behind the insights.
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Why it matters: Communicators often get stuck in tactical roles, but real value comes from strategic influence. In this episode, Bronagh Hanley, Partner & CCO at Preface Global, shares how she built influence at companies like Netflix and Discovery, and how you can too.
Key takeaways:
Ask "why" to uncover the strategy behind every communication.Build C-suite relationships by proving the business value of comms.Learn how one strategic move can shift your entire career.Go deeper: Listen to Bronagh’s insights on shaping corporate communication into a business-driving force.
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In this episode (part 2 of 2), we talk with Joanna Parsons about the power of measurement in internal communications. Joanna, author of Innovative Internal Communications, explains why many comms teams avoid measurement, how to align goals with business strategy, and practical ways to demonstrate value. We also explore how measuring impact can elevate internal comms from a tactical function to a strategic partner.
Why it matters:
Without clear metrics, internal comms risks being undervalued. Measurement shows leadership the real business impact — from reducing attrition to improving alignment.The big picture:
Effective measurement connects comms to outcomes that matter: savings, revenue, or employee engagement. It's not just about people listening — it’s about showing how comms moves the business forward.What’s next:
Learn how to build a measurement framework, communicate value to leadership, and start experimenting with data-driven strategies to strengthen your comms career. -
Chris Willis and guest Michael Franklin, founder and executive director of Speechwriters of Color, dive into the complexities of communicating across a multi-generational workforce and navigating evolving workplace expectations.
Why it matters: Understanding how different generations interact in the workplace is crucial to fostering collaboration, increasing engagement, and driving organizational success.
The big picture: Good communication is universal, but tailoring messages to resonate with diverse audiences—across generational, geographical, and ideological lines—makes the difference between connection and miscommunication.
What’s next: Leaders and communicators must work together to bridge these gaps, ensuring every voice is heard while maintaining cohesion within the workforce.
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Chris Willis and guest Monique Zytnik author of Internal Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, and Chairman of IABC EMEA as they explore the changing landscape of internal communications in an AI-driven world.
Why it matters: Internal communicators are pivotal in aligning communication strategies with organizational goals, fostering engagement, and reducing costs.
AI offers tools to enhance, not replace, human communicators, reinforcing their strategic role.The big picture: Leadership must champion effective communication to shape company culture.
Strategic internal communications are key in navigating tech-centric environments.What’s next: Discover practical examples of AI integration and the future of storytelling in leadership.
Monique Zytnik challenges communicators to influence leadership and question the status quo. -
Chris Willis sits down with Rachel Adam, Head of Brand and Communications at Sonar, to explore the critical role of strategic communications in shaping and amplifying brand identity.
Why it matters: Strategic communications are vital for aligning brand and comms to drive business success.
Effective storytelling can command the narrative and elevate your brand.Navigating internal and external messaging is crucial for maintaining a cohesive brand identity.Go deeper: Rachel shares her journey through B2B tech PR and the key lessons she’s learned.
From storytelling to navigating internal and external messaging, Rachel offers invaluable insights.Learn how to align brand and communications for business success.What’s next: Tune in to learn how to command the narrative and elevate your brand through effective communication.
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In this episode of WordBirds, Chris Willis interviews Dave Guarino, Head of Global Communications at Wolters Kluwer.
What it's about: Understanding the journey to a C-suite position in communications provides invaluable lessons for aspiring leaders.
Dave shares his transition from stick-ball fanatic to financial compliance to corporate communications.Offers practical advice on building a career in communications.The big picture: Strategic thinking and effective team leadership are crucial for success in corporate communications.
Dave emphasizes the importance of these skills in his roles as CCO.Yes, and: This episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming for the C-suite or just starting in the field.
Provides valuable insights on what it takes to succeed in corporate communications. -
In this episode of WordBirds, Chris Willis interviews Joanna Parson, CEO of The Curious Route and author of Innovative Internal Communications.
Why it matters: Joanna’s journey from a curious thinker to a leading internal communications expert offers valuable insights and practical advice on rethinking internal comms strategies.
Driving the news: Joanna shares key takeaways from her new book and discusses how curiosity can drive innovation and improve communication within any organization.
What’s next: Tune in to explore how these insights can be applied to enhance internal communications in your own organization.
Yes, and: This is part 1 of 2 episodes speaking with Joanna Parsons. Part 2, coming soon, focuses on the measurement of internal comms! -
Navigating crisis communications
In this episode of WordBirds, Chris Willis sits down with communications expert Roberto Munoz (Fannie Mae, HSBC, Tesco) to explore the critical role of crisis communications.
Why it matters: Effective crisis communication can be the difference between maintaining your brand's reputation and losing it. Roberto shares strategies from his experiences with major brands like Tesco and Fannie Mae.
Balancing speed and accuracy during a crisis.Ensuring your message aligns with your brand's values.Details: Roberto provides actionable insights to help businesses prepare for and navigate crises.
The importance of having a crisis communication plan.Tips for staying calm and focused under pressure.What’s next: Whether you're preparing for a crisis or navigating one, this episode offers valuable strategies to help your business emerge stronger.
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We're back with Season 6! And we're kicking off with Eleanor Hawkins, Axios Communications Strategist and writer of the Communicators newsletter. Eleanor spent years as a communicator in media and politics and now covers the topics and trends that impact how organizations, leaders, and employers communicate.
Listen in to hear Eleanor and Chris dig into the…
Changing role of the communicator over the last few yearsWays technology is changing how communicators workInsights from her reportingAs well as a sneak peak of upcoming topics you'll hear throughout this season of WordBirds.
- Visa fler
