Commical

Emma Lawrence has spent years performing under pressure. But stepping into the commentary box as the first woman to call play-by-play rugby league brought a different kind of scrutiny. In this episode, Emma opens up about the pressure of being "the first", the perfectionism that can quietly derail performance, and the routines that help her stay composed when the stakes are high. From voice coachi...

A letter arrives unexpectedly and turns Phil Sim's world upside down. In this episode of Commical, the CEO of Influencing and MediaConnect shares the moment he discovered he was adopted, and the communication challenges that followed. From navigating difficult conversations to balancing the needs of multiple individuals, Phil reflects on what happens when the stakes are intensely personal and ther...

What does it take to go from journo to digital marketing heavyweight?   John Kerrison started his career in TV newsrooms before shifting gears into government communications. Today he's Director of Digital Content & Creative at the NSW Department of Customer Service, leading teams across social, web, video and brand.   In this episode, we talk about:   • The surprising skills journalism gave him f...

How do you take a local cookie brand from a Byron Bay market stall to Qantas flights and Oscar gift bags?  In this episode, we explore the magic behind building brands that last, without losing what made them lovable in the first place. Emilie shares how her small but mighty marketing team gets big results, and the surprising role comedy and improv play in her creative process. From supermarket sh...

What difference can a business make to Reconciliation in Australia?   Hint: It's not just an Acknowledgment of Country on the footer of your website.   It's about real action - creating jobs, supporting Indigenous businesses, and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a seat at the table. This is where a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAPs) comes in.   We spoke with Adrian Cheath...

80% of working parents are now in the workforce, and the juggle is real. It's pushing brilliant people out of fast-paced industries like media and marketing.   In this episode, we hear from media gun Lauren Thornborough, co-founder of The Village, a community built to support, connect and advocate for working parents in the media industry .   Lauren shares why she launched the movement and what ne...

Are you ready to move beyond ticking boxes and truly connect with Aboriginal culture?   Fear of saying or doing the wrong thing often keeps people stuck in their comfort zones, creating barriers to genuine connection with culture and Country. But cultural confidence isn't about perfection— it's about intention, action, and authenticity.   In this episode of Commical , we're joined by Aboriginal ed...

Elise Hedley-Dale has been shaking up the media world since the 90's (exact year, not to be disclosed !). With nearly three decades of experience , s he's gone from media planner to business owner. Elise is the Founder of Media Words, a company born from the request of a loyal client – Ocean Spray.     This episode discusses how media consumption has transformed over the years from traditional TV...

A critically important and infinitely insightful episode that will show you how simple recruitment processes we all follow are leaving people out and businesses behind.   Our guest? Sabrina Maddock, CEO, Avanti Search. And how's this for a bio. Sabrina competed on The Apprentice, was Miss World Australia (placing third overall at Miss World 2006) . C o-authored a book that landed on Malcolm Turnbu...

Hallyu, the Korean Wave, is something two of the Chasing Albert team are riding obsessively. Marie El Daghl , Managing Director and Alex McGee , Graphic Designer may have 20 years between them but they share a love for all things Korean Culture, albeit with different tastes.   They've come together to give you the gift of the Top 10 K - Dramas to start your journey. It includes a wide range of g e...

What does the future of the workplace hold? Robots might not be taking over (yet), but virtual work sure is.    With over 40% of Australians working from home in some capacity, it's clear the way we work is changing. And with this, what we expect of our workplace is too.    But is the office truly dead, or do we just need to rethink what it looks like?   In this episode of Commical, we're joined b...

Commical by Chasing Albert takes a look at the funny side of business and uncovers some nuggets of gold along the way. From bite sized piss takes to in depth conversations – this podcast is light business entertainment, not to be taken lightly.     In this episode… How to create real change at a government level. Many large organisations have the resources to appoint professionals to act on their...

How would a marketing expert approach marketing their own business? That's what I want to know when I speak with Tim Burrowes. He has long been a leading voice in marketing and media. With extensive experience as an editor and as a marketing journalist, he set up Mumbrella in 2010, one of the leading B2B publications of its time. And it sold in under 9 years. How did he build the brand? What marke...

Social media superstar, chart topping artist, and Gladys Berejiklian's hottest personal assistant – Carla from Bankstown needs no introduction. But do you know the face behind this iconic persona? And how he got there? Introducing Ben James, the person behind the persona – Carla from Bankstown. Taking Australia by storm with his unique sense of humour and drag style, Ben has built a loyal followin...

1 in 5 Australians will experience mental ill-health within a 12-month period. While mental ill-health can be difficult to talk about, it's clear that we need to. In recent years, there's been a positive change in the way we discuss mental health and wellbeing. However, there's still a long way to go. Negative stereotypes, myths and stigma continue to underpin conversations about mental ill-health...

Language is a powerful tool that can make or break organisations, leaders, and teams. When used well, words can amount to great outcomes. When used poorly, they can have severe consequences.   In 2015, American Cargo Ship, SS El Faro sailed into the middle of Hurricane Joaquin. In a series of tragic events, the ship sadly went down with all 33 mariners on board. It left behind a voyage data record...

Bad news is well, bad. But there's nothing worse than breaking bad news, badly. In the workplace, performance management discussions and redundancies are common occurrences. When approached without the right care and planning, they can have severe implications on the company and individuals. So how do you break bad news well? In this episode of Commical, we're joined by Kris Grant , CEO of ASPL Gr...

If a picture alone is worth a thousand words, the communication capabilities of an entire space can only be imagined! Retail design is a real game-changer for businesses, and can have a profound impact on customers, sales, staff and community.   In this episode of  Commical , Marie is joined by  Jason Pollard , Co-founder and Director of Retail Strategy at  Public Design Group .   He delves into h...

Acknowledgment of Country; we've heard this introduction hundreds of times at schools, meetings, events and more. But how many of us truly understand why it's important and how to get it right? Put aside everything you think you know about doing an Acknowledgment of Country and get ready to re-consider your approach. In this episode of Commical , Marie is joined by Aboriginal educator, Rhys Paddic...

Whether you're looking for a photographer to take the perfect shot, or an influencer to reach the masses – finding the right talent is not easy. Host Marie El Daghl speaks with Taryn Williams about visual storytelling, finding the best creatives, and the importance of inclusivity. Taryn Williams is the founder and CEO of theright.fit – an online marketplace helping professionals find the right tal...

Unless you are working for a major government body or multinational corporation with deep pockets, you probably have never given multicultural communication much thought. If you have given it thought, it's likely you haven't given it any budget, or activity beyond translating existing documents. With Australia being such a diverse, multicultural society – surely, we are missing a trick. On this ep...

Brand, reputation and culture can be impacted by bad processes just as much as they can by a good marketing campaign. They are three topics that are linked, and critical to business be it large or small. Karl Treacher is the CEO at The Brand Institute and an adjunct associate professor at Griffith Business School. His research into the relationship between brand, reputation, and culture has led to...

You might be on the front foot, you might be on the backfoot - but when you're approached for a media opportunity - you have to be prepared to put your best foot forward. That means more than just what you do on camera - how you work with your contact prior to that is also really important. In this episode, veteran TV producer and current 60 Minutes (Channel 9) producer Darren Ally, gives us a rar...

What does Emotional Intelligence have to do with communication? Everything! Behind your words, facial expressions, gestures - sit emotions that you may or may not be able to control. You may not even know they're there! Understanding yourself is arguably the most important step in communication, followed closely by understanding others. And this takes Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Ben Palmer is Aust...

Surely he'd know, right? Jye is behind 3 successful and interesting podcasts including Maker & Creator and Honey, I'm Home. But what does this creative strategist and agency coach get out of it? And does he recommend it? If this podcast leaves you feeling inspired to start one, follow @jyesmith on Instagram and drop him a note! He certainly inspired me to start this one. Got feedback? Share your f...