Smart Talk Series

Being connected with a special interest group is an underappreciated attribute that all communicators can benefit from. The ability to bring people together around interests they love builds community, trust and loyalty. In this episode, Melissa talks with Ansley Partosa, the founder of Rosario Media & Events, about how she stitched together a career at the intersection of gaming, film production...

Communications work often requires stepping confidently into unfamiliar territory. That's why the ability to simplify complex ideas can be a powerful skill. In this episode, Melissa talks with Joshua Sostrin, the founder and president of Imperative Content, about how his background in comedy launched him into a renowned career in speechwriting and storytelling.   About Josh:  Joshua Sostrin is a s...

Aligning your career with the life you want often means weaving together your interests, strengths, and long‑held passions. In this episode, Melissa talks with Brandon Glass, a performer and Nationally Certified Sign Language Interpreter, about how he blends his creative and professional talents to build the career of his dreams.   About Brandon:  From touring the world as a professional dancer, s...

🚨 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑫𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆!🚨 📰 Today, our founder, Melissa Vela-Williamson, is launching her first digital course, 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐑 𝐏𝐫𝐨, to help anyone who needs support crafting and delivering a strong pitch. This course is built for anyone looking to level up their skills in pitching story ideas to journalists, business ideas to investors, or just trying to land your next oppor...

Sometimes the best career move is letting your passion lead the way. In today's episode, Melissa talks with Laura Perez, the associate director of brand operations at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, about striking the balance between your niche interests and an organization's needs.   About Laura:  Laura Perez is a sports and entertainment professional with more than 21 years of experience at Spurs...

Resilience is key when you're going all in on a niche. As external factors change, your passion and skills will help you stay afloat. Join Melissa as she kicks off season 12 with Jonathan Carone, the owner and creative director of Carone Designs and founder of Healthy Sports Parents. Listen as they discuss this season's theme of finding your niche.   About Jonathan:  Jonathan Carone has spent the...

Any organization or individual can encounter a public relations crisis. That's why it's important to proactively build an immunity to crisis and have the right team in your corner when your reputation is at stake. In this season's finale, Melissa talks with Jon Goldberg, the founder of Reputation Architects, about the lessons he's learned through his work in crisis communications and reputation ma...

Coaching is a valuable way to help break through what is keeping you from being the leader you were meant to be. In today's episode, Melissa speaks with the founder and CEO of Piñata Possible, Laura Saldivar Luna, about how working with a leadership coach can transform your professional and personal life.   About Laura:  Laura Saldivar Luna is a wife, mom, and the founder and CEO of Piñata Possibl...

Paying it forward doesn't always have to mean a monetary act of kindness. Sometimes, candid career advice and making connections can be infinitely more valuable to students searching for or starting their careers.    In today's episode, Melissa speaks with public relations professor and the founder of SpeakerPost, Komal Shah Kapoor, Ph. D., about why it's impactful to share advice from your profes...

Sharing access, authenticity, and empowerment in the public relations industry matters. In today's episode, authors Jamila Cupid, Ph. D. and Myescha Joell share what inspired them to write their groundbreaking new book, "Who's in the Room?: A Guide to Public Relations from the Black Professional Perspective." The book amplifies the voices, experiences, and contributions of Black public relations p...

In tough times, resilience is key to keeping every aspect of your life from falling apart. In today's episode, Melissa interviews the founder of Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese Torres, about how to build financial, mental, and professional resilience in eras of your life that may be unpredictable.   About Jannese:  Jannese Torres is the founder of Yo Quiero Dinero, an award-winning personal finance podc...

Listen as Melissa kicks off Season 11 by talking about the importance of adapting in uncertain times and relying on our industry fundamentals. Join us this season as Melissa talks with experts in various disciplines about valuing advice and taking action.   Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn , Instagram , and Facebook   Topics covered: The theme of season 11 How PR pros can approach change in 2026 R...

As we've learned this season, milestones don't just appear. They come after brave actions, years, and sometimes decades of hard work and dedication. In the final episode of Season 10, Melissa interviews Michael Klein, Public Relations Manager at Ferrovial Construction, to discuss the career milestones he made possible by bravely asking for opportunities and taking action to bring them to life.   A...

A major milestone in your organization is the perfect time to take stock of what you've achieved and chart a path for the future. In this episode, Melissa interviews President & CEO of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance Joe Nespral and TOSA's Director of Communications Casey Casseb, to discuss celebrating 50 years of their organization's important work in organ donation.   About Joe: Joseph Nespral, MD,...

Today, Melissa is taking a break from talking to seasoned professionals by sitting down with a future young professional: her daughter, Emilia. Listen as Melissa and Emilia discuss how communication professionals can support and inspire Generation Z and beyond as they work to achieve milestones of their own.   About Emilia: Emilia Williamson is a rising junior in high school who has "interned" in...

There are many moments in life, tragic and joyful, that can help create the person and professional you are today. In this episode, Melissa chats with Hussein Al-Baiaty, an author marketing strategist, about the past moments that shape us and the future moments we can manifest with the right mindset.   About Hussein: Hussein Al-Baiaty is an author marketing strategist, author, and founder of Risin...

With each milestone you reach, your career and reputation grow. What good can you do with that power? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Claudia Romo Edelman, a global mobilization expert, about how Claudia uses her voice and influence to help positively change the world.   About Claudia: Claudia Romo Edelman is a global mobilization expert, catalyst for social change and marketer for social...

Celebrating milestones as an entrepreneur can be difficult when you're trying to navigate a tough time or just busy serving your clients. In this episode, Melissa sits down with the President of Solo PR Pro, Karen Swim, to discuss how to leverage milestones as a business owner, the enduring spirit of solopreneurs, and how to take care of your well-being while leading the way in public relations. ...

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and the hosts of That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast, Karen Swim and Michelle Kane about Melissa's tips on cultivating a purposeful personal brand.

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and Chip Griffin about Melissa's unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation.

Enjoy a bonus conversation between Melissa and author champion and publishing strategist Hussein Al-Baiaty on the Rising Authors podcast where they discuss how challenging it was for Melissa to "be" the author for her first book, "Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know." And then, what it was like to inspire other Latina leaders to go down that path with her second, "Latinas...

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Irasema Romero and Lorraine Pulido. About Irasema: Irasema Romero is a seasoned internal communication advisor and leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience supporting leaders through transformative organizational changes. She currently leads internal communications at Gong, an AI-powered reven...

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Rachel Benavidez and Lilly Cortés Wyatt. About Rachel: Rachel Benavidez is a former journalist turned public relations and marketing professional who brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as Vice President of Communications and Strategy for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio. The local PR...

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Brenda Duran and Anais Biera Miracle. About Brenda: Brenda Duran is a seasoned media and communications specialist with over a decade of impactful service in Los Angeles County. Currently the Director of External Affairs for the LA County Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department, she has excelled in expa...

In today's episode, Melissa introduces two authors from the new anthology, "Latinas in PR", Jill Casey Pintor and Marisol Vindiola. About Jill: Jill is a PR and communications professional with experience spanning more than two decades across several industries including television, nonprofits, entertainment and finance. She currently works as a financial content writer at StreetCred PR. Jill hold...