Aspire to Inspire Podcast

Join Staffbase’s Lottie Bazley as she sits down with Local Wisdom CEO Pinaki Kathiari for a deeply human conversation about clarity, communication, and the emotional reality of modern work. With nearly two decades of experience helping global brands turn dense and complex information into accessible content, Pinaki reveals the mindset behind simplifying without dumbing down, staying authentic with...

Join Brian Tomlinson as he sits down with the CEO and Founder of Lynn Group, Shayoni Lynn, a global leader in behavioral science communications. In this impactful episode, Shayoni unpacks the psychology behind misinformation and the rising challenges communicators face in the digital age. From understanding how cognitive biases fuel fake news to building proactive strategies that preserve trust an...

When a crisis hits, words aren’t enough — delivery is everything. In this episode, Athena Koutsonikolas sits down with culture strategist and crisis-leadership expert Eloiza Domingo, Founder & CEO of Eloiza Consulting and former Chief Inclusive Diversity & Equity Officer at Allstate. From mass layoffs to polarizing public issues, Eloiza explains how to decide whether to speak, who should deliver t...

Money worries don’t stay at home — they walk into work every day. In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Staffbase CMO David Burnand sits down with Peter Komolafe, bestselling author, award-winning financial coach, and Conversation of Money platform creator. Together, they explore why financial well-being is not just an HR issue but a leadership responsibility. From productivity loss to...

Join Staffbase’s David Maffei for an impactful conversation with Monne Williams, Chief Impact Officer at Handshake and former McKinsey leader. Monne breaks down what Gen Z actually wants from employers, why authenticity means many voices on video, and how to treat employer brand like your health — you already have it, so manage it. She shares a memorable Fenway Park lesson on ownership and explain...

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Brian Tomlinson is joined by Advita Patel, president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, founder of Comms Rebel, and cofounder of both A Leader Like Me and Asian Comms Network. Advita is a powerhouse in comms and an admired advocate for building confidence and inclusivity in the workplace. With her unique blend of experience in DEI stra...

What does it take to be the kind of leader the world actually needs right now? Charlotte Otter, executive coach and author of We Need New Leaders, joins Brian Tomlinson to unpack the leadership crisis we’re living through—and why outsiders often make the most impactful leaders. Drawing from her decades of experience in global tech and her Reputation 360 coaching program, Charlotte reveals why stor...

Jim Olson, a seasoned communications leader with a front-row seat to some of the most defining moments in corporate crisis history, joins Athena Koutsonikolas on the Aspire to Inspire Podcast to share the four-step crisis communications plan that has guided him through both his career in crisis comms and his fight against cancer. From negotiating with terrorists to battling tumors and losing his s...

How is the most powerful leadership skill also the most neglected — contributing to disengagement costing organizations an estimated 8.8 trillion dollars a year? In this compelling episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, globally renowned speaker and TED Talk legend Julian Treasure joins host Lottie Bazley to unpack the invisible influence of sound on our work, behavior, and communication. From...

Join Emma Fischer, Content Marketing Manager at Staffbase, as she sits down with Miri Rodriguez—CEO of Empressa AI, award-winning storyteller, and Microsoft veteran—for a moving conversation about ethical AI, women’s voices, and the power of storytelling. In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Miri breaks down how Empressa is challenging the norms of generative AI by sourcing real insights...

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, host Lottie Bazley sits down with Terry Szuplat, former senior speechwriter to President Barack Obama and bestselling author of Say It Well. They dive into the power of storytelling, the emotional impact of authenticity, and why every person—regardless of title—has a story worth telling. Terry shares behind-the-scenes White House moments, practical...

What do TED speakers, UN officials, and CEOs have in common? When they need to speak with clarity and confidence under pressure, they call Matt Abrahams. In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Matt Abrahams—Stanford lecturer, author, and host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast—joins host Athena Koutsonikolas to share practical insights into spontaneous speaking. From managing anxiet...

How can lessons from cybersecurity lead to revelations about communicating under pressure? Join Staffbase SVP & GM David Maffei as he sits down with Tom Wentworth, CMO at incident.io, to unpack the biggest challenges leaders face in modern crisis communications. In this high-stakes episode, they explore why fear is the #1 silent killer in leadership communication, how executives can own the narrat...

Join Staffbase Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he speaks with Stephanie Roberts, Chief Communications Officer at Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, to explore the evolving role of internal communications in modern organizations. Stephanie shares insights on why comms should report directly to the CEO, how to influence leadership, and why AI still can’t replace human connection. In this episo...

Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison sits down with Chequan Lewis, President of Crunch Fitness, to explore his unique journey from law to leadership. Chequan shares his core values, his belief in unlocking people’s full potential, and how a culture of inclusivity, consistency, and radical grace has shaped his leadership style. He reflects on key lessons from his time at Yum! Brands and Piz...

Join Staffbase Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he sits down with Honeywell Chief Communicator Stacey Jones to break down what it takes to lead communications at a global scale. Stacey shares how she and her team align 100,000 employees worldwide around a North Star strategy, simplify complex corporate narratives, and ensure transparency during massive transformations — including a $9B M&A journ...

Join Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison as he sits down with bestselling author and executive coach Chester Elton for a deep dive into leadership, culture, and the transformative power of gratitude. Chester shares decades of insights on why recognition and appreciation are the foundation of high-performing teams, revealing how small daily rituals—like the “10 and 10” practice—can foster...

Join Staffbase SVP & GM of the Americas David Maffei as he sits down with transformational marketing leader Norman Guadagno to explore the pivotal role communication plays in driving successful business transformations. From aligning teams across sales and marketing to embracing AI as a communication tool, Norman shares actionable strategies and lessons from his transformative work at companies li...

Join Staffbase Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he chats with Dr. David Burkus, bestselling author and one of the world’s top business thinkers, to explore what it takes to build the best team ever. With insights from his books like Best Team Ever and The Myths of Creativity, David unpacks the traits of high-performing teams, why creativity is a team sport, and how leaders can rethink traditiona...

Join Staffbase Chief Strategy Officer Frank Wolf as he sits down with Marco Andre, AI strategist and keynote speaker, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming marketing, communications, and HR. From automating repetitive tasks to enhancing creativity, Marco shares real-world examples of AI's impact across industries and offers actionable advice for leaders navigating this new landsca...

Join Staffbase Chief Marketing and Communications Officer David Burnand as he sits down with acclaimed business communications strategist and author Jenni Field. In this episode, Jenni discusses her latest book, Nobody Believes You: Become a Leader People Will Follow, diving into the key traits of credible leadership, building trust, and fostering authentic connections. Jenni shares actionable ins...

Join Staffbase Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he speaks with Andrea Pacini, author and presentation coach, about the secrets to delivering impactful presentations that inspire and drive action. In this episode, Andrea shares his expertise in crafting clear, compelling messages, using storytelling to captivate audiences, and the power of preparation in building confidence. Andrea also dives int...

In this episode of Aspire to Inspire, Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison talks with Cecilia Crossley, founder of the social enterprise From Babies with Love and host of the How HR Leaders Change the World podcast. Cecilia shares her journey of building a business that channels 100% of its profits to support orphaned and abandoned children globally. With stories that range from early chal...

Join Staffbase Senior Internal Communications Manager Lottie Bazley as she speaks with Stacey Tank, CEO of Bespoke Beauty Brands, about her varied career journey from corporate finance to redefining the beauty industry. With a background that spans GE, Heineken, and The Home Depot, Stacey shares how each pivot has shaped her approach to business transformation — with storytelling remaining a centr...

Senior Internal Communications Manager Lottie Bazley speaks with Gen Z leader Ioanna Mantzouridou Onasi, the co-founder and CEO of Dextego, an AI-powered sales coaching company. As a young, innovative CEO, Ioanna shares her journey from a passion for sustainability to founding her own startup, bridging her background in fashion and talent development with her vision for empowering sales teams thro...