Attention Shift

Ryanair’s bold, irreverent social media presence didn’t happen by accident; it was the product of a clear strategy rooted in the airline’s DNA and culture. In this episode, Michael Corcoran, former Head of Social Media at Ryanair and now founder of Slice, shares how he turned what many considered “shitposting” into a disciplined framework for brand building. Michael takes us inside the process of...

In this episode, we talk to Nick Shapiro about how the lessons he learned in the Situation Room, where seconds and precise context can shape history, now guide the way he helps leaders and companies navigate today’s most pressing crises. From managing high-stakes decisions at the CIA to serving as national security spokesperson for President Obama in the White House, he learned the importance of a...

We talked to Admiral John Kirby—former Pentagon Press Secretary, State Department Spokesperson, and Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House—about what it takes to communicate clearly and credibly when the stakes couldn’t be higher. Admiral Kirby shared his unusual entry into the field of communications, why curiosity and humility shaped his decades-long career, and how he learned t...

We talked to Andrew Blotky about how internal communication has evolved—and why it’s no longer just a function that supports the business, but a core part of how organizations lead. Drawing from his time at Facebook, and Johnson & Johnson Andrew shared how effective internal communication builds trust, reinforces culture, and helps teams navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. We expl...

This episode is a must-listen for communications pros navigating fractured media, AI uncertainty, and the tension between structure and spontaneity. We talked to Anna Soellner , former Head of Communications at Reddit, about what it takes to shape the reputation of one of the most complex communities on the internet—especially during the messy, pivotal moments of growth, scrutiny, and IPO. When An...

How do you stand out in a world where every meeting, memo, and message sounds exactly the same? In this episode, we talked to Bill McGowan, veteran media trainer and author of Speak Memorably , about how professionals at every level can communicate with more clarity, distinction, and impact—especially in the workplace. Bill broke down why business communication has become so numbing and forgettabl...

What happens when a journalist ditches the newsroom and builds one of Substack’s most influential publications from scratch? In this episode, we talked to Eric Newcomer—former Bloomberg reporter and founder of Newcomer —about going independent, building trust in the chaos of modern media, and what it means to be both the reporter and the brand. Eric opened up about his transition from legacy media...

Is there really a difference between political communication and corporate communication? We found out in our conversation with Josh Earnest, former White House Press Secretary and now VP of Communications and Advertising at United Airlines. Josh told us what it’s like to steer a major brand’s reputation in both political and corporate arenas. He took us behind the scenes of United’s bold decision...

What do you do when your CEO doesn’t “get” marketing—or worse, thinks they already do? In this episode, we talked to Shannon Brayton, former CMO at LinkedIn and senior comms leader at Bessemer Venture Partners, about the high-wire act of educating power players on the value of marketing and communications. Shannon shared how she’s earned the trust of executives like Jeff Weiner by learning their c...

What happens when a generation grows up with AI as a daily companion—and the rest of us are still catching up? In this episode, we sit down with New York Times journalist and podcaster Kevin Roose to unpack how artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we work, learn, and connect. From teens using AI to write essays or talk through their emotions, to companies quietly integrating it...

What does it take to make the bold switch from a successful career in comms to venture investing? We sit down with Ashley Mayer to find out why and how she made her career transition. We talk about those early Twitter days—when social media was still uncharted territory—and how Ashley helped her then-CEO build a voice online while simultaneously growing her own presence. She even revisits that unf...

What does it take to write words that move a nation—and still feel deeply personal? We sit down with Cody Keenan, former chief speechwriter for President Barack Obama, to pull back the curtain on the craft of writing speeches that don’t just inform, but inspire. From Obama’s electrifying 2004 DNC address to poignant eulogies and everyday policy remarks, we explore how structure, storytelling, and...

Hosts Allison Braley and Sean Garrett welcome you to Attention Shift, the podcast about communications and connection, where they discuss what gets our attention and why. With industry expert interviews, in-depth explorations of how we communicate and grab focus, and investigation into what we really care about, Attention Shift keeps us on track in the shifting sands of attention.   — Contact Alli...