CAPIO Chirp

Join us for Episode 31 where we hear from CAPIO members Sarah Kreig (Town of Apple Valley) and Tom Christensen (County of San Diego) as they talk about what makes a good presentation for the CAPIO Annual Conference. Learn how to capture the crowd's attention and provide insightful take-aways for your fellow PIOs. WATCH EPISODE ON YOUTUBE HERE

In this episode, Emily Popek, APR, VP of Strategic Communications for Nichols Strategies, discusses the importance of web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) for government agencies, the deadlines for compliance, and practical steps for implementation. As accessibility becomes a priority, it’s time for public information professionals to embrace these changes and lead the way in creating inclu...

Ready to transform your LinkedIn game? In our latest CHIRP episode, we dive into how public communicators are shifting their strategies on LinkedIn from an afterthought to a strategic asset. Listen as Chris Gray Garcia and Eric Palmer share their insights on creating valuable content that resonates with different audiences—from employees to community influencers. Why does this matter? It’s time to...

The countdown is on! ⏳ The annual CAPIO Conference returns the week of May 11 in San Diego! Are you ready to make some waves? In this episode of the CAPIO Chirp, we preview what’s ahead in conversation with CAPIO President-Elect Sonja Dosti, APR. Conference highlights include sessions on AI, social media, emergency response, media relations, and building public trust. Plus networking opportunitie...

In the latest segment, we're diving into what it’s REALLY like to be a government PIO in the fire service. 🚒💬 Learn how a former TV reporter and social media influencer use their backgrounds to help create award winning fire communications content. Every day is different: from posting alerts on working fires to educating the public about illegal fireworks, highlighting “What’s for Lunch” at the...

AI is evolving fast and it’s changing how PIO’s communicate every day. In this episode, we chat with  Chris Shepard , Communications Officer for the  City of Folsom , about how best to harness the power of advanced AI tools. Chris explains how to use platforms like  ChatGPT ,  Google Gemini , and  Claude  to save time, spark ideas, and strengthen your messaging. Whether you’re experimenting with A...

Award season is here and it’s time to celebrate excellence in public communication! In this special episode, we dive into CAPIO’s prestigious  Special Awards , recognizing the individuals shaping the future of public communication, through leadership, innovation, and service. We sit down with last year’s honorees, including the  Communicator of the Year, Crisis Communications Leader, Rising Star, ...

Award season is here and it’s time to celebrate excellence in public communication! In this special episode, we dive into CAPIO’s prestigious  Special Awards , recognizing the individuals shaping the future of public communication, through leadership, innovation, and service. We sit down with last year’s honorees, including the  Communicator of the Year, Crisis Communications Leader, Rising Star, ...

Did you know that more than half of today’s Public Information Officers started their careers as journalists? In this episode, we sit down with three CAPIO members who made the leap from reporting the news to shaping it in the PIO world. They share candid stories about their transition, the skills they carried over, and how this growing trend could pave the way for future PIOs.

When the unthinkable happens, leadership and preparation are everything. Join our conversation with Dustin Sternbeck, current Chief Communications Officer for the City of Denton, Texas, as he reflects on directing communications for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department during the January 6 Capitol riot. Hear powerful lessons on documentation, teamwork, and staying composed when every decision c...

Are you being  authentic  — or just playing the part? This week on the  CAPIO Chirp , we dive deep into what it  really  means to be authentic as a public information officer. Join us as we chat with  Dr. Chris Hopwood , personality psychology expert from the University of Zurich, to explore: ✅ What authenticity actually is (and isn’t) ✅ How it shows up — and why it matters — in public communica...

As government communicators, we spend a lot of our time making sure residents in our cities, counties, and districts are informed about important information, especially in times of emergency. This public messaging is key, and we’re often the first ones to know and are responsible for getting word out the right way. But what do you do when it happens to you? In this episode, Chino Hills Community...

Holding a meeting is more than logistics, it's about how you prepare. There is much to consider, whether you are having a town hall to discuss a significant capital project or a planning session with a half-dozen stakeholders. How have you prepared yourself and your team mentally and emotionally? What are your goals? What are the needs and goals of your community? On this episode of The Chirp, we...

AI is here to stay. How can government communicators optimize the use of this new tool in their toolbelt? Listen in on this conversation between AI expert Josh Hirsch, CAPIO 2025 Conference Keynote speaker and CAPIO podcast hosts Paul Hosley and Lael Wageneck, APR about how AI can be used in the government comms sector. How can you maximize your use of this tool for sentiment analysis or as a base...

Enjoy learning more about three women’s professional journeys from PIO to entrepreneur during this CAPIO Chirp.  CAPIO's podcast hosts interview Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR, CEO and Founder of RMG Communications; Jenny Windle, President and Founder of JPW Communications; and Sheri Benninghoven, APR, Principal, SAE Communications.  Hear about their adventures and tips for success in business from thes...

Join us to hear incoming CAPIO president, Brie Anne Coleman, APR, talk about how to make the most of your time at the CAPIO Conference being held April 1-4 in Napa, California.

In this special edition of the CAPIO Chirp podcast, Chloe Castillo, a Deputy Public Information Officer for CalFire, takes us behind the scenes of the Joint Information Center (JIC) during the Palisades Fire. From managing international media attention to balancing the multilingual and localized communication needs of the community, Chloe shares invaluable insights for communicators tackling the c...

During this episode our podcast hosts interview CAPIO's 2024 Special Award Winners. Each year CAPIO honors several individuals with distinctions including our Communicator of the Year, Rising Star, Crisis Communications Leader and Paul B. Clark awards. These awards recognize individuals who have had a distinctive impact at their agency or in government communications state-wide. We begin this inte...

In this episode, we find out what it’s like to work for the government...the BIG government. Chris Meagher, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, discusses how he went from writing about sports to a position on the big stage working for the Pentagon and the White House.

In this episode of the CAPIO Chirp, we explore the growing trend of First Amendment audits and their impact on local government agencies. Ashley Metzger (1:35), consultant with Regional Government Services, shares her personal insight of audits and offers practical tips on preparation as a former water agency communicator. Next up attorney Deborah Fox (19:40), one of California’s foremost experts...

For this CAPIO Chirp, we are excited to interview Thomas Christensen, CAPIO's incoming president, about all things conference! Enjoy a sneak preview of what is in store for attendees at our May 13 - 16, 2024 event being held in Indian Wells – it's where the desert landscape becomes the backdrop for your professional recharge. 

In this episode, Scotty and Paul talk with two outstanding communicators, DeDe Cordell, Communications Manager for Yuba Water Agency, and Dan Fenstermaker, Media Services Specialist at the City of Brea. They share some awesome ways to give love and show support to their staff and creatively highlight the dedicated people and roles of their government agencies. 00:00 – 00:50 Intro, featuring a mess...

So what does it take to become Communicator of the Year? We find out from ⁠Wendy Aguilar⁠ with the Sacramento Fire Department, who received one of CAPIO’s highest honors at the recent conference in Monterey. Hint: be open to crazy ideas Link: Sacramento Fire Department TikTok In this episode, you’ll hear: A snippet of Wendy’s acceptance speech (1:14) Who is Wendy Aguilar? (2:27) Where did she put...

In this episode we delve into the fascinating intersection of artificial intelligence and public information: is AI a friend or is it a foe? This episode features three interviews with experts in the field who will share their insights on various aspects of this topic. Host Paul is joined by guest co-host Ericka Diaz, Media Analyst for the City of Agoura Hills, for this fascinating discussion on a...

Did you know that podcast listening has grown by almost 30 percent in the past three years? And with that growth comes an opportunity for public agencies to better engage with their communities. But what does it take to develop a government podcast and how do you attract listeners? In this episode of CAPIO Chirp, we talk with the City of Agoura Hills and the Cucamonga Valley Water District about w...