HearSay: Lessons in Effective Communication & Messaging

The Super Bowl  isn't   just about football — it's  about messaging. For 30 seconds, brands spend millions trying to connect with millions of viewers. But not all of them  succeed .     In this annual episode, one of our most popular every year, our partners break down the messaging behind this year's most talked-about commercials. What made some ads resonate so powerfully that people  can't  stop...

The rules have changed. Food and beverage brands that market artificial ingredients used to have  breathing  room. Not anymore. With MAHA gaining real momentum in Washington, the conversation around "healthy," artificial additives, and what we put in our bodies has become impossible to ignore—and  it's  moving fast.   If  you're  a communications or business leader,  you're  already feeling  the p...

This year's language  didn't  just describe the world—it reshaped it. In  this episode of  HearSay , an annual favorite,  we   recap and analyze  the most memorable language moments of 2025, across politics, culture, and business.   It's a fast, fun  look at  the  language  that  moved audiences  this year ,   f rom big, bold  language shifts ( Gulf of America )  and unforgettable political  phras...

It's no secret that America's trust in vaccines is declining, fast. Childhood vaccination rates are dropping, and nearly one in three Americans now questions what used to be a no-brainer . T hen there's the "Make America Healthy Again" movement . O nce dismissed as fringe, it's become a rapidly growing force reshaping the national conversation.   If you're a communicator or business leader, you're...

We all feel it: anger, frustration, the sense that something fundamental is broken. People aren't just upset today. T hey believe the system is rigged against them. They don't just doubt companies, they expect to be taken advantage of. That's the reality we face today. The rules of engagement have changed. And it ' s vital for companies to start rethink ing how they engage with consumers in the wo...

Do you ever feel like you're shouting into a hurricane… hoping your message lands, but knowing it might get lost in the storm? Today, one misstep in communication can cost you trust, customers, and credibility. The stakes have never been higher, and the noise has never been louder.  Whether you're navigating the unknowns of AI, political upheaval, or global market shocks, the difference between ch...

Every day, in boardrooms, break rooms, and across the internet, people are shaping their own version of your company's story—whether it's accurate or not. Here's the hard truth: If you don't own your narrative, someone else will. And when that happens, you can lose control—not just of your story, but of your brand, your reputation, and your future.     On this episode of HearSay, we dive into a cr...

In case you haven't noticed, people are angry. And not just at politics, but at corporations. It's an anger that runs deep, based on a strong perception and a primal feeling of unfairness. As a result, the rules of engagement have changed, and what worked yesterday may not work today. In this episode of Hearsay, CEO of OPRG, Chris Foster, joins Michael Maslansky and Lee Carter to share highlights...

In this episode of Hearsay , Lee Carter is joined by partners Keith Yazmir and Katie Cronen to unpack why communicating effectively—especially in industries like pharma—is harder than ever. In a world fueled by mistrust, audiences are no longer asking, "Are you doing good?" but rather, "Are you being fair?" The team explores how fairness, not goodness, is now the key to resonating with audiences,...

In this episode, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and special guest Michelle Mahony from Daggerwing, dive into the evolving role of language in business, with a special focus on internal communications and DEI. As companies face external pressures and shifting political climates, how do they navigate the tension between staying true to their values and adjusting their language? They explore the real...

In this episode, CEO of Maslansky + Partners, Michael Maslansky, and President and Partner Lee Carter discuss the challenges businesses face in realigning their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies following recent executive orders from the new administration. With companies grappling to find a balance between adhering to their DEI commitments and navigating external pressures from po...

In this episode, Michael Maslansky and Lee Carter tackle a pressing question for businesses and trade groups: Should they publicly speak out on tariffs, or is silence the smarter move? And if they do want to engage, how should they do it? We explore the risks and rewards of making a statement, the challenge of breaking through public skepticism, and the evolving strategies needed to shape the conv...

Dive into the latest episode of HearSay, where Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and Ben Feller serve up a no-holds-barred analysis of the Super Bowl ads—because if there's one thing we love discussing more than touchdowns, it's bold messaging!  Did brands play it too safe, or did they hit that sweet spot of emotional resonance we're all craving—(even if the game itself was lacking)? The crew takes a...

Welcome back to a new season of HearSay! In this episode, CEO Michael Maslansky and President and Partner, Lee Carter delve into the complexities of communication strategies under the Trump administration. With public trust at an all-time low, companies must redefine their messaging to connect authentically with audiences, avoid becoming targets of political and social backlash, and stay aligned w...

In our final episode of the season, we dive into the language moments that defined politics, culture, and business in 2024. From groundbreaking political quotes to cultural catchphrases and impactful business language, we explore not only what was said but what it means for the future. Join us for an engaging discussion on the implications of these language moments and what they might signal for 2...

Equity, access, and impact are terms often used but seldom fully understood or effectively communicated within the healthcare sector. In this episode of HearSay , President and Partner Lee Carter, Senior Vice President Maria Boos, and guest Rajni Samavedam , CEO of Rabin Martin, delve into why it's important to go beyond corporate social responsibility, how to measure impact without the numbers, a...

It's been one of the most unconventional and consequential presidential elections in American history. Amid the confusion, division, and turbulence, we spotted some valuable insights and important takeaways . This special live episode of HearSay  will help you make sense of the outcome so you can thrive in these post-election days , with lessons from both sides that you can leverage for your own w...

In this episode of HearSay, Partners Michael Maslansky, Lee Hartley Carter, and Katie Cronen navigate the complex terrain of "bad facts" in messaging—a topic that is as timely as it is uncomfortable. In a landscape fraught with political controversies like Biden's age and corporate scandals such as skyrocketing pharmaceutical prices, denial is simply not an option. Instead, our hosts unpack a tran...

You've got a breakthrough innovation that is much better than what's come before – why is it so hard to sell it? In this episode, CEO Michael Maslansky, Partner Keith Yazmir, and Senior Vice President Will Howard dissect the challenges of selling innovation whether you are selling enterprise technology, a new investment product, or plant-based meat. They discuss language tactics for conveying the...

In this episode, CEO Michael Maslansky, and Partners Lee Carter and Katie Cronen delve into the pharmaceutical industry's enduring reputation struggles, tracing their origins back to pre-pandemic times and exploring the transformative impact of COVID-19. Through insightful discussions and case studies, they'll propose strategies for reshaping the industry's narrative, emphasizing the importance of...

In this new episode of HearSay, Lee Carter and Ben Feller look at what the two presidential candidates are saying, what's important about it – and what people should be listening for in the political months ahead.  Now that President Biden and Former President Trump are officially set for a rematch, Lee and Ben will analyze their contrasting approaches to how they frame issues like the economy, th...

Corporations think they know what they need to say but they can never say it when it comes to responsiveness, and empathy, but what is happening behind the scenes causing these crisis situations and what could they have said differently? In this episode of Hearsay, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and Ben Feller explore different moments of crisis and share their insights on what the challenges of c...

Join Lee Carter, Keith Yazmir, and Will Howard in this special episode of HearSay as they delve into the world of Super Bowl ads. They'll debate which ads truly stood out, not just in terms of popularity but in their messaging impact. From breaking down language to assessing brand impact, this episode explores the ads that left a lasting impression on viewers during the biggest advertising night o...

Once something goes wrong, it's easy to criticize the message a company uses to respond. But it's much harder to figure out what they should have said instead. In this episode of Hearsay, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and Will Howard dive into the wrongs, the rights, and how Boeing's language will matter in the weeks and months ahead.

    What's so hard about doing the right thing? In today's environment, it's often met with skepticism.  So how do you take an organization with a noble cause:  like educating the world's youth and ending the global education crisis and get people to both care and act about it? In today's show, we'll talk through the process we go through in framing an organization's mission and impact in a way th...