Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

Town halls have become the go-to communication channel for just about everything. Strategy updates, big announcements, leadership changes, engagement survey results - if there's a message to share, chances are someone suggests holding a town hall. …are they actually working, though? In this episode, we look into why so many town halls leave employees disengaged and what communicators can do t...

Remember when SEO was the answer to everything? For years, communicators and marketers focused on keywords, backlinks and search rankings to improve visibility, but as more people turn to AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude to find information, the rules of discoverability are changing. In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore why communicators need to start thinki...

Ever noticed that one of the first questions humans learn to ask is also one of the hardest questions organisations struggle to answer: why? In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast , we explore one of the biggest challenges in change communication: making a compelling case for change that people can actually connect with. Too often, change messaging focuses on the what and the how...

If you listened to last week’s episode, you’ll know we opened up a big conversation about AI, ethics and the changing role of communication professionals with Adrian Cropley. Now, in part two, we go even deeper. This episode tackles the question so many communicators are asking right now: will AI take our jobs? Rather than offering easy reassurance, Adrian shares a practical and thought-provoking...

What does the future hold for communication professionals as AI continues to reshape the workplace? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we chat with global communication leader Adrian Cropley AM to explore one of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing communicators today. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, Adrian reflects on the major technological shifts that have transfor...

Whether it's a media interview, conference presentation, town hall meeting or leadership briefing, there comes a point in most careers when you need to speak with confidence under pressure. ... but what happens when the questions become challenging, the audience feels intimidating or the nerves start to take over? In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we chat with media tr...

This episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast has us uncovering what it means to be a communicator in an AI-driven world; plus, why the profession is entering a major period of transformation. Communicators are being challenged to rethink where their value truly lies as AI takes over the practical, often menial, tasks of our everyday. BUT! The future of communication isn’t about producing...

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we are joined by Bonnie Caver, founder and CEO of Reputation Lighthouse, to discuss why reputation should be viewed as one of the most valuable forms of business currency. We explain the difference between reputation management and reputation architecture, sharing how communicators can help leaders intentionally build trust, strengthen cult...

Communication is often seen as the solution to every problem in an organisation. Low engagement, unhappy teams, backlash to decisions and somehow, the default response is usually “let’s communicate more.” ... what if communication isn’t the fix? In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore the role of communicators as gatekeepers, and why that responsibility is critical to...

Every day, we make around 35,000 decisions, of which most of them are fast, subconscious, and driven by emotion rather than logic. So what does that mean for how we communicate change? In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we sit down with Dr. Samantha Rush, a cognitive decision-making specialist, to unpack how decisions are really made, especially in complex, high-stakes envir...

"Oh, when things settle down" - this is an almost direct quote from every business, ever.  However, do things actually ever settle down anymore? We went from COVID to mass shutdowns, fuel crises to wars... we can pretty well assume that we’re living in a time of constant disruption. Not to mention the workplace shenanigans with AI. So yes, organisations might continue to adapt, but the w...

When we think about change communication, it’s often within the walls of an organisation in things like new systems, strategies, or restructures. However, advocacy communication operates in a very different environment, where audiences are not captive, attention is limited, and influence must be earned. In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore advocacy as a form of chan...

As AI continues to reshape the communication landscape, one thing remains unchanged: the need to put humans at the centre of how we communicate. In this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we welcome back Lisa Partridge, learning designer, facilitator and founder of Six Comms, to explore what truly makes communication effective in today’s workplace. On this episode, we unpack Lisa’s Six Cs frame...

Change has always been part of working life, but right now, it feels different.  In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we speak with Janine Ellison, experienced change leader and co-founder of Rethink Change, about how the profession is evolving and what that means for those working in it. Drawing on insights from five years of Rethink Change conference data and hundreds of sub...

Internal communication has travelled a fascinating road over the past two decades  from being overlooked or undervalued, to becoming mission-critical during the COVID pandemic. But as the spotlight intensified, so did the pressure. In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcats , we're joined by Rachel Miller, founder of All Things IC, Fellow of the Institute of Internal Communicati...

For some people, standing on a stage feels like a nightmare. For others, it’s speaking up in a meeting or hearing their own voice played back that triggers discomfort. In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we're joined by Sally Prosser, voice and public speaking coach, former broadcast journalist and author of Voiceprint to chat all things public speaking. We explore the m...

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore why information alone isn’t enough to make workplace messages stick, and why storytelling is one of the most practical tools communicators and leaders can use. In a world filled with slide decks, summaries and carefully crafted emails, clarity is often prioritised above all else but while people may understand a message in the mo...

This is the grand finale of our five-part leadership series, and we’re finishing with honesty. In this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we're once again joined by Prina Shah, host of Ways to Change the Workplace, to unpack the leadership communication habits that frustrate teams and quietly erode trust. We explore the gap between broadcasting and true communication, the rise of professio...

Episode four of our five-part leadership series with Prina Shah explores one of the most critical skills modern leaders must develop: leading through change. With organisations navigating constant transformation driven by technology, shifting employee expectations, restructures and new strategies, change is now continuous and leadership has never felt more complex. In this episode, we unpack what...

In part three of our five-part Leadership Communication series, we are joined again by Prina Shah, host of Ways to Change Your Workplace and author of Make Work Meaningful, for a deep and practical conversation about tough conversations. We explore why so many of us avoid difficult discussions at work. We start with a fear of conflict and people-pleasing tendencies, and move through to the discomf...

If you work in internal communications, you’ve probably wondered: is AI coming for my job? In this thought-provoking episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we speak with futurist, author and media commentator Dan Sodergren about what artificial intelligence really means for internal communicators and why this moment represents both risk and extraordinary opportunity. Dan shares insights...

In this second episode of this five-part series on people, change and leadership, we are joined again by Prina Shah to unpack one of the most emotionally loaded topics in the workplace: giving and receiving feedback. Rather than treating feedback as a simple leadership skill, this episode explores the deeper dynamics at play. Why do leaders avoid tough conversations? Why do some people spiral when...

One of the biggest myths in leadership is that once you get the title, people will automatically listen. They won’t, and it’s not because they’re difficult or disengaged but rather, because communication doesn’t work that way. In the first episode of our brand new five-part series, we’re joined by leadership coach, author and podcast host Prina Shah to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership...

Technology change is no longer optional; it’s constant, accelerating, and deeply human. So, we’ve covered it in the final episode of the Topic in Ten five-part All Things People Change series. We chat about one of the biggest drivers of organisational change: technology. From AI-enabled tools and retiring legacy systems to rapidly shifting skill requirements, technology change is reshaping how peo...

Too often, policy and benefits changes are treated as a tick-and-flick exercise. An automated email, a system checkbox, or a vague message telling people to “go look it up” is expected to do the job. However, that approach doesn’t lead to understanding, behaviour change, or reduced risk. Which is why this short, punchy Topic in Ten episode is all about the practical ways you can communicate policy...