Powerful Communication Podcast

Do your human, empathetic PR statements keep getting "killed" by the legal team? In this episode of the Powerful Communication Podcast, Colin Kelly discusses how to bridge the gap between communications and legal departments to avoid looking cold and corporate. We explore the fundamental tension between legal risk—the lawyer's domain—and reputational survival, which is the priority of the PR profe...

Do you find yourself waiting for the world to settle down so you can finally focus on your work? In this episode, we challenge the idea that "normal" is something we can ever return to, arguing instead that the concept of a "calm normality" is a myth. Whether you are running a business or working in the fast-paced field of professional communication, change isn't just an obstacle, it is the job. W...

Does the language we speak limit the way we feel? In this episode, inspired by a conversation with Lynn Campbell of the Scottish Mushroom Podcast, we dive into the "human lexicon" and explore why having specific words for our experiences is vital for society. We examine the richness of the Scots language, from the cozy warmth of "coorie" to the depressing gloom of a "driech" day, and compare them...

What is "scripted reality" in the world of public relations? In this episode, Colin Kelly explains how blending planned objectives with an essential element of spontaneity can lead to massive returns for your brand or project. We take a deep dive into a powerful case study featuring Damian Young (@Damizza) on Instagram. By showing up every day for three years with short, value-heavy videos, Young...

In this episode, we explore a bold prediction that the UK will implement a total social media ban for adults within the next 5 to 10 years. As advanced Western democracies shift their focus toward the role of the state as a protector responsible for "keeping people safe," we examine how current restrictions on under-16s might evolve into a government-run, nationalised digital service. We discuss t...

This podcast highlights a concerning gap between the growing need for workplace upskilling and the decline of corporate training budgets . Recent data suggests that employer-funded education has hit a decade-long low, even as the rise of artificial intelligence threatens to displace mid-career professionals. To address this mismatch, the agency  Comsteria is offering a series of accessible summer...

Do you start your presentations by apologizing for a lingering cold, messy slides, or a lack of preparation?   While you might think you are just being humble and self-deprecating to avoid criticism, your audience likely perceives it as arrogance or vanity.   In this episode, we dive deep into a crucial presentation skills lesson: why getting your excuses and disclaimers in early actually damages...

In this episode of the Powerful Communication Podcast, host Colin Kelly from Comsteria unpacks the vital differences between effective leadership and damaging defensiveness. While former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was highly praised for her empathetic and clear communication during the COVID-19 lockdown, her reaction to questions regarding the SNP's finances in August 2021 highlights a critica...

Learn why straightforward, factual headlines always outperform clever puns for SEO, AI chatbots, and press releases. Discover how to write clear, "does what it says on the tin" titles that appeal to journalists, and find out why the LinkedIn News feed is the perfect place to study them. Plus, join Comsteria's Summer of Training for upcoming open courses on AI for small businesses, podcasting, stor...

About This Episode: What does it truly take to build a successful communications team or improve your business reputation? In this episode of the Powerful Communication podcast, Colin Kelly explores the mindset of winning by looking at the 15-year era of almost total dominance by Celtic Football Club. Whether you are navigating a corporate landscape, handling PR, or managing crisis comms, the psyc...

Are you replacing your workforce with Artificial Intelligence to save a few pounds? It might actually be the quickest way to kill your business. In this episode, we break down the fatal 30-second cycle companies are blindly walking into: adopting AI, achieving early success, and allowing spreadsheet-focused management to eliminate human roles in the name of "efficiency savings." But a massive hidd...

In this episode of the Powerful Communication Podcast from Comsteria, professional media trainer Colin Kelly breaks down the communication styles and debate performances of the politicians on the May 21st edition of BBC Question Time in Dumfries.   Tune in for an expert analysis of the panel's rhetoric, body language, and audience connection:   The Fall of the Big Two: Discover why Labour's Kirsty...

In this episode, we analyse what I consider to be the recent crisis communication missteps by the CEO of Channel 4 following serious allegations surrounding the reality television show Married at First Sight. We translate these real-world PR mistakes into actionable leadership lessons for your organisation. Listeners will learn why leaders must face journalists with honesty and empathy rather than...

In this episode, Comsteria's media trainer Colin Kelly addresses one of the most common concerns raised during our sessions as a media training and presentation skills training provider: what to do when you are asked a question during a media interview and you genuinely don't know the answer. We explain why "busking it" or faking a response is never the right approach, as audiences can tell and it...

In this episode of the Powerful Communication Podcast, Colin Kelly from Comsteria dives deep into the fascinating world of costly signaling theory and the controversial small penis rule. This communication theory suggests that when a public figure admits a devastatingly uncomfortable truth, the public automatically assumes they are being honest about everything else. From Donald Trump and Boris Jo...

In this short and powerful episode, host Colin Kelly from Comsteria shares a personal story from his vocal coaching sessions to reveal a crucial lesson in leadership and self-development.     Discover why we sometimes fail to hit the high notes during routine "warm-ups" but manage to reach them when we are "up on the tight rope" of an actual performance. Colin explores how stepping out of your com...

Are you tired of just getting through your presentations and thinking, "Thank God that's over"? In this episode, we share a much better way to speak in public, whether you are chatting in a small team briefing or presenting on a massive conference stage. We dive into Comsteria Limited's signature "Purpose, Audience, Message" method to help you turn presentation panic into a genuine glow and sense...

Think you don't need media training just because you want to keep journalists at arm's length? Think again. In this episode, we break down why media training remains a crucial investment for senior professionals, politicians, and business leaders, even if you never plan on doing a traditional TV, radio, or newspaper interview. We explore two hidden realities of the modern professional landscape.  ...

This guide from Comsteria provides essential advice for high-profile individuals on how to handle difficult media inquiries without resorting to dishonesty. Media trainer Colin Kelly argues that claiming an inability to comment is often a transparent lie that makes a speaker look defensive and invites further aggressive questioning. Instead, Colin advocates for total candour , suggesting that prof...

Colin Kelly of the communications firm Comsteria expresses deep gratitude for his company's recent growth and credits their success to a client-focused philosophy that prioritizes value over profit.  The core of his message encourages organizations to look beyond traditional corporate writing by harnessing the creative hobbies of their employees, such as music, fiction writing or animation. Kelly...

In this podcast, Colin Kelly highlights trading card games like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering as undervalued media assets with immense marketing potential. He compares the current independent media surrounding these games to the underground football fanzines of the 1990s, which allowed brands like Oasis to reach dedicated audiences at a fraction of typical costs. Kelly argues that because thes...

In this podcast Colin Kelly highlights how personalized touches and unexpected generosity can significantly strengthen the bond between e-commerce businesses and their customers. He shares a story about receiving a hand-written note and a small gift with an online order, suggesting that such gestures of goodwill c reate advocacy even if they do not lead to immediate repeat sales. Kelly also encour...

In an ultra competitive environment, don't get your friends to run your media training and crisis comms. It's absoltuely essential you get an insight into what people are saying about you. What assumptions the media are making about you and what stories they are looking to tell. A sympathetic outsider will be worth their weight in gold. Someone who isn't afraid to spell out how it is and then help...

This podcast episode from the Powerful Communication Podcast features Colin Kelly emphasizing the critical need for individuals to exercise their influence rather than deferring action until they achieve perceived success. Kelly illustrates this principle using the recent example of musician  Olivia Dean , who used her platform to successfully challenge major corporations over exorbitant secondary...