PR After Hours with Alex Greenwood

After nearly six years and 341 episodes, PR After Hours comes to a close. In this final regular episode, host Alex Greenwood reflects on the life of the show, what it set out to do, and why it’s time to set this chapter down with intention. Launched in January 2020, PR After Hours was a place for plainspoken conversations about work, leadership, communication, and the realities of professional lif...

Every organization runs on an invisible subsidy. It isn’t a budget line or a job title. It’s the quiet labor of the people who catch mistakes before they become crises, anticipate needs before they’re spoken, and hold systems together without recognition. In this solo episode, Alex Greenwood reads his essay “The Competency Tax: Why the Most Capable Often Pay More,” Part Three of his Radical Compet...

Alex discusses the frustrations of copyright issues faced by podcasters, particularly with Spotify, and transitions into a deeper exploration of 'rage bait'—a tactic used to provoke strong emotional reactions online. He explains how rage bait operates, its implications for organizations, and the importance of strategic silence in response to provocations. You could say this episode is ALL...

This episode of PR After Hours is all about storytelling, not the soft, hand-wavy kind, but the kind that actually works. My guest is Tom Mulligan , longtime PR After Hours favorite and a sharp thinker on how stories drive persuasion, especially in sales, marketing, and leadership. We dig into what it really means to flip the script when you’re trying to engage an audience, whether that audience i...

In this episode, Alex Greenwood reflects on the successes of the PR After Hours podcast, sharing insights from Spotify's 2025 Wrapped for Creators. He discusses significant audience growth, engagement metrics, and the top episodes of the year. As the podcast approaches a hiatus, Alex expresses gratitude to listeners and shares personal updates, including his plans for the future and the import...

America has long been the place where big ideas take root. Now we may be watching that advantage slip through our fingers. This week, we get into the growing brain drain hitting U.S. universities and research labs. Scientists are weighing whether to stay or leave, and they’re not doing it quietly. Political meddling, unstable funding and a rising sense that the work just isn’t valued here anymore...

Most of us tear through books like we are trying to win a race, then wonder why none of it sticks. In this episode, Alex breaks down how to read with intention so the ideas actually stay with you. He shares practical steps to preview a book, read actively, mark what matters, and revisit ideas before they fade. He also talks about his own shift from fiction to nonfiction, influenced by writers like...

After five years and more than  330 episodes , we’ll soon be closing the “virtual lounge,” aka   PR After Hours . Click here to learn more or contact Alex.

In this episode of PR After Hours , host Alex Greenwood discusses the 'solo contributor trap,' where top performers are promoted into management roles for which they are unprepared. He explores the implications of this phenomenon, including the costs to organizations and the lack of alternative career paths for individual contributors. The conversation emphasizes the need for better suppor...

Alex talks with his brother, Chief (ret.) Clint Greenwood, about the distinctive mindset of first responders—their worldview shaped by crisis, camaraderie, and an often dark sense of humor. Together, they explore how leaders and communicators can better understand and work with emergency professionals by earning their trust before a crisis hits. The discussion offers practical insights on: ​Buildi...

Are you drowning in “to-dos” that don’t actually move the needle? In this episode, Alex Greenwood breaks down how the 80/20 rule—P areto’s Principle —can rescue PR pros from busywork hell. Learn why most press releases, vanity rankings, and ribbon cuttings belong in the bottom 80%, and how to focus on the few efforts that truly build trust, awareness, and credibility. 🎧 Listen and discover why do...

Alex Greenwood reflects on his journey with the   PR After Hours   podcast, sharing insights from his five-year experience, and shares an important announcement for fans and friends of the show. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO. 📬 Subscribe & Share:  If this episode struck a nerve—or made you rethink your last campaign—share it with a colleague. And don’t forget to subscribe to  ⁠⁠⁠⁠ PR After Ho...

Ever spent hours “perfecting” a press release only to end up with lifeless copy nobody remembers? In this episode, Alex Greenwood breaks down The Law of Diminishing Returns in PR —and why chasing perfection often burns more time than it buys credibility. Learn why your seventh edit adds nothing, how committees kill quotes, and when “good enough” is actually great. 💡 Perfectionism is polishing the...

We’re back with a new season—and we’re opening strong. Alex sits down once again with Marc C. Whitt , one of the most respected voices in public relations, to dig into his brand-new book Takeaways: Ideas, Strategies, and Encouragement for the Nonprofit Public Relations Professional. Marc doesn’t just talk tactics—he unpacks what it means to treat PR as a calling, not just a job. From navigating et...

On Sept 18, 2025 we’re back for SEASON 12, and we’re starting strong: Marc Whitt joins us to talk about his brand-new book TAKEAWAYS. If you’re in nonprofit #PR , this one’s for you: real-world insights, hard-earned lessons, and a few stories that will make you rethink how you do the work. Don’t miss the premiere Thursday, Sept. 18. Hit play, take notes, and get ready to sharpen your game. Get it...

In the Season 11 finale of "PR After Hours," host Alex Greenwood shares personal insights and reflections on the show's journey, shaped by listener feedback. Tune in to discover how personal stories and listener engagement are driving the evolution of the show, and what exciting changes are on the horizon. Don't miss this candid look behind the scenes of "PR After Hours.&quo...

In this episode, Alex sits down with Hernan Tagliani—bestselling author, multicultural marketing expert, and president of Tagliani Multicultural —to unpack why so many companies are missing one of the biggest growth opportunities of our time: engaging multicultural consumers, particularly the U.S. Hispanic market. With nearly 20 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, Hernan shares the...

What do you do when your CEO and Chief People Officer get caught canoodling— sans spouses —on a Coldplay kiss cam? If you’re Astronomer, apparently you hire Gwyneth Paltrow to crack a few jokes and hope everyone forgets . It probably didn’t work. In this episode of PR After Hours , Alex breaks down how a non-oppositional crisis can become an oppositional one overnight—all thanks to a tone-deaf att...

Host J. Alex Greenwood explores one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) aspects of successful branding and communications: emotional triggers. Why do smart people make seemingly irrational buying decisions? Why do some campaigns stick and others fizzle? The answer lies in psychology, not product specs. From Nike to Coca-Cola to your last impulse buy, this episode unpacks how emotion—not log...

Sleep: not the poetic kind. Not the eternal kind. Just the plain, essential, sanity-saving kind. In this reflective solo episode, host Alex Greenwood explores how his relationship with sleep has changed over the years—and why it may be time for you to reconsider yours, too. From the overcaffeinated glory days of hustle culture to choosing an 8 p.m. bedtime over Netflix, this episode examines what...

Ever been told to "own" a project but given no team, no budget, and zero authority? You’re not alone. Alex unpacks the all-too-common workplace trap of the invisible mandate —where professionals are tasked with major goals but left powerless to execute them. 🔥 Topics covered: Why “responsibility without authority” is quietly wrecking teams What happened when a friend was asked to lead without too...

Alex Greenwood sits down with certified executive coach and PR veteran Katie Neal to tackle one of the PR world’s dirtiest secrets: burnout. What makes PR a perfect storm for overwork and perfectionism? How do you tell “normal busy” from “I-can’t-get-out-of-bed” exhaustion? Katie breaks it down with empathy and no-nonsense advice. In this episode you’ll learn: The Burnout Spectrum: From mild fatig...

Alex shares a candid take on the risks behind the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm. Inspired by a recent LinkedIn post and his appearance on the Moneywise for Teens podcast, Alex breaks down why these easy credit options aren’t always as harmless as they seem—especially for younger consumers. Learn how BNPL can lead to overspending, credit pitfalls, and...

After 14 years of running his own shop, Alex reflects on the real difference between being an entrepreneur and being entrepreneurial. Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of metaphorical tap dancing, missed vacations, and a few no-call no-shows. Alex takes an honest, no-BS look at the pride, burnout, and lessons learned from life as a one-man PR agency. If you’ve ever juggled client crises, built a br...

Hey friends—can you do me a quick favor? I’m running a short survey to get your take on my podcasts and  All the Fits That's News  newsletter. It only takes about 2 minutes, and your feedback will help shape what comes next. Whether you're a regular listener or just pop in occasionally, I’d really value your input. Bonus: you can enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card just for participating. The surv...