Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez

The Crux of the Story

Business EN ↓ 168 episodes

Hosted by one of the world's top communicators, currently SVP & Chief Communications Officer at Enbridge, the show tackles relevant and controversial topics in the field of communications that are shaping business, politics, and our lives. Prominent guests from PR, journalism, business, and academia discuss how communications can inspire, persuade, deepen one’s understanding, or move an audience - or even a nation - to action.

Author

Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez

Category

Business

Podcast website

soundcloud.com

Latest episode

May 5, 2026

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Episodes

The Crux - Anne Marie Squeo 03.10.2019

This week, Gary and Mike interview Anne Marie Squeo, SVP and Chief Communications and Brand Officer of Xerox, to discuss Xerox's transition from digital to physical

The Crux - Marc Cloosterman 25.09.2019

Marc Cloosterman, CEO of VIM Group, stops by The Crux to talk about branding with Gary and Mike.

The Crux - Tsai-Ni Ku and Katie Chiffer 19.09.2019

PRLab at Boston University is the oldest running student public relations in the agency. This week, Gary and Mike speak with PRLab's presidents Tsai-Ni Ku and Katie Chiffer about the student-run agency.

The Crux - Roger Bolton 12.09.2019

In our fifteenth episode, Mike and Gary interview Roger Bolton, the president of the Arthur W. Page Society and former senior vice president of communications at Aetna, to talk about the Page Report, titled, The CCO as Pacesetter: What It Means, Why It Matters, How to Get There.

The Crux- Eric Schnure 06.09.2019

In our fourteenth episode, Mike and Gary interview Eric Schnure, a former speech writer for Vice President Al Gore and one of Washington’s most sought-after political humor writers.

The Crux- Karen Doyne 29.08.2019

In our thirteenth episode, Mike and Gary interview Karen Doyne, a crisis PR expert who has handled situations like America's first Ebola diagnosis.

The Crux- Mitchell Zuckoff 23.08.2019

In our twelfth episode, Mike and Gary sit down with Mitchell Zuckoff, BU journalism professor and critically acclaimed author, to talk about his latest book, Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11, which was recently picked up by ABC for a limited-TV series.

The Crux- Joe Nocera 15.08.2019

In our eleventh episode, Mike and Gary talk about the role of politics in business, and interview Joe Nocera, acclaimed American business journalist and author and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion.

The Crux- Chris Graves 09.08.2019

This week on The Crux, Gary and Mike discuss hate speech and media coverage of mass shooting events, fake news, and no news. They also sit down with Chris Graves, the Founder of the Ogilvy Center for Behavioral Science, to talk about all things persuasion. On behalf of The Crux, our deepest condolences go out to the family members and loved ones of the victims of El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio....

The Crux- Craig Buchholz 25.07.2019

The Crux- Craig Buchholz by Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez

The Crux- Tina McCorkindale 12.07.2019

In the eighth episode of The Crux, Mike and Gary talk about the 250-page Apollo 11 press kit, Wayfair protests, and pay equity, and interview Tina McCorkindale, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations.

The Crux- Kyle Dropp 28.06.2019

In the seventh episode of The Crux, Mike and Gary discuss the Nudge Theory, behavioral science, and all things persuasion. Mike also sits down with Kyle Dropp, Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer of Morning Consult, to talk about the current state of survey research and disinformation.

The Crux- Karen Raskopf 20.06.2019

In episode six of The Crux, Gary and Mike bring you a caffeine-fueled interview with Karen Raskopf, the chief communications officer at Dunkin’ Brands. From branding and name changes to Enron and social blurps, one thing’s for sure-- The Crux runs on Dunkin'.

The Crux- Alex Gibney 13.06.2019

In the fifth episode of The Crux, Mike and Gary talk about some of their favorite documentaries and what makes a truly riveting story. They also sit down with Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney who shares with us what animates his own storytelling, including his latest work, The Inventor (now on HBO).

The Crux- Matt Murray pt. 2 06.06.2019

In the fourth episode of The Crux, Gary and Mike discuss capitalism, press secretary roles, and give their answer to the much-debated communication question— to be the President’s press secretary, or not to be. Plus, this episode features the second part of the interview with Matt Murray, editor of the Wall Street Journal.

The Crux- Matt Murray pt. 1 04.06.2019

In a special two-part interview series, episode 3 of The Crux takes you behind the scenes of the journalism world with Matt Murray, editor of the Wall Street Journal. Gary and Mike also discuss some litigation results against major companies, Major League Baseball, and consumer goods.

The Crux- Tom Fiedler 17.05.2019

In our first episode, Gary and Mike reflect on their first year as college professors, and interview Tom Fiedler, Pulitzer-Prize winner and Dean of BU’s College of Communication.

The Crux- Becky Edwards 13.05.2019

In this episode, Gary and Mike discuss the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal, Boeing's 737 Max crisis, Facebook's shift to privacy, and interview Becky Edwards, CCO at Schneider Electric.

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