The IABC EMENA Podcast

In this special podcast marking the end of the 2025/26 board year, Leo McCauley, Director of the Communications Portfolio for IABC EMENA, sits down with EMENA Chair Simon Cavendish and Vice Chair Kathryn Kneller to discuss the recent IABC World Conference in Toronto, key moments from the past 12 months, and strategic goals for the coming 2026/27 board year.

Internal communication expert and IABC EMENA Chair Simon Cavendish joins host Chared Verschuur to unpack what it really means to lead through change. From trust and transparency to the IKEA effect, we explore why internal comms is central to transformation and how to make it human, practical, and effective. Whether you're navigating system rollouts, culture shifts, or organisational upheaval, this...

What’s your story and who’s telling it? In this episode of the IABC EMENA podcast, host Chared Verschuur speaks with Lucy Eckley, storytelling expert and founder of The Leading Story, about how communication professionals can move from amplifying others to owning their own narrative. Lucy shares her five-part framework for crafting a compelling personal brand story, reflects on the role of storyte...

What does gardening have to do with internal communication? A lot, according to Tony Stewart. In this episode, we explore how internal communities—when cultivated with intention—can spark transformation from the inside out. From digital “gardens” that bridge silos to quiet revolutions that challenge the status quo, Tony shares practical wisdom and real-world examples on why internal community mana...

Human leadership and communication coach Chaya Mistry joins Chared Verschuur to explore regenerative leadership—what it is, why it matters, and how communicators can drive real transformation by creating space for reflection, connection, and change.

How do the words we use shape our workplaces and societies? In our latest IABC EMENA Podcast episode, Dr. Claudia Gross shares her expertise on green words—language that fosters inclusion, collaboration, and positive action. If you're a communicator or leader looking to refine your messaging and make language more impactful, this episode is for you.

The IABC EMENA Podcast enters an exciting new chapter! In this special handover episode, longtime host Monique Zytnik passes the mic to the new host, Chared Verschuur. Tune in to hear: ✅ Chared’s inspiring journey from journalism in the Philippines to inclusive leadership & communication consultancy in Europe. ✅ Her insights on belonging at work, featuring the ACES framework (Authenticity, Care,...

Find out what is important in building a strong global communication team with Christopher Wade. In this podcast hosted by Monique Zytnik, we delve into how his team works and what is important for a team to be successful. Christopher Wade is the VP of Internal & Employee Engagement Communications at Fresenius Medical Care. He is a bilingual, C-suite comms professional with 20+ years' experience i...

Dialing in from New York City, our next guest is Pinaki Kathiari, a podcast host and CEO of Local Wisdom, a digital communication agency. With a focus on internal communication and technology, this is a great conversation that will inspire you. Pinaki is a fellow IABC member and is currently the Vice President of Professional Development for the IABC New York Tristate Area Chapter.

Welcome to the International Association of Business Communicators EMENA region podcast, this is Gary Hernandez. I am a long-time IABC member, an ABC, and a Director on the EMENA Region board. It is my pleasure to host today’s podcast with special guests Rachel Miller and Monique Zytnik! Rachel and Monique have both recently published new books which focus on Internal Communications: - Rachel Mill...

With four communication experts from four countries, this episode looks at hot topics globally and what Lisa Riemers, Michael Nord and Adrian Cropley will present on at the IABC World Conference in Chicago 2024. Lisa is dialing in from London today and is an accessible content, communications, and digital workplace specialist. She is on the IABC EMENA UK&I chapter board. She has been selected to t...

In today's episode host Monique Zytnik speaks with Simon Lancaster, who shares his secrets on speechwriting and what it is like to do a TEDx talk. Simon is based in London and became a speechwriter working for Tony Blair’s Cabinet in the 1990s. Since then he has written speeches for CEOs of some of the biggest global companies including Unliever, HSBC and InterContinental Hotels Group. Additionall...

Welcome to the International Association of Business Communicators EMENA region podcast hosted by Monique Zytnik. Based in the Manchester area of the UK, Advita Patel is the Director of CommsRebel who helps organisations build a culture that thrives. Advita recently published her book, which she co-authored with Priya Bates. Called: Building a Culture of Inclusivity, it helps Internal Communicatio...

Join us for a discussion with IABC International Executive Board member Katie Macaulay. Katie is a leading voice in communications. She is managing director of AB, the world’s first specialist employee communication agency, founded in 1964, and host of The Internal Comms Podcast. Katie sits on the Board of the International Association of Business Communicators and is a guest lecturer at Cranfield...

You know when you meet someone and you just have a great vibe? After a short conversation, you’ve already worked out if you would or wouldn’t like working with them. You feel that they get you, or they won’t. Well, this is our topic in today’s episode. Ben Wickham is a fellow communications person, storyteller and specialist in organiszational behaviour and team dynamics from Utrecht in the Nether...

Every profession needs to be founded on research. If it is research, understanding and debate on art, mathematics or science, discussion is essential for airing of opinions and challenging ideas. In this episode Mike Klein and Dr Kevin Ruck debate the latest internal communication research. Dr Kevin Ruck is the co-founder of PR Academy which is the largest Chartered Institute of Public Relations a...

Today's guest is Gloria Walker, who is not only a professor of practice at Hult International Business School and Associate Lecturer at London College of Communication, but she is also a Strategic Communications Consultant and owner of her own business. Gloria has that glorious position of one foot in academia and teaching and the other in the practicalities of clients, business and real-world wor...

Bold new frontiers for communication or digital hype? Our panel discussion brings to the fore what many of us have been thinking. With so much noise and so little time, what do we really need to know right now in our digital realm? Is social media done? Is AI friend or foe? What is the real tech baseline minus the fanfare for comms? Through an engaging expert panel session hosted by IABC EMENA's...

With artificial intelligence leaping ahead in content production and all areas of communications, join us as we talk with marketing and public relations agency leaders Jasna Suhadolc and Ana Margarida Ximenes about what is changing right now and the opportunities that lie ahead. Jansna Suhadolc is from Slovenia and is a seasoned digital marketing expert, working with companies from all over the wo...

Want to know the latest on digital employee communication and digital workspaces? Tune in to our latest episode with Kurt Kragh Sørensen from IntraTeam in Denmark and Pete Johns from Swoop in the UK, with special guest DJ Bob, as they discuss the latest in developments and why measurement matters. DEX Benchmark (intranet, collaboration and ESN) https://intrateam.com/dex_benchmark_intranet_digital_...

Today’s guest is Adam Currie who is based in our Middle East region. He is a communicator with an impressive array of roles behind him. From copywriting for investment magazines in Canada to African leadership publications and then moving onto comms, Adam is now focused on safety communications for the world’s largest energy company. Like what you heard? Register for Adam's webinar on 8 March 2023...

Co-hosted by Monique Zytnik (IABC EMENA) and Ross Monaghan (IABC APAC), this intimate panel discussion, featuring Tineka Everaardt, Maria Farmer, Natalie Collard and Sally Goldner, will inspire you with stories and strategies of women who have stepped up to show what is possible. We also hear insights from Karen Matthews, Catalina Gardescu, Robert Andersson and Christine Elmer. Designed for commun...

Meet Kate Peters, a leadership coach who helps people find their voice. Communication is much more than how you deliver a talk. Even though giving an effective presentation is vital to executives, presenting is just one result when they get communication right. Kate will share her experiences working with hundreds of executive leaders in varied industries. We will look at the most common communica...

Welcome to the International Association of Business Communicators EMENA region podcast. Join us as we talk all things comms in Saudi Arabia with Gary Hernandez and Sarah Palmer. We cover everything from what it is like to work in Saudi Arabia in a communications role; to what you should look for in a new hire, and what new graduates should focus on to kick-start their career. Gary is a new IABC E...

Join Cathryn Barnard and Jennifer Sproul as we talk about business partnerships both for external and internal communication. We cover what is needed for a good partnership, the benefits of building a community and personal satisfaction from work in this field. Cathryn Barnard also talks about her work on the freshly released Carbon Almanac with Seth Godin. Cathryn (Cat) is the Co-founder and Dire...