The PIO Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this conversation, Deana DiPaola discusses her experiences in crisis management, particularly during her first weekend on call when national neo-Nazi groups came to her city, in addition to handling one of the largest 4th of July fireworks events in the state. She highlights the importance of understanding community safety, effective communication, and the chal...

Send us Fan Mail Host Robert Tornabene conducts a countdown of the 10 most downloaded episodes of 2025. Support the show Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Robert interviews Katie Watts, a Public Information Officer from the Fairfax County Police Department. They discuss Katie's journey in law enforcement, the challenges of communicating traffic safety, and the innovative use of Tappy, a social media tool designed to engage the community and educate them about traffic safety. Katie sh...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Robert interviews Brandon Karr, Director of Customer Success at DroneSense by Versaterm, discussing the transformative role of drones in public safety. Brandon shares insights from his experience in law enforcement and the evolution of drone programs, emphasizing the importance of transparency, community engagement, and the integration...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Chief Kevin Warych of the Sun Prairie Police Department discusses his transition from Green Bay to Sun Prairie, emphasizing the importance of community policing and building relationships. He shares insights on transparency in law enforcement, the challenges of balancing operational security with public information, and the role of soci...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this episode, Susan Simons, president and founder of Under the Shield, discusses her journey in law enforcement and the evolution of her organization, which focuses on mental health support for first responders. She introduces the psychological garbage can theory, emphasizing the importance of addressing stress and trauma in law enforcement. The conversation hi...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode, Jeff Wenninger, a retired LAPD officer and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, shares his unique journey into policing, influenced by personal experiences and a desire to improve law enforcement practices. He discusses the insular mindset prevalent in police departments, the need for reimagining policing beyond mere reform, and the importance of community...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Erin Stillwagon, the Public Information Officer for the Garden City Fire Department. Erin shares her unexpected journey into the role of PIO, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, especially with children, to foster a positive relationship between the fire department and the public. She discusse...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode, Tiffany Muehlbauer, CEO of ARMA Communications, discusses the importance of proactive communication strategies for public sector organizations. She introduces the Pool Theory, which emphasizes the need for consistent community engagement to build trust and visibility before a crisis occurs. Tiffany provides practical advice for Public Information Officers...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Drew Anderson, the Public Information Officer for the Bellevue Police Department, shares his unique journey from political operative to PIO. He discusses the importance of community engagement in a diverse city like Bellevue, the challenges faced during crisis communications, and the strategies employed to effectively communicate with t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Matthew Oleniuk, a risk strategist, about the complexities of project management in the public sector. Matthew shares his extensive background in risk and audit, highlighting the challenges faced by public sector projects, particularly the infamous Phoenix project. The conversation explores the significance of communi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, John Pope, the Public Information Officer for Newport Beach, shares his journey from journalism to public relations within government agencies. He discusses his daily responsibilities, the unique challenges of communicating in a diverse community, and the importance of transparency and effective communication strategies. John also highlights the significance of cr...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Parth Shah, CEO of Polimorphic, discusses the transformative role of AI in government communications and public service. He shares insights from his background in civic technology and the challenges faced by public agencies in managing communications, public records, and community engagement. Parth emphasizes the importance of AI in enhancing customer serv...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the PIO podcast, Commander Mike Shaw of the Michigan State Police shares his extensive experience in law enforcement and the evolution of public information officers (PIOs). He discusses the importance of adapting to technological changes, the structure of the communications division, and the challenges faced by PIOs in modern policing. Mike emphasizes the need...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Robert Tornabene interviews Jennifer Hillmann, the Director of Communications for Thompson Valley EMS. Jennifer shares her journey into the field of communications, her experiences as a public information officer (PIO), and the importance of calm communication during crises. She discusses the role of social media in emergency management, the integration of...

Send us Fan Mail Summary:   In this episode of the PIO podcast, Sergeant Carla Burr from the Amarillo Police Department shares her extensive journey in law enforcement, detailing her transition from dispatcher to Public Information Officer. She discusses the department's structure, the importance of community engagement through social media, and her experiences working with local media. Carla...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Jen Longaecker, the Deputy Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, shares her unique journey from journalism to public safety communications. She discusses the challenges faced during the 2020 civil unrest, the importance of social media in crisis management, and the strategies employed to engage the commu...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Megan Black, the Public Information Officer for the Renton Police Department. Megan shares her journey from a long career in broadcast journalism to her current role in law enforcement communications. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the role of crime analysis in effective communication,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, retired Chief of Police Thomas Weitzel discusses his extensive career in law enforcement, the challenges posed by the Safety Act in Illinois, and the implications for policing and community safety. He emphasizes the need for proactive policing, the importance of maintaining high standards for officers, and the role of social media in shaping public perception. Wei...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Brent Patterson, the Public Information Officer and Media Relations Director at the Madison County Sheriff's Department in Huntsville, Alabama. Brent shares his unique journey from law enforcement to becoming a PIO, discussing the challenges and responsibilities of the role, the importance of social...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode, Leah Tedesco, a senior consultant at Social Simulator, discusses the importance of crisis communication preparedness and the role of Public Information Officers (PIOs) in crisis management. She explains how Social Simulator's platform replicates various communication channels to train organizations in effectively handling crises. Leah highlights the...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: In this conversation, Sam Toles from Civic Social discusses the innovative approach of empowering Public Information Officers (PIOs) in local governments to effectively engage with their communities through social media. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, strategic planning, and the need for a modern approach to communication that resonates with younger...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Amy Maxwell, the public relations manager for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Amy shares her journey from working in cardiology to emergency management, detailing her responsibilities as the sole public information officer. She discusses her daily tasks, including...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode, Amanda Schoepp, a digital content editor at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, discusses her role in enhancing website copy and transitioning from journalism to content editing. She shares insights on common mistakes made in media releases, the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing, and the differences between content marketing and digital marketing.  T...

Send us Fan Mail Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Jamie Sacco, the Public Information Officer for Shawnee, Oklahoma. Jamie shares her journey from working in news to becoming a PIO, discussing her role's unique challenges and opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, effective communication strategies, and the need for a...