Most PR strategies still focus on the big three: social, legacy media, and search. But while everyone’s watching the headlines, the real conversations—the ones shaping trust, behavior, and brand reputation—are happening in people’s ears. Podcasts aren’t just a trend or another content format. They’re a strategic intelligence channel, and if you’re not monitoring them, you’re missing critical signals. In this episode of Stories and Strategies, we talk to Bradley Davis, co-founder and CEO of Podchaser, the platform often called the “IMDb of podcasts.” From how global brands like Starbucks and Amazon use podcast data to shape campaigns, to why the most valuable audience insights aren’t public-facing at all, PR pros need to know what they can no longer afford to ignore.Listen For1:29 The Crackle That Started It All3:33 Podchaser: IMDb for Podcasts5:25 Podcasting as a Third Dimension of Analytics8:20 Guest Pitching vs. Starting a Podcast10:32 How Rogan, Newsom & Trump Changed the Game13:05 Key Messages Out. Vibe Is In.21:09 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Irene LunguGuest: Bradley Davis, Co-Founder & CEO, Podchaser Podchaser | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | About BradleyRate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestSupport the show
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29:28
Zambia’s Public Relations Revolution
What does public relations look like in a country where radio is still growing, social media still exploding, and communication reaches from rural villages to global platforms? In this episode, we take a closer look at Zambia — a nation with a vibrant, evolving PR landscape shaped by both tradition and innovation. Irene Lungu is one of Zambia’s leading voices in public relations and a board member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. She joins us to talk about ethics, communication trends, and the responsibilities that come with influence in today’s media environment. We explore how Zambian practitioners are navigating rapid change, and what global conversations they're helping to shape. Listen For3:50 Why Zambia Regulated Its PR Industry6:14 Resistance and Discomfort: Who Pushed Back8:00 Is PR Regulation a Threat to Free Speech?14:36 Global Standards, Local Contexts16:14 The World’s #1 Risk: Misinformation18:52. Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Olivia FajardoGuest: Irene LunguLinkedIn | Global Alliance Board Profile Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show
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23:46
Employee Engagement Inside PR: What the Research Reveals
Employee engagement is evolving — and the old assumptions no longer hold. Today, workers want more than a paycheck. They want growth, flexibility, and to feel like their voices matter. In this episode, we unpack surprising new research on what really drives engagement, retention, and belonging inside organizations. Olivia Fajardo joins us to explain why internal communications has become mission critical — and how companies can move from simply talking to truly connecting. If you care about building teams that stay and thrive, this conversation is for you. Listen For4:14 PR: As Stressful as Firefighting5:05 Why Communicators Feel More Purpose6:34 Career Stagnation: The Hidden Threat9:27 The Hybrid Challenge for Internal Comms12:05 The Listening-Action Gap12:10 Olivia’s Strategies to Build Trust and Accountability20:05 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Helena HumphreyGuest: Oliva Fajardo, Director of Research, Institute for Public RelationsLinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookLink to IPR Study Employee Engagement in the Communications Industry Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show
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26:28
British Voices, American Ears: A Shift in News Consumption
More Americans are turning down the volume on domestic news — and turning up British voices instead. From BBC to The Guardian, outlets across the Atlantic are reshaping how U.S. audiences see their own country. Why is this happening? And what does it say about trust, tone, and the global conversation? Listen For3:48 British Media’s Rising Credibility in the U.S.7:23 Could BBC Influence U.S. Culture?12:29 Feminism, TikTok, and the Tradwife Dilemma18:47 Femininity and Power Around the World21:32 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Sarah Waddington Guest: Helena Humphrey, BBCEmail | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show
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26:00
GROW Your Way Out of PR Workplace Stress
Feeling stuck or stressed at work? You might just need to GROW your way out. Executive coach Sarah Waddington shares the power and practicality of the GROW model — Goal, Reality, Options, Way forward — in transforming workplace performance, especially within high-pressure environments like PR. Sarah breaks down how this deceptively simple coaching framework fosters self-awareness, reduces stress, builds resilience, and helps individuals and teams move from dependency to interdependency. From managing difficult clients and workplace lethargy to unlocking mindset shifts for career advancement, this conversation offers actionable tips to leaders and middle managers alike on how to introduce coaching into fast-paced and demanding cultures.Listen For5:15 Why GROW works for both work and life7:04 Applying GROW in the pressure cooker of PR11:52 Nightmare client scenario: Using GROW in real-time challenges14:40 Resilience in PR: Avoiding burnout with GROW16:37 — Baby steps for senior leaders to start using GROW19:20 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Mark Borkowski Guest: Sarah Waddington, CBEWebsite | Email | X | LinkedIn | Wadds Inc. #FuturePRoof Community https://www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk/ Socially Mobile https://www.sociallymobile.org.uk/ Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies WebsiteCurzon Public Relations WebsiteAre you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | PinterestRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the show
O Stories and Strategies with Curzon Public Relations
We tell stories.... stories about Public Relations and Marketing that will inspire your career in PR.Public Relations is evolving rapidly, and this is where you’ll find thoughtful and concise interviews on the latest insights, ideas, and approaches with PR experts all over the world. And straight up, you may not agree with all of them. Neither do we. The point is these are perspectives and ideas that need to be talked about.From authentic storytelling, to harnessing the power of AI to innovative media relations and crisis communications, to adopting more behavioral science communications strategies. And even controversial ideas, some of which work extremely well in politics and business.As Marketing and Communications strategies continue to shape the way organizations connect with their audiences, staying current is essential. Stories and Strategies is the public relations podcast that keeps you informed, inspired, and equipped to push boundaries and achieve excellence in PR.If you work in Public Relations and/or Marketing, and you love stories, we get you... and we got you.
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