Under Embargo Podcast

Keith Berman joins the show to talk about why internal comms is fighting its way back to the strategic table—and why that fight matters more now than ever. The conversation covers the global change-management moment created by AI and external chaos, the trust erosion happening when audiences assume everything is machine-generated, and the double standard that lets every other function own its expertise while comms gets redlined by committee. Keith makes the case that communicators already have the skills the C-suite says it wants—strategy, persuasion, narrative, emotional intelligence—and that the path from internal comms to CEO is shorter than most orgs realize. We also get into why LinkedIn still works as a trust-building platform, the human moat against AI-generated sameness, and why the first and last draft of anything that matters has to come from a person.

Brett Farlow, founder and CEO of Featured.com and the person who brought Help A Reporter Out back from the dead, breaks down how his team rebuilt trust in journalist-source matching after AI-generated pitches and spam eroded the platform's quality. The conversation covers AI detection as a signal for journalists, the fragmentation of media influence toward creators and newsletters, and why email-based Harrow works precisely because it offers a rare, direct human channel in an overwhelmed landscape.In this episode, we explore:• How Featured.com restored quality and trust after acquiring Harrow, including AI detection and source verification [00:03]• The two camps of journalists on AI-generated pitches and what that means for PR practitioners [00:08]• Why media influence is shifting from outlets to individuals, and what that means for earned media strategy [00:11]• Using AI as a thinking partner, not the pitch author, and the case for human-in-the-loop workflows [00:14]• The 2026 AI disillusionment thesis and how PR teams can do more with smaller teams [00:17]Brett Farlow is the founder and CEO of Featured.com, the company behind the resurrection of Help A Reporter Out. He writes for Inc and Fast Company on AI in the workplace and previously ran a 500-client marketing agency for a decade.

Former Walmart and Pinterest comms leader Meredith Klein joins Perry Hedrick and Becca Chambers to break down how PR professionals can adapt to a fragmented media landscape where Substacks, podcasts, and independent journalists carry real influence. Klein shares how she built "Meredith & The Media" into a 3,500-subscriber resource by interviewing journalists directly, why visual brand consistency drives recognition, and how shareability and findability now matter more than legacy masthead placements.In this episode, we explore:• Why a recognizable personal brand, down to a signature hat, separates you from a sea of sameness [00:02]• How journalists actually source stories through LinkedIn comments, social posts, and independent media [00:29]• The integrated media mix: treating newsletters and podcasts as core channels, not extras [00:15]• What PR professionals need to tell executives who still measure success by Wall Street Journal hits alone [00:20]• Building a distribution flywheel by repurposing even small media appearances across every channel [00:30]Meredith Klein is a 20-year PR veteran, founder of the Meredith in the Media Substack, and a contributor to Inc. Magazine, focused on spotlighting journalists and helping comms professionals navigate the new media ecosystem.Listen now to discover how to modernize your media strategy by pitching with precision, building durable visibility, and meeting your audience where they actually consume content.Check out her Substack "Meredith & The Media" here: https://meredithandthemedia.substack.com/

Struggling with adapting fast-paced communications strategies to public sector realities? Ian Bain, executive director of strategy and communications, reveals the mindset shifts and tactical approaches that helped bridge his transition from corporate comms to education governance with real community impact.In this episode, we explore:• Building effective communications in government environments and navigating bureaucratic hurdles• Leveraging AI tools in public education and communications while managing ethics and workforce changes• Strengthening agency-media relationships and crisis preparedness for public trustIan Bain is a leader, storyteller, and communications expert, drawing on decades in corporate, political, and public education roles to inform strategy and mentor teams on ethical, impactful messaging.Listen now to discover how to balance innovation with accountability in your public sector communications work.

Struggling with integrating AI into your communications strategy? Gini Dietrich, creator of the PESO Model and communications leader, reveals actionable ways to align paid, earned, shared, and owned media workflows with modern AI tools for better results.In this episode, we explore:• How the PESO Model evolved to bridge traditional silos and deliver message consistency [00:00]• Real-world examples of embedding AI for media monitoring and crisis readiness [15:30] • Organizational shifts needed for continuous AI learning and cross-team collaboration [28:45]Gini Dietrich is a globally recognized communications and PR expert, founder of Spin Sucks, and architect of the PESO Model, specializing in integrated strategy and professional development.Listen now to discover how to break down silos and leverage AI for communications that drive measurable impact.

Brooke Kruger, communications recruiter and founder of KC Partners with 25+ years placing PR and comms leaders. She discusses why AI fluency is now table stakes, how podcasts and Substack demand new storytelling chops, the shifting hiring priorities toward creativity and adaptability, and practical LinkedIn tactics to boost discoverability and career positioning.

Struggling with how to translate AI buzz into meaningful, practical impact for your communications strategy? Chris Gee, CEO and AI strategist, reveals specific workflows and skill shifts that enable PR teams to boost productivity, shape reputation, and position brands for visibility in AI-driven search. In this episode, we explore:• How AI accelerates slide and content creation for PR pros [00:04:00]• Approaches to optimizing your brand’s presence and discoverability in LLM platforms • Why multi-generational and continuous upskilling is key to navigating AI-driven workforce changesChris Gee is a digital communications executive, AI consultant, and founder of Chris Gee Consulting, with two decades advising agencies and brands on ethical AI adoption and digital innovation. Listen now to discover how to level up your PR team’s strategy, efficiency, and competitive edge in the AI communications era.

Send us a textWhat happens when an engineer-turned-entrepreneur brings B2C energy to B2B enterprise software and a borderline obsession with fixing broken meetings? You get Alina Vandenberghe—co-founder and Co-CEO of Chili Piper, the woman who turned scheduling software into a billion-dollar empire while managing teams across 38 countries (and somehow still finds time to make her employees build AI agents).From starting work at 8 years old to building stealth iPad apps that caught Steve Jobs' attention, Alina's journey is equal parts inspiring and remarkable. In this episode, Becca sits down solo with one of enterprise software's most magnetic leaders to discuss how she turned corporate culture on its head.You'll discover:— Her early career wins (including a New York Times interview before she could barely speak English)— Chili Piper's radical approach to decision-making and culture design— Why every employee is required to build AI agents— How LinkedIn became her unexpected writing school— Why parenting, product-building, and personal growth are all connected by the same thread: curiosityThis episode is packed with tactical ideas and vulnerable reflections—from the power of documentation to the messiness of leadership to what it means to find joy while you're building something hard. Stick around for walkout songs, emoji debates, and a rapid-fire round featuring your favorite unhinged “hiccups or pinkies” question.

Send us a textWhat happens when comms pros finally take their own advice—and build platforms for themselves?In this episode of Under Embargo, we sit down with Gabrielle Ferree—former VP of Global Comms at Bumble, Slack, and Salesforce—who's stepping off the corporate ladder to launch Off the Record, a new coaching and community space for comms professionals who are tired of doing it all in isolation.We dig into:— Emotional labor and why it never shows up in your promotion packet— Post-COVID loneliness, leadership, and the death of swivel chair moments— Why being "just a manager" is actually the most important job in the room— The myth of the comms unicorn (spoiler: she doesn't need to be a media machine and a therapist)— Building your own playbook when no one's done this job beforeWhether you're a rising comms star or a battle-scarred VP, this conversation will hit. If you've ever juggled AI, crises, and emotional triage before your second coffee—this one's for you.

Send us a textIn this episode of Under Embargo, Becca and Parry sit down with one of the best-kept secrets in enterprise comms—Alyssa Stone, head of Analyst Relations at Wiz (the cybersecurity darling recently acquired by Google).With 25 years across SAP, Okta, and Ariba, Alyssa's seen it all—massive analyst tours, impossible PR expectations, and the slow but steady evolution of how we engage the people who influence tech buying.She breaks down:— Why AR is not pay-for-play (and what it actually is) — How a single slide can prep execs better than any 30-page doc — Why empowered teams are Wiz's real secret sauce — And what Devil Wears Prada taught her about comms strategy (yes, really)Then, she opens up about parenting a neurodivergent child, building support systems inside companies, and why embracing brain differences isn't just the right thing to do—it's a competitive advantage.This one has it all: golf analogies, Swiftie walkout songs, hiccup debates, and real-life tactical wisdom from someone who's lived (and modernized) every version of comms.See you there?