The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

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The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Chris Willis

77 episodes

3 weeks ago

The people closest to your customers are often the last to know what’s happening inside your business and it’s costing you. In this episode, Chris Willis sits down with Victoria Dew, CEO of Dewpoint Communications and author of the new report Connecting the Frontline, to explore why organizations still struggle to reach and engage their frontline workers. They unpack: The urgent workforce crisis in skilled trades and essential industriesWhy 72% of frontline employees don’t understand company ...

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The people closest to your customers are often the last to know what’s happening inside your business and it’s costing you. In this episode, Chris Willis sits down with Victoria Dew, CEO of Dewpoint Communications and author of the new report Connecting the Frontline, to explore why organizations still struggle to reach and engage their frontline workers. They unpack: The urgent workforce crisis in skilled trades and essential industriesWhy 72% of frontline employees don’t understand company ...

Show more...

Episodes (20/77)

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Frontline Comms: Your Unfair Advantage or Your Silent Killer

The people closest to your customers are often the last to know what’s happening inside your business and it’s costing you. In this episode, Chris Willis sits down with Victoria Dew, CEO of Dewpoint Communications and author of the new report Connecting the Frontline, to explore why organizations still struggle to reach and engage their frontline workers. They unpack: The urgent workforce crisis in skilled trades and essential industriesWhy 72% of frontline employees don’t understand company ...

3 weeks ago

26 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Make It Land: How Product Is Communications

Big idea: Product and comms are converging—fast. Why listen: Paperflite’s CPO Yega Kumarappan shows how to move from “we shipped the message” to “it landed,” using data, plain English, and AI (as a partner, not a press release machine). You’ll learn: How to turn 30-minute content into 5-minute winners The one doc that keeps Sales/Marketing/Support on the same story Guardrails for AI so you keep nuance + product “soul” Why PLG fails without built-in communication

1 month ago

26 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Communication as a Force Multiplier: Inside Capital Rx’s Growth Strategy

The big picture: This episode gives you something rare: the comms strategy and the CEO’s take on its impact. Why it matters: Michael Passanante at Capital Rx is proving that in a long sales cycle, communication isn’t a support function, it’s the strategy. His team built a program that educates the market, aligns the business, and drives attributed revenue. Then we bring in the CEO. AJ Loiacono shares exactly how he sees the value of comms: “If your team isn’t performing, you won’t be taken ...

2 months ago

28 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Unreplicatable: How Internal Comms Can Survive (and Thrive) in the Age of AI

The big picture: AI is already better at writing, summarizing, and mimicking tone. So what does that mean for internal comms? Why it matters: If your value is built on turning chaos into copy, you’re replaceable. But if you lead with strategy, trust, and human nuance—you’re untouchable. Go deeper: Regine Nelson, Internal Communications and Employee Engagement Lead at Couchbase joins to unpack her viral post on the future of IC in the age of AI. We talk about: The real reason comms pros sho...

3 months ago

26 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

The Trust Fix: Why Better Communication Is the Only Way Forward

Trust in leadership is broken. But it’s not just a leadership crisis. It’s a communication failure. In this episode, Forbes journalist Julia Korn joins Chris to unpack her viral piece on the erosion of employee trust in today’s workplace, and why so many leaders are getting it wrong. They explore: – Why layoffs during record profits are shattering loyalty – How toxic leadership thrives on fear, not facts – The communication moves that rebuild trust – A new workplace social contract, built on ...

4 months ago

23 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

The Operator Mindset: Elevating the CMO/CCO role with an owner's approach

Too many marketing and comms leaders are stuck proving their worth with outputs: Flashy dashboards Sexy slide decksThe call for ‘making it pretty' In this episode, Elliott Bundy and Becca Chambers lay out a better path: lead like an operator. We unpack what it means to own the business narrative, treat trust as a metric, and stop asking for a seat at the table—because you’re already in the room. Whether you're a CMO, CCO, or somewhere in between, this is a playbook for turning...

4 months ago

34 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Emergency Episode: How to Actually Get Hired in Comms Right Now

🔍 It’s a tough market. But if you're in comms and looking for your next job, this episode is your playbook. 💥 In this episode, recruiter Brooke Kruger breaks down: The top resume red flags and why design ≠ substanceWhat actually makes you stand out on LinkedInWhy clarity > cleverness in a job searchThe rise of consulting-as-career in commsHow to stop being invisible — and get noticed👀 Whether you're job-hunting, consulting, or just future-proofing, this is a must-listen.

6 months ago

24 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

How to Listen: Oscar Trimboli's Method to Better Communication

Oscar Trimboli – best-selling author, award-winning podcast host, and workplace listening expert is on the show! 1 big thing: Most of us listen poorly and that has a surprising impact on leadership, meetings, and productivity. Why It Matters: Better listening means more effective communication, shorter meetings, and stronger organizational alignment. Simple, research-backed strategies to shift from hearing words to understanding true meaning.Tune in to start transforming how you lead and c...

8 months ago

35 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Plan for the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Mastering Proactive vs Reactive Comms

1 big topic: We're exploring the nuanced difference between proactive planning and reactive responses. In a world where every comms moment counts, understanding when to lead the narrative, and when to pivot, is crucial. Jennifer Kaplan, CEO of Evolve PR and Marketing, shares her 25+ years of expertise on turning potential PR disasters into brand victories. What to expect: Real-Life Examples: From pre-launch buzz for museum exhibits to crisis pivots that save reputations, Jennifer bre...

8 months ago

23 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

It's Now or Never: Six Fundamentals to Winning Back Trust

Trust in media, institutions, and corporate comms is eroding. Neil Brown, president of Poynter Institute and founder of PolitiFact, knows why—and how to fix it. 🔹 The danger of clickbait & why credibility wins 🔹 How relationships & transparency build trust 🔹 AI’s role in comms & why ethics matter 🔹 Fact-checking: accountability, not censorship Trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. Learn how to get it—and keep it. 🎧

8 months ago

33 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Say Less to Say More: How Smart Brevity is Changing the Way We Communicate

Why it matters: Communication is broken. Messages are too long, unclear, and ignored. Smart Brevity is the fix. And Axios HQ's Emily Inverso is here to talk about it. The big picture: Smart Brevity isn’t just a writing style—it’s a movement reshaping how professionals, executives, and businesses communicate. With over 250,000 copies of the book in circulation and thousands of companies adopting the methodology, it’s proving that less is more. What’s next: How Smart Brevity started—and w...

9 months ago

27 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

You’re Not Alone: Expanding Internal Comms by Engaging the Business

Why it matters: Internal communicators often feel like they’re working alone—overwhelmed and under-resourced. But the truth? You’re surrounded by potential contributors who can help extend your reach and impact. What’s happening: In this episode, Chris Willis talks with Thereasa Roy, Director of Product and Content Marketing at OffSec, about how internal comms teams can: Activate leaders and department heads to contribute meaningful content.Transition from content creators to strategic editor...

9 months ago

21 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Surviving the Comms Crunch: Lessons in Strategic Positioning

Why it matters: Communications professionals are struggling to keep their seats at the table in a challenging job market. Becca Chambers, a comms exec with a flair for straight talk, joins WordBirds to explore why comms teams are being cut and how they can shift from "cost center" to "business driver." Key takeaways: Post-pandemic priorities have deprioritized brand and engagement efforts.Communicators need to tie their work to outcomes, not outputs.Building alignment internally is critical t...

9 months ago

29 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Align to Thrive: Unlocking the Business Power of Internal Communications

Alignment fuels business success—but it’s hard to achieve. In this episode, Janet Hitchen shares how she used internal comms to: Build alignment across teams.Simplify complex ideas into clear stories.Drive revenue and growth at Apple, Nespresso, and beyond.💡 Why it matters: Internal comms aren’t just newsletters. They’re the key to smarter, faster, and more strategic business outcomes. 🎧 Tune in for insights you can put into action today.

10 months ago

24 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Future-Proofing Communications: Staying Ahead in a World of Constant Change

Why it matters: Communications leaders face constant change—from evolving technology to shifting workplace dynamics. Staying ahead means mastering new skills, tools, and strategies. The big picture: Trey Sarten CCO at Anywhere, and a communications veteran, joins us to explore: The evolving role of communicators as strategic business partners.How to nurture curiosity and adaptability in a remote-first world.Why leveraging AI is no longer optional.What’s next: Hear Trey’s practical advice on n...

11 months ago

26 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Engagement Redefined: Moving Beyond Clicks to Real Alignment

What’s engagement, really? In this episode of WordBirds, Doreen Maciak from Takeda challenges the buzzword “engagement” and dives into what it truly means. Why it matters: Engagement isn’t just about clicks and opens—it’s about aligning employees to purpose and business goals. What you’ll learn: How to move beyond vanity metrics.Why authenticity and leadership are key to meaningful connections.Practical strategies to measure and improve real engagement.🎧 Listen now to rethink your approach to...

11 months ago

29 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Cutting Through the Buzz: How Plain English Drives Real Communication Impact

Cut the jargon. Boost the clarity. Jolene Peixoto, Relex Solutions’ anti-marketing comms leader, joins WordBirds to challenge buzzwords and embrace plain English messaging. Why it matters: Clear, concise communication builds trust, drives engagement, and sets your brand apart. Key takeaway: Prove your value with data and authenticity—not empty claims. 🎧 Listen now to sharpen your message.

11 months ago

26 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

AI Takes the Mic: Key Insights From the First Half of Season 6

This special episode brings you the top insights from WordBirds Season 6, hosted by AI voices Lance and Audrina (from NotebookLM). Why it matters: This AI-powered and hosted recap dives into must-hear lessons on intentional communication, bridging generational gaps, and building trust. Catch up: Perfect for anyone who missed an episode—but don’t stop here. Go back and listen to each conversation in full for the stories behind the insights.

11 months ago

20 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

From Tactics to Strategic Influence: How Communicators Can Drive Real Business Impact

Why it matters: Communicators often get stuck in tactical roles, but real value comes from strategic influence. In this episode, Bronagh Hanley, Partner & CCO at Preface Global, shares how she built influence at companies like Netflix and Discovery, and how you can too. Key takeaways: Ask "why" to uncover the strategy behind every communication.Build C-suite relationships by proving the business value of comms.Learn how one strategic move can shift your entire career.Go deeper: Listen to ...

1 year ago

24 minutes

The WordBirds Podcast with Chris Willis

Measuring the Impact: Why Internal Comms Needs Hard Data to Thrive

In this episode (part 2 of 2), we talk with Joanna Parsons about the power of measurement in internal communications. Joanna, author of Innovative Internal Communications, explains why many comms teams avoid measurement, how to align goals with business strategy, and practical ways to demonstrate value. We also explore how measuring impact can elevate internal comms from a tactical function to a strategic partner. Why it matters: Without clear metrics, internal comms risks being undervalued. ...

1 year ago

22 minutes