Aspire to Inspire Podcast

Join Staffbase’s Lottie Bazley as she sits down with Local Wisdom CEO Pinaki Kathiari for a deeply human conversation about clarity, communication, and the emotional reality of modern work. With nearly two decades of experience helping global brands turn dense and complex information into accessible content, Pinaki reveals the mindset behind simplifying without dumbing down, staying authentic without over-scripting, and communicating difficult messages with honesty and care. Lottie and Pinaki explore when empathy becomes over-protection, why clarity matters most during layoffs and reorgs, and how innovation is often born from discomfort. This episode also dives headfirst into today’s hottest topic: AI. Pinaki breaks down why AI should act as a co-pilot — not a ghostwriter — and how over-reliance on automation is already eroding trust in the workplace. Packed with practical guidance and real-world examples, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make work more human. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Connect with Pinaki on LinkedIn; Local Wisdom, a digital communications agency that Pinaki is the owner and CEO of; Resource Hero, an intuitive resource management and time tracking solution on Salesforce; Why Does It Feel So Wrong To Be Human At Work?, a podcast where Pinaki Kathiari & Chris Lee challenge traditional best practices in the workplace; Chuck Gose, ICology Founder, Internal Communications Showman ========= Follow the host and guest: Lottie Bazley on LinkedIn, Pinaki Kathiari on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the first AI-native Employee Experience Platform. With Staffbase, companies reach everyone across app, intranet, email, SMS, digital signage, and Microsoft 365 — alongside new experiences like personalized podcasts and an AI assistant. Around 2000 organizations rely on Staffbase to inspire people and drive measurable impact. More information: www.staffbase.com

Join Brian Tomlinson as he sits down with the CEO and Founder of Lynn Group, Shayoni Lynn, a global leader in behavioral science communications. In this impactful episode, Shayoni unpacks the psychology behind misinformation and the rising challenges communicators face in the digital age. From understanding how cognitive biases fuel fake news to building proactive strategies that preserve trust and audience agency, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating truth in an era of uncertainty. From a rapid vaccine uptake campaign that reframed messaging to personal benefit (driving a 77.8% lift) to building information resilience against misinformation, Shayoni offers a practical playbook leaders can use today. You’ll learn how to frame for identity, set baselines from the start, and prove attribution without sacrificing creativity. If you’re ready to replace intuition with evidence and build durable trust, this conversation delivers. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Shayoni Lynn on LinkedIn and Bluesky (shayonislynn@bksy.social; Connect with Lynn Group on LinkedIn and Lynn Global, World Economic Forum Global Risk Report 2025; Nudge theory; Cardiff University; PRovoke Media; COM-B Model for Behavior Change by Susan Michie and Robert West; Boris Johnson; “Don’t Miss Your Vaccine” campaign from Lynn, which helped improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake by 77.8%; NHS England; AMEC; Evaluation 2.0; The Onion Kim Jong Un satire; Misinformation Cell from Lynn Global; Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness; Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity; The Behavior Change Wheel: A Guide To Designing Interventions; Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR); Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA); Asian Communications Network; CommsRebel ========= Follow the host and guest: Brian Tomlinson on LinkedIn, Shayoni Lynn on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

When a crisis hits, words aren’t enough — delivery is everything. In this episode, Athena Koutsonikolas sits down with culture strategist and crisis-leadership expert Eloiza Domingo, Founder & CEO of Eloiza Consulting and former Chief Inclusive Diversity & Equity Officer at Allstate. From mass layoffs to polarizing public issues, Eloiza explains how to decide whether to speak, who should deliver the message, and how tone, timing, and targeting can turn high-risk moments into lasting trust. Eloiza shares playbook-level guidance on aligning values with business strategy, weighing reputational risk against real-world impact, and designing communication that reaches every employee, including non-desk workers. With candid case examples and practical frameworks, this conversation gives leaders and communicators the tools to respond with courage, clarity, and care — no corporate jargon required. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Connect with Eloiza on LinkedIn or on her website; Eloiza Domingo Consulting, FourTen LLC business entity for providing leadership strategies tailored to crisis navigation; National Audubon Society, where Eloiza serves as the Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging; Astellas Pharma; Johns Hopkins Medicine; Allstate; Allstate Insurance Human Rights Campaign score, leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion; Black Lives Matter movement; “me too” movement; Supreme Court reversing affirmative action; DEI and values at Target, Costco, Starbucks, and Disney; RCA - Root Cause Analysis; RIF - Reduction in Force ========= Follow the host and guest: Eloiza Domingo on LinkedIn, Athena Koutsonikolas on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

Money worries don’t stay at home — they walk into work every day. In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Staffbase CMO David Burnand sits down with Peter Komolafe, bestselling author, award-winning financial coach, and Conversation of Money platform creator. Together, they explore why financial well-being is not just an HR issue but a leadership responsibility. From productivity loss to increased turnover, Peter shares compelling research and personal stories that reveal the true business cost of ignoring financial stress. Learn how managers can create psychological safety around money conversations, unlock intrinsic motivation, and better communicate existing benefits. Peter also shares the pivotal role his manager played in changing his career trajectory — and how leaders can do the same for their teams today. Packed with actionable strategies, from surveys to segmentation, this episode offers leaders a clear path to supporting financial well-being in the workplace while boosting performance and retention. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Conversation of Money; Peter Komolafe; BBC; Channel 5; ITW; PwC; Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2024; Autumn Statement; 2025 International Employee Communication Impact Study; Canary Wharf; The Money Basics: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero; The Money Basics Program; Employee Survey Questions ========= Follow the host and guest: Peter Komolafe on LinkedIn, David Burnand on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

Join Staffbase’s David Maffei for an impactful conversation with Monne Williams, Chief Impact Officer at Handshake and former McKinsey leader. Monne breaks down what Gen Z actually wants from employers, why authenticity means many voices on video, and how to treat employer brand like your health — you already have it, so manage it. She shares a memorable Fenway Park lesson on ownership and explains how small teams can have a significant impact. They also tackle AI’s messy middle: bots on both sides of the hiring table, setting clear rules for candidates, and keeping those rules consistent with the job. Monne maps the moves that make change stick. If you recruit early talent, lead comms, or build culture, this episode gives you the playbook to earn trust and move faster. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Handshake; Boston Red Sox; McKinsey & Company; Women in the Workplace; Fenway Park; Larry Lucchino; Harvard University; Duke University; UNC; Wake Forest; NC State; Bill Russell; Bloomberg News; Kathy Ireland; Brian Shield; Sapiends: A Brief History of Humankind; New York Yankees; Wally and Tessie; Hats Off to Heroes; The World Series; Jayson Tatum; WNBA Atlanta Dream; Boston Celtics ========= Follow the host and guest: Monne Williams on LinkedIn, David Maffei on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Brian Tomlinson is joined by Advita Patel, president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, founder of Comms Rebel, and cofounder of both A Leader Like Me and Asian Comms Network. Advita is a powerhouse in comms and an admired advocate for building confidence and inclusivity in the workplace. With her unique blend of experience in DEI strategy, leadership coaching, and change communication, Avita brings a refreshing perspective on how leaders can cultivate a culture. She shares her journey from overcoming imposter syndrome to becoming a leading voice in communications. Then, Advita dives deep into what it takes to build a thriving, inclusive culture—including the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Plus, learn why confidence isn’t about being loud: it’s about quiet assurance and knowing your value. This episode is filled with actionable strategies for leaders looking to elevate their teams, create psychological safety, and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive. Whether you're seeking to build confidence or transform your organizational culture, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Chartered Institute of Public Relations; Comms Rebel; A Leader Like Me; Asian Communications Network; Building a Culture of Inclusivity; Decoding Confidence: The Seven Habits of Confident Leaders; Charlotte Otter; We Need New Leaders; Charlotte Otter on the Aspire to Inspire Podcast; Psycho-Cybernetics; OpenAI; ChatGPT; Perplexity; Claude; Gamma; Presentation; The Year of Yes; Dare to Lead; Advita Patel On Instagram; Comms Rebel on TikTok ========= Follow the host and guest: Advita Patel on LinkedIn, Brian Tomlinson on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

What does it take to be the kind of leader the world actually needs right now? Charlotte Otter, executive coach and author of We Need New Leaders, joins Brian Tomlinson to unpack the leadership crisis we’re living through—and why outsiders often make the most impactful leaders. Drawing from her decades of experience in global tech and her Reputation 360 coaching program, Charlotte reveals why storytelling, self-awareness, and empathy are essential tools for modern leadership. In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Charlotte shares how underrepresented leaders turn obstacles into strengths, how behavior and values must align to build trust, and why visibility isn’t vanity—it’s legacy. From reshaping personal narratives to building reputation moats before a crisis hits, this episode offers a refreshing and necessary take on how leadership, communication, and authenticity must evolve in today’s world. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: We Need New Leaders; Charlotte’s Reputation 360 coaching program; SAP; Otter Advisory; Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic; Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?; Frank Wolf; Frank Wolf’s The Narrative Age; The Reputation Game; Rupert Younger; Oxford University; Charlotte Otter Speech Bubbles Substack; Charlotte Otter Speech Bubbles Podcast; Charlotte Otter LinkedIn ========= Follow the host and guest: Brian Tomlinson on LinkedIn & Charlotte Otter on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that equips companies aspiring to reach every employee with communication that inspires them to work together to achieve business outcomes. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including Berlin, London, New York City, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

Jim Olson, a seasoned communications leader with a front-row seat to some of the most defining moments in corporate crisis history, joins Athena Koutsonikolas on the Aspire to Inspire Podcast to share the four-step crisis communications plan that has guided him through both his career in crisis comms and his fight against cancer. From negotiating with terrorists to battling tumors and losing his sight, Jim candidly shares how crises have shaped him—both professionally and personally. He brings the audience inside high-stakes moments from his career and outlines a clear framework communicators can use to stay calm, take control, and craft a winning strategy—even in life-or-death situations. Jim most recently served as Head of Brand and Communications at Avelo Airlines—America’s first new airline in 15 years—where he built the communications function from scratch. Previously, he led comms at United Airlines, Starbucks, and US Airways, where he helped turn the “Miracle on the Hudson” into a story of employee pride and national inspiration. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Avelo Airlines; United Airlines; Starbucks; US Airways; Cartagena, Colombia; Project Hope; J.D. Power and Associates; Nissan North America; Overture; “Miracle on the Hudson”; Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger; African Leadership University; CEO of Avelo Airlines, former CFO of United Airlines Andrew Levy; Jakarta terrorist attacks; The Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization; Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz; Former EVP of Public Affairs at Starbucks Vivek Varma; Maya Angelou; Washington DC plane crash; American Airlines; American Airlines CEO Robert Isom; Flight 1549; Former Head of People & Public Affairs at US Airways Elise Eberwein; First Officer, Flight 1549 Jeffrey Skiles; Heroes behind the Miracle on the Hudson; Levi Strauss & Co CEO Michelle Gass; Former Chairman and CEO of United Airlines Oscar Munoz; Former CEO, US Airways Doug Parker; Ubuntu “I am because you are”; Follow Jim ========= Follow the host and guest: Athena Koutsonikolas on LinkedIn & Jim Olson on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that equips companies aspiring to reach every employee with communication that inspires them to work together to achieve business outcomes. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including Berlin, London, New York City, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

How is the most powerful leadership skill also the most neglected — contributing to disengagement costing organizations an estimated 8.8 trillion dollars a year? In this compelling episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, globally renowned speaker and TED Talk legend Julian Treasure joins host Lottie Bazley to unpack the invisible influence of sound on our work, behavior, and communication. From the neuroscience of noise to the business cost of disengagement, Julian explains why failing to really listen could be your organization’s most expensive mistake. Julian shares insights from his new book Sound Affects and explains how sound shapes our biology, cognition, emotions, and behavior — often without us noticing. Whether you're designing a workplace, leading a team, or just trying to be heard, this episode delivers powerful strategies to elevate your voice and deepen your impact. With tips on improving vocal presence, embracing silence, and becoming a more conscious communicator, this conversation is your wake-up call to start listening with intention. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening; Sound Affects by Julian Treasure; Julian Treasure TED Talks; The Listening Society free trial; Julian Treasure Ltd.; Gallup disengagement study; BP service station birdsong; Study on wine and music; Radio 2; Julian’s concept of “savoring”; Geophony; Biophony; Anthropophony; David Rothenberg; “How to Speak So That People Want to Listen”; Margaret Thatcher; Prosody; The Corporate Fool by David Firth; Hyrum Smith; Franklin Covey; Steven Covey; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; “How to Stop Your CEO from Saying Stupid Sh*t” Infernal Communications episode ========= Follow the host and guest: Lottie Bazley on LinkedIn & Julian Treasure on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that equips companies aspiring to reach every employee with communication that inspires them to work together to achieve business outcomes. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including Berlin, London, New York City, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.

Join Emma Fischer, Content Marketing Manager at Staffbase, as she sits down with Miri Rodriguez—CEO of Empressa AI, award-winning storyteller, and Microsoft veteran—for a moving conversation about ethical AI, women’s voices, and the power of storytelling. In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Miri breaks down how Empressa is challenging the norms of generative AI by sourcing real insights from women around the world—including returning value to them through royalties and representation. From emotional honesty in tech to rewriting your origin story as a path to personal power, Miri shares practical frameworks, vulnerable experiences, and bold calls to action for women and allies alike. She dives into the challenges of being heard in a male-dominated space, the biases baked into today’s LLMs, and why storytelling is the cornerstone of inclusive leadership. Whether you're a tech skeptic or an AI enthusiast, this episode will leave you rethinking how we build, who we include, and why emotion may be our most valuable innovation. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Empressa.ai; ChatGPT; Outlier AI; Pia Frey; Pia Frey on Aspire to Inspire; Gemini; Brené Brown; Azure Stack; Microsoft Azure; Microsoft; The Women of Microsoft: Empowering Stories from the Minds that Coded the World; Miri Rodriguez Microsoft articles; Postpartum depression resources; Emma Fischer website; Terry Szuplat; Terry Szuplat on Aspire to Inspire; Rosa Parks; Gender parity; Miri Rodriguez website; Miri Rodriguez LinkedIn ========= Follow the host and guest: Emma Fischer on LinkedIn & Miri Rodriguez on LinkedIn ========= Join the You’ve Got Comms newsletter: https://insights.staffbase.com/join-the-comms-club Follow Staffbase: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbase/mycompany/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Staffbase ========= About Staffbase: Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that helps companies connect with every employee through inspiring communication that drives collaboration and achieves business results. Headquartered in Chemnitz, Germany, Staffbase has offices worldwide, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, and Vancouver. Learn more at staffbase.com.