Aspire to Inspire Podcast

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, host Lottie Bazley sits down with Terry Szuplat, former senior speechwriter to President Barack Obama and bestselling author of Say It Well. They dive into the power of storytelling, the emotional impact of authenticity, and why every person—regardless of title—has a story worth telling. Terry shares behind-the-scenes White House moments, practical communication tools, and insight on writing speeches that move people—not just inform them. Whether you’re delivering a keynote, a wedding toast, or an internal company update, Terry believes that every one of us has a story worth telling. This episode is filled with insights into how to find your voice, write with impact, and speak with clarity and conviction. For communicators, leaders, and anyone who’s ever said “I don’t know what to say,” this is a must-listen. Terry Szuplat is a former Obama speechwriter and the bestselling author of SAY IT WELL: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience. He served nearly eight years in the White House, including as Deputy Director of Speechwriting and one of President Obama’s foreign policy speechwriters. Today, he’s a keynote speaker, trainer, and adjunct professor at American University who helps leaders inspire audiences around the world. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Barack Obama; Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience; Terry Szuplat Bio; The White House; John F. Kennedy; Hyannis Port, Massachusetts; Kennedy Clan; President Kennedy’s greatest speeches; American University; Marriage equality in the United States; The Boston Marathon Bombing; Barack Obama Boston Marathon speech; Army Ranger Cory Remsburg; Fort Knox; Stump speeches in politics; Abolitionism; American Civil Rights Movement; Steve Jobs; Stanford; Steve Jobs speech at Stanford; Inside Steve Jobs’ Stanford speech; Bill McRaven; The University of Texas; Habitat for Humanity; Global Voices Communication; Terry Szuplat LinkedIn ========= Follow the host and guest: Lottie Bazley on LinkedIn & Terry Szuplat 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 do TED speakers, UN officials, and CEOs have in common? When they need to speak with clarity and confidence under pressure, they call Matt Abrahams. In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Matt Abrahams—Stanford lecturer, author, and host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast—joins host Athena Koutsonikolas to share practical insights into spontaneous speaking. From managing anxiety to answering difficult questions with confidence, Matt offers science-backed strategies and personal techniques to help anyone sound—and feel—more self-assured in high-pressure moments. Whether you struggle with small talk, want to command a room, or just need to stop blanking in meetings, consider this your playbook for clear, compelling communication. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right words in the moment, this episode is for you. Matt Abrahams is a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, the author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot and Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, and the host of Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast; Think Faster, Talk Smarter book; Think Fast Talk Smart (TFTS) Communication LLC; Stanford University Graduate School of Business; TED Talks; BLUF communication approach; Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting; Tongue twisters for public speaking; The spotlight effect; NFL Referee Brad Rodgers; Rachel Greenwald; Uptalk/upspeak ========= Follow the host and guest: Athena Koutsonikolas on LinkedIn & Matt Abrahams 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.

How can lessons from cybersecurity lead to revelations about communicating under pressure? Join Staffbase SVP & GM David Maffei as he sits down with Tom Wentworth, CMO at incident.io, to unpack the biggest challenges leaders face in modern crisis communications. In this high-stakes episode, they explore why fear is the #1 silent killer in leadership communication, how executives can own the narrative during a crisis, and the cybersecurity lessons every business must learn to protect their reputation. With firsthand insights from the CrowdStrike crisis, Boeing’s PR disaster, and AI’s growing role in corporate risk, Tom shares why clarity beats complexity and how the right communication strategy can save your brand from catastrophe. Whether you're a CXO, marketer, or crisis manager, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways on building trust, preventing misinformation, and using AI to stay ahead of threats. Tune in now and discover how to lead with confidence when the stakes are high. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: incident.io; MasterCard and Recorded Future deal; Recorded Future; MasterCard; Cold Plunging; Boeing 737 MAX Crisis; CrowdStrike; CrowdStrike outage explained; Heathrow Airport; George Kurtz; Delta Air Lines; McAfee; Log4j Cybersecurity Incident; Elon Musk; Tim Cook; OpenAI; DeepSeek AI Model; NVIDIA H100 Chips; PagerDuty; Cursor AI ========= Follow the host and guest: David Maffei on LinkedIn & Tom Wentworth 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 Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he speaks with Stephanie Roberts, Chief Communications Officer at Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, to explore the evolving role of internal communications in modern organizations. Stephanie shares insights on why comms should report directly to the CEO, how to influence leadership, and why AI still can’t replace human connection. In this episode, Stephanie unpacks the challenges of engaging frontline workers, the importance of cultural nuances in global comms, and how storytelling can make even the most technical products compelling. She also reveals why every executive needs to be active on LinkedIn — and how communicators can make it happen. Whether you’re leading comms, advising executives, or rethinking your internal strategy, this conversation is full of actionable insights to help you drive real impact. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems; Bellagio Hotel; The Bellagio fountains (powered by Hitachi compressors); LinkedIn; Burning dog meme; Google Cloud; Stephanie Roberts Website ========= Follow the host and guest: Brian Tomlinson on LinkedIn & Stephanie Roberts 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.

Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison sits down with Chequan Lewis, President of Crunch Fitness, to explore his unique journey from law to leadership. Chequan shares his core values, his belief in unlocking people’s full potential, and how a culture of inclusivity, consistency, and radical grace has shaped his leadership style. He reflects on key lessons from his time at Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut, the transition into the fitness industry, and how he’s driving exponential growth at Crunch while keeping a strong focus on people and purpose. Beyond business strategy, this conversation dives deep into what makes leadership truly transformative — from empowering frontline employees to creating legendary customer experiences. Chequan discusses the power of authenticity, recognition, and vulnerability in leadership, along with the critical role of businesses in community impact. Whether you’re a leader navigating high-paced growth or someone looking for actionable insights on purpose-driven leadership, this episode is packed with real talk, real lessons, and real inspiration. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Crunch Fitness; Pizza Hut; Howard University; McMaster-Carr Supply Company; Harvard University; Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex; Yum! Brands; The Wall Street Journal; Crunch+ Platform; Dak Prescott; Dallas Cowboys; Crunch 3.0 Concept; Fannie Lou Hamer ========= Follow the host and guest: Neil Morrison on LinkedIn & Chequan Lewis 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.

Stacey Jones, Chief Communicator at Honeywell, shares her expertise in leading communications for a global tech giant. She discusses how aligning 100,000 employees with a 'North Star' strategy enhances clarity and engagement. Stacey reveals the transformative impact of AI on communication while underscoring the importance of human judgment and strong storytelling. She also warns against common communication pitfalls during change and advocates for quality metrics over quantity in measuring effectiveness. This insightful dialogue is packed with actionable strategies for corporate leaders.

Join Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison as he sits down with bestselling author and executive coach Chester Elton for a deep dive into leadership, culture, and the transformative power of gratitude. Chester shares decades of insights on why recognition and appreciation are the foundation of high-performing teams, revealing how small daily rituals—like the “10 and 10” practice—can foster connection and engagement. From NASA astronauts using random acts of kindness to eliminate conflict to Texas Roadhouse’s legendary service mantra, this episode is packed with real-world examples of how leaders can build cultures of trust and impact. Chester also addresses the challenges of toxic workplaces and provides actionable strategies for shifting from a traditional management mindset to a coaching culture—one where leaders ask better questions, assume positive intent, and help people grow both professionally and personally. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Chester Elton Blog, Leading with Gratitude; The Culture Works; Thinker’s 50 Executive Coach; Adrian Gostick; Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton Books; All In: How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results; Leading with Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results; Garry Ridge; WD-40; Marshall Goldsmith; "Three Doors" of Communication; Gratitude Journaling; President Kennedy; NASA; Chris Hadfield; FYidoctors; Coaching Culture; Gratitude Stone; Texas Roadhouse; Kent Taylor; Scott O’Neill; Michael Bungay Stanier; The Coaching Habit; Jay Shetty; Think Like a Monk ========= Follow the host and guest: Neil Morrison on LinkedIn & Chester Elton 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 SVP & GM of the Americas David Maffei as he sits down with transformational marketing leader Norman Guadagno to explore the pivotal role communication plays in driving successful business transformations. From aligning teams across sales and marketing to embracing AI as a communication tool, Norman shares actionable strategies and lessons from his transformative work at companies like Mimecast and Carbonite. This episode dives into the complexity of organizational change, the importance of trust and transparency, and how storytelling can drive alignment and engagement. Whether you're navigating a business transformation or adapting to the evolving landscape of AI-driven communication, this conversation is packed with insights to inspire action. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Mimecast; Norbella; Acoustic; Carbonite; Business email compromise; Little League; ChatGPT plus; Sam Altman; Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham ========= Follow the host and guest: David Maffei on LinkedIn & Norman Guadagno 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 Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he chats with Dr. David Burkus, bestselling author and one of the world’s top business thinkers, to explore what it takes to build the best team ever. With insights from his books like Best Team Ever and The Myths of Creativity, David unpacks the traits of high-performing teams, why creativity is a team sport, and how leaders can rethink traditional management norms to foster innovation and connection. In this episode, David shares actionable advice for leaders navigating today’s workplace, from building trust in remote teams to cultivating a resourceful mindset. He also challenges long-held myths about creativity and reveals why storytelling and networks are vital tools for team success. Whether you’re managing a small team or leading a large organization, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you inspire, empower, and lead with purpose. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: David Burkus books; David Burkus website; Brazilian jiu-jitsu; Judo; Taekwondo; UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship); Royce Gracie; Blockbuster Video; Jigorō Kanō; Amy Edmondson; Brené Brown; Boris Groysberg; Philadelphia Eagles; Ford Motor Company; Alan Mulally; Mark Fields; Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; Simon Sinek; Jon Levy; Brian Uzzi; Nick Christakis; James Fowler; Jim Rohn ========= Follow the host and guest: Brian Tomlinson on LinkedIn & David Burkus 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 Chief Strategy Officer Frank Wolf as he sits down with Marco Andre, AI strategist and keynote speaker, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming marketing, communications, and HR. From automating repetitive tasks to enhancing creativity, Marco shares real-world examples of AI's impact across industries and offers actionable advice for leaders navigating this new landscape. This episode dives into the practical uses of AI, like Adobe Max and NotebookLM, and their potential to reshape how organizations operate. Marco also addresses the ethical concerns around AI, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with regulation. Whether you're a leader exploring AI's potential or a professional adapting to technological shifts, this conversation is packed with insights to inspire action. ========= Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Lego; Novartis; Adobe MAX 2024; NotebookLM; Alphabet; Corporate amnesia; Moderna; Moderna AI Academy; 2001: A Space Odyssey; The Terminator; WALL-E; Yuval Harari; Skynet; “The Seven Cardinal Sins of AI”; EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act; TEDx ========= Follow the host and guest: Frank Wolf on LinkedIn & Marco Andre 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.