Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

Every October, workplaces across Australia shine a spotlight on safety during Safe Work Month. Posters go up, toolbox talks are scheduled, and inboxes fill with reminders about procedures and policies. For many workers, the messages feel repetitive, predictable and sometimes irrelevant.In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we sit down with Stephen Harvey, a safety professional with more than 18 years’ experience across high-risk industries, to talk about how safety communication needs to change. Steve shares why traditional approaches (often legalistic, technical and dry) fail to connect with the very people they’re meant to protect.Together, we explore practical ways to make safety comms stick, like weaving in humor and storytelling, and designing messages that feel human, relatable and timely. The conversation also looks at how organisational culture, leadership, and even the channels you choose play a role in whether safety communication is remembered, or ignored.If you’ve ever felt trapped in the “tick-the-box” cycle of safety messaging, this episode offers fresh ideas to spark genuine engagement, shift behaviours and, ultimately, save lives.Links mentioned in this episode:Steve's LinkedInHop Scotch Safety90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Moving to a new country takes courage, especially when there may very well be different language barriers. However, it's worth wondering... what happens when your new workplace has communication you can't keep up with? Even if it's not just a different language, there is a risk of misunderstandings, safety risks, and missed opportunities simply from cultural differences alone!Which is what this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast explores. We focus on how internal communicators can break down language barriers so every employee feels safe and included. We touch on plain English (no jargon!), visual tools and one-on-one conversations, and we give you six practical tactics that help messages land. We're here to make sure no one’s knowledge or experience gets lost in translation.Listen in to break your language barriers down!Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Engagement surveys are everywhere, and it’s tempting to use those scores as proof that your internal communications are working. In fact, a lot of people, and senior leaders, ask for exactly those scores to prove communication cut through. However, engagement isn’t just about comms because it’s shaped by leadership, culture, salaries, career development, values, and more.So if engagement isn’t the right measure, what is? In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we unpack why engagement shouldn’t be your go-to metric. Then, we tell you what should and seven practical measures that actually demonstrate the value of internal communication. Th real kind of measures that will give you the data-backed and human-proven evidence you need to show senior management, and other employees, the internal comms impact on the business. If you agree that it’s time to move past vague scores and start measuring what really matters, you’ll want to listen in!Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Stepping into leadership doesn’t magically equip someone with the ability to communicate well. Yet, so many organisations still assume it does. In fact, research shows that 82% of new leaders receive no formal training, which means many simply copy the habits of their past managers. The result? Poor communication that trickles down and impacts whole teams.Which is why this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast explores the five core communication skills that every new leader needs to master. From listening with intent and translating strategy into something meaningful, to adapting communication styles, navigating difficult conversations and telling stories that inspire, these are the skills that build trust, motivate people and create clarity. If you’re new to leadership yourself or supporting others in their journey, you’ll walk away with practical ways to strengthen communication and avoid the common pitfalls. So get listening!Links mentioned in this episode:Episode 119: 5 things leaders can do to improve their communicationEpisode 132: Listening, and how it can change your internal comms (ft. Howard Krais)90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Change and communication work can be challenging, with shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and complex approvals creating frustration. Which is why on this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we sit down with Gilbert Kruidenier, organisational change expert, author, and volunteer firefighter, to explore common frustrations in change projects and practical ways to overcome them.Gilbert shares insights from over 20 years of experience across industries including retail, government, aged care, and disability. He explains how to distinguish between change and communications roles, manage workloads, navigate approvals, and make messages clear, simple, and human. The conversation also touches on lessons from Gilbert’s book Bad Change and strategies for improving the way change is communicated. Overall, we go over some of the mammoth pet peeves that all change and/or comms folks have, and how we can navigate them in a world where change is the new norm, and comms has to communicate about it.This episode is ideal if you're in change or communications and want practical ideas to make your work more effective and impactful.Links mentioned in this episode:Gilbert’s LinkedInKruidenier Consulting‘Bad Change’ book90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Discover how to tackle the challenges of siloed workplaces that stifle collaboration. Four actionable strategies are shared to enhance communication between teams. Learn the importance of creating a single source of truth and empowering employees to share updates. The discussion emphasizes holding leaders accountable to ensure transparency. Ready to break down barriers and foster trust in your organization? Tune in for insights that encourage alignment and effective teamwork!

When we think of internal communication, we often jump straight to emails, intranets, and town halls... but what about listening? How do we truly hear employees and act on what they share?In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we're joined by Howard Krais, co-founder of True Communications and co-author of Leading the Listening Organisation. With decades of experience in global change communications, Howard has pioneered research into how organisations listen and why it matters.We dive into what makes a 'listening organisation,' the role leaders play in shaping culture, and how to move from hearing to truly listening. Howard also unpacks the barriers businesses face, how listening can become an early warning system for risks, and the surprising role AI might play in transforming how we listen.If you’ve ever felt like your surveys disappear into a black hole, or wondered how to build a culture where employees feel heard, this episode will change how you think about internal comms.Links mentioned in this episode:Howard Krais’ LinkedInTrue CommunicationsLeading the Listening Organisation: Creating Organisations that Flourish book90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Ever nailed a comms campaign, where you know it's clear, concise and beautifully targeted, only to find it falls flat in action? The missing ingredient might be emotion. In this episode, we dive into the power of 'getting them in the feels' and why emotions are often the deciding factor in whether your audience engages, acts, or ignores your message entirely. Drawing on fascinating research, we share four practical ways to tap into emotions: making your message relatable, priming your audience’s thinking, framing information effectively, and connecting with their sense of identity. So, if you're driving organisational change, inspiring donations, or motivating action, these insights will help you speak to both hearts and minds, and actually get results.Listen in to this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast.Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

In the crowded and competitive world of Not-For-Profits, how do you cut through the noise, move hearts, and inspire action?In this powerful episode, we chat with Gurpreet Bhatia, Regional Communications Director for Asia at Heifer International, about the art and impact of storytelling in the nonprofit space. Gurpreet explains why storytelling is the soul of effective NFP communication and how real stories can drive funding, build connection, and spark meaningful transformation.She shares her storytelling strategies, including a simple but powerful story arc, and talks through one incredible story of a woman whose life—and entire community—was transformed. The episode also explores the role of AI in comms, the importance of human-first language, and why empathy, dignity, and listening matter more than ever.Whether you're in a lean comms team or just starting out in nonprofit storytelling, this episode will reignite your passion for the work we do.Tune in now and learn how to tell stories that truly matter.Links mentioned in this episode:Gurpreet’s LinkedInBihani Womens Cooperative story90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question

Change projects don’t always run smoothly. In fact, they often stall, slow down, or get tangled in roadblocks. So what happens when you’re expected to keep communicating about a project… but there’s nothing new to report?In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore the tricky territory of staying visible and valuable when change efforts are stuck in the slow lane. You'll learn practical ways to communicate meaningfully, without creating noise or confusion, including how to tap into existing channels, tailor updates to specific audiences, offer behind-the-scenes insights, and maintain trust through transparency.Even when you’re knee-deep in a stalled initiative or perhaps you're just looking to sharpen your change comms skills. This episode will help you strike the right balance between staying silent and oversharing, plus, what to talk about if you choose to speak up.So, listen in and get the low down here.Links mentioned in this episode:90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsChange Isn't Hard! - Mel's bookSign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question