Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

Here we see a Tale of Two Transformations... and with it, the large divide between experiences that became the catalyst for this episode's creation. This divide: why a change can thrive in one organisation but collapse in another — even when they start with the same strategy, consultants, and goals?In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore five universal truths about what makes or breaks transformation. Through the stories of two very different organisations, Happiness Co and Sadness Co, we explore how leadership alignment, culture, capability, progress, and people can completely change the outcome of a transformation effort.It’s a tale of what happens when change is driven with people, not at them, and what you can do to avoid becoming the tale of a failing change transformation. Listen in now!Links mentioned in this episode:Sign up to the waitlist for the Fresh to Freelancing eBook!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

This week, we’re celebrating a big milestone! Five years in business and a brand new chapter with a brand new brand name (say that fast 10 times). We are now: Cuttlefish!To celebrate, this episode is all about five of the biggest communication lessons we have learned along the way. These lessons apply whether you run your own consultancy or work in-house.We chat about why it's important to find clarity in your value in order to stay visible and building meaningful two-way conversations. We touch on a whole lot more in this episode, and each of these are the practices that have helped us grow, evolve, and adapt (just like our new namesake, the cuttlefish).So tune in to learn how to strengthen your communication impact, stay top of mind, and grow with purpose.Links mentioned in this episode:Episode 62: What is thought leadership and how do you use it?Sign up to the waitlist for the Fresh to Freelancing eBook!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

What does it really mean to be aligned, and why is it so hard to achieve?In this episode, Zora Artis joins us to unpack the concept of alignment: what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many organisations struggle to get it right. Zora explains that alignment isn’t actually about everyone agreeing, but rather, about creating shared meaning and direction so people can move together with purpose. Yet despite leaders knowing how critical alignment is, research shows only around 14% of organisations are truly aligned. So, with this knowledge on board, we explore what causes “quiet misalignment” (the subtle drift between intention and execution) and, how leaders and communicators can close that gap through clarity, trust and honest dialogue.Zora also shares how alignment connects with cohesion and commitment to create true organisational flow, and why communicators play a pivotal role in helping leaders bring strategy to life.If you’ve ever felt like your team is “busy but not together,” this episode will give you the insight, and language, to fix it. So, get listening!Links mentioned in this episode:Zora’s LinkedIn90 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

Are you guilty of copy-and-pasting your comms plan each time?  It may sound more efficient but when these habits become our norm, we risk repeating the same mistakes and missing the outcomes we actually want.In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore five common mistakes we see in communication plans, especially during times of internal change, and what to do instead. We look into things like forgotten audience context and focusing too much on the business perspective, while sharing how to fix these things to make the biggest difference.If your comms plan could use a refresh, this one’s for you!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

What does it really mean to communicate inclusively and are we doing enough to make our messages accessible to everyone?In this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we speak with Julie Malvian, co-founder of Code Read Dyslexia Network, Assistant Principal, and long-time advocate for children and adults with learning differences. Julie shares what dyslexia is (and what it’s not), how to spot the early signs, and why it’s often misunderstood; even in workplaces that pride themselves on inclusion. She also breaks down practical ways communicators and leaders can make information easier to absorb, from using clear language and fonts to creating content in multiple formats. Whether you’re a professional communicator, a leader, or simply someone who wants to connect more effectively, this conversation is a reminder that good communication is inclusive communication and small changes can make a big difference.Tune in this Dyslexia Awareness Month to learn how rethinking the way you write, design, and speak can help everyone feel more included and understood.Links mentioned in this episode:Code ReadJulie's LinkedInJulie's X (Twitter)Julie's Instagram90 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

If you're in Australia, then Spring has sprung... or whatever that quote usually is. Generally speaking, us Aussies get the first inklings of Spring through the wafts of breeze passing our heads as we get swooped by territorial magpies. However, Spring also marks the start of our disaster season with floods, cyclones, fires and heatwaves. In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we show you how communicators can strengthen internal readiness before disaster strikes. While many organisations focus heavily on external crisis communication, internal comms often gets overlooked and that can make a huge difference when things go wrong.We share practical advice on preparing internal channels, establishing clear ownership and message responsibilities, and ensuring staff know where to go for accurate information. We also discuss how pre-season awareness campaigns can help build a sense of preparedness and care across the workplace.When disaster hits, communication allows organisations to protect people, provide clarity, and keep teams connected when it matters most. So, listen in now!Links mentioned in this episode:Crisis Communications Toolkit90 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

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