Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

What a year! Filled with political upheaval and natural disasters all the way through to global protests, major elections and fast-moving technological change... you could say 2025 has been a whirlwind. With so much happening around us and within our organisations, it’s no wonder many people feel overwhelmed as we approach the end of the year.In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we take a look back at the trends that shaped the comms and change landscape in 2025 and what they signal for 2026. We unpack what communicators and change professionals need to be paying attention to as we enter a new year, and what trends are arising from the craziness of 2025 and beyond.In fact, consider this your roadmap to what’s coming next. No crystal ball required, just clear trends, practical insights and a chance to step into 2026 with clarity, capability and confidence. Get listening!Links mentioned in this episode:Topic in Ten - have your say!90 minute Strategy Power SessionPublic workshops and trainingLess Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTemplate 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

David Pullan, an actor-turned-corporate communications specialist and co-founder of The Story Spotters, shares powerful insights on storytelling in the workplace. He discusses his DNA framework (Dream, Nightmare, Action) for engagement and why leaders should embrace vulnerability and co-creation. Learn about the PRET structure for impactful communication and how to make emails unignorable. David emphasizes that everyone has stories worth telling and highlights the importance of simplifying messages to connect effectively with audiences.

We’re officially entering the pointy end of the year and with the holiday slowdown approaching, there are only a few short weeks left to get your planning done for 2026. If you’re feeling overloaded now, that pressure won’t disappear next year unless you take time to reset, refocus and set your team up with clear goals and boundaries.In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we walk you through a practical, six-step approach to creating your 2026 communication plan. From aligning your goals with organisational strategy to defining deliverables, building capability, setting boundaries, celebrating wins and securing stakeholder buy-in, this is a roadmap to help any comms or change team plan with intention and impact.We share tips for running an effective planning session, why external perspectives matter, and the simple mindset shift that turns a plan into a strategic tool. And for those who listen to the end, there’s a little surprise waiting to help you build your own plan even faster.... so, tune in and get ready to shape a calmer, clearer and more strategic 2026.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

Clear strategic goals and meaningful values are essential for organisational success, but most employees can’t remember them, let alone apply them. In this episode, we explore why strategy and values often fail to stick, and then, we share six practical, research-backed tactics to embed them effectively across your organisation.You’ll learn how co-creation taps into ownership and social identity, why simplicity boosts recall, and how to break free from the broken communication cascade. We also unpack the importance of repetition, the power of making communication fun and easy, and why concrete, image-rich language dramatically increases understanding and adoption.This episode will help you communicate strategy and values in ways that resonate, engage and drive real organisational performance. But most importantly: in a way that people can remember.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

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

Zora Artis, a strategist and CEO of Artist Advisory, dives into the elusive concept of strategic alignment. She clarifies that true alignment is about shared meaning, not just agreement. Zora highlights the dire reality that only 14% of organizations are truly aligned, discussing the signs of 'quiet misalignment.' She emphasizes the pivotal role communicators play in fostering clarity and trust. Listeners gain insights on how to translate strategy into everyday actions and the essential skills communicators need to bridge the gap between intention and execution.

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