Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

Off the back of Tropical Cyclone Alfred here on the east coast of Australia, we have seen the quick rise of the not-forgotten behaviour seen during the height of the pandemic: toilet paper hoarding.Now, it may seem silly, and at both times you may have scoffed at the idea... but have you ever actually wondered why people rush to buy toilet paper during a crisis? Because we have. And right now, we're seeing it again. Which is why this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast is diving into the why behind the hoarding, and what we can learn from it in our comms. It’s not just about the need—it’s about psychology. In this episode, we explore the behavioural science behind panic-buying and what it reveals about how people respond to change. By understanding these psychological principles, we can better anticipate reactions to change and craft messages that resonate. Whether you’re leading a transformation or managing communications, this episode will give you valuable insights into human behaviour... so, get listening!Links mentioned in this episode:Public 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

As professional communicators, team leaders, change managers, and even project managers, we can often be tasked with managing events. Whether it's a CEO town hall, a conference, an expo, or anything in between, there's always some kind of event we will be called in to help organise, if not manage, entirely.Though that doesn't mean we know what we are doing. In fact, quite a few of us have no idea what we're doing, which is why event management professionals should be on your speed dial. Because how do you make sure the event you run gets the outcomes you want? And that's what today's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast is all about. Featuring the expert, Sally Porteous, who is a passionate advocate for creating remarkable audience experiences where she has created three pillars of support for her event community. Red Lanyard is the production company supporting people and organisations to create their best work. Event Planner's Workshop is about creating space for people to learn, play, and test their work.And the Event Manager's Network that encourages connection, collaboration, belonging, and support. Still a self described work in progress, Sally continues to create meaningful event experiences, give others the confidence to do the same, and connect a vibrant community to make magic in the world. In today's episode, we cover everything about how to organise and manage quality events because events are a solid communication channel that we should be using.Links mentioned in this episode:Sally’s LinkedInSally's AI for events workshopPublic 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’ve ever had your eyeballs assaulted by a PowerPoint disaster—think endless bullet points, chaotic graphics, and a structure that makes zero sense—this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast is for you.We tackle the all-too-familiar scenario of being handed a presentation that needs major help before it lands in front of a VIP... but instead of just fixing slide decks one by one, we've shared some go-to strategies for guiding people to create better presentations themselves—saving you time, sanity, and possibly your eyesight. With seven practical (and sanity-saving) tips, we cover everything from defining a clear purpose to structuring content in a way that actually makes sense, ensuring your slides don’t just inform but persuade.There is also some sneaky psychological tricks to help you get what you want—whether that’s securing more budget, buy-in, or resources. We break down how to make your slides more visually engaging, why fewer words are (almost always) better, and how to simplify complex ideas without losing impact. This episode is packed with smart, actionable advice to make your next deck a winner... so tune in now!Links mentioned in this episode:Episode 95: Inclusive communications: how and why you should do it (ft. Matisse Hamel-Nelis)Episode 32: What is accessibility and why is it important? (ft. Kelly Thibodeau)Public 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

Kirsty Visman, owner and managing director of Superdream with nearly 20 years in PR, shares insights on maintaining creativity in communications. She emphasizes collaboration as key to problem-solving and overcoming budget constraints. Kirsty discusses the shift towards decentralized media platforms and the rising importance of personalized approaches over mass press releases. She also dives into the role of AI in trendspotting while stressing the need for balancing data with creativity, making this a must-listen for PR professionals.

Not everything needs a comms plan, and not every comms plan needs to be extensive.On this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explain away how you can easily outline and specify your comms before you even start. In fact, we share three essential questions every communicator should ask before crafting their messages.We all have busy schedules and information overload, meaning both communicators and audiences have little time for unclear, over the top or irrelevant messaging. By taking a few moments to consider these key questions, you can ensure your communication is clear, engaging, and effective—without the need for a full-blown comms plan. So, why wouldn't you spare yourself the workload and listen in for our simple three questions?Links mentioned in this episode:Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s bookTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsWorkshops and trainingChange 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 this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, Mel Loy chats with personal branding and career expert Petra Zink about why your reputation, and your personal brand, is your most valuable asset—especially in today's digital-first world.Petra shares why personal branding is more than just self-promotion—it's about shaping the perception others have of you. She explains how a strong personal brand can help you stand out in a competitive job market, future-proof your career, and attract new opportunities.Key takeaways include:If you can't be found, you can't be considered—your online presence matters more than ever.Go beyond job titles and tasks—focus on the value you bring and the impact you make.Content pillars matter—define your expertise and share insights that are relevant to your audience.Overcome self-promotion fears—think of it as curating conversations, not just talking about yourself.The rise of YouTube and owned content—why long-form content and email lists are key to a sustainable brand.Whether you're job hunting, building a business, or positioning yourself as a thought leader, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you take control of your personal brand.Links mentioned in this episode:Petra's company: Impaccct Petra's LinkedInTopic in Ten - have your say!Template packsWorkshops and trainingChange 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 this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we answer a key listener question: "What is a quick framework for companies to adopt AI into the workforce?"Now, this one is a particularly interesting episode as we chat about the new challenges that accompany the hot topic of Artificial Intelligence, alongside what it means for workforces around the world.We dive into a 3P framework to help you foster adoption across your organisation, and we give you some pretty fantastic steps on breaking down the process in a way that’s manageable - for everyone.Tune in to hear how communications professionals can lead the charge in integrating AI responsibly and effectively.Links mentioned in this episode:Topic in Ten - have your say!Template packsWorkshops and trainingChange 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 this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we dive into the challenge of encouraging people to volunteer, particularly on initiatives that rely on community support. We respond to another Topic in Ten question from one of our listeners about how to get more volunteers involved without resorting to nagging or threats. We share six evidence-based strategies to inspire action while mphasizing the importance of experimentation to find what resonates with you and your audience best.  So, get into this short and snappy episode to get an understanding on how you can use science to make people give a sh*t!Links mentioned in this episode:Topic in Ten - have your say!Template packsWorkshops and trainingChange 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

Welcome back to Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast and we are back, starting 2025 off strong with our newest Topic in Ten: How do I get more engagement on LinkedIn?This week, we’re diving into a big one: How do I get more engagement on LinkedIn? Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal profile or boost a company page, we've got some pretty useful tips to help you grow your audience and foster meaningful connections.Next week, we’re wrapping up our Topic in 10 series with another hot topic before diving back into our regular programming in February. So stay tuned, and get listening to our latest short and snappy Topic in Ten!Links mentioned in this episode:Topic in Ten - have your say!Template packsWorkshops and trainingChange 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

Team... we did it. Not only are we bringing in a new year, hitting the big 2025, but we're at 100 episodes of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast and honestly, what a ride!With our episodes now hitting the triple digits, it's no surprise that we're using this 100th episode to review and revisit some of the coolest interview learnings we had on this journey to 100 - with tonnes of amazing and intelligent folks joining us along the way.From building business acumen to mastering the art of simplicity in communication, we've got ten key takeaways and tips that every communicator looking to up their game can use in the new year.Whether you’re a long-time fan or tuning in for the first time, this celebratory episode is packed with golden nuggets of wisdom. Dive in and let us know your favourite moment from the past 100 episodes!Podcasts mentioned in this episode:Episode 97: The inside scoop on internal communications (ft. Sia Papageorgiou)Episode 95: Inclusive communications: how and why you should do it (ft. Matisse Hamel-Nelis)Episode 92: How we can leverage political communications techniques in our comms (ft. David Imber)Episode 91: Top tips on becoming a confident public speaker (ft. Julian Mather)Episode 85: The key skills communicators need to develop for the future (ft. Ross Monaghan)Episode 81: A case study on how to communicate globally (ft. Cassandra Thurston)Episode 71: How improv can enhance your comms skills (ft. Mandy Plumb)Episode 68: How to make the complex, simple (ft. Kate Norris)Episode 57: The power of leadership communication (ft. Prina Shah)Episode 49: How to not be boring when you run workshops (ft. Leanne Hughes)Links mentioned in this episode:Topic in Ten - have your say!Template packsWorkshops and trainingChange 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