Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

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

We’re back with our Topic in Ten mini-series of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast and this week, we’ve answered your burning question around whether we are surveying people too often.In fact, more specifically, we’ve given a tonne of top tips on the creative ways we can gather meaningful feedback from dispersed groups in sometimes non-traditional methods. We’ve shared five practical and creative alternatives to traditional surveys, while reinforcing the importance of collecting data you’ll actually use and showcase, without overwhelming your audience. Interested? Listen in to make sure your participants’ voices are heard. Make sure to submit your own questions below, too!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 to our very fancy, new podcats mini-series: Topic in Ten, where we tackle your very own submitted communications questions or dilemmas in ten minutes or less.In this first episode of our new mini-series, we answer your question: "How can we get people to actually read our transformation program newsletter?"We explore the pros and cons of newsletters as a channel, we look at the why behind newsletters, and we also give five actionable tips on making your newsletter fresh, readable and enticing for your audience. All in just ten minutes!Get listening in and don't forget to submit your very own questions using the link below.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, we interview Sia Papageorgiou, the managing partner of the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence, to talk about the progress and ongoing challenges in the field of internal communication. We also discuss a recent report by the Centre and Haiilo, which highlights the need for internal communication professionals to gain a strategic foothold and become more integrated into executive decision-making. Sia shares her experiences, the importance of measurable objectives, professional development, and the potential of AI in transforming strategic communication. So, jump in this week to chat all things internal comms! Links mentioned in this episode:Sia’s LinkedInRead the report hereTopic 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 the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we discuss six crucial trends that communication and change professionals need to anticipate in 2025.Through these trends, we showcase what it could mean for a comms pro leading into 2025, and how you capitalise on these trends to ensure you're hitting the mark. We also provide strategic advice on navigating these challenges, alongside some handy tips on what you need to make sure you steer clear of.This episode aims to equip comms folks with insights and strategies to stay ahead and thrive in the evolving communications landscape.... especially as the time begins for strategy prep leading into the new year!So, jump in and get your top 6 trends to stay aware of as you start to prepare for the new year!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 the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we picked the brain of award-winning communications and digital accessibility expert, Matisse Hamel-Nelis, on all things accessibility and inclusivity. In recognition of International Day of People with a Disability, December 3rd, we wanted to get the run down on all things accessibility, and what we could do or implement as best practice for communicators in order to make a difference.Our discussion covered some practical tips for making social media, documents, and videos more accessible, alongside the role of AI in accessibility, and the importance of inclusive language. Matisse also emphasised the need for continuous learning and engagement with the accessibility community to improve communication practices.So, listen in now to get some quick and easy tips on making your content more accessible to over 1.6 million people across the globe. Links mentioned in this episode:Matisse’s websiteMatisse’s LinkedInTemplate 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 tackle a challenge that’s all too familiar to communication professionals: measuring and reporting on your work.You’ve been there—you’ve just finished rolling out a major campaign or change initiative, and before you can breathe, you’re knee-deep in the next project. Measurement? Reporting? Out the window. And then, months later, when leadership questions your value, you’re left wishing you’d made the time.Sound familiar? Then this episode is for you.We dive into the why behind measurement (spoiler: it’s about proving your strategic value and staying at the top of your game) and the how, with a practical five-step process. So, with actionable advice and tips on everything from crafting business-aligned metrics to making your reports visually engaging, this episode will help you showcase your value—and maybe even save your job in tough times.Ready to prove your worth as a strategic communicator? Tune in and learn how to turn measurement into your superpower.Links mentioned in this episode: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 jump headfirst into the five common communication mistakes that often scare off audiences, particularly in internal communications.Whether it’s townhalls that cause you to have a quick nap, or comms that you see minimal engagement on and maximum deletes - there are a tonne of mistakes we, as communicators, can make that often do the opposite of communicating to our audience: we scare them off.With overly long messages, vague communication, corporate jargon, pointless communication, and boring content, we’ve got some practical tips on how to mitigate these issues. So, if you’ve ever seen a comms hit your inbox that made you want to quickly jump back into bed, you should listen in to learn how to keep your audience engaged and your messages effective.Links mentioned in this episode:Episode 17: How to write concisely without losing friendsTemplate 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

Elections are at the top of our mind right now, regardless of where you are around the globe. In fact, there are at least 64 countries around the world that are holding elections this year… plus the European Union. Most notably, we’re all sitting on the edge of our seats watching the votes trickle in from the US election and wondering what that may mean for the rest of the world in the coming years… so, with all of this in mind, we got wondering: what kind of comms is at play in elections and big political pieces, and more importantly, what could we learn from them?Which is why we’ve got the incredible David Imber on this week’s episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast to talk us through all things political comms and what we can take and apply to other areas of comms across the board. So, if you’re keen to get the inside scoop on election tactics, including what Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have been doing comms-wise, you should listen in!Links mentioned in this episode:David’s websiteDavid’s LinkedInTemplate 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

When you began your career, (unless you started out as a public speaker) we can make an assumption that you never thought public speaking would become a key skill in your toolkit.However, it's unfortunately the reality for a lot of corporate folks, and even those outside of the corporate world. In fact, the importance of developing public speaking skills has become a necessity in many roles - which is why we've got Motivational Speaker and professional public speaker, Julian Mather, on this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast.A former stutterer turned professional keynote speaker, Julian shares his personal journey from dreaming of being a photojournalist to becoming a TV cameraman, to his eventual career change into magic and motivational speaking (a rollercoaster, right?). Even with the chaotic career path he's ventured, Julian highlighted the critical need for effective communication and public speaking while providing practical tips for improving speaking skills, overcoming the fear of being wrong, and mitigating the usage of filler words like 'um.' So... if you want to get better at speaking in front of people, or maybe you just want to hone your skills, sit back and get listening to this week's episode!Links mentioned in this episode:Julian’s websiteJulian’s LinkedInTemplate 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