

The TrustMakers
Edelman and Advertising Week
Trust is the ultimate currency in the relationship that all institutions – businesses and brands, governments, NGOs, media – build with their stakeholders. Trust enables an organization to operate, lead and thrive. Join The TrustMakers, where listeners connect with global experts to learn what it takes to build trust in today’s society.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 5, 2025 • 31min
Reddit’s Roxy Young on ‘The Most Human Place on the Internet’
Edelman’s Smita Reddy is joined by Roxy Young, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Reddit for a conversation about what makes Reddit a trusted source of information for so many and how brands can effectively leverage the platform to reach their consumers. “Reddit is the most human place on the internet,” Roxy says.

Feb 19, 2025 • 26min
RE-AIR: Axios CEO Jim VandeHei on Leading with ‘Just the Good Stuff’
Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman, hosts Jim VandeHei, CEO and C-Founder of Axios, and interviews him about his book, ‘Just the Good Stuff’ and how the media and business leaders can build trust. First aired in May 2024.

Feb 5, 2025 • 28min
The Modern Elder Academy’s Chip Conley on Why Age is an Asset
By 2027, most Americans will have a younger boss, yet businesses remain fixated on youth. In this episode, Chip Conley—hospitality entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy—joins Jackie Cooper, Global Chief Brand Officer at Edelman, to challenge outdated perceptions of aging. They discuss the power of experience in leadership, why brands must … Continue reading "The Modern Elder Academy’s Chip Conley on Why Age is an Asset "

Jan 24, 2025 • 26min
Davos Special Part 3: Maven’s Kate Ryder on Innovating Women’s and Family Health
Kate Ryder, Founder and CEO of Maven, sits down with Justin Blake, Executive Director of the Edelman Trust Institute at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. Kate talks about her first experience at Davos this week, why she founded Maven Clinic, and how transparency and clarity in health care can build trust. … Continue reading "Davos Special Part 3: Maven’s Kate Ryder on Innovating Women’s and Family Health"

Jan 23, 2025 • 28min
Davos Special Part 2: Fmr. New Zealand PM Helen Clark on How Inclusive Policies Can Help Address Grievance
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999-2008, sits down with Kirsty Graham, Edelman’s U.S. CEO, at the 25th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. They discuss the on-the-ground reactions to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, how the Covid pandemic impacted trust in institutions and information, and what … Continue reading "Davos Special Part 2: Fmr. New Zealand PM Helen Clark on How Inclusive Policies Can Help Address Grievance"

Jan 22, 2025 • 27min
Davos Special Part 1: Semafor’s Andrew Edgecliffe Johnson on what’s on CEOs’ minds at WEF
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, CEO Editor at Semafor, sits down with Justin Blake, Executive Director of the Edelman Trust Institute, at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Andrew, who has attended meetings since 2007, gives tips for navigating Davos and shares what’s top of mind for business leaders at this year’s meeting. … Continue reading "Davos Special Part 1: Semafor’s Andrew Edgecliffe Johnson on what’s on CEOs’ minds at WEF"

Jan 9, 2025 • 27min
Board Leaders on How to Strengthen Technology Oversight
Nora Denzel and David Kenny, former executives and current leaders of the boards of AMD and Best Buy, respectively, join Sat Dayal, Managing Director of Technology at Edelman, for a conversation on how boards can establish and develop tech oversight. The pair co-chaired the NACD’s 2024 Blue Ribbon Commission on the topic. Nora and David discuss … Continue reading "Board Leaders on How to Strengthen Technology Oversight"

Dec 10, 2024 • 28min
Research Director on 2024 Elections’ Lessons in Messaging
David Simas, the Managing Director of Research and Impact at Emerson Collective, joins Justin Blake, Executive Director of the Edelman Trust Institute, to discuss takeaways from the U.S. presidential elections and other elections around the world for all brand, business, and media leaders. They cover the forces at play in this year’s elections, determining the … Continue reading "Research Director on 2024 Elections’ Lessons in Messaging"

Nov 13, 2024 • 13min
Culture Expert Explains Why Vibes Determined the U.S. Presidential Election
Dr. Marcus Collins, a clinical assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and author of “For the Culture,” explains to Brooks Miller, Executive Vice President of Influencer Marketing at Edelman, why “vibes” helped former President Donald Trump win the 2024 U.S. presidential election. “We make decisions based off of … Continue reading "Culture Expert Explains Why Vibes Determined the U.S. Presidential Election"

Nov 1, 2024 • 26min
Building Trust in Election Coverage by Prioritizing the Citizens’ Agenda
Lynn Walsh, Assistant Director of Trusting News, talks with Justin Blake, Executive Director of the Edelman Trust Institute, about the state of trust in the media during the 2024 U.S. election cycle. She lays out how journalists can build trust through transparency, engagement, and humility and how national media organizations should focus on providing people … Continue reading "Building Trust in Election Coverage by Prioritizing the Citizens’ Agenda"


