The Crux of the Story

What is a company’s role in national security? How do communications professionals navigate large mergers and acquisitions? How is corporate political spending bad for business and democracy? In this 90th episode, we look back at the show's fourth season (episodes 69-80). We covered everything from politics to sports to economics. Subscribe to the podcast feed on SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Check out more episodes by visiting thecruxpodcast.org.

How do we define impact? What role does leadership play in ESG impact investing? How should small and large businesses approach ESG issues? In this episode, we welcome Nick Andreou and Marya Besharov to discuss their MIT Sloan Management Review article titled ”Rethinking How We Measure Companies on Social and Environmental Impact.” Marya Besharov is a professor of organizations and impact and academic director at the University of Oxford’s Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Saed Business School. Nick is the founder of Impact Edge Consulting and a visiting fellow at the center. Tune in to hear about the Skoll Center and its work, how to build a winning business, and how communicators can push companies to bridge the gap between ESG aspirations and reality.

What are the key findings in Peppercomm/Ragan Corporate Character Barometer? Why don’t communicators have a handbook for navigating social or political issues? Why does humor play such an important role in business settings? In this episode, we welcome Peppercom CEO Steve Cody. Steve is also the current chairman of the Institute for Public Relations, a longtime member of the Arthur W. Page Society, a member of the advisory councils of the College of Charleston and the University of Florida, and was named one of Northeastern University’s 100 most successful alumni. But most importantly, he is a lifelong comedian, climber, and dog lover. Tune in to hear Steve’s perspective on Adidas’s relationship with Ye, Ruder Finn’s acquisition of Peppercom, and find out whether if you need to be funny to work at Peppercom.

What is Smart Brevity? Where did the idea come from? Why is it so difficult to achieve for most of us? In this episode, we welcome Axios founding editor-in-chief, Nick Johnston. Before Axios, Nick was the managing editor at Bloomberg, covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and the 2008 presidential campaign. Tune in to hear about Cox Enterprises' acquisition of Axios, how technology inspired the creation of Smart Brevity, and the difference in emoji usage between generations.

What does it mean to be a communication leader in a large enterprise like Microsoft? How has the increase in shareholder activism affected the role of a communicator? What is "productivity paranoia"? In this episode, we are joined by Microsoft Vice President of Communications, Frank Shaw. Frank has been at Microsoft since 2009 and today leads a team that defines and manages Microsoft communications strategies worldwide. Tune in to hear about the future of Microsoft Teams in the workplace, Microsoft’s M&A with Activision Blizzard, and find out what his LinkedIn’s #CommsConversations series is all about.

What does the future of the ESG framework look like? How important is it to align ESG goals with capital returns? How does Prudential think about its public voice on social issues? In this episode, we welcome Prudential CCO Alan Sexton to discuss the evolving importance of ESG for communicators. Prior to joining Prudential in 2018, Alan had spent more than 20 years working for several public relations firms – including Ogilvy and Burson-Marsteller – counseling them through business transformations and public policy issues. Tune in to this episode to learn about Prudential’s communication framework for navigating social issues and advice on how to handle an ESG backlash.

What is National Truth and Reconciliation day in Canada? What are land acknowledgments? What is Orange Shirt Society? In this episode, we welcome Creative Fire CEO Leanne Hall. Prior to joining Creative Fire in 2019, Leanne was the National Leader of the Deloitte Indigenous practice, serving over 275 Indigenous communities across Canada. She has served as a director for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, a member of the Board of Governors for Wilfrid Laurier University, and a WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Award Winner. Tune in to learn about Enbridge's reconciliation action plan, residential schools, and what American businesses can do to engage in allyship.

How is satellite imagery combating misinformation in the Russia-Ukraine war? What was it like to grow up in a Hispanic family? Have you ever wondered what kinds of careers a satellite company offers? In this episode, Fernando Vivanco, vice president of communications at Maxar, joins us to discuss the various projects for which Maxar provides satellite imagery. Fernando has been a senior-level communicator for a number of blue-chip technology-driven companies, including Boeing, Honeywell, Medtronic, and TE Connectivity. Tune in to hear about the amazing work at Maxar, from monitoring illegal mining in the Amazon to helping build the foundation of the metaverse, as well as advice on how to prove the value of communication at a new company.

How did Elon Musk’s 2018 pay package elevate CEO pay? How can we objectively measure and report annual CEO salaries? Since 2017, has the SEC reporting requirement led to any real change in compensation policies? In this episode, we are joined by New York Times business reporter Peter Eavis. Peter joins us to discuss executive compensation and corporate profits. Prior to the Times, Peter was with the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and TheStreet.com in which he won a Loeb Award for his work. Tune in to hear Peter’s insights for communicators on how to provide a persuasive rationale for CEO pay packages, as well as what big business stories to look out for in 2022.

How are the Sandy Hook shooting and the Jan. 6 insurrection linked? What is the basis of a conspiracy theory? And how do we combat conspiracy hoaxers? University of Connecticut journalism professor Amanda J. Crawford argues for being transparent and being open. Amanda is a veteran political journalist and academic researcher who focuses on journalism ethics, media law, misinformation, and the role of journalists in a democracy. Amanda is writing a book about the fight for the truth after Sandy Hook, "Truth for the Dead." Tune in to this episode to hear about the linkage between social media and gun violence, the Alex Jones trial, and companies’ role in raising awareness about conspiracy theories.