Under Embargo Podcast

AI-For-Comms: Trading Grunt Work for Real Strategy with AI w/Jessen Gibbs, CEO & Co-Founder at Shadow, Inc and Dalyan Parker , Co-Founder at Shadow, Inc 10.06.2026 52λ

We burn 40% of our time on research that AI can finish in 10 minutes, and that gap is where strategy dies.Jessen Gibbs, CEO and Co-Founder of Shadow, and Dalyan Parker, Co-Founder, join us to break down how AI-native narrative intelligence replaces the research grind that eats nearly half of every comms professional's working hours. We talk about compounding narrative graphs, why metered pricing beats another SaaS subscription, and what happens when narrative cycles compress from 18 months to nine.We cover:- Why 40% of comms work never shows up on a client invoice- How one platform compresses a week of analysis into 10 minutes- What a compounding narrative graph actually builds that static reports cannot- How mid-market agencies multiply force without adding a single headcount- Why metered pricing starting at fifty dollars beats another SaaS subscriptionKey Moments:00:02:11 Track Daily Narrative Shifts in Real Time00:05:00 Cut Week-Long Analysis Down to 10 Minutes00:08:16 Build Your Thesis on Film School Origins00:11:19 Multiply Force Without Adding Headcount00:15:00 Turn Compounding Graphs Into Your Moat00:18:26 Replace Morning News Tab Grinding Forever00:22:00 Shrink Narrative Cycles to Nine Months00:25:05 Send Relevant Pitches, Skip AI Spam00:28:30 Navigate the Early SEO Era Smart00:31:00 Fight SaaS Fatigue and Holding Companies00:36:14 Start Small at Fifty Bucks Monthly00:47:42 Pick: Lose Pinky or Six Month Hiccups

Build the Infrastructure Now: How to Win LLM Visibility with Sarah Evans 27.05.2026 51λ

Sarah Evans joins the show to break down how communicators and CMOs can earn real visibility inside LLMs—not by chasing dashboards, but by building machine-readable authority through owned media and what her team calls "AI notices." The conversation covers the shift from keywords to prompt clusters, why owned content outranks earned media as a primary LLM source, the 28-day recency cycle that keeps citations alive, and why human writers remain the non-negotiable layer in an AI-optimized content system. Evans also gets into the operational reality of scaling beyond a founder-led agency, the limitations of current measurement tools, and what CMOs need to understand about a landscape where no one can see actual user prompts—but you can still prove impact.

You Are Not Running a Daycare: Meg Scheding on Treating Professionals Like Adults and Pricing Like It Matters w/ Meg Scheding 13.05.2026 47λ

Meg Scheding joins the show to break down what it actually takes to build a fractional consulting practice—and why most people who say they want out of corporate life end up crawling back. We cover the psychology of corporate domestication, why the ability to sell is the single gate to independent work, how to structure engagements around outcomes instead of hours, the human moat that AI still cannot replicate, and why fractional doesn't have to be forever. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Nobody Builds Tools for Us: Michelle Masek on Why Comms Deserved Its Own AI Platform w/ Michelle Masek, Founder & CEO at Honeyjar 29.04.2026 56λ

AI is coming for the mechanics of comms—media lists, briefing docs, visibility calendars—but it cannot replace strategy, judgment, or relationships. Michelle Masek, founder and CEO of Honeyjar, built an AI-powered operating system specifically for comms teams after watching the industry get ignored by tech for years. We cover how 60% of comms work is automatable mechanics, not the strategic value agencies actually get hired for; why the billable-hour agency model is already dead; what vibe coding unlocked for a comms pro turned founder; the looming junior-talent pipeline crisis as entry-level mechanics work disappears; and how EDU access and "robot wrangling" skills are the bridge for early-career pros. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.Just enter the code UNDEREMBARGO at checkout to get your first month free ($0 today, then $250/month after that, with no obligation to continue after the free trial). The code expires May 25. As an Early Access partner, you’ll receive HoneyJar at a locked-in rate of $250 per user/month, guaranteed for a full year (even as pricing increases).

The R in PR Still Wins: Why Relationship-Led Media Matters More in an AI-Saturated World w/ Joseph Gallo, Director of Communications at PayPal 15.04.2026 58λ

Joseph Gallo, Director of Communications at PayPal, breaks down how he makes regulated crypto and stable coin products understandable to everyday audiences, navigates multi-stakeholder approval grids that can stretch a single press release across months, and why relationship-driven earned media remains the most durable advantage in an AI-saturated landscape.In this episode, we explore:• Consumerizing stable coins by leading with fees, settlement speed, and access instead of blockchain jargon [09:53]• The real approval workflow behind a global crypto announcement, from legal and government relations to IR and regional teams [14:38]• Why GEO hype without volume, freshness, and format changes is overpromising on earned media's role [34:00]Joseph Gallo is a nine-year PayPal communications veteran who has led comms across B2B, consumer credit, crypto, and ads, and hosts the podcast Comms Confidential.Listen now to discover how to ship clearer messaging in regulated industries without compliance blowups, and why human relationships still outperform automation in media work.

Your Humanity Is the Strategy: Why AI Averages Everything Out and Communicators Are the Differentiator w/ Keith Berman, Director Internal Comms @ Vertafore 01.04.2026 51λ

Keith Berman joins the show to talk about why internal comms is fighting its way back to the strategic table—and why that fight matters more now than ever. The conversation covers the global change-management moment created by AI and external chaos, the trust erosion happening when audiences assume everything is machine-generated, and the double standard that lets every other function own its expertise while comms gets redlined by committee. Keith makes the case that communicators already have the skills the C-suite says it wants—strategy, persuasion, narrative, emotional intelligence—and that the path from internal comms to CEO is shorter than most orgs realize. We also get into why LinkedIn still works as a trust-building platform, the human moat against AI-generated sameness, and why the first and last draft of anything that matters has to come from a person.

Fragmented Influence: Why PR Now Means Podcasts, Substacks, and Eight Revenue Streams Per Journalist w Brett Farmiloe, Founder at Featured.com 18.03.2026 43λ

Brett Farlow, founder and CEO of Featured.com and the person who brought Help A Reporter Out back from the dead, breaks down how his team rebuilt trust in journalist-source matching after AI-generated pitches and spam eroded the platform's quality. The conversation covers AI detection as a signal for journalists, the fragmentation of media influence toward creators and newsletters, and why email-based Harrow works precisely because it offers a rare, direct human channel in an overwhelmed landscape.In this episode, we explore:• How Featured.com restored quality and trust after acquiring Harrow, including AI detection and source verification [00:03]• The two camps of journalists on AI-generated pitches and what that means for PR practitioners [00:08]• Why media influence is shifting from outlets to individuals, and what that means for earned media strategy [00:11]• Using AI as a thinking partner, not the pitch author, and the case for human-in-the-loop workflows [00:14]• The 2026 AI disillusionment thesis and how PR teams can do more with smaller teams [00:17]Brett Farlow is the founder and CEO of Featured.com, the company behind the resurrection of Help A Reporter Out. He writes for Inc and Fast Company on AI in the workplace and previously ran a 500-client marketing agency for a decade.

Meredith in the Media: What Happens When a PR Veteran Flips the Model and Interviews the Journalists w/ Meredith Klein, Head of Consumer & Product Communications at Pinterest 04.03.2026 57λ

Former Walmart and Pinterest comms leader Meredith Klein joins Perry Hedrick and Becca Chambers to break down how PR professionals can adapt to a fragmented media landscape where Substacks, podcasts, and independent journalists carry real influence. Klein shares how she built "Meredith & The Media" into a 3,500-subscriber resource by interviewing journalists directly, why visual brand consistency drives recognition, and how shareability and findability now matter more than legacy masthead placements.In this episode, we explore:• Why a recognizable personal brand, down to a signature hat, separates you from a sea of sameness [00:02]• How journalists actually source stories through LinkedIn comments, social posts, and independent media [00:29]• The integrated media mix: treating newsletters and podcasts as core channels, not extras [00:15]• What PR professionals need to tell executives who still measure success by Wall Street Journal hits alone [00:20]• Building a distribution flywheel by repurposing even small media appearances across every channel [00:30]Meredith Klein is a 20-year PR veteran, founder of the Meredith in the Media Substack, and a contributor to Inc. Magazine, focused on spotlighting journalists and helping comms professionals navigate the new media ecosystem.Listen now to discover how to modernize your media strategy by pitching with precision, building durable visibility, and meeting your audience where they actually consume content.Check out her Substack "Meredith & The Media" here: https://meredithandthemedia.substack.com/

Pushing Past Bureaucracy: Fast-Tracking Comms Strategy and AI in Public Affairs w/ Ian Bain, Communications Expert at ianbain.org 18.02.2026 47λ

Struggling with adapting fast-paced communications strategies to public sector realities? Ian Bain, executive director of strategy and communications, reveals the mindset shifts and tactical approaches that helped bridge his transition from corporate comms to education governance with real community impact.In this episode, we explore:• Building effective communications in government environments and navigating bureaucratic hurdles• Leveraging AI tools in public education and communications while managing ethics and workforce changes• Strengthening agency-media relationships and crisis preparedness for public trustIan Bain is a leader, storyteller, and communications expert, drawing on decades in corporate, political, and public education roles to inform strategy and mentor teams on ethical, impactful messaging.Listen now to discover how to balance innovation with accountability in your public sector communications work.

Integrating AI Into PESO: Shattering Silos and Building the Future of Comms Talent w/ Gini Dietrich, Founder and CEO at Spin Sucks 04.02.2026 47λ

Struggling with integrating AI into your communications strategy? Gini Dietrich, creator of the PESO Model and communications leader, reveals actionable ways to align paid, earned, shared, and owned media workflows with modern AI tools for better results.In this episode, we explore:• How the PESO Model evolved to bridge traditional silos and deliver message consistency [00:00]• Real-world examples of embedding AI for media monitoring and crisis readiness [15:30] • Organizational shifts needed for continuous AI learning and cross-team collaboration [28:45]Gini Dietrich is a globally recognized communications and PR expert, founder of Spin Sucks, and architect of the PESO Model, specializing in integrated strategy and professional development.Listen now to discover how to break down silos and leverage AI for communications that drive measurable impact.

A Comms Recruiter Perspective: Shifting Skill Sets and the New Comms Career Playbook w/ Brooke Kruger, Communications Recruiter and Founder at KC Partners 21.01.2026 47λ

Struggling with how to stand out in an evolving communications job market? Brooke Kruger, communications recruiter and founder of KC Partners, reveals critical skill shifts and career positioning strategies that helped comms professionals land roles as hiring trends rebound.In this episode, we explore:• Why AI proficiency and adaptability are now baseline requirements for PR and comms careers [00:00]• How the fragmentation of media and new channels like podcasts and Substack are reshaping storytelling and candidate value [15:30] • Practical LinkedIn tactics, personal branding, and the real impact of reporting structures on comms influence and compensation [28:45]Brooke Kruger is a leading executive recruiter with over 25 years’ experience building communications teams for tech, startup, and VC-backed companies. She brings deep market insight into what skills, roles, and approaches stand out as the industry transforms.Listen now to discover how to future-proof your communications career and navigate the shifting landscape.

AI Isn’t Autopilot: Real Tactics for Upskilling Comms and Winning Earned Attention w/ Chris Gee 07.01.2026 41λ

Struggling with how to translate AI buzz into meaningful, practical impact for your communications strategy? Chris Gee, CEO and AI strategist, reveals specific workflows and skill shifts that enable PR teams to boost productivity, shape reputation, and position brands for visibility in AI-driven search. In this episode, we explore:• How AI accelerates slide and content creation for PR pros [00:04:00]• Approaches to optimizing your brand’s presence and discoverability in LLM platforms • Why multi-generational and continuous upskilling is key to navigating AI-driven workforce changesChris Gee is a digital communications executive, AI consultant, and founder of Chris Gee Consulting, with two decades advising agencies and brands on ethical AI adoption and digital innovation. Listen now to discover how to level up your PR team’s strategy, efficiency, and competitive edge in the AI communications era.

Rewriting Corporate Culture: How Chili Piper Scales with Humans, AI Agents, and Radical Decision-Making w/ Alina Vandenberghe, Co-Founder at Chili Piper 18.06.2025 49λ

Send us a textWhat happens when an engineer-turned-entrepreneur brings B2C energy to B2B enterprise software and a borderline obsession with fixing broken meetings? You get Alina Vandenberghe—co-founder and Co-CEO of Chili Piper, the woman who turned scheduling software into a billion-dollar empire while managing teams across 38 countries (and somehow still finds time to make her employees build AI agents).From starting work at 8 years old to building stealth iPad apps that caught Steve Jobs' attention, Alina's journey is equal parts inspiring and remarkable. In this episode, Becca sits down solo with one of enterprise software's most magnetic leaders to discuss how she turned corporate culture on its head.You'll discover:— Her early career wins (including a New York Times interview before she could barely speak English)— Chili Piper's radical approach to decision-making and culture design— Why every employee is required to build AI agents— How LinkedIn became her unexpected writing school— Why parenting, product-building, and personal growth are all connected by the same thread: curiosityThis episode is packed with tactical ideas and vulnerable reflections—from the power of documentation to the messiness of leadership to what it means to find joy while you're building something hard. Stick around for walkout songs, emoji debates, and a rapid-fire round featuring your favorite unhinged “hiccups or pinkies” question.

It’s Not Just Strategy: Emotional Labor and the Need for Community in Comms with Gabrielle Ferree, Founder at Off the Record 11.06.2025 51λ

Send us a textWhat happens when comms pros finally take their own advice—and build platforms for themselves?In this episode of Under Embargo, we sit down with Gabrielle Ferree—former VP of Global Comms at Bumble, Slack, and Salesforce—who's stepping off the corporate ladder to launch Off the Record, a new coaching and community space for comms professionals who are tired of doing it all in isolation.We dig into:— Emotional labor and why it never shows up in your promotion packet— Post-COVID loneliness, leadership, and the death of swivel chair moments— Why being "just a manager" is actually the most important job in the room— The myth of the comms unicorn (spoiler: she doesn't need to be a media machine and a therapist)— Building your own playbook when no one's done this job beforeWhether you're a rising comms star or a battle-scarred VP, this conversation will hit. If you've ever juggled AI, crises, and emotional triage before your second coffee—this one's for you.

AR is Not Pay-for-Play: 25 Years in Comms w/ Alyssa Stone, Leading Analyst Relations at Wiz 04.06.2025 51λ

Send us a textIn this episode of Under Embargo, Becca and Parry sit down with one of the best-kept secrets in enterprise comms—Alyssa Stone, head of Analyst Relations at Wiz (the cybersecurity darling recently acquired by Google).With 25 years across SAP, Okta, and Ariba, Alyssa's seen it all—massive analyst tours, impossible PR expectations, and the slow but steady evolution of how we engage the people who influence tech buying.She breaks down:— Why AR is not pay-for-play (and what it actually is) — How a single slide can prep execs better than any 30-page doc — Why empowered teams are Wiz's real secret sauce — And what Devil Wears Prada taught her about comms strategy (yes, really)Then, she opens up about parenting a neurodivergent child, building support systems inside companies, and why embracing brain differences isn't just the right thing to do—it's a competitive advantage.This one has it all: golf analogies, Swiftie walkout songs, hiccup debates, and real-life tactical wisdom from someone who's lived (and modernized) every version of comms.See you there?

Authenticity Isn’t a Tactic, It’s the Whole Damn Strategy with Ashley Faus, Head of Lifecycle Marketing at Atlassian 21.05.2025 56λ

Send us a textThis episode is equal parts spicy comms truth and high-functioning marketing chaos (with a little ADHD sparkle on top).We’re joined by Ashley Faus, Atlassian’s Head of Lifecycle Marketing and the author of Human-Centered Marketing: How to Connect with Audiences in the Age of AI.We cover a lot of ground — and none of it is snackable. Modular, yes. Snackable, absolutely not. Human connection vs. AI-generated sameness The power of authenticity (real authenticity, not LinkedIn-polished perfection) Why MQLs need to die Brand vs. demand and why they're frenemies, not enemies And yes, someone loses a pinky (you’ll have to listen)This one is for the marketers who hate the word “marketer,” the comms pros tired of being called “PR,” and anyone trying to build trust while the robots learn to write press releases.

Comms Shouldn’t Report to Marketing—Here’s Why with Roberto Munoz, CEO & Founder at Munoz Communications 07.05.2025 48λ

Send us a textThe phrase “fractional comms leader” might sound like consulting fluff—but Roberto Muñoz is here to tell you it’s anything but.In this episode, Becca and Parry get real with Roberto about:— The rise of the fractional Chief Communications Officer — Why comms gets sidelined while marketing gets the glory — The C-suite’s collective misunderstanding of what comms actually does — How comms should never be reporting to marketing (we said what we said) — And what AI means for the future of measurement, media, and the PR pricing modelWe talk measurement that matters (spoiler: it’s not impressions), why real thought leadership can’t be AI-generated, and the emotional gymnastics required to work in comms while being wildly underestimated by your peers.And yes, there’s yelling about “thrilled to announce.”This one’s for the comms pros who are sick of being the hospitality suite in the C-suite. If you've ever had to explain your value while delivering it, you're gonna feel this in your bones.👊 No fluff. No filters. Just the truth about this wild industry we’re in.

PR for PR: The Meta Magic (and Madness) of Comms at Muck Rack with Linda Zebian, VP of Comms at Muck Rack 23.04.2025 47λ

Send us a textIn this episode of Under Embargo, we’re joined by Linda Zebian, newly-minted VP of Communications at Muck Rack, for a conversation that’s equal parts insightful and unhinged—in the best way possible.Linda breaks down what it’s like to do PR for a PR tech company (spoiler: it’s very meta), how her time at The New York Times shaped her leadership, and why the work she’s doing now is the most meaningful of her career.We cover:— Building a comms function from scratch inside a fast-growth tech company— Why measurement in PR is broken—and what MuckRack’s doing to fix it— The real impact of AI on the industry (is sentiment the next frontier?)— Why PR still gets left off the thank-you email—and how we fix thatAlso not to be missed: whether you’d take $100M for a very specific and very weird demise.Yes, really.Whether you’re in-house, agency-side, or somewhere in between—this episode is for every comms pro who’s tried (and failed) to explain their job to their mom.

Add a Zero: Bribes, Rankings, and the B2B Fame Game with Jeremy Boissinot, CEO of Favikon 09.04.2025 51λ

Send us a textWhat happens when you create the only legit LinkedIn influencer ranking platform in the world… and then make the algorithm public?You get bribe offers. Hate mail from millionaires. And a viral loop so strong it powers a 6-person startup with zero outbound sales.In this episode of Under Embargo, we sit down with Jeremy Boissinot, CEO and co-founder of Favikon, the platform quietly transforming the B2B creator economy. We cover:The gamification of influence — and why clout is currencyLinkedIn’s ranking blind spots (and how creators are cashing in anyway)Why Favikon is thriving in a space most VCs wouldn’t touchThe ethical chaos of ranking real people — and what comes nextAlso discussed: algorithm conspiracies, fake engagement pods, and how much Becca had to pay to outrank Parry. (Spoiler: still TBD.)

Leading with Empathy: A Comms Imperative with Robin Daniels, CBO of Zensai 26.03.2025 46λ

Send us a textWhat is a Chief Business Officer, anyway?This week on Under Embargo, Parry and I sat down with Robin Daniels—Chief Business & Product Officer at Zensai—for a conversation that honestly left me thinking about everything from go-to-market strategy to workplace happiness to ethical leadership. (No big deal, right?)If you don’t know Robin, he’s held exec roles at LinkedIn, WeWork, Salesforce, Box, Matterport—the man’s got receipts. But what stood out most in this convo wasn’t the resume. It was how deeply he cares about people.✨ On redefining the CBO role Robin’s not just leading marketing—he’s running a whole ecosystem of product, growth, and post-sales. He’s building categories, not just campaigns. Think: less “traditional CMO,” more “growth-obsessed storyteller-meets-operator.”✨ On Zensai and the whole “human success” thing Zensai’s mission is all about helping people thrive at work. It’s not fluffy. It’s grounded in skills, growth, and motivation—and it speaks to that thing we all secretly want: to love how we spend our days. Robin’s all in on that mission, and it shows.✨ On why culture is the strategy From his LinkedIn days to now, Robin’s learned that empathy isn't soft—it’s essential. One of my favorite moments? Him sharing how his team opened up through storytelling exercises. Made me want to do the same with mine. (And I just might.)✨ On ethical leadership (aka: not being a jerk) We talked about that current in tech where leaders forget that actions = brand. Robin’s take? Lead with integrity, or don’t lead at all. Because the ripple effects—on people, on brand perception, on retention—are real.✨ On marketing that actually matters Robin doesn’t have time for soulless campaigns. He breaks down why brand should be rooted in human connection, not product specs. (Preach!) It’s the kind of take that makes you want to rework your entire messaging doc.Bottom line? This episode is a love letter to building real businesses—with people at the center.