CIPR Engage Podcast

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Published every quarter, Engage is a CIPR podcast digging deep into the challenges and opportunities facing PR and comms practitioners right now.

This series brings a range of perspectives to the discussions from across the industry, offering insight as well as food for thought to learn and challenge your own mindset – regardless of where you are in your PR and comms career.

Engage has been produced for PR practioners but the themes explored will prove valuable for anyone working alongside PR and comms teams, or with an interest in the issues affecting the profession.

CIPR members can earn 5 CPD points for listening to an episode of Engage.

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20 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes20

Newest first

July 21 · 44 min
Ageism in PR
In this episode of Engage, host Abha Thakor, journalist, Chartered PR Practitioner, and CIPR Fellow, examines ageism in the public relations profession and the experiences practitioners face in the workplace. Abha is joined by Jenny Manchester, author of the 2025 CIPR-funded report "An age-old problem: What can we do to tackle ageism in PR?", and Avril Lee, CIPR Honorary Fellow, independent communications consultant and Chair of the CIPR's Diversity and Inclusion Network and the Taylor Bennett Foundation. Drawing on the findings from Jenny's research, their conversation examines how age shapes assumptions about creativity, the lack of visibility of older professionals, and the recruitment practices that ask candidates to hide their experience. The discussion also considers why the PR industry skews so much younger than the wider workforce, the intersection of ageism with gender and race, and the practical steps employers can take to build a more age-friendly workplace culture. Resources mentioned in this episode: The CIPR-funded report An age-old problem: What can we do to tackle ageism in PR? Centre for Ageing Better's Age-Friendly Culture Toolkit and Age-friendly Employer Pledge Find out more about the CIPR's Diversity and Inclusion Network CIPR members can earn 5 CPD points for listening to an episode of Engage. Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global.
May 13 · 44 min
Leadership and Impact - The Future of Strategic Communications
In this episode of Engage, host Steve Bryant, Co-Chair of the CIPR Podcast Editorial Board, interviews speakers and attendees from the CIPR's 2025 Annual Conference - Leadership and Impact. Recorded backstage at the conference itself, the episode brings the substance of the day's mainstage sessions to listeners who couldn't be in the room, with each speaker reflecting on the insights they shared, the challenges they put to the audience, and how their thinking applies to the day-to-day realities of modern communications leadership. Featuring interviews with: 01:45 - James Peach, multi-award-winning global marketing leader behind Uber, Coca-Cola, Vinted, and Innocent, discusses how modern leadership must evolve to support intergenerational workforces and embrace the unknown. 08:06 - Lucy Holliday, Head of Internal Communications at the Financial Times, discusses the FT's award-winning AI transformation programme 10:15 - Josephine Hansom, who recently represented young people at the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, explores building empathy across generations and the shifting meaning of purpose at work. 14:54 - Naomi Goodman, MHP Group, explains how communicators can step into their role as change leaders and lead teams from chaos to calm. 19:35 - Sarah Naylor, Co-Chair of CIPR's Independent Practitioners Network, and Ben Veal, Founder of Second Mountain Comms, discuss the opportunities and ethical considerations of independent practice in the age of AI. 27:10 - Dr Jack Lewis, neuroscientist, addresses the impact of technology on the brain and why critical thinking remains the most important human skill. 36:03 - Karen Blackett CBE shares the foundations of effective leadership drawn from a 33-year career, and why empathy and adaptability matter more than ever. 39:27 - 2025 CIPR President Advita Patel, 2026 CIPR President Farzana Baduel, and 2026 CIPR President-Elect Dan Gerrella round off the episode with their reflections on the conference. Share your thoughts about the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Nov 7, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Causing the right kind of trouble: overcoming bias in decision-making
In this episode of Engage, host Ben Verinder, managing director of Chalkstream, explores a critical question for every PR professional: how can we help organisations make better decisions? Joined by Dr Jon White, consultant in public relations and organisational development, and Shayoni Lynn, CEO and founder of behavioural science communications consultancy, Lynn Group, the conversation examines the biases that undermine even experienced leaders and the unique role communications professionals can play in challenging flawed thinking. From Apple's decade-long Project Titan initiative to groupthink in the 2008 financial crisis, the panel discuss how cognitive shortcuts often lead to costly mistakes. The conversation also tackles contemporary challenges facing the profession, including bias in AI systems, the ethics of applying behavioural science in communications, and issues of ageism within PR itself. Resources mentioned in this episode: CIPR's Behavioural Science training collection Government Communication Service - Guidance Lynn Global's library of articles, updates, and case studies on using behavioural science to improve lives CIPR members can earn 5 CPD points for listening to an episode of Engage. Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global
Mar 26, 2025 · 28 min
Joining the Board: the opportunity for communications professionals
This conversation examines the pathways to director and non-executive director roles for PR professionals, the unique perspective communications experts bringing to board-level decision making, and practical advice for practitioners considering this career progression. Hosted by Ann-Marie Blake FCIPR, Co-Founder of True Comms, this episode investigates key aspects of board participation including the differences between trustee and non-executive director positions, how effective boards operate, managing time commitments, and overcoming imposter syndrome when transitioning to leadership roles. Joining Ann-Marie for this discussion are: · Noha Al Afifi MCIPR, CIPR Board member, Deputy Chief Executive of Arthritis Action · Stephen Waddington Found. Chart. PR, Hon FCIPR, Founder of Wadds Inc Share your thoughts on the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Jan 15, 2025 · 37 min
Navigating the Misinformation Age
In this episode of Engage, Melissa Fleming (UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications) leads a thought-provoking exploration into the complex debate around misinformation with guests Dr. Leon Hawthorne (former CNN, CNBC and BBC broadcaster) and Tom Southern (Director of Special Projects at the Center for Information Resilience) offering contrasting views on its impact and scale. From social media monetisation to the challenges facing traditional media in adapting to digital spaces, our guests examine how technological change has transformed our information landscape. Their discussion spans critical issues including platform responsibility, institutional trust in polarised environments, and what role communications and PR professionals might play in fostering healthier information ecosystems. Further resources: Training: Disinformation, Misinformation & Malinformation CIPR Influencing the Future conference: Deepfakes and the age of synthetic media Webinar: Misinformation
Oct 16, 2024 · 49 min
Leadership, preparedness and managing reputation in a crisis
From missing flights to Novichok poisonings, in this episode of Engage crisis comms specialists Rod Cartwright and Sarah Thomas share their real-world experiences of navigating risk and preparing for crises with host, Charlotte West. Exploring the most common threats and opportunities facing organisational reputation today, Sarah and Rod also discuss the role of leadership and culture in a crisis, as well as the skills needed by comms and PR teams to future-proof the industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Join the CIPR’s crisis comms network Guidance on drafting a Crisis communications plan Crisis communication on demand training Download or read a summary of the 2024 Reputation, Risk and Resilience report CIPR members can earn 5 CPD points for listening to an episode of Engage. Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global
Dec 11, 2023 · 43 min
PR in the Age of AI
The following episode summary was originally created by AI and edited by the CIPR’s podcast editorial board: A year on from the launch of ChatGPT, host and chair of the AI in PR panel, Andrew Bruce Smith, marks the natural language processing tool’s first birthday by reflecting on the technological advancements we’ve seen in AI over the past year and its impact on the future of PR and comms teams. Featuring Swati Virmani (senior lecturer at De Montfort University) and Antony Cousins (executive director for strategy at Cision), in this episode, panellists discuss the ethical considerations and challenges while weighing up the benefits of adopting AI by practitioners and teams. Timestamps and resources mentioned: 03:03 - Reflections on technological milestones over the past year Humans Needed More Than Ever research The impact of AI on UK jobs and training report from the UK government’s department for education 09:00 - What’s the use case for AI in PR and comms? Ethan Mollick’s blog ‘everyone is above average’ 15:12 - What skills if any, should PR and comms practitioners develop in line with the evolution of AI? 23:00 - What AI tools should teams and practitioners be adopting now? Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and the impact on public relations (PR) practice ai for meeting minutes and summaries DALL-E 3 integrated into ChatGPT to generate images Claude for AI assistance Perplexity for assisted research Cision for media monitoring and social listening Fiver and Upwork for freelance support 27:59 - What are the ethical and legal implications of using AI? 36:50 - Tips for adopting AI and thoughts on what’s next for AI. Share your thoughts about the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn or X, formerly Twitter, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Nov 30, 2023 · 47 min
Horizon – the future of PR and comms
In the fourth and final episode in the series celebrating the CIPR’s 75thanniversary, host Henry Heming interviews speakers and attendees at the Horizon conference focusing on the future of the profession. Featuring interviews (and timestamps) with: 00:44 - Sheeraz Gulsher, co-founder at People Like Us, discusses creative campaigns and practical tips on making PR more inclusive. 07:17 - Fatima Banglawala, comms and public affairs manager, MedTech UK and Ireland, Johnson and Johnson summarises some of the key takeaways from Jay Richards, co-founder at Imagen’s opening keynote on Gen Z. 09:37 - Trudy Lewis, founder at Colinear, shares her favourite takeaways from the conference’s morning sessions. 10:37 - Grace Fogarty, founder at Grace Fogarty Training, shares her simple, memorable tools for feeling more confident when networking and quickly developing meaningful connections. 15:23 - Subira Jones, also known as The Corporate Hippie, explains the difference between feeling rundown and being burned out. Taking listeners from powerless to empowered, explaining how PR and comms practitioners can fireproof theirs (and their colleagues) career. 21:14 - Diana Verde Nieto, co-founder at Positive Luxury, discuss how we can move towards being positively good when it comes to sustainability through the ‘reimagining model’. 27:27 - Alan Oram, director at Alive with Ideas, shares his reaction to Mark Shayler’s session. 27:53 - Mark Shayler, owner at Ape, makes the case for the role of innovative and disruptive thinking in challenging the status quo and bringing about sustainable societal change. 36:05 - Rachel Miller, founder at All Things IC, summarises her favourite session from the conference. 35:35 - Katie King, CEO at AI in Business, addresses the opportunities, challenges and ethical questions which are raised by increased integration of AI tools and platforms in PR workflows, project management and content creation. 42:05 - Son Pham, senior campaign manager at Manifest, captures the atmosphere at the conference and his personal highlight. 42:29 - Alex Partridge, founder of UNILAD and LADBible shares how the media landscape is changing, what the future holds for media, and why adaptability is your greatest strength. 46:22 - Advita Patel, 2025 CIPR president, shares her final thoughts from the conference. Share your thoughts about the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn or X, formerly Twitter, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Nov 13, 2023 · 37 min
Celebrities in the Headlines: Celebrity PR in the 1990s
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) Engage podcast returns with a new episode exploring the rise of spin the evolution of 1990s celebrity culture and power. Hosted by Mark Phillimore, a Senior Lecturer on the Master programme in Public Relations at the University of Greenwich, this is the third instalment in the Engage series dedicated to celebrating the CIPR’s 75th anniversary. This episode explores the commodification of celebrity in the 1990s and how the changing nature of celebrity PR, media relations, and the rise of digital and social media forced PR to adapt and become more nimble, integrated and inventive. Joining host, Mark Phillimore, for this episode are: · Mark Borkowski, Founder of Borkowski · Rob McGibbon, celebrity interviewer, journalist and author. Share your thoughts about the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn or X, formerly Twitter, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Sep 29, 2023 · 44 min
Winning the War For Talent
To what extent is there a War For Talent in PR and Communications? How can companies attract, develop and retain key people? What steps should employers take to ensure their onboarding processes are truly inclusive and encourage greater diversity? In this episode of Engage, host John Clegg, Internal Communications and Engagement Manager at HR Wallingford, considers these questions and explores the motives and concerns of communications professionals as they strive to build their careers. Joined by panellists: Christine Yuan, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, BCW Toluwani Omotoye, Communications Coordinator, Global X ETFs The book John mentioned in this episode is Building a Culture of Inclusivity, Effective Internal Communication For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by Priya Bates and Advita Patel, available from KoganPage and other book sellers. Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on X/Twitter or LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global If you’re a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Aug 7, 2023 · 43 min
What’s the value of brand?
How important is understanding the rise of brands for building successful campaigns and engaging with audiences effectively? In this episode of Engage, host Rebecca Jabbar media trainer and founder of Brand Champion Bootcamp, delves into the evolution of brands, examining how successful brands have built their reputations, grow their customer bases, and use employer brand to attract and retain employees, and what strategies they have used to do so. Joined by panellists: Alex Francis, brand manager at Canal and River Trust Sabrina Rossetti, global brand and talent engagement lead at Mimecast Stephen Cheliotis, global brand insight director at Gravity Global and chairperson at Superbrands Council UK Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on Twitter or LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. This is the second episode in the Engage podcast series celebrating the CIPR’s 75th anniversary. If you’re a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode and read further information about the milestone: https://www.cipr.co.uk/CIPR/About_Us/CIPR_Anniversary.aspx
Mar 22, 2023 · 40 min
Reflections on tech, diversity and entering the profession
In conjunction with the CIPR’s 75th anniversary celebrations, this episode of Engage explores how the PR and communications industry has evolved in recent years and the challenges practitioners and teams are still grappling with. From social inclusion to diversity, and the impact of technology on the outcomes and skills needed to work in the sector, panellists reflect on their own experiences and discuss the strides made by the profession to date. Host Calhan Behrendt, Outstanding Young Communicator at the 2022 Cymru Wales PRide Awards and Account Manager at OnWrite, sits down with: Eva Maclaine, Founder at Maclaine Communications Maria Chanmugam, Director at Clevercoms Tony Bradley, CEO at publicrelationsconsultancy.com Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on Twitter or LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. Further resources: Find out whether you are eligible to #GetChartered and book your assessment. Iprovision has been making a meaningful difference to the lives of CIPR members who have fallen on tough times for more than 50 years. Learn more about the fund, here. Interested in upskilling or achieving a CIPR diploma? Find out more about the different qualifications available on our website and get #CIPRQualified. If you’re a member of the CIPR, you can also log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Jan 16, 2023 · 36 min
Communicating your ESG strategy with credibility
Doing business responsibly is a growing priority for many organisations, particularly as they are increasingly being held to account by their stakeholders. In this episode, host and Head of Responsible Business at Irwin Mitchell, Kate Fergusson asks our panel of ESG experts how PR and communications professionals can best support their clients and companies in their ambition to clarify and communicate ESG strategies with credibility. Featuring: Gihan Hyde, Founder and CEO of Communique Alex Malouf, Executive Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Ceer Ivano Ianelli, CEO of Dubai Carbon Further information: CIPR training – Introduction to ESG | Designing your ESG strategy Influence blog – How to design your ESG communications strategy ESG Foundation keeping current articles Share your thoughts about this episode on Twitter using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. Also, if you’re a member of the CIPR, don’t forget you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Nov 30, 2022 · 24 min
Influencing the future
Recorded live at the CIPR’s annual 2022 conference, this special episode of Engage hosted by Debbie West and Sara-Anne Mills-Bricknell from the CIPR’s Podcast Editorial Board, explores the key trends shaping the future of the industry. From how technology is changing the shape of public relations, the future mediascape, and the increasing importance of purpose, culture and employee relationships, guests share their thoughts on the conference's theme, 'Influencing the Future'. Featuring key takeaways from some of the conference’s contributors, as well as in-person and online attendees, including: Soli Townsend, Co-founder and Chief Solutionist, Futerra Ben Cohen, Head of Media and PR, Open Doors Nina Schick, Director, Tamang Ventures Peter Cardwell, Political Editor and Presenter Talk Radio Alicia Zubeir, Principal Writer, Petronas Dev Mistry, Global Internal Communications Manager at DICE Rachel Roberts, President, CIPR For more information: Check out upcoming events from the CIPR People Power and the IPCC report Share your thoughts about this episode on Twitter using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global. Also, if you’re a member of the CIPR, don’t forget you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.
Oct 12, 2022 · 46 min
Cleaning up toxic information: The fight against climate change disinformation
2022 has been a record-breaking year for weather-related events. China recorded its highest temperatures and driest summer in 60 years. A third of Pakistan is currently underwater due to severe flooding and temperatures in the UK reached 40 degrees Celsius. Hosted by Shayoni Lynn, CEO and founder of Lynn, this latest episode of Engage, explores the differences between mis and disinformation, particularly around the future of our planet, as well as how information pollution creates inaction and how conspiracy theorists are stirring up the culture wars around climate change. Featuring panellists: David Gallagher, Communications expert and founder of DG Advisory Stefan Rollnick, Head of Lynn’s Misinformation Cell Rebecca Zeitlin, Marketing Director at Levidian CIPR members can log 5 CPD points for listening to this podcast. Additional resources and Ffurther information as mentioned in this podcast: Clean Creatives Drilled – a true-crime podcast on climate change Book your place on CIPR’s virtual course about Disinformation, Misinformation & Malinformation Communicating in a Crisis guide features case studies on how PR has been used to fight misinformation
Aug 31, 2022 · 49 min
The current state of public affairs
Research has found that public trust in Government and in elected politicians is at an all-time low in England right now. With a number of scandals over the past few years in politics, it is more crucial than ever that public affairs professionals show that they are being ethical and transparent and are working to support the UK’s democratic policy-making process. Hosted by Max Sugarman, CIPR Public Affairs Group chair, this episode explores the current state of lobbying and the public affairs industry, as well as advice on how practitioners can be more transparent and open – demonstrating best practice in any future public affairs activity. Featuring panellists: Andy Sawford, former MP, representing Corby and now managing partner and co-owner of the Connect Group Peter Geoghegan, editor-in-chief at the award-winning news website openDemocracy and author of Sunday Times best-selling Democracy for Sale Rachael Clamp, Rachael is founder and director of Ardesey Ltd, a communications and engagement consultancy Further resources (as mentioned in the episode): 00:07 (and mentioned again at 25:40) - Carnegie UK, GDWe: A spotlight on democratic wellbeing research: https://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/publications/gdwe-a-spotlight-on-democratic-wellbeing/ 04:09 - The CIPR recently relaunched its UK Lobbying Register, the only free and universal register for public affairs professionals: https://newsroom.cipr.co.uk/cipr-relaunch-free-and-universal-lobbying-register/ 05:58 - Government’s Register of Consultant Lobbying (ORCL): https://registrarofconsultantlobbyists.org.uk/ 08:27 - Greensil lobbying scandal exposed by the Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/6ed619c0-bb9a-44dc-a2f6-c5596a958ca8 CIPR position on David Cameron’s lobbying activity: https://newsroom.cipr.co.uk/cipr-urges-investigation-into-cameron-lobbying-activity-to-include-review-into-regulations/ 21:55 - EU transparency register: https://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/homePage.do 25:59 - Report from the new Centre for the Future of Democracy at the University of Cambridge, Global Satisfaction with Democracy: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/dissatisfactiondemocracy Additional information: Public Affairs (specialist) diploma: https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/Learn_Develop/Qualifications/Specialist_Diploma__Public_Affairs.aspx CIPR Code of Conduct: https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/About_Us/Governance_/CIPR_Code_of_Conduct.aspx
Apr 6, 2022 · 32 min
Accessible Communications
One billion people, or 15% of the world's population, experience some form of disability with the World Health Organisation estimating that two billion people will need at least one assistive communication, memory, or hearing aid in the next 10 years. In this episode, host Zach Cutler, CEO of Propel, and guests explore the role PR and comms practitioners can play in helping businesses and organisations better understand, and think differently about, accessibility and standards. Sharing their own lived experience, as well as tips on how to enhance practices and knowledge around accessibility, Zach is joined by Sarah Brown-Fraser, marketing and communications manager at Activity Alliance, Rachel Miller, founder of All Things IC and Jarrod Williams, communications manager at Bromford. For more information: Watch the CIPR’s accessible digital communications webinar As mentioned by Jarrod, you can join the Accessible Social Facebook group As mentioned by Rachel, upskill yourself or your teams with Communication Access UK training View the Government Communications Service accessibility guidance on planning, creating and publishing accessible social media campaigns Don’t forget you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this podcast.
Nov 17, 2021 · 51 min
Strategic communicators
The entire world has been changed by the Coronavirus pandemic and as communicators, we've seen boards come forward and ask for interventions and advice in ways that have never happened before. Whilst there’s been a lot of work undertaken both by the Chartered Institute Public Relations and by other professional bodies to ensure that communications is seen as a strategic management discipline; now more than ever, we have an opportunity to ensure that the professionalism of communications is understood as a vital part of the success for all organisations, large, small, independently owned, nationally operated, government, private, public, and everything in between. In this episode, host Sarah Pinch and guests Alex Aiken, Executive Director for Government Communications and James Powell, Head of Group Communications at Irwin Mitchell explore what it means to be a strategic communicator, to be a professional, and how communicators are elevating and repositioning themselves. For more information: - OASIS model: https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/guidance/marketing/delivering-government-campaigns/guide-to-campaign-planning-oasis/ - Getting Chartered: https://cipr.co.uk/CIPR/Learn_Develop/Chartership_.aspx Don’t forget you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this podcast.
Aug 18, 2021 · 51 min
Inspiring social purpose
Social purpose is continuing to capture the attention of the C-suite and boardrooms but what exactly is it and what role can PR and comms teams play in supporting their clients and organisations to be more purposeful? In this episode, host Andy Green FCIPR and guests Shannon Walker founder of Social Disruption, Matt Appleby director at Grow Social Capital and Ben Caspersz founder and managing director at Claremont, explore the misconceptions around social purpose and why in a post-pandemic world, purpose has emerged as an even stronger imperative. For more information about social purpose see the latest CIPR resources: Introduction to social capital comms Managing purpose social purpose Don’t forget you can log 5CPD points for listening to this podcast.
May 25, 2021 · 49 min
Hybrid Working
The pandemic has provided an opportunity to explore how we can work differently. The post-COVID world is a very different landscape for a lot of businesses, with many proposing to adopt a hybrid working model, as opposed to go back to the office full time. Guests Sofia Cann, Martin Flegg and Kate Shaw share their views and experience with our host, Jenni Field. They explore the opportunities and benefits for PR and comms practitioners of implementing a flexible hybrid working approach.