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How is the most powerful leadership skill also the most neglected — contributing to disengagement costing organizations an estimated 8.8 trillion dollars a year?

In this compelling episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, globally renowned speaker and TED Talk legend Julian Treasure joins host Lottie Bazley to unpack the invisible influence of sound on our work, behavior, and communication. From the neuroscience of noise to the business cost of disengagement, Julian explains why failing to really listen could be your organization’s most expensive mistake.

Julian shares insights from his new book Sound Affects and explains how sound shapes our...

Join Emma Fischer, Content Marketing Manager at Staffbase, as she sits down with Miri Rodriguez—CEO of Empressa AI, award-winning storyteller, and Microsoft veteran—for a moving conversation about ethical AI, women’s voices, and the power of storytelling. In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Miri breaks down how Empressa is challenging the norms of generative AI by sourcing real insights from women around the world—including returning value to them through royalties and representation.

From emotional honesty in tech to rewriting your origin story as a path to personal power, Miri shares practical frameworks, vulnerable experiences, and bold calls to action for...

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, host Lottie Bazley sits down with Terry Szuplat, former senior speechwriter to President Barack Obama and bestselling author of Say It Well. They dive into the power of storytelling, the emotional impact of authenticity, and why every person—regardless of title—has a story worth telling.

Terry shares behind-the-scenes White House moments, practical communication tools, and insight on writing speeches that move people—not just inform them. Whether you’re delivering a keynote, a wedding toast, or an internal company update, Terry believes that every one of us has a story worth telling. This episode...

What do TED speakers, UN officials, and CEOs have in common? When they need to speak with clarity and confidence under pressure, they call Matt Abrahams.

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Matt Abrahams—Stanford lecturer, author, and host of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast—joins host Athena Koutsonikolas to share practical insights into spontaneous speaking. From managing anxiety to answering difficult questions with confidence, Matt offers science-backed strategies and personal techniques to help anyone sound—and feel—more self-assured in high-pressure moments.
Whether you struggle with small talk, want to command a room, or just need to stop blanking...

How can lessons from cybersecurity lead to revelations about communicating under pressure? Join Staffbase SVP & GM David Maffei as he sits down with Tom Wentworth, CMO at incident.io, to unpack the biggest challenges leaders face in modern crisis communications. In this high-stakes episode, they explore why fear is the #1 silent killer in leadership communication, how executives can own the narrative during a crisis, and the cybersecurity lessons every business must learn to protect their reputation.

With firsthand insights from the CrowdStrike crisis, Boeing’s PR disaster, and AI’s growing role in corporate risk, Tom shares why clarity beats complexity...

Join Staffbase Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he speaks with Stephanie Roberts, Chief Communications Officer at Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, to explore the evolving role of internal communications in modern organizations. Stephanie shares insights on why comms should report directly to the CEO, how to influence leadership, and why AI still can’t replace human connection.

In this episode, Stephanie unpacks the challenges of engaging frontline workers, the importance of cultural nuances in global comms, and how storytelling can make even the most technical products compelling. She also reveals why every executive needs to be active on LinkedIn — and...

Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison sits down with Chequan Lewis, President of Crunch Fitness, to explore his unique journey from law to leadership. Chequan shares his core values, his belief in unlocking people’s full potential, and how a culture of inclusivity, consistency, and radical grace has shaped his leadership style. He reflects on key lessons from his time at Yum! Brands and Pizza Hut, the transition into the fitness industry, and how he’s driving exponential growth at Crunch while keeping a strong focus on people and purpose.

Beyond business strategy, this conversation dives deep into what makes leadership truly...

Join Staffbase Head of Content Brian Tomlinson as he sits down with Honeywell Chief Communicator Stacey Jones to break down what it takes to lead communications at a global scale. Stacey shares how she and her team align 100,000 employees worldwide around a North Star strategy, simplify complex corporate narratives, and ensure transparency during massive transformations — including a $9B M&A journey.

In this episode, Stacey also explores the evolving role of AI in communications, the biggest mistakes leaders make when communicating change, and why quality — not quantity — matters in comms measurement. Whether you're leading through transformation, building...

Join Staffbase Chief People Officer Neil Morrison as he sits down with bestselling author and executive coach Chester Elton for a deep dive into leadership, culture, and the transformative power of gratitude. Chester shares decades of insights on why recognition and appreciation are the foundation of high-performing teams, revealing how small daily rituals—like the “10 and 10” practice—can foster connection and engagement.

From NASA astronauts using random acts of kindness to eliminate conflict to Texas Roadhouse’s legendary service mantra, this episode is packed with real-world examples of how leaders can build cultures of trust and impact. Chester also addresses the...

Join Staffbase SVP & GM of the Americas David Maffei as he sits down with transformational marketing leader Norman Guadagno to explore the pivotal role communication plays in driving successful business transformations. From aligning teams across sales and marketing to embracing AI as a communication tool, Norman shares actionable strategies and lessons from his transformative work at companies like Mimecast and Carbonite.

This episode dives into the complexity of organizational change, the importance of trust and transparency, and how storytelling can drive alignment and engagement. Whether you're navigating a business transformation or adapting to the evolving landscape of AI-driven communication,...