All episodes

When a crisis hits, words aren’t enough — delivery is everything. In this episode, Athena Koutsonikolas sits down with culture strategist and crisis-leadership expert Eloiza Domingo, Founder & CEO of Eloiza Consulting and former Chief Inclusive Diversity & Equity Officer at Allstate. From mass layoffs to polarizing public issues, Eloiza explains how to decide whether to speak, who should deliver the message, and how tone, timing, and targeting can turn high-risk moments into lasting trust.

Eloiza shares playbook-level guidance on aligning values with business strategy, weighing reputational risk against real-world impact, and designing communication that reaches every employee, including non-desk...

Money worries don’t stay at home — they walk into work every day. In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Staffbase CMO David Burnand sits down with Peter Komolafe, bestselling author, award-winning financial coach, and Conversation of Money platform creator. Together, they explore why financial well-being is not just an HR issue but a leadership responsibility. From productivity loss to increased turnover, Peter shares compelling research and personal stories that reveal the true business cost of ignoring financial stress.

Learn how managers can create psychological safety around money conversations, unlock intrinsic motivation, and better communicate existing benefits. Peter...

Join Staffbase’s David Maffei for an impactful conversation with Monne Williams, Chief Impact Officer at Handshake and former McKinsey leader. Monne breaks down what Gen Z actually wants from employers, why authenticity means many voices on video, and how to treat employer brand like your health — you already have it, so manage it. She shares a memorable Fenway Park lesson on ownership and explains how small teams can have a significant impact.

They also tackle AI’s messy middle: bots on both sides of the hiring table, setting clear rules for candidates, and keeping those rules consistent with the job....

In this episode of the Aspire to Inspire Podcast, Brian Tomlinson is joined by Advita Patel, president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, founder of Comms Rebel, and cofounder of both A Leader Like Me and Asian Comms Network. Advita is a powerhouse in comms and an admired advocate for building confidence and inclusivity in the workplace.

With her unique blend of experience in DEI strategy, leadership coaching, and change communication, Avita brings a refreshing perspective on how leaders can cultivate a culture. She shares her journey from overcoming imposter syndrome to becoming a leading voice in communications. Then,...

What does it take to be the kind of leader the world actually needs right now? Charlotte Otter, executive coach and author of We Need New Leaders, joins Brian Tomlinson to unpack the leadership crisis we’re living through—and why outsiders often make the most impactful leaders. Drawing from her decades of experience in global tech and her Reputation 360 coaching program, Charlotte reveals why storytelling, self-awareness, and empathy are essential tools for modern leadership.

In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Charlotte shares how underrepresented leaders turn obstacles into strengths, how behavior and values must align to build trust, and why visibility...

Jim Olson, a seasoned communications leader with a front-row seat to some of the most defining moments in corporate crisis history, joins Athena Koutsonikolas on the Aspire to Inspire Podcast to share the four-step crisis communications plan that has guided him through both his career in crisis comms and his fight against cancer.

From negotiating with terrorists to battling tumors and losing his sight, Jim candidly shares how crises have shaped him—both professionally and personally. He brings the audience inside high-stakes moments from his career and outlines a clear framework communicators can use to stay calm, take control, and craft...

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...