PR Explored, my PR podcast, where I interview those I trust and respect about topics related to public relations and communications.
We take a deeper dive into public relations topics with some of the brightest folks in the business. The show is my opportunity to discuss the questions on our minds about the work of PR pros today, as well as industry trends.
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Données mises à jour le 14/07/2026
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Modern media training: Rethinking how we prep executives
Saison 2 · Épisode 8
jeudi 9 avril 2026 • Durée 59:13
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Katie Suiters of Brighton Media to discuss modernizing media training for executives.
Suiters contrasts outdated, scripted talking-point memorization with a hyper-custom approach that builds authentic, teachable communication skills across scenarios, including media interviews, internal all-hands, social video, panels, and crisis moments.
She recommends starting with intention-setting: defining the business objective of an opportunity and how the spokesperson and organization should be perceived, then measuring success against those goals.
They address misconceptions that journalists are “out to get you,” the importance of taking pauses, and avoiding jargon because it erodes trust and loses audiences.
Suiters advocates ongoing monthly or quarterly prep instead of one-time sessions, explains how to deliver constructive feedback, warns that “internal” remarks can leak, and notes AI increases demand for human, credible delivery and voice-aligned messaging; outside trainers can provide candid third-party coaching.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:02 Rethinking Media Training
02:05 Beyond Broadcast Scenarios
03:33 Effort and Practice Payoff
05:20 Evolving Past Talking Points
06:14 Set Goals and Perception
08:45 Debrief and Say No
11:50 Misconceptions About Training
14:46 Journalists Are Not Enemies
19:40 Pause and Speak Clearly
22:29 Avoid Jargon and Acronyms
28:38 Ongoing Prep Sessions
29:26 Always Be Ready
30:53 PR As Insurance
31:51 Short Tailored Sessions
33:59 Handling Training Resistance
36:14 Introverts And Authenticity
37:46 Giving Executive Feedback
41:56 One On One Vs Group
43:31 Assume Everything Leaks
47:14 Difficult Questions And Bridging
50:03 AI And The Human Premium
53:42 When To Hire A Trainer
56:59 Media Training Wrap Up
Show notes:
Follow Katie Suiters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiesuiters/
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
PR and Search – What Really Matters When Advising Clients
Saison 2 · Épisode 7
mercredi 1 avril 2026 • Durée 54:08
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Katie Robbert, CEO of Trust Insights, about how SEO and GEO (generative AI engine optimization) affect PR work.
Robbert explains GEO as serving a new “business to machine” audience—LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude—which summarize information from sources such as listicles and quoted articles, making PR placements and strong SEO fundamentals still essential.
Rather than throwing out playbooks, she recommends reverse-engineering AI results by asking for sources, targeting high-quality publications (including trade media), and measuring impact via analytics segments and “how did you hear about us” form fields.
They discuss EEAT (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness), avoiding low-quality AI content, and making “machine-readable” content more detailed across owned and Google properties.
Robbert also notes using constrained-source tools like NotebookLM and improving accessibility to help machine readability.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:16 Why GEO Matters Now
02:00 Defining GEO vs SEO
03:29 Trust Insights GEO Course
06:46 SEO Not Dead Explained
11:05 No Need to Overhaul PR
13:19 Paid Placement and Authority
16:18 Measuring LLM Discovery
20:01 Are LLM Leads Better
24:30 PR Priorities for SEO GEO
27:07 Avoiding AI Content Slop
29:21 Google AI Mode Question
29:42 Critical Thinking vs AI
30:27 Sniff Test and Skepticism
33:27 Ask for Sources
PR Scams: Fake PR isn’t worth it. How to spot paid media masquerading as earned media
Saison 2 · Épisode 6
mercredi 18 mars 2026 • Durée 01:01:46
PR scams are EVERYWHERE these days. We also see a rise in the number of agencies selling “fake PR” placements.
My guest, Bill Byrne, co-founder of Remedy PR, and I delve into this topic on this episode of PR Explored.
What should you watch out for? How can you tell when someone is trying to sell you something that's too good to be true? And how should you vet a PR provider to ensure you're hiring a credible consultant or agency?
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the
How to Leverage Original Research to Boost Your PR Results
Saison 2 · Épisode 5
jeudi 5 mars 2026 • Durée 54:35
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Becky Lawlor of RedPoint Insights about using original research to support B2B PR and thought leadership.
Lawler defines original research (surveys, internal proprietary data, or unique analysis) versus third-party stats and explains how it builds authority by “owning the narrative.” She emphasizes upfront strategy, competitor analysis, and alignment with goals; choosing credible respondents via vetted B2B panel vendors rather than consumer tools; and planning sample size (often 100 minimum in B2B, ~500 robust, larger for segmentation).
The discussion covers budgeting ranges from boutique pilots around $10K to large consultancies costing $100K+; incentives and fraud risks; careful survey design to drive headlines, avoid excessive open-ended questions, and ensure clarity; deeper data analysis for benchmarks and contrasts; and PR execution via tailored pitching beyond press releases.
They also outline broader uses including lead gen, paid/organic social, sales enablement, speaking slots, SEO/backlinks, and LLM search, and note buyers may find brand-owned research as credible as third-party studies.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:02 Becky Background and Focus
01:53 What Counts as Original Research
04:00 Why Research Builds Authority
05:26 Research Strategy and Angles
07:47 Finding the Right Respondents
10:06 Sample Size and Segmentation
13:38 Credibility and Media Scrutiny
16:02 Budget and Panel Costs
19:51 Incentives and Fraud Risks
21:26 Survey Design for Headlines
26:52 Avoiding Open Ended Pitfalls
27:26 Survey Fatigue Traps
The Rise of Personality Brands - and What It Means for PR & Comms Pros
Saison 2 · Épisode 4
jeudi 26 février 2026 • Durée 59:38
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Fatou B. Barry, founder of the PR Girl Manifesto, a global community and editorial platform created to provide culturally competent PR resources, strategy, and professional development.
They discuss the rise of “personality brands” as a structural shift where companies prioritize long-term identity, recurring voices, and entertainment-driven continuity over one-off product campaigns, driven by fragmented attention and declining institutional trust. Using Gap’s new Chief Entertainment Officer as a signal, they cite examples like Nike, Red Bull, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Skims to show brands building studios, original programming, and IP to own audience relationships.
They explore how paid, earned, and owned media are merging, expanding PR into narrative systems, production, ethics, and talent strategy, raising expectations for skills, education, media literacy, and compensation.
They also predict collaborations will shift from reach-based influencers toward credible experts and community leaders, emphasizing alignment, authenticity, and trust.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:50 PR Girl Manifesto Origin
03:23 Defining Personality Brands
05:48 Attention Fragmentation Today
06:54 Gap Chief Entertainment Role
07:52 Brands as IP Studios
12:24 Paid Earned Owned Blur
14:12 Skills and Education Shifts
17:47 Media Literacy and Trust
23:43 Hiring the Right PR Pro
26:38 PR in a Media Company Era
28:03 Scope Creep and Fair Pay
30:51 Expert Era Shift
34:54 Authenticity Over Hype
How to Maximize Your Job Search: Strategies Beyond Submitting Applications
Saison 2 · Épisode 3
jeudi 19 février 2026 • Durée 01:01:02
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest, Stacia Doss from Glassdoor, as they dive deep into the current job market’s complexities and provide actionable advice for job seekers.
They also touch on mental health aspects of job searching and the value of maintaining professional connections.
Whether you’re in PR, comms, or any other industry, these insights and tips are designed to help you navigate your job search more effectively.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:31 Guest Introduction and Background
01:34 Current Job Market Challenges
02:47 Statistics and Trends in Job Listings
04:59 Impact of AI on Job Market
12:19 Application Process Frustrations
16:25 Exploring the Hidden Job Market
20:08 Networking and Building Connections
23:04 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Search
33:39 Enhancing Skills and Upskilling
35:11 Weekly AI Learning Routine
36:34 Free Resources for PR and Comms Pros
38:27 Networking and Weak Ties
39:28 Informational Interviews and Follow-ups
42:34 Virtual Coffee Chats and Professional Organizations
45:04 Staying in Touch with Your Network
PR: On the Hiring Horizon - Soft Skills That Matter
Saison 2 · Épisode 2
mercredi 4 février 2026 • Durée 58:58
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett interviews Kristina Markos, an associate professor and co-founder of GenSpark Solutions.
They discuss the significance of soft skills such as listening, presenting, collaboration, and curiosity in public relations. Kristina shares her varied background in agency work and academia, emphasizing the transition needs between generations in the workplace.
They address the importance of effective presentation skills, the need to ask questions, and the impact of AI on communication roles.
The episode highlights the evolving PR landscape and the exciting opportunities for emerging professionals in the field.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:50 Guest Background and Experience
02:03 Importance of Soft Skills in PR
03:28 Predictions and Essential Skills
05:04 Teaching Communication Skills
09:42 Presentation Skills and Their Importance
15:38 Collaboration and Intergenerational Communication
30:37 The Impact of Short Attention Spans
31:15 The Importance of Asking Questions
32:36 PR Professionals and Journalism Training
36:32 Understanding Organizational Dynamics
43:08 The Role of Writing in PR
49:52 Listening and Perspective Taking
53:47 The Exciting Future of PR
58:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Show notes:
Kristina Markos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinamarkos/
Public speaking is a powerful way for thought leaders to stand out from the crowd.
How can PR pros and communicators leverage speaking opportunities to help clients get more visibility for themselves and their brands? In this episode of PR Explored I talked with guest Tricia Richards-Service, founder of I Need a Speaker, which helps organizations and event planners find the right speaker for their events.
Overview:
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, welcomes Tricia Richard Service, founder of I Need a Speaker, to discuss how public speaking can enhance public relations efforts.
The conversation delves into the creation and benefits of I Need a Speaker, guidelines for effective public speaking, and how organizations can strategically utilize speakers to boost their PR programs.
Tricia offers practical tips for potential speakers, including the importance of practice, clear messaging, and working closely with communications teams. The episode also covers advice for organizations seeking speakers and the value of compensating speakers appropriately.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:31 The Birth of ‘I Need a Speaker’
01:16 How ‘I Need a Speaker’ Works
02:19 The Value of Diverse Speakers
04:12 Public Speaking and PR Programs
07:06 Maximizing Speaking Opportunities
11:37 Choosing the Right Events
23:32 The Importance of Practice and Feedback
29:05 Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety
29:49 The Importance of Preparation
30:12 Avoiding Off-the-Cuff Remarks
33:22 Handling Media Interviews
36:13 Engaging with Your Comms Team
PR for Nonprofits: Doing More with Less
Saison 2 · Épisode 1
mercredi 21 janvier 2026 • Durée 01:01:32
In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer chats with Marc Whitt, a seasoned public relations consultant and author.
The conversation explores Whitt’s extensive 40-year career in PR, primarily within higher education and nonprofit sectors.
They discuss essential topics such as the unique challenges faced by nonprofit PR professionals, the importance of ethical conduct, the role of events in nonprofit PR, and the critical relationship between PR practitioners and legal counsel.
Whitt emphasizes strategic planning, efficient use of limited funds, and ways to avoid burnout for one-person PR teams. The episode highlights the significance of maintaining trust, transparency, and integrity in PR and provides actionable strategies for effective crisis management.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:27 Marc Whitt’s Background and Personal Life
02:44 Marc’s Career in Public Relations
07:54 The Role of PR in Nonprofits
08:43 Challenges in Nonprofit PR
11:47 Strategies for Effective Nonprofit PR
16:52 Importance of Integrity and Ethics in PR
23:02 Managing a One-Person PR Team
31:11 Focused Budgeting for Nonprofits
33:59 The Stress of Nonprofit PR
35:10 The Multifaceted Role of Nonprofit PR Professionals
40:28 Crisis Communications in Nonprofits
45:48 The Importance of Events in Nonprofit PR
50:32 Building a Strong PR-Legal Relationship
58:15 Final Thoughts and Mentorship
Show notes:
Marc Whitt on LinkedIn
2026 PR Trends You Need To Know
Saison 1 · Épisode 29
mercredi 24 décembre 2025 • Durée 01:04:42
Here we go, heading into 2026. Changes are coming at PR pros faster than they can keep up.
But, what should we really focus on? What trends deserve our attention? And which ones should we adopt a wait-and-see approach for?
My guest, Bill Byrne of Remedy Public Relations, is with me to discuss what to expect as we hurdle into the new year.
Whether you’re in B2C or B2B PR and comms, we’ll cover the insight you need to get ready for what lies ahead.
Overview:
In the final episode of 2025, PR Explored host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, welcomes guest PR veteran Bill Byrne.
The episode delves into the transformative trends in public relations, discussing the impact of AI on PR practices, the enduring value of press releases, the integration of thought leadership, and navigating the evolving media landscape.
Michelle and Bill highlight the importance of consistent PR efforts, the role of various media types including niche media and Substack newsletters, and the need for creating credible, valuable content.
They emphasize building long-term relationships with the media and the criticality of trust in communication strategies.
The discussion also touches on the challenges and opportunities posed by AI-driven search, the resurgence of press releases, and strategies to adapt to changing PR dynamics.
As the industry moves forward, the episode encourages brands to be proactive, stay informed, and embrace comprehensive PR audits to effectively target their audiences.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:28 Meet the Guest: Bill Byrne
00:40 Holiday Festivities and Personal Touches
01:30 Bill Byrne's PR Journey
03:24 PR Realities: What Won't Change
16:20 AI and PR: The Deep Fakes Issue
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Découvrez des podcasts liées à PR Explored: The Podcast for Public Relations and Communications Pros. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
37:01 Beyond Influencers
38:11 AI Search Rewards Credibility
39:25 Journalists As Creators
44:10 Trust And Personality Brands
49:43 Values And Taking Stands
53:28 Interactive Story Content
54:59 PR As Story Makers
57:57 Opportunity And Responsibility
Show notes:
The PR Girl Manifesto: https://www.prgirlmanifesto.org/
The PR Girl Manifesto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pr-girl-manifesto/
Fatou Barry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fbarry/
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
48:06 Mental Health and Community Support
52:04 Researching Companies and Job Markets
53:17 Organizing Your Job Search
58:57 Final Thoughts and Resources
Show notes:
Follow Stacia Doss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staciadoss/
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
PR Club Prediction Post with Kristina's thoughts that sparked the idea for the topic: https://prclub.org/tips-from-the-board-its-prediction-time
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
40:05 Advice for Event Planners
46:11 Speaker Compensation and Expectations
49:46 Final Thoughts and Resources
Show notes:
I Need a Speaker: https://www.ineedaspeaker.com/
Tricia Richard-Service on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciarichardsservicephd/
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
32:01 The Power of Consistent Content in B2B PR
32:28 The Importance of Building a Deep and Clear Trail
33:01 Creating News Beyond Product Announcements
35:20 The Role of AI in PR and Media Relations
37:10 Navigating the Media Landscape: Newsletters and Niche Media
45:40 The Resurgence of Press Releases in the AI Era
57:43 The Value of Thought Leadership in Building Trust
01:02:31 Final Thoughts and Future Trends in PR
Show notes:
Bill Byrne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbyrne/
Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now
Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.
About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.
