The Leading in a Crisis Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Imagine walking into a crisis room with a complete first-draft playbook—roles, spans of control, holding lines, and a 48-hour plan—ready in minutes. That’s the promise we explore with Chris Hamilton and Peter Heneghan, veterans of 10 Downing Street, BP, and AstraZeneca, and now the co-founders of Albie.ai. Their take isn’t hype: it’s a grounded, human-first approach to using AI as a co-pilot that speeds up the work without sacrificing judgment, empathy, and trust. If you're a comms professional, you won't want to miss this very grounded discussion around incorporating AI into your resource mix.

We talk about why AI in communications is different from past tech shifts. The web and social took years to mature; AI is arriving on top of mature infrastructure and accelerating everything at once. Chris and Peter argue that general-purpose tools like Copilot, Gemini, and Claude have a place, but comms teams also need domain-specific workflows that reflect how we plan, align, and respond—especially under pressure. They unpack their 20‑60‑20 method: set up with context and guardrails, let AI generate structured drafts fast, then apply rigorous human review to ensure accuracy, tone, and strategic fit.

Whether you’re in corporate affairs, media relations, or issues management, you’ll leave with usable ideas to future-proof your function and keep humans at the helm. If this episode sparks ideas or pushback, we want to hear it—subscribe, share with your team, and send us your questions or experiences so we can build on them next time.

Reach Chris Hamilton or Peter Heneghan at https://www.albie.ai/contact

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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Crises don’t wait for perfect plans, which is why Michelle Ehrhart’s mantra—practice makes permanent—hits so hard. Michelle, former VP of global communications at FedEx and now CMO at the University of Memphis, joins us to share the field‑tested playbook behind her new book, Crisis Compass. Tom and Michele share stories from their experiences and dig into the habits that turn panic into poise: understanding operations, running rigorous tabletop drills, and being ready to respond when crisis strikes. 

Michelle considers crisis comms a “muscle memory” skill that needs to be practiced over time. That means regular - and impactful - tabletop exercises that help your team maintain an edge and a readiness to engage when the phone rings at 2 a.m. 

We also tackle the messenger problem. Not every executive belongs at the podium, and it is your job to protect credibility, not egos. Michelle and Tom discuss how to match the spokesperson to the moment—technical depth for complex updates, empathy for community harm, operational authority for corrective action—and why media training must happen before the cameras arrive. Then they parse “strategic silence”: when speaking fuels someone else’s story, and when going dark—like Volkswagen’s five‑day gap—looks like guilt. The rule of thumb: own your issue quickly with verified facts, next steps, and a specific time for updates.

If you lead communications, manage risk, or simply want a sharper crisis response, you’ll leave with concrete tactics you can put into practice this week. Subscribe, share with a colleague who handles tough calls, and leave a review to tell us which tactic you’ll drill first.

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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When disaster strikes, every word matters. The recent Air India crash that claimed 270 lives has revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at crisis communications - their CEO's statement was virtually identical to one previously delivered by American Airlines following their own tragic incident. 

This apparent copy-and-paste approach has ignited debate across social media, with critics creating side-by-side comparisons of both CEOs' delivery styles and questioning the ethics of reusing crisis messaging. But does originality truly matter during a crisis, or is effective communication the ultimate goal regardless of its source? As we analyze this controversy, we unpack why the content of a statement might matter more than its originality, especially when lives have been lost and stakeholders need immediate, transparent information.

The incident highlights a critical aspect of crisis preparedness that every organization should implement: having template statements ready for deployment. The impressive speed with which major airlines like Southwest, American, and Air India have issued statements following incidents demonstrates the value of advance preparation. Your crisis communications plan should include pre-approved templates for your most likely scenarios, allowing your team to quickly customize and deploy messaging within those critical first hours.

We also touch on the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crisis communications. Could AI have helped generate Air India's statement? As communicators, our challenge isn't whether AI will replace us, but how we can harness its capabilities to enhance our work. The question becomes: will you be a victim of technological change, or will you master these tools to become more effective?

Want to discuss crisis communications strategies for your organization or share your thoughts on this controversy? Email tom@leadinginacrisis.com - we'd love to hear from you and possibly feature your questions in an upcoming episode.

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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What does it take to prepare a community for disaster? In this revealing conversation with municipal crisis planning expert Alicia Johnson, we explore the critical differences between organizational readiness and community resilience—and why both are essential when disaster strikes.

Drawing from her 20+ years of experience in emergency management, Alicia shares how her journey began with witnessing the Yellowstone fires as a child and evolved into a career dedicated to building community preparedness. She offers a powerful distinction that many emergency planners miss: while organizational readiness is built on procedures and protocols, community readiness depends on trust and relationships that can withstand crisis.

The conversation explores recent catastrophic events like the European power outages and the Texas freeze that left Houston homes flooding in freezing temperatures. These case studies reveal how quickly modern infrastructure can fail and the cascading impacts that follow. As Alicia notes, "We have to acknowledge that bad things happen to good organizations"—the first step toward meaningful preparation.

We dig into why "checkbox planning" continues to plague emergency response, with organizations creating plans that look impressive on paper but collapse under pressure. Alicia challenges listeners to move beyond the organizational chart to build genuine capacity through regular training, full-scale exercises, and empowered decision-making.

Whether you're a municipal leader, emergency planner, or simply someone concerned about community resilience, this conversation offers critical insights into building systems and relationships that can withstand the unexpected. Because when disaster strikes, trust might be your most valuable resource.

If you'd like to reach out to Alicia, you can reach her below:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/aliciadjohnson

Web: www.twolynchpinroad.com

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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Leadership under pressure doesn't get much more intense than directing wildland firefighting operations when lives hang in the balance. Kelly Martin, former Chief of Fire and Aviation for Yosemite National Park, brings us into the heart-stopping moments where leadership decisions mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.

Drawing from decades on fire lines, Martin recounts responding to devastating aircraft accidents that forced her to question whether she was cut out for crisis leadership. "You have to take a deep introspection and ask yourself if you're ready to step up when people are at their worst moments and they're looking for leadership," she shares, revealing how these experiences shaped her approach to crisis preparation and management.

Whether you lead teams in high-risk environments or simply want to develop your crisis management skills, this episode delivers powerful, sometimes harrowing lessons from someone who has literally walked through fire to protect others. Subscribe now to hear more stories from exceptional crisis leaders who've faced the ultimate test of leadership.

You can reach Kelly Martin via LinkedIn.

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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When a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch in February 2011, crisis manager Brendan Winder faced the ultimate test of leadership. The devastation was immense - 185 lives lost, 8,000 properties abandoned, and a city center that would need to be completely reimagined.

Brendan takes us behind the scenes of the emergency response, revealing the split-second decisions that saved lives and the fortuitous coincidences that bolstered their efforts. Australian police officers were quickly dispatched to assist, a military exercise was already underway nearby, and a Navy warship happened to be docked with double its normal command staff. These unexpected resources proved crucial during those chaotic first days when situational awareness was nearly impossible to maintain across the affected areas.

The conversation delves into the evolution of crisis management practices since the earthquake. Communication strategies have shifted dramatically, now incorporating sophisticated PACE plans (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) and multi-channel approaches that recognize not everyone trusts government sources. Perhaps most significantly, the approach to responder mental health has transformed from the old "bite down on your mouthguard and keep boxing" mentality to comprehensive trauma and fatigue management systems that acknowledge the long-term psychological impacts of disaster response.

What stands out most powerfully is Brendan's perspective on recovery - often more challenging than the initial crisis response. His advice to Los Angeles residents affected by recent wildfires balances sobering realism about the difficult journey ahead with genuine hope, pointing to Christchurch's eventual renaissance with modern infrastructure and renewed community spirit. The shipping containers that once supported damaged facades and housed temporary businesses became unexpected symbols of resilience and adaptive thinking.

The most valuable takeaway? Emergency management must remain fundamentally human-centered. As Brendan explains, "These big emergency responses aren't about buildings, they aren't about infrastructure... they're about people." His team now includes a symbolic "community persona" in all decision-making to ensure institutional needs never override community welfare - a practice that ensures better outcomes for everyone when disaster strikes.

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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The rise of long-form interviews has created a new challenge for executives trying to balance authenticity with strategic messaging. Communications expert Janie Jordan joins us to unpack why these seemingly relaxed conversations can actually be the most difficult media format to navigate successfully.

We also examine the rapid evolution of crisis communications through recent airline incidents, exploring how companies like American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have established new standards with CEO video responses issued within hours of an incident. But how 'out front' should your CEO be in a crisis? 

Our host, Tom Mueller, was a PIO for bp during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response, and relates his experience with CEO Tony Hayward during that incident. It's a reminder of how even well-intentioned executives can mishandle their communication role.

Listen now to gain valuable insights on preparing executives for both planned long-form interviews and unexpected crisis situations in today's unforgiving media landscape. 

You can reach Janie Jordan at https://www.janejordan.com.au/

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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The media landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and crisis communications must evolve alongside it. Communications expert Janie Jordan joins us from Australia to explore how influencers and alternative media are reshaping political discourse and crisis management strategies.

We dive into the Trump administration's controversial addition of influencers to White House press briefings and what it means for traditional media gatekeepers. As Janie observes, "We're at a dangerous interesting time with what's going on in the White House." This shift reflects broader trends in audience trust - with legacy media credibility declining while long-form, unfiltered content from podcasters like Joe Rogan draws tens of millions of viewers.

What appears rambling or unpolished to traditional media standards might actually build more audience trust through perceived authenticity. Politicians are increasingly bypassing media filters to connect directly with audiences, yet corporate leaders have been slower to embrace these channels. 

Through compelling examples like the Iggy Azalea/Papa John's incident, we examine the tension between control and speed in crisis response. With 75% of crises potentially avoidable through proper issues management, organizations must develop crisis-ready cultures rather than just tactical response plans.

You can reach Janie Jordan at https://www.janejordan.com.au/ 

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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Join us for an engaging conversation with Katy O'Hara, a seasoned public information officer and firefighter, who shares her formidable experiences in crisis communications. With a background in both wildland firefighting and military service, Katie provides unique insights into the challenges faced in high-pressure situations. From her deployment in Afghanistan to her work on the Hermits Peak Fire, Katie opens up about the delicate balance between media demands and ethical responsibilities.

Discover the intense lessons learned while managing public relations in real emergencies, where every word has significance and can impact lives. She recounts the intricacies of navigating media pressures while ensuring the families of affected individuals are notified properly, highlighting the difficult choices encountered along the way.

Find Katy at www.control-line.co 

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.

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Wildfires are not just a devastating force of nature; they are a crisis that tests the limits of communication and collaboration. In this episode, we engage with Katy O’Hara, a fire management specialist with a wealth of experience in crisis communication and public information. Katy sheds light on the challenges faced by public information officers during wildfire emergencies, especially in high-stakes situations like those we've witnessed in the Pacific Palisades, where urgent evacuations and tragic losses occurred. 

Listeners will gain insight into how communication strategies evolve in response to the demands of affected communities. Katie discusses the tools she uses—from social media to grassroots conversations—and how her training helps bridge the gap between complex firefighting jargon and relatable messaging for those in affected areas. With the stakes as high as lives and homes, understanding how to convey accurate and timely information becomes paramount. 

Moreover, the episode underscores the undeniable importance of teamwork among various agencies responding to wildfires. Katie shares valuable lessons on how to navigate the intricate landscape of interagency communication, allowing the public to stay informed while fostering trust among community members. 

Reach Katy O'Hara at Control Line Communications https://www.control-line.co/

We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at Tom@leadinginacrisis.com.