Under Embargo Podcast

<p>Keith Berman joins the show to talk about why internal comms is fighting its way back to the strategic table—and why that fight matters more now than ever. The conversation covers the global change-management moment created by AI and external chaos, the trust erosion happening when audiences assume everything is machine-generated, and the double standard that lets every other function own its expertise while comms gets redlined by committee. Keith makes the case that communicators already have the skills the C-suite says it wants—strategy, persuasion, narrative, emotional intelligence—and that the path from internal comms to CEO is shorter than most orgs realize. We also get into why LinkedIn still works as a trust-building platform, the human moat against AI-generated sameness, and why the first and last draft of anything that matters has to come from a person.</p>

<p>Brett Farlow, founder and CEO of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Featured.com">Featured.com</a> and the person who brought Help A Reporter Out back from the dead, breaks down how his team rebuilt trust in journalist-source matching after AI-generated pitches and spam eroded the platform's quality. The conversation covers AI detection as a signal for journalists, the fragmentation of media influence toward creators and newsletters, and why email-based Harrow works precisely because it offers a rare, direct human channel in an overwhelmed landscape.</p><p>In this episode, we explore:</p><p>• How <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Featured.com">Featured.com</a> restored quality and trust after acquiring Harrow, including AI detection and source verification [00:03]</p><p>• The two camps of journalists on AI-generated pitches and what that means for PR practitioners [00:08]</p><p>• Why media influence is shifting from outlets to individuals, and what that means for earned media strategy [00:11]</p><p>• Using AI as a thinking partner, not the pitch author, and the case for human-in-the-loop workflows [00:14]</p><p>• The 2026 AI disillusionment thesis and how PR teams can do more with smaller teams [00:17]</p><p>Brett Farlow is the founder and CEO of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Featured.com">Featured.com</a>, the company behind the resurrection of Help A Reporter Out. He writes for Inc and Fast Company on AI in the workplace and previously ran a 500-client marketing agency for a decade.</p>

<p>Former Walmart and Pinterest comms leader Meredith Klein joins Perry Hedrick and Becca Chambers to break down how PR professionals can adapt to a fragmented media landscape where Substacks, podcasts, and independent journalists carry real influence. Klein shares how she built "Meredith &amp; The Media" into a 3,500-subscriber resource by interviewing journalists directly, why visual brand consistency drives recognition, and how shareability and findability now matter more than legacy masthead placements.</p><p>In this episode, we explore:</p><p>• Why a recognizable personal brand, down to a signature hat, separates you from a sea of sameness [00:02]</p><p>• How journalists actually source stories through LinkedIn comments, social posts, and independent media [00:29]</p><p>• The integrated media mix: treating newsletters and podcasts as core channels, not extras [00:15]</p><p>• What PR professionals need to tell executives who still measure success by Wall Street Journal hits alone [00:20]</p><p>• Building a distribution flywheel by repurposing even small media appearances across every channel [00:30]</p><p>Meredith Klein is a 20-year PR veteran, founder of the Meredith in the Media Substack, and a contributor to Inc. Magazine, focused on spotlighting journalists and helping comms professionals navigate the new media ecosystem.</p><p>Listen now to discover how to modernize your media strategy by pitching with precision, building durable visibility, and meeting your audience where they actually consume content.</p><p>Check out her Substack "Meredith &amp; The Media" here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://meredithandthemedia.substack.com/">https://meredithandthemedia.substack.com/</a></p>

<p>Struggling with adapting fast-paced communications strategies to public sector realities? Ian Bain, executive director of strategy and communications, reveals the mindset shifts and tactical approaches that helped bridge his transition from corporate comms to education governance with real community impact.</p><p>In this episode, we explore:</p><p>• Building effective communications in government environments and navigating bureaucratic hurdles</p><p>• Leveraging AI tools in public education and communications while managing ethics and workforce changes</p><p>• Strengthening agency-media relationships and crisis preparedness for public trust</p><p>Ian Bain is a leader, storyteller, and communications expert, drawing on decades in corporate, political, and public education roles to inform strategy and mentor teams on ethical, impactful messaging.</p><p>Listen now to discover how to balance innovation with accountability in your public sector communications work.</p>

<p>Struggling with integrating AI into your communications strategy? Gini Dietrich, creator of the PESO Model and communications leader, reveals actionable ways to align paid, earned, shared, and owned media workflows with modern AI tools for better results.</p><p>In this episode, we explore:</p><p>• How the PESO Model evolved to bridge traditional silos and deliver message consistency [00:00]</p><p>• Real-world examples of embedding AI for media monitoring and crisis readiness [15:30] </p><p>• Organizational shifts needed for continuous AI learning and cross-team collaboration [28:45]</p><p>Gini Dietrich is a globally recognized communications and PR expert, founder of Spin Sucks, and architect of the PESO Model, specializing in integrated strategy and professional development.</p><p>Listen now to discover how to break down silos and leverage AI for communications that drive measurable impact.</p>