Aspire to Inspire Podcast

Hosted by Staffbase

Business Management

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Nov 2025

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About the show

Welcome to the Aspire to Inspire Podcast! When inspiration comes from the top, the whole company will benefit. In each episode of the Aspire to Inspire podcast, we dig deeper into real-world stories and actionable insights to help founders and executives inspire change. We explore the challenges and triumphs of leaders who have learned to leverage communications expertly. Join us as we probe the minds of successful CXOs to hear how they use communication to inspire people, drive transformation, and create business impact. Discover how you can ignite transformation within your own company.

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41 recent

November 26, 202543 min

The human algorithm: Balancing empathy, tech & leadership with Pinaki Kathiari

Join Staffbase’s Lottie Bazley as she sits down with Local Wisdom CEO Pinaki Kathiari for a deeply human conversation about clarity, communication, and the emotional reality of modern work. With nearly two decades of experience helping global brands turn dense and complex information into accessible content, Pinaki reveals the mindset behind simplifying without dumbing down, staying authentic without over-scripting, and communicating difficult messages with honesty and care. Lottie and Pinaki explore when empathy becomes over-protection, why clarity matters most during layoffs and reorgs, and how innovation is often born from discomfort. This episode also dives headfirst into today’s hottest topic: AI. Pinaki breaks down why AI should act as a co-pilot — not a ghostwriter — and how over-reliance on automation is already eroding trust in the workplace. Packed with practical guidance and real-world examples, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make work more human.

November 13, 202543 min

Build Information Resilience: The Science of Persuasion with Shayoni Lynn

Join Brian Tomlinson as he sits down with the CEO and Founder of Lynn Group, Shayoni Lynn, a global leader in behavioral science communications. In this impactful episode, Shayoni unpacks the psychology behind misinformation and the rising challenges communicators face in the digital age. From understanding how cognitive biases fuel fake news to building proactive strategies that preserve trust and audience agency, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating truth in an era of uncertainty. From a rapid vaccine uptake campaign that reframed messaging to personal benefit (driving a 77.8% lift) to building information resilience against misinformation, Shayoni offers a practical playbook leaders can use today. You’ll learn how to frame for identity, set baselines from the start, and prove attribution without sacrificing creativity. If you’re ready to replace intuition with evidence and build durable trust, this conversation delivers.

October 30, 202546 min

Prepare, Don’t Predict: Eloiza Domingo on Crisis Playbooks That Work

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 workers. With candid case examples and practical frameworks, this conversation gives leaders and communicators the tools to respond with courage, clarity, and care — no corporate jargon required.

October 16, 202550 min

Financial Clarity: The Overlooked Key to Employee Engagement with Peter Komolafe

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 also shares the pivotal role his manager played in changing his career trajectory — and how leaders can do the same for their teams today. Packed with actionable strategies, from surveys to segmentation, this episode offers leaders a clear path to supporting financial well-being in the workplace while boosting performance and retention.

October 2, 202542 min

AI, Meet Gen Z: Growing Early Talent in the Age of AI with Monne Williams

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. Monne maps the moves that make change stick. If you recruit early talent, lead comms, or build culture, this episode gives you the playbook to earn trust and move faster.

September 18, 202550 min

The Inner Shift: Advita Patel on Leading with True Confidence

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, Advita dives deep into what it takes to build a thriving, inclusive culture—including the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Plus, learn why confidence isn’t about being loud: it’s about quiet assurance and knowing your value. This episode is filled with actionable strategies for leaders looking to elevate their teams, create psychological safety, and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive. Whether you're seeking to build confidence or transform your organizational culture, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.

July 24, 202547 min

Leadership Is Broken: Charlotte Otter's 3 Steps to Fixing It with Reputation

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 isn’t vanity—it’s legacy. From reshaping personal narratives to building reputation moats before a crisis hits, this episode offers a refreshing and necessary take on how leadership, communication, and authenticity must evolve in today’s world.

July 10, 20251 hr 1 min

From Cancer to Comeback – Jim Olson’s Playbook for Turning Setbacks into Tailwinds

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 a winning strategy—even in life-or-death situations. Jim most recently served as Head of Brand and Communications at Avelo Airlines—America’s first new airline in 15 years—where he built the communications function from scratch. Previously, he led comms at United Airlines, Starbucks, and US Airways, where he helped turn the “Miracle on the Hudson” into a story of employee pride and national inspiration.

June 26, 202552 min

Designing with Your Ears: Julian Treasure on Listening, Leadership & Leveraging Sound

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 biology, cognition, emotions, and behavior — often without us noticing. Whether you're designing a workplace, leading a team, or just trying to be heard, this episode delivers powerful strategies to elevate your voice and deepen your impact. With tips on improving vocal presence, embracing silence, and becoming a more conscious communicator, this conversation is your wake-up call to start listening with intention.

June 12, 202552 min

What AI Gets Wrong: Miri Rodriguez on Designing Ethical AI for Women

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 women and allies alike. She dives into the challenges of being heard in a male-dominated space, the biases baked into today’s LLMs, and why storytelling is the cornerstone of inclusive leadership. Whether you're a tech skeptic or an AI enthusiast, this episode will leave you rethinking how we build, who we include, and why emotion may be our most valuable innovation.