Cut Through the Noise with Aisling O' Rourke

Hosted by Aisling O'Rourke

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Oct 2026

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About the show

In a noisy world, it's even more important to communicate with clarity, get your brand messaging on point and maximise the power of media. However, that's all easier said than done. In this podcast season Broadcaster and Communications Coach Aisling O' Rourke demystifies how media works, offers communications tips and speaks to experts in the field of communications and marketing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

October 27, 202623 min

Why Your Voice Is Your Best Tool with Amy Summers

When did you last pick up the phone instead of sending an email? In this episode, Aisling talks to Amy Summers, a New York-based PR agency founder of more than 20 years and author of Lift . Amy explains why she still has her team phone journalists, even though most agencies have dropped the habit. Phone calls are not always the fastest route, but they build verbal communication skills and confidence that stay with people throughout their careers. Amy argues that your voice is the most valuable communication tool you still fully own, and that we’re out of practice using it. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why phoning journalists, and anyone else, still gives you an edge, and how spontaneous conversations can lead to opportunities that email never would Amy’s “if they answer, that’s on them” rule for getting past the fear of calling at the wrong time Why traditional media is still essential The four elements of a journalist’s news filter How to pitch yourself to the media by leading with what you can offer their audience The 10 touch points in Amy’s book Lift , and why leadership still depends on human connection rather than technology If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Amy: LinkedIn Website Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 19, 202616 min

Leading with Honesty in Anxious Times

After the largest public sector strike in Ireland since 2009, with 300,000 workers on picket lines, Aisling reflects on how much leaders' words matter when people are anxious. Between the cost of living, global conflict, rising rents and bills, and the climate and nature crisis, many teams and clients carry a low hum of dread into every meeting and email. In a crisis, communication is not a soft skill but the whole game. Leaders don't have to choose between being kind and being honest, and in this week’s episode, Aisling shares five principles, each with an action step to try this week. The five principles Lead with acknowledgement before information. Be honest, even when the news isn't good. People-pleasing isn't kindness. Empathy is neither agreeing nor dismissing. Say what you don't know, and say what happens next. Your action steps this week If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 12, 202624 min

Reinventing Period Care Without the Shame with Kate Doyle

This week, Aisling talks to Kate Doyle, founder of EcoKinly, a Wexford-based brand breaking new ground in women’s health and hygiene products. Kate shares what it's like to market a product most people have never seen, how she handles the lingering taboo around periods and women’s hygiene, and why she thinks the conversation is shifting from a "female health issue" to a waste, cost-of-living and education issue. In this episode, you’ll discover: What reusable period care actually looks like, and why Kate links it to a habit people already know The extra layer of marketing: explaining what your product is before you can explain why it's better Why some retail buyers instantly get what you’re trying to do and others don't Period poverty, girls missing school, and the importance of talks with the Department of Education about reusable pads in secondary schools If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn coach.ie/ Connect with Kate: LinkedIn Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 5, 202627 min

Cutting Through the Science Noise With Professor John Nolan

Aisling O'Rourke is joined by Professor John Nolan, whose 25 years of research into the eye, the brain and nutrition are the subject of the new documentary A Vision for Vision . They talk about why the science matters for people of all ages, and about the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding. For anyone nervous about putting themselves in front of a camera, he shares his tips on storytelling and sticking to what you know. In this episode, you’ll discover: What A Vision for Vision is, and why John made a film instead of publishing another paper How common age-related macular degeneration is in Ireland, and why waiting until the condition is advanced isn't enough John's concept of "Health 3.0": proactive, preventative healthcare built on targeted nutrition The education gap: why most eye doctors aren't trained in the link between nutrition, eyes and brain Why scientists need to get comfortable with simplifying their language, and why even scientists like a good story Making science collaborative and involving patients, athletes and the public in the research Advice for nervous communicators: know your subject, don't pretend to be an expert in everything, and tell a story If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Connect with John: LinkedIn Website Info about ‘A Vision for Vision’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 28, 202627 min

Building an Honest, Sustainable Brand with Sandhya Sabapathy

In this week’s episode, Aisling is joined by global sustainability expert Sandhya Sabapathy to talk about how the conversation around sustainable business has shifted from a "nice to have" side project to a genuine business case backed by regulation, profitability, and consumer trust. They cover why the "fail fast, break things" era is giving way to more considered, foundational growth, why authenticity beats greenwashing, and what role women in leadership can play in building a more climate-resilient future. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: How corporate sustainability has evolved over the last decade, from top-down net zero commitments to a maturing, more strategic business function Why sustainability now needs a real business case, not just a compliance checkbox Why recent extreme heat events have made climate risk feel immediate rather than abstract, especially for retailers and supply chains Why consumer cynicism and greenwashing fatigue mean honesty about what isn't working can land better than polished sustainability marketing Mary Robinson's Dandelion Project and the case for women in C-suite leadership driving better sustainability and pay equity outcomes, and why this needs to be a collaborative effort with male leaders, not a burden placed solely on women If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Sandhya: LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 21, 202620 min

Crisis Communications: When the Message Gets Lost

A crisis doesn't always start with a product failure, a cyberattack or an accident. Sometimes it starts with one sentence. In this solo episode, Aisling looks at the recent row over Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary's language about competing airlines, which she also discussed on Ireland AM. This incident is a perfect example of how a deliberate communications stunt can turn into a reputational crisis, and how refusing to acknowledge the harm keeps the story alive. Aisling explains why the original misstep is rarely the most important part of a crisis. How you respond decides how far the damage spreads. She also draws on a recent PwC study on Irish business disruption, and lays out what every leader should have in place before pressure arrives: a credible apology, a named spokesperson, a crisis communications plan and a real-life test of that plan. In this episode, you'll discover: Why a crisis can begin with a single sentence, and how a message about low fares became a debate about leadership and culture How to define a crisis, and why you don't have to do anything 100% wrong for a grey area to destroy trust in your brand Why meaning is created by the audience as well as the speaker, and why. Why intent is relevant but doesn't erase impact. Why doubling down is so often mistaken for strength, and how admitting a mistake is the real strength The four things a credible apology must do. If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 14, 202623 min

MLMs: The Legal Line vs. Pyramid Schemes with Máire O’Sullivan

MLMs are everywhere on social media, but how do you tell a legitimate multi-level marketing business from an illegal pyramid scheme? In this episode, Aisling is joined by Máire O'Sullivan, lecturer in marketing at Munster Technological University and an MLM expert cited by The New York Times, to unpack the murky legal grey area and the marketing tactics that make MLMs so persuasive. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: What actually defines an MLM, and how it legally differs from a pyramid scheme Real-world cases: Advocare, LuLaRoe, and Amway's run-ins with regulators Why MLMs disproportionately target women, especially new and stay-at-home mothers The two-track marketing machine: polished corporate advertising vs. distributor-generated "UGC" The psychological hooks, hope, flexibility, and a sense of sisterhood, that make MLM messaging so effective The "hon-zoning" phenomenon and how recruitment pitches strain friendships How to read an income disclosure statement before joining anything If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Máire: LinkedIn Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 7, 202620 min

What Horses Teach Us About Communication with Emma Jane Clarke

What can a horse teach you about leadership? In this episode of Cut Through the Noise , Aisling O'Rourke sits down with Emma Jane Clarke of Martinstown Lodge to explore the surprising world of equine-assisted leadership coaching. Emma Jane works with everyone from Fortune 500 C-suite executives to emerging leaders, using horses to help people strip away the "mask" they wear at work and communicate with more honesty, presence, and self-awareness. Horses don't respond to what you say, they respond to how you feel, making them uniquely powerful mirrors for leaders who want to understand the real impact they're having on their teams. If you've ever felt like stress or overwhelm is affecting how you show up and communicate with others, this conversation offers a fresh, science-backed perspective on getting grounded and leading with clarity. In this episode, you'll discover: Why horses mirror your emotions rather than your words, and what that reveals about your leadership presence How being "grounded, centered, and present" around horses translates directly into better workplace communication The real reason high-performing teams turn to equine coaching, even when they don't have obvious "problems" to solve How mistakes are the real engine of learning in this work, and why that matters for your own growth The three areas Emma Jane focuses on with clients: congruent communication, self-awareness, and trust Why vulnerability without judgment creates faster, more lasting behavioural change than traditional coaching How to overcome the "I don't have time for this" mindset and see the long-term impact of experiential learning If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Emma Jane: LinkedIn Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 31, 202621 min

Leverage Ireland’s EU Presidency For Business Growth with Denis Naughten

Ireland is currently holding the presidency of the EU Council, but for most Irish businesses, that fact hasn't translated into any real action. In this episode, Aisling sits down with Denis Naughten, former MEP and former TD, to break down what the presidency actually means, why it matters for small business, and how to actually use it before the opportunity passes. In this episode, you'll learn: What the EU Council Presidency actually involves, and why Ireland is effectively the "honest broker" trying to strike agreement across Europe for the next six months How to register on "Have Your Say EU" so the European Commission tells you directly when laws affecting your sector are being considered Why very few small businesses respond to the Commission's early "Call for Evidence", and why that's exactly where your voice carries the most weight The direct line most businesses forget they have. How local businesses can use the presidency to generate media coverage by giving journalists local context on European stories. If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Connect with Denis: LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 28, 20262 min

A New Era of Cut Through The Noise

Cut Through The Noise is back, but things are changing… Starting September 1st, we are going weekly! Instead of themed six-episode seasons, you'll get shorter, more frequent episodes every single week. You can expect: New music and a freshened-up feel for the new season Shorter episodes, but way more of them Themes aren't gone, but not forgotten. If you have a topic you want covered, we will give you what you ask for We are going to be more reactive. When something big happens in the communications and marketing world, we will be there to respond Same host, same mission, and cutting through the noise on communications and marketing, with great guests along the way. If you're new here, make sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and if you're watching on YouTube, hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode. Make sure to check out our YouTube! YouTube If you would like to get involved in the podcast or work with The Communications Coach email us: hello@thecommunicationscoach.ie Editing is by Amanda Fitzgerald Connect with Aisling: Website Email Instagram LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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