The Grayling Media Podcast

Hosted by Grayling UK

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Grayling Media Podcast dives into the forces reshaping modern communications, from crisis management and AI to DEI, leadership and more, all through the lens of today’s fast-moving media world. Each episode features insider perspectives from journalists, influencers and industry leaders on what really makes a story land, how reputations are built or broken, and why the rules of engagement keep shifting. With newsrooms embracing AI, audiences demanding authentic representation, and interviews now spanning broadcast, digital, podcasts and social platforms, the pressure on leaders and communi

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41 recent

August 20, 202640 min

Grayling North - The Burnham Era

With the country’s political centre shifting north, Andy Burnham’s first months in No.10 have already got people talking about where power now sits in Britain – and what that could mean not just for the North, but for the country as a whole. We were joined by Arooj Shah, Chair of Labour’s National Constitutional Committee (NCC), Henri Murison MBE, CEO of The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and Joshi Herrmann, Founder & Editor of Mill Media, with Alice Newsham leading the conversation. The panel explored whether power is really moving away from Westminster, what a stronger northern voice could mean for our towns and cities, and how these changes could shape politics, business and decision-making across the UK. We also looked at how businesses and brands can make sure they’re part of the conversation as the political landscape evolves. Hear the full discussion in the latest episode of our podcast – listen now.

July 30, 202625 min

Success, leadership and the future of work

In this episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, Heather Blundell, UK CEO at Grayling, is joined by Orianna Rosa Royle, Associate Editor at Fortune and one of the publication's most-read journalists. Drawing on years of interviewing some of the world's most influential CEOs and founders, Orianna shares what she's learned about leadership, careers and the changing world of work. She also reflects on her own journey from experiencing homelessness while at university to building an award-winning career in journalism. Together, they discuss: Why attitude often matters more than credentials What the world's top CEOs have in common AI's impact on careers and entry-level talent The biggest communication mistakes leaders make What authentic leadership really looks like Why hard work still matters in a changing workplace Whether you're leading a team, building your career or thinking about the future of work, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections.

June 24, 20261 min

Beyond the Ballot Box with More in Common

Wales has just delivered one of its most seismic electoral results in a generation – and the implications stretch far beyond the Senedd. In this special election episode of ⁠The Grayling Media Podcast⁠, host Siân Jones, Director of Grayling Cymru, is joined by Louis O’Geran, Senior Associate at More in Common, and Stewart Owadally, Campaigns and PoliticsDirector at Grayling, to deliver a sharp, unfiltered verdict on the Welsh election result. They cover the scale of Labour's defeat, the rise of Reform and what it tells us about shifting voter sentiment, Plaid Cymru's path to government, and what it all means for businesses and organisations that need to engage with a completely new Senedd. Whether you work in public affairs, communications, or simply want to understand what this result means for the future of Wales and UK politics, this is essential listening. Want to understand what the new Senedd landscape means for your organisation? Get in touch with Grayling's Public Affairs and Wales teams to find out how we can help younavigate what comes next: publicaffairs@grayling.com / cardiff@grayling.com. If you would like to hear more from Louis and the team, you can catch them on the brand new podcast from More in Common on The Opinion Brief Podcast.

June 24, 20260 min

Beyond the Ballot Box: Stewart Owadally

"Gradually, then suddenly" was how one of the characters from Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises described the oncoming of bankruptcy. That was also how it felt watching Welsh Labour succumb to its first electoral defeat in a century last week. It was a defeat that had been coming for some time, but when it came it was still a shock. The result has changed the fundamentals of Welsh politics as they have existed since devolution, and now every party has to adapt to that change. Join Grayling's Stewart Owadally with More in Common's Louis O'Geran and Grayling's Sian Jones, to discuss what led to such a seismic set of outcomes (yes, including 20mph), and to consider what it means for each party now. Listen now: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34d6tYb6bCT80dVmSAzeL7 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-ballot-box-wales-has-spoken-now-what/id1801024676?i=1000767421131

June 24, 20260 min

Beyond the Ballot Box: Wales Has Spoken. Now What?

Wales has delivered its most dramatic electoral shift in a generation. Plaid Cymru are in power, Labour are reeling and Reform have arrived. But what really happened and why - and what comes next? Siân Jones sits down with More in Common’s Louis O’Geran and Stewart Owadally for a deep dive into the result and the reckoning.

June 24, 20260 min

The Grayling Media Podcast

The Grayling Media Podcast explores how today’s media is reshaping the world of communications and what it takes to thrive within it. From newsroom dynamics and AI-driven storytelling to crisis response, leadership and representation, each episode offers insider insight from the journalists, editors, influencers and industry leaders shaping the headlines. We uncover what makes a story resonate, how reputations are built or broken, and why the relationship between brands, leaders and the media has never been more complex. As newsrooms evolve, audiences demand authenticity and interviews now span broadcast, digital, podcasts and social platforms, the stakes have never been higher. We go behind the headlines to reveal what the media really wants and how communicators can stay credible, visible and trusted in a 24/7 news cycle.

May 12, 202642 min

Beyond the Ballot Box: Wales Has Spoken. Now What?

March 24, 202643 min

Grindr and PinkNews: perspectives on reaching LGBTQ+ audiences in a changing media landscape

In this episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, we explore the forces reshaping today’s media landscape through the lens of LGBTQ+ communications. Ashley Daly, Head of Grayling Media is joined by Ben Cooper, Grindr’s Director of Consumer Comms and Marcus Wratten, Senior Entertainment Reporter at PinkNews, to unpack how increasing political polarisation, shifting media priorities and DEI backlash are impacting brands, publishers and audiences alike. From social media scrutiny to declining funding across Pride and LGBTQ+ media, this conversation examines what it takes for brands to show up authentically and meaningfully. Grindr: https://www.grindr.com/ PinkNews: https://www.thepinknews.com/ Grayling Media Podcast: https://grayling.com/uk/graylingmediapodcast/ Grayling UK: https://grayling.com/uk/home/

January 27, 202640 min

[GUEST PODCAST] PRCA Fuse with Heather Blundell: Youngest CEO in UK PR

In this episode of the PRCA Fuse Podcast with Adrian Ma, Heather Blundell, UK CEO of Grayling - and one of the youngest leaders of a top UK PR agency - shares the unfiltered story behind her rapid rise, the risks she almost didn’t take, and what leadership really looks like behind the scenes. Heather talks about hustle, imposter syndrome, motherhood, and the moments that can change your career forever, from jumping straight from Associate Director to MD, to leading aglobal agency while raising two young children, to why “nobody is coming to save you” as a leader. You’ll hear Heather’s honest take on: - The breakthrough moment she almost talked herself out of - Why women hesitate to go for big roles and why that needs to change - What it takes to lead in a volatile, competitive market and Grayling's latest trends report - How Grayling UK achieved a 0% gender pay gap and 50/50 board representation - Why diversity of thought isn't optional, it's essential - Her best career advice: Put your hand up and chase the work others avoid. A must-listen for anyone building a career in PR, leadership, or creative industries. Download Grayling's latest trends report.

December 22, 202540 min

Media in Review 2025

In this special end-of-year episode of the Grayling Media Podcast, Heather Blundell (UK CEO, Grayling) is joined by Alex Goss (Head of News, The Sun) and Darren McCaffrey (Sky News) to review the defining media, political and cultural moments of 2025. Together, they discuss: The BBC’s crisis and the future of public service broadcasting The stories that truly ignited public anger The Budget fallout, growth fears and business confidence Reform, Farage, Starmer and a fractured political landscape The collapse of legacy media models and what replaces them AI, authenticity and why trust now matters more than polish The winners and sinners of the media in 2025 A must-listen for business leaders, communicators, policymakers and anyone trying to understand how power, media and public opinion really work in Britain today.