Advertise on podcast: The Leading in a Crisis Podcast

Send us a text Outrage online isn’t always organic—and when it’s engineered, it can hit hard. We sit down with crisis and risk consultant Phil Borremans to expose the mechanics of rage farming: coordinated attacks that use psychology, algorithms, and incentives to inflame audiences, distort brand updates, and turn a minor moment into a market-moving storm. From bots and fake accounts to “coordinated amplification,” Phil maps how bad actors build momentum, trigger engagement spikes, and push fringe narratives into mainstream feeds. We reference high-profile cases like Bud Light and Cracker Barrel to illustrate how synthetic engagement can drive real reputational and financial fallout. Most importantly, we outline a practical defense. Phil details how to retool monitoring from brand mentions to topic-centric early warning, detect anomalies and narrative evolution, and leverage predictive analytics and OSINT to identify viral liftoff before it peaks. We explain why engaging attackers usually backfires and how to focus instead on direct communication with stakeholders who matter—employees, customers, partners, and regulators.  Reach Phil and his excellent newsletter, Wag the Dog, at wagthedog.io. If this was useful, follow the show, share it with a colleague in comms or risk, and leave a quick review telling us what you want to hear next. We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text In this episode, Philippe Borremans joins the podcast to explore key crisis preparedness and response strategies, including the growing challenges of deepfake videos, the widening trust deficit, and persistent capability gaps in the crisis comms field.  Phil shares key findings from his latest annual survey of over 100 crisis communications professionals — revealing results that are both surprising and, in some cases, annoyingly familiar. We discuss the future challenges of  AI and approaches to applying this new and rapidly evolving tool into the crisis comms mix. We also touch on short, fun ways to engage teams in micro-simulations to help reinforce your current crisis response plan. As always with Phil, the discussion dives deep fast, delivering practical insights and valuable takeaways for crisis comms practitioners.   Find Phil and his highly respected newsletter Wag the Dog at wagthedog.io. Find results and discussion of his crisis comms survey here. We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text 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 [email protected].

Send us a text 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 [email protected].

Send us a text A deadly crash at UPS’s Louisville hub put crisis leadership under a microscope—and the first 24 hours told a powerful story about timing, empathy, and restraint. We invited Michele Ehrhart, former VP of Global Communications at FedEx and author of Crisis Compass, to unpack how the early communications played out in this heartbreaking incident.  We walk through the initial statements that landed within hours: awareness first, compassion next, and a clear handoff to the NTSB as the authority on cause and timeline. From there, we explore why “do no harm” is more than a slogan—it’s a filter that keeps leaders from filling silence with speculation. You’ll hear how family hotlines, verified safety guidance, and precise update cadence support trust when uncertainty is high, and why a CEO video isn’t an automatic lever on day one. Our guest, Michele Ehrhart is author of the new crisis guide book, Crisis Compass, available now. She is Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Memphis, and also serves as CEO at Hart Communications, a reputation management firm.  We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text The first words after a mass casualty event can steady a community—or shake it further. We break down the opening press conferences following the Grand Blanc, Michigan church attack to show how leaders earn trust when stakes are highest: the county supervisor’s grounded empathy, a police chief balancing hard facts with community care, a seasoned Michigan State Police PIO orchestrating structure and boundaries, and the FBI’s clear, confident roadmap for the investigation. We walk through the moments that mattered—why missing a PIO in the first briefing made the flow feel off, how a disciplined PIO in the second briefing controlled the room, and where sequencing can elevate impact. You’ll hear why many communicators lead with compassion before counts, how to frame heroism without drifting into speculation, and how to give the public actionable steps that convert anxiety into help: vigilance, verified tip lines, and reunification guidance. Along the way we spotlight crisp techniques like bridging, setting question parameters, and simplifying language under pressure, all while respecting investigative boundaries. We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text Charlie Kirk built his reputation through campus debates, setting up tents where he'd engage students with his signature challenge: "prove me wrong." When a sniper's bullet ended his life at a Utah university, it threatened to become another flashpoint in America's increasingly volatile political landscape. Instead, something remarkable happened. Just days after her husband's murder, Erica Kirk stepped forward with composure, grace and forgiveness. And she demonstrated a level of inspiration and leadership that will help calm many souls, and lead many to Christ as well. The true revelation came at Charlie's memorial service, attended by numerous high-profile politicians and approximately 90,000 other mourners. While anger would have been understandable, Erica made the extraordinary declaration: "That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do." This singular act of moral courage transformed a moment of potential division into one of transcendent leadership. We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text What does it take to lead through chaos? Tracy Nolan knows firsthand. This remarkable Fortune 100 executive has repeatedly stepped into roles most would consider overwhelming - from transforming struggling retail operations to merging telecom giants during a global pandemic. She also likes to solve puzzles. Tracy's journey from retail buyer to telecom executive to healthcare leader reveals a unique talent: she thrives in crisis. "Give me a job that needs transformation," she explains, likening crisis management to solving a complex puzzle. Her approach centers on genuine human connection - creating space for people to be heard when uncertainty reigns. When tasked with merging Sprint and T-Mobile while simultaneously navigating COVID restrictions, Tracy faced an unprecedented challenge. With 14,000 employees looking to her for direction, she implemented creative solutions like shift-based staffing and drive-through wireless services. Throughout the process, she maintained open communication channels, hosting weekly calls where she simply listened to employee concerns. "During crisis times, I slow down and take time to listen," she reveals, countering the common executive instinct to act quickly without gathering input. Tracy also shares profound insights about leadership sustainability. She acknowledges the importance of scheduled downtime and maintaining boundaries, noting how her team appreciates when she's not sending weekend emails. Her philosophy on team development stems from a powerful personal experience when a boss believed in her more than she believed in herself - a gift she now pays forward by creating growth opportunities for her team members. For executives facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, Tracy offers wisdom earned through decades of crisis navigation: "Realize that nothing is done in a day. Take a deep breath, figure out what's the most critical item you need to address today." This incremental approach, combined with honest communication and self-compassion, creates a sustainable path through even the most turbulent circumstances. Find our more about Tracy on LinkedIn or at tracynolan.com. Email the podcast via [email protected] We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text What happens when crisis hits your business and the only information people can find about you online is that negative event? In our conversation with communications expert Tiffany Muehlbauer, we dive deep into her innovative "Pool Theory" concept that's changing how organizations approach crisis preparation. The Pool Theory isn't about shouting louder when trouble arrives—it's about creating enough momentum in your brand presence beforehand that disruptions barely make waves.  For small businesses and entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by limited resources, Tiffany offers practical, implementable strategies. One client transformed their visibility with just three consistent actions: highlighting one client win monthly on their website, sending one monthly newsletter, and posting once weekly on LinkedIn. Within six months, they saw tangible results and new business opportunities. The key isn't being everywhere at once—it's identifying where your audience engages and maintaining an authentic, consistent presence there. You can find Tiffany's new book, Pool Theory, on Amazon or at thepooltheory.com. Find Tiffany at ArmaCommunications.com. Email the show via [email protected] Reach Marc Mullen at [email protected] We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text Behind every crisis response lies hidden patterns that determine success or failure. In this illuminating conversation, crisis communications expert Jeff Hahn pulls back the curtain on these patterns, sharing insights from his book "Breaking Bad News" and his decades of experience in the trenches of corporate crises. Drawing from his 15 years at Motorola handling everything from hazardous material spills to workplace violence, Hahn reveals how his fascination with crisis communications evolved into a seven-year journey to decode the science behind breaking bad news effectively. His research is remarkably precise – analyzing 505 NPR interviews to identify exactly six question types journalists ask in a predictable sequence, and categorizing precisely 16 message types organizations can deploy during a crisis. At the heart of Hahn's approach is his "3M Model" – Message, Messenger, and Method. This framework challenges conventional wisdom, particularly around who should speak during a crisis. While many organizations instinctively push their CEO forward, Hahn argues this often backfires, citing BP's Tony Hayward's infamous "I'd like my life back" comment as a cautionary tale. Instead, he advocates for strategic messenger selection and careful war room composition, where lawyers provide counsel but don't dominate the response strategy. You can reach Jeff Hahn at [email protected]. Reach Marc Mullen at [email protected] Reach Tom Mueller at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text When does crisis preparation cross the line into inauthentic communication? The recent Air India crash that claimed 270 lives sparked a fascinating controversy when their CEO's statement appeared virtually identical to American Airlines' earlier crisis statement. Crisis communications experts Tom Mueller, Mark Mullen, and guest Destin Singleton dive into this nuanced debate with different perspectives. Is this merely a "tempest in a teapot" where effective templates were repurposed appropriately? Or does it represent a troubling lack of authenticity at a moment when grieving stakeholders desperately needed genuine communication? The conversation explores compelling angles often overlooked in corporate communications analysis. Was delivering the statement exclusively in English appropriate for an Indian audience? How does cultural context affect our perception of "stiff" versus "professional" delivery? And what happens when stakeholders notice similarities between crisis statements, potentially creating a secondary crisis of trust? Most fascinatingly, the discussion ventures into AI's emerging role in crisis response. Could AI-generated spokespeople delivering perfectly crafted statements become commonplace? Should they? The ethical implications are immense as organizations balance efficiency against authenticity in their most vulnerable moments. If you'd like to reach out to Destin Singleton, find her at www.emiccomms.com Reach Marc Mullen via email at [email protected] Have thoughts to share or a new topic to recommend? Email Tom at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text A wall of water 40 feet high. Spotty cell service. A holiday weekend. These factors converged to create one of the deadliest flooding disasters in Texas history this July 4th weekend, claiming over 100 lives along the Guadalupe River, many of them young campers at Christian summer camps with century-old traditions. We take you inside the communications response, examining how communications flowed during this complex, multi-agency effort in a race to save lives and reunite families.  From press conferences that sometimes seemed choreographed for political visibility to the notable absence of a dedicated Public Information Officer coordinating the response messaging, we analyze what worked and what didn't in this complex emergency communications scenario. The state-level response showed impressive command of facts and empathetic delivery, while local briefings sometimes struggled with cohesion and clarity. For families who sent their children to summer camps along the river, this disaster represents an unthinkable tragedy. Our hearts go out to those affected, including the emergency responders now facing the psychological impact of recovery operations. We discuss resources for addressing PTSD in crisis responders and point listeners to our previous episodes covering mental health aspects of disaster recovery. Our guest today is Destin Singleton, principal at Emic Communications in New Braunfels, Texas. Reach out to Destin at www.emiccomms.com  We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at [email protected].

Send us a text 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 [email protected] - 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 [email protected].

Send us a text 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 [email protected].

Send us a text 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 [email protected].