The Comms Major Podcast

thecommsmajor

The Comms Major podcast explores trends in the communications industry in Canada and beyond. Each episode features a candid conversation with a communications professional as they navigate a career in this ever changing landscape. The hosts are University Canada West professors Wahiba Chair and Karen Tankard. Chair is a strategist and award-winning marketing, communications, and public relations educator. Tankard is an award-winning former CBC journalist, with more than two decades as a communications instructor. Follow the Comms Major podcast for new episodes dropping in the summer of 2025. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Bluesky using #TheCommsMajor.

Episodes

  1. 2025-11-18

    Episode 6 Season 1: The Importance of Mentorship to Achieve Your Goals

    Marzia continues her conversation with Wahiba, diving into her involvement with the BC chapter of the IABC (International Association of Business Communicators). As a self-described introvert who wasn't a fan of large networking events, Marzia found IABC's focused community of communications professionals much more approachable. She volunteered her way up from student member to Director of the Students and New Communicators Portfolio, and eventually to President of the chapter. She shares practical advice on finding mentors—from joining formal programs to simply sending a LinkedIn message (because apparently, most people are willing to help if you just ask). Marzia also opens up about earning a spot on BC Business's Top 30 Under 30 list, expressing deep gratitude for the mentors who helped her get there and how the recognition amplified Glow Within Foundation's mission. The episode wraps with her advice for new communications graduates: be strategic in your learning, bridge the gap between theory and practice, and stay curious. Plus, her take on keeping communication human in the age of AI. Learn More about Marzia and the IABC/BC using the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marzia-sager/ https://iabc.bc.ca/  Learn more about Wahiba's work and connect with her on LinkedIn WahibaChair.com  http://LinkedIn.com/in/WahibaChair Learn more about Karen's work and connect with her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-tankard-ma/ Follow @TheCommsMajor on LinkedIn and join the conversation using #TheCommsMajor

    29 min
  2. 2025-10-06

    Episode 5 Season 1: A Non-Traditional Path to Communications

    Marzia Sager was on track to become a pediatrician - until she realized the passion just wasn't there. So she pivoted into communications, and hasn't looked back. Today, Marzia is the Communications and Advancement Lead at PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, where she crafts strategies to share the organization's stories and impact with key stakeholders. She's also the co-founder of the Glow Within Foundation, empowering female-identifying high school students through education in mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Her social impact work has earned her recognition on BC Business's Top 30 Under 30 list and the 2022 IABC/BC Making Waves Award, given to an outstanding new communicator. After years of volunteering, she currently serves as President of the BC Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. In this episode, Marzia opens up about her unconventional journey and offers honest advice for anyone whose path to their dream career isn't exactly a straight line. Learn More about Marzia and the IABC/BC using the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marzia-sager/ https://iabc.bc.ca/  Learn more about Wahiba's work and connect with her on LinkedIn WahibaChair.com  http://LinkedIn.com/in/WahibaChair Learn more about Karen's work and connect with her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-tankard-ma/ Follow @TheCommsMajor on LinkedIn and join the conversation using #TheCommsMajor

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Comms Major podcast explores trends in the communications industry in Canada and beyond. Each episode features a candid conversation with a communications professional as they navigate a career in this ever changing landscape. The hosts are University Canada West professors Wahiba Chair and Karen Tankard. Chair is a strategist and award-winning marketing, communications, and public relations educator. Tankard is an award-winning former CBC journalist, with more than two decades as a communications instructor. Follow the Comms Major podcast for new episodes dropping in the summer of 2025. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Bluesky using #TheCommsMajor.