PR Explored: The Podcast for Public Relations and Communications Pros

Michelle Garrett
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PR Explored, my PR podcast, where I interview those I trust and respect about topics related to public relations and communications. We take a deeper dive into public relations topics with some of the brightest folks in the business. The show is my opportunity to discuss the questions on our minds about the work of PR pros today, as well as industry trends.

  1. Modern media training: Rethinking how we prep executives

    9 APR

    Modern media training: Rethinking how we prep executives

    In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Katie Suiters of Brighton Media to discuss modernizing media training for executives.  Suiters contrasts outdated, scripted talking-point memorization with a hyper-custom approach that builds authentic, teachable communication skills across scenarios, including media interviews, internal all-hands, social video, panels, and crisis moments.  She recommends starting with intention-setting: defining the business objective of an opportunity and how the spokesperson and organization should be perceived, then measuring success against those goals.  They address misconceptions that journalists are “out to get you,” the importance of taking pauses, and avoiding jargon because it erodes trust and loses audiences.  Suiters advocates ongoing monthly or quarterly prep instead of one-time sessions, explains how to deliver constructive feedback, warns that “internal” remarks can leak, and notes AI increases demand for human, credible delivery and voice-aligned messaging; outside trainers can provide candid third-party coaching. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:02 Rethinking Media Training 02:05 Beyond Broadcast Scenarios 03:33 Effort and Practice Payoff 05:20 Evolving Past Talking Points 06:14 Set Goals and Perception 08:45 Debrief and Say No 11:50 Misconceptions About Training 14:46 Journalists Are Not Enemies 19:40 Pause and Speak Clearly 22:29 Avoid Jargon and Acronyms 28:38 Ongoing Prep Sessions 29:26 Always Be Ready 30:53 PR As Insurance 31:51 Short Tailored Sessions 33:59 Handling Training Resistance 36:14 Introverts And Authenticity 37:46 Giving Executive Feedback 41:56 One On One Vs Group 43:31 Assume Everything Leaks 47:14 Difficult Questions And Bridging 50:03 AI And The Human Premium 53:42 When To Hire A Trainer 56:59 Media Training Wrap Up Show notes:  Follow Katie Suiters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiesuiters/ Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    59 min
  2. PR and Search – What Really Matters When Advising Clients

    1 APR

    PR and Search – What Really Matters When Advising Clients

    In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Katie Robbert, CEO of Trust Insights, about how SEO and GEO (generative AI engine optimization) affect PR work. Robbert explains GEO as serving a new “business to machine” audience—LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude—which summarize information from sources such as listicles and quoted articles, making PR placements and strong SEO fundamentals still essential. Rather than throwing out playbooks, she recommends reverse-engineering AI results by asking for sources, targeting high-quality publications (including trade media), and measuring impact via analytics segments and “how did you hear about us” form fields. They discuss EEAT (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness), avoiding low-quality AI content, and making “machine-readable” content more detailed across owned and Google properties. Robbert also notes using constrained-source tools like NotebookLM and improving accessibility to help machine readability. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:16 Why GEO Matters Now 02:00 Defining GEO vs SEO 03:29 Trust Insights GEO Course 06:46 SEO Not Dead Explained 11:05 No Need to Overhaul PR 13:19 Paid Placement and Authority 16:18 Measuring LLM Discovery 20:01 Are LLM Leads Better 24:30 PR Priorities for SEO GEO 27:07 Avoiding AI Content Slop 29:21 Google AI Mode Question 29:42 Critical Thinking vs AI 30:27 Sniff Test and Skepticism 33:27 Ask for Sources 34:07 Control the Inputs 35:10 Notebook LM Workflows 37:11 Trade Media Strategy 40:49 Press Releases for Machines 43:24 Wire Services and GEO 46:16 Start Your Own Publication 47:42 Be Everywhere for LLMs 50:50 Accessibility as SEO 52:14 Final Optimization Takeaways Show notes: Katie Robbert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katierobbert/ Trust Insights GEO 101 course: https://academy.trustinsights.ai/courses/geo-101-for-marketers Trust Insights site: https://www.trustinsights.ai/ Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    54 min
  3. PR Scams: Fake PR isn’t worth it. How to spot paid media masquerading as earned media

    18 MAR

    PR Scams: Fake PR isn’t worth it. How to spot paid media masquerading as earned media

    PR scams are EVERYWHERE these days. We also see a rise in the number of agencies selling “fake PR” placements.  My guest, Bill Byrne, co-founder of Remedy PR, and I delve into this topic on this episode of PR Explored.  What should you watch out for? How can you tell when someone is trying to sell you something that's too good to be true? And how should you vet a PR provider to ensure you're hiring a credible consultant or agency?  Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    1hr 2min
  4. How to Leverage Original Research to Boost Your PR Results

    5 MAR

    How to Leverage Original Research to Boost Your PR Results

    In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Becky Lawlor of RedPoint Insights about using original research to support B2B PR and thought leadership.  Lawler defines original research (surveys, internal proprietary data, or unique analysis) versus third-party stats and explains how it builds authority by “owning the narrative.” She emphasizes upfront strategy, competitor analysis, and alignment with goals; choosing credible respondents via vetted B2B panel vendors rather than consumer tools; and planning sample size (often 100 minimum in B2B, ~500 robust, larger for segmentation).  The discussion covers budgeting ranges from boutique pilots around $10K to large consultancies costing $100K+; incentives and fraud risks; careful survey design to drive headlines, avoid excessive open-ended questions, and ensure clarity; deeper data analysis for benchmarks and contrasts; and PR execution via tailored pitching beyond press releases.  They also outline broader uses including lead gen, paid/organic social, sales enablement, speaking slots, SEO/backlinks, and LLM search, and note buyers may find brand-owned research as credible as third-party studies. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:02 Becky Background and Focus 01:53 What Counts as Original Research 04:00 Why Research Builds Authority 05:26 Research Strategy and Angles 07:47 Finding the Right Respondents 10:06 Sample Size and Segmentation 13:38 Credibility and Media Scrutiny 16:02 Budget and Panel Costs 19:51 Incentives and Fraud Risks 21:26 Survey Design for Headlines 26:52 Avoiding Open Ended Pitfalls 27:26 Survey Fatigue Traps 27:47 Open Ended Limits 28:48 Deeper Data Analysis 30:46 Pitching the Right Stats 33:53 Bring PR In Early 37:14 Repurposing Research Everywhere 42:08 Measuring PR Impact 46:00 Budget-Friendly Pilot Surveys 49:02 Finding Industry Gaps 51:15 Own Your Research Credibility 54:02 Wrap Up and Resources Show notes:  Redpoint Insights: https://redpointinsights.com/ Becky Lawlor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckylawlor/ Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    55 min
  5. The Rise of Personality Brands - and What It Means for PR & Comms Pros

    26 FEB

    The Rise of Personality Brands - and What It Means for PR & Comms Pros

    In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Fatou B. Barry, founder of the PR Girl Manifesto, a global community and editorial platform created to provide culturally competent PR resources, strategy, and professional development.  They discuss the rise of “personality brands” as a structural shift where companies prioritize long-term identity, recurring voices, and entertainment-driven continuity over one-off product campaigns, driven by fragmented attention and declining institutional trust. Using Gap’s new Chief Entertainment Officer as a signal, they cite examples like Nike, Red Bull, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Skims to show brands building studios, original programming, and IP to own audience relationships.  They explore how paid, earned, and owned media are merging, expanding PR into narrative systems, production, ethics, and talent strategy, raising expectations for skills, education, media literacy, and compensation.  They also predict collaborations will shift from reach-based influencers toward credible experts and community leaders, emphasizing alignment, authenticity, and trust. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:50 PR Girl Manifesto Origin 03:23 Defining Personality Brands 05:48 Attention Fragmentation Today 06:54 Gap Chief Entertainment Role 07:52 Brands as IP Studios 12:24 Paid Earned Owned Blur 14:12 Skills and Education Shifts 17:47 Media Literacy and Trust 23:43 Hiring the Right PR Pro 26:38 PR in a Media Company Era 28:03 Scope Creep and Fair Pay 30:51 Expert Era Shift 34:54 Authenticity Over Hype 37:01 Beyond Influencers 38:11 AI Search Rewards Credibility 39:25 Journalists As Creators 44:10 Trust And Personality Brands 49:43 Values And Taking Stands 53:28 Interactive Story Content 54:59 PR As Story Makers 57:57 Opportunity And Responsibility Show notes: The PR Girl Manifesto: https://www.prgirlmanifesto.org/ The PR Girl Manifesto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pr-girl-manifesto/ Fatou Barry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fbarry/ Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    1 hr

  6. 19 FEB

    How to Maximize Your Job Search: Strategies Beyond Submitting Applications

    In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest, Stacia Doss from Glassdoor, as they dive deep into the current job market’s complexities and provide actionable advice for job seekers. In this episode, they discuss effective job search strategies, the importance of networking, leveraging AI, and how to stand out in a crowded field. This follows the discussion on the last episode about skills pros need to succeed in a PR career. They also touch on mental health aspects of job searching and the value of maintaining professional connections. Whether you’re in PR, comms, or any other industry, these insights and tips are designed to help you navigate your job search more effectively. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:31 Guest Introduction and Background 01:34 Current Job Market Challenges 02:47 Statistics and Trends in Job Listings 04:59 Impact of AI on Job Market 12:19 Application Process Frustrations 16:25 Exploring the Hidden Job Market 20:08 Networking and Building Connections 23:04 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Search 33:39 Enhancing Skills and Upskilling 35:11 Weekly AI Learning Routine 36:34 Free Resources for PR and Comms Pros 38:27 Networking and Weak Ties 39:28 Informational Interviews and Follow-ups 42:34 Virtual Coffee Chats and Professional Organizations 45:04 Staying in Touch with Your Network 48:06 Mental Health and Community Support 52:04 Researching Companies and Job Markets 53:17 Organizing Your Job Search 58:57 Final Thoughts and Resources Show notes: Follow Stacia Doss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staciadoss/ Stacia’s article on which the episode is based: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/beyond-online-applications-job-search/ The Lonely Office podcast: https://www.glassdoor.com/Community/the-lonely-office Glassdoor’s blog with more tips and advice for job hunters: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/ Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    1hr 1min
  7. PR: On the Hiring Horizon - Soft Skills That Matter

    4 FEB

    PR: On the Hiring Horizon - Soft Skills That Matter

    In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett interviews Kristina Markos, an associate professor and co-founder of GenSpark Solutions.  They discuss the significance of soft skills such as listening, presenting, collaboration, and curiosity in public relations. Kristina shares her varied background in agency work and academia, emphasizing the transition needs between generations in the workplace.  They address the importance of effective presentation skills, the need to ask questions, and the impact of AI on communication roles.  The episode highlights the evolving PR landscape and the exciting opportunities for emerging professionals in the field. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:50 Guest Background and Experience 02:03 Importance of Soft Skills in PR 03:28 Predictions and Essential Skills 05:04 Teaching Communication Skills 09:42 Presentation Skills and Their Importance 15:38 Collaboration and Intergenerational Communication 30:37 The Impact of Short Attention Spans 31:15 The Importance of Asking Questions 32:36 PR Professionals and Journalism Training 36:32 Understanding Organizational Dynamics 43:08 The Role of Writing in PR 49:52 Listening and Perspective Taking 53:47 The Exciting Future of PR 58:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Show notes: Kristina Markos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinamarkos/ GenSpark Solutions: https://www.thinknovl.com/genspark PR Club Prediction Post with Kristina's thoughts that sparked the idea for the topic: https://prclub.org/tips-from-the-board-its-prediction-time Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    59 min

  8. 28 JAN

    How Public Speaking Can Boost Your PR Efforts

    Public speaking is a powerful way for thought leaders to stand out from the crowd. How can PR pros and communicators leverage speaking opportunities to help clients get more visibility for themselves and their brands? In this episode of PR Explored I talked with guest Tricia Richards-Service, founder of I Need a Speaker, which helps organizations and event planners find the right speaker for their events. Overview:  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, welcomes Tricia Richard Service, founder of I Need a Speaker, to discuss how public speaking can enhance public relations efforts. The conversation delves into the creation and benefits of I Need a Speaker, guidelines for effective public speaking, and how organizations can strategically utilize speakers to boost their PR programs. Tricia offers practical tips for potential speakers, including the importance of practice, clear messaging, and working closely with communications teams. The episode also covers advice for organizations seeking speakers and the value of compensating speakers appropriately. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:31 The Birth of ‘I Need a Speaker’ 01:16 How ‘I Need a Speaker’ Works 02:19 The Value of Diverse Speakers 04:12 Public Speaking and PR Programs 07:06 Maximizing Speaking Opportunities 11:37 Choosing the Right Events 23:32 The Importance of Practice and Feedback 29:05 Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety 29:49 The Importance of Preparation 30:12 Avoiding Off-the-Cuff Remarks 33:22 Handling Media Interviews 36:13 Engaging with Your Comms Team 40:05 Advice for Event Planners 46:11 Speaker Compensation and Expectations 49:46 Final Thoughts and Resources Show notes: I Need a Speaker: https://www.ineedaspeaker.com/ Tricia Richard-Service on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triciarichardsservicephd/ Follow the host:  Website: www.michellegarrett.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergal Michelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available now Book a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.  About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.

    59 min
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About

PR Explored, my PR podcast, where I interview those I trust and respect about topics related to public relations and communications. We take a deeper dive into public relations topics with some of the brightest folks in the business. The show is my opportunity to discuss the questions on our minds about the work of PR pros today, as well as industry trends.

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