Smart in Public

Katie Boysen & Katie Dufficy

CEOs trust us, the media tolerates us, and our mothers think we know Oprah. The Smart in Public podcast, hosted by Katie Boysen and Katie Dufficy, shares business, career, and life experiences through the world of two Public Relations professionals just trying to keep their sh*t together.

  1. AI + Comms is a Vibe with Senka Hadzimuratovic, Head of Comms at Lovable

    HACE 2 DÍAS

    AI + Comms is a Vibe with Senka Hadzimuratovic, Head of Comms at Lovable

    What happens when your company moves so fast that your communications strategy is already outdated by the time you ship it? That's the reality at Lovable — the AI-native company that's making software creation accessible to anyone, anywhere. And their Head of Communications, Senka Hadzimuratovic, is living it in real time. In this episode, Boysen sits down with Senka for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to do comms inside a company that's rewriting the rules for how everything we knew about business, technology, and the systems we use for them. Some highlights from an episode that is one long highlight: 🤖 AI can honestly be so fun for comms. Senka breaks down how she's using AI for storytelling, measurement, and strategic messaging in ways most communications teams aren't even thinking about yet. 🏎️ Speed as a communications crisis. When your product ships faster than your narrative can keep up, what do you anchor to? Senka's answer might surprise you. 😶 Numb to the hype. Are people are tuning out AI announcements and how do we grab their attention if that's the case? 🎯 Core narratives are still a survival tool. In a fast-growth environment, the discipline to keep coming back to your foundational message is what separates strategic communicators from reactive ones. 💡 Authenticity isn't soft — it's structural. When you're building for a young workforce that has a finely tuned BS detector, how you say things matters as much as what you say. Balancing innovation with strategic control isn't a compromise — it's the whole job now. Chapters 01:49 - Senka's Career Journey in Communications03:45 - Understanding Lovable and Its AI Capabilities05:34 - Leveraging AI in Communications09:10 - The Fast-Paced Environment of AI Companies10:54 - Establishing Core Narratives in a Rapidly Changing Landscape13:37 - Mindset Shifts in Communications with AI16:45 - Navigating Skepticism and Backlash in AI Narratives20:16 - The Role of Storytelling in AI Companies24:08 - Emerging Trends in AI and Communications28:18 - The Impact of Vibe Coding on Job Creation30:05 - AI and the Future of Communication Roles31:48 - Managing Innovation in a Young Workforce34:07 - Balancing Control and Freedom in Communication36:49 - The Importance of Strategy in a Changing Landscape38:30 - Authenticity in AI Communication40:04 - The Role of Relationships in Communications45:01 - Embracing Change and the Future of Comms🔗 Connect with Senka: linkedin.com/in/senka-hajimirovich 🔗 Check out Lovable: lovable.ai 🔗 Follow Katie: linkedin.com/in/katieboysen Enjoying Smart in Public? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with the comms person in your life who needs to hear this. Connect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    54 min
  2. Pack your career go bag with Daniel Méndez Aróstica

    26 MAR

    Pack your career go bag with Daniel Méndez Aróstica

    If you've been quietly doom-scrolling job boards and wondering if it's just you — it's not. The communications job market is genuinely hard right now, and nobody's being fully honest about why and what to do. Daniel Méndez Aróstica built #CommsJobs because he lived it. After making the leap from Chile to the US, he found himself navigating an overwhelming system and decided to fix it for everyone else too. What started as a hashtag became one of the most useful communities for communicators in transition. In this episode, Daniel gets real about what's actually happening in the market, why job descriptions are becoming increasingly disconnected from reality, and what the hidden job market actually means in 2026. What we get into: 🌎 How Daniel built a global community of comms pros 20k+ strong 💼 The brutal truth about the current communications job market — and why the "it'll bounce back" crowd might be wrong 🤝 Why "network when you don't need anything" isn't just a platitude and what that actually looks like in practice 🤖 AI's real impact on hiring in communications (and how to use it before it uses you) 🎯 How to find the jobs that never get posted and why following real people beats job boards every time The candidates landing roles right now aren't the most qualified — they're the most prepared. There's a difference, and Daniel explains exactly what it looks like. Whether you're actively searching, quietly considering your options, or trying to future-proof your career, this one's worth your full attention. Connect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    1 h 2 min
  3. What Happens When PR People Stop Complaining and Start Building

    19 MAR

    What Happens When PR People Stop Complaining and Start Building

    What does it actually take to build an AI product for an industry that's still figuring out what AI means for its future? Michelle Masek and Nadia Jamshidi didn't wait around for someone else to answer that question. As co-founders of Honey Jar — an AI co-pilot built specifically for PR and communications — they're in the middle of one of the most interesting experiments in the industry right now: betting that the practitioners who feel most disrupted by AI are actually the ones who'll benefit most from it. In this episode, the Katies get into the real story behind Honey Jar including the messy, honest account of what it's like to build a comms tool while navigating a VC landscape that doesn't always understand what communications professionals actually do all day. We cover: 🍯 Why Honey Jar exists — and what early users are saying about it (including the feedback that stung) 🤖 The hallucination problem nobody wants to talk about — LLMs are impressive and unreliable in equal measure. Michelle and Nadia are refreshingly direct about what that means for PR practitioners trying to use AI tools responsibly. 📱 Who this is actually built for — solo PR pros and early-stage founders are the underserved sweet spot here, and the case they make is hard to argue with 💰 What it's like pitching a PR tool to VCs — spoiler: investors who've never had to write a press release at 11pm have some... interesting takes on the market opportunity 🔄 The evolving role of young professionals — how the next generation of comms practitioners is already reshaping what this work looks like "The future is applied AI for every profession." Not AI as a replacement — AI as infrastructure. The comms professionals who figure out how to build on top of that infrastructure are the ones who'll matter in five years. We're in a moment of rapid AI-driven change, and the tools are still catching up to the vision. Honey Jar is an early bet on where the industry is going — and this conversation is a useful window into both the opportunity and the very real challenges of getting there. Whether you're a solo practitioner trying to compete with larger agencies, a founder who can't afford a full comms team yet, or a communications leader figuring out your AI strategy, this episode has something uncomfortable and useful for you. Connect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    1 h 2 min
  4. The Art of the Deal: PR Agency Edition w/ Highwire's Michael O'Brien & Cortney Stapleton

    6 MAR

    The Art of the Deal: PR Agency Edition w/ Highwire's Michael O'Brien & Cortney Stapleton

    This week, the Katies sit down with Michael O’Brien, CEO of Highwire, and Cortney Stapleton, Chief Strategy & Business Officer at Highwire (and former CEO of The Bliss Group), to unpack what really happens when PR agencies merge. We go behind the January acquisition of The Bliss Group by Highwire and explore: Why agency consolidation doesn’t mean the agency model is dyingHow they managed talent through the transition (and avoided the typical post-acquisition talent exodus)What clients cared about most during this kind of changeHow AI and technology are reshaping PR work, tech stacks, and junior rolesWhat the agency of the future looks like — from mid-sized independents to global behemothsIf you’re an agency leader, an in-house comms pro, or a junior practitioner wondering what an acquisition means for your job (and your career), this conversation is a candid, practical look at the future of PR agencies. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Future of PR Agencies01:19 - The Acquisition Journey: Insights from Highwire and Bliss Group06:26 - Cultural Integration and Team Dynamics Post-Acquisition08:42 - Managing Talent During Transitions: Transparency is Key14:56 - Client Reactions and Expectations During Acquisitions20:39 - The State of the Agency Model: Myths and Realities23:44 - Navigating the Talent Market in a Changing Landscape23:54 - Navigating Agency Consolidation and Talent Retention27:55 - The Role of AI in Agency Innovation34:10 - Future of Agency Landscape and Technology Integration40:44 - Evolving Roles and Skills in the Agency World43:40 - Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of AIConnect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    46 min
  5. Why the Smartest Brands Are Betting on Creators with Kerry Flynn, Reporter at Axios

    25 FEB

    Why the Smartest Brands Are Betting on Creators with Kerry Flynn, Reporter at Axios

    In this episode of Smart in Public, The Katies sit down with Kerry Flynn, reporter at Axios, to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping media, marketing, and communications and try to understand what it all means for PR professionals, founders, and marketers trying to figure it all out. Kerry brings a rare insider perspective on how the creator economy, AI, and media consolidation are colliding to create an entirely new playbook for communications peeps. What we cover in this episode: The power shift from institutions to individuals — Why individual journalists and creators now hold more influence than legacy media brands, and how to build relationships in this new realityCreators as strategic partners — The evolution from treating creators as distribution channels to recognizing them as sophisticated marketing operators (hint: "Creators are the best operators")AI's real impact on journalism and PR — Beyond the hype, what AI is actually changing about content creation, pitching, and the future of SEO vs. generative searchThe long-form content comeback — Why quality, in-depth content is more valuable than ever in an AI-saturated landscape, and where YouTube fits into the equationB2B creators on the rise — The emerging class of niche industry creators that smart brands should be partnering with nowAgency consolidation and the boutique advantage — How media agencies are restructuring and what it means for how brands access communications expertiseRethinking your pitching strategy — Why the fragmented media landscape demands an entirely new approach to media relationsWhether you're a communications professional rethinking your media strategy, a founder figuring out how to tell your story, or a marketer navigating the creator economy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can use right now. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:41 - Shifts in the Media Landscape10:03 - The Role of Creators in Marketing18:45 - The Future of Advertising and Creator Partnerships28:54 - AI's Impact on Content Creation and Journalism30:00 - Legal Precedents in AI and Fair Use32:58 - The Shift from SEO to Generative AI35:49 - AI in Content Creation: Opportunities and Pitfalls39:00 - The Evolving Role of Journalists in an AI-Driven World42:00 - The Future of Long-Form Content46:00 - Agency Consolidation and the Rise of Boutique Firms51:01 - Understanding Media Professionals' Needs53:58 - The Fragmented Media Landscape56:59 - Predictions for the Future of Media and PRConnect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    1 h 1 min
  6. Pop Culture Monday Mashup w/ Brooke Hammerling, Founder of The New New Thing

    18 FEB

    Pop Culture Monday Mashup w/ Brooke Hammerling, Founder of The New New Thing

    This week, Brooke Hammerling, founder of The New New Thing, joins the Katies for a Pop Culture Monday x Smart in Public mashup episode. Brooke has seen the PR industry from every angle -- from building reputations for founders before "founder brand" was a thing, navigating crisis moments when social media didn't exist yet, being in the ear of some of the world's most important executives, and decoding culture weekly for thousands of newsletter subscribers. In this episode, she dissects how we're going in the world through the lens of pop culture. We cover: 🎯 Super Bowl ads — Which brands actually landed and which ones burned millions on forgettable creative (Brooke doesn't hold back) 🔥 The tech trust collapse — Why the playbooks that built Silicon Valley's reputation are now actively working against it 💡 Crisis PR in the social media age — How the speed and scale of online culture has fundamentally broken traditional crisis management 📱 Culture as a communications skill — Why understanding pop culture isn't a nice-to-have, it's the new competitive advantage for PR professionals 🧠 Looksmaxxing and the future of our youth — Social media's impact on young people, shifting beauty standards, and what communicators need to understand about the next generation of audiences Chapters 02:56 - Reflections on Loss and Cultural Impact05:59 - Navigating Celebrity Culture: LA vs. New York08:59 - Brooke Hammerling's Journey in PR and Communications15:00 - The New New Thing: Strategic Advisory for Founders18:02 - The Teflon Founder: A Case Study on Mark Benioff21:52 - Pop Culture Mondays: The Birth of a Newsletter26:06 - Navigating the Speed of Culture27:45 - Pop Culture Monday Highlights28:37 - Bad Bunny's Impact at the Super Bowl30:16 - Cultural Representation and Misunderstandings32:55 - The Role of Social Media in Public Perception34:56 - The NFL's Global Branding Strategy36:35 - Super Bowl Ads: Hits and Misses39:53 - AI in Advertising: A Double-Edged Sword42:14 - Communication Strategies in Crisis46:00 - Transparency and Trust in Tech Companies47:24 - The Erosion of Trust in Tech50:00 - The Role of Relationships in PR52:00 - The Impact of Outrage Culture53:58 - Fashion and Pop Culture in the Olympics56:01 - Looks Maxing and Its Implications01:01:01 - The Changing Landscape of MasculinityAbout Brooke: Brooke Hammerling is the founder of The New New Thing, a strategic communications advisory firm that she launched in 2020, working with clients across tech and media. She has spent more than 25 years helping tech entrepreneurs and business leaders shape their communications strategies. In 2005, Brooke started Brew PR, a pioneering media relations agency that represented some of the most renowned and disruptive tech companies. Brew was sold to London-based PR firm Freuds in 2016. Brooke also created the “Pop Culture Mondays” newsletter, a weekly round-up of the biggest news and trends in pop culture, and hosts the accompanying “Pop Culture Mondays… on Thursdays” podcast. Brooke divides her time between New York and Los Angeles. Connect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    1 h 6 min
  7. LinkedIn Could Never

    3 FEB

    LinkedIn Could Never

    In the spirit of Season 3's unofficial theme of 'are we helping or hurting', The Katies take to Reddit to uncover some of the questions that are on our fellow comm's folks minds. Did we give some good advice? Hopefully! Did we have fun pretending like we're not both individual contributors in our day jobs? Definitely! Whether you're an intern trying to break into PR, a mid-level pro feeling stuck, or an agency leader managing impossible client demands, this episode might be just what you needed to hear to turn on your heels and change careers -- lol, JK. We do our best to try to navigate every question the same way we would if we were in a off-the-cuff career conversation in the hallway. It's a Katie & Katie Special after all, so this one guarantees to be fun! Hot topics include: 🔥 Have client expectations have gone off the rails?  💼 Is the internship-to-job pipeline is broken? 🚪 Can gatekeeping kill careers?  📱 Is paid media ownership a comms land-grab?  Connect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    41 min
  8. Why Comms People Make Great VCs with Ashley Mayer, Co-Founder & GP at Coalition

    29 ENE

    Why Comms People Make Great VCs with Ashley Mayer, Co-Founder & GP at Coalition

    What happens when one of tech's sharpest communications minds crosses over to the investment side? Ashley Mayer, co-founder and GP at Coalition, made the  leap from leading comms at some of the most talked-about startups to backing them and the Katies want to know what she's learned sitting in both seats.  Ashley unpacks the messy reality of startup storytelling, why the "chief storyteller" title usually falls on founders whether they want it or not, and how the tech industry's current anti-hero moment is forcing communicators to completely rethink their playbooks.  We covered some pretty awesome shit: 🔥 The VC perspective flip - Sitting on the investor side completely changed her understanding of what communications actually delivers for businesses 🎭 The anti-hero era explained - Why tech's moral complexity moment requires a totally different communications approach than the "change the world" narrative from 5 years ago 🛡️ Psychological safety for founders - Founders need a safe space to explore their company's story before they can tell it publicly 📊 Active operators vs. traditional VCs - How Coalition's model of actual operators creates different (and better) support for portfolio companies 🧭 Navigating narrative shifts - Practical advice on adapting your messaging to the current zeitgeist without abandoning your core values Connect with us on: InstagramTikTokWebHave a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

    48 min
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CEOs trust us, the media tolerates us, and our mothers think we know Oprah. The Smart in Public podcast, hosted by Katie Boysen and Katie Dufficy, shares business, career, and life experiences through the world of two Public Relations professionals just trying to keep their sh*t together.

Información

  • Creador
    Katie Boysen & Katie Dufficy
  • Años de actividad
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodios
    65
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Smart in Public
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Smart in Public

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