99 episodes

In today's hyper-accelerated communications world, keeping up means juggling reputation, brand building, crisis management, storytelling, and more while adapting to new technologies like generative AI. The Trending Communicator, hosted by Dan Nestle, is your guide through this chaotic landscape. This podcast dives into the challenges of PR, communications, and marketing today, with experts sharing real stories and strategies for overcoming those challenges and more. It's the perfect resource for professionals looking to innovate, take risks, and stay ahead. Join us to make sense of today’s communications chaos, one insightful conversation at a time.

The Trending Communicator Daniel Nestle

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 29 Ratings

In today's hyper-accelerated communications world, keeping up means juggling reputation, brand building, crisis management, storytelling, and more while adapting to new technologies like generative AI. The Trending Communicator, hosted by Dan Nestle, is your guide through this chaotic landscape. This podcast dives into the challenges of PR, communications, and marketing today, with experts sharing real stories and strategies for overcoming those challenges and more. It's the perfect resource for professionals looking to innovate, take risks, and stay ahead. Join us to make sense of today’s communications chaos, one insightful conversation at a time.

    Meet the New Boss, Same As The Old Boss: Welcome to The Trending Communicator

    Meet the New Boss, Same As The Old Boss: Welcome to The Trending Communicator

    Discover the surprising transformation of "The Dan Nestle Show" into "The Trending Communicator." Just when you thought you knew what to expect, Dan flips the script, bringing a whole new focus on the power players in PR, communications, and marketing. Get ready to dive deep into the ever-changing world of communications, explore cutting-edge innovations, and unravel the impact of technology on our profession. Join Dan as he uncovers the secrets of information control and the immense responsibility that comes with it. But wait, there's more! Be prepared to meet the movers and shakers who are shaping the future of communications, from AI to neuroscience and beyond. Brace yourself for some mind-blowing insights and captivating discussions. It's a whole new era with "The Trending Communicator." Are you ready to join the conversation? Check back soon for episode one and get ready to be amazed.
     
    Like these notes? You can thank Capsho, my AI podcast notes assistant. 

    • 6 min
    Antisemitism In Our Time - A Dan Nestle Show Interlude

    Antisemitism In Our Time - A Dan Nestle Show Interlude

    In this special episode, Dan shares his thoughts on the rapid rise in antisemitism in the weeks after Hamas brutally and barbarically murdered, maimed, raped, and kidnapped innocent Israelis, tourists, and visiting workers in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. These terrorists, on the worst day for Jews since the Holocaust, murdered approximately 1500 innocents, injured thousands more, and took over 200 hostages - including infants, children, elderly, disabled, and ill people from 33 countries. And they recorded all of it. 
    Despite these atrocities and the incontrovertible evidence of the October 7 pogrom, despite the fact that innocents were deliberately attacked and the Hamas terrorists paraded hostages and dead bodies through the streets of Gaza amidst joyful crowds, despite the fact that Israeli babies were beheaded, despite the fact that Hamas openly calls for the elimination of the State of Israel and explicitly calls on its followers to kill Jews wherever they find them...despite all of this, anti-Israel, pro-Hamas, and - yes - antisemitic groups around the world took less than a day to start rallies, protests, marches, and a PR blitz AGAINST Israel and Jews. These despicable groups - a metastatic cancer that has spread around the world - have denied the atrocities and justified the Hamas attacks under any number of abhorrent ideologies. It wasn't long before synagogues were burning, Jewish property defaced and damaged, Jewish businesses vandalized, and violent incidents targeting Jewish people - including children, students, and the elderly - became a daily occurrence.
    This inhumanity, this evil scourge of antisemitism, has deep roots in academia, religion, culture, and history. It has been the lifeblood of those who have persecuted and oppressed Jews for over two millennia. It has led to expulsions, pogroms, and the Holocaust. It has afflicted 15 million people presently living on Earth with an ever-present anxiety and fear of extermination. And now it is undeniably on the rise again, fueling Jew hatred everywhere. 
    Why, then, is antisemitism ignored and denied? Why is it that our cowardly leaders can't say antisemitism without also invoking Islamophobia and generic hate? Why have CEOs and influencers who were and are so quick to support BLM, Ukraine, the Trans movement, anti-Asian hate, and a multitude of other causes, remained silent? Why have university professors, student groups, and administrators gone completely and utterly mad?
    You won't find the answers in this episode. But you will find food for thought and a working definition of antisemitism that is a good place to start. Please listen, absorb, and think about how you can fight antisemitism or, at a bare minimum, see it for what it is.
    ***
    Featured in this episode:
    The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism
    Special thanks to The Commentary Magazine Podcast's October 23, 2023 episode with Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel's special envoy for combatting antisemitism, for inspiring me to do this.
     
     

    • 18 min
    How Emotion and Intuition are Powerful Career Tools with Sara McElroy

    How Emotion and Intuition are Powerful Career Tools with Sara McElroy

    In this episode, Dan sits down with marketer, author, and two-time resigner turned bonafide career transition master Sara J. McElroy.  Sara’s journey looks a lot like the picture of success: academic achievement followed by a steady rise in marketing and ultimately to a CMO role. But in the midst of the Great Resignation, her battles with overwork, toxic workplaces, health crises, and sexual harassment all led to two resignations, a spiritual awakening, personal empowerment, and a mission to help women find their voices and take charge of their careers. Now, as founder and CEO of Raze to Rise, she’s on a mission to “uplift the voices of women from the Great Resignation across diverse walks of life, industries, functions, and career stages” and empower women to “make bold career moves.”  
    She and Dan cover a lot of ground as Sara challenges conventional, “rational” career choices and argues that emotions, intuition, and physiology have a massive role to play in making life-changing decisions.  Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn about through their conversation:
    How and when to manage your career.  Career management is a mindset and an inside job. The most important times in your career before making the leap.  Career transitions can be messy and it’s necessary … the Messcessary.  The life experience that prompted a life change.  The unlikely gift of Shingles.  Getting off the grid can often be the best thing.  Most professionals need more than a weekend to plot their next moves.  The critical role sexual harassment played in her life choices.  Seeing the connections of random events. Forward-thinking themes that came from the pandemic, especially for women.  The value of self-discovery and the role it plays in balancing life.  We can have a plan, but until we experience it, we don’t know.  Missing the senses of when it’s time to move on.  How to learn and leverage body signals.  The danger of internal capitalism. Notable Quotes:
    “The moments of our careers that are most impactful are the ones that are coming in the in-between, not the big moment of turning in the resignation and walking out the door.” (4:26), Sara. “I just had the idea that if I just follow the playbook, that perfect life playbook where you climb the ladder and chase the fancier titles and fatter paychecks, and everything will work out.” – (9:01), Sara. “I went off to Peru and began reconnecting with the parts of me that weren’t just lost over the last couple of years and even childhood.” – (13:01), Sara. “The lather, rinse, repeat of our current lifestyle keeps us really stuck.” – (14:40), Sara.  “Valedictorians by in large don’t become leaders.” – (19:44), Dan.  “Sexual harassment is not a style.” – (25:22), Sara. “I felt like I could not be the only woman who was getting mired in the spin cycle of being burnout, overwhelm, toxic culture.” – (32:20), Sara. “Designing a fulfilling career is an inside job.” (34:27), Sara.  “The expression listen to your gut is more than just a metaphor.” – (36:35), Dan.  “Our bodies are hardwired for experience of joy and bliss.” – (42:55), Sara.  “We are built to move through all of the things we’re facing in life through our senses.” – (45:19), Sara.  “In a professional world, you’re kind of like a brain, floating around in an apparatus that allows you to execute what you need to do.” – (50:40), Sara. “We have been taught to ignore the signs that things are not working for us.” – (51:27), Sara. “Disease is the last attempt to get our attention when we’re doing things that are not good for us.”- (51:27), Sara.  “We have the ability to feel into what we think is good.” – (54:44), Sara.  “It’s also important to meditate.” (1:01:08), Sara. “When consequences are larger and bigger and weighs on you, you really need to tune in and listen.” – (1:07:00), Dan. “Some

    • 1 hr 24 min
    How Communications Brings Purpose to Life with Michael Morris

    How Communications Brings Purpose to Life with Michael Morris

    In this episode, Dan reconnects with a former colleague and marketing communications collaborator,  Michael Morris. A world traveler who has spent his career putting purpose at the forefront of everything he does, Michael recently co-founded Denmark-based Engagement Lab, an advisory firm specializing in behavioral insights, brand building, competitive positioning, and strategic communications – and focused exclusively on businesses in the green transition.
    Dan and Michael dig into the importance of purpose and serendipity in career decisions as they explore Michael's fascinating story. Early in his career, during a stint in Ghana that didn't go according to plan, Michael realized that being a communicator gave him a unique role in bringing purpose to life, not just for himself but for his company and colleagues as well. His later work with World Vision propelled him on a purpose-driven path that continued through his work at MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, helping improve the lives of others through strategic communication. 
    Through their conversation...
    Discover the road to fulfillment and maximum impact in your career, guided by purpose and authentic communication. Uncover the value hidden in networks and mentorships and how they unlock doors to personal and professional growth. Grasp the transformative power of empathy in fostering genuine relationships, elevating marketing communications to new heights. Understand the game-changing role of energy transition and sustainability in setting new standards for careers and businesses. Delve into the fascinating interplay between AI and the writing landscape, highlighting the tightrope balance between creativity amplification and preservation. Notable Quotes:
    “It’s important for us to recognize poignant moments when they happen.” – (8:21), Michael “Every person that you meet is a whole new door to who knows what else.” – (11:00), Dan “I choose to believe that things happen for a reason because if only because then I’m more aware of when things happen and who I’m meeting with.” – (17:44), Michael “Let’s make sure that we’re doing our best to have continuity between the internal experience and the external messaging.” - (37:08), Michael “Because of tech, you don’t have an internal announcement and an external announcement, you have an announcement.” – (40:40), Michael “Your work is made better by cultivating and integrating your peripheral interests.” – (1:00:07), Michael “AI doesn’t care about the truth.” – (1:09:00), Michael
    About Dan Nestle 
    The Dan Nestle Show (libsyn.com) Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn The Dan Nestle Show | Facebook Dan Nestle | Twitter
    About Michael Morris
    Engagement Lab - Website Michael Morris - Linkedin The key moments in this episode (as generated by my AI buddy, Capsho) are:
    00:00:00 - Introduction,
    00:00:19 - The Power of Purpose,
    00:04:14 - Michael's Journey,
    00:08:30 - Working with Purpose,
    00:15:12 - The Heartbreaking Reality in Sub-Saharan Africa,
    00:16:50 - Embracing Serendipity and Openness,
    00:19:42 - The Power of Storytelling in Communications and Marketing,
    00:21:08 - The Superpower of Connecting Dots and Cultivating Empathy,
    00:26:15 - Engagement Lab: Facilitating Connection and Empathy,
    00:31:22 - Overview of Communication Scope,
    00:32:47 - Communication Challenges in the Energy Transition,
    00:33:27 - Identifying Needs in the Energy Transition Space,
    00:35:05 - Importance of Founding Values and Employee Engagement,
    00:36:23 - Internal Communications and External Messaging,
    00:47:31 - Dealing with Impatience and Inspiration,
    00:48:24 - The Ambivalence of Gen X,
    00:49:39 - Embracing a Balanced Approach,
    00:51:51 - The Long-Term Nature of the Energy Transition,
    00:54:02 - Acknowledging the Benefits of Power,
    01:02:54 - Introduction to Barrett Road and its Agile Approach,
    01:03:25 - The Impact of AI on Writing and Creativity,
    01:05:34 - AI's Potential to

    • 1 hr 23 min
    Emotion, Connection, and Trust in Marketing with Aaron Hassen

    Emotion, Connection, and Trust in Marketing with Aaron Hassen

    In this episode, Dan dives deep into some of his favorite topics with seasoned marketing pro, thought leader, podcaster, and fellow denizen of the RISE Community, Aaron Hassen. An Air Force veteran with decades of corporate B2B sales and marketing experience, Aaron is the founder and Chief Marketer of AH Marketing, his consultancy focused on helping B2B clients multiply their annual growth. Never afraid to chase down a new idea or pursue a theory, Aaron’s bold stance on current marketing matters has led him to become “the founder’s best friend and secret weapon.” As a founder-turned-marketer, he knows what owners and founders need to market their businesses and stay connected to customers. 
    He and Dan explore some of that as they discuss how trust and emotion are absolutely necessary to make the kinds of connections that will shape the current and next generation of business. Listen to their conversation, and you will:
    Discover the essential role of trust and connection in marketing for strengthening customer relationships. Understand how to utilize personal branding to establish a formidable bond with your target audience. Unearth the potential of communities in fostering trust and creating a solid connection with your customer base. Recognize the impact of face-to-face interaction in building an authentic connection and lasting trust. Learn the significance of aligning your brand values with consumers to reinforce your brand identity and build trust.  Notable Quotes:
    “I learned from sales to listen and to really listen deeply with empathy and understanding.” (10:31), Aaron.  “Servant leaders and great entrepreneurs embody the same things.” – (13:17), Aaron.  “Sometimes we get behind these closed doors and we start to think selfishly and that’s the worst thing you can do in terms of acquiring customers in my view.” - (14:40), Aaron.  “Consumers have control of a brand’s reputation, and they have access to product information like they never have before.” – (16:55), Aaron.  “Personal brands help companies become more than a product or solution.” – (27:16), Aaron.  “People do not trust companies the way they used to.” (28:30), Aaron.  “Customers are looking for integrity that somebody is going to be consistent and reliable to their values, purpose, and vision.” – (32:03), Aaron. “You’ve got to go through the process of understanding who you are and what your role and relevance is in the market.” – (33:17), Aaron. “Different people will have different perspectives based on how they’re traversing different challenges at their company.” – (42:44), Aaron.  On AI. “How do I know this is a real person behind it, how do I know the information isn’t false.” – (44:45), Aaron. “People are seeking human beings and they ‘re looking for solutions through trusted sources.” (45:38), Aaron.  “Relationships are built on trust and trusted relationships drive referrals.” – (54:31), Aaron. “You can’t buy trust.” – (57:16), Dan. About Dan Nestle 
    The Dan Nestle Show (libsyn.com) Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn The Dan Nestle Show | Facebook Dan Nestle (@dsnestle) | Twitter/X
    About Aaron Hassen
    Aaron Hassen – Website Aaron Hassen - Linkedin Aaron Hassen – YouTube Aaron Hassen - Twitter/X 

    The key moments in this episode (as generated by my AI buddy, Capsho) are:
    00:00:00 - Introduction, 
    00:02:10 - The Value of Deep Conversations,
    00:06:17 - The Emotional Side of B2B Marketing,
    00:09:00 - The Journey to Becoming a Marketer,
    00:12:32 - Being a Servant Leader in Marketing,
    00:17:19 - The Power of Community in Building Brands,
    00:18:28 - The Importance of Being Human and Building Trust,
    00:20:30 - Personal Branding for All, not Just Entrepreneurs,
    00:21:59 - The Success of Personal Branding,
    00:28:30 - Building Personal Brands to Go Beyond Products,
    00:35:01 - The Importance of Brand Identity,
    00:36:07 - The Danger of L

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Leadership Evolved with Ken Jacobs

    Leadership Evolved with Ken Jacobs

    In this episode, Dan welcomes back legendary communicator, connector, and executive coach to the PR industry, Ken Jacobs, for his second appearance on the show. Back in January 2021, he and Dan talked about leadership and purpose in the agency world. Now, with the pandemic in the rearview, has widespread indecision and inconsistency around remote work, hybrid work, and RTO (Return to Office) changed the nature of leadership and management?
    Ken and Dan dig into some of the changes we’ve seen over the past few years and try to find some answers. Ken walks us through the nuances of building a team in a remote setting and why managers still must be able to build and manage teams effectively. Remote working doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon, even as some organizations push for a return to more traditional work settings. No matter what organizations are doing, though, the past few years have highlighted the importance of connection and connectedness for effective leadership - and we need a new playbook.
     In this episode, you will be able to:
    Uncover the ever-progressing dynamics of leadership within the context of the PR industry in a fluctuating global environment. Navigate the ins and outs of remote work and running teams virtually in a post-pandemic world. Find the balance between granting autonomy, instilling trust, and avoiding micromanagement in a team-centric setting. Gain insight into the pivotal role of AI and other groundbreaking technologies in reshaping the PR industry. Appreciate why adopting a learning attitude and making learning a lifetime habit stands as a key cornerstone of successful leadership. Notable Quotes:
    “I think this whole notion of connecting more and wanting to connect more and wanting more time together is partly due to the lockdown and also, they want to spend time with people who are natural connectors.” – (3:17), Ken “Coaching isn’t what we do; it’s who we are.” – (5:46), Ken “Make your office a magnet, not a mandate.” – (16:00), Ken “It (remote working for PR) can be done. Can it be done better working together? Probably” – (18:58), Ken “Is the team really a team if they’re not together?” – (22:24), Dan “Every time you say it’s hard for me or I’m not good at, add the word … now.” – (30:30), Ken “You don’t have to be a neuroscientist to use the neuroscience.” – (31:40), Ken “When we say I wonder how that would feel, we actually start to feel it.” – (34:21), Ken “We don’t realize it but many people who work for us, our followers, have a vision.” – (36:20), Ken “It feels like the need for certain leadership attributes are on steroids.” – (41:05), Ken “You’ve got to act in a trustworthy manner no matter the consequences.” – (42:23), Ken “When you look at your past be very mindful to not judge yourself too harshly.” – (46:40), Ken “It’s really important that you’re nurturing and not micromanaging.”  (51:31), Ken “One thing AI cannot do is mimic or replace emotional intelligence and empathy and trust.” – (1:01:13), Dan “This notion of lifetime learning is absolutely critical.” – (1:04:55), Ken About Ken Jacobs
    Ken Jacobs is the principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, leveraging his expertise for over a decade to bolster agency growth, client relations, and staff performance. A recognized coach and consultant, Ken holds PCC credentials from the International Coach Federation and additional accreditations from iPEC, including CPC, ELI Master Practitioner, and CLDS. His rich experience encompasses collaborations with top-tier communications agencies such as Catalyst, Coyne Public Relations, and M Booth, to name a few. Before founding his firm, Jacobs dedicated 25 years to leadership roles in renowned PR agencies, notably spearheading the award-winning "MMC Masters" training program at Marina Maher Commun

    • 1 hr 18 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
29 Ratings

29 Ratings

SkibidiRizzler8 ,

Splendid

The episode featuring Bill Lafferty was astounding and a sure fire brain tickler! Keep up the good work.

Bona and Team Capsho ,

So inspiring!

Dan’s conversations are motivating and inspiring. A unique mix of mind-changing insights and surprising sources that promises to add depth to your professional growth. A great listen for those curious minds seeking to expand their understanding across different industries.

From Bona and Team Capsho

liquidbro ,

Real conversations with real people.

In a world of short attention spans and popularity driven shows, dan nestle is different. He’s simply having interesting conversations with interesting, experienced professionals.

Top Podcasts In Business

The Ramsey Show
Ramsey Network
Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
Money News Network
NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
NerdWallet Personal Finance
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
DOAC
Planet Money
NPR
The Money Mondays
Dan Fleyshman