Under Embargo Podcast

Under Embargo Team
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MARKETING

Welcome to 🎙️Under Embargo—the no fluff, no filters, no f*cks given communications podcast. PR and communications have never been messier. AI is ruining brand voice, CEOs’ hot takes matter more than actual products, and the best media relationships happen in DMs (where LinkedIn holds more sway than The Wall Street Journal.) Meanwhile, comms pros are now ghostwriters, social strategists, prompt engineers, and trend forecasters all at once—but we still have to elbow our way to the boardroom table. Welcome to Under Embargo—the podcast where Becca Chambers (corporate comms powerhouse, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and ADHD queen) and Parry Headrick (Crackle PR agency founder, media whisperer, and professional sh*t-stirrer) say the quiet part out loud about PR, communications, and the insanity in between. With decades of experience and a mutual allergy to corporate BS, Becca and Parry bring unfiltered takes, sharp industry insights, and battle-tested wisdom from both the agency and in-house trenches of communications. No fluff. No press releases that no one will read. And definitely no thought leadership hot takes written by ChatGPT. New episodes drop whenever we feel like it (or get our act together). 🎙️ Under Embargo: No fluff. No filters. No f*cks given.

  1. Meredith in the Media: What Happens When a PR Veteran Flips the Model and Interviews the Journalists w/ Meredith Klein, Head of Consumer & Product Communications at Pinterest

    MAR 4

    Meredith in the Media: What Happens When a PR Veteran Flips the Model and Interviews the Journalists w/ Meredith Klein, Head of Consumer & Product Communications at Pinterest

    Former Walmart and Pinterest comms leader Meredith Klein joins Perry Hedrick and Becca Chambers to break down how PR professionals can adapt to a fragmented media landscape where Substacks, podcasts, and independent journalists carry real influence. Klein shares how she built "Meredith & The Media" into a 3,500-subscriber resource by interviewing journalists directly, why visual brand consistency drives recognition, and how shareability and findability now matter more than legacy masthead placements. In this episode, we explore: • Why a recognizable personal brand, down to a signature hat, separates you from a sea of sameness [00:02] • How journalists actually source stories through LinkedIn comments, social posts, and independent media [00:29] • The integrated media mix: treating newsletters and podcasts as core channels, not extras [00:15] • What PR professionals need to tell executives who still measure success by Wall Street Journal hits alone [00:20] • Building a distribution flywheel by repurposing even small media appearances across every channel [00:30] Meredith Klein is a 20-year PR veteran, founder of the Meredith in the Media Substack, and a contributor to Inc. Magazine, focused on spotlighting journalists and helping comms professionals navigate the new media ecosystem. Listen now to discover how to modernize your media strategy by pitching with precision, building durable visibility, and meeting your audience where they actually consume content. Check out her Substack "Meredith & The Media" here: https://meredithandthemedia.substack.com/

    58 min
  2. Pushing Past Bureaucracy: Fast-Tracking Comms Strategy and AI in Public Affairs w/ Ian Bain, Communications Expert at ianbain.org

    FEB 18

    Pushing Past Bureaucracy: Fast-Tracking Comms Strategy and AI in Public Affairs w/ Ian Bain, Communications Expert at ianbain.org

    Struggling with adapting fast-paced communications strategies to public sector realities? Ian Bain, executive director of strategy and communications, reveals the mindset shifts and tactical approaches that helped bridge his transition from corporate comms to education governance with real community impact. In this episode, we explore: • Building effective communications in government environments and navigating bureaucratic hurdles • Leveraging AI tools in public education and communications while managing ethics and workforce changes • Strengthening agency-media relationships and crisis preparedness for public trust Ian Bain is a leader, storyteller, and communications expert, drawing on decades in corporate, political, and public education roles to inform strategy and mentor teams on ethical, impactful messaging. Listen now to discover how to balance innovation with accountability in your public sector communications work.

    47 min
  3. Integrating AI Into PESO: Shattering Silos and Building the Future of Comms Talent w/ Gini Dietrich, Founder and CEO at Spin Sucks

    FEB 4

    Integrating AI Into PESO: Shattering Silos and Building the Future of Comms Talent w/ Gini Dietrich, Founder and CEO at Spin Sucks

    Struggling with integrating AI into your communications strategy? Gini Dietrich, creator of the PESO Model and communications leader, reveals actionable ways to align paid, earned, shared, and owned media workflows with modern AI tools for better results. In this episode, we explore: • How the PESO Model evolved to bridge traditional silos and deliver message consistency [00:00] • Real-world examples of embedding AI for media monitoring and crisis readiness [15:30] • Organizational shifts needed for continuous AI learning and cross-team collaboration [28:45] Gini Dietrich is a globally recognized communications and PR expert, founder of Spin Sucks, and architect of the PESO Model, specializing in integrated strategy and professional development. Listen now to discover how to break down silos and leverage AI for communications that drive measurable impact.

    48 min
  4. A Comms Recruiter Perspective: Shifting Skill Sets and the New Comms Career Playbook w/ Brooke Kruger, Communications Recruiter and Founder at KC Partners

    JAN 21

    A Comms Recruiter Perspective: Shifting Skill Sets and the New Comms Career Playbook w/ Brooke Kruger, Communications Recruiter and Founder at KC Partners

    Struggling with how to stand out in an evolving communications job market? Brooke Kruger, communications recruiter and founder of KC Partners, reveals critical skill shifts and career positioning strategies that helped comms professionals land roles as hiring trends rebound. In this episode, we explore: • Why AI proficiency and adaptability are now baseline requirements for PR and comms careers [00:00] • How the fragmentation of media and new channels like podcasts and Substack are reshaping storytelling and candidate value [15:30] • Practical LinkedIn tactics, personal branding, and the real impact of reporting structures on comms influence and compensation [28:45] Brooke Kruger is a leading executive recruiter with over 25 years’ experience building communications teams for tech, startup, and VC-backed companies. She brings deep market insight into what skills, roles, and approaches stand out as the industry transforms. Listen now to discover how to future-proof your communications career and navigate the shifting landscape.

    47 min
  5. AI Isn’t Autopilot: Real Tactics for Upskilling Comms and Winning Earned Attention w/ Chris Gee

    JAN 7

    AI Isn’t Autopilot: Real Tactics for Upskilling Comms and Winning Earned Attention w/ Chris Gee

    Struggling with how to translate AI buzz into meaningful, practical impact for your communications strategy? Chris Gee, CEO and AI strategist, reveals specific workflows and skill shifts that enable PR teams to boost productivity, shape reputation, and position brands for visibility in AI-driven search. In this episode, we explore: • How AI accelerates slide and content creation for PR pros [00:04:00] • Approaches to optimizing your brand’s presence and discoverability in LLM platforms • Why multi-generational and continuous upskilling is key to navigating AI-driven workforce changes Chris Gee is a digital communications executive, AI consultant, and founder of Chris Gee Consulting, with two decades advising agencies and brands on ethical AI adoption and digital innovation. Listen now to discover how to level up your PR team’s strategy, efficiency, and competitive edge in the AI communications era.

    41 min
  6. Rewriting Corporate Culture: How Chili Piper Scales with Humans, AI Agents, and Radical Decision-Making w/ Alina Vandenberghe, Co-Founder at Chili Piper

    06/18/2025

    Rewriting Corporate Culture: How Chili Piper Scales with Humans, AI Agents, and Radical Decision-Making w/ Alina Vandenberghe, Co-Founder at Chili Piper

    Send us a text What happens when an engineer-turned-entrepreneur brings B2C energy to B2B enterprise software and a borderline obsession with fixing broken meetings? You get Alina Vandenberghe—co-founder and Co-CEO of Chili Piper, the woman who turned scheduling software into a billion-dollar empire while managing teams across 38 countries (and somehow still finds time to make her employees build AI agents). From starting work at 8 years old to building stealth iPad apps that caught Steve Jobs' attention, Alina's journey is equal parts inspiring and remarkable. In this episode, Becca sits down solo with one of enterprise software's most magnetic leaders to discuss how she turned corporate culture on its head. You'll discover: — Her early career wins (including a New York Times interview before she could barely speak English) — Chili Piper's radical approach to decision-making and culture design — Why every employee is required to build AI agents — How LinkedIn became her unexpected writing school — Why parenting, product-building, and personal growth are all connected by the same thread: curiosity This episode is packed with tactical ideas and vulnerable reflections—from the power of documentation to the messiness of leadership to what it means to find joy while you're building something hard. Stick around for walkout songs, emoji debates, and a rapid-fire round featuring your favorite unhinged “hiccups or pinkies” question.

    49 min
  7. It’s Not Just Strategy: Emotional Labor and the Need for Community in Comms with Gabrielle Ferree, Founder at Off the Record

    06/11/2025

    It’s Not Just Strategy: Emotional Labor and the Need for Community in Comms with Gabrielle Ferree, Founder at Off the Record

    Send us a text What happens when comms pros finally take their own advice—and build platforms for themselves? In this episode of Under Embargo, we sit down with Gabrielle Ferree—former VP of Global Comms at Bumble, Slack, and Salesforce—who's stepping off the corporate ladder to launch Off the Record, a new coaching and community space for comms professionals who are tired of doing it all in isolation. We dig into: — Emotional labor and why it never shows up in your promotion packet — Post-COVID loneliness, leadership, and the death of swivel chair moments — Why being "just a manager" is actually the most important job in the room — The myth of the comms unicorn (spoiler: she doesn't need to be a media machine and a therapist) — Building your own playbook when no one's done this job before Whether you're a rising comms star or a battle-scarred VP, this conversation will hit. If you've ever juggled AI, crises, and emotional triage before your second coffee—this one's for you.

    52 min
  8. AR is Not Pay-for-Play: 25 Years in Comms w/ Alyssa Stone, Leading Analyst Relations at Wiz

    06/04/2025

    AR is Not Pay-for-Play: 25 Years in Comms w/ Alyssa Stone, Leading Analyst Relations at Wiz

    Send us a text In this episode of Under Embargo, Becca and Parry sit down with one of the best-kept secrets in enterprise comms—Alyssa Stone, head of Analyst Relations at Wiz (the cybersecurity darling recently acquired by Google). With 25 years across SAP, Okta, and Ariba, Alyssa's seen it all—massive analyst tours, impossible PR expectations, and the slow but steady evolution of how we engage the people who influence tech buying. She breaks down: — Why AR is not pay-for-play (and what it actually is)  — How a single slide can prep execs better than any 30-page doc  — Why empowered teams are Wiz's real secret sauce  — And what Devil Wears Prada taught her about comms strategy (yes, really) Then, she opens up about parenting a neurodivergent child, building support systems inside companies, and why embracing brain differences isn't just the right thing to do—it's a competitive advantage. This one has it all: golf analogies, Swiftie walkout songs, hiccup debates, and real-life tactical wisdom from someone who's lived (and modernized) every version of comms. See you there?

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to 🎙️Under Embargo—the no fluff, no filters, no f*cks given communications podcast. PR and communications have never been messier. AI is ruining brand voice, CEOs’ hot takes matter more than actual products, and the best media relationships happen in DMs (where LinkedIn holds more sway than The Wall Street Journal.) Meanwhile, comms pros are now ghostwriters, social strategists, prompt engineers, and trend forecasters all at once—but we still have to elbow our way to the boardroom table. Welcome to Under Embargo—the podcast where Becca Chambers (corporate comms powerhouse, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and ADHD queen) and Parry Headrick (Crackle PR agency founder, media whisperer, and professional sh*t-stirrer) say the quiet part out loud about PR, communications, and the insanity in between. With decades of experience and a mutual allergy to corporate BS, Becca and Parry bring unfiltered takes, sharp industry insights, and battle-tested wisdom from both the agency and in-house trenches of communications. No fluff. No press releases that no one will read. And definitely no thought leadership hot takes written by ChatGPT. New episodes drop whenever we feel like it (or get our act together). 🎙️ Under Embargo: No fluff. No filters. No f*cks given.

Information

  • Creator
    Under Embargo Team
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Under Embargo Podcast
  • Show Website
    Under Embargo Podcast

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