Expertly Said

If you’re thinking about who the next leaders in your organization might be, Keith Berman—Director of Internal Communications at Vertafore—has a word of advice: Don’t overlook your internal comms pros. 

Keith has spent his career studying how audiences listen, feel, and act. From his early days in radio and journalism to leading internal communications across industries and company sizes, he has seen firsthand how effective communication drives trust, alignment, and momentum. 

In this episode, Keith makes the case that those in internal communications roles are uniquely positioned to lead organizations at the highest level.

What would you do if suddenly, you had to reinvent your business? 

Mary Lou Andre, founder and CEO of Dressing Well, assists leaders in leveraging style as a tool of communication and confidence. An accomplished entrepreneur, speaker, author, stylist, coach, mastermind facilitator, and nonprofit leader, Mary Lou has worked with a wide range of leaders, including corporate CEOs, governors, media personalities, and more. 

In this episode, Mary Lou talks to Kristen about how the COVID-19 pandemic empowered her to elevate her brand in ways she never would have imagined.

What happens when innovation moves faster than our ability to fully understand it? 

Kerry Ryan, Director of Global Leadership Communications at Takeda, has built her career at the intersection of science, storytelling, and strategy. She has earned a growing reputation as a leading voice in data, digital, and technology communications, including AI.

In her role at Takeda, Kerry designs communication strategies that drive business value and leads programs that demonstrate the transformative impact of treatments on patients' lives.

In this episode, Kerry joins Kristen to discuss the critical role communicators play in understanding AI, explaining it to others, and using it responsibly.

What does it really take for people to trust the information that is being communicated to them? 

Babs Crane is a consumer psychologist and design consultant who specializes in bringing human understanding to communication, design, and technology. Drawing on psychology and behavioral science, Babs helps organizations understand not just what people do but why they do it. She’s passionate about projects that help people live healthier, happier lives.

In this episode of Expertly Said, Kristen and Babs explore the role of psychology in messaging and decision-making—and why trust sits at the center of it all.

What would happen if you stopped aiming for perfection in your marketing and communications and focused instead on showing up authentically and consistently?

Eric Crews has spent his career building companies and helping other entrepreneurs do the same. As founder and CEO of Crews & Co., his work draws on decades of scaling organizations, from teaching college students to run summer businesses to leading teams that have driven hundreds of millions in added profit. 

In this episode of Expertly Said, Eric joins Kristen Sweeney to discuss the origins of his thought leadership content and his commitment to getting it into the world.

While digital marketing solutions have made it easier to connect with customers, there is still something to be said for good old-fashioned relationship-building. 

With more than 20 years of experience driving growth across regulated B2B industries, Meredith Dennis brings a philosophy rooted in building strong relationships, devising practical marketing strategies, and delivering meaningful results. She launched Compression Marketing on a principle that guides all her work: connect with people, help them solve problems, and skip the gimmicks.

In this episode of Expertly Said, Meredith joins Kristen to discuss why “the human factor” will always have a place in marketing.

The diagnostics field is changing fast, and Maria Urso is helping it keep its humanity. As Director of Medical

Communications at Exact Sciences, she focuses on communicating complex science to healthcare providers and equipping them to communicate effectively with patients. 

In this episode of Expertly Said, Maria breaks down what it takes to educate these audiences in a world flooded with new tests and large amounts of data.

To what extent does a healthcare provider’s word choice impact patient outcomes? 

In this episode of Expertly Said, physical therapist, yoga teacher, and pelvic floor rehab specialist Kathryn Ahuja of Solstice Physiotherapy joins Kristen to explore the role of language in healing—and how even well-intentioned words can inadvertently cause harm. She explains why “do no harm” begins with mindful communication and how choosing the right words can transform a patient’s experience of care.

What makes executive communication successful? 

Chuck Anderson, Associate Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, and Contracting Communications at AbbVie, has spent more than two decades helping senior leaders communicate with clarity and confidence.

In this episode of Expertly Said, Chuck talks with Kristen Sweeney about what it takes to help leaders connect in ways that truly resonate.

Tara Goodwin is the founder of Goodwin Consulting and co-founder of Crisis Interception, Inc. With over three decades of experience in communications, she has guided everyone from professional athletes and CEOs to global organizations through high-stakes moments. 

In this episode of Expertly Said, Tara joins Kristen Sweeney to talk about crisis communication—how to prepare for it, manage it, and, most importantly, why your response in those first few moments determines everything.