Restructures are one of the biggest and scariest people change scenarios organisations face, especially when roles are impacted and redundancies are on the table. 

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we're doing another Topic in Ten - this time, we're unpacking restructures from a people change and communications perspective.

Drawing on extensive experience supporting large-scale restructures, we look at the typical phases, starting with raising awareness and managing rumours, moving through consultation and feedback, confirming the final structure, supporting redeployment and off-boarding, and finally embedding the new ways of working. 

Along the way, we explore what employees are really worried about, the role leaders play in shaping the experience, and why empathy, clarity and timing matter more than perfect answers. 

This episode is a practical guide for internal communicators, change practitioners, HR professionals and leaders who want to handle restructures in a way that supports people, protects trust and sets the organisation up for what comes next.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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Welcome back to another Topic in Ten, and on this week's episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we're chatting: Enterprise Agreements (EAs). EAs are one of the most common and complex people change scenarios in a workplace, and they require careful, consistent and well-planned communication. 

In this episode, we unpack EAs (from an Australian perspective) and explain what communicators, HR professionals and leaders need to know.

We step through the full Enterprise Agreement lifecycle, including the initial notification, negotiations with unions and employee representatives, the voting process and the final outcome. Along the way, we share practical communication considerations, common risks, and tips for keeping information accessible, clear and fair for all employees.

This episode is particularly useful for anyone working in internal communications, change management, HR, industrial relations or leadership, especially those who are new to people-related change. 

Stay tuned, because the next episode in the series will focus on restructures.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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As 2025 comes to a close, Episode 150 marks a major milestone and offers a moment of reflection on the ideas, conversations, and insights shared throughout the year from a tonne of our incredible poddy guests.

In this special wrap-up episode, we revisit some of the most powerful moments from conversations with guests across communication, change, leadership, and storytelling. Rather than introducing new material, this episode curates key lessons that are worth hearing again, especially as we head into a new year.

You’ll hear highlights on:

• Why every interaction “leaves a trace” and how storytelling shapes reputation
• What alignment really looks like in organisations — and what happens when it’s missing
• The difference between hearing and listening, and why action matters
• How humour and storytelling can transform safety and workplace communication
• Practical ways to plan communication in change without underestimating the workload
• Communicating effectively across cultures and contexts
• Why organisations are now facing change apathy — not just change fatigue
• How body language, events, and leadership behaviour communicate more than words

With over 15,300 downloads and listeners in 98 countries, this episode is also a heartfelt thank-you to the guests and the global audience who have supported the podcast throughout the year.

Whether you’re catching up, revisiting favourite moments, or setting intentions for 2026, this episode offers perspective, insight, and inspiration to carry forward... even into the new year ahead.

So, get listening, get some tips and if you're interested, find the links to the episodes you'll want to hear below.

Previous podcasts mentioned in this episode:

• #147: How to find, and tell, a story in the comms world (ft. David Pullan)
• #142: Strategic alignment: the role of comms and the impact on leadership (ft. Zora Artis) 
• #138: How storytelling can save lives (ft. Stephen Harvey)
• #134: Change communications pet peeves, and how to fix them (ft. Gilbert Kruidenier)
• #132: Listening, and how it can change your internal comms (ft. Howard Krais)
• #130: Storytelling to drive change for NFPs (ft. Gurpreet Bhatia)
• #128: Building connection through cross-cultural comms (ft. Tiffany English)
• #126: How to use storytelling more effectively in your comms (ft. Soundari Mukherjea)
• #124: Why body language matters for your comms, even online (ft. Shea Evans)
• #117: Communications as the fix for change fatigue (ft. Kate Neilson)
• #108: Event management tips for comms pros (ft. Sally Porteous)

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book

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In the wake of tragic events, silence from organisations can feel just as loud as saying the wrong thing.

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore five key things every business communicator should consider when responding to tragedy. From why ignoring the situation can damage trust, to when and how to pause planned content, we unpack what it really means to communicate with care when emotions are high.

The episode also looks at how organisations can help people channel their grief or shock into something meaningful, why the choice of channel and voice matters more than ever, and how leaders can avoid amplifying division by sticking to facts and shared values.

This is a practical, human-centred guide for communicators and leaders navigating difficult moments, where empathy, credibility and judgement matter most. Listen in now.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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What a year! Filled with political upheaval and natural disasters all the way through to global protests, major elections and fast-moving technological change... you could say 2025 has been a whirlwind. 

With so much happening around us and within our organisations, it’s no wonder many people feel overwhelmed as we approach the end of the year.

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we take a look back at the trends that shaped the comms and change landscape in 2025 and what they signal for 2026. We unpack what communicators and change professionals need to be paying attention to as we enter a new year, and what trends are arising from the craziness of 2025 and beyond.

In fact, consider this your roadmap to what’s coming next. No crystal ball required, just clear trends, practical insights and a chance to step into 2026 with clarity, capability and confidence. Get listening!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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In a world overflowing with noise, leaders everywhere are searching for ways to make their messages land. Whether you’re communicating with employees, customers or entire organisations, the challenge is the same: how do you cut through?

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we are joined by actor-turned-corporate-communication expert David Pullan, co-founder of The Story Spotters and co-author of The DNA of Engagement and The Art of the Unignorable Email - both with his wife, Sarah Jane McKechnie. David has built a career helping leaders and teams harness the power of story; not just the stories they tell, but the stories they spot, listen for, trigger through their behaviour, and even the ones they tell themselves.

David shares why most people struggle not with storytelling, but with the crucial first step in finding ideas worth sharing. He breaks down his well-known DNA framework (Dream, Nightmare, Action), offering a practical way to engage people during change, and explains why vulnerability, co-creation and curiosity are essential leadership behaviours.

You’ll also hear how the second book tackles one of today’s biggest workplace challenges: creating emails people actually read. From practical structures like PRET, to the mindset shifts leaders need, this episode is full of simple, memorable techniques to elevate your communication and influence.

If you want your ideas to survive, thrive and stick in a busy world, this conversation is.... unignorable.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• David's LinkedIn
• The Story Spotters LinkedIn
• The Story Spotters website
• The DNA book
• The Unignorable Email book
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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We’re officially entering the pointy end of the year and with the holiday slowdown approaching, there are only a few short weeks left to get your planning done for 2026. If you’re feeling overloaded now, that pressure won’t disappear next year unless you take time to reset, refocus and set your team up with clear goals and boundaries.

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we walk you through a practical, six-step approach to creating your 2026 communication plan. From aligning your goals with organisational strategy to defining deliverables, building capability, setting boundaries, celebrating wins and securing stakeholder buy-in, this is a roadmap to help any comms or change team plan with intention and impact.

We share tips for running an effective planning session, why external perspectives matter, and the simple mindset shift that turns a plan into a strategic tool. And for those who listen to the end, there’s a little surprise waiting to help you build your own plan even faster.... so, tune in and get ready to shape a calmer, clearer and more strategic 2026.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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Clear strategic goals and meaningful values are essential for organisational success, but most employees can’t remember them, let alone apply them. 

In this episode, we explore why strategy and values often fail to stick, and then, we share six practical, research-backed tactics to embed them effectively across your organisation.

You’ll learn how co-creation taps into ownership and social identity, why simplicity boosts recall, and how to break free from the broken communication cascade. We also unpack the importance of repetition, the power of making communication fun and easy, and why concrete, image-rich language dramatically increases understanding and adoption.

This episode will help you communicate strategy and values in ways that resonate, engage and drive real organisational performance. But most importantly: in a way that people can remember.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Sign up to the waitlist for the Fresh to Freelancing eBook!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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Here we see a Tale of Two Transformations... and with it, the large divide between experiences that became the catalyst for this episode's creation. 

This divide: why a change can thrive in one organisation but collapse in another — even when they start with the same strategy, consultants, and goals?

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore five universal truths about what makes or breaks transformation. Through the stories of two very different organisations, Happiness Co and Sadness Co, we explore how leadership alignment, culture, capability, progress, and people can completely change the outcome of a transformation effort.

It’s a tale of what happens when change is driven with people, not at them, and what you can do to avoid becoming the tale of a failing change transformation. Listen in now!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Sign up to the waitlist for the Fresh to Freelancing eBook!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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This week, we’re celebrating a big milestone! Five years in business and a brand new chapter with a brand new brand name (say that fast 10 times). We are now: Cuttlefish!

To celebrate, this episode is all about five of the biggest communication lessons we have learned along the way. These lessons apply whether you run your own consultancy or work in-house.

We chat about why it's important to find clarity in your value in order to stay visible and building meaningful two-way conversations. We touch on a whole lot more in this episode, and each of these are the practices that have helped us grow, evolve, and adapt (just like our new namesake, the cuttlefish).

So tune in to learn how to strengthen your communication impact, stay top of mind, and grow with purpose.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 62: What is thought leadership and how do you use it?
• Sign up to the waitlist for the Fresh to Freelancing eBook!
• 90 minute Strategy Power Session
• Public workshops and training
• Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book
• Topic in Ten - have your say!
• Template packs
• Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book
• Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources!

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