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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What does it really mean to be aligned, and why is it so hard to achieve?

In this episode, Zora Artis joins us to unpack the concept of alignment: what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many organisations struggle to get it right. Zora explains that alignment isn’t actually about everyone agreeing, but rather, about creating shared meaning and direction so people can move together with purpose. 

Yet despite leaders knowing how critical alignment is, research shows only around 14% of organisations are truly aligned. So, with this knowledge on board, we explore what causes “quiet misalignment” (the subtle drift between intention and execution) and, how leaders and communicators can close that gap through clarity, trust and honest dialogue.

Zora also shares how alignment connects with cohesion and commitment to create true organisational flow, and why communicators play a pivotal role in helping leaders bring strategy to life.

If you’ve ever felt like your team is “busy but not together,” this episode will give you the insight, and language, to fix it. So, get listening!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Zora’s LinkedIn
• 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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Are you guilty of copy-and-pasting your comms plan each time?  It may sound more efficient but when these habits become our norm, we risk repeating the same mistakes and missing the outcomes we actually want.

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we explore five common mistakes we see in communication plans, especially during times of internal change, and what to do instead. 

We look into things like forgotten audience context and focusing too much on the business perspective, while sharing how to fix these things to make the biggest difference.

If your comms plan could use a refresh, this one’s for you!

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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What does it really mean to communicate inclusively and are we doing enough to make our messages accessible to everyone?

In this episode of Less Chatter, More Matter, we speak with Julie Malvian, co-founder of Code Read Dyslexia Network, Assistant Principal, and long-time advocate for children and adults with learning differences. Julie shares what dyslexia is (and what it’s not), how to spot the early signs, and why it’s often misunderstood; even in workplaces that pride themselves on inclusion. 

She also breaks down practical ways communicators and leaders can make information easier to absorb, from using clear language and fonts to creating content in multiple formats. Whether you’re a professional communicator, a leader, or simply someone who wants to connect more effectively, this conversation is a reminder that good communication is inclusive communication and small changes can make a big difference.

Tune in this Dyslexia Awareness Month to learn how rethinking the way you write, design, and speak can help everyone feel more included and understood.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Code Read
• Julie's LinkedIn
• Julie's X (Twitter)
• Julie's Instagram
• 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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If you're in Australia, then Spring has sprung... or whatever that quote usually is. Generally speaking, us Aussies get the first inklings of Spring through the wafts of breeze passing our heads as we get swooped by territorial magpies. However, Spring also marks the start of our disaster season with floods, cyclones, fires and heatwaves. 

In this episode of the Less Chatter, More Matter podcast, we show you how communicators can strengthen internal readiness before disaster strikes. While many organisations focus heavily on external crisis communication, internal comms often gets overlooked and that can make a huge difference when things go wrong.

We share practical advice on preparing internal channels, establishing clear ownership and message responsibilities, and ensuring staff know where to go for accurate information. We also discuss how pre-season awareness campaigns can help build a sense of preparedness and care across the workplace.

When disaster hits, communication allows organisations to protect people, provide clarity, and keep teams connected when it matters most. So, listen in now!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Crisis Communications Toolkit
• 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!

Say hi!
Follow me on LinkedIn
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Check out my website
Ask a question