Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, James (Jim) Lukaszewski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to influence leaders through trust, candor, and strategic communication.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is James (Jim) Lukaszewski, president and CEO of The Lukaszewski Group. Jim has advised business leaders through crises and high-stakes situations for more than five decades. He shares practical strategies for becoming the trusted strategic advisor leaders rely on when making important decisions.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why trusted advisors begin by understanding leadership challenges before communication challenges 

2. How candor helps build credibility with executives 

3. The Three-Minute Drill for presenting strategic recommendations 

4. Why offering options instead of conclusions leads to better leadership decisions

5. How studying leadership helps communicators become more influential advisors 

Quotables

“All problems are management and organizational problems before they are any other kind of problem.” — Jim Lukaszewski

“You have to start where the person you're advising is, not where you think the solution is.” — Jim Lukaszewski

“Management happens in real time.” — Jim Lukaszewski

“Anybody who can offer three perspectives or useful concepts about any problem the boss is facing is a valuable person.” — Jim Lukaszewski

“Your highest and best use … is being a trusted advisor to leadership.” — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

James Lukaszewski on LinkedIn

James E. Lukaszewski on YouTube

E911 website

Crisisguru.ai

Pre-order the “Influencing Leaders” book

Pre-order Jim’s new book.

Email a copy of your receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "TOP." 

Follow Jim on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to Jim’s newsletter.

When the book is released in August, you'll receive the handbook by email.

Additional Resources:

Does PR play an active role in your strategic planning? Learn how to make it easier to reach your goals

Defining leadership in corporate communications

Axia’s crisis PR service

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

How to be a trusted adviser with Del Galloway

When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent

Recorded: July, 2026

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Heidi Howell joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why organizations should think twice before cutting PR during economic uncertainty. They explore the connection between reputation, recruiting, employer branding, visibility, trust, and revenue growth.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Heidi Howell, she is a marketing executive who leads efforts to transform marketing into a revenue-driving function within healthcare staffing and human resources technology. She partners with executive teams to align marketing, sales, and operations through scalable systems, data-driven strategy, and growth-focused demand generation.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why public relations is often cut first and why that can be a costly mistake
2. How reputation directly impacts recruiting outcomes and talent acquisition
3. Why you should view recruiting as a revenue-driving function
4. How PR keeps you visible to top clients
5. Questions leaders should ask before reducing PR investments

Quotables

“PR is not just about visibility; it's about trust, reputation, and staying known to the people who are ultimately going to be buying your services.” — Heidi Howell

“Recruiting is our revenue. That's how we make money. We make money by placing great candidates at great jobs with great clients.” — Heidi Howell

“When companies cut PR, they're cutting the very thing that keeps them visible.” — Heidi Howell

"When budgets are being cut, trust becomes more valuable, not less." — Heidi Howell

“In a down economy, trust becomes more valuable, not less. PR is one of the few functions built specifically to protect it.” — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

• Heidi Howell on LinkedIn
• How PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce quality
• ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr

Additional Resources:

• Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response framework
• Warning signs your online reputation management is failing
• Axia’s reputation management service
• Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
• Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

• Job search and hiring tips with Nicole Balsam
• Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, former CNN producer Tiffany Anthony joins host Jason Mudd to discuss media relations best practices, newsroom operations, and journalist preferences.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Tiffany Anthony, a communications and storytelling professional and former CNN cross-platform producer at Warner Bros. Discovery. With more than 18 years of experience in broadcast, digital, and social media, Tiffany has helped shape high-impact stories and audience engagement strategies while working inside local and national newsrooms.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why strong media relationships still matter, even when newsworthiness comes first

2. Common media pitching mistakes that damage credibility with journalists

3. How to effectively follow up with reporters without becoming a nuisance

4. Why understanding newsroom operations improves media relations success

5. How changing newsroom dynamics and audience behaviors are reshaping media relations 

Quotables

“Relationships matter a lot when it comes to newsrooms as well as with PR. Basically, you don't want to be a stranger.” — @Tiffany Anthony

“You need to consume news yourself. You need to know what's going on.” — @Tiffany Anthony

“It is not always about the fastest anymore. It's about the most accurate, the most in-depth, the most personal.” — @Tiffany Anthony

“You have to grab the reporter's attention, just like we have to grab the viewer’s attention. And you have to do it quickly because people will lose interest; reporters will lose interest.” — @Tiffany Anthony

“Every touchpoint should add value to the relationship. Every touchpoint should be another piece of insight.” — @Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Tiffany Anthony on LinkedIn

Tiffany Anthony on Muck Rack

Tiffany Anthony’s website

From newsroom to PR: How journalists can successfully make the switch

Additional Resources:

What strong media relations actually look like

The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionals

The 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

Advanced AI media relations strategies for public relations

How to improve your media pitches with Jason Mudd of Axia Public Relations

Media relations best practices with Axia

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains why earned media now drives visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and AI search.

Tune in to learn more! 

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why earned media is the primary driver of visibility in AI-generated search

2. How ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude determine which brands to recommend

3. What the 2% pitch overlap statistic means for PR and marketing teams

4. Why media velocity and recency matter more than one big placement

5. What to do right now: three actions to strengthen your brand's AI visibility

Quotables

“Earned media is what AI trusts.” — @jasonmudd9

“The right earned media in the right outlets at the right frequency is the primary lever for brand visibility and AI-generated search. Not one of the levers, it's the primary lever.” — @jasonmudd9

“The brands that figure this out first are going to own the narrative inside the AI tools their buyers are already using every day.” — @jasonmudd9

“99% of links cited by AI come from unpaid media.” — @jasonmudd9

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Contact info and resources:

Jason Mudd on X

Jason Mudd on LinkedIn

Muck Rack: Earned media still drives 84% of AI citations

Gartner: Predicts 2026: Top Predictions to Inform 2026 Comms Strategies

ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr 

Additional Resources:

Why earned media is so powerful in the age of AI and GEO

Why AI tools now rely on earned media

How earned media gets AI to remember your brand

Axia’s AIVisibility services

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast

Find out more about Axia Public Relations

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

The PR playbook for getting recommended

Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows

How to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketing

Recorded: June 06, 2026

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Matt Mosich joins host Jason Mudd to discuss what separates professional speakers from aspiring speakers. From storytelling and stage presence to preparation, mindset, and memorable messaging, Matt shares practical insights from years of coaching executives, founders, and business leaders.

Tune in to learn more! 

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Matt Mosich, president and owner of The Mosich Group. Matt is a communication and speaker coach for executives, founders, and their teams. He helps clients prepare for and build keynotes, board presentations, podcasts, and media interviews.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why every point needs a story and every story needs a point

2. How great speakers collect stories from everyday experiences 

3. Why audiences remember sentences, not speeches

4. The hidden preparation behind seemingly effortless presentations 

5. How to use nerves as an advantage instead of trying to eliminate them

Quotables

“There are probably thousands of people out there who can speak on your topic. They might have the exact same conclusions that you do. The only difference is how you arrived at them.” — Matt Mosich

“The best speakers aren't more creative. They're better at noticing and writing down what everyone else walks past.” — Matt Mosich

“People remember sentences, not speeches.” — Matt Mosich

“Our mindset is how we observe the world; it's how we live our experience.” — Matt Mosich

“You have to show up as a professional in order to get paid like a professional.” — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Matt Mosich on LinkedIn

The Mosich Group website

Jack Sernett

Matthew Dicks

The Four Agreements Book

Toastmasters International

Additional Resources:

Axia Public Relations’ SpeakersBureau service

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

How to become a TED speaker

The right way to apply for a speaking engagement

Don’t let your superstar company speaker go unnoticed; promote today!

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

Embracing the power of “No” and storytelling

How company executives can become powerful keynote speakers

How to become an excellent TEDx speaker

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, CNN producer Tiffany Anthony joins host Jason Mudd to discuss one of the most talked-about career pivots in media today — journalists transitioning into public relations and corporate communications. 

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Tiffany Anthony, cross-platform producer at CNN/Warner Brothers Discovery. Tiffany is a communications and storytelling professional with 18+ years of experience crafting clear, high-impact narratives across broadcast, digital, and social platforms. She has led messaging for high-stakes news and major public-facing initiatives, with a focus on audience engagement, clarity, and collaborative leadership.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why journalists are uniquely positioned to succeed in PR and corporate communications

2. How newsroom experience strengthens media relations, storytelling, and strategic communications

3. How former journalists can position their skills and experience to stand out in today’s PR job market

4. How AI, applicant tracking systems, and evolving hiring practices are changing communications careers

5. Why companies increasingly value journalists who understand newsrooms, audiences, and compelling stories

Quotables

“You always have to learn to adapt and evolve.” — Tiffany Anthony

“Some of the best stories are about people and interesting people. It’s not just about a product.” — Tiffany Anthony

"People want people's stories. They want to connect emotionally with stories. And I think a lot of companies forget that and lose sight of that." — Tiffany Anthony

“You have to be willing to say, ‘I’m no longer a journalist. I’m now a corporate storyteller.’” — Jason Mudd

"If you don't tell them, you won't sell them." — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Tiffany Anthony on LinkedIn

Tiffany Anthony on Muck Rack

Tiffany Anthony website

Public Relations Employment Statistics by BLS.gov 

PRSA Job Board

Axiacareers.com 

Additional Resources:

6 ways agency work provides the best work experience

Top 6 questions public relations students ask us about the PR industry

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

Transition from journalism to PR with David DeCamp

Behind the mic with Jason Mudd: An Ask Me Anything special solocast on PR and Axia’s beginning

Networking without an agenda: The key to career longevity

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Qwoted’s Shelby Bridges joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI, shrinking newsrooms, and faster news cycles are reshaping modern media relations and earned media strategies.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Shelby Bridges, director of customer success at Qwoted. Shelby works at the intersection of PR, media, and technology, helping communicators build stronger relationships with journalists through smarter, more strategic data usage and platforms like Qwoted. She leads training, demos, and user initiatives that support agencies and brands in a fast-moving media landscape.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why modern news cycles now behave like breaking news by default

2. How shrinking newsrooms are increasing pressure on journalists and PR teams

3. Why responding within 48 hours significantly increases placement success

4. How AI is changing pitching, and why similarity is becoming a problem

5. Why diversification of angles and sources is critical for credibility

Quotables

“All news is almost breaking news now. It has to be told immediately and as quickly as possible because somebody else is already writing it.” — Shelby Bridges

“The people who are responding within the first 48 hours are the ones that are winning.” — Shelby Bridges

“Everybody should be able to use AI to pitch — but not to falsify data, personas, or companies.” — Shelby Bridges

“What journalists need is something that stands out and isn’t generic.” — Shelby Bridges

“If people in the room all look like you, you're not going to hear as good or thoughtful storytelling and insights as you might want.” — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

@sbridges0117 on instagram

Shelby Bridges on LinkedIn

Qwoted website

Qwoted resources

Additional Resources:

Journalist PR responses under 3% for third straight quarter

Journalists don’t want AI-generated commentary (and what to give them instead)

Top PR pros share their tips for earning U.S. media coverage

The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionals

How to use media relations strategically to boost SEO

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

Making your media pitches stand out

The 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect

Media relations best practices 

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, University of Memphis expert Michele Ehrhart joins host Jason Mudd to discuss crisis communication, leadership preparedness, reputation management, and how organizations can navigate high-pressure situations with clarity and confidence.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Michele Ehrhart, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at the University of Memphis. Michele is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why crisis preparation must happen before a crisis occurs

2. How leaders can use “what if” scenario planning to prepare for high-risk situations

3. Why silence can be a strategic communication choice depending on context

4. How reputation is built slowly but can be damaged quickly during a crisis

5. Why defining roles and responsibilities in advance improves crisis response execution

Quotables

“The day you have a crisis should not be the first day you've thought about what you'll do.” — Michele Ehrhart

“Planning the work and working the plan.” — Michele Ehrhart

“Silence is a strategy. If the story isn't yours, don't talk about it.” — Michele Ehrhart

“The brand is what you put out there; reputation is what they think of you.” — Michele Ehrhart

“When PR is at its best, it's building a reputation for your company — just not visibility, but also the reputation. You could have great visibility, but it's not positive.” – Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

More About Michele Ehrhart

Michele Ehrhart is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy. After 22 years with FedEx, she now serves as the University of Memphis's senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. She is a bestselling author, speaker, and industry expert helping leaders navigate crises with confidence and clarity.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Michele Ehrhart on LinkedIn

Michele Ehrhart’s website

Get the “Crisis Compass: How to Communicate When It Matters Most” book

Axia’s CrisisPoint service

Axia’s Reputation Restoration service

Additional Resources:

How to recover from a PR crisis and manage your reputation

What is reputation management?

Build a crisis communication plan that works fast

Question-based crisis communication: What leaders miss online

How to build a crisis-resilient marketing and communication plan

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into how PR shapes recruiting, retention, and workforce quality through reputation.

Tune in to learn more!

 Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How candidates evaluate your reputation before your careers page

2. Why PR influences recruiting outcomes before HR gets involved

3. The role of visibility, credibility, and interpretation in hiring decisions

4. Why employer brand perception is formed in search and media results

5. How PR reduces hiring friction and improves talent quality

Quotables

“Candidates don't start with your careers page; they start with your reputation.” — @jasonmudd9

“Your careers page doesn't create perception. It confirms or contradicts what they already perceive or believe.” — @jasonmudd9

“Recruiting is a reputation-driven system.” — @jasonmudd9

“PR didn't create demand; it removed the friction that prevented their growth.” — @jasonmudd9

“Public relations doesn't just influence how customers see you, it influences who wants to work for you, who shows up, and how they perform.” — @jasonmudd9

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Contact info and resources:

Jason Mudd on X

Jason Mudd on LinkedIn

LinkedIn Talent Solutions - Employer’s brand matters

Glassdoor - Employer Branding 101: Why, How and Proven ROI

ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr 

Additional Resources:

Case study: Improving a company’s recruiting

How to turn award wins into long-term assets

Warning signs your online reputation management is failing

How to improve your company’s Glassdoor reviews

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

Axia Public Relations resources

Axia’s NewsBureau Service

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR podcast.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

Job search and hiring tips with Nicole Balsam

Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger

Networking without an agenda: The key to career longevity

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Brand Revolt’s Camden Bernatz joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why traditional agency pitches often fail, how clients can build better partnerships, and why diagnosis must come before solutions.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Camden Bernatz, creative director and strategist at Brand Revolt and author of “Stop Asking for Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship.” Once drawn to psychiatry, he now applies that same curiosity to branding, helping organizations diagnose challenges and build stronger brands.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why traditional agency pitches often prioritize performance over real problem-solving

2. Why diagnosing the problem must come before prescribing any solution

3. How treating agency relationships as strategic investments improves outcomes

4. How shifting from vendor transactions to partnerships leads to better results

5. What a true client-agency partnership looks like in practice

Quotables

“You want that agency that helps you develop the brief [to] help you figure out what we actually need. What are we trying to accomplish? What would success look like?” — Camden Bernatz

“The reason you have a need for an RFP or to hire a firm and hire an agency is because you don't totally know what you need.” — Camden Bernatz

“It’s just having things on the table early, talking about like, ‘We think that you're prescribing something that's going to cost more than you say you have money for.’”  — Camden Bernatz

“There's a difference in the way it feels to spend money on an agency versus spending the money with the agency.” — Camden Bernatz

“Your agency is like an engine to fuel as opposed to a resource to drain. You will treat it differently, and they will perform differently.” — Camden Bernatz

“Buying agency services is about buying a creative class of expertise, experience, guidance, and consulting that is much different than buying staples, pencils, and other supplies.” — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Camden Bernatz on LinkedIn

Camden Bernatz on YouTube

Brand Revolt website

“Stop Asking For Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship” book

The Win Without Pitching Manifesto

Clients behaving badly: Video store, hair salon haggling

Additional Resources:

How do we find a PR agency?

7 steps to working effectively with your PR firm

Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.

Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:

Hiring a PR agency with Shannyn Lee

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.