Why it matters: Communication is broken. Messages are too long, unclear, and ignored. Smart Brevity is the fix. And Axios HQ's Emily Inverso is here to talk about it. 

The big picture: Smart Brevity isn’t just a writing style—it’s a movement reshaping how professionals, executives, and businesses communicate. With over 250,000 copies of the book in circulation and thousands of companies adopting the methodology, it’s proving that less is more.

What’s next:

• How Smart Brevity started—and why it works
• The biggest mistakes communicators make (and how to fix them)
• Why AI won’t replace Smart Brevity, but can enhance it
• What the future holds for concise, impactful communication

🚀 Want in? Visit smartbrevity.com to join the movement.

Why it matters:
Internal communicators often feel like they’re working alone—overwhelmed and under-resourced. But the truth? You’re surrounded by potential contributors who can help extend your reach and impact.

What’s happening:
In this episode, Chris Willis talks with Thereasa Roy, Director of Product and Content Marketing at OffSec, about how internal comms teams can:

• Activate leaders and department heads to contribute meaningful content.
• Transition from content creators to strategic editors-in-chief.
• Build stronger collaboration across departments to enhance alignment.

The bottom line:
Internal communications is a team sport. Learn how to mobilize your organization’s leaders and unlock hidden resources to drive better engagement and business outcomes.

Listen now and discover how to extend your internal comms team—without adding headcount.

Why it matters: Communications professionals are struggling to keep their seats at the table in a challenging job market. Becca Chambers, a comms exec with a flair for straight talk, joins WordBirds to explore why comms teams are being cut and how they can shift from "cost center" to "business driver."

Key takeaways:

• Post-pandemic priorities have deprioritized brand and engagement efforts.
• Communicators need to tie their work to outcomes, not outputs.
• Building alignment internally is critical to long-term success.

Becca’s advice: Show your value by speaking the language of business and proving how comms impacts the bottom line.

Listen for: Insights into surviving this comms job market and building a personal brand that stands out, like Becca’s viral LinkedIn strategy that took her from 4k to 40k followers in 12 months.

Alignment fuels business success—but it’s hard to achieve.

In this episode, Janet Hitchen shares how she used internal comms to:

• Build alignment across teams.
• Simplify complex ideas into clear stories.
• Drive revenue and growth at Apple, Nespresso, and beyond.

💡 Why it matters: Internal comms aren’t just newsletters. They’re the key to smarter, faster, and more strategic business outcomes.

🎧 Tune in for insights you can put into action today.

Why it matters: Communications leaders face constant change—from evolving technology to shifting workplace dynamics. Staying ahead means mastering new skills, tools, and strategies.

The big picture: Trey Sarten CCO at Anywhere, and a communications veteran, joins us to explore:

• The evolving role of communicators as strategic business partners.
• How to nurture curiosity and adaptability in a remote-first world.
• Why leveraging AI is no longer optional.

What’s next: Hear Trey’s practical advice on navigating challenges, building trust, and positioning your team for long-term success.

What’s engagement, really?

In this episode of WordBirds, Doreen Maciak from Takeda challenges the buzzword “engagement” and dives into what it truly means.

Why it matters: Engagement isn’t just about clicks and opens—it’s about aligning employees to purpose and business goals.

What you’ll learn:

• How to move beyond vanity metrics.
• Why authenticity and leadership are key to meaningful connections.
• Practical strategies to measure and improve real engagement.

🎧 Listen now to rethink your approach to engagement.

Cut the jargon. Boost the clarity.

Jolene Peixoto, Relex Solutions’ anti-marketing comms leader, joins WordBirds to challenge buzzwords and embrace plain English messaging.

Why it matters: Clear, concise communication builds trust, drives engagement, and sets your brand apart.

Key takeaway: Prove your value with data and authenticity—not empty claims.

🎧 Listen now to sharpen your message.

This special episode brings you the top insights from WordBirds Season 6, hosted by AI voices Lance and Audrina (from NotebookLM).

Why it matters: This AI-powered and hosted recap dives into must-hear lessons on intentional communication, bridging generational gaps, and building trust.

Catch up: Perfect for anyone who missed an episode—but don’t stop here. Go back and listen to each conversation in full for the stories behind the insights.

Why it matters: Communicators often get stuck in tactical roles, but real value comes from strategic influence. In this episode, Bronagh Hanley, Partner & CCO at Preface Global, shares how she built influence at companies like Netflix and Discovery, and how you can too.

Key takeaways:

• Ask "why" to uncover the strategy behind every communication.
• Build C-suite relationships by proving the business value of comms.
• Learn how one strategic move can shift your entire career.

Go deeper: Listen to Bronagh’s insights on shaping corporate communication into a business-driving force.

In this episode (part 2 of 2), we talk with Joanna Parsons about the power of measurement in internal communications. Joanna, author of Innovative Internal Communications, explains why many comms teams avoid measurement, how to align goals with business strategy, and practical ways to demonstrate value. We also explore how measuring impact can elevate internal comms from a tactical function to a strategic partner.

Why it matters:
Without clear metrics, internal comms risks being undervalued. Measurement shows leadership the real business impact — from reducing attrition to improving alignment.

The big picture:
Effective measurement connects comms to outcomes that matter: savings, revenue, or employee engagement. It's not just about people listening — it’s about showing how comms moves the business forward.

What’s next:
Learn how to build a measurement framework, communicate value to leadership, and start experimenting with data-driven strategies to strengthen your comms career.