The NSPRA Podcast

Shaping Strategy Episode 12: Maintaining Your APR

Earning your accreditation in public relations is a milestone. Maintaining it is where the real growth happens.  In this episode of "Shaping Strategy: The APR Journey," host Krystyna Baumgartner, APR, sits down with Tove Tupper, APR and Emily F. Popek, APR, NSPRA's representives to the Universal Accreditation Board. Together, they unpack what it actually looks like to sustain your APR over time, and why it’s far more than a renewal requirement. From demystifying CEUs to sharing unexpected ways to earn credit (yes, even outside your day job), this conversation reveals how maintaining your APR naturally aligns with the work you’re already doing. More importantly, it explores how the process keeps you connected, curious and continuously evolving in your role. You’ll hear: * Why earning renewal credits is easier (and more meaningful) than many expect * How to build simple habits that keep you on track (without last-minute stress) * The difference between “checking a box” and truly staying engaged in your profession * Practical ways to align your APR renewal with your long-term career goals Whether you’re newly accredited, years into your APR or simply curious about what comes next, this episode offers a grounded, real-world look at how professional growth doesn’t stop at certification: it deepens because of it. https://www.nspra.org/

Shaping Strategy Episode 11: Failure is Not the End of the Road

Failure isn’t the opposite of progress. Sometimes it’s part of the process. This powerful episode of Shaping Strategy: The APR Journey features Jessica Duff, APR, and Christy McGee, APR, in a refreshingly honest conversation about persistence, professional growth and what happens when the APR journey doesn’t go according to plan. With candor, humor and hard-earned perspective, they unpack why setbacks can sharpen strategy, strengthen confidence and ultimately make the destination more meaningful. Encouraging, vulnerable and deeply relatable, this episode is a reminder that growth rarely follows a straight line. https://www.nspra.org/

Shaping Strategy Episode 10: The APR Effect

What changes when you stop seeing communication as a series of tactics and start approaching it as strategy? In this episode of Shaping Strategy: The APR Journey, host Krystyna Baumgartner, APR, is joined by Lesley Bruinton, APR, and Dirk Tedmon, APR, for a conversation about the lasting impact of APR and why many describe it as a turning point in their professional growth. From building a shared language for strategy to earning greater trust as counsel and leader, this episode explores how APR can sharpen how communicators think, influence decisions and show up in the room. Together, Lesley and Dirk unpack why strategic communication is about far more than tactics, how the APR mindset can transform professional practice and why its value extends well beyond school PR. Whether you’re pursuing accreditation, considering it or simply curious about how strategic communicators grow their impact, this episode offers powerful perspective on the “APR effect” and what it can unlock in your work. https://www.nspra.org/

Shaping Strategy Episode 9: I Got the APR! Now What?

What happens after you earn your APR? In this episode of "Shaping Strategy: The APR Journey," host Krystyna Baumgartner, APR, talks with Kristyn Cathey, APR, about what accreditation looks like in practice long after the pinning ceremony. Kristyn takes listeners inside the twists, breakthroughs and big lessons of her journey to accreditation, then explores how those three letters continue to show up in leadership decisions, major campaigns and career growth. Hear how Krystyn: * Navigated her seven-year journey to accreditation marked by life changes, setbacks and breakthrough moments * Balanced the APR process with motherhood, major career moves and Covid-era disruptions * Carried lessons from accreditation into high-stakes campaigns and everyday leadership * Found the journey to APR transformed more than her résumé; it shaped how she leads There are lessons, laughs and even a possum story along the way. https://www.nspra.org/

Shaping Strategy Episode 8: Do I Have to Take the Test?

The APR exam can feel like one of the most intimidating parts of the accreditation journey, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of "Shaping Strategy: The APR Journey," host Krystyna Baumgartner, APR, explores what to expect from the exam and how to approach it with greater confidence. Hear from Jessica McCartney, APR, and Mandy LeCompte, APR, as they share practical strategies that helped them prepare, including:  * How study groups, accountability partners and mentors can strengthen your preparation * Why practicing strategic thinking matters more than memorizing every detail * How Jessica used a custom AI-powered study guide to simulate exam questions and reinforce key concepts * Tips for building a realistic study timeline and knowing when you’re ready to take the test  Then, 2024 Missouri School Counselor of the Year Rachel Reeves Hagelin joins the conversation with practical advice for managing test anxiety, including grounding techniques, positive self-talk and mindset strategies you can use before and during the exam — tools that can also support managing anxiety in everyday professional and personal situations well beyond the APR journey. Whether the APR exam feels daunting or you’re simply wondering what to expect, this episode offers reassurance, preparation tips and a reminder that you may be more ready than you think. Show notes and resources from the episode: "APR SIDEKICK" GPT:  https://chatgpt.com/g/g-aCmNuCOgz-apr-sidekick [https://link.edgepilot.com/s/56fb19f3/sxFeh0CnJkCevQqmbLlVCA?u=https://chatgpt.com/g/g-aCmNuCOgz-apr-sidekick] Note: This guest-created GPT study tool is shared as an optional supplemental resource and is not part of official NSPRA preparation materials TEST ANXIETY: Test anxiety tips and notes from Rachel Reeves Hagelin, shared as an optional supplemental tool. Motivational Interviewing * What would be good about taking the test? * How might their professional lives look differently in 5 years after taking the certification? * What worries you if you don’t get the certification? * What gives you confidence to take the test? * What have you succeeded at in the past that shows that you can succeed in things in the future? * How committed are you to taking the test? Test Anxiety in Adults * Utilize the resources for the test above (be well-prepared) * Utilize the motivation to help with your why Recognize that anxiety is the amygdala taking over and that you are truly safe.  Here are strategies to do that * What are you doing right now? * I’m sitting and I’m safe * I’m typing and I’m safe * I’m walking and I’m safe * Label thoughts * Thinking/future/unpleasant * Thinking/past/unpleasant * Thinking/future/neutral etc. * If you catastrophize the test (this will be horrible, and that will be terrible), take a deep breath and reframe * Imagine what it would be like to look at your score in a couple of weeks when it comes back, and it is one you are satisfied with it. * Utilize positive self-talk * I have trained for this exam * I have gotten through hard tests in the past and have been successful * I have confidence for this exam because of all of the successes I have had in the past like…my daughter being born, landing a job, running a 5K * This is just a test.  I can take it again if I need to * Do meditation before the test * Utilize “Headspace” or “Calm” or  * Headspace Exam Exercise [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1-5Jt7vZzU] * Exam Success Meditation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtF0T2fPvbI] * Breathing Exercises * Box Breathing [https://www.healthline.com/health/box-breathing#benefits] * Importance of sleep * Sleep is crucial for memory and focus. Build a consistent sleep schedule leading up to your exam, aiming for 7-9 hours a night.  (https://www.cmich.edu/blog/all-things-higher-ed/15-strategies-for-overcoming-test-anxiety [https://www.cmich.edu/blog/all-things-higher-ed/15-strategies-for-overcoming-test-anxiety]) * Importance of food * Lean in to the anxiety * Most strong emotions last for only 3 minutes * Strong distractions * Hold ice * Eat a very sour candy * These shock you out of the rumination * Seek therapy * Exercise * Walk, Dance, yoga, lift weights, play a sport * Releases stress and increases endorphins * Brain dump before the test * Take 5 minutes to write everything that you are worried about down.   * It moves the anxiety from inside the body to on the paper. https://www.nspra.org/