Less Chatter, More Matter: The Communications Podcast

#148 2025 in review … and what to expect in 2026

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! [https://us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=13c1f31bdc] * 90 minute Strategy Power Session [https://www.heymelcomms.training/strategy-power-session] * Public workshops and training [https://www.heymelcomms.training/public-workshops] * Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book [https://www.lesschattermorematter.com/] * Template packs [https://www.heymelcomms.training/shop] * Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book [https://amzn.asia/d/09lYBUhD] * Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! [https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292] Say hi! Follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/]Find out what I'm up to Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/]Check out my website [https://www.heymelcomms.training/] Ask a question [https://forms.gle/1W5aEvdAjFYKXXKv9]

#147 How to find, and tell, a story in the comms world (ft. David Pullan)

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pullan-4b0619a/] * The Story Spotters LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-story-spotters/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true] * The Story Spotters website [https://thestoryspotters.com/] * The DNA book [https://geni.us/TheDNA] * The Unignorable Email book [https://geni.us/UnignorableEmail] * 90 minute Strategy Power Session [https://www.heymelcomms.training/strategy-power-session] * Public workshops and training [https://www.heymelcomms.training/public-workshops] * Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book [https://www.lesschattermorematter.com/] * Topic in Ten - have your say! [https://us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=13c1f31bdc] * Template packs [https://www.heymelcomms.training/shop] * Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book [https://amzn.asia/d/09lYBUhD] * Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! [https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292] Say hi! Follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/]Find out what I'm up to Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/]Check out my website [https://www.heymelcomms.training/] Ask a question [https://forms.gle/1W5aEvdAjFYKXXKv9]

#146 Looking to 2026 … what and how to plan

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 [https://www.heymelcomms.training/strategy-power-session] * Public workshops and training [https://www.heymelcomms.training/public-workshops] * Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book [https://www.lesschattermorematter.com/] * Topic in Ten - have your say! [https://us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=13c1f31bdc] * Template packs [https://www.heymelcomms.training/shop] * Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book [https://amzn.asia/d/09lYBUhD] * Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! [https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292] Say hi! Follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/]Find out what I'm up to Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/]Check out my website [https://www.heymelcomms.training/] Ask a question [https://forms.gle/1W5aEvdAjFYKXXKv9]

#145 Strategy and values … how to build understanding

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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHCbnl1-WEVi_HQ2niwXYKiQoKu9KuhWUSZtPx3ZBLCYhubQ/viewform] * 90 minute Strategy Power Session [https://www.heymelcomms.training/strategy-power-session] * Public workshops and training [https://www.heymelcomms.training/public-workshops] * Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book [https://www.lesschattermorematter.com/] * Topic in Ten - have your say! [https://us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=13c1f31bdc] * Template packs [https://www.heymelcomms.training/shop] * Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book [https://amzn.asia/d/09lYBUhD] * Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! [https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292] Say hi! Follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/]Find out what I'm up to Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/]Check out my website [https://www.heymelcomms.training/] Ask a question [https://forms.gle/1W5aEvdAjFYKXXKv9]

#144 5 things that make change succeed or fail in an organisation

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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHCbnl1-WEVi_HQ2niwXYKiQoKu9KuhWUSZtPx3ZBLCYhubQ/viewform] * 90 minute Strategy Power Session [https://www.heymelcomms.training/strategy-power-session] * Public workshops and training [https://www.heymelcomms.training/public-workshops] * Less Chatter, More Matter - Mel’s book [https://www.lesschattermorematter.com/] * Topic in Ten - have your say! [https://us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=13c1f31bdc] * Template packs [https://www.heymelcomms.training/shop] * Change Isn't Hard! - Mel's book [https://amzn.asia/d/09lYBUhD] * Sign up here to the fortnightly mail out of free resources! [https://training.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=a4e0f5f80596568d857875e0d&id=89b2354fad&e=%5BUNIQID%5D&c=742f306292] Say hi! Follow me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/]Find out what I'm up to Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/]Check out my website [https://www.heymelcomms.training/] Ask a question [https://forms.gle/1W5aEvdAjFYKXXKv9]