GOVCOMMS
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From the Vault (Best of Govcomms)

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#175: How to Speak with Power & Build Trust: The Gravitas Masterclass

Great communicators aren’t born—they’re made. In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke chats with Dr. Louise Mahler, an expert in leadership communication, about the art of presence, authenticity, and confidence. With a background in business and opera, Louise brings a unique perspective to what ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#174: Trust, Humour and Bureaucracy: The Secret Sauce of Gov Social Media

Governments generate endless information, but so much of it goes unseen. So, how do we turn it into content people actually care about? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke chats with Heather Lansdowne, a leader in transforming social media in government. As the social media manager at the ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#173: Public Sector Content: Effective Strategies and Storytelling Tips

Buckle up for an episode packed with creativity, innovation, and a bit of storytelling magic! In this first GovComms Podcast of 2025, David Pembroke sits down with Andrew Parsons, a communication powerhouse with a knack for turning challenges into storytelling gold. From his humble beginnings as a ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#172: The unmissable moments of 2024

What did 2024 teach us about communicating better? In this special 'Year in Review' episode, David Pembroke takes us through the stories, lessons, and ideas that made this year unforgettable. From LinkedIn storytelling tips with Stanley Henry to tackling climate anxiety with Ruth Dewsbury, this ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#171: The AI Revolution in Comms

AI is shaking up the world of communications—are you ready? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with PR expert Stephen Waddington to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work. From streamlining tasks to offering new ways to tackle big challenges, Stephen ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#170: Ubuntu and Storytelling: Building Relationships in the Public Service

What if leadership was less about authority and more about connection? Imagine a young boy in rural Zimbabwe, discovering the world through books borrowed from a modest village library. That boy is Alfred Chidembo, whose love for stories sparked a journey from his village to Australia, where he now ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#169: Fighting Disinformation in Cities: Insights from the Global Response Playbook

As cities around the world grapple with a wave of disinformation, how can they fight back and restore public trust? In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Ika Trijsburg, leader of the Disinformation in the City project, to tackle this urgent question. Ika unveils the Global ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#168: From Disaster to Dialogue: Crisis, Community, and Communication

What happens when disaster strikes? In this episode of the GovComms Podcast, crisis communication expert Michael Player shares his experiences managing some of New Zealand’s most significant crises, including the Rena oil spill and Pike River mining disaster. Michael gives us a behind-the-scenes ...

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GovComms Institute Team

EP#167: Comms unlocked: insights on influence, ethics and a lasting career in Government

What does it take to navigate a decades-long career in government communications while navigating ethics, changing media landscapes, and building lasting influence? In this special two-part episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Michael Player, a communications veteran with nearly five ...

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