On Top of PR with Jason Mudd

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In this episode, Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how communications leaders can apply proven leadership principles to AI adoption.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:
Our guest is Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching. Ken helps public relations, communications, and marketing leaders become more effective and inspiring leaders through executive coaching and consulting. Before launching his consulting practice, he spent 25 years in leadership roles at leading PR agencies. He also hosts Taking the Lead, a leadership video podcast, and writes the quarterly Taking the Lead column for the Public Relations Society of America's Strategies & Tactics publication.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How courageous leaders embrace AI
2. Why every organization needs AI guardrails
3. How leaders can build AI confidence
4. Why listening leads to stronger teams
5. How AI and human judgment work together
 
Quotables
"If you're not already deep in AI, you're behind, but it's also never too late." — Ken Jacobs
“Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” — Ken Jacobs
“True leaders update their knowledge and fluency.” — Ken Jacobs
“You as a leader have to be able to ask the right kind of questions.” — Ken Jacobs
"Hire smart people and get out of their way." — 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:
Ken Jacobs on LinkedIn
Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching website
Taking the Lead Podcast
How to stay ahead of AI in communications and marketing
Four leadership tips to guide you through uncertain times

Additional resources:
What sources feed generative AI answers?
What Google AI Mode means for your PR and media strategy
How are AI tools changing PR jobs?
Axia’s AIVisibility 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:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
95% of AI citations come from PR content 
Managing communications and PR in the AI era
Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows

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.

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In this episode, LA County communications leader Brenda Duran joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to manage communications and public relations in the AI era through trust and authentic storytelling.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet Our Guest:
Our guest is Brenda Duran, director of external affairs at the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department. An award-winning public affairs and communications executive with more than 12 years of experience, Brenda specializes in crisis communications, community engagement, and building trust through authentic storytelling. A former journalist, she brings a unique perspective on how public institutions can communicate with transparency, empathy, and impact.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. The rise of AI in public relations
2. Building trust in a digital-first world
3. Leading communications during high-stakes moments
4. The power of authentic storytelling
5. The future of communications leadership

Quotables
 “[AI] is not there to replace anything; it's more to enhance what we're already doing.”  — Brenda Duran
“Trust isn't really built in with one campaign. It's earned through repeated reliable communication over time.” — Brenda Duran
“AI definitely cannot replace some fundamental things like strategic thinking, relationship building, emotional intelligence, ethics and cultural understanding. Those are things that no machine will ever be able to take from us.” — Brenda Duran
“We need to become AI literate, but you have to also remain human-centered.” — Brenda Duran
“We still have to be trusted strategic advisors, lead with strategy, lead with empathy and humanity, and just make the right choices of what's good and what's ethical for the marketplace.” — 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:
@bduran5 on Instagram
Brenda Duran on LinkedIn
Brenda Duran’s website
From newsroom to PR: Journalists making the switch
Transition from journalism to PR

Additional Resources:
AI in PR: Transforming communication strategies
The emerging role of AI in public relations
How to speak with clarity and authority during a crisis
Axia’s AI visibility 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 best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent
Effective crisis communications

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.

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In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses how public relations drives awareness, credibility, trust, and demand to create measurable business outcomes beyond media coverage.
Tune in to learn more!

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why organizations should measure PR by business outcomes instead of media outputs
2. How awareness can remove growth barriers for great products and services
3. Why earned media builds credibility that influences customer behavior
4. How visibility creates demand through real-world business examples
5. What marketing leaders should ask when evaluating PR performance
 
Quotables
“Organizations invest in PR because they want business results.” — @jasonmudd9
“The game didn't change; awareness changed.” — @jasonmudd9
“Awareness gets attention, credibility earns trust, and trust influences behavior.” — @jasonmudd9
“Public relations isn't magic, but when it's aligned with business objectives, it can be a powerful driver of business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9
“Awareness influenced credibility. Credibility influenced demand, and demand influenced business outcomes.” — @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
How the power of PR saved Twister
PR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in Revenues
PR Success Stories: Media Coverage for HeadBlade Creates $25,000 in Website Sales
Axia Case Study Foundation Financial Group

Additional Resources:
The power of PR
How do you measure PR?
7 ways to build credibility using public relations
5 ways PR can generate buzz for your business
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:
3 ways franchisors can use PR to grow their company with John Hewitt
PR research with Mark Weiner

Recorded: June 15, 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.

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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 jel@e911.com 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.

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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.