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    Marketing

    Public Relations Stories and Strategies

    Every organization has a story people believe about it. Most leaders didn’t choose that story. They inherited it, stumbled into it, or lost control of it somewhere along the way.

    Stories and Strategies is the Public Relations podcast that changes that.

    Host Doug Downs talks with the communicators, executives, and strategists who understand that narrative isn’t a marketing function. It’s a leadership one. Each episode unpacks what actually shapes reputation, trust, and public perception at the highest levels, drawing on behavioral science, media intelligence, and the ethics that keep persuasion honest.

    This is public relations at the level serious leaders need it. Not tactics and press releases. The thinking behind why some stories win and others disappear.

    Ranked among the most listened-to public relations podcasts in the world, Stories and Strategies reaches leaders and communicators across six continents every week.

    If you are responsible for the story people believe about your organization, you cannot afford to guess. Follow Stories and Strategies wherever you listen to your public relations content.

    Advertise
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    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    The Capture of Maduro… Arrest or Act of War? Jan 09, 2026
    Show notes

    A headline-grabbing raid, a revolution-in-the-making, and a “beige” prime minister walk into the attention economy… who wins the story?

    Farzana and Doug unpack three global flashpoints through a PR and narrative-control lens: the shock capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and the split-screen battle between “law enforcement” framing versus “illegal act of war” backlash; Iran’s surging unrest as the rial collapses alongside a fractured top-level message (empathy from President Pezeshkian, crackdown language from Ayatollah Khamenei, and a mobilizing call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi); and the UK’s debate over Keir Starmer’s “beige” leadership, whether voters truly want competent quiet or charismatic spectacle in a 24/7 scroll-and-click media world.

    Listen For

    00:37 How did the Maduro raid become a communications battle overnight?
    01:33 Why did calling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” change the debate?
    04:57 Does winning the domestic narrative matter if the world disagrees?
    07:56 How is Iran’s leadership sending mixed signals during unrest?
    13:05 Is quiet leadership still viable in today’s attention economy?

    The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel

    Folgate Advisors

    Curzon Public Relations Website

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Request a transcript of this livestream

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Public Relations… Ten Years in the Future Jan 06, 2026
    Show notes

    This is a special audio time-jump episode. It’s an immersive journey ten years into the future to explore how public relations has managed three of the biggest challenges: the rapid rise of AI, the disappearing entry-level job, and the ongoing gender gap in leadership.

    Doug and Farzana volunteer for a guided “time crossing” to see how the next generation of PR leaders navigated a decade of disruption. What they find isn’t just smarter tech, it’s smarter systems, layered cities, holographic hosts, and workplaces where AI and humans collaborate with clarity and conscience.

    This isn’t an episode about how will we fix it, it’s about how they already did… and what we can start implementing right now.

    Welcome to 2036

    Listen For

    5:01 How has technology reshaped the world of PR?

    6:56 What does it feel like to communicate in a city designed to respond?

    9:57 How does personalized media target people in real time?

    10:36 What are holographic briefs and how do they change communication?

    16:31 Are women finally stepping into more leadership roles?

    17:44 How did society move beyond the culture war over being ‘woke’?

    12:59 What’s changed most in how we communicate at work?

    14:55 What does it take to guide AI with real nuance?

    18:18 How is emotional labor being measured, and addressed, in the future?

    19:02 What are the future rules of ethical communication with AI?

    Doug

    Substack | Website | LinkedIn

    Farzana

    Substack | Website | LinkedIn

    Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.

    Apply to be a guest on the podcast

    Connect with us

    LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest

    Request a transcript of this episode

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Is Iran’s Regime Really Listening? Or Just Buying Time? Jan 02, 2026
    Show notes

    What happens when protests shake a regime built on control, not consent?

    We look at Iran’s largest wave of unrest since 2022. Fueled by economic collapse and skyrocketing inflation, the protests are no longer just about hardship, they’ve become openly anti-government, spreading even into rural areas. We break down Iran’s unprecedented tone shift in crisis comms, explore the influential role of the Iranian diaspora, and consider how narratives are being shaped despite media restrictions.

    And we pivot to examine Donald Trump’s striking effort to brand U.S. institutions with his name, followed by a look into 2026 with helpful resources for PR pros preparing for global risks.

    Listen For

    :47 What’s really fueling Iran’s latest wave of protests?
    4:28 How does Iran’s diaspora influence global perception?
    5:39 Can Trump gain political advantage from Iran’s instability?
    6:14 Why is Trump rebranding national institutions with his name?
    12:46 What tools can help PR pros prepare for global risks in 2026?

    The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel

    Folgate Advisors

    Curzon Public Relations Website

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Request a transcript of this livestream

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Should Public Relations be Regulated? Dec 30, 2025
    Show notes

    Public relations shapes what people believe, how communities respond, and which ideas earn trust. It influences elections, corporate crises, government decisions, reputations, and public sentiment.

    Yet unlike medicine, law, or engineering, anyone can call themselves a PR professional. No license. No minimum standard. No consequences when things go wrong. What happens when a profession with this much power has almost no guardrails?

    Some say that freedom is essential for open societies. Others say it leaves the public exposed. What happens if we build those guardrails too strong?

    In this episode we walk the line of tension between protection and freedom.


    Listen For

    4:28 What problem is PR regulation really trying to solve?
    9:47 Does regulation protect the public, or just PR pros?
    12:38 Could PR regulation threaten free speech?
    14:23 Is there a middle ground on PR regulation?
    18:37 Can licensing and ethics training reshape PR?


    Rate this podcast with just one click

    Follow Farzana on Substack

    Follow Doug on Substack

    Curzon Substack

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Curzon Public Relations Website


    Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.

    Apply to be a guest on the podcast


    Connect with us

    LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest

    Request a transcript of this episode

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines… What the World Misses Dec 26, 2025
    Show notes

    What happens when war, resilience, and optimism collide on a tiny island in the Indian Ocean?

    In this special Boxing Day episode of The Week UnSpun, David Gallagher is off so Doug Downs and Farzana Baduel trade headlines for heart as Farzana shares her recent three-week journey through Sri Lanka, a country shaped by civil war, natural disasters, and powerful recovery. From her work with the Halo Trust, the world’s largest demining organization, to meeting the Prime Minister and local heroes reclaiming their land, Farzana brings vivid stories of courage and transformation.

    The episode shifts gears into lighter fare with a fun, AI-generated “Board of Advisors,” exploring 2026 PR trends and cheeky questions like everyone’s favorite ice cream. It’s a soulful blend of global awareness, digital imagination, and strategic storytelling, all wrapped in warmth, wit, and curiosity.

    GPT Board Members (and Good Sports):

    · Anne-Marie Blake

    · Catherine Arrow

    · Candace Kuss

    · Rod Cartwright

    · Aaron Berger

    Listen For

    :54 Why is Sri Lanka so heavily mined?
    3:42 What happens when families reclaim lost land?
    4:53 How should Sri Lanka rebrand itself?
    7:44 What’s Sri Lanka’s relationship with India like?
    8:15 What if you could build your own AI-powered board of advisors?

    10:06 What are the top PR trends for 2026?

    The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel

    Folgate Advisors

    Curzon Public Relations Website

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Request a transcript of this livestream

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    The Stories and Strategies Podcast Trailer Dec 23, 2025
    Show notes

    This is not just one podcast.
    It’s a feed with two.

    First is Stories and Strategies with Curzon Public Relations.
    A weekly show hosted by Doug Downs and Farzana Baduel.
    Every Tuesday, we tackle the real work of public relations.
    The strategy behind the stories.
    The decisions behind the headlines.
    No fluff. No profiles. Just the issues shaping modern communications.

    Also in this feed is The Week UnSpun.
    A live, weekly look at global news through a public relations lens.
    Hosted by Doug Downs, Farzana Baduel, and David Gallagher of Folgate Advisors.
    Streaming every Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern, 3 p.m. UK time.
    With the audio released later the same day.

    Two shows.
    One feed.
    Follow now, and stay ahead of the story.

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Grief is a Communications Challenge… Not an HR Process Dec 23, 2025
    Show notes

    What do you say when there’s nothing to say?

    Most workplaces think they handle grief through policy, a few days of bereavement leave, a checklist, and a quiet expectation that people will return “ready” to work. But grief doesn’t follow policy. It walks back into the office with someone long before they’re prepared, reshaping their focus, their energy, their confidence and their sense of safety.

    And while HR manages the paperwork, it’s the hallway conversations, the team dynamics, the awkward silences and the well-meaning but painful clichés that shape a grieving person’s real experience.

    That isn’t an HR problem. That’s a communications problem.

    And yet almost no one prepares for it. Teams don’t know what to say. Leaders fear saying the wrong thing. Colleagues avoid eye contact because they’re anxious, not uncaring.

    In this episode, grief expert Cindy Lang shows why communication is the most powerful support any workplace can offer, and how simple, compassionate language can make the difference between someone feeling invisible and someone feeling understood.

    Listen For

    4:11 Why Is Grief First a Communications Issue, Not Just HR's Job?
    6:45 What Is the “Three-C Model” for Grief-Informed Communication?
    8:05 How Does Grief Physically and Emotionally Impact a Person at Work?
    14:51 What Small Act of Kindness Made the Biggest Impact After Loss?

    19:29 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Marc Whitt


    Guest: Cindy Lang

    Website | Facebook | Instagram

    Rate this podcast with just one click

    Follow Farzana on Substack

    Follow Doug on Substack

    Curzon Substack

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Curzon Public Relations Website


    Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.


    Apply to be a guest on the podcast

    Connect with us

    LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest

    Request a transcript of this episode

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Susie Wiles and the Cost of Poor Media Strategy Dec 19, 2025
    Show notes

    What happens when a top political strategist forgets the rules of media engagement?

    This episode of The Week UnSpun strikes a nerve for PR professionals as Doug unpacks Susie Wiles’ widely criticized Vanity Fair interviews, where a lack of structure, message control, and audience awareness turned rare access into a strategic failure. It’s a masterclass in what not to do when the stakes are sky-high.

    Then, the conversation pivots to a claim that’s rippling through the industry in the UK. Sir Martin Sorrell declared on BBC Radio that PR no longer exists, prompting fierce pushback from Farzana. The team’s defense of the industry is both impassioned and insightful, raising a critical question for anyone in communications. Is PR losing ground, or is it finally stepping into its own power?

    Listen For

    1:23 What went wrong in Susie Wiles’ interviews?
    4:10 What are the 8 media mistakes she made?
    6:51 Is PR really dead, as Martin Sorrell claims?
    10:34 Why can’t PR pros explain what they do?
    12:09 Is PR losing ground or evolving fast?

    The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel

    Folgate Advisors

    Curzon Public Relations Website

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Request a transcript

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Why Your NGO Can’t Afford to be the “Best Kept Secret” Dec 16, 2025
    Show notes

    Nonprofits often describe themselves with a strange sense of pride: “We’re the best kept secret.” But in an era where funding is shrinking, donor expectations are shifting, and public trust must be earned every single day, staying a secret is no longer a virtue. It’s a liability.

    So why do so many NGOs still hide behind humility, overwhelm, or the hope that their good work will somehow speak for itself?

    It’s same problem everywhere. Leaders who underestimate the power of strategic communication. Teams overwhelmed by tactical delivery. Fundraisers separated from PR staff. And organizations with extraordinary missions that remain invisible. In this episode, how nonprofits can step out of the shadows, communicate their value with confidence, and build the visibility they need to survive and serve.

    Listen For

    5:11 Why doesn't good work speak for itself anymore?
    10:12 How can NGOs attract top talent without top salaries?
    18:52 What are the first PR steps for nonprofits to grow visibility?
    21:04 Answer to Last Week’s Question from Cindy Lang


    Guest: Marc Whitt

    Website | Email | LinkedIn | X


    Rate this podcast with just one click

    Follow Farzana on Substack

    Follow Doug on Substack

    Curzon Substack

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Curzon Public Relations Website


    Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.


    Apply to be a guest on the podcast

    Connect with us

    LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest

    Request a transcript of this episode

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


    Who Will Control Hollywood’s Future? Netflix vs. Warner Bros Dec 12, 2025
    Show notes

    Who’s Really Writing the Stories That Shape Our World?

    This week, we dive into the high-stakes power play unfolding in Hollywood as Netflix and Paramount battle to take over Warner Bros. What looks like a blockbuster business deal is, in fact, a global struggle over who gets to shape the stories that define how we think, feel, and remember.

    Farzana explores the soft power implications of the deal, asking what happens when control of cultural narratives shifts to private or even foreign-backed hands. Doug examines the potential impact on creators, especially if Netflix, known for tight content licensing, wins control of vast historical archives. David brings in insider chatter from Hollywood, where some fear the deal could spell the end of cinema as we know it.

    Also in this episode, we unpack why the UK is launching a legal PR offensive to keep English law as the gold standard for global deals and how Singapore is emerging as a serious contender.

    Plus, is the US hurting its tourism brand with new visa requirements demanding access to social media history? And what can Australia’s ban on under-16s using social media teach us about digital policy and parental reality?

    Listen For

    3:53 How would this merger reshape global storytelling and soft power?

    6:58 Why is the UK promoting English law as a global standard?

    10:12 What makes Singapore law a serious competitor to English law?

    15:39 Will new US visa rules scare away global travelers and harm tourism?


    The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel

    Folgate Advisors

    Curzon Public Relations Website

    Stories and Strategies Website

    Request a transcript of this livestream

    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

    Support the show


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