Podcast
On Top of PR with Jason Mudd
Hosted by Jason Mudd, Axia Public Relations · EN
On Top of PR is a podcast dedicated to helping corporate communications leaders leverage the power of PR to build a strong brand and great reputation. Each episode features guests to discuss PR and marketing topics, tips, and trends. We want to help every active and aspiring communication professional stay on top of PR.
It is one of the top 3% most popular podcast shows globally, according to Listen Notes' Listen Score, and among the top 100 marketing podcasts in the world on Apple Podcasts.
We've featured guests from Disney, Wells Fargo, Tyson Foods, Mall of America, Priceline, Southwest Airlines, and more.
About Jason Mudd
Jason Mudd is a professional public speaker, accredited public relations practitioner, published author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. The World Communication Forum named him North America’s top PR leader. He’s the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. Forbes Magazine named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. He is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist to some of America’s most admired and fastest-growing companies. His past PR work includes American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon.
31episodes
Episodes
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Advanced AI media relations strategies for public relations
4d ago01:09:09Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Qwoted’s Shelby Bridges joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI, shrinking newsrooms, and faster news cycles are reshaping modern media relations and earned media strategies.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Shelby Bridges, director of customer success at Qwoted. Shelby works at the intersection of PR, media, and technology, helping communicators build stronger relationships with journalists through smarter, more strategic data usage and platforms like Qwoted. She leads training, demos, and user initiatives that support agencies and brands in a fast-moving media landscape.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why modern news cycles now behave like breaking news by default2. How shrinking newsrooms are increasing pressure on journalists and PR teams3. Why responding within 48 hours significantly increases placement success4. How AI is changing pitching, and why similarity is becoming a problem5. Why diversification of angles and sources is critical for credibility Quotables“All news is almost breaking news now. It has to be told immediately and as quickly as possible because somebody else is already writing it.” — Shelby Bridges“The people who are responding within the first 48 hours are the ones that are winning.” — Shelby Bridges“Everybody should be able to use AI to pitch — but not to falsify data, personas, or companies.” — Shelby Bridges“What journalists need is something that stands out and isn’t generic.” — Shelby Bridges“If people in the room all look like you, you're not going to hear as good or thoughtful storytelling and insights as you might want.” — Jason MuddIf 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:@sbridges0117 on instagramShelby Bridges on LinkedInQwoted websiteQwoted resourcesAdditional Resources:Journalist PR responses under 3% for third straight quarterJournalists don’t want AI-generated commentary (and what to give them instead)Top PR pros share their tips for earning U.S. media coverageThe best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionalsHow to use media relations strategically to boost SEOListen 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:Making your media pitches stand outThe 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respectMedia relations best practices Support the showOn 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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When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent
2w ago00:44:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, University of Memphis expert Michele Ehrhart joins host Jason Mudd to discuss crisis communication, leadership preparedness, reputation management, and how organizations can navigate high-pressure situations with clarity and confidence.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Michele Ehrhart, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at the University of Memphis. Michele is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why crisis preparation must happen before a crisis occurs2. How leaders can use “what if” scenario planning to prepare for high-risk situations3. Why silence can be a strategic communication choice depending on context4. How reputation is built slowly but can be damaged quickly during a crisis5. Why defining roles and responsibilities in advance improves crisis response executionQuotables“The day you have a crisis should not be the first day you've thought about what you'll do.” — Michele Ehrhart“Planning the work and working the plan.” — Michele Ehrhart“Silence is a strategy. If the story isn't yours, don't talk about it.” — Michele Ehrhart“The brand is what you put out there; reputation is what they think of you.” — Michele Ehrhart“When PR is at its best, it's building a reputation for your company — just not visibility, but also the reputation. You could have great visibility, but it's not positive.” – Jason MuddIf 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.More About Michele EhrhartMichele Ehrhart is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy. After 22 years with FedEx, she now serves as the University of Memphis's senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. She is a bestselling author, speaker, and industry expert helping leaders navigate crises with confidence and clarity.Guest’s contact info and resources:Michele Ehrhart on LinkedInMichele Ehrhart’s websiteGet the “Crisis Compass: How to Communicate When It Matters Most” bookAxia’s CrisisPoint serviceAxia’s Reputation Restoration serviceAdditional Resources:How to recover from a PR crisis and manage Support the showOn 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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How PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce quality
3w ago00:08:27Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into how PR shapes recruiting, retention, and workforce quality through reputation.Tune in to learn more! Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How candidates evaluate your reputation before your careers page2. Why PR influences recruiting outcomes before HR gets involved3. The role of visibility, credibility, and interpretation in hiring decisions4. Why employer brand perception is formed in search and media results5. How PR reduces hiring friction and improves talent quality Quotables“Candidates don't start with your careers page; they start with your reputation.” — @jasonmudd9“Your careers page doesn't create perception. It confirms or contradicts what they already perceive or believe.” — @jasonmudd9“Recruiting is a reputation-driven system.” — @jasonmudd9“PR didn't create demand; it removed the friction that prevented their growth.” — @jasonmudd9“Public relations doesn't just influence how customers see you, it influences who wants to work for you, who shows up, and how they perform.” — @jasonmudd9If 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 XJason Mudd on LinkedInLinkedIn Talent Solutions - Employer’s brand mattersGlassdoor - Employer Branding 101: Why, How and Proven ROIratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr Additional Resources:Case study: Improving a company’s recruitingHow to turn award wins into long-term assetsWarning signs your online reputation management is failingHow to improve your company’s Glassdoor reviewsFind out more about Axia Public Relations.Axia Public Relations resourcesAxia’s NewsBureau ServiceListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR podcast.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:Support the showOn 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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Stop agency pitches: Build better client partnerships
4w ago00:54:02Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Brand Revolt’s Camden Bernatz joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why traditional agency pitches often fail, how clients can build better partnerships, and why diagnosis must come before solutions.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Camden Bernatz, creative director and strategist at Brand Revolt and author of “Stop Asking for Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship.” Once drawn to psychiatry, he now applies that same curiosity to branding, helping organizations diagnose challenges and build stronger brands.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why traditional agency pitches often prioritize performance over real problem-solving2. Why diagnosing the problem must come before prescribing any solution3. How treating agency relationships as strategic investments improves outcomes4. How shifting from vendor transactions to partnerships leads to better results5. What a true client-agency partnership looks like in practiceQuotables“You want that agency that helps you develop the brief [to] help you figure out what we actually need. What are we trying to accomplish? What would success look like?” — Camden Bernatz“The reason you have a need for an RFP or to hire a firm and hire an agency is because you don't totally know what you need.” — Camden Bernatz“It’s just having things on the table early, talking about like, ‘We think that you're prescribing something that's going to cost more than you say you have money for.’” — Camden Bernatz“There's a difference in the way it feels to spend money on an agency versus spending the money with the agency.” — Camden Bernatz“Your agency is like an engine to fuel as opposed to a resource to drain. You will treat it differently, and they will perform differently.” — Camden Bernatz“Buying agency services is about buying a creative class of expertise, experience, guidance, and consulting that is much different than buying staples, pencils, and other supplies.” — Jason MuddIf 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:Camden Bernatz on LinkedInCamden Bernatz on YouTubeBrand Revolt website“Stop Asking For Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship” bookThe Win Without Pitching ManifestoClients behaving badly: Video store, hair salon hagglingAdditional Resources:Support the showOn 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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Behavioral science secrets behind top brands
Apr 2100:43:46Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Richard Shotton joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the behavioral science behind some of the world’s most successful brands and how to apply those principles in marketing and PR. Meet our guest:Our guest this episode is Richard Shotton, founder of Astroten. Richard is a behavioral scientist and best-selling author of “The Choice Factory,” “The Illusion of Choice,” and “Hacking the Human Mind.” He specializes in applying behavioral science to marketing and works with global brands to solve real-world challenges.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why what people say influences them vs. what actually drives behavior2. How “effort storytelling” can increase perceived product value3. Why simplicity in messaging increases perceived intelligence and trust4. How timing and “fresh start” moments influence behavior change5. Why social proof remains one of the strongest drivers of decision-making Quotables“Behavioral science is what people say influences them and what actually influences them. They are wildly different.” — Richard Shotton“If you ever need someone to make a really big change in their life, don't target them randomly.” — Richard Shotton“The more effort that goes into something, the better it is. People have got that as a rule of thumb in their head. And the interesting thing is, the rule of thumb takes on a life of its own.” — Richard Shotton“If you want to convey strong brand values, the argument from Oppenheimer is to speak in a simple, clear way.” — Richard Shotton“The simplest answer is usually the best answer. If it’s focused on one thing, it's clear, easy to digest.” — Jason MuddIf 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.More About Richard ShottonRichard Shotton is a behavioral scientist and founder of Astroten. He is a best-selling author of three books, including “The Choice Factory” and “The Illusion of Choice.” His latest book, “Hacking the Human Mind,” explores the behavioral science underpinning the success of 17 leading brands. He specializes in applying behavioral science to marketing, helping brands like Google solve real-world challenges through consultancy, copywriting, and training.Guest’s contact info and resources:@rshotton on XRichard Shotton on LinkedInAstroten’s websiteConsumer Behavior Lab website”Hacking the Human Mind” bookAdditional Resources:Earned authority + emotional resonance = brand winsSupport the showOn 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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Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work
Apr 1400:44:24Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Carly Roszkowski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss ageism in the workplace, how it affects job seekers over 50, hiring bias, and strategies for multigenerational teams.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our guest on this episode is Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience at AARP. She leads strategy and outcomes within AARP’s Work and Jobs and Financial Resilience initiatives, helping individuals over 50 strengthen their competitiveness in the labor market and access meaningful employment opportunities. Carly also works to eliminate age discrimination and promote inclusive hiring practices across organizations.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How ageism in the workplace impacts job seekers and employees over 50 years old2. The biggest challenges experienced professionals face when seeking new opportunities3. How department leaders can effectively support and manage multigenerational teams4. Best practices hiring managers can use to better support experienced talent5. Practical ways employees and coworkers can help create a safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplaceQuotables“AARP is fighting every day to end age discrimination in the workplace and educate consumers, knowing their rights, as well as educating employers on the value that older workers bring to an organization.” — Carly Roszkowski“Networking and knowing someone is still a really great way to start your job search.” — Carly Roszkowski“60% of workers 50 and older have said that they would love to learn new skills for their job or on the job.” — Carly Roszkowski“Research shows that there's increased innovation, increased creativity, better problem solving when you have a mix of ages, mix of different backgrounds, or from different points of view.” — Carly Roszkowski“Mirror the language; reflect the terminology that you see in the job description in your application.” — Jason MuddIf 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:Carly Roszkowski on LinkedInAARP websiteAARP Works and Jobs Resources AARP Employer Resource CenterOlder Workers are Building Tech Skills ResearchAdditional Resources:How to calculate the true cost of hiring an employeeListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public RelationSupport the showOn 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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Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows
Apr 700:22:19Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Muck Rack CEO Greg Galant joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how embedded AI is transforming PR and communications workflows.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Greg Galant, CEO and cofounder at Muck Rack. A returning guest on On Top of PR, he is a leading voice at the crossroads of PR, technology, and media. Greg is also recognized as an early champion of generative engine optimization, shaping the emerging frontier of brand visibility in an AI-driven world.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:Why embedded AI is more effective than standalone assistants in PR workflowsHow AI preserves messaging consistency and insight accuracy across teamsWays to make PR teams more adaptable in real time using AIHow AI-powered media intelligence predicts trends and shifts in reputationStrategies to integrate AI into every stage of PR: discovery, outreach, monitoring, and reporting Quotables“Being able to take advantage of AI is knowing what everyone's doing right now and figuring out which stages of our workflow can benefit from AI and having the right tooling to do that.” — @Greg Galant“The PR profession's been doing generative engine optimization even before generative AI came to be because when these AI systems were built, they were all trained on news data.” — @Greg Galant“The work we did a year ago or two years ago is even more valuable today than it was then.” — @Greg Galant“There's two big buckets. One is: How does AI influence PR, and how does PR influence AI?” — @Greg Galant“We have to look at this from a macro and a micro level and keep testing and tweaking what we're doing and improving upon it.” — @Jason MuddIf 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:@gregory on X@gregory on InstagramGregory Galant on LinkedInMuck Rack websiteMuck Rack DailyGenerative Pulse by Muck RackThe State of Journalism and PR 2022 reports with Greg GalantIf you like this episode, you're going to love this:95% of AI citations come from PR contentHow generative AI uses earned media coverage (fueling PR’s resurgence)Getting more media coverage by making journalists’ lives easierThe PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with UnusuaSupport the showOn 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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Why isn’t your press release getting any coverage?
Mar 3100:16:51Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into why most press releases fail and how to craft news releases that capture attention, clicks, and engagement.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Five reasons your news release isn’t getting coverage2. Understanding the move from “press releases” to news releases3. Common mistakes that cause press releases to be ignored4. How to write headlines and content that attract attention and clicks5. Adopting an audience-first mindset to make your news releases effective Quotables“A journalist or reader is asking, ‘Why should I care?’ ‘Why now?’ and ‘Why does this matter now?’ And if you don't answer that in the first few lines of your pitch or your news release, you lose that audience.” — @jasonmudd9“Safe content doesn't get shared; it gets ignored.” — @jasonmudd9“Your content now competes in search, AI, and social feeds. Structure matters. You need clear headlines, direct language, and answer-driven content.” — @jasonmudd9“Shift your mindset from ‘What do we want to announce?’ to ‘What would someone care [about], click, and share?’ Define your audience, validate your angle with data, and write like a journalist.” — @jasonmudd9“Coverage isn't requested; it's earned. It starts with how you think about the story before writing.” — @jasonmudd9If 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:Jason Mudd on XJason Mudd on LinkedInListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.Axia Public Relations resources1:1 consultations and training with Axia10 2026 press release tips marketers aren’t going to likeAdditional Resources:What's the difference between press releases and public relations?What’s the difference between newswire and press release distribution wire agencies?How press releases are powering generative engine optimization and answer engine optimization3 elements of an effective news releaseSupport the showOn 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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Shaping the future of PR with AI: Insights from Microsoft’s Frank X. Shaw
Mar 2400:39:41Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, Microsoft CCO Frank Shaw joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI is reshaping PR workflows, strategy, and corporate communications.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Frank X. Shaw, chief communications officer at Microsoft. Frank leads global communications strategy, product PR, media and analyst relations, executive and employee communications, and global agency partnerships. He shares insights on how communicators can leverage AI to focus on high-value work and improve efficiency.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How to identify high-value PR work and apply AI to repetitive tasks2. Practical AI applications for media monitoring, analyst engagement, and internal communications3. How autonomous AI agents can enhance predictive insights for communications teams4. The mindset needed to embrace AI tools without fear of job loss5. How efficiency gained through AI can drive growth rather than just cost-cuttingQuotables“It's not like you can outsource your judgment, but you can augment it.” — Frank Shaw“I don't look at all this technology as something that is going to cut costs. It's going to allow us to do the things that are in front of us that we want to do that we can't get to right now because we don't have the resources and the time.” — Frank Shaw“The mindset has to be one of experimentation, curiosity, trying new things, being willing to fail, at some, grabbing every tool that comes out there and thinking about how we can apply it to the work that we do. “ — Frank Shaw“I think everybody should be experimenting with stuff at home and at work because it's moving really fast, and the way you stay on top of it is just to play.” — Frank Shaw“People say the corporate communication profession has changed over the years. And my argument is it really hasn't changed. We just have better tools. But those same tools require us to be even better practitioners, more strategically minded.” — Jason MuddIf 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:Frank X. Shaw on LinkedInMicrosoft websiteLinkedIn Learning: Communicator’s Guide to AI Tools and Mindsets for Modern PR and Media courseAdditional Resources:Axia’s AI Relations serviceMicrosoft Copilot StudioMicrosoft BingGet to Know Microsoft EdgeSupport the showOn 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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Media-first PR in the AI era with Storyblok’s Brandon Watts
Mar 1700:41:51Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail In this episode, Brandon Watts joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to prioritize audience and authenticity in media-first PR during the AI era.Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Brandon Watts, director of PR and communications at Storyblok. With 20-plus years in shaping narratives for startups and enterprise tech, Brandon brings insights from both the media and PR sides. He’s also contributed to Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Adweek.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How to adopt a media-first approach in PR during the AI era2. Why quality matters more than quantity when pitching stories3. How to put the audience before your PR agenda4. The power of exclusives and timings5. Tips for pitching original, AI-proof storiesQuotables“The biggest challenge here is when we think of what we're trying to tell, the story we're trying to tell, it's usually always framed through our lens. What do we have to say? What benefit do we get from it? That's a lot of we, me — a lot of self-service focus. So we have to reframe this. If it's media first, it means that it's really media first.” — Brandon Watts“Communication with your pitch is so critical because that's really what helps you to sell it, to make it more broad in terms of who's going to want to listen to that and why.” — Brandon Watts“You have to create the stories that AI can't. And all of that is due to your personal experience, what your company's experiencing, what your team is experiencing, and your customers' lived experiences that cannot be hallucinated, that cannot be made up. That's authenticity.” — Brandon Watts“We use AI just in the right way to help you get more power out of your content creation. So you just have to take that extra bit of time to understand that you can't just prompt and run. You've got to give it context and tweak.” — Brandon Watts“Garbage in, garbage out. If you put bad input into a generative AI app, you're going to get bad output from it.” — Jason MuddIf 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:Brandon Watts on LinkedInStoryblok websiteHow to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketingListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.Additional Resources:Axia’s AI ServiceAI in PR: Transforming communication strategiesAI is transforming PR: What are the risks and benefits?What strong media relations actually look likeHow to pitch and earn media without breaking newsPitching exclusives by the numbersIf you like this episode, you're Support the showOn 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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