Do you ever feel like you’re shouting into a hurricane… hoping your message lands, but knowing it might get lost in the storm? Today, one misstep in communication can cost you trust, customers, and credibility. The stakes have never been higher, and the noise has never been louder.

Whether you’re navigating the unknowns of AI, political upheaval, or global market shocks, the difference between chaos and clarity comes down to one thing: how you communicate when it matters most.

On this episode of HearSay, we talk with Michelle Russo, EVP and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about “Calming the Chaos.” Michelle has spent her career turning uncertainty into opportunity—and she shares some real-world communication strategies to help businesses not just survive, but win in this environment.

Every day, in boardrooms, break rooms, and across the internet, people are shaping their own version of your company’s story—whether it’s accurate or not. Here’s the hard truth: If you don’t own your narrative, someone else will. And when that happens, you can lose control—not just of your story, but of your brand, your reputation, and your future.

On this episode of HearSay, we dive into a critical question every business leader should be asking: Do you have a corporate narrative that truly defines you—or are you letting the world fill in the blanks? Join us, because the answer could be the difference between leading the conversation and being left behind.

In case you haven’t noticed, people are angry. And not just at politics, but at corporations. It’s an anger that runs deep, based on a strong perception and a primal feeling of unfairness. As a result, the rules of engagement have changed, and what worked yesterday may not work today. In this episode of Hearsay, CEO of OPRG, Chris Foster, joins Michael Maslansky and Lee Carter to share highlights from important new maslansky + partners research that looks at the state of the world and how people think about business today. They provide actionable insights on how to connect with audiences in this volatile environment… and reveal what language and strategies will resonate in this critical moment.

In this episode of Hearsay, Lee Carter is joined by partners Keith Yazmir and Katie Cronen to unpack why communicating effectively—especially in industries like pharma—is harder than ever. In a world fueled by mistrust, audiences are no longer asking, “Are you doing good?” but rather, “Are you being fair?” The team explores how fairness, not goodness, is now the key to resonating with audiences, especially when discussing sensitive topics like drug pricing, health equity, and scientific trust. They offer practical strategies for corporate communicators to respond with transparency, empathy, and clarity—avoiding jargon and embracing straight talk in a time where silence speaks louder than words.

In this episode, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and special guest Michelle Mahony from Daggerwing, dive into the evolving role of language in business, with a special focus on internal communications and DEI. As companies face external pressures and shifting political climates, how do they navigate the tension between staying true to their values and adjusting their language? They explore the real-world challenges internal comms and HR teams face when words like “diversity” and “equity” come under scrutiny—and what happens when companies change course, stay firm, or try to find middle ground.

In this episode, CEO of Maslansky + Partners, Michael Maslansky, and President and Partner Lee Carter discuss the challenges businesses face in realigning their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies following recent executive orders from the new administration. With companies grappling to find a balance between adhering to their DEI commitments and navigating external pressures from political entities and advocacy groups, Michael and Lee dive deep into how companies can effectively communicate and implement these changes. Tune in to hear firsthand of how businesses can continue to champion DEI amidst a rapidly shifting landscape.

In this episode, Michael Maslansky and Lee Carter tackle a pressing question for businesses and trade groups: Should they publicly speak out on tariffs, or is silence the smarter move? And if they do want to engage, how should they do it? We explore the risks and rewards of making a statement, the challenge of breaking through public skepticism, and the evolving strategies needed to shape the conversation. Plus, they debate whether traditional corporate messaging still works—or if it’s time for a radically different approach.

Dive into the latest episode of HearSay, where Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and Ben Feller serve up a no-holds-barred analysis of the Super Bowl ads—because if there’s one thing we love discussing more than touchdowns, it’s bold messaging!

Did brands play it too safe, or did they hit that sweet spot of emotional resonance we’re all craving—(even if the game itself was lacking)? The crew takes a critical look at the pharma industry’s ads, dissecting Pfizer’s heartfelt strategy and questioning the audacity of the Hims & Hers ad that boldly capitalizes on our skepticism about Big Pharma.

From themes of patriotism and diversity to an oddly low focus on actual products, this episode is packed with sharp insights into how powerful messaging can shatter or strengthen a brand’s image in today’s fast-moving landscape. Tune in for spirited debates that might just change how you think about the ads we all saw!