The Crux of the Story Podcast
1) #163: The Science of Habits – Amanda Rebar on What Really Drives Human Behavior
Behavioral scientist Professor Amanda Rebar unpacks the hidden forces that shape what we do—and what we fail to do. As Director of the Motivation of Health Behaviors Lab at the University of South Car...Show More
2) Episode 162: Joe Lockhart on Pinpointing and Connecting with Audiences – and Yes, Bad Bunny
We sit down with Joe Lockhart — former White House Press Secretary to President Bill Clinton and one of the most influential communicators of the last three decades. From journalism to the West Wing, ...Show More
3) Episode 161 – Navigating Public Trust – Andy Shain on his career shift from Journalism to PR in Higher Ed
In this episode, we sit down with Andy Shain – long one of the most respected journalists in the Carolinas who now is a senior communicator at the University of South Carolina. After more than 30 year...Show More
4) Episode 160 – New Page-Harris Poll Study: As Expectations of Business Rise, Confidence Lags
Rob Jekielek, Managing Director of The Harris Poll, and Dr. Rochelle Ford, CEO of the Arthur W. Page Society, join Mike to discuss the 2026 Page‑Harris Poll Confidence in Business Index. Drawing on i...Show More
5) Episode 159: Faster. Messier. Tougher.: Bradley Akubuiro on Rewriting the Crisis Playbook
Partner at Bully Pulpit International and former Boeing chief spokesperson Bradley Akubuiro previews his forthcoming book, Faster. Messier. Tougher.: Crisis Communication Strategies in an Era of Popul...Show More
6) Episode #158 — Stephen Hahn on Measuring Reputation in a Turbulent World
In a year marked by economic uncertainty, political tension, and AI tech disruption, reputation has become one of the most powerful—and fragile—assets an organization holds. In this episode, Stephen H...Show More
7) #157: Future-Ready Leadership – Maril MacDonald on Culture, Change, and Navigating Uncertainty
Maril MacDonald, founder and CEO of Gagen MacDonald, joins The Crux to explore how leaders can steer organizations through today’s turbulence—AI disruption, geopolitical risk, layoffs, and rapid M&A a...Show More
8) #156: Ethics, AI, and the Future of Public Relations in Canada
Three of the lead researchers behind the Canadian Public Relations Society’s landmark report, 2025 State of Public Relations in Canada: Ethics, AI and Reframing the Professional Field, join The Crux o...Show More
9) #155: Bill Myers on Leading Communications Through Disruption in Media, Tech, and Healthcare
Bill Myers, Managing Director of Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility at Liberty Global, joins The Crux to reflect on the legacy of media titan John Malone and the shifting dynamics of glo...Show More
10) #154: Turning the Page: Leroy Chapman on Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Digital-Only Future and What it Means to Lead a Major Daily in a Contentious World
Leroy Chapman Jr., Editor-in-Chief of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discusses the paper’s bold decision to go digital-only in 2026—making Atlanta the largest U.S. city without a printed daily. Cha...Show More