The CommUnity Lab - Connecting Professional Communication Research, Practice & People

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application. Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this podcast brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars, students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Boris H.J.M. Brummans from the Université de Montréal. In this Lab Talk, we explore the concept of mindful organizing and discuss how ethnographic methods can help both researchers and practitioners better understand and improve organizational life. Boris shares insights from his own journey — including a life-altering experience in the Himalayas — and explains how Buddhist principles like interdependence and impermanence shape his thinking about communication, organizations, and society. Whether you're an academic, a practitioner, or simply curious, this episode offers a grounded and thought-provoking take on how mindfulness and method can come together. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Brummans, B. H. J. M. (2007). Death by document: Tracing the agency of a text. Qualitative Inquiry, 13(5), 711–727. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800407301185 Brummans, B. H. J. M. (2012). The road to Rizong: Buddhist mindful organizing amid natural disaster in the Indian Himalayas. Qualitative Communication Research, 1(4), 433–460. https://doi.org/10.1525/qcr.2012.1.4.433 Brummans, B. H. J. M. (2022). Eight ways to notice mindfully in process organization studies. In B. Simpson & L. Revsbæk (Eds.), Doing process research in organizations: Noticing differently (pp. 173–194). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192849632.003.0009 Town, S., Reina, C. S., Brummans, B. H. J. M., & Pirson, M. (2024). Humanistic organizing: The transformative force of mindful organizational communication. Academy of Management Review, 49(4), 824–847. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2021.0433 Varela, F. J., Thompson, E., & Rosch, E. (1991). The embodied mind: Cognitive science and human experience. MIT Press. Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application. Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this podcast brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars, students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Sora Kim from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In this Lab Talk, we dive into her research on crisis and CSR communication and explore why a crisis can also be an opportunity — if handled thoughtfully. Sora shares why credibility, culture, and stakeholder engagement are essential for reputation management in tough times, and how CSR messaging can either strengthen or severely damage an organization’s standing when the pressure is on. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Jaques, T. (2009). Issue and crisis management: Quicksand in the definitional landscape. Public Relations Review, 35(3), 280–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2009.03.003 Ji. Y., & Kim, S. (2023). The impacts of social media bandwagon cues on public demand for regulatory intervention during corporate crises. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 31(3), 392-405. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12446 Kim, S., Sheng, X., & Ketron, S.C. (2022). The roles of legacy versus social media information seeking in American and Chinese consumers’ hoarding during COVID-19. Journal of International Marketing, 30(2), 38-55. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X221089347 Kim, S., Sung, K-H., Ji, Y., Xing, C., & Qu, J. (2021). Online firestorms in social media: Comparative research between China Weibo and USA Twitter. Public Relations Review, 47(1), 102010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2021.102010 Yang, C.Y., & Kim, S. (2024). Safety nudged or empowerment fueled? Leadership mechanism and boundary condition for followers’ adaptive communication behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in China. Journal of Public Relations Research, 37(1-2), 31-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2024.2369643 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application. Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this podcast brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars, students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Franzisca Weder from the Vienna University of Economics and Business. In this episode, we talk about her research on sustainability communication and why it matters now more than ever. Franzisca explains how organizations can and should speak about their sustainability efforts, the three key forms sustainability communication can take, and why effective, transformative public relations requires critical thinking, creativity, and the courage to question the status quo — even when it’s uncomfortable. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Weder, F. (2024). Sustainability as guiding principle of communicative action the transformative and transformational potential of corporate sustainability communication as niche construction, a case from the energy sector. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 30(2), 241-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-12-2023-0184 Weder, F. (2023). The evolution of the sustainability story: Strategic sustainability communication as niche construction. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 17(3), 228-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2023.2229304 Weder, F., Weaver, C.K., & Rademacher, L. (2023). Curating conversations in times of transformation: Convergence in how public relations and journalism are “Doing” communication. Public Relations Inquiry, 12(2), 163-182. https://doi.org/10.1177/2046147X231154550 Weder, F., & Milstein, T. (2021). Revolutionaries needed! Environmental communication as a transformative discipline. In B. Takahashi, J. Metag, J. Thaker, & S. Evans Comfort (Eds.), The handbook of international trends in environmental communication (pp. 407-419). Routledge. Weder, F., Karmasin, M., Krainer, L., & Voci, D. (2021). Sustainability communication as critical perspective in media and communication studies—an introduction. In F. Weder, L. Krainer, & M. Karmasin (Eds.), The sustainability communication reader: A reflective compendium (pp. 1-12). Springer Nature. Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this podcast brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars, students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Kristy Beers Fägersten from Södertörn University in Stockholm, Sweden. In this episode, we dive into her research on swearing across different contexts. Kristy explains how swearing, while often seen as socially risky, can actually strengthen social bonds, help us cope with stress in the workplace, and why leaders might want to keep the occasional swear word in their communication toolkit to make key messages land more powerfully. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Baruch, Y., & Jenkins, S. (2007). Swearing at work and permissive leadership culture: When anti‐social becomes social and incivility is acceptable. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 28(6), 492-507. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730710780958 Baruch, Y., Prouska, R., Ollier-Malaterre, A., & Bunk, J. (2017). Swearing at work: The mixed outcomes of profanity. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 32(2), 149-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-04-2016-0102 Beers Fägersten, K., & Stapleton, K. (2022). Swearing. In F. Brisard, S. D’hondt, P. Gras, & M. Vandenbroucke (Eds.), Handbook of Pragmatics (pp. 129-155). John Benjamins Publishing. Fine, A., & Corte, U. (2024). Obscenity factories: Profanity and community in workgroup cultures. Work and Occupations, 51(3), 299-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/07308884241256101 Nelson, M. (2014). ‘You need help as usual, do you?’: Joking and swearing for collegiality in a Swedish workplace. Multilingua, 33(1-2), 173-200. https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2014-0008 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this series brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars, students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Julien Mirivel from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA. In this episode, we talk about his outstanding research on the power of positive communication and why, especially people in leadership positions, are well advised to interact and communicate positively across hierarchies and beyond organizational boundaries. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Cameron, K. (2021). Positively energizing leadership: Virtuous actions and relationships that create high performance. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Biganeh, M., & Young, S.L. (2021). Followers’ perceptions of positive communication practices in leadership: What matters and surprisingly what does not. International Journal of Business Communication. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488420987277 Mirivel, J.C. & Lyon, A. (2023). Positive communication for leaders: Proven strategies for inspiring unity and effecting change. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Socha, T.J., & Beck, G.A. (2015). Positive communication and human needs: A review and proposed organizing conceptual framework. Review of Communication, 15(3), 173-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/15358593.2015.1080290 Socha, T.J., & Pitts, M.J. (Eds.). (2012). The positive side of interpersonal communication. New York: Peter Lang. Starter Bibliography of the Positive Communication Network: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13dyp5p3DoPZkqcaArZcPtlXmQPT1f7oawpV8FGaSWkI/edit?tab=t.0 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this series brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars, students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Ganga Dhanesh from the University of Maryland, USA. In this episode, we dive into her research on professional communication, focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social advocacy (CSA). We explore, among other things, why organizations should only take a stand on societal issues when it’s genuine — and what can happen when this is not the case. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Cammarota, A., D’Arco, M., Marino, V., & Resciniti, R. (2023). Brand activism: A literature review and future research agenda. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 47(5), 1669–1691. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12967 Dhanesh, G.S. (2020). Who cares about organizational purpose and corporate social responsibility, and how can organizations adapt? A hypermodern perspective. Business Horizons, 63(4), 585-594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2020.03.011 Dhanesh, G.S., & Nekmat, E. (2019). Facts over stories for involved publics: Framing effects in CSR messaging and the roles of issue involvement, message elaboration, affect, and skepticism. Management Communication Quarterly, 33(1), 7–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318918793941 Dhanesh, G. S. (2024). Communicating corporate social advocacy (CSA) in polarized times: A stoic turn from dancing to wrestling. Business Horizons. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.08.004 Verk, N., Golob, U., & Podnar, K. (2021). A dynamic review of the emergence of corporate social responsibility communication. Journal of Business Ethics, 168, 491–515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04232-6 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab! The knowledge transfer podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this series brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars and students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. Today’s guest is Prof. Silvia Ravazzani from IULM University in Milan, Italy. We are talking about her research on the role of communication in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) management and the importance of a well-crafted DEI communication strategy to bring a truly inclusive work environment to fruition. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Olsen, J.E., & Martins, L.L. (2012). Understanding organizational diversity management programs: A theoretical framework and directions for future research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 33, 1168-1187. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1792 Trittin, H., & Schoeneborn, D. (2017). Diversity as polyphony: Reconceptualizing diversity management from a communication-centered perspective, Journal of Business Ethics, 144, 305–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2825-8 Maier, C. D., & Ravazzani, S. (2019). Bridging diversity management and CSR in online external communication. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 24(2), 269-286. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-01-2018-0015 Frémeaux, S., (2020). A common good perspective on diversity. Business Ethics Quarterly, 30(2), 200-228. https://doi.org/10.1017/beq.2019.37 Ravazzani, S., Mazzei, A., Fisichella, C, & Butera, A. (2025). Making DEI communication work inside and out: A study of experiences and challenges among Italian companies. Journal of Marketing Communications. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2025.2459644 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn. Your (constructive) feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for all communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab — the knowledge transfer podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this series brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars and students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. In this Lab Talk, I sit down with Prof. Tim Kuhn from the University of Colorado, Boulder, USA. We talk about his research on corporate purpose and communicative capitalism and also discuss how purpose is communicatively constituted and why it is always multiple – for good or for bad. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Kuhn, T. (2024). What do corporations want?: Communicative capitalism, corporate purpose, and a new theory of the firm. Bristol University Press. doi:10.51952/9781529214307; ISBN: 9781529214307. Kuhn, T., Ashcraft, K.L., & Cooren, F. (2017). The work of communication: Relational perspectives on working and organizing in contemporary capitalism. Routledge. Ashcraft, K.L., Kuhn, T., & Cooren, F. (2009) Constitutional amendments: “Materializing” organizational communication. Academy of Management Annals, 3, 1-64. https://doi.org/10.5465/19416520903047186 Kuhn, T. (2012). Negotiating the micro-macro divide: Thought leadership from organizational communication for theorizing organization. Management Communication Quarterly, 26, 543-584. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318912462004 Mumby, D.K. (2016). Organizing beyond organization: Branding, discourse, and communicative capitalism. Organization, 23, 884– 907. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508416631164 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podcastle, subscribe on YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn! Your (constructive) feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we (try to) connect, one conversation at a time!

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab — the knowledge transfer podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication research and its application! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this series brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, leaders, fellow scholars and students, and anyone curious about the magic of communication. In this Lab Talk, I sit down with Prof. François Cooren from the Université de Montréal, Canada. We talk about his research on the communicative constitution of organization (CCO), the fact that we are all puppets - at least occasionally, and why thinking about the world in communicative terms is a fruitful avenue if we want to understand how organizations and our “reality” are being shaped in and through communication between human beings but also with so-called “other-than-human” actors. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Austin, J.L. (1962). How to do things with words. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Cooren, F. (2010). Action and agency in dialogue: Passion, incarnation, and ventriloquism. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Honneth, A. (1996). The struggle for recognition: The moral grammar of social conflicts. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Latour, B. (2013). An inquiry into modes of existence: An anthropology of the moderns. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Taylor, J. R., & Van Every, E. J. (2000). The emergent organization. Communication as site and surface. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Welcome to The CommUnity Lab — the knowledge transfer podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of professional communication! Hosted by Danny (Daniel Wolfgruber), this series brings together leading scholars to explore how communication shapes workplaces, relationships, and society at large. In each episode, we break down communication research and real-world insights, making them accessible and relevant for communication professionals, business leaders, and anyone curious about the magic of words, interactions, and shared meaning. What to expect: • In-depth conversations with top experts in professional communication and management • Practical takeaways for leaders, communicators, and organizations • A touch of humor — because communication isn’t just serious business! • Five curated scientific references per episode for those who want to dive deeper In our first Lab Talk, I sit down with my former PhD advisor, Prof. Sabine Einwiller from the University of Vienna, Austria. We discuss her career, how communication studies and social psychology intersect, and why employee appreciation is key for retention and engagement. We also touch on complaint handling, communication KPIs, and our collaboration in research on DEI communication. Want to explore more? Here are five scientific publications related to today’s episode: Einwiller, S., & Korn, C. (2024). What’s happening at your company?! Employees’ reactions to inquiries of outsiders in the event of negative media coverage. In S. Einwiller, J. Seiffert-Brockmann, S. Romenti, & C. Valentini (Eds.), Communication in uncertain times. How organizations deal with issues, risks and crises (pp. 73-92). Emerald Publishing. Einwiller, S., Ruppel, C., & Stranzl, J. (2021). Achieving employee support during the COVID-19 pandemic – The role of relational and informational crisis communication in Austrian organizations. Journal of Communication Management, 25(3), 233-255. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-10-2020-0107 Einwiller, S., & Weitzl, W. (2023). Digital corporate communication and complaint management. In V. Luoma-aho & M. Badham (Eds.), Handbook on digital corporate communication (pp. 193-207). Cheltenham UK and Northampton MA: Edward Elgar Publishing. Wolfgruber, D., Stürmer, L., & Einwiller, S. (2022). Talking inclusion into being: Communication as a facilitator and obstructor of an inclusive work environment. Personnel Review, 51(7), 1841-1860. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-01-2021-0013 Zerfass, A., Vercic, D., Nothhaft, H., & Werder, K.P. (2018). Strategic communication: Defining the field and its contribution to research and practice. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 487-505. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2018.1493485 Follow The CommUnity Lab on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podcastle, and YouTube, and join the conversation on LinkedIn! Your feedback helps shape this podcast into a must-listen for communication enthusiasts. Let’s decode the way we connect, one conversation at a time!

In this brief introductory "Lab Monologue," Danny, your host and producer, shares what makes The CommUnity Lab a unique addition to your podcast playlist. From uncovering international cutting-edge professional communication research to highlighting the human stories behind the scholars, this podcast bridges the gap between theory and practice. Get a sneak peek into upcoming episodes, including the first "Lab Talk" with Prof. Sabine Einwiller from the University of Vienna, and discover why The CommUnity Lab is your new go-to resource for all things communication in the professional context.