Frequency

In this episode of Frequency, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose kick things off with a surprisingly revealing conversation about bread — and quickly land on a much bigger question: when recognition misses the point, what does it say about how organisations really value people? That idea becomes a thread running through the episode, as they move into a frank discussion about performative communication. Using recent ICE-related events in the US as a backdrop, they explore the growing pressure employees are putting on leaders to take meaningful, visible stands, and why cautious, logo-signed “de-escalation” statements often feel more like corporate self-protection than leadership. Jenni and Chuck question what employees are actually asking for, and whether silence, symbolism or collective action carries the most weight. From there, the conversation turns to meetings — why they continue to frustrate people, and what role AI realistically has in fixing them. While tools like AI note-takers and summaries can help with accountability, they argue the real issue is capability, not technology. Poorly run meetings, unclear purpose and a lack of facilitation skills won’t be solved by automation alone. Better meetings still matter — especially for trust, debate and decision-making — and cutting them entirely is not the answer. This leads into a wider challenge around AI adoption and productivity. As leaders increasingly point to AI’s potential impact on GDP as justification for rapid rollout, Jenni questions whether economic upside is the right — or sufficient — argument. They unpack research showing many organisations are using AI without investing in training or redesigning how work actually gets done. The risk, they argue, is treating AI as a cost-saving shortcut rather than a capability shift. Without strong foundations, clear processes and proper enablement, AI won’t fix broken systems — it will simply amplify them. The episode then tackles Amazon’s latest round of layoffs and the way employees discovered the news through internal errors. Jenni and Chuck reflect on what moments like this signal about leadership control, humanity and trust — and why how information is shared matters just as much as what is shared. Finally, they react to reports that AI company Anthropic destroyed large quantities of books to train its models, raising uncomfortable questions about ethics, ownership and optics — especially when legality, public perception and values collide. They close with their Freq Out of the week, sharing candid reflections on conference speaker rejections, feedback that stings, and why rejection isn’t always a signal that your work isn’t needed — sometimes it’s just redirection.   Articles mentioned in this episode: Tech workers push CEOs to condemn ICE as Minnesota CEOs issue a “de-escalation” letter https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/tech-workers-ceos-ice https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/minneapolis-shooting-ice-target-3m-ceos-letter  The LinkedIn post that inspired the bread conversation Dropbox bets on AI to fix meetings and protect time HR Dive: AI could boost GDP, but only if employees are trained BBC: Amazon layoffs confirmed after an internal email error Ars Technica: Anthropic destroyed millions of print books to train AI Remote Work by Chris Dyer and Kim Shepherd (not Scott)

In this episode of Frequency, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose kick off 2026 with a frank check-in on how the year is going — personally and professionally — before diving into a stack of research that reveals just how disconnected leadership and employees have become. The conversation opens with an article on millennial disengagement, where employees say the quiet part out loud: "my leader doesn't know me and doesn't care to know me." Jenni and Chuck explore whether curiosity can really be an antidote to stagnation, and what it takes for leaders to actually demonstrate they care. They then tackle Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser's widely reported memo telling staff "we are not graded on effort" — and surprisingly land on the side of her directness. Sometimes, they argue, honesty about expectations beats the flowery alternative. A DHR Global study sparks discussion on the culture gap between C-suite and entry-level employees, with 77% of execs calling culture "very important" while only 37% of junior staff agree. The disconnect gets sharper when nearly half of employees describe their culture as reactive and inconsistent. Gallup's new span-of-control data brings the manager conversation back into focus, with average team sizes now at 12.1 — nearly 50% larger than a decade ago. Chuck breaks down the math: if you manage 10 people and give each just an hour a week, that's a quarter of your time before you even start your own work. Finally, they examine a growing satisfaction gap between leaders and employees on change communication — a 30% divide in 2026 that shows no signs of slowing. The culprit? Communication built for leadership, not the people receiving it.   Articles mentioned in this episode: 3 tips to replace employee stagnation with curiosity in 2026 Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser warns of job cuts and says it's time to raise the bar in a fiery memo to staff: 'We are not graded on effort' Global Survey Reveals Workplace Culture Gulf Between Execs and Employees Span of Control: What's the Optimal Team Size for Managers? The satisfaction gap - what employees and leaders think good communication looks like (Lars Hancke)  

In this episode of Frequency, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose explore the quiet pressures tightening around modern work - from burnout and broken flexibility promises to the unintended consequences of AI “efficiency”. The episode opens with a deceptively simple question: what happened to happy hour? Not as a drinking debate, but as a signal that the informal “third space” of work - where trust, mentoring and belonging once formed, is disappearing.  They then unpack Amazon’s evolving performance and office-tracking approach, questioning where healthy accountability ends and surveillance begins, and what communicators should really be saying when trust is already fragile. A global frontline study from UKG brings the conversation back to reality, revealing burnout rates of 76% and a widening “two-culture” divide between frontline and office workers. Flexibility and financial security aren’t perks anymore,  they’re retention levers. The episode also tackles McKinsey & Company’s idea of “super agency”, asking whether AI’s biggest blocker is actually leadership hesitation, not employee readiness. Finally, Jenni and Chuck examine a counter-intuitive risk of AI: when busywork disappears, so does recovery time — unless work itself is redesigned. As ever, this is straight-talking, reflective and a little uncomfortable — in the best way.    Articles mentioned in this episode:   What Happened to Happy Hour?    Amazon is making big changes to the way it treats workers    Global study reveals flexibility and financial wellness are top 2026 priorities for frontline workers   Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential    The Downside to Using AI for All Those Boring Tasks at Work    

In this special bonus episode of Frequency, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose are joined by Carolyn Clark, VP of Communications and Employee Experience at Simpplr, to dig into the findings from the 2025 State of Internal Communications and Intranet Report. This isn’t an employee survey, it’s a look at how the builders of the system (comms, HR and IT leaders) think internal communication is working… and where it’s quietly falling apart. Together, they unpack ten findings that reveal a familiar tension: internal comms is getting more attention and investment, but employees are still navigating tool sprawl, unclear ownership and platforms that don’t always help them get real work done. The conversation covers: Why exec attention doesn’t always equal understanding The growing gap between “we have an intranet” and actual employee experience Tool sprawl, digital stress and the hidden cost of friction Why IT satisfaction doesn’t equal employee usability What “ethical AI” really means inside organisations And why relevance, targeting and governance are still lagging behind ambition   Straight-talking, practical and occasionally uncomfortable — this episode challenges leaders to stop counting tools and start fixing system.  Thanks to Simpplr for sponsoring the episode!  Read the report here: https://www.simpplr.com/resources/research-reports/state-of-ic-and-intranet-technology-uk/ 

In the first episode of 2026, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose are back with a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what the world of work really needs to leave behind. They start by sharing the leadership, culture and communication habits that should have stayed in 2025 – from performative “authenticity” and meaningless values to treating AI as either a miracle cure or an existential threat. The conversation then turns to employee happiness. Drawing on recent research, Jenni challenges the idea that leaders are responsible for happiness at work, arguing instead that feeling respected, supported and energised is the baseline of credible leadership – not a perk. Jenni and Chuck also unpack: Why trends are often marketing fluff (and why predictions are more useful) Whether internal communication is facing an identity crisis When buzzwords help – and when they create unnecessary chaos Why open-plan offices don’t work, and what the office should be for now Articles mentioned in this episode: New Data Shows The Surprising Payoff Of Employee Happiness What are the trends shaping internal comms and the workplace in 2026? Are buzzwords bad? The open office is a lie  

In this final episode of 2025, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose reflect on a year of conversations by pulling together the 10 themes that defined work, leadership and internal communication over the past 25 hours and 41 minutes of the podcast. They revisit the middle management crisis, the ongoing disconnect between hybrid work reality and mandates, and the shift from performative authenticity to honest leadership transparency. The episode also explores AI adoption anxiety, the persistent challenge of proving the value of internal communication, and why change fatigue means productivity takes far longer to recover than leaders expect. The conversation looks at purpose-driven work, communication overload, cultural intelligence in global teams, and the unresolved productivity paradox behind return-to-office decisions. They close by sharing five AI-generated predictions for 2026, challenging leaders to build trust, rethink management, and stop trying to control their way through change. Slow Productivity - Cal Newport Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff - Ness Labs The Productivity Diet - Mike Vardy

In this week’s episode of Frequency, Jenni and Chuck explore the forces shaping how we feel at work - from safety and strategy to hybrid rhythms and AI anxiety. They unpack new research showing psychological safety isn’t a “nice to have” but a strategic resource that protects against burnout and increases retention, especially when resources are tight. They also dive into why internal comms teams get stuck in delivery mode instead of strategy, and why pausing to reset purpose doesn’t need to take months, it just needs focus. Hybrid working gets a fresh lens too, with new data revealing clear workplace rhythms, the risk of overloading Thursdays, and why short commutes are becoming an engagement driver. Finally, they tackle AI anxiety head-on, debating whether it’s really about technology — or simply our human response to big change. Plus, festive traditions, doors, and milestone birthdays are in this week’s Freq out! Articles and posts mentioned in this episode:  In tough times, psychological safety is a requirement, not a luxury Plans without strategy: why internal comms keeps getting stuck in task mode The New Rhythms of Work: How Hybrid Reality Is Reshaping Employee Experience Why AI at work makes us so anxious Episode 4 of Frequency where they discuss the misconceptions of psychological safety  

In this episode of Frequency, Jenni and Chuck get stuck into a report-heavy week packed with big questions for communicators, leaders and HR. They explore the UK Government’s RESIST framework for tackling misinformation and why “strategic silence” can sometimes be the smartest move. The conversation then turns to workplace wellbeing, with new data from Reward Gateway showing a growing shift from pay to work–life balance - but the conversation discusses the serious confusion about what wellbeing at work actually means. From unlimited leave to sleep, stress and personal responsibility, they challenge where the line really sits. They also unpack striking Gallup engagement data showing that 90% of UK employees are disengaged or not actively engaged, and question what leaders are truly trying to measure. The episode wraps with a powerful model for “human work” from the team at Fauna and CultureCon based on their recent research.   The reports and articles mentioned in this episode: A new Government framework for communicators to tackle misinformation Workplace wellbeing - a business imperative  The future of work has a heartbeat ICology Mentorship Program - deadline to apply is December 15  

This special live episode of Frequency comes straight from Unily’s Unite25 Conference in Nashville - the first time Jenni Field and Chuck Gose have taken the podcast to the stage. Recorded unedited and unfiltered, they share their top takeaways from the event, from digital noise and content sprawl to employee trust, empowered talent markets and the launch of Unily’s new AI tool, Indy. They also reflect on standout keynote moments, including Dr. Mae Jemison’s call to “give people room to tell their story” and insights on charisma, warmth and competence in communication. The live audience joins them as they explore AI trust gaps, courageous leadership, shifting job fears, workplace drinking culture and the realities of post-work social pressure. With audience questions, real-time reactions and plenty of humour, this episode captures the energy of Unite25 and the big topics shaping modern internal communications and employee experience. Here are the articles discussed: The Trust Gap is the AI story Rethinking with Adam Grant podcast - Brene Brown on courageous leadership  Evaluating AI's impact on the labor market One in three UK workers have called in sick after work drinks, survey finds    

In this episode of Frequency, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose dig into new Gallup data showing the huge gap between how much purpose at work matters and how little leaders actually prioritise it — and why “just a job” might not be the negative people assume. They also unpack Kate O’Neill’s argument that feedback isn’t the issue; context is. Without shared goals, clarity and psychological safety, feedback becomes noise, not development. The conversation moves into boundaries and burnout, as they challenge the workplace obsession with “firefighting” leadership and explore what sustainable leadership really looks like. And in a more unsettling twist, they react to research suggesting AI tools could infer personality — and influence hiring — simply from a profile photo. The episode wraps with reflective freakouts: celebrating wins, questioning industry negativity, and calling for more joy in comms. Purpose at work: engagement rocket fuel that most people never get “Nobody needs feedback” – Kate O’Neil’s shared-context grenade Mita Mallick: not every fire is yours to fight Hiring by face: AI, personality and the new bias minefield  

In this episode of Frequency, Jenni and Chuck dig into another week of stories shaping workplace culture, leadership and internal comms. They kick off with the latest research on “culture rot,” where only 14% of employees feel aligned to their company values - and they discuss what that says about credibility, trust and how organisations communicate who they really are. They also get into some new data showing gossip continues to outpace HR during layoffs, raising tough questions about transparency, timing and the human impact of change. Jenni shares insights from the Gallagher Digital Experience Summit, including the rising issue of digital stress, the reality of AI maturity, and why productivity isn’t as measurable as leaders think. The conversation wraps with a look at America’s shifting relationship with work — and what it means when more people see their role as “just a job.”   Articles mentioned in this episode: “Culture rot” hits UK workplaces — most people feel misaligned Gossip beats HR in layoff announcements Americans’ Long Love/Hate Relationship With Work   🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode of Frequency, hosts Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss the importance of in-person gatherings, the concept of long-haul leadership, and the challenges of hybrid work environments.  The conversation covers two favorite topics - hybrid work and leadership, discussing the fact that rules about days in office will never outperform rituals that help teams do the right work in the right way. The surprising truth about the engagement of managers is uncovered and the link that has to recognition in the workplace. The pair debate the dangers of narrowing and specialising in your comms career and they tackle the important topic of productivity and exhaustion - and why listening is the answer.  Articles and links related to this episode From Exhaustion to Empowerment: The Meaningful Productivity Report (Forty1) Hybrid Work Is Not the Problem — Poor Leadership Is (MIT Sloan Management Review) Employees Say Only 59% of Leaders Are Actively Engaged (Nectar) Public relations • communications strategy • career growth (Michelle Frith on LinkedIn)   Books mentioned in this episode:  Long Haul Leader by Chris Ducker: https://longhaulleader.com/book/ Slow Productivity by Cal Newport: https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/  Cues by Vanesss Van Edwards: https://www.scienceofpeople.com/cues/ Busy by Tony Crabbe: https://tonycrabbe.com/books/  Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Talieb - https://a.co/d/8wSDUKO   🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode, Chuck Gose and Jenni Field dig into the latest report into the value of internal communication. It’s a report authored by Jenni with Dr Kevin Ruck and published by the Internal Comms Research Hub. They go on to debate the role of HR inside organizations and tackle the big question of the purpose of workplaces in general. Middle managers are back on the agenda and this time discussing what we can learn from the history of the 1990’s reengineering approach. The episode wraps up with a discussion about a new report into female entrepreneurship and the systemic issues impacting women in the workplace.  Articles and reports in this episode: The value of internal comms  How HR took over British business and got in the way of actual work Bonfire of the middle managers Female Entrepreneurship Missing Women Report   🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode of Frequency, hosts Chuck Gose and Jenni Field delve into the complexities of workplace dynamics, focusing on the challenges of meetings, the benefits of in-person connections, and the emerging concept of ‘microshifting’ in work patterns.  They explore the integration of AI in the workplace, sharing the differences in how they both use AI every day in their work. They also discuss the impact of AI on comms specifically, after reports show 80% of a communicator's role can be replaced with the technology.  The episode wraps up with a discussion about the importance of setting boundaries with the phrase 'I don't', rather than ‘I can’t’, to foster a healthier work-life balance.    Articles mentioned in this episode: Microshifting ends the 9-5 How people actually use ChatGPT at work BCG’s take on GenAI productivity and cost in communications The two words you need to help you push back at work Find our more about Jenni’s Leaders Reboot     🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode of Frequency, hosts Jenni Field and Chuck Gose reflect on their recent experiences in Nashville for the #Unite25 conference and discuss various topics related to internal communications, including the challenges of proving ROI, the shift from engagement to effectiveness, and the importance of communication for frontline workers. They delve into some recent research reports from Dewpoint Communications and Workvivo by Zoom and they explore the implications of being recognized as a 'best place to work' and the employee expectations that come with it. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective internal communication strategies that align with organizational goals and the importance of understanding employee experiences.   Links to articles mentioned in this episode: Internal Comms ROI Report | Workvivo Survey of 5,000+ Leaders The Big Shift - A Pivot from "Engaged" to "Effective" - Strategic Connecting the Frontline: Current Trends, Challenges, and Strategic Opportunities in Workforce Communication - a report from Dewpoint communications Do we really want to work in one of the top places to work?      🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode, Jenni and Chuck explore the controversial trend of 'quiet promotions,' the challenges of maintaining morale after layoffs, and the evolving expectations around hybrid work.    It turns out people are being asked to do more without the salary increase, but the pair question whether this is new.    The conversation also highlights insights from a senior internal communications roundtable Jenni hosted in London, emphasizing the need for deeper discussions at industry events and the vital role of senior leaders in turning up to industry events to help the more junior folks learn and grow.  Links to articles mentioned in this episode: Employers are dishing out quiet promotions: fancy new job roles without the title or pay—and experts say it ‘practically guarantees burnout’ How to Keep Teams on Track After Layoffs UK job ads are quietly tightening hybrid expectations What do senior comms leaders want from industry events? Email to find out more: info@redefiningcomms.com   🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode, Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss the evolving role of the chief communications officer and the extra demands being placed on them. They explore the declining interest in management roles among employees, the challenges faced by Gen Z in securing entry-level positions, and the importance of emotional regulation in response to workplace pressures.    They both reflect on their own careers, how they moved up the corporate ladder and the reality of jobs changing as technology evolves.   Links to articles mentioned in this episode:   Chief communications officers are absorbing more corporate functions, report says Fewer workers want to be managers Gen Z’s employability problem The over-reaction pandemic and what to do about it   Join Chuck and Jenni at their speaking events in October:   Unite25 in Nashville on October 7 and 8: Unite 25 | The #1 Employee Experience Conference Who owns employee experience? Chuck debates with Hebba Yousef online, hosted by Workvivo on October 9 : Who owns Employee Experience: Internal Comms or HR? Jenni’s online Quarterly Workplace Huddle, on October 14 https://redefiningcomms.com/huddle/  Jenni’s in person Leaders Reboot in London on October 21 https://redefiningcomms.com/leaders-reboot   🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

Does humour (or humor) play a role in your internal comms?  Are we at a crossroads in internal communication?  Is employee engagement really the top of the list for leaders? In this episode of Frequency, hosts Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss the importance of humour in communications and whether it’s about being fun or funny. Five months on from the initial discussion about the merging of CHRO and CIO roles they discuss some recent opinions about what would make that blend a success. The discussion touches on the future of internal comms after a recent advance reading of a new book out in December and they get stuck in to some insights from a leadership report from the Institute of Leadership.   Articles mentioned in this episode Should Your Company Merge Its CHRO and CTO Roles? Should we be funny in internal comms?  Book: People-First Internal Communication pre-read takeaways  Webinar: Recalibrate & Rise: Future-Ready Skills for IC Pros Tickets, Tue, Oct 14 Leading into the Future -  the inaugural research report from The Institute of Leadership 🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.  

In this episode of Frequency, hosts Chuck Gose and Jenni Field explore various themes related to workplace culture, employee engagement, and the evolving dynamics of work post-pandemic.  They discuss the impact of mascots on business, introduce the concept of Otroverts - the new personality type according to psychiatrists - and analyze the implications of return-to-office policies.  The conversation also delves into Gallup's five key levers of employee engagement, the effects of personality shifts in the workforce since the pandemic, and the growing trend of the four-day work week. Additionally, they address the phenomenon of fawning behavior in the workplace and its consequences on employee well-being. Links to articles mentioned in this episode: Adam Grant Tweet on RTO Gallup’s 5 key drivers of employee engagement Will changes to our personality ruin workplace culture? The Dutch four-day work week What is fawning and how can it hurt your career? 🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.  

In this episode of Frequency, hosts Chuck Gose and Jenni Field kick things off with a discussion about whether you can call a podcast a ‘pod’ and the songs of summer according to Spotify!  Join this discussion where Chuck challenges the approach suggested by Harvard Business Review (HBR) on how to achieve DEI goals without DEI programs. The conversation stays with HBR as they look at how busy people find joy and the role of the organization in creating it for employees.  After a sneak preview from Ipsos Karian and Box into the latest UK IC Index, they discuss the findings as well as some other research into our need for digital silence in a world full of distraction and digital noise.    Links and articles mentioned in this episode Achieve DEI goals without DEI programmes How the busiest people find joy  ‘Always on’ culture is harming productivity, so workers are demanding ‘digital silence’ to get on with tasks IC Index 2025: A closer look 🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.