Pros and Comms

When someone tells you you're not good at something, you're faced with 2 options. Accept it or do something about it. Kevin Mercurio did something about it. Join us as the podcaster, and former chair of Pint of Science chats about how a change of scenery can help improve communication, balancing acts and why a scorpion was in an Irish pub. For more information and transcript, head to Kevin's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram ⁠@prosandcommspodcast

Reaching every country in the world in a lifetime is an impressive feat. To do it all in 10 years without flying and with a global pandemic in the way? Truly remarkable. That’s exactly what our guest Thor Pedersen has been up to. Echoing the spirit of historical explorers, blending old-world adventure with modern-day perseverance, Thor's journey of discovery is a true act of resilience, people power and a reminder that the art of effective communication comes in many forms. For more information and transcript head to Thor's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast

Think photography is about capturing something that looks good? Then you’re missing a trick. To be a photographer you need to understand your audience and express your perspective on the world through your images. Because iconic photographs don’t just look good. They make you feel something. In this episode I’m joined by Rankin, a photographer most known for his iconic images of David Bowie and the Queen, and his taboo breaking corporate campaigns. He’s passionate about telling stories visually and using photography to hold a mirror up to society. For more information on this episode head to Rankin's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Talk to anyone who cares for a child and they’ll tell you how difficult, but ultimately rewarding it is. So when a child is sick, it takes a special kind of person to have the empathy, skill, and emotional resilience to care for them. In this episode I’m joined by Florence Li, a paediatric registrar at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Flo’s specialism in community paediatrics sees her navigating complex, emotionally charged situations when dealing with patients, relatives and other agencies involved in children and young people’s care. And key to providing that high standard of care? Effective communication. For more information on this episode head to Flo's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Let’s face it, we live in a fast-paced, technological world and it can be hard to catch a break. But self-reflection is so important in dealing with challenges and growing as a person. And in some cases, it can quite literally save your life. In this episode I’m joined by Doug Wilson, an IT infrastructure specialist, yoga teacher and public speaker. Doug is a testament to the power of the mind, battling a drug and alcohol addiction and a life-threatening brain tumour, and coming out those experiences with a respect and understanding for his body and mind. And a world record to boot. For more information on this episode head to Doug's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Humans are complicated. Factor in the complex societal structures and imbalances in power, and it’s easy to see how mental health can be affected, both on an individual and on a community scale. In this episode I’m joined by Maria Qureshi, clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in clinical psychology. We talk about her interest in community psychology, and why she’s a strong advocate for understanding the way historical systems affect individuals and communities within our multicultural society. For more information on this episode head to Maria's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Many people will be able to tell you a piece of music that made them feel something. Music is a universal communicator, bypassing the restrictions of language and geography and influencing us at a primal level. I’m joined by ONR, singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. We talk about his journey from rural Scotland to commercial artist, what he thinks makes a good song, and how honesty has helped him become a better songwriter. For more information on this episode head to ONR's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Digital content has exploded and there are so many ways to get a message across you might not think words can cut it anymore. But having well written copy delivered in the right setting can land you with millions of views and hundreds of leads. No pictures or dancing videos needed. I’m joined by Dave Harland, a freelance copywriter and wordsmith extraordinaire. We talk about the secret to great copy, how he’s never had a dry spell in his freelancing career, and just how evocative words can be. For more information on this episode head to Dave's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

We often think of academic science as a pure pursuit for knowledge. But when you’re building your research on inaccurately reported data in the hope to get your own narrative into a well-respected journal, the water can get muddied. In this episode I’m joined by Emily Sena, is a Senior Lecturer in Preclinical Research at the University of Edinburgh and Editor in chief at the BMJ Open Science journal. We talk about bias in science and what is being done to incentivise the accurate reporting of science, why accessibility to scientific research is so important, and what institutions need to do to tackle diversity and inclusion at the top of the academic ladder. For more information on this episode head to Emily's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Great leaders listen, even if they don’t like what they hear. Becoming a better leader takes an enormous amount of self-reflection and ego checking. And sometimes it takes the work of someone who’s outside of your sphere of influence who isn’t afraid to challenge you to help you achieve it. In this episode I’m joined by David McQueen, a professional speaker, executive coach and host of the Leadership Decoded podcast. David has worked with everyone from students to global corporations to high-profile individuals, coaching his audience on leadership, communication and workplace culture. For more information on this episode head to David's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

You may think academia is for life, and for some people it is. But for many, the skills and knowledge acquired through research means it’s the springboard to a range of careers and pursuits. During the pandemic, being able to ‘talk science’ outside of the mainstream has never been more valuable. In this episode I’m joined by Shara Cohen, former scientist, serial entrepreneur and the founder of mumsinscience. We talk about her journey from academic to entrepreneur, why she started mumsinscience and what has helped her become a successful businesswoman. For more information on this episode head to Shara's Pros and Comms page   Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

Being a prosecutor means you need to hone your skills of persuasion and storytelling. In complex cases which involve international components, it can be even harder to convince a jury of the defendant’s guilt based on the evidence you have. In this episode I’m joined by Zainab Ahmad, a former prosecutor with the US Department of Justice specialising in extraterritorial counter terrorism investigation. We talk about Zainab’s experiences within the DOJ, serving as senior assistant special counsel in Robert Mueller’s office investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, and how she navigated the complexities of international law enforcement. For more information on this episode head to Zainab's Pros and Comms page Come and say hi on Instagram @prosandcommspodcast Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

During the pandemic science has been at the forefront of the media, and we’ve got to see the scientific process happen in real time. But it hasn’t always been like that. Mainstream media is the gateway to the public and remains an authority on information in a time of fake news, so accurate science reporting is crucial. I’m joined by Fiona Fox, the CEO of the Science Media Centre in London. We talk about why the SMC was founded, how it works with scientists and journalists to report science accurately, and why controversy doesn’t have to be a detriment to science. For more information on this episode head here: www.mowbi.co.uk/pros-and-comms-talking-science-and-the-media/ Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

If you think successfully leading an American Chemical Society division requires a chemistry degree and years of experience in a lab, think again. Being a great leader takes more than just technical knowledge. In this episode I’m joined by Lakisha Miller Barclay, CEO of the rubber division of the American Chemical Society. We talk about Lakisha’s route through computer programming and finance to the rubber division, her secret power of thriving in chaos during her first year as a CEO during the pandemic, and her passion for education, inclusivity and raising awareness of the rubber industry to the next generation. For more information on this episode head here: www.mowbi.co.uk/pros-and-comms-talking-rubber-and-resilience/ Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai

As a police officer you need to interact with people with fairness and integrity, whether that’s diffusing a hostile situation on the streets, interviewing a suspect, or managing a team of officers investigating complex major crimes. But the treatment of minority staff within the force hasn’t always reflected the values and standards that the police are supposed to uphold. In this episode I’m joined by Pushpa Guild, a retired police officer who served on the Bedfordshire police force for over 30 years. We talk about Pushpa’s life growing up as a first-generation British Asian woman, her experiences in the force as she worked her way to a senior investigating officer, and how the police are tackling diversity and unconscious bias within the force. We talk about some of Pushpa's investigations (including discussions around murder, dismemberment and rape) between 38:23 and 41:40. For more information on this episode head here: www.mowbi.co.uk/pros-and-comms-talking-policing-and-discrimination/ Carry on the conversation using the #prosandcomms and find me on Twitter @Maaria_Ginai