{"podcast":{"title":"Communication Breakdown","slug":"communication-breakdown-7019931","podcast_index_feed_id":7019931,"rss_url":"https://www.spreaker.com/show/6301456/episodes/feed","website_url":"https://ocrnetwork.com/podcasts/communication-breakdown","image_url":"https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/bb1654c4c2ff3f77a3c1f292f51b3d52.jpg","author":"Observatory on Corporate Reputation LLC","episode_count":86,"summary":"Communication Breakdown is a postgame show for PR pros. In each episode, hosts Craig Carroll (Founder of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation, Editor of the SAGE Encyclopedia of Corporate Reputation, Lecturer at Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business) and Steve Dowling (former head of communications at OpenAI and Apple) discuss the strategies and tactics companies are using in high-visibility crises and PR initiatives, giving listeners unique insight into how key decisions are made. The podcast offers two unique perspectives on communications theory and practice, drawing on Craig’s research and teaching on reputation at USC Annenberg, UNC Chapel Hill, and universities worldwide, and Steve’s two decades of experience as a comms leader at some of the world’s most influential companies. Whether you’re a PR professional, marketing executive, or just curious about how companies make key communications decisions, you’ll find these discussions insightful and valuable.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-05T04:21:27.467075+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/communication-breakdown-7019931"},"episode":{"title":"Spring Break Bonanza","slug":"spring-break-bonanza","published_at":"2026-04-02T13:02:56+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/communication-breakdown-7019931/spring-break-bonanza","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/communication-breakdown-7019931","url":"https://www.spreaker.com/episode/spring-break-bonanza--71053923","audio_url":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71053923/ep_77_spring_break_bonanza.mp3","summary":"In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll revisit key moments from the first quarter, focusing on how companies responded to politically charged events and public pressure. They examine the contrast between vague, low-risk corporate statements and decisive, values-driven action, using examples like a group of Minnesota CEOs, Capgemini, and media framing from Axios. The discussion centers on corporate responses to ICE enforcement actions and what those responses reveal about alignment, risk tolerance, and credibility. For communications leaders, the episode highlights a recurring problem: companies default to safe language when clarity is required, and audiences notice the gap immediately. Takeaways Vague, consensus-driven statements signal risk aversion, not leadership. Speed and specificity in response can define credibility in high-pressure moments. Stakeholders judge companies on actions, not values language. Topics Mentioned ICE enforcement, corporate statements, stakeholder expectations, media framing, crisis communication, values signaling, leadership accountability, narrative control, political pressure Companies Mentioned Capgemini, Axios Episode Hashtags #Capgemini #Axios #CrisisCommunication #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #ReputationManagement #StakeholderTrust #Leadership #MediaNarratives #PoliticalRisk #BrandStrategy #NarrativeControl #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation . Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced in partnership with Advocast and Shawn P Neal. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcasts@ocrnetwork.com","meta_description":"In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll revisit key moments from the first quarter, focusing on how companies responde…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1605,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/communication-breakdown-7019931/episodes/spring-break-bonanza/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/communication-breakdown-7019931/spring-break-bonanza.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}