Episodes

  • Why CEOs Are Still Silent

    Why CEOs Are Still Silent
    Jun 13 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine the communications void left as Los Angeles becomes ground zero for President Trump’s escalating deportation campaign. With ICE raids, military presence, and mass detentions dominating headlines, corporate America has largely chosen silence. Dowling and Carroll unpack why companies are hesitant to speak, what that silence signals, and how communicative caution is evolving in the second Trump term. Drawing from frameworks like ACCESS and STEADY, they offer a roadmap for CEOs navigating chaos, visibility, and value signaling in a climate where every word is a trigger. This episode challenges corporate leaders to prepare their principles now—before the spotlight finds them.

    Takeaways
    • Silence in high-stakes moments signals drift, not discipline—especially in politicized crises
    • The ACCESS and STEADY frameworks offer actionable models for scenario-testing, stakeholder awareness, and calibrated messaging.
    • Waiting for polling shifts or market drops to determine a communications stance undermines credibility.
    • The line between individual expression and corporate implication is dangerously thin, especially with legacy brands.
    • Clarity of principle, not volume of voice, should guide when and how companies speak up.
    • “Not my lane” arguments fall flat when employee safety, local presence, or brand values are at stake.

    Topics Mentioned
    Immigration enforcement, corporate silence, communicative caution, narrative control, visibility vs. invisibility, ACCESS model, STEADY model, alignment signaling, stakeholder expectations, CEO discipline, Trump-era messaging, reputational risk, chaos management, constitutional principles, political neutrality, civic responsibility, misinformation, scenario testing

    Companies Mentioned
    Home Depot, Waymo, Google, Walmart

    Chapters
    00:00 Trump’s Crackdown in LA and Corporate Silence
    01:45 ICE Raids, National Guard, and Business Fallout
    03:40 Garment Industry Disruption and CEO Hesitance
    05:15 Tall Poppy Syndrome and Fear of Standing Out
    07:00 Neutrality as Complicity—Messaging that Holds
    09:23 Walmart's Minimalist Response to Christie Walton's Ad
    11:50 Immigration Polls Shift—Does It Matter?
    13:45 Invisibility Isn’t Safety: Readying the Message
    16:00 Communicative Caution vs. Disappearance
    18:00 ACCESS and STEADY—Frameworks for Clarity
    20:40 Aligning with Principles, Not Political Sides
    23:40 Scenario Testing When It Reaches Your Backyard
    26:00 From January Wildfires to Armed Conflict—Where’s the Consistency?
    28:13 Yale CEO Poll—When Would You Speak Out?
    30:39 Moral Judgment or Market Trigger?
    32:55 Final Thoughts: Speak as a Citizen, Not a Brand

    Episode Hashtags
    #HomeDepot #Waymo #Google #Walmart #CorporateSilence #CrisisCommunications #ReputationManagement #StakeholderTrust #PublicRelations #TrumpAdministration #StrategicMessaging #LeadershipVisibility #CivicResponsibility #CorporateGovernance #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork
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    29 mins
  • The Pride Sponsor Shuffle; Trump and Musk Go To War

    The Pride Sponsor Shuffle; Trump and Musk Go To War
    Jun 6 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll dissect the silent recalibration of corporate Pride support in 2025 and the ripple effects of the Trump–Musk breakup. The discussion opens with a sharp look at how once-visible support for Pride has been replaced by hushed donations, geographic reallocation, or total retreat—leaving questions about stakeholder alignment, reputational strategy, and the meaning of corporate citizenship. The hosts challenge assumptions about “pullback,” caution against using soft data to make big claims, and underscore the blurred line between internal and external communications. In the second half, they unpack the political and reputational implications of Elon Musk's now-defunct alliance with Donald Trump, offering a cautionary tale about proximity to power—and the risks of borrowing someone else’s brand.

    Takeaways
    • Media narratives built on thin data (like small-sample polls) can distort the conversation and mislead stakeholders.
    • When companies tie themselves to political figures, they inherit not just reach but risk—and need an exit plan.
    • The Trump–Musk breakup illustrates the reputational baggage of short-term alliances with polarizing figures.
    Topics Mentioned
    Pride Month, corporate sponsorships, stakeholder engagement, political risk, diversity support, internal communications, authenticity, employee trust, performative allyship, executive alignment, proximity to power, reputational fallout, data misrepresentation

    Companies Mentioned
    Target, PepsiCo, Citi, MasterCard, SAP, Nestlé, HSBC, Comcast, Gravity Research, Twitter, Tesla

    Chapters
    00:00 Corporate Pullback on Pride Month Sponsorships
    10:12 The Impact of Political Climate on Corporate Engagement
    19:00 The Fallout of the Trump-Musk Alliance

    Episode Hashtags
    #Target #PepsiCo #Citi #MasterCard #SAP #Nestlé #HSBC #Comcast #Twitter #Tesla #CorporateCommunications #StakeholderEngagement #PrideMonth #ReputationStrategy #AuthenticityMatters #TrumpMusk #CrisisComms #StrategicSilence #LeadershipMessaging #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork
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    24 mins
  • United Pulls Back the Curtain; Harvard Stands Their Ground

    United Pulls Back the Curtain; Harvard Stands Their Ground
    May 30 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine how United Airlines and Harvard University are responding to reputational pressure with two very different transparency strategies. United pulls back the curtain on its safety operations at Newark amid cascading air traffic control failures, launching an ambitious media campaign to reinforce trust. Meanwhile, Harvard President Alan Garber enters phase two of a drawn-out public relations battle with the Trump administration, rallying institutional morale with disciplined messaging and strategic framing. Steve and Craig break down both campaigns—dissecting their timing, tone, and tactics—to explore what transparency, alignment, and message discipline look like under pressure.


    Takeaways
    • United’s transparency push—inviting cameras into its command center and simulators—is a high-risk, high-reward move designed to replace fear with evidence.
    • Confidence, as Steve notes, is earned—not declared
    • Transparency works when backed by consistency. If delays persist, even strong messaging can quickly backfire.
    • The episode contrasts two reputational strategies: Columbia’s quiet compliance vs. Harvard’s assertive defiance

    Topics Mentioned
    proactive transparency, narrative strategy, crisis communication, alignment signaling, reputational framing, confidence modeling, internal morale, political backlash, institutional autonomy, coalition signaling

    Companies Mentioned
    United Airlines, Harvard University, CBS, CNN, The New York Times, NPR, Columbia University

    Chapters
    00:00 Intro: Newark’s Crisis and Harvard’s Commencement
    00:33 United’s Strategic Transparency at Newark
    03:11 Behind the Scenes at United’s Command Center
    04:45 Confidence through Capability: United’s Reputation Play
    07:05 Risks of the Confidence Tone in Public Messaging
    08:41 Harvard vs. Trump: Alignment Signaling and Coalition Building
    11:23 Garber’s Message Discipline and Strategic Framing
    13:44 Harvard’s Phase Two: Internal Rallying and the Commencement Stage
    15:49 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Validation and Harvard’s Split Screen Strategy
    18:09 The Taco Trade: Will Trump Follow Through?
    20:31 Commencement as Reputational Stagecraft

    Episode Hashtags
    #UnitedAirlines #Harvard #ColumbiaUniversity #CBS #CNN #TheNewYorkTimes #NPR #CrisisCommunication #ReputationManagement #CorporateTransparency #AlignmentSignaling #InstitutionalAutonomy #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork
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    23 mins
  • Breaking Down the 2025 Axios Harris Poll Reputation Rankings

    Breaking Down the 2025 Axios Harris Poll Reputation Rankings
    May 23 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll analyze the 2025 Axios Harris Poll 100 — a comprehensive ranking of corporate reputation based on consumer sentiment. While Tesla’s dramatic fall dominated headlines, Steve and Craig dig deeper into what this year’s results reveal about public trust, market behavior, and the communications strategies that helped companies either rise above the noise or sink beneath it. From the inflation-fueled rise of Trader Joe’s to the reputational resilience of Costco, they break down how chaos, affordability, and authenticity shaped the scoreboard. They also explore the long-term implications of AI optimism, DEI backlash, and CEO overexposure.

    The 2025 Axios Harris Poll 100 reputation rankings:
    https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/axios-harris-poll-company-reputation-ranking

    Takeaways
    • Chaos and inflation were the two dominant forces shaping corporate reputation in 2025.
    • Companies like Trader Joe’s and Costco built trust
    • Elon Musk’s three companies suffered reputational freefall
    • AI companies gained reputational momentum, but early optimism may not translate into long-term trust without aligning with public values.
    • DEI rollbacks haven’t uniformly hurt reputation scores — but backlash-driven declines show timing and media visibility matter.
    Topics Mentioned
    corporate reputation, stakeholder trust, inflation, brand stability, CEO branding, chaos vs. disruption, AI acceleration, DEI backlash, narrative infrastructure, crisis communication, affordability, alignment, corporate values, public perception

    Companies Mentioned
    Tesla, Twitter (X), SpaceX, Trader Joe’s, Patagonia, Microsoft, Toyota, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Arizona Beverage Company, Meta, Target, Walmart, John Deere, IBM, Nvidia, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Ford, General Motors, Blue Sky

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and the Harris Poll’s Significance
    01:04 Reputation Rankings: Who’s Up and Who’s Down
    02:40 The Chaos-Inflation Equation
    04:51 Tesla’s Triple Threat Reputation Crisis
    07:17 CEO Overexposure and Brand Risk
    09:29 Cybertruck and the Myth of Marketing Fixes
    11:53 Twitter and SpaceX: Reputational Flatlines
    13:01 DEI Rollbacks and Reputational Impact
    16:18 Timing, Target, and Agenda-Setting
    18:41 Costco’s Quiet Stand and Communications Paradox
    20:53 Values, Visibility, and Organic Reputation
    23:14 AI Optimism: Microsoft, Nvidia, and the Age of Wonder
    25:40 Meta’s Residue and the Risk of Unlearned Lessons
    27:40 The Acceleration vs. Safety Dilemma
    28:02 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

    Episode Hashtags
    #Tesla #Twitter #SpaceX #TraderJoes #Patagonia #Microsoft #Toyota #Costco #HomeDepot #Lowes #ArizonaBeverage #Meta #Target #Walmart #JohnDeere #IBM #Nvidia #OpenAI #DeepSeek #Ford #GeneralMotors #BlueSky #CorporateReputation #CrisisComms #AIReputation #DEI #BrandStrategy #StakeholderTrust #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork
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    28 mins
  • UnitedHealth Performs CEO Transplant

    UnitedHealth Performs CEO Transplant
    May 16 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll break down the reputational chaos surrounding UnitedHealth’s abrupt CEO departure and the company's spiraling communications strategy. The largest health insurer in the U.S. lost CEO Andrew Witty to a vague “personal reasons” resignation, just as it faces federal investigations, a cybersecurity breach, investor uncertainty, and the shocking assassination of a senior executive. While UnitedHealth installed a familiar face—former CEO Steve Helmsley—to steady the ship, the move exposed deeper storytelling failures. Steve and Craig dissect how defensive language, lack of transparency, and poor tone management have eroded public trust, and they lay out how the company might turn narrative crisis into an opportunity for leadership in the healthcare industry.

    Takeaways
    • A vague “personal reasons” resignation invites speculation and undermines credibility—clarity and context matter on Day One.
    • CEO transitions must serve multiple audiences—investors, employees, regulators, and customers—not just Wall Street.
    • UnitedHealth’s defensive tone and repeated attacks on media coverage signal a siege mentality that worsens perception.
    • Reputational damage doesn’t stem from one crisis but from a sustained narrative void—lack of emotional leadership has been a key failure.
    • The infamous 32% claim denial rate—despite being refuted—stuck because it felt true; UnitedHealth hasn’t presented compelling counter-narratives.
    • Transparency, not rebuttals, is the path forward—owning the industry benchmark role means defining credible standards, not just denying accusations.
    Topics Mentioned
    CEO resignation, corporate reputation, media backlash, DOJ investigations, stakeholder trust, crisis vs. chaos, healthcare communications, narrative strategy, denial rates, transparency, tone management, reputational reset

    Companies Mentioned
    UnitedHealth, Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s, New York TimesChapters00:00 UnitedHealth’s CEO Resigns Amid Chaos

    Chapters
    01:20 A Year of Crisis: Cyber Attacks, Earnings Misses, and Murder
    02:30 DOJ Investigation Adds Fuel to the Fire
    03:40 Solid Transition Optics—but Lacking in Candor
    05:00 The Limits of “Personal Reasons”
    06:30 Helmsley’s Task: Cut Through the Noise
    07:30 Brian Thompson’s Murder and the PR Aftermath
    08:45 Woody’s Messaging Misses the Moment
    10:00 From Empathy to Anger: The Company’s Tone Shift
    11:30 The Denial Rate Controversy: 2% vs. 32%
    13:40 When Data Feels True, Facts Can’t Catch Up
    14:50 Lessons from the $18 Big Mac: Show Your Work
    16:10 UnitedHealth’s Role as Industry Standard-Bearer
    17:45 Crisis or Chaos? It’s a Narrative Environment
    18:40 Missed Public Appearances and Missed Opportunities
    20:00 The Need for Transparency and Forward Motion
    21:25 Resetting the Narrative: Not Just a New Chapter
    22:30 Final Thoughts: From Combative to Credible

    Episode Hashtags
    #UnitedHealth #WallStreetJournal #McDonalds #NewYorkTimes #CEOTransition #HealthcareReputation #CrisisCommunications #NarrativeStrategy #MediaRelations #StakeholderTrust #CorporateAccountability #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork
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    30 mins
  • Target’s Post-Pivot Purgatory

    Target’s Post-Pivot Purgatory
    May 9 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll dissect the reputational fallout from Target's controversial turnabout on diversity. Fourteen weeks after reversing key social commitments, Target finds itself caught between political pressure from the Trump administration and backlash from longtime allies and customers. Steve and Craig break down the retailer's internal memo to employees, assess its effectiveness, and debate whether Target is piloting its way through crisis or simply riding out the storm. Using the ACCESS framework, they explore the fine line between alignment signaling and perceived hypocrisy—and what it takes to restore credibility in today’s symbolic governance landscape.

    Craig’s “ACCESS” framework for alignment signaling
    • A = Acknowledge the environment
    • C = Calibrate public proximity
    • C = Contain the messaging risk
    • E = Engage via policy, not personality
    • S = Signal stakeholder awareness
    • S = Scenario-test the blowback
    Takeaways
    • Target’s reversal on diversity initiatives has led to reputational backlash and falling foot traffic.
    • The company's employee messaging was seen as reactive, vague, and insufficiently accountable.
    • Alignment signaling without credible follow-through risks widening the trust gap.
    • Aspirational talk in corporate communication must lead to tangible action to retain trust.
    • Target’s attempts to stay close to political power may be undermining its internal and brand identity.
    • A values-led course correction, not just messaging, is key to recovering credibility.



    Topics Mentioned
    Diversity, political alignment, ACCESS framework, employee communication, aspirational talk, symbolic governance, stakeholder trust, corporate values, narrative infrastructure, alignment signaling, internal reputation, strategic messaging

    Companies Mentioned
    Target, Costco, Trump Inaugural Committee, Walmart, Home Depot, Minnesota Star Tribune, Ford, Amazon, NBC News, Meta, Facebook

    Chapters
    00:00 Target’s Diversity Dilemma
    02:27 Messaging Misses the Mark
    04:49 Balancing Political and Social Pressures
    07:09 Aspirational Talk vs. Hypocrisy
    09:30 The Risks of Misalignment
    11:55 Time for a Coherent Strategy
    14:21 Strategic Options for Recovery
    16:46 Framing a Narrative Pivot
    19:02 Values in Action vs. Performance Optics
    21:25 Power, Politics, and Public Opinion
    23:46 Breaking with Trump—When and How?
    26:10 Final Thoughts on Symbolic Governance

    Episode Hashtags
    #Target #Costco #Walmart #HomeDepot #Ford #Amazon #Meta #Facebook #DiversityEquityInclusion #CorporateReputation #EmployeeTrust #CrisisCommunications #SymbolicGovernance #LeadershipStrategy #PoliticalRisk #StakeholderEngagement #CorporateNarratives #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork
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    31 mins
  • Trade War Turmoil

    Trade War Turmoil
    May 2 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the implications of Amazon's controversial pricing transparency proposal amidst tariff turmoil affecting the automotive industry. They explore the swift corporate responses from Amazon and major automakers like Ford and GM, highlighting the concept of alignment signaling in corporate communication. The conversation delves into contrasting leadership styles, particularly between Ford's Jim Farley and GM's Mary Barra, and introduces a framework for navigating political pressures in corporate settings. The episode concludes with insights on effective communication strategies for companies facing complex political landscapes.

    Craig’s “ACCESS” framework for alignment signaling:

    A = Acknowledge the environment
    C = Calibrate public proximity
    C = Contain the messaging risk
    E = Engage via policy, not personality
    S = Signal stakeholder awareness
    S = Scenario-test the blowback


    Takeaways
    • Amazon's pricing transparency proposal faced immediate backlash from the White House.
    • The swift response from Amazon illustrates the importance of narrative control.
    • Alignment signaling is crucial for companies to maintain proximity to power without appearing complicit.
    • The framework for alignment signaling includes acknowledging the environment and calibrating public proximity.
    Topics Mentioned
    Amazon, tariffs, automotive industry, corporate communication, alignment signaling, pricing transparency, political pressures, leadership styles

    Companies Mentioned
    Amazon, Temu, Shein, Punchbowl News, White House, CNN, Semaphore, General Motors, Stellantis, Chrysler, Ford, Fox Business, CNBC

    Chapters
    00:00 Amazon's Pricing Transparency Controversy
    03:57 The Impact of Tariffs on the Automotive Industry
    07:45 Alignment Signaling in Corporate Communication
    12:10 Contrasting Leadership Styles: Ford vs. GM
    16:05 Framework for Navigating Political Pressures
    19:55 Final Thoughts on Corporate Communication Strategies

    #Amazon #Ford #GeneralMotors #Stellantis #Tariffs #TradeWar #CorporateReputation #PRStrategy #CrisisComms #AlignmentSignaling #TrumpAdministration #BusinessLeadership #ReputationManagement #MediaRelations #CommsStrategy #SupplyChain #Transparency #EarningsSeason #AutoIndustry #PublicAffairs #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast
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    30 mins
  • Harvard Turns the Tables on Trump

    Harvard Turns the Tables on Trump
    Apr 25 2025
    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss Harvard's bold response to the Trump administration's pressure regarding free speech and academic freedom. They analyze the strategic PR moves made by Harvard, emphasizing the importance of tone, collective action among universities, and the broader implications for higher education and institutional integrity. The conversation highlights how Harvard's principled stand serves as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges.

    Takeaways
    • Harvard's response was a strong defense of its independence.
    • The university's PR strategy effectively reframed the narrative.
    • Acknowledging issues like anti-Semitism can disarm criticism..
    • Harvard's approach contrasts with corporate America's transactional navigation.


    Topics Mentioned
    Harvard, Trump, PR strategy, academic freedom, government overreach, collective action, communication, crisis management, institutional response, higher education

    Companies Mentioned
    Coca-Cola, Columbia University, General Motors, Harvard University, Home Depot, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stellantis, Target, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Minnesota, Walmart

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to the Harvard-Trump Dispute
    02:47 Harvard's Defiant Response and PR Strategy
    06:09 Strength Through Acknowledgment: Addressing Anti-Semitism-
    10:23 The Role of Institutional Gravity in Harvard's Position
    12:43 The Importance of Tone in Communication
    15:31 Linking Language to Consequences
    17:55 Collective Action Among Universities
    20:47 Sustained Messaging Against Government Overreach
    24:30 Contrasting Approaches: Harvard vs. Corporate America
    27:45 Lessons for Other Institutions
    30:11 Final Thoughts on Crisis Communication

    #Harvard #AcademicFreedom #FirstAmendment #ConstitutionalRights #HigherEducation #UniversityIndependence #CrisisCommunication #PublicRelations #CorporateReputation #ChaosManagement #FreeSpeech #DEI #GovernmentOverreach #StrategicCommunication #PRStrategy #LeadershipCommunication #InstitutionalIntegrity #HigherEd #UniversitySupport #CollectiveAction #NarrativeControl #TrumpAdministration #MediaStrategy #StakeholderEngagement #ReputationManagement #CommunicationBreakdown
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    32 mins
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