Great communicators aren’t born—they’re made.

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke chats with Dr. Louise Mahler, an expert in leadership communication, about the art of presence, authenticity, and confidence. With a background in business and opera, Louise brings a unique perspective to what makes a great communicator—and why government professionals need to master these skills.

Louise shares practical techniques to improve public speaking, from voice control and body language to storytelling and audience engagement. She explains the power of the "rule of three", how to structure compelling messages, and why good communication starts with breathing and body awareness.

Whether you’re presenting to stakeholders, leading a team, or engaging the public, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you command attention and build trust. If you want to captivate, connect, and communicate with impact, this is the masterclass you need.

• Gravitas builds trust through presence, authenticity, and confidence.
• Strong delivery relies on voice, body language, and gestures.
• The rule of three makes messages clear and memorable.
• Overcome self-doubt with mantras and better posture.
• Storytelling, humour, and connection keep audiences engaged.
• Breathing and structure improve communication impact.

• Website | Louise Mahler
• Gravitas | Louise Mahler
• The 5 Canons of Classical Rhetoric | ThoughtCo
• The Rule of 3 | Leadership Garden
• GovComms Podcast | Blog

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Governments generate endless information, but so much of it goes unseen. So, how do we turn it into content people actually care about?

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke chats with Heather Lansdowne, a leader in transforming social media in government. As the social media manager at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Heather and her team are turning heads in the government space, proving that data can be engaging, relatable, and even fun. She’s helped reshape how agencies communicate, bringing bold ideas and engaging content to the table. Her fresh approach connects with audiences in ways traditional comms never could.

From navigating government approvals to making stats go viral, Heather shares how agencies can rethink their content strategy. She talks about building trust with leadership, using humour to engage audiences, and why governments need to act more like digital publishers. Whether you're a social media pro or a government communicator looking to push boundaries, this episode is full of insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you create content that truly connects.

• Making government content engaging by turning reports into stories.
• Building trust with leadership to get buy-in for social strategies.
• Using humour to make statistics fun and relatable.
• Navigating approvals while staying compliant.
• Exploring social media trends in government.
• Showcasing ABS’s social media success.

• Data Release Calendar | ABS
• Graphic Design App | Canva
• Social media | ABS
• GovComms Podcast | Blog

A transcript of this episode can be found here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buckle up for an episode packed with creativity, innovation, and a bit of storytelling magic!

In this first GovComms Podcast of 2025, David Pembroke sits down with Andrew Parsons, a communication powerhouse with a knack for turning challenges into storytelling gold. From his humble beginnings as a cameraman to transforming public sector communication strategies, Andrew’s career is proof that creativity thrives when bold ideas meet action.

Step into the evolving world of public sector content as Andrew reveals how he built massive social media followings, pioneered video content, and ran communication teams like newsrooms—fast, fearless, and focused. He’ll also share why 2025 is the year for governments to embrace new technology, leverage podcasts, and connect with citizens like never before.

Packed with practical tips and fresh perspectives, this episode will leave you inspired to level up your content strategy.

• Turning challenges into powerful stories.
• Why 2025 is the perfect time to rethink your content strategy.
• The secret to building trust and support for bold communication ideas.
• Running comms teams like newsrooms—speed and creativity in action.
• Andrew’s journey from behind the camera to leading communication innovation.

• Water’s Edge – The Podcast | IGWC
• GovComms Podcast | Blog

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