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PODCAST

The PIO Podcast

Robert Tornabene

The PIO Podcast is a platform for Public Information Officers (PIO"s) and Public Affairs Officers (PAO"s) in public sector organizations, including Police, Fire, EMS, FEMA, state, local, and federal government organizations. The podcast aims to facilitate learning, growth, and discussion of issues that PIO"s/PAO"s may encounter within their profession. If you would like to support the podcast and connect with other PIO"s/PAO"s, please email us at thepiopodcast@gmail.com.

society & culture relationships

All Episodes

49:31

S5 - E42: Jeffrey Wenninger - Law Enforcement...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/10/29

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Jeff Wenninger, a retired LAPD officer and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, shares his unique journey into policing, influenced by personal experiences and a desire to improve law enforcement practices. He discusses the insular mindset prevalent in police departments, the need for reimagining policing beyond mere reform, and the importance of community trust and transparency. We will discuss Jeff's latest book, "On Thin Ice." Wenninger emphasi...

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38:16

S5 - E41: Erin Stillwagon - PIO - Garden City Fire...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/10/22

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Erin Stillwagon, the Public Information Officer for the Garden City Fire Department. Erin shares her unexpected journey into the role of PIO, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, especially with children, to foster a positive relationship between the fire department and the public. She discusses the strategies used in social media to communicate effectively, without highlighting tragedies, i...

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35:50

S5 - E40: Tiffany Muehlbauer - CEO - Arma Communications

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/10/15

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Tiffany Muehlbauer, CEO of ARMA Communications, discusses the importance of proactive communication strategies for public sector organizations. She introduces the Pool Theory, which emphasizes the need for consistent community engagement to build trust and visibility before a crisis occurs. Tiffany provides practical advice for Public Information Officers (PIOs) on shifting from reactive to proactive communication, building relationships with skeptical...

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34:20

S5 - E39: Drew Anderson - PIO - Bellevue PD (WA)

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/10/08

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Drew Anderson, the Public Information Officer for the Bellevue Police Department, shares his unique journey from political operative to PIO. He discusses the importance of community engagement in a diverse city like Bellevue, the challenges faced during crisis communications, and the strategies employed to effectively communicate with the public. Drew emphasizes the significance of preparation, media training for law enforcement, and...

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35:27

S5 - E38 Matthew Oleniuk - Risk Insider

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/10/01

Send us a text In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Matthew Oleniuk, a risk strategist, about the complexities of project management in the public sector. Matthew shares his extensive background in risk and audit, highlighting the challenges faced by public sector projects, particularly the infamous Phoenix project. The conversation explores the significance of communication, the role of Public Information Officers (PIOs), and the necessity of proactive leadership i...

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56:10

S5- E37: John Pope, PIO Newport Beach, CA

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/09/24

Send us a text In this episode, John Pope, the Public Information Officer for Newport Beach, shares his journey from journalism to public relations within government agencies. He discusses his daily responsibilities, the unique challenges of communicating in a diverse community, and the importance of transparency and effective communication strategies. John also highlights the significance of crisis communication, media relations, and the tools he uses to engage with the public. He reflects o...

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47:15

S4 - E36; Parth Shah, CEO, Polimorphic

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Send us a text Summary In this episode, Parth Shah, CEO of Polimorphic, discusses the transformative role of AI in government communications and public service. He shares insights from his background in civic technology and the challenges faced by public agencies in managing communications, public records, and community engagement. Parth emphasizes the importance of AI in enhancing customer service, addressing misinformation, and improving accessibility for diverse populations. He also highl...

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35:02

S5 - E35: Cmdr. Michael Shaw - Michigan State Police

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/09/10

Send us a text In this episode of the PIO podcast, Commander Mike Shaw of the Michigan State Police shares his extensive experience in law enforcement and the evolution of public information officers (PIOs). He discusses the importance of adapting to technological changes, the structure of the communications division, and the challenges faced by PIOs in modern policing. Mike emphasizes the need for community engagement and the role of social media in disseminating information. He also touches...

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40:47

S5 - E34: Jennifer Hillman PIO Thompson Valley EMS, CO

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Send us a text Summary In this episode, Robert Tornabene interviews Jennifer Hillmann, the Director of Communications for Thompson Valley EMS. Jennifer shares her journey into the field of communications, her experiences as a public information officer (PIO), and the importance of calm communication during crises. She discusses the role of social media in emergency management, the integration of AI tools in communications, and the future of PIOs in a tech-savvy world. Jennifer emphasizes the ...

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39:53

S5 - E33: Carla Burr - PIO - Amarilla PD, TX

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/08/27

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Sergeant Carla Burr from the Amarillo Police Department shares her extensive journey in law enforcement, detailing her transition from dispatcher to Public Information Officer. She discusses the department's structure, the importance of community engagement through social media, and her experiences working with local media. Carla also highlights the challenges of handling missing persons cases and the value of podcasting for ra...

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48:48

S5 - #32: Jen Longaecker, Deputy Communications...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/08/20

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Jen Longaecker, the Deputy Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, shares her unique journey from journalism to public safety communications. She discusses the challenges faced during the 2020 civil unrest, the importance of social media in crisis management, and the strategies employed to engage the community and recruit new law enforcement personnel. Jen emphasizes the significance of storytelling in ...

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39:39

S5 - E 31: Meeghan Black, Public Information Officer,...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/08/13

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Megan Black, the Public Information Officer for the Renton Police Department. Megan shares her journey from a long career in broadcast journalism to her current role in law enforcement communications. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the role of crime analysis in effective communication, and the significance of storytelling in law enforcement. Megan emphasizes the need for transparency...

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54:25

Special Edition Episode#3: Chief of Police Tom...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/08/08

Send us a text In this episode, retired Chief of Police Thomas Weitzel discusses his extensive career in law enforcement, the challenges posed by the Safety Act in Illinois, and the implications for policing and community safety. He emphasizes the need for proactive policing, the importance of maintaining high standards for officers, and the role of social media in shaping public perception. Weitzel also addresses the impact of recent youth crime incidents and the necessity for transparency a...

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32:05

S5 - E 30: Brent Patterson, PIO - Madison County...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/08/06

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Brent Patterson, the Public Information Officer and Media Relations Director at the Madison County Sheriff's Department in Huntsville, Alabama. Brent shares his unique journey from law enforcement to becoming a PIO, discussing the challenges and responsibilities of the role, the importance of social media in law enforcement, and the impact of AI on public relations. He emphasizes the need for transpar...

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33:53

S5 - E29: Leah Tedesco - Social Simulator

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/07/30

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Leah Tedesco, a senior consultant at Social Simulator, discusses the importance of crisis communication preparedness and the role of Public Information Officers (PIOs) in crisis management. She explains how Social Simulator's platform replicates various communication channels to train organizations in effectively handling crises. Leah highlights the challenges posed by misinformation and the need for PIOs to adapt to new technologies, including artific...

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61:24

S5 - E28: Sam Toles - Civic Social

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/07/23

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this conversation, Sam Toles from Civic Social discusses the innovative approach of empowering Public Information Officers (PIOs) in local governments to effectively engage with their communities through social media. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, strategic planning, and the need for a modern approach to communication that resonates with younger audiences. Toles shares insights on navigating social media algorithms, the significance of platfo...

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25:16

S5 - E27: Amy Maxwell, PIO Hamilton County Office of...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/07/16

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Amy Maxwell, the public relations manager for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Amy shares her journey from working in cardiology to emergency management, detailing her responsibilities as the sole public information officer. She discusses her daily tasks, including managing social media, community engagement, and crisis communication. Amy also highlights the imp...

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26:03

S5 - E26: Amanda Schoepp, Digital Content Editor,...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/07/09

Send us a text Summary: In this episode, Amanda Schoepp, a digital content editor at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, discusses her role in enhancing website copy and transitioning from journalism to content editing. She shares insights on common mistakes made in media releases, the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing, and the differences between content marketing and digital marketing. The conversation concludes with Amanda's reflections and wisdom on letting go of control. Amand...

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33:22

S5 - E25: Jamie Sacco, PIO, City of Shawnee

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/07/02

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Jamie Sacco, the Public Information Officer for Shawnee, Oklahoma. Jamie shares her journey from working in news to becoming a PIO, discussing her role's unique challenges and opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, effective communication strategies, and the need for a proactive approach in addressing local issues such as homelessness and the opioid crisis. Jamie also hi...

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30:41

S5 - E24: Juliet Casey, Director of Marketing -Los...

The PIO Podcast ·

2025/06/25

Send us a text Episode Summary: In this episode, Robert Tornabene interviews Juliet Casey, the Director of Marketing and Media Design at Los Medanos College. They discuss Juliet's transition from journalism to public information, the importance of accuracy and accountability in communication, and the impact of community engagement. Juliet shares her experiences in recruitment strategies for community colleges, the challenges faced in public information roles, and her thoughts on the role of A...

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219 results

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