Networking doesn’t fail because you’re bad at it — it fails because most people were taught to do it wrong.

In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims sits down with award-winning business communication expert Michael A. Forman to break down why surface-level networking keeps professionals stuck — and how authentic communication creates real opportunity, influence, and income.

From his journey as a U.S. Air Force veteran to becoming the author of Networking Unleashed, Michael shares how genuine connection outperforms transactional networking every time — especially in today’s digital, AI-driven world.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:
• Why networking events feel awkward — and how to fix it
• The biggest communication mistakes professionals make
• How to build trust without forcing conversations
• Turning relationships into long-term career leverage
• Why connection, not visibility, drives real success

If you’re tired of “collecting contacts” and ready to build relationships that actually move your career forward — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to network with purpose, confidence, and impact.

Connect with Michael at www.michaelaforman.com or Follow him at www.linkedin.com/in/michaelforman.

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What makes a brand meaningful — not just visible?

In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims sits down with Emmanuel Probst, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Brand Hacks and Assemblage: The Art and Science of Brand Transformation, to break down how today’s most successful brands grow through psychology, culture, and data-driven storytelling.

As Global Lead of Brand Growth and Thought Leadership at Ipsos and an adjunct professor at UCLA, Emmanuel shares:

• Why emotional meaning is the real growth engine behind strong brands

• How data and creativity work together (not against each other)

• The biggest mistakes brands make when trying to stay relevant

• What brand transformation actually looks like in practice

• How PR and communications professionals can align with long-term brand growth

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, PR pro, or brand strategist, this conversation will change how you think about building brands that last — and resonate.

🎧 Tune in for insights that go beyond trends and get to the why behind what works.

🔗 Learn more about Emmanuel’s work at emmanuelprobst.com

RESOURCES + LINKS

Get Brandi’s AI-Powered Tool For Pitching Media ⁠Right Here⁠.

Revamp Your Business Foundation with Our Exact Automation Tool That Streamlines Our Communications From Prospects to Media Bookings in Minutes. ⁠Start For Free⁠.

Ready to stop guessing your PR strategy? The PR Playbook Bootcamp gives you Brandi’s complete step-by-step framework for building consistent media momentum. ⁠Enroll Here⁠.

⁠Sign Up for Our Free Weekly Newsletter⁠ & Get Insights From Brandi Bi-Weekly On All Things Brand Strategy, PR, Business Trends + More.

Drop Us A Review and we’ll Send You ⁠Our 5 Things You Must Have to Be A Media Magnet⁠ FREE (Value $297).

What happens when PR meets automation? In this episode, Brandi Sims sits down with Mady Lanni, PR Lead at Manychat — the tool behind those viral “comment ‘cookie’ and I’ll DM you the recipe” posts blowing up your feed.

From her digital PR roots to building reactive media teams that actually land coverage, Mady shares how PR drives more than awareness — it fuels growth, SEO, and conversion.

🎯 In this episode:

• How PR and SEO work together to skyrocket brand visibility

• The secret to newsjacking without forcing a viral moment

• Using automation to scale relationships (not replace them)

• Building a PR team that’s data-driven and creative

Whether you’re a comms pro, founder, or marketer tired of “PR fluff,” this episode is your playbook for smarter, faster, measurable storytelling.

📍 Recorded in Austin, TX
🎙️ Hosted by Brandi Sims, Founder of Brandinc PR
🔗 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@brandincpr
🎧 Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

RESOURCES + LINKS

Get Brandi’s AI-Powered Tool For Pitching Media ⁠Right Here⁠.

Revamp Your Business Foundation with Our Exact Automation Tool That Streamlines Our Communications From Prospects to Media Bookings in Minutes. ⁠Start For Free⁠.

NEW: Mini-Course — Pitch Like A Pro

Learn how to build your PR foundation step-by-step with Brandi’s exclusive training. Includes templates, checklists, and insider strategies to confidently pitch your brand. ⁠Enroll Now⁠.

⁠Sign Up for Our Free Weekly Newsletter⁠ & Get Insights From Brandi Bi-Weekly On All Things Brand Strategy, PR, Business Trends + More.

Drop Us A Review and we’ll Send You ⁠Our 5 Things You Must Have to Be A Media Magnet⁠ FREE (Value $297).