COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS
Advisor Podcast
Not invited to the table. Required at the table.
That’s my vision for this field. Join me.
Listen in for conversations on strategy, leadership, executive influence, and being a business advisor using the lens of communications to advise.
COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS
ADVISOR
to,Podcast
Not invited to the table. Required at the table.
That’s my vision for this field. Join me.
Listen in for conversations on strategy, leadership, executive influence, and being a business advisor using the lens of communications to advise.
Latest Episode:
Episode 47: Authority. What this Season was Really about.
Episode 47: Authority. What this Season was Really about. In this season finale of the Communications Business Advisor podcast, Tara McDonagh reflects on the themes that shaped the season and what they ultimately revealed about authority in the communications field. What started as a conversation about authority evolved into something much deeper: the hidden dynamics keeping communications leaders stuck, the “helper trap” limiting advancement, and the difference between building a strategy and creating real organizational behavior change. In this episode, Tara explores: Why authority became the defining theme of the season The evolution from “No” → “Partner” → “Authority” as
Recent Episodes:
Episode 47: Authority. What this Season was Really about.
Episode 47: Authority. What this Season was Really about. In this season finale of the Communications Business Advisor podcast, Tara McDonagh reflects on the themes that shaped the season and what they ultimately revealed about authority in the communications field. What started as a conversation about authority evolved into something much deeper: the hidden dynamics keeping communications leaders stuck, the
Episode 46: The Strategy That Isn’t Working
Episode 46: The Strategy That Isn’t Working In this third episode of the strategy series, Tara McDonagh tackles one of the most frustrating realities for communications leaders: you built the communications strategic plan … and it still isn’t working. The issue isn’t always the communications strategy itself. More often, it’s what happens after it’s built. This episode breaks down why
Episode 45: The Strategy That’s Still in Your Head
Episode 45: The Strategy That’s Still in Your Head In this follow-up to the long-term planning conversation, Tara McDonagh tackles a common but critical gap for communications leaders: having a strategy… that only exists in your head. You know where the function needs to go. You’re making decisions based on it every day. But without documenting and aligning it with
Episode 44: Long-Term Planning Is Dead (No, It Isn’t)
Episode 44: Long-Term Planning Is Dead (No, It Isn’t) Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara tackles a narrative that’s gaining traction in the field: that long-term planning no longer works in today’s constantly shifting environment. Her take is clear. That thinking is not only incorrect, it’s risky. While volatility is
Episode 43: Thinking Alone has a Leadership Ceiling
Episode 43: Thinking alone has a leadership ceiling Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara explores what happens when you’re not in the right room — and how the right room can completely change your thinking, decisions, and authority. Building on recent conversations about isolation and helpfulness, this episode focuses on
Episode 42: When Helpfulness Becomes a Career Ceiling
Episode 42: When Helpfulness Becomes a Career Ceiling Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this solo episode, Tara explores a counterintuitive pattern she sees repeatedly in her work with communications leaders: many talented communicators don’t stall in their careers because they’re underperforming. They stall because they’ve become exceptionally good at being helpful. Helpfulness
Episode 41: When Everything Feels Heavy, You Might Need More
Episode 41: When Everything Feels Heavy, You Might Need More Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor podcast. In this solo episode, Tara shares an update, perspective, and invitation. Because right now, if there’s one way to describe the collective experience of communications leaders, it’s this … it’s a lot. The world feels heavy. The mental swivel factor is high.
Episode 40: Path to CCO+ with Laura Duda
Episode 40: Path to CCO+ with Laura Duda Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host, Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara continues the Path to CCO+ series with Laura Duda, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Goodyear. Laura shares what it really means to lead communications at the enterprise level, how she built her path from
Episode 39: Path to CCO with Anthony Farina
Episode 39: Path to CCO with Anthony Farina Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara sits down with Anthony Farina, a seasoned global communications leader whose career spans journalism, government, and corporate communications at the highest levels. Anthony currently leads Corporate Communications for Fujifilm in the Americas and previously served as Chief
Episode 38: Communicators’ Word for 2026
Episode 38: Communicators’ Word for 2026 Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara opens the new season with a declaration — not a trend forecast or resolution — naming the official word for communications professionals in 2026: authority. Building on last year’s word, no, Tara explains why the moment has shifted. While
Tara McDonagh
Your Expert Advisor & Comms Strategist
I’ve spent nearly 30 years changing how the communications function is understood, engaged, and used at some of the world’s largest companies.
That’s what this work is built on.
When Communications is finally engaged at the level it deserves, the whole business benefits. I’ve seen the ripple effect firsthand, and it’s what I want for every Comms leader and team I work with.
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