On today’s podcast, I have the opportunity to speak with blogger and social media consultant, Lizzie Benson. Together, we discuss feeling burnt out from work; why it happens, how to prevent it and how to come back after a burn out. &nbsp;   Lizzie is an active blogger and owner of OctoberJune.com and blogs extensively. She is also a freelance social media consultant and understands what it is to be burnt out. As such, she has developed techniques to help avoid the stress and frustration of burnout. Listen in as she shares her insights on how to bounce back after experiences work and career burnout. &nbsp; &nbsp;   Topics:&nbsp;&nbsp;   The definition of burnout&nbsp; Lizzie’s burnout and how she dealt with it&nbsp; Scheduling personal time&nbsp; Putting back-up systems in place when you need a break&nbsp; Taking breaks and why “Netflix &amp; Chill” isn’t enough&nbsp; Finding inspiration and avoid comparison&nbsp; Remaining persistent &nbsp;   &nbsp;   Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;   OctoberJune.com&nbsp;    Lizzie on Pinterest&nbsp;   Lizzie on Twitter&nbsp;   Lizzie on Instagram&nbsp;   Pitching PR on iTunes&nbsp;   Pitching PR Website&nbsp;   Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram&nbsp;&nbsp;   Quotes:&nbsp;&nbsp;   “I think the biggest [consequence of burnout] is complete lack of energy for personal projects.” –Lizzie &nbsp;&nbsp;   “Life runs so much more smoothly if you stick to a schedule.” –Lizzie &nbsp;&nbsp;   “Take a break. Sometimes you just have to,” -Lizzie &nbsp;&nbsp;

009: How to Come Back From a Burn Out

On today’s episode, my guest Lorna Freeman and I discuss the strategic role music can play in public affairs. Lorna is an Account Director at Environics Communications in Toronto, working in branding strategy and has incorporated music in her campaigns for years. Music and song has been used strategically in US presidential elections since the campaign of John Adams in 1800. Using music effectively can be a great PR tactic, but using it incorrectly can backfire and even cause legal issues. Join us as we discuss the relationship between music and PR, both historically and today. &nbsp;   Topics:&nbsp;&nbsp;   Lorna’s background and love of music&nbsp; Music as a marketing tool&nbsp; Pros and cons of original compositions vs. popular music&nbsp;&nbsp; Best practices of political campaigns using music&nbsp; Music as political protest&nbsp; Wrong Notes: Poor song choices in politics&nbsp; Licensing in US and Canada&nbsp; Artist endorsement and PR &nbsp;   Resources:&nbsp; &nbsp;   Lorna Freeman&nbsp;&nbsp;   Environics Communications&nbsp;    Pitching PR Mainpage&nbsp; &nbsp;   Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram&nbsp;&nbsp;   &nbsp;Pitching PR on iTunes&nbsp; &nbsp;   Quotes:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;   “Using a song intentionally, and NOT using a song intentionally, has meaning.” - Lesley Luce &nbsp;   “The way people are reacting to you and the music, becomes part of the news cycle.” - Lorna Freeman &nbsp;   “Artists deserve to be compensated” - Lesley Luce&nbsp;

011: Pop For Politics Creating a Political Brand with Music

On today’s episode, I sit down with Emotional Wellness Coach, Barbara Erochina, about creating a compassionate workplace. The issue of compassion has risen to the forefront as new research suggests that compassionate workplaces increase employee satisfaction and loyalty. We discuss ways to be a compassionate leader and how to create an office environment where compassion encourages high performance and innovation. &nbsp;   Barbara combines psychiatric studies with life-coaching techniques to help people using her own approach to emotional well-being. Barbara also created the BeWith Self-Care Cards for her client’s as a tool to help them live a more compassion live towards themselves and others. &nbsp;   Topics:&nbsp;&nbsp;   Why compassion and self-care has been rising to the forefront&nbsp;  Benefits of being a compassionate leader&nbsp; How compassion encourages risk-taking and innovation&nbsp;  Compassion vs. Sympathy&nbsp; The rewards of compassionate leadership&nbsp;  Managing the fear of failure at work&nbsp; How compassion breeds empathy for others&nbsp; How the process of change affects workers&nbsp; The power hierarchy and how it affects office atmosphere&nbsp;  Encouraging a healthy office environment &nbsp;   This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based firm, whose goal is to provide quality graphic designs for Public Relations. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form. &nbsp;   Links and Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;    BeWith Homepage&nbsp;   Barbara Erochina Coaching&nbsp;   BeWith Cards&nbsp;   BeWith on Facebook&nbsp;   BeWith on Instagram&nbsp;   Pitching PR Mainpage&nbsp;   Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram&nbsp;&nbsp;   Quotes:&nbsp;&nbsp;   “Self-compassion is just that first step of acknowledging something is hard.” -Barbara Erochina &nbsp;&nbsp;   “She wrote herself a letter of forgiveness…and it offered her the comfort that she needed to think about the next steps without that kind of harsh self-judgement.”-Barbara Erochina &nbsp;&nbsp;   “One of the beautiful things about self-compassion…is that self-compassion automatically builds empathy for others.” -Barbara Erochina&nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;

012: How To Be A Compassionate Leader

Today’s podcast is about navigating maternity leave and your PR career and is cohosted by Jordana Wolch from Environics Communications in Toronto. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a team to launch a PR campaign – so motherhood has a lot in common with PR. But adjusting to your new role as a mother and your role as a PR professional can be a challenge – I’ve heard toddlers are the most demanding clients! So we asked 15 PR Professionals who have had one or multiple maternity leaves to share their stories, wisdom and provide insight on how they navigated their PR careers and maternity leaves. Join us as we read their responses and draw on the experiences from a village of PR moms. &nbsp;   Topics:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;    Overview of Canadian maternity leave benefits&nbsp;  Jordana’s experience returning to work after maternity leave&nbsp; Tips for telling your employer about the pregnancy&nbsp;  Dealing with morning sickness and your pregnancy at work&nbsp;  Common concerns about returning to work&nbsp;&nbsp;  Professional development while on mat leave&nbsp;  Advice for returning to work and balancing (or not balancing) it all &nbsp;   Resources:&nbsp; &nbsp;   Jordana Wolch - LinkedIn&nbsp;   &nbsp;   Environics Communications&nbsp;   &nbsp;    Pitching PR Mainpage&nbsp;&nbsp;   &nbsp;   Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram&nbsp;&nbsp;   &nbsp;   Pitching PR on iTunes&nbsp;&nbsp;   &nbsp;   Quotes:&nbsp; &nbsp;   “For me, the anticipation of going back to work was way worse than actually going back to work. ” - Jordana Wolch&nbsp;   &nbsp;   “Somedays you feel like you’re owning it and doing such a good job, and some days it all comes crashing down. You have to allow yourself to not be perfect for everyone, everyday.” -Jordana Wolch&nbsp;

013: Maternity Leave and your PR Career

Today’s podcast is the first in a two-part series about the key learnings from professionals who have started their own agencies. I sit down with three of the five small business owners and get into what they’ve learned, the importance of these discoveries, and how others can implement these ideas. &nbsp;   Aly Tsourounis, the first interviewee, started Hank PR over a year ago and specializes in consumer PR. She has also worked in PR for nine years. I also speak with Erin Richard of Hype PR, which she calls a “virtual agency”; Erin employs one full time worker and relies on a team of freelance employees. Finally, I talk to Laurie Weir of Next PR, which is in its infancy, as it was started less than a year ago. Laurie worked at various agencies for fourteen years before deciding she wanted to strike out on her own. Join me as I delve into the successes and pitfalls of running your own PR agency with these engaging women. &nbsp;&nbsp;   Topics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Making connections&nbsp;  Learning when to say, “No”&nbsp;  Having a can-do attitude&nbsp;  Finding your niche&nbsp;  Employing freelancers to build up your small business&nbsp;  “Proceeding with caution” when your name is on the line&nbsp;  Remembering to listen&nbsp;  Tracking your time&nbsp;  Finding a trustworthy accountant who understands small business&nbsp;  Operating with transparency&nbsp;  Defining your brand &nbsp;   This podcast is courtesy of Pitch Graphic Design, a Toronto based firm, whose goal is to provide quality graphic designs for Public Relations. If you would like to get in touch with Pitch, please fill out the contact form. &nbsp;    Links and Resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;   PR Couture Website&nbsp;   Hank PR Website&nbsp;   Hype PR Website&nbsp;   Next PR Instagram&nbsp;   Next PR Twitter&nbsp;   The East Room&nbsp;   Pitching PR Mainpage&nbsp;   Pitch Graphic Design on Instagram&nbsp;&nbsp;   Quotes:&nbsp;&nbsp;   “Connections are everything. For those of us that work in PR…it’s our bread and butter.” -Aly Tsourounis &nbsp;&nbsp;   “When you become your own business owner, you can also get bogged down in the strategic growth of your business…so it is important to remember to stay on the front lines.” -Leslie Luce &nbsp;&nbsp;   “I found it really, really beneficial to invest up front in a really good designer.” -Laurie Weir&nbsp;

014: 5 Experts 5 Insights - Part One

Join host Lesley Luce as she cuts through the jargon and puts a new spin on the PR industry. In each episode, we interview experts who have made their mark in Public Relations, Social Media and creative industries and share their insight for taking your career to the next level. Find out more at pitchgraphicdesign.com

Pitching PR Podcast