Episodes

What does it take to perform under extraordinary pressure while protecting your reputation and mental health? How do you remain authentic when the world is watching, and what can business leaders learn from the discipline, resilience and teamwork of elite athletes? In this episode of Just Curious..., Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard welcome three-time Olympian and European sprint champion Adam Gemili to explore the realities of professional sport, the pressures of public scrutiny and the imp...

What does it take to turn childhood adversity into strength, purpose and lasting social impact? How can sport, mentoring and the intervention of just one trusted adult change the trajectory of a young person’s life? And what responsibility do individuals, businesses and communities have to ensure children leaving the care system are given the opportunity not simply to survive, but to thrive? In the second part of our deeply personal conversation with Olympic legend Fatima Whitbread MBE, she tel...

What happens when a childhood defined by abandonment, institutional care and trauma becomes the foundation for extraordinary resilience? How can one caring adult change the direction of a child’s life? And what needs to change to ensure that young people leaving care are given the support, stability and opportunities they need to thrive? In this very special episode of Just Curious, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard talk to sporting icon Fatima Whitbread MBE about the experiences that shaped ...

Corporate communications has moved from a service function to a place at the leadership table. But what does it take to become a trusted adviser to the C-suite? How should communications leaders prepare for crises they cannot predict, prove their value when prevention is invisible, and use AI for more than producing content? In this episode of Just Curious, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard speak to global communications leader and author Tabita Andersson about her book, Chief Communica...

How can brands tell complex stories in ways that genuinely move people? What does creative drama offer that conventional articles and social posts cannot? And, as artificial intelligence reshapes media, how can storytellers embrace new technology without losing empathy, judgement and human connection? In this episode of Just Curious, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard speak to Juliet Riddell, Head of New Formats at the Financial Times and the creative force behind its Standpoint series. ...

How do leaders build trust when technology, work and consumer behaviour are changing at speed? What does AI really mean for knowledge workers, and how can brands remain human when more of their customer experience is mediated by machines? In a world of high-frequency change, the challenge is not simply to predict the future, but to understand what is changing, what is not, and where communications leaders should place their energy. In this episode of Just Curious…, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and Ge...

How do you maintain trust when the media landscape is changing around you? What can leaders learn from artists, journalists and people whose perspectives are too often overlooked? And how can authenticity, curiosity and professionalism help someone build a reputation that survives setbacks, reinvention and public scrutiny? In this episode of Just Curious, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard speak to broadcaster, journalist and cultural leader Brenda Emmanus OBE about her distinguished car...

Digital identity is becoming one of the defining trust issues of modern life. Who should own our personal data? How can children be protected online without creating new privacy risks? And what does it really take for a technology brand to earn public trust when it handles some of the most sensitive information we possess? In this episode of Just Curious, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard speak to Robin Tombs, co-founder and CEO of Yoti, the global digital identity platform. Robin expla...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping public relations faster than many practitioners expected. But what happens when the industry built on human relationships, creativity and instinct suddenly has to navigate governance, data literacy and machine collaboration? How can communications professionals embrace AI without losing the critical thinking and emotional intelligence that define great PR? And as generative engine optimisation transforms visibility online, are agencies and brands prepared for...

Naga Munchetty is a hugely respected household name in the UK, anchoring BBC Breakfast as well as presenting BBC Five Live. In this episode, Naga joins George and Nicky for an unflinching conversation about journalism, communication and the women’s health crisis. Naga reflects on her unconventional route into journalism, which has spanned a career across Reuters, CNBC, Bloomberg and the BBC. She shares how curiosity, analytical rigour and the discipline of asking the right questions have shaped...

In the last year there has been a growing backlash against DEI. As a result of political narratives and media framing, and as the language around DEI shifts, there is a risk that leaders are distracted from the real business value of inclusion. In this episode of Just Curious..., hosts George Blizzard and Nicky Regazzoni are joined by Koray Camgöz, CEO of the Taylor Bennett Foundation, to explore the evolving conversation around diversity, inclusion and business performance in the communication...

The world of work is changing rapidly, and leaders have to understand not only how it’s changing but how to adapt to accommodate this transformation. In this episode of Just Curious..., hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by Isabel Berwick, one of the UK’s leading voices on work, leadership and the future of the workplace. Drawing on years of interviews with global business leaders and her book The Future-Proof Career, she explores the leadership traits that matter most today, ...

Angeline Murimirwa grew up as a subsistence farmer’s daughter in rural Zimbabwe to become a TIME 100 honouree and Africa Education Medal winner. She is now Chief Executive Officer of CAMFED, a pan-African movement supporting girls to go to school and become influential leaders and changemakers, and one of the world’s leading voices on girls’ education and social justice. In this episode of Just Curious…, Angeline shares her own deeply personal story that sits at the heart of CAMFED’s mission wi...

In this episode of 'Just Curious...' from The PR Network, we unpack the findings of ‘People, Pressure and Purpose’, a new report exploring the realities of international public relations. Hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard sit down with communications advisor and researcher Stephen Waddington and Matt Stewart, Vice President of Communications at Sysco Corporation. The discussion dives into critical issues such as burnout, blurred work-life boundaries and the need for leadership that mode...

With more than 25 years’ communications experience, Gina Sheibley is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected communications leaders. She’s a huge believer in the power of human connection, and argues that emotional intelligence, curiosity and courage will always matter more than perfection. And that this is especially true in an age increasingly defined by AI. In this episode of Just Curious..., hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard talk to Gina, now Chief Communications Officer at Workday, ...

AI has evolved from a futuristic concept into an essential business tool, and its implementation is now as much about reputation and ethics as it is about technology. In this episode of Just Curious..., hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard talk to one of the UK’s leading voices in artificial intelligence, Katie King, about the role of communicators in AI adoption. Author and international consultant Katie advises global organisations on business transformation and ethical AI adoption. She ...

In this episode of Just Curious…, hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by Hannah Vaughan Jones, former Sky News and CNN anchor and now a media consultant and moderator working with global leaders and organisations. Hannah shares her journey from political studies at Nottingham to a high-profile career in journalism, covering landmark events such as royal weddings, general elections and the Manchester Arena bombing. She opens up about the emotional toll of broadcasting during nati...

In 2009, Harlequins rugby player Tom Williams was banned from the sport for his role in the infamous "Bloodgate" scandal, one of the most shocking incidents in professional rugby history. In this episode of Just Curious…, Tom opens up about his involvement to hosts Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard, recounting the win-at-all-costs culture that led to his participation in faking a blood injury to manipulate a substitution. He reflects candidly on the long-lasting personal, emotional, and profes...

In this episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard talk to Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Rain shares her remarkable journey from economist to one of the UK’s most influential business leaders, and reflects on the CBI’s role in supporting British business through the pandemic, driving the net zero agenda, and shaping the UK’s economic future. The show explores the power of collective action, the importance of international t...

In this insightful episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by communications industry veteran David Gallagher for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation. With over 30 years of global agency experience, including senior leadership roles at Ketchum and Omnicom, David brings a wealth of perspective on the evolution of PR, the challenges facing the industry today, and the opportunities ahead. David discusses his shift from large agency life to co-founding...

In this inspiring episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by TV chef, author and co-founder of HelloFresh, Patrick Drake.Patrick’s entrepreneurial journey has taken him from scrubbing cars on a council estate to revolutionising global food and wellness habits, and he shares how his early drive for independence shaped his approach to business. From launching HelloFresh in a London living room to building his latest venture, Autonomy, a disruptive wellness brand b...

In this episode of Just Curious…, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by Effie Kanyua, a leading figure in UK PR and media, and the first black female comms leader at a major publishing house. Effie reflects on her 25-year career, from her early days at the BBC to senior roles in top agencies and in-house at Bauer and Hearst UK. She shares insights on navigating cross-market campaigns, the evolution of the media industry, and the increasing role of AI in communications. Effie discuss...

In this engaging and wide-ranging episode of “Just Curious…”, Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard are joined by Zoe Melarkey, Head of Communications at Ocado Retail, to explore the evolving world of consumer brand PR. With over 25 years of experience in both agency and in-house roles, Zoe reflects on her dynamic career working with major UK brands including Purplebricks, npower, MFI, and Ocado. From nostalgic tales of early internet days at Berkeley Communications, to leading multi-channel campa...

In this episode of Just Curious…, George Blizzard and Nicky Regazzoni sit down with Andrew Bloch, one of the most influential figures in the PR and marketing industry. Co-founder of the iconic Frank PR and now a consultant, non-exec, and M&A adviser, Andrew shares insights from his 30-year career, spanning agency life, brand building, talent management, and high-profile client representation, including his long-standing role as Lord Sugar’s spokesperson. Andrew reflects on his early beginnings ...