There’s a moment in every internal communicator’s career when you sit back and think: Haven’t we been here before? Another values deck, another “seat at the table” debate, another tool promising to fix the line manager comms puzzle. It can feel like déjà vu — the same old track playing on repeat.
That’s exactly why we created The Stuck Record, a brand new podcast from the EX Space team. It’s a space to laugh at the quirks of our profession, reflect honestly on why internal comms often feels stuck, and — most importantly — explore how we can change the groove.
From book to broadcast
The podcast builds directly from our upcoming Kogan Page book, People First Internal Communication. In it, we set out why IC has lost its way, how it became too process-driven and expert-led, and why it needs to rediscover its people-first roots. But a book can only take the conversation so far.
The Stuck Record gives us room to explore those ideas out loud. To test them against our own experiences (the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre!) And to invite others to join in — because IC has always been at its best when it’s a conversation, not a monologue.
A podcast for people, not gurus
Between us (Emma and Lee), we’ve spent over 60 years in IC. We’ve seen it evolve from newsletters and intranets to Teams channels and AI-driven platforms. We’ve been burnt out by it and inspired by it. We’ve disagreed with each other, but we’ve also laughed a lot — because if you can’t laugh at the absurdities of corporate life, you’ll probably cry.
That mix — structured and unstructured, serious and playful, critical and hopeful — is exactly what shapes The Stuck Record. This isn’t another “best practice” series or a platform for gurus. It’s about truth-telling. About helping IC pros feel seen, heard, and part of a bigger shift.
What you’ll hear
Each episode follows a mixtape-style format, blending stories, provocations, and practical ideas. We’ll share moments when the job left us stuck, and the lessons that helped us find a new groove. We’ll talk about:
- Why internal comms still gets stuck in the same old conversations.
- How moving from “expert” to “people-first” changes everything.
- The new superpowers IC pros need to thrive in the future.
- Why campaigns are broken — and how experiences might be the answer.
- The role of AI, and what it means for human connection at work.
- And ultimately, how we can all start “changing the record.”
Think of it less like a lecture and more like sitting down with a couple of colleagues who’ve been around the block, swapping war stories and fresh ideas.
Why it matters
Internal communication has never been more important — or more at risk of being misunderstood. Leaders want it to drive culture, employees want it to feel meaningful, and technology wants to automate it. Somewhere in that mix, the human heart of IC often gets lost.
The Stuck Record is about putting people back at the centre. It’s about remembering that IC is about creating belonging, sparking trust, and shaping experiences that help organisations thrive.
Drop the needle
So if you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in a loop at work, if you’ve ever rolled your eyes at another round of corporate déjà vu, or if you’re just curious about how IC could sound different — The Stuck Record is for you.
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