My Journey to The Community Studio: From Feeling Unheard to Redefining Workplace Communication
For over 25 years, I worked my way up from an administrative assistant to an executive assistant, navigating a variety of industries—from finance to manufacturing. Across all these sectors, one thing remained consistent: the rigid command-and-control leadership structures that defined the workplace. Employees were expected to follow directives, adapt to company culture without question, and rarely, if ever, had a platform to contribute meaningfully to the conversations shaping the organization.
The Problem: When Employees Feel Like a Number
Looking back, I remember how it felt to be just another cog in the machine. Communication in these environments was top-down, impersonal, and disengaging. Leaders spoke, employees listened. Questions were rarely encouraged, and genuine dialogue between management and employees was almost nonexistent. Town halls and corporate updates were designed to inform, not to involve.
I can recall many times when I had valuable insights or ideas but felt there was no space for them to be heard. It wasn’t just me—colleagues around me felt the same. Employees wanted to contribute, to share their thoughts, to understand the ‘why’ behind decisions. But the message was clear: speak only when spoken to.
When communication becomes a one-way street, employees disengage. They stop feeling invested in the company’s success, not because they don’t care, but because they don’t see how their voices matter.
The Shift: The Rare Moments of True Leadership
Amidst these rigid structures, there were rare exceptions—leaders who broke the mold, who believed in transparency, and who genuinely listened. These managers didn’t just give orders; they invited discussion, made space for ideas, and showed their employees that they mattered.
I thrived in those environments. It was in those moments that I realized the profound impact of open, human-centered communication in the workplace. When employees are heard, they contribute more. When leadership is accessible, employees feel valued. And when communication is a two-way street, organizations don’t just function—they flourish.
But those moments were few and far between. And as I gained experience across different roles and industries, I saw the same patterns repeating. I left many positions not because I disliked the work, but because I longed for something deeper—a workplace where communication wasn’t just a tool for efficiency, but a means of connection, belonging, and shared purpose.
The Turning Point: A New Way to Communicate
The frustration I felt eventually turned into clarity. What if organizations could shift the way they communicate? What if employees didn’t just consume company messaging but actually became part of the conversation?
That’s when I saw the potential of internal podcasts. Unlike emails, intranet updates, or corporate newsletters, podcasts are personal. They bring voices to life. They allow leaders to share messages with authenticity and employees to share their perspectives in a way that feels natural and engaging. They’re not just another tool—they’re a bridge between leadership and employees.
This realization led to the creation of The Community Studio, which I co-founded with Celine Schillinger of We Need Social. Bringing together my expertise in internal podcasts and her vast knowledge of leadership and community building, we designed The Community Studio to transform workplace communication in a way that is engaging, inclusive, and meaningful.
The Vision: Giving Employees a Voice
At The Community Studio, we believe internal communication should be about more than just distributing information. It should be about creating real conversations—conversations that inspire, engage, and connect people across all levels of an organization.
Internal podcasts give employees a voice, break down hierarchical barriers, and transform workplace culture into something more human and collaborative. They help organizations shift from top-down communication to shared storytelling—where leaders and employees alike have a platform to speak, listen, and learn from each other.
We founded The Community Studio because we know what it feels like to be unheard. And we also know the power of what happens when people are heard. When organizations give their employees a voice, they create workplaces where people don’t just work—they belong.
If you’re ready to transform the way your company communicates, let’s talk. Because your employees have something to say—it’s time to start listening.
