I’ve seen it again and again over a decade plus of covering countless school-related stories as a reporter. Communities pay close attention to what happens in their schools. And when something goes wrong, people want answers.

That’s why Spoken Word has partnered with the Texas School Safety Center to conduct media crisis training for school district and law enforcement leaders across the state. So far, we’ve trained 137 superintendents, public information officers, and school police chiefs.

We drill participants in ambush interviews and on-camera crisis scenarios, guiding them on how to answer the questions they might face from reporters and the public during a crisis.

The focus is simple: help school leaders communicate clearly and effectively when the pressure is highest.

We emphasize a few key principles:
● Adapt the message to the audience
● Lead with empathy
● Use bridging techniques to stay on message

We also encourage schools to focus on two goals during a crisis:

1. Be the most reliable source of information. If schools don’t communicate quickly, rumors and misinformation will fill the gap.
2. Show the community you care. Facts matter. But so does demonstrating concern for students, families, and staff.

The Texas School Safety Center, based at Texas State University, supports schools across Texas with research, training, and resources focused on campus safety. We’re honored to support their mission by helping school leaders strengthen one of their most important tools during a crisis: clear, effective communication.

The post When Crisis Hits, Your Response Becomes the Story first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

You wouldn’t know the moment you touch down at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, but it doesn’t take long to feel the momentum of one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. You see it in the construction delays along the bumpy road into Georgetown. You see it in the crowd gathered for the opening of the country’s first Wendy’s—an event big enough to attract President Irfaan Ali.

But the most transformative change in Guyana sits 120 miles off its coast.

ExxonMobil’s growing fleet of floating oil-production vessels, or FPSOs, has reshaped the South American country’s future almost overnight. They’re attracting new companies, new workers, and new investment every single day. And when a country and an industry are growing this quickly, how you communicate with the public, the media, and your stakeholders becomes as important as what you produce.

That’s what brought me and Dave Scallan to Guyana in October for a seven-day visit—Spoken Word’s fourth trip to the country. Our next visit is already scheduled. We worked with Guyanese professionals and expats in the oil and gas sector to help them present more powerfully, deliver clearer messages, and build trust.

Guyana’s position today is a sharp contrast to when it was among the poorest countries in the hemisphere. Its economic outlook shifted dramatically after the discovery of offshore oil in 2015. Exxon’s commercial production began in late 2019 and the transformation since then has been historic. It’s projected to have the fastest growing economy in the world in 2026.

The oil sector in South America’s only English-speaking nation is booming. Exxon and its partners report daily production in the Stabroek Block has reached 900,000 barrels per day, with capacity expected to surpass 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.

And here’s what makes those numbers even more remarkable: Guyana’s population is only about 800,000 people—roughly the size of Charlotte or San Francisco. A country smaller than many U.S. cities is now producing oil at a scale that rivals much larger nations.

When you operate in a market that’s moving this fast—one where government, community, and media relationships shape every project—you can’t afford to let your message fall behind your momentum. Communication must be as intentional and strategic as your business plan.

And that’s where Spoken Word Communications comes in.

In a place where every decision matters and every voice carries weight, we help leaders refine their message, strengthen their presence, and build trust. Whether you’re in Houston or across continents in Georgetown, we make sure you’re not just speaking—you’re being heard, understood, and remembered.

The post On the Ground in Guyana: Communication in a Country on the Rise first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.

It wasn’t the last time I stumbled on air. But it was a turning point in my journey to becoming an effective communicator and a trusted on-air presence in TV markets across the country. I learned that the camera is the best teacher. And clear, confident communication is essential to building trust—whether you’re in front of a camera, a boardroom, or a crisis.

My broadcast career started over the airwaves in Rexburg, Idaho. I transitioned to TV in Utah, reporting for a national cable show on BYUtv while also contributing to the ABC and PBS affiliates in Salt Lake City. That’s where I learned to shoot, write, produce, and edit my own work—skills that became invaluable throughout my career.

I later joined the NBC-owned station in San Diego, covering everything from wildfires to crime to corruption. In 2017, my family and I moved to Boston, where I frequently reported on national politics. I still remember my first day on the desk, anchoring hours of live coverage of the Women’s March, one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history.

Later, we returned to Salt Lake City, where I launched, produced, and hosted the market’s first digital-only news show and podcast. Most recently, I anchored weekdays for the NBC affiliate in Cleveland, a role that opened the door to one of my career highlights: covering the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris for NBC News.

My experience abroad began even before I entered the news business. I lived in Guatemala and Paraguay, learning Spanish and volunteering with Amigos de las Américas. I later served a two-year mission in South Africa and Botswana for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly after getting married, my wife Marisa and I lived and taught English in China for six months.

Through every chapter, effective communication has been critical. I’m excited to bring that experience and perspective to my work with Spoken Word Communications, where we help you communicate clearly, confidently, and with purpose.

The post Overwhelmed and panicked: even the most experienced speakers feel that. I did. first appeared on Spoken Word Communications.