From Clinton's Wrath to AI's Rise: Navigating through the Perma-crisis - with Elie Jacobs

Are we going in the right direction as communicators? In an era of dramatic policy shifts, cultural upheaval, and a fractured media landscape, how do we trudge onward through the muck without losing our way? Weighty questions indeed. In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle sits down with Elie Jacobs, founding partner of Purposeful Advisors, to tackle the thorny issues facing today's communications professionals. With over two decades of experience in public policy and advocacy, Elie brings a wealth of insights to the table. From his early days in President Clinton's post-presidential office to his current role advising startups and mid-size companies, Elie has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the communications profession. This wide-ranging conversation covers critical topics like the impact of AI on truth and objectivity, the challenges of maintaining purpose in a "perma-crisis" environment, and the delicate balance between business imperatives and societal responsibilities. Elie and Dan discuss the pitfalls of chasing trends versus staying true to core business objectives, and debate the proper role of communicators in shaping corporate policies on contentious issues. Throughout the episode, Elie emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, curiosity, and maintaining perspective in an increasingly polarized world. He argues for a return to fundamentals - focusing on clear business purposes rather than getting caught up in the latest social media firestorms. The discussion also touches on generational divides in the workplace and how early career experiences shape communicators' approaches to risk and decision-making. Whether you're a seasoned PR pro or just starting out in the field, this episode offers valuable food for thought on the current state and future direction of strategic communications. Elie's candid insights and Dan's probing questions combine to create a thought-provoking exploration of our profession's most pressing challenges. Don't miss this opportunity to gain fresh perspective on navigating the complex waters of modern corporate communications. Listen in and hear about...  Navigating the perma-crisis era as a communications professional How early career experiences shape strategic advisory skills Balancing business imperatives with societal responsibilities Critical thinking's vital role in the age of AI-driven information Adapting communication strategies to rapid political shifts Purposeful advising: focusing on a company's core mission Nuanced approaches to diversity and inclusion in corporate settings Notable Quotes On Career Beginnings: "The way I got into this was, you know, just sheer dumb luck. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I finished school. And then 911 happened and I picked up with cliche duffel bag of clothes and a duffel bag of GMAT books and LSAT books and GRE books and went off to Israel to try to figure out what to do." - Elie Jacobs [2:30 - 3:57] On the Path to Communications: "I don't know that. You know, people talk about having a calling, right? Some people have calling calling to the pulpit, regardless of what religion it is. Other people have callings to be doctors, other people have callings to be teachers. I'm not sure I've met anybody who has a calling to be a lawyer. I don't think I've ever met somebody who has a calling to be a public relations or communications specialist." - Elie Jacobs [6:48 - 7:15] On Representing Important Figures: "The only thing that was really said to us was you represent him, which also means you're representing his wife, who was then the senator. So that kind of weighs on you a little bit." - Elie Jacobs [12:36 - 12:45] On Dealing with High-Pressure Situations: "Once Bill Clinton completely loses his temper at you, your perspective on things changes a great deal. He lost it at me because I happened to be. I. I was just in the way." - Elie Jacobs [13:40 - 13:50] On the Importance of Critical Thinking: "Critical thinking is something that we actually have to call out now as something that, okay, we, we really need. Critical thinkers used to be almost a given that, you know, you, one of the reasons why either you are hired for an important job or, or that, you know, when you come out of college or wherever you've been, that, you know, critical thinking is part of the resume." - Dan Nestle [18:56 - 19:19] On the Challenges of Objective Truth in Modern Times: "The concept of objective truth has been shattered over the last 10 years. And it's not just, you know, misinformation and creative hyperbole and truth and, you know, truthful lies or whatever the term was that they came up with in the first Trump administration." - Elie Jacobs [27:04 - 27:18] On the Evolution of Media and Truth: "For the better part of three centuries or more. There were editors who present who basically worked on something that was book length every single day and that was the news." - Elie Jacobs [43:02 - 43:12] On the Role of Purpose in Business: "When we talk about purposeful, we're talking about, we're going to help you figure out what your purpose is. Going back to Simon Sinek's golden circle of why, how and what." - Elie Jacobs [51:43 - 51:52] On the Importance of Business Fundamentals: "There has to be a business imperative. You can only be good for society if you're good at business." - Elie Jacobs [1:05:05 - 1:05:11] Resources and Links Dan Nestle Inquisitive Communications | Website The Trending Communicator | Website Communications Trends from Trending Communicators | Dan Nestle's Substack Dan Nestle | LinkedIn Dan Nestle | Twitter/X Elie Jacobs Purposeful Advisors | Website Elie Jacobs | LinkedIn Timestamped key moments from this episode (as generated by Fireflies.ai) 👤 Guest Background and Career Path (00:00 - 09:01) Elie Jacobs has over two decades of experience in public policy and advocacy. Started as a press aide in President Clinton's post-presidential office. Currently a founding partner of Purposeful Advisors. 📚 Learning Experiences and Professional Development (09:01 - 18:26) Successful communicators need broad exposure, curiosity, and strong writing abilities. Elie prefers working with startup and midsize companies for greater impact. 🔄 Evolution of the Communications Profession (18:26 - 28:18) Critical thinking is now a highlighted skill that needs to be tested for. The role of communications professionals as CEO advisors and 'truth tellers'. 🤖 AI's Impact on Communications (28:18 - 38:13) AI is increasingly relied upon as an arbiter of truth. Importance of questioning AI outputs and critical thinking when using AI tools. 📰 Media Environment and Truth (38:13 - 47:36) The concept of 'objective truth' has been shattered over the last decade. Three types of communicators in the current environment. 🎯 Professional Direction and Purpose (47:36 - 57:24) Purposeful Advisors focuses on helping companies identify their purpose. Companies need to balance stakeholder interests with business imperatives. 📈 Business Focus and Future of Communications (57:24 - 01:10:47) Communications departments gained significant power during the pandemic. Future communications professionals need curiosity and philosophical thinking. Timestamps for your convenience (as generated by Flowsend.ai) 0:00 Intro: Host introduces guest Elie Jacobs 5:43 Unexpected paths into communications careers 11:09 Benefits of advising smaller companies 18:04 Critical thinking skills in communications 25:40 Generational shifts in politics and policy 33:46 AI's growing role as arbiter of truth 41:28 Loss of learning opportunities for junior staff 51:15 Focusing on business purpose over social issues 1:00:21 Nuance lost in corporate communications 1:07:04 Importance of curiosity in communications careers   (Notes co-created by Human Dan and a variety of AI helpers, including Fireflies.ai and Flowsend.ai)