“From the White House to Crisis Command: Merrie Spaeth’s Masterclass in Communication”

"What’s the one thing people remember from your message—and is it what you intended?"

In this compelling episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent sits down with Merrie Spaeth, a trailblazing communicator whose career spans journalism, television, the Reagan White House, and crisis management for Fortune 500 companies. From her Quaker school roots to becoming the first female intern at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Merrie shares stories that are as insightful as they are entertaining.

Listeners will hear how Merrie:

• Became a White House Fellow and worked directly with FBI Director Judge William Webster.
• Helped reshape the FBI’s public image and diversity efforts.
• Created the White House News Service, pioneering direct-to-public communication long before social media.
• Built a global communications firm focused on proactive crisis management and employee advocacy.
• Offers timeless advice on how to communicate clearly, avoid PR disasters, and turn employees into brand ambassadors.

🔥 Memorable Moments & Quotes:

• “Your job is to make sure I hear things people think I don’t want to hear.” — Judge Webster’s leadership mantra.
• “The best way to handle a crisis is to avoid it.”
• “You owe everyone a reply—you don’t necessarily owe them an answer.”

Whether you're a business leader, student, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways.

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