The Cost of the Story: Black Alder’s Founders on Journalism, Trauma & Truth

By Brandi Sims, MBA, PhD(c)
Founder & CEO, Brandinc PR – Austin, TX & Lawton, OK

“Behind every headline is a human story — and sometimes, that story costs more than we realize.”

In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, I sit down with powerhouse sisters Chelsea Fuller and Takara Pierce, co-founders of the PR and narrative strategy firm Black Alder. Their newly released report, The Cost of the Story: Journalists, Trauma, and the Communities Left Holding the Story, presents the first comprehensive examination of how covering traumatic events impacts both journalists and the communities they represent—especially Black and Brown reporters covering stories that mirror their own identities and lived experiences.

Inside the Conversation

Chelsea and Takara unpack the human side of newsroom culture and the psychological toll of reporting on crisis, injustice, and community trauma. Key insights from the report include:

• 79.4% of journalists reported mild to moderate stress from their work
• 74.1% experienced mild to moderate anxiety (nearly 5% severe)
• 75.3% have never sought professional mental health support
• 32.9% said their newsroom provides no mental health support at all

Why it matters for PR pros: As communicators and brand storytellers—from Austin, Texas to Lawton, Oklahoma and beyond—we work shoulder-to-shoulder with journalists. Understanding their realities helps us build ethical media relationships and create narratives that care for both people and communities.

Listen to the Episode & Explore the Podcast

🎧 “The Cost of the Story: Black Alder’s Founders on Journalism, Trauma & Truth”

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Key Takeaways for Newsrooms & PR Teams

1. Normalize trauma-informed practices. Build debriefs, rotations, and access to support into editorial calendars.
2. Make mental health resources visible. Remove stigma; communicate benefits early and often.
3. Center culturally competent leadership. Representation influences assignments, support, and retention.
4. Partner with PR thoughtfully. Align on language, context, and community impact—not just speed.

About Black Alder

Black Alder is a PR and narrative strategy firm led by sisters Chelsea Fuller and Takara Pierce. Their work advances care-centered storytelling and equitable communications practices.

About The Brandinc PR Podcast

Hosted by Brandi Sims, Founder & CEO of Brandinc PR, the show spotlights bold conversations with changemakers across PR, media, business, and culture. Discover all episodes on the Brandinc PR Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our YouTube channel.

Resources

• Download the report: The Cost of the Story
• Learn more about Black Alder: blackalderlabs.org
• Work with Brandinc PR: Get in touch

The Spotlight Never Sleeps

In entertainment PR, the red carpet isn’t just a photo op — it’s a battlefield of perception, storytelling, and strategy. A single moment can turn into millions of impressions, making public relations professionals the true directors behind the scenes.

At Brandinc PR, our Founder Brandi Sims recently moderated the PRSA Entertainment & Sports panel “Red Carpet & Crisis Communications”, featuring powerhouse communicators who’ve handled everything from celebrity scandals to brand-saving pivots. The discussion revealed what every publicist, executive, and entrepreneur needs to know about navigating high-stakes visibility.

1️⃣ Preparation Is the Real Glamour

When it comes to the red carpet, what looks effortless is actually rehearsed, briefed, and built on relationships.
Panelists emphasized the importance of:

• Crafting key messaging in advance for every spokesperson.

• Preparing “safe pivot statements” to keep conversations on-brand.

• Coordinating media training to anticipate tough or off-script questions.

At Brandinc PR, we call this the glamour prep stage — the moment before the flashbulbs where strategy meets storytelling.

2️⃣ When a Crisis Hits, Speed and Transparency Win

The conversation shifted to what happens when the story turns. Whether it’s a brand controversy or a viral social media moment gone wrong, the experts agreed on one thing: silence is rarely the best option.

Crisis communications today require:

• Monitoring social sentiment in real-time to guide your next move.

• Owning your narrative before speculation fills the gap.

• Empathy-first messaging that recognizes audiences expect authenticity.

Our team’s philosophy? Control the conversation, don’t chase it.

3️⃣ Humanizing the Message

Crisis doesn’t cancel connection — it demands it.
As one panelist put it: “People forgive people, not corporations.” Whether you’re a celebrity, nonprofit, or brand, showing accountability and care helps rebuild trust faster than deflection or denial ever could.

At Brandinc PR, we help clients translate transparency into trust by blending empathy-driven language with clear, confident strategy.

4️⃣ Lessons for Every Brand

Even if you’re not walking the red carpet, your business still faces moments of visibility that shape reputation — from a viral tweet to a national headline.
Key takeaways from the panel include:

• Treat every media moment as a reputation opportunity.

• Have a crisis response plan ready before you need it.

• Build long-term media relationships that strengthen credibility when stakes rise.

Final Word: PR Is Performance Under Pressure

Whether you’re a global brand or a local business, your story deserves to shine — even when challenges hit. At Brandinc PR, we specialize in turning high-pressure moments into high-impact wins, from red carpet premieres to national crisis control.

Ready to prepare your brand for the spotlight?
👉 Book a complimentary PR audit to assess your brand’s media readiness and crisis preparedness.

From Disney to ASU: John James Nicoletti on Leading with Purpose in Communications

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
🌐 Visit: www.brandincpr.com

In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims, PhD, MBA, sits down with John James Nicoletti, a communications powerhouse whose 30+ year career spans Fortune 50 companies, local government, global agencies, and higher education.

Currently serving as Executive Director of ASU’s Cronkite Agency and Professor of Practice in Strategic Communications at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Nicoletti brings a uniquely rich perspective on storytelling, leadership, and brand evolution. Based in Arizona, he also runs a strategic communications consultancy, blending his corporate experience with academic insight to shape the next generation of communicators.

🎯 A Career Built on Storytelling and Strategy

Nicoletti’s journey reads like a communications masterclass. He’s held senior leadership roles across major sectors — from The Walt Disney Company (where he spent over 11 years leading storytelling, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement) to the City of Anaheim, where he served as chief spokesperson for California’s 10th largest city.

His experience also spans Burson, InStride, and numerous Southern California universities including Pepperdine, Chapman University, CSU-Fullerton, and USC. Each chapter of his career underscores the power of communication to inspire, inform, and drive change.

🌍 Insights for the Modern Communicator

During the interview, Nicoletti and Sims dive into:

• The art of translating corporate storytelling into academic and consulting excellence

• How leaders can align brand purpose with authentic communication

• Lessons from managing global communications for Disney and navigating government affairs

• The evolving role of social media in corporate leadership and CEO visibility

Nicoletti also shares highlights from his doctoral research in Organizational Leadership, which examined the social media habits of Fortune 500 CEOs through interviews and focus groups with senior communications executives. His findings offer timely insights into how authenticity and transparency drive trust in today’s digital landscape.

📚 From the Boardroom to the Classroom

Now, as a professor and executive director at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School, Nicoletti empowers students and professionals to merge creativity with strategy — preparing them to navigate the ever-changing worlds of media, reputation, and leadership. His blend of corporate insight and academic rigor makes him one of the most dynamic voices in the modern PR conversation.

💡 Key Takeaway

The best communicators aren’t just storytellers — they’re bridge builders. Nicoletti’s journey shows how the most effective leaders adapt their voices across industries, audiences, and generations without ever losing sight of their “why.”

🎧 Tune In & Subscribe

Catch the full conversation with John James Nicoletti on:

• 🎙️ Apple Podcasts

• 🎧 Spotify

• 🌐 www.brandincpr.com

Follow @BrandincPR for more bold conversations with today’s leaders in public relations, media strategy, and entrepreneurship.