Hello and welcome to this special edition of the IABC International Podcast. My name is Dan Gold, and on this episode we're taking a look forward to the season 3 of the podcast.

The first guest of the new season will be Bonnie Caver the 2020 - 2021 Chair of the International Executive Board of IABC. I am very thankful that she has agreed to kick off episode 301 which will be coming soon.

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As you know, times are very challenging as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. It's a global event that has sent shockwaves through families, communities and whole countries. Through the darkest of times, I have been so proud of those who have stepped up when it comes to putting the health of others first by protecting themselves. I also give thanks to all the people on the front line who have taken care of us, kept us safe and worked to keep us healthy.

The downside of the pandemic is that lives have been lost, and the hearts broken of those left behind. Let's always celebrate and remember the good of those no longer with us. With each person may their story live on to give hope to the next generation.

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I am curious about people, nature and the world, and I learn through storytelling. I have dedicated my career to helping people and organizations gain a voice to tell their stories. I am deeply thankful to work with many great storytellers.

As a result of this there was a long-told story that I needed to hear, and more importantly act on.

In terms of diversity I have always aimed to have balance through the people and stories that we have featured on the IABC International Podcast. I feel more than ever that this is the time that our podcast should be more, when it comes to diversity and inclusion. So I have been actively working to invite new people to take on the role of presenter and producers of the podcast. This search is not yet complete, but I know from the people who have already expressed interest, that diversity will be at the heart of what we do.

I was thinking of not producing this episode, but in the interest of transparency and out of respect for you the listener, a sudden change would be unexplained, and I wanted you to know that this change is so important to me.

Regardless of having dyslexia in an industry that values the written word, I have mostly felt included and not marginalised. IABC is so welcoming, and I am proud that the Diversity and Inclusion team actively addresses neurodiversity.

The inclusion of people who are neurodiverse is important to me, and I am proud of how far private industry and the public sector have come when it comes to valuing ideas, problem solving and not just focusing on writing. Technology including AI and grammar apps are helping people previously excluded from the communication profession find a home. Facts and stories told through imagery, video and audio are equally as impactful and meaningful as the written word.

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I sincerely thank Ginger, Stephanie, Mike, Micayla, Sharon, Zora and so many more for believing in the podcast as a vehicle to tell the stories from within IABC. I know that it is going to go from strength to strength with the support of Jeff Price from Smith Bucklin and IABC.

In collaboration with Austin Staton, we will be working together to bring you the next season of the IABC International Podcast. At this time I have to say thank you to Martin Charlton Communications for financially supporting the production of the podcast without ever asking for anything in return. That giving has helped people connect internationally through the stories told.

Thank you for listening.

Music is from soundcloud.com/joakimkarud and soundcloud.com/ikson.

This is an IABC Production.

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