Tune In: The Ultimate Guide to Launching Your Public Safety Podcast
In an age where public trust and safety depend on clear, timely, and accessible communication, podcasting has emerged as one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in the public safety communicator’s toolkit.
With more than 100 million monthly listeners nationwide, podcasts provide agencies with a direct line to the community, helping residents feel informed, connected, and prepared before, during, and after critical incidents.
Join Liselle DeGrave, APR, President of DeGrave Communications, and Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR, Founder/CEO of RMG Communications, award-winning co-hosts of the PRessing On in Public Relations podcast and consultants to numerous public agencies, to learn how your agency can launch, sustain, and grow a podcast designed to strengthen community trust, enhance preparedness, and keep the public safe.
Learning Objectives
Why Podcasts Matter in Public Safety – Understand how podcasts can serve as a lifeline during emergencies and a trusted channel for everyday preparedness and prevention messaging.
Gaining Leadership Buy-In – Learn strategies to secure internal support by demonstrating how podcasting aligns with your agency’s mission to protect and serve.
Building an Engaged Audience – Explore proven ways to promote your podcast, increase listenership, and keep community members tuned in—especially during times when accurate, consistent information is critical.
Tools of the Trade – Get practical guidance on equipment, hosting platforms, and production workflows tailored to public agencies with limited budgets.
Measuring Impact & ROI – Discover how to track listenership and assess effectiveness, ensuring your podcast proves its value as a cost-effective, scalable public safety communication tool.
Case Studies in Action – Hear how government agencies have successfully leveraged podcasts to connect with residents, build trust, and deliver lifesaving information in ways traditional channels can’t match.
Rachel Dickman
Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR, the Founder and CEO of RMG Communications, is a nationally recognized leader in public relations and communications. With over two decades of experience, she masterfully blends creativity with strategy to deliver award-winning campaigns that resonate deeply and drive impact. At RMG, Rachel has notably worked with numerous public-sector clients across California, earning her firm prestigious awards for its creativity and effectiveness, including Best in Show from the PRSA-Inland Empire Chapter and CAPIO, as well as a PRSA National Bronze Anvil.
Beyond her work at RMG, Rachel extends her influence through her co-hosted, award-winning podcast, PRessing On in Public Relations, alongside her friend and business partner, Liselle DeGrave, APR. Together, they provide insightful commentary on PR, business, and life, infusing their discussions with both wisdom and humor. They also co-authored the prize-winning book A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own PR Firm, an essential resource for those looking to navigate the intricacies of launching their own PR agency.
Rachel has been a featured guest on Good Morning San Diego and a regular guest on podcasts, where she shares her expertise in business and PR.
Her contributions to the field have been recognized with significant honors, including the Paul B. Clark Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2016 Communicator of the Year Award from CAPIO.
Currently, Rachel is the Professional Development Chair for PRSA Phoenix, one of the nation’s largest chapters. She is also a CAPIO Past President and has served as a Director at Large on the PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties chapter board, as well as a Past President of the PRSA Inland Empire chapter.
Before founding RMG, Rachel honed her skills in the public sector, managing innovative communications programs for several California agencies.
Liselle DeGrave
Since 2005, Liselle has owned and operated DeGrave Communications, first starting out as a freelancer and slowly growing the business into a thriving corporation. As a veteran public-sector communications professional, she has more than 20 years of experience leading the firm’s fully integrated team of communications, marketing, and branding professionals. Her bilingual capabilities provide strategic leadership and cultural sensitivity based on first-hand experience.
Her award-winning work, mentoring support, and giving back to the community led her to receive the Public Relations Society of America Spirit of Relations Award. She is the co-host of the Bronze Anvil award-winning PRessing On in Public Relations podcast and is regularly featured in industry trade media. She is also the co-author of A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own PR Firm. Passionate about small businesses, she encourages entrepreneurship and frequently shares her expertise to uplift others in the field.
Liselle is equally committed to her community life. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, beekeeping, and spending time with her husband, two children, and 36 chickens.
