DANA COBB. Show Up to Contribute, Not to Be Perfect

🎧 Speaking of Talking: Show Up to Contribute, Not to Be PerfectGuest: Dana Cobb — Founder, Vokol Group PR AgencyRun Time: ~1 hourEpisode Summary:In this episode, Jenni sits down with her longtime friend and PR powerhouse Dana Cobb to explore one of the most pervasive obstacles in professional communication: imposter syndrome. With decades of experience prepping spokespeople, celebrities, and executives for the spotlight, Dana brings a frank, practical perspective to a topic that's become impossible to ignore. The conversation covers everything from media training and crisis communications to deep fakes, Gen X resilience, and why "don't lie" might just be the most powerful PR strategy of all.They dive into:What imposter syndrome really is—and why it's not just about feeling unqualified, but feeling undeservedHow micromanagement breeds imposter syndrome from the top downWhy celebrities and CEOs often struggle more than you'd expectThe media training mistake people make: rehearsing failure instead of successHow to frame any high-stakes interaction around contribution, not perfectionLanguage habits that quietly shrink your authority—and how to replace themPreparing for Q&A when you can't control the questionsCrisis communications 101: the golden rule is don't lieNavigating imposter syndrome as "the only one" in the room—and why mentorship mattersWhy AI and deep fakes are the new frontier of crisis managementWhat makes a great PR person (hint: it's not what you learned in school)🎙️ Guest Bio:Dana Cobb is the founder of the Vokol Group, a Dallas-based PR agency focused on arts, entertainment, and lifestyle communications. With a background in New York theater marketing and performing arts PR, Dana has spent her career at the intersection of storytelling and strategy—preparing clients for media opportunities, managing event communications, and coaching spokespeople to show up with confidence and clarity. She got her start in crisis communications in one of the first-ever grad-level crisis comms courses at SMU, and has been navigating high-stakes messaging ever since.✨ Quote of the Episode:"People rehearse messing up. They don't rehearse doing well. If somebody feels they have done it, then they feel like they belong in that position—and the imposter syndrome fades away."— Dana CobbMentions:Vokol Group: https://www.vokolgroup.comFan Expo (referenced): https://fanexpohq.comThe Tylenol Crisis (referenced): FDA overviewGo Ask A Manager, by Alison Green. https://a.co/d/0gStMYkiIndispensable, by Joe Calloway. https://a.co/d/03LUkcevDana’s Fan Expo interview with Mr. T.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obBS7TrYy2o