You Don’t Have to Be the Main Character to Make a Difference with Aceil Haddad

Welcome back to What Do We Do Next? In this episode, I sit down with Aceil Haddad, whose career at the intersection of communications, public policy, and social change truly inspires me. Over the past decade, Aceil Haddad has been the driving force behind campaigns that shape public debate and help leaders communicate complex ideas with clarity and conviction—most notably through her agency, MAP PR, and her impactful work with advocacy groups like Pregnant Then Screwed.During the pandemic, Aceil Haddad brought together more than 250 volunteers to support over 120 charities at a critical time, launching campaigns like But Not Maternity that made a real difference. In our conversation, we dig into what fuels her dedication to service, why genuine political participation matters now more than ever, and the importance of women’s voices in fighting disinformation and pushing for real societal change.We talk candidly about the lessons learned from grassroots activism, the realities of power and representation, and how each of us can discover our own way to make an impact. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just wondering how you can do more, this episode is full of honest insights and practical inspiration for anyone asking: “What do we do next?”Key TakeawaysStep Into Your Power—Everyone Has a Role to PlayPolitics Isn’t Just for PoliticiansWomen’s Voices Matter—Don’t Step BackSustainable Impact Starts with Self-CareFind Your ‘North Star’ and Own Your JourneyYou Don’t Have to Be the Main Character to Make a DifferenceUse Your Voice, Even When It Feels RiskyChapters00:00 - Introduction00:10 - “Mobilizing Volunteers for Change”05:37 - Navigating Politics and Authenticity09:28 - Change Takes Time12:52 - “Understanding Issues and Power”14:32 - Politics and Business: Shared Lessons19:58 - “Impact Without Being Center Stage”21:33 - Community Service, Quiet Impact24:58 - “Women Must Be Heard”27:14 - “Staying Visible Matters Most”30:48 - Finding Your North Star35:37 - What Do We Do Next?36:08 - OutroQuotesMolly Ruland:“When you know who you are, you don’t get washed around in the stream. It’s not about being the main character—it’s about showing up for your values, speaking the truth, and supporting the people and causes that matter to you.”Aceil Haddad:“Everyone has a skill that’s valuable—no matter how small you think it is. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but through collective action and by having the courage to show up and use your voice, especially when the world would rather you stay silent.”Connect with Aceil Haddadhttp://www.matt-pr.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aceil/Call To Action:Stand for election - Centenary ActionSupport and invest in womenProduced by Heartcast MediaWill you give us a 5 star review, if we deserve it of course? Get full access to What do we do next? at whatdowedonext.substack.com/subscribe