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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Compliance 6-Pack: Part 4 – Using “Yes, And”

Tom and Ronnie continue their six-part series highlighting the role of improv in compliance.  This series links improv lessons to corporate compliance and some of the key tools and strategies Ronnie has brought from his former world of improv to the corporate compliance communications realm. In today’s Improv & Compliance Lesson 3, they focus on using “Yes, And” to Shift Compliance from the Office of No to a Collaborative Advisor.

Tom and Ronnie discuss the improv principle “Yes, and,” which means agreeing with the reality presented, dropping one’s agenda, and adding a new piece of information to build collaboratively. They explain how this mindset helps compliance move beyond the “office of no” by affirming and acknowledging business requests, then bridging to relevant risks, laws, and policies (e.g., gifts and entertainment, conflicts of interest) to problem-solve together without immediately shutting ideas down. Ronnie emphasizes “Yes, and” as both a personal communication technique and an organizational philosophy: learn the business, speak its language, and design simple, action-oriented, accessible policies and training that provide timely, embedded guidance. The episode ends with a preview of the next lesson on truth in comedy.

Resources:

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Creativity and Compliance is a multiple-award-winning podcast and was recently honored as one of the Top 35 Podcasts on Creativity by Feedspot.

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Kerr250 Podcast

Kerr250: Mike Russ on Kerrville’s Fourth of July Traditions, The River Flood, and Gratitude for Veterans

Kerr250 is a community-focused podcast dedicated to celebrating America’s 250th birthday through the people, businesses, traditions, and events of Kerr County. As our nation marks this historic anniversary on July 4, 2026, Kerr250 will highlight local celebrations and community efforts that bring this milestone to life. Each episode will feature conversations with local leaders, business owners, organizers, volunteers, and proud citizens who are helping make Kerr County a vibrant part of this national moment. The podcast will explore how history, patriotism, service, and community pride come together in one county that believes America’s strength has always come from its people. Kerr250 is where Kerr County honors the past, celebrates the present, and helps inspire the future. In this episode, Tom Fox visits with Mike Russ (“Mr. Mint” at MR Mint Coins & Collectibles) for the Kerr 250 podcast celebrating America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.

Mike recalls 4th of July traditions centered on going to the park and watching fireworks, a practice he continued with his children, though his family sometimes travels to Connecticut. He describes the 250th anniversary as bittersweet due to the devastating flood in Kerrville. Mike grew up fishing on the river and returned from Connecticut to help with recovery efforts, noting a neighbor nearly lost his home. Asked what America at 250 means, Mike emphasizes gratitude toward veterans, regularly thanking them for their service, and expresses concern about current social divisions and negativity.

Highlights include:

  • Fourth of July Memories
  • Flood and River Reflections
  • America at 250
  • Honoring Veterans

Resources:

Kerr250 website

MR Mint

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AI Today in 5

AI Today in 5: May 15, 2026, The Blind Spot Edition

Welcome to AI Today in 5, the newest addition to the Compliance Podcast Network. Each day, Tom Fox will bring you 5 stories about AI to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee, and listen in to AI Today In 5. All, from the Compliance Podcast Network. Each day, we consider five stories from the business world, compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest about AI.

Top AI stories include:

  1. Proactive ESH compliance. (Yahoo!Finance)
  2. The blind spot between cybersecurity and compliance. (UC Today)
  3. AI in healthcare: a checklist for compliance. (Morgan Lewis)
  4. Fiserv creates AI agents with banks. (American Banker)
  5. How AI is driving the digital supply chain. (Journal)

For more information on the use of AI in compliance programs, Tom Fox’s new book, Upping Your Game, is available. You can purchase a copy of the book on ⁠Amazon.com⁠.

To learn about the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the modern compliance professional, check out Tom’s latest book, The Game is Afoot-What Sherlock Holmes Teaches About Risk, Ethics and Investigations on ⁠Amazon.com⁠.

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AI in Healthcare

AI in Healthcare: Five Healthcare AI Stories You Need to Know This Week – May 15, 2026

Welcome to AI in Healthcare in 5 Stories. This podcast is a Weekly Briefing of the five most important AI developments shaping healthcare, medicine, and life sciences. Each week, Tom Fox breaks down the latest stories on clinical innovation, regulation, privacy, compliance, patient safety, and operational transformation through a practical, business-focused lens. Designed for healthcare compliance professionals, executives, legal teams, clinicians, and industry leaders, the podcast moves beyond headlines to explain what each development means in the real world.

The top five stories for the week ending May 15, 2026, include:

  1. Acceptance of AI in healthcare is governed by trust. (American Medical Journal)
  2. The Trump Administration wants to cut back AI protections in healthcare. (KFF Health News)
  3. Where AI is making a difference in healthcare. (Medical Economics)
  4. Using AI in pharma development. (WSJ)
  5. Using AI in hospital systems. (American Hospital Association)

For more information on the use of AI in Compliance programs, Tom Fox’s new book, Upping Your Game, is available. You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.com.

To learn about the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the modern compliance professional, check out Tom’s latest book, The Game is Afoot-What Sherlock Holmes Teaches About Risk, Ethics and Investigations on Amazon.com.

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AI in Financial Services in 5 Stories

AI in Financial Services in 5 Stories – Week Ending May 15, 2026

Welcome to AI in Financial Services in 5 Stories. A practical weekly roundup of the five most important AI developments affecting banking, insurance, payments, asset management, and fintech. Each Friday, Tom Fox will break down the top stories that matter most through the lenses of compliance, risk management, governance, and business strategy. Designed for compliance professionals, executives, legal teams, and financial services leaders, it goes beyond headlines to explain why each development matters in a highly regulated industry. The result is a concise weekly briefing that helps listeners stay current on AI innovation while asking sharper questions about oversight, accountability, and trust.

This week’s stories include:

  1. What bank execs are saying about AI. (Business Insider)
  2. Fiserv and OpenAI partner to bring Agentic AI to banks. (Fiserv)
  3. ECB urges banks to prepare for AI-cyber attacks. (Reuters)
  4. AI is reshaping the digital supply chain. (Journal)
  5. The next age of FinTech. (McKinsey & Company)

For more information on the use of AI in Compliance programs, Tom Fox’s new book, Upping Your Game, is available. You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.com.

To learn about the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the modern compliance professional, check out Tom’s latest book, The Game is Afoot-What Sherlock Holmes Teaches About Risk, Ethics and Investigations on Amazon.com.

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Student Voices of the Hill Country

Student Voices of the Hill Country: A Schreiner Student Pod Series: Season 2 – Silent Signals: How Nonverbal Communication Shapes Performance in Baseball, Tennis, and Football

Welcome to Season 2 of the Student Voices of the Hill Country: A Schreiner Student Pod Series. In this series, we continue to explore the lives, views, and observations of Schreiner students. In this episode, we look at how nonverbal communication shapes performance in sports.

This podcast episode examines how nonverbal communication influences strategy, psychology, and outcomes in baseball, tennis, and football. In baseball, coaches and catchers use structured, memorized hand-signal systems—often including decoys—to direct bunts, steals, pitch type, and location, while opponents attempt to decode signs and batters read pitchers’ subtle “tells.” In tennis, nonverbal cues center on self-regulation and psychological influence, including routines, posture, tempo control, reading micro-expressions and body mechanics, and doubles partners coordinating with behind-the-back signals. In football, sideline signaling, audibles, and body language enable rapid coordination amid noise, as seen in a quarterback who relies on hand signals due to limited hearing. The episode concludes that nonverbal communication is faster, harder to detect, builds trust through practice, and highlights awareness, timing, and connection beyond sports.

Key highlights:

  • Baseball Sign Systems
  • Tennis Inner Communication
  • Football Sideline Signs
  • Comparing the Three Sports
  • Why Nonverbal Works

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

⁠⁠Hill Country Authors Podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠Hill Country Artists Podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

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Blog

Excellence in Storytelling: Compliance Podcast Network & Texas Hill Country Podcast Network Shine at the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards

The recently concluded 32nd Annual Communicator Awards recognized outstanding achievement across the global communications landscape—and this year, both the Compliance Podcast Network and the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network emerged as standout winners in multiple categories.

Administered by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, the Communicator Awards honor excellence in marketing, communications, storytelling, and media production. Entries are evaluated by a jury of industry professionals who assess work based on creativity, message clarity, execution quality, and overall effectiveness. The selection process is highly competitive, with thousands of global submissions reviewed annually to identify work that demonstrates both innovation and impact.

Compliance Podcast Network — 2026 Winners

Led by Founder Tom Fox, the Compliance Podcast Network continues to set the standard for compliance storytelling and thought leadership across global industries.

🥇 Award of Excellence 2026

🥈 Awards of Distinction 2026

These honors reflect the network’s continued ability to translate complex compliance, regulatory, and business issues into accessible, engaging, and impactful audio storytelling.

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network — 2026 Winners

Co-founded alongside the Compliance Podcast Network, the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network was also recognized for its strong regional storytelling and community-driven programming.

🥈 Awards of Distinction 2026

These awards highlight the network’s commitment to elevating authentic regional voices and stories that reflect the culture, education, entrepreneurship, and values of the Hill Country community.

What Makes an Award-Winning Network?

Award-winning podcast networks are not built overnight. They are created through consistency, authenticity, innovation, and a relentless commitment to serving their audience.

At both the Compliance Podcast Network and Texas Hill Country Podcast Network, success is driven by several key principles:

  • Purpose-Driven Content — Every episode is designed to educate, inspire, and create meaningful conversations.
  • Consistency and Discipline — High-quality content delivered consistently builds credibility and trust over time.
  • Authentic Storytelling — Audiences connect with real voices, practical insights, and honest discussions.
  • Innovation and Adaptability — From AI-focused programming to deep-dive compliance analysis, the networks continue to evolve alongside industry and audience needs.
  • Community First — Great networks listen to their audience and create programming that adds value to their professional and personal lives.
  • Collaboration — Success comes from hosts, producers, editors, marketers, sponsors, and partners working together toward a shared vision.

The true “secret” to reaching milestones like these is simple but powerful: show up every day with passion, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence.

For Founder Tom Fox, the mission has always been larger than awards. It is about building communities, amplifying important conversations, mentoring voices across industries, and creating platforms where ethics, leadership, business, and storytelling intersect.

A Message of Gratitude

This recognition is not possible without the collective effort and trust of many.

A sincere thank you goes out to:

  • Our listeners and audience, who continue to engage, share, and challenge us to improve
  • Our hosts and co-hosts, whose expertise and storytelling bring every episode to life
  • Our sponsors and partners, whose support enables independent, high-quality compliance and regional storytelling
  • And the broader compliance and business communities, who inspire the conversations we amplify every day

Most importantly, appreciation goes to everyone who contributes behind the scenes—researchers, editors, producers, and collaborators—who ensure every episode meets the highest standard.

Closing Reflection

These awards are not just recognition of past work—they are a signal that compliance, ethics, and regional storytelling continue to matter in shaping how organizations communicate, learn, and lead.

The journey continues.

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Student Voices of the Hill Country

Student Voices of the Hill Country: A Schreiner Student Pod Series: Season 2 – Schreiner Athletics – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Welcome to Season 2 of the Student Voices of the Hill Country: A Schreiner Student Pod Series. In this series, we continue to explore the lives, views, and observations of Schreiner Students. In this episode 2, we look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Schreiner Athletics.

The hosts for this episode are Jessica, who plays soccer, and Molly, who shoots on the rifle team and plays baseball. The discussion will focus on why they chose Schreiner University and how academics are prioritized as “student over athlete.” They compare first-year experiences, including required study hours for some teams, and describe coaching as a key driver of the athlete experience: soccer features consistent, supportive coaching and weekly meetings; rifle relies heavily on peer coaching amid frequent coach turnover; and baseball has a strong head coach but limited assistant coach engagement. They highlight teammate dynamics, contrast soccer’s inclusive culture with baseball’s cliques on large rosters, and note program pros/cons such as small-campus access to professors, travel demands, fundraising, workload, and coaching stability. The episode concludes with outcomes: one stays at Schreiner and plays soccer, one transfers for coaching, financial, and growth reasons to pursue Division I, and one stays at Schreiner but leaves baseball to lead sports media operations.

Key highlights:

  • Why They Chose Schreiner
  • Freshman Year Reality
  • Team Culture and Cliques
  • Our Why for Sports

Other Hill Country Focused Podcasts

⁠⁠Hill Country Authors Podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠Hill Country Artists Podcast⁠⁠

⁠⁠Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

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Hill Country Authors

Hill Country Authors Podcast: Outcry Witness: Survivor Disclosure, Bystander Responsibility, and Systemic Gaps in Justice with JoDee Neil

Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. Host Tom Fox welcomes Texas lawyer and author JoDee Neil to talk about her practice representing survivors, including in employment conflicts and cases involving children, and her book Outcry Witness.

JoDee explains that the legal meaning of “Outcry Witness” is the first adult a child tells about abuse. She distinguishes it from workplace bystanders who may be called to testify and describes writing the book after documenting her own sexual assault experiences, where she was supported by Stoney Creek Publishing, and connects the survivor “freeze” to trauma research showing healing often begins when survivors disclose to a safe witness. JoDee cites CDC data from late 2025 on the prevalence of sexual violence and discusses how Me Too, the Epstein files, and other high-profile cases can increase awareness and help survivors identify safe outcry and witnesses. She outlines guidance for parents and notes persistent bias against “disposable children,” trafficking risks, and court-system capacity failures that undermine timely justice.

Key highlights:

  • Why She Wrote Outcry Witness
  • Survivor Freeze and Silence
  • Bystanders and Outcry Witness
  • Choosing a Safe Outcry Witness
  • Talking to Kids and Parents
  • Where to Find Jody and Closing

Resources:

JoDee Neil on Stoney Creek Publishing

Outcry Witness

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Podcast Cover Art

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GSK in China: 13 Years Later

GSK In China: 13 Years Later – Episode 9: Anti-Corruption Enforcement and the Compliance Imperative

Thirteen years after the GSK China scandal exploded onto the global stage, its lessons remain as urgent as ever for compliance professionals and business leaders. In this podcast series, we revisit the case not simply as corporate history, but as a living cautionary tale about culture, incentives, third parties, investigations, and governance. Each episode explores what went wrong, why it went wrong, and how those failures still echo in today’s compliance and ethics landscape. Join me as we unpack the scandal and draw practical lessons for building stronger, more resilient organizations. This episode examines the GSK corruption scandal in China as a watershed moment when long-ignored anti-bribery laws were suddenly enforced, exposing multinationals that had treated systemic kickbacks as a cost of doing business.

It argues China’s crackdown under Xi Jinping reflected both domestic political necessity, restoring legitimacy through mass discipline of officials, and an economic pivot away from discretionary “toll booth” bureaucratic approvals that enable rent-seeking. The 2014 trial testimony of former energy regulator Liu Tienan is highlighted for publicly endorsing more market-based, objective processes as an anti-corruption remedy, signaling state intent. Economists estimated a $70B budget boost and a 0.1–0.5% growth lift from reduced corruption. For compliance leaders, the key takeaway is that only rigorous, evidence-backed anti-corruption programs, third-party due diligence, forensic auditing, hotlines, and aligned incentives can help distinguish rogue conduct from corporate strategy as enforcement tightens globally.

Key highlights:

  • Selective Enforcement Trap
  • Why Xi Cracked Down
  • Purging Party Corruption
  • Liu Tienan Trial Signals
  • Corruption Costs Billions

Resources:

GSK in China: A Game Changer for Compliance on ⁠Amazon.com⁠

GSK in China: Anti-Bribery Enforcement Goes Global on ⁠Amazon.com⁠

Tom Fox

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Ed. Note: the voices of the hosts, Timothy and Fiona, were created by Notebook LM based upon text written by Tom Fox