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What CEOs Get Wrong in Crisis — Insider Secrets from Capitol Hill’s Secret Weapon
Manage episode 508108588 series 3677470
When the phone rings at midnight and a global crisis is unraveling — Greg Helman is the one you want on the line.
Dubbed a "secret weapon of Capitol Hill," Helman shares what it really takes to navigate political chaos, corporate disaster, and global corruption — all while staying calm and strategic under pressure.
In this powerful interview, Greg opens up about:
The first thing he does when a crisis hits (and why it works)
How to balance legal advice with brand values in PR nightmares
The Gulf oil spill lesson no CEO should forget
Behind the scenes at The Sentry — George Clooney’s anti-corruption nonprofit
How they follow the money to shut down war profiteers & launderers
A hilarious story bartending for Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr.
His personal career failures, recovery, and philosophy on saying “yes”
Why doing - saying in crisis response
🔥 Whether you’re a founder, exec, communicator, or just love epic true stories — this episode delivers strategy, inspiration, and some serious laughs.
🎙 Sponsored by: Litchfield Distillery & Works Branding Studio
📘 Greg’s featured in Peter’s book – available now.
📍 Follow Greg’s work with The Sentry
0:00 – Intro: Crisis, Lawyers & Brand Disasters
0:40 – Meet Greg Helman: Capitol Hill’s “Secret Weapon”
1:12 – What Happens When Crisis Calls at Midnight?
2:00 – Why Staying Calm is Your Biggest Advantage
2:55 – The Power of Listening in Crisis Response
3:30 – Lawyers Say "Don't Get Sued" – But Is That Always Right?
4:46 – Balancing Legal Risk vs. Brand Values
5:56 – The PR Mistake of the Century: CEO on a Yacht During Oil Spill
6:41 – Don’t Just Spin It — Solve It First
7:00 – Introducing The Sentry: Clooney’s Anti-Corruption Machine
7:58 – How The Sentry Fights Global Corruption & War Profiteers
8:56 – Investigating Wagner Group & High-Risk Targets
9:45 – Data Security, Physical Safety & Real Consequences
10:30 – Bartending for Frank Sinatra & The Rat Pack
11:54 – Sammy Davis Jr.'s Egg Salad Sandwich Test
13:30 – The Life Lesson: Say Yes First, Figure It Out Later
14:50 – Major Failure on Set: Too Much Hustle, Not Enough Timing
16:00 – Why Some Crews Hate Overachievers (Truth Bomb)
16:20 – Final Words & Peter’s Book Shoutout
17:15 – “Don’t Be a Fanboy – Treat Them Like People”
#GregHelman #CrisisManagement #PRDisasters #TheSentry #GeorgeClooney #PoliticalStrategy #BrandReputation #CapitolHill #MoneyLaundering #GlobalCorruption #FrankSinatra #SammyDavisJr #CrisisResponse #LeadershipInCrisis #WarProfiteering #WagnerGroup #CryptoCrime #corporatecommunication
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A big thanks to our sponsors
https://litchfielddistillery.com
❤️ Sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury
Thanks to Atlas Studios for powering the marketing and distribution of this podcast — your expertise in launching bold ideas and building lasting audiences means the world.
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