Digital Storytelling in Business: How to Build Trust in the Age of AI | Brooke Hargraves

Storytelling used to be a one-way broadcast. Now it's a conversation — and business owners who understand that shift are the ones building real trust with their audience. In this episode of The Corporate Escapists, Christine sits down with media and communications strategist Brooke Hargraves to unpack what authentic digital storytelling actually looks like in 2026.

Brooke is an award-winning former journalist who spent over 20 years advising senior Australian political leaders through election campaigns, national crises and intense media scrutiny. Today, through her agency Trellis Media, she combines media strategy, storytelling, confidence coaching and practical communication skills to help CEOs, founders, executives and emerging leaders become credible, trusted voices — without needing to perform or become someone they're not.

We cover: ✔️ How digitalisation turned storytelling from a broadcast into a two-way conversation ✔️ Why owning your story — including the hard parts — builds more trust than a polished version ✔️ Getting clear on your "why" and "who you are" before you share your message ✔️ Why authentic content takes more effort than AI-generated scripts, but earns better long-term results ✔️ "Return on vision" — thinking beyond financial ROI when it comes to storytelling ✔️ Personal branding in an AI-driven world, and why Australians often hold back due to tall poppy syndrome ✔️ Brooke's journey from working within a team to building her own communications business, and what business networks in Brisbane taught her along the way

👤 ABOUT BROOKE HARGRAVESBrooke Hargraves is a media and communications strategist who helps leaders communicate confidently and authentically across television, podcasts, live events and boardrooms. An award-winning former journalist, she spent over 20 years advising senior Australian political leaders through election campaigns, national crises and intense media scrutiny. Today, Brooke combines media strategy, storytelling, confidence coaching and practical communication skills to support CEOs, founders, executives and emerging leaders — helping them understand their story, manage pressure, raise their profile, and become credible, trusted voices without feeling they need to perform or become someone they're not.

🔗 CONNECT WITH BROOKEWebsite: https://trellismedia.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-hargraves-9b207656/

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