Proactive PR redefines podcast conversations
Laone Choeunyane | Monday September 7, 2026 06:00
One such player is the Proactive PR and Lifestyle Podcast with Karabo, created and hosted by public relations and communications professional, Karabo Mokgware. It explores public relations, branding, corporate communications, lifestyle and events management, while offering audiences a closer look at the thinking and strategy behind organisations and their brands. For Mokgware, the podcast is a natural extension of his professional experience. “I spent 14 years in public relations, communications, lifestyle events, so my language is public relations. My language is corporate communications. My language is branding. My language is events management,” the podcaster explains his passion for what he does. Proactive PR and Lifestyle Podcast with Karabo uses that experience to unpack subjects ranging from brand identity and corporate image to crisis management, while challenging the narrow perception of public relations as simply a tool for managing scandals.
“The podcast is a way for me to discuss PR, branding, and lifestyle topics varying from the look and feel of a brand to crisis management,” he says. “And also to create impact and awareness that public relations is actually more than just crisis management because it has been reduced to such. PR revolves around our daily lives. PR revolves around everything that we do.” That perspective gives the podcast a broad scope. Its conversations have brought together executives from companies including Choppies and Okavango Breweries, as well as professionals from parastatals, government, the creative sector, radio and entertainment. “This podcast targets executive officials within or experts of PR, branding, marketing, and communications holistically,” adds Mokgware.
“I’ve had executives from parastatals, executives from macro brands, executives from government level, and just creatives within the communications space, radio presenters. I’ve had corporate and entertainment emcees as well. So I do cater to various markets.” The format also moves beyond the conventional studio conversation. Mokgware incorporates case studies and direct brand engagement into the podcast’s segments, creating a platform where audiences can examine real-world examples rather than simply listen to an extended interview. “Our segments are not your typical podcast segments where you’ll have 41 minutes in studio and just talking,” he says. “Our segments also come with case studies. Our segments also come with direct brand engagement.” Despite its corporate subject matter, Mokgware does not see the podcast as a platform exclusively for professionals already working in the industry. “Some people might say, no, it’s a corporate platform. Not entirely. PR is not just corporate. Yes, it may be appealing to a more corporate market but it’s really open to appeal to anyone, especially from the ages of 16 moving forward,” he explains.
That openness extends to the relationship between the host and his guests. Rather than positioning them simply as interview subjects, Mokgware considers every guest a steward of the programme for the duration of their appearance. “When you are a guest at Proactive PR and Lifestyle Podcast, you are a co-host for the day,” he reveals. The distinction is also clear in the kind of conversations the podcast intends to facilitate. “We don’t do gossip. We don’t do tarnishing of names.” In a podcast environment where entertainment and personality-driven conversations have become increasingly prominent, Proactive PR and Lifestyle Podcast is carving out a more educational space without abandoning entertainment. The podcast is also still in its early stages, with Mokgware already looking ahead to its next phase.
According to Mokgware, two major episodes are planned after the podcast crosses its first 10 episodes, leading towards the 20th episode, which will serve as its official launch and feature a prominent guest. Building the platform, however, has come with the financial realities faced by many independent creators. “The biggest challenge that I’m still facing right now is the fact that I’m funding everything on my own. I do get episode sponsorships. But it’s not enough to keep on going for the next one.” For Mokgware, that challenge has not diminished his belief in the platform or the space it is trying to occupy.
“A new product always takes time. You build trust over time.” As Botswana’s podcasting scene continues to grow, Proactive PR and Lifestyle Podcast is betting that there is an audience for conversations that go beyond personalities and controversy; an audience interested in understanding how brands communicate, how organisations manage their public image and how public relations quietly shapes everyday life.