PRessing On in Public Relations Podcast Earns Top Honors at PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties Bernays Awards

January 22, 2026

By: Liselle DeGrave, APR, President of DeGrave Communications, and Rachel McGuire, MBA, APR, Founder/CEO of RMG Communications

The PRessing On in Public Relations Podcast has been honored with a PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties Bernays Award, the chapter’s highest recognition, celebrating excellence in strategic communications, thought leadership, and professional storytelling. This joint award recognizes the podcast’s continued impact on the public relations profession and reinforces its position as a trusted, go-to resource for communicators nationwide.

Presented by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter, the Bernays Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement within the region, honoring communications programs and initiatives that demonstrate exceptional strategy, creativity, execution, and measurable results.

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful because it reflects the intention and care that goes into every episode,” said PRessing On co-host Liselle DeGrave, APR, President and Founder of DeGrave Communications. “The podcast was created to elevate the voices of communicators and to share stories that are honest, practical, and grounded in real-world experience. We’re grateful to PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties for recognizing the value this platform brings to the profession.”

A Nationally Recognized Podcast for Communication Professionals

Co-hosted by Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR, Founder and CEO of RMG Communications, and Liselle DeGrave, APR, the PRessing On in Public Relations Podcast launched in 2019 with a clear mission: to spotlight leadership, resilience, creativity, and innovation across the public relations and communications profession.

Since its launch, the podcast has grown into a respected, high-performing program embraced by both public-sector and private-sector communication professionals. Through candid conversations, expert interviews, and practitioner-driven insights, PRessing On has become a trusted platform for communicators seeking both inspiration and practical guidance.

Over the years, the podcast has earned significant industry recognition, including:

  • PRSA National Bronze Anvil Award
  • PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Award, including Best in Show
  • PRSA San Diego/Imperial Counties Bernays Award (Top Honors)

These accolades reflect the podcast’s growing influence and its strong connection with communication professionals nationwide.

A Model for Modern Podcast Production and Storytelling

One of the reasons the PRessing On Podcast continues to earn national and regional recognition is its commitment to professional-grade production and accessible, strategic storytelling. Every episode is produced in-house by the RMG Communications and DeGrave Communications teams using the same workflows and standards applied to client podcast, video, and multimedia projects.

The podcast is recognized for:

  • Expert-led interviews with communications leaders nationwide
  • Professionally scripted, recorded, and edited episodes
  • Full multimedia support, including transcripts and captioned teaser clips
  • Consistent brand identity and visual storytelling
  • Audience-aligned promotion across LinkedIn and Instagram
  • Cross-promotion through conferences, associations, speaking engagements, and guest networks

This level of quality reflects the teams’ full-service communications capabilities and underscores a shared commitment to elevating public-sector storytelling.

An Award That Reinforces the Podcast’s Mission

The Bernays Award honors strategic excellence, clarity, creativity, and measurable impact, values that sit at the heart of the PRessing On platform. Built by communication professionals for communication professionals, the podcast continues to advance the field by:

  • Showcasing voices that are often underrepresented
  • Highlighting emerging trends and challenges in public relations
  • Offering tactical, relatable insights for professionals at every career stage
  • Demonstrating the importance of authentic and accessible storytelling

“Receiving this Bernays Award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the meaningful conversations we’ve shared with public relations professionals across the country,” said PRessing On co-host Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR. “The podcast has always been about elevating voices, sharing lessons learned, and reinforcing the importance of strong, ethical communications. This recognition affirms that mission and motivates us to keep pressing on.”

What’s Next for PRessing On

With continued recognition and a growing audience, the PRessing On in Public Relations Podcast will expand its reach through:

  • Additional nationally and internationally recognized expert guests
  • Enhanced short-form and long-form video podcasting
  • Deeper dives into public-sector challenges and innovations
  • Expanded visual branding and content marketing
  • Ongoing accessibility enhancements and platform improvements

Listen and Celebrate With Us

Tune in at: pressingonpodcast.com


Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for new episode drops, behind-the-scenes production content, and future award news.

Visit pressingonpodcast.com

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All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.
-Psalm 112:5

by sol media

DeGrave Communications, Inc. is a full serving public relations firm located in Murrieta, California. As a public relations agency in Southern California, we provide communications, marketing, advertising, graphic design, social media, writing, photography, videography and outreach to our clients. We serve all areas of California, including Temecula, as well as Arizona and Nevada. We specialize in public agency / government outreach, as well working with non-profits and organizations. We represent clients in San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Sacramento County and San Mateo County.

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