80-Proof Politics

Protecting your online identity with Amy Shuart, Head of North American Government Affairs and Policy with Onfido. Jun 01, 2023

Protecting your online identity with Amy Shuart, Head of North American Government Affairs and Policy with Onfido.

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Memorial Day edition with USAF Colonel John Christianson, Military Fellow at CSIS. May 29, 2023

Honoring those who have served and sacrificed with a special Memorial Day episode. Military Fellow and US Air Force Colonel John Christianson, joins me at Off the Record.

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Looking after the GSIBs with Kevin Fromer, President and CEO of the Financial Services Forum. May 18, 2023

From answering calls on Capitol Hill to running the Financial Services Forum, Kevin Fromer has had a classic - and very successful - public policy career in Washington. Along the way, he was the Chief of Staff for the longest serving Member in the House, Policy Advisor to the Speaker, and AsstSec for Legislative Affairs at Treasury during the '08-'09 financial services crisis. He joins me at Cafe Riggs which used to be the lobby for the largest bank in DC.

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Kevin Fromer Sneak Preview May 11, 2023

How do we ensure the nation's 4700 banks are healthy? What if the 8 GSIP's at the top of the food chain were to fail? My guest next week and his team spend every day working to make sure that doesn't happen.

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Erol Yayboke, Director of Fragility and Mobility at CSIS joins me at The Dignitary to explain what it's like to work for a think tank. May 04, 2023

From monitoring Putin's disinformation tactics, writing about the destructive earthquakes in Turkey, and figuring out how to get paid for thinking and writing, Erol Yayboke, Director of Fragility and Mobility at CSIS joins me at The Dignitary to explain what it's like to work for a think tank.

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Next week's sneak peek Apr 27, 2023

Next week’s guest is going to tell us what it’s like to work at a think tank. They play a fascinating role in the federal policy arena.

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A conversation with Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley about the need for a Sustainability Scorecard Apr 20, 2023

Fifty-three years ago this week, a group of activists started the modern-day era of environmentalism, climate control, and sustainability by stealing my birthday and turning it into Earth Day. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of chatting with one of current champions of that cause, former Governor of Maryland and 2016 Presidential candidate, Martin O'Malley.

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Next week's sneak peek Apr 13, 2023

Fifty years ago, a group of "Think Global; Act Local" do-gooders stole my birthday! Next week's guest has a lot to say about why those thieves have failed in their mission to save the planet.

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Chatting (at an undisclosed location...) about safe building transportation with Amy Blankenbiller, Executive Director of the National Elevator Industry, Inc. Apr 06, 2023

Ever stopped to think about how much time - or how many miles (!) - you spend moving from place to place on an elevator or an escalator? Me neither. But Amy Blankenbiller does, ands she's working to make those experiences safe and enjoyable for us.

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Next week's sneak peek Mar 30, 2023

It seems every industry has a trade association. Tune in next week to learn a bit about one you might be taking for granted on a daily basis. Oh, and something very unique happened while recording this one...

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A Conversation with Chairman Bill Archer on the Occasion of his 95th Birthday Mar 23, 2023

This week, we step back from distilling the art of advocacy and have a conversation with the first former Member of Congress to visit 80-Proof Politics. Join me as former Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Bill Archer, shares his public service story on the occasion of his 95th Birthday.

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A sneak peek at next week's episode Mar 16, 2023

Next week, 80-Proof Politics takes a step back from Distilling the Art of Advocacy for a conversation I recently had with a well-known person in this town who served 30 years in Congress.

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Creating a Successful Team From Opposite Ends of The Political Spectrum with Cristina Antelo and Mark Williams Mar 09, 2023

Cristina Antelo and Mark Williams didn't know each other until three years ago - in spite of being from the same town, having children the same age, and each heavily involved in Hispanic politic organizations - but found out they are basically the same person from different ends of the political spectrum. Now they run one of the hottest lobby firms in town, Ferox Strategies.

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Next Episode Sneak Peek Mar 01, 2023

Two politicos from Dallas walk into a bar... A sneak peek of an informative and highly entertaining conversation with two people who share very similar backgrounds - tho' from opposite ends of the political spectrum - never met until three years ago and are now running one of the most successful lobby firms in town.

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Looking After America's Small Businesses with Tom Sullivan, VP Small Business Policy at the US Chamber Feb 22, 2023

Tom Sullivan, VP Small Business Policy at the US Chamber, tells us how the smallest businesses in America get their voices heard and their interests protected by the world's largest organization representing businesses. And what it's like to go through a Senate Confirmation process.

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80-Proof Politics is officially a Big Whig! Plus, a sneak peek at our next episode. Feb 15, 2023

First, another exciting announcement about 80-Proof Politics. Then, a sneak peek at our next episode.

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A visit to Fight Club with Bill Bates and Scott Sudduth Feb 08, 2023

Hear how two friends went from the security of salaried jobs to launching their own firm.

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Washington Navigators Preview Feb 02, 2023

What does it take to branch out and start your own lobbying firm? These two did just that after decades of working for others.

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Exploring the role of PACs with Micaela Isler, Executive Director of NABPAC Jan 26, 2023

The Executive Director of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees, Micaela Isler, breaks down what PACs are, how they represent the voices of hundreds - even thousands - of like-minded individuals in today's elections, and how the housing financial crisis saved her marriage.

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Episode 8 Preview Jan 19, 2023

Next week, 80-Proof Politics returns to its regular schedule with a fascinating conversation with Micaela Isler, Executive Director of the National Association of Business PACs. Here's a sneak peek into that episode. Thanks for listening.

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Bringing Congress into the 21st Century with Jen Daulby, Chief of Staff for Indigov Jan 12, 2023

Indigov Chief of Staff - and former House Admin Chief - Jen Daulby on making Congress work better and how you prepare the Capitol for an Inauguration 14 days after an insurrecrtion.

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Behind the Curtain - Now What? Jan 05, 2023

How will official Washington respond to the collapsed house of cards that once was FTX and SBF? What happens to the millions he and his colleagues contributed to political campaigns? Will crypto ever be sexy again inside the Beltway? Let's see...

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Behind the Curtain - The Playbook Dec 29, 2022

It's not that FTX and Bankman-Fried created an entirely new approach to federal advocacy. They literally used every page in the playbook while spending over $200M inside the Beltway. What they did was run a massively accelerated 2-minute offense.

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Behind the Curtain - Players Need a Goal Dec 22, 2022

Imagine if you will that you decide to spend $200M in Washington to become a "player." You'd expect some sort of favorable outcome, wouldn't you? Bankman-Fried and FTX sure did. Episode 2 of 80-Proof Politics Behind the Curtain explores what exactly our crypto friend hoped to accomplish by becoming a political force.

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Behind the Curtain - Becoming a DC Player Dec 15, 2022

We're kicking off a new partnership with Evergreen Podcasts with a special four-part mini series called: 80-Proof Politics Behind the Curtain. In episode 1 I ask the question, "What would you do if you had $3million to spend in Washington DC?" Turns out the answer is "a lot" if you compress the typical advocacy playbook into an 18-month accelerated charm offensive.

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Season 3 Teaser Dec 01, 2022

There’s exciting news about the future of 80-Proof Politics (cue “The Jeffersons” theme song…). Stay tuned for the big announcement, but in the meantime here’s a taste of the upcoming season.

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Navigating DC with a swamp pilot: Keeping the "why" in focus with Mike Bertman, Founder and President of Swamp Pilot Strategies, LLC. Jan 10, 2022

Welcome back! After nearly eighteen months on the social distancing lam, 80-Proof Politics is back with episode 1 of season 3. Longtime distilled spirits lobbyist, Mike Bertman tells us about why he is now betting on himself for once, and making sure he has at least one great idea each day in order to make himself better tomorrow than he is today.

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Remotely conversing with former longtime higher ed advocate and congressional candidate, Shay Stautz Jul 28, 2020

Fresh from the campaign trail in his home state of Arizona - and having his beer delivered to his doorstep during this time of shelter-in-place - Shay Stautz talks about his years as a higher education lobbyist, how he translated that experience into running for Congress, and plowing through colleagues in the office to get his first real policy position on Capitol Hill.

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Drinking Alone: Advocacy in the Time of Coronavirus May 20, 2020

In this special edition of 80-Proof Politics, we touch base virtually with a few of our previous Guestperts to see how they are adjusting a profession built on personal relationships and interpersonal communications to an era of self isolation and social distancing.

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Matthew Cornelius, Executive Director of the Alliance for Digital Innovation, talks about encouraging acquisition at the speed of technology within the federal government. At Lost & Found. Apr 27, 2020

From telling federal agency personnel why they can't to now showing them why they should, Matthew Cornelius - three months into his role as Executive Director of the Alliance for Digital Innovation - joins 80-Proof at Lost & Found for a pre-coronavirus talk about how being a Duke fan while attending UNC prepared him for working at Treasury, GSA, OMB, and running an association of companies helping to shape innovation in government.

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Having cut his teeth with Bobby Kennedy at the DoJ and his Senate office, Arnold Fege - Founder & President of Public Advocacy for Kids - spent two years as a reporter in Vietnam before finding his true passion as an educator & advocate for kids Apr 11, 2020

Arnie Fege and I sit down for a pre-quarantine conversation and drink at The Hamilton to discuss his rich experience in Washington, and how his formative policy years with one of the true leaders of the '60s led him to create and run one of the premier education advocacy organizations in DC.

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Learning to connect before you communicate with Mark Bayer, President - Bayer Strategic Consulting and Host of the podcast "When Science Speaks." At Siné Irish Pub in Arlington, VA. Feb 23, 2020

Mark Bayer, President of Bayer Strategic Consulting, host of "When Science Speaks," and self-proclaimed persuasion nerd explains why it's important to connect before you communicate. He joins us at Siné Irish Pub in Arlington, VA.

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Kicking off Season 2 with Josh Martin - VP Government Affairs, American Defense International - at Tortilla Coast Feb 11, 2020

We open Season 2 of 80-Proof segment by introducing a new feature we call NextGen Advocates with Josh Martin, VP Government Affairs - American Defense International. And what better place to share his story of nearly twenty years on the Hill than at Tortilla Coast.

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From parking lot attendant to WH Counselor to the President. Wrapping up Season 1 with Ed Gillespie at Landini Brothers Oct 15, 2019

We put the wraps on Season 1 with Ed Gillespie, Chairman, SVC Public Affairs. From Senate parking lot attendant to WH Counselor to the President with a few political and advocacy stops along the way, Ed has lobbied and been lobbied. He shares his public affairs insights with us at Landini Brothers.

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Applying strategic public affairs to regulatory actions and avoiding road hazards at an undiscosed location with Stuart Roy, President - Strategic Action Public Affairs. Sep 30, 2019

In the second of our final three-part series on applying strategic communications, Stuart Roy, President - Strategic Action Public Affairs, adds the unique perspective of creating support for clients who face regulatory actions, helping clients restructure internal communications, and how to dodge farm implements traveling 60 mph on the Wilson Bridge.

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Tackling the fear of dealing with the media at the Boxcar Tavern with John Feehery, Partner with EFB Advocacy. Sep 23, 2019

In episode 14 of 80-Proof Politics, we're joined by John Feehery, Partner with EFB Advocacy, at The Boxcar Tavern. John talks about how his rich history of working for the Speaker of the House, other politic leaders, and even the Motion Picture Association of America taught him not to fear the media -- or the Cubs.

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Brenda Becker, Sr VP Global Government Affairs with Boston Scientific, talks about her time working for a major healthcare associaiton and then the Vice President. Sep 15, 2019

From a state association to the White House, Brenda Becker of Boston Scientific tells us why she always wanted to be a lobbyist and why social media is the toilet bowl of the internet.

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Talking campaign work and crisis management with Matt Miller, Partner with Vianovo and former DoJ Spokesman at Founding Farmers. Sep 02, 2019

Matt Miller started as a 16-yr old page on Capitol Hill and worked his way through several state and federal campaigns before becoming the spokesman for A.G. Eric Holder the Obama Department of Justice. He joins me at Founding Farmers to discuss how decades as a political communications director helps his clients respond to crises.

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Lobbying DC from the West Coast. Jennifer Poulakidas of UCLA talks about leaving Washington after 26 years. Aug 19, 2019

Our Guestpert for episode 11 is Jennifer Poulakidas, Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations with UCLA. Jenn recently moved to L.A. after a long successful advocacy career in DC, and tells us about lobbying the federal government from three time zones away.

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Making a 34-year advocacy career at one company with Kent Wells, VP of Federal Relations -- AT&T, at Cactus Cantina. Aug 13, 2019

Counter to the 80-Proof adage that DC thrives on very diverse resumes, we revisit an old haunt, Cactus Cantina, with Kent Wells who talks about his 34 years with AT&T, how technology may change but certain lobbying techniques don't, and how pointy elbows can jump start a career.

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Chatting with The Queen of the Internet, Shane Tews, at Equinox Jul 29, 2019

In episode 9 of 80-Proof Politics, I’m joined by Shane Tews - President of Logan Circle Strategies at one of the consistently top-rated restaurants in DC, Equinox. Shane shares her experiences in campaign work, representing the distilled spirits trade association, and her two decades as “The Queen of Internet Policy.”

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The world of healthcare policy with Jim Smith, President of The Potomac Policy Group, at The Dubliner Jul 20, 2019

In episode 8 of 80-Proof Politics, Jim Smith - President of Potomac Policy Group - joins me at the heart of Irish hospitality, The Dubliner. He talks about the enormity and depth of the healthcare policy world in Washington, working in political campaigns, being a Congressional Chief of Staff, and how alligator wrestling got him his first DC job.

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Helping the Good Do Better through social advocacy with Tom Sheridan, CEO and Founder of The Sheridan Group, at Supra. Jul 07, 2019

Tom Sheridan, CEO and Founder of The Sheridan Group, discusses his new book, "Helping the Good Do Better," in which he distills the art of social advocacy, explains how to build a coalition of social cause groups and keep them from undermining their own efforts, and how to teach U2's Bono who is the Elvis in DC. Recorded at the wonderful Georgian restaurant, Supra at 11th and M, NW.

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DoE contract capture with Sean Todd, Founder and President of Fox Potomac Resources at The Tombs. Jul 02, 2019

Distilling the Art of Agency Advocacy, mixed with a bit of Capitol Hill lobbying. Sean Todd talks with us about catching the green bug in L.A., the value of putting yourself in position to raise your hand and say, "I can do that", having the risk appetite to strike out on your own, and being the oldest married Congressional intern on record.

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Learning how to navigate DC at Del Frisco's with Nadeam Elshami, 25-year veteran of Congressional Leadership politics. Jun 23, 2019

Nadeam Elshami, Policy Director - Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schrek, and one of Politico's "30 Most Powerful People in Trump's DC," talks about lessons learned during his lengthy career serving top Democrats in both the House and the Senate and how those lessons help him serve clients trying to find their way around Washington.

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Strategic public affairs with Ron Hutcheson at Shaw's Tavern Jun 16, 2019

Ron Hutcheson, Managing Director - H+K Strategies, talks about the importance of the policy value proposition, representing the International Olympic Committee and Princess Haya of Jordan, and why creating a surround sound for a lobbying campaign is key to global public affairs.

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The world of higher education advocacy with Sarah Spreitzer at The Front Page Jun 07, 2019

Sarah Spreitzer, Director of Government and Public Affairs for the American Council on Education, talks about representing the presidents of 1,700+ colleges and universities with a staff of six, and why a graduate degree in Medieval Architecture is the perfect training for becoming a lobbyist.

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Glenn LeMunyon and client representation at the Tune Inn Jun 01, 2019

Our Guestpert on this week's 80-Proof Politics is Glenn Lemunyon, Founder and President of The LeMunyon Group, LLC. Glenn talks to us about representing clients, lobbying budget issues and appropriations, and how not to order beer at the Tune Inn.

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Running a Trade Association with Craig Purser at The Majestic Cafe May 26, 2019

The inaugural episode of 80-Proof Politics features Craig Purser, CEO and President of the National Beer Wholesalers Association who shares with us how one of the top trade associations in DC translates the operations of 1700+ beer wholesalers into federal policy and why the beer industry is interested in marijuana.

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