Stay ConnectedDive into the world of advocacy with The Campaign Strategist. Each episode features in-depth conversations with activists and experts who break down their approaches to planning, executing, and winning campaigns. Learn about the strategies that have shaped policies, changed minds, and mobilized communities. Perfect for anyone looking to amplify their impact and drive meaningful change.
New episodes on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month.
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In this episode, Pete Altman talks with media strategist and Counter Stream Media founder Shilpi Chhotray, who makes a powerful case for rethinking how we build power for climate justice. Shilpi shares why she’s stepped back from the mainstream climate movement—and why philanthropy’s failure to fund narrative work and frontline leadership is holding the movement back. From global organizing to launching a frontline-led media outlet, she outlines how narrative strategy, not just comms, can shift hearts, policy, and power. “We’re not winning the narrative war,” she warns, “because we’re not investing where it counts.”
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Tara Buss, Senior Director of Research at the Research Collaborative, joins The Campaign Strategist to unpack what she calls "competitive authoritarianism" in the U.S.—a state that mimics democracy while systematically undermining it. She and Pete explore why mass non-compliance is critical, how narrative strategy can shape resistance, and why polling shouldn’t lead progressive strategy. “The rules of the game have changed,” she warns. “We can’t wait until 2026—we have to act now.” This is a compelling, clear-eyed look at the fight to preserve democracy.
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What can Sun Tzu teach us about winning political power in 2025?
In this new episode of The Campaign Strategist, I talk with Eric Hensal—veteran progressive strategist, author of A Progressive Art of Warand host of the podcast Progressive Conjecture—about applying timeless military strategy to modern political challenges.
We explore:
Eric’s approach is provocative, practical, and rooted in decades of experience across labor, government, and political campaigns.
#PoliticalStrategy #CampaignStrategy #Advocacy #ProgressivePolitics #NarrativeStrategy #MovementBuilding #TheCampaignStrategist
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Messaging maven and strategist Anat Shenker-Osorio joins Pete to unpack the mechanics of narrative, the seductive power of repetition, and why too much progressive messaging sounds like it came from a law school textbook. From “Florida fascism facilities” to “start how you want to finish,” Anat brings clarity and conviction to the question of how we talk about political danger—and what we should say instead. This is a sharp, funny, and necessary conversation about how to build power through language.
Follow Anat's Substack Words to Win by and check out her firm's work: ASO Communications.
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Durrell Johnson helped lead the campaign to stop Mark Robinson’s run for governor in North Carolina—and in doing so, created a roadmap for defeating far-right extremism.
In this episode, he explains how local groups built trust, centered impacted communities, and reached even conservative voters who felt the danger. “This wasn’t just about what Robinson said—it was about what would happen if he held power.” A must-listen for campaigners and communicators heading into 2026.
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Liz Kazal of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy joins The Campaign Strategist to talk about why Republican members of Congress are starting to feel real political risk over their support for Trump’s tax and budget bill—and how her team is keeping the pressure on. From Medicaid cuts to economic messaging, Liz shares how organizers can turn pain into power—and why being “relentless” is the only path forward in today’s political climate.
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Nick Ahamed, Deputy Executive Director of Priorities USA, joins Pete to break down the changing media landscape and what progressives must do to keep up. From the emotional resonance of abortion ads to why YouTube is essential for reaching young and diverse voters, Nick shares sharp insights on message testing, digital strategy, and long-term infrastructure. “You can’t talk to gamers and beauty YouTubers the same way—our messaging has to match the niche.”
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In this episode of The Campaign Strategist, Pete talks with Dani Negrete, National Political Director at Indivisible. Dani shares why “we don’t have four years to fix things,” drawing on lessons from recent campaigns and historical trends in authoritarian movements. They discuss how grassroots movements can sustain resistance, why cultural organizing is essential, and how to build power at the local level. A must-listen for anyone interested in advocacy, movement-building, and progressive political strategy.
Find all episodes at substack.tcspod.com or https://www.youtube.com/@TheCampaignStrategist
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Pollster and strategist Saeed Mousavi joins The Campaign Strategist to explain why Democrats are losing emotional traction—and what it takes to reconnect. From risk-averse messaging to outdated research models, Saeed makes the case for a new, emotionally resonant strategy built for today’s media landscape.
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Michael Podhorzer joins host Pete Altman to talk about what really happened in the 2024 election—and why the fight ahead isn’t about restoring the old order, but building a new one. From the failures of civil institutions to the importance of unions and organizing, this is a powerful conversation for anyone trying to navigate the Trump Era with clarity and strategy.
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