80-Proof Politics

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

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.

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.

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 spends every day working to make sure that doesn't happen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

After decades of working for "the man" (and "woman"), two old friends set out on their own by launching a new lobbying firm.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.