Facts About PACs Podcast

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The Facts About PACs Podcast is the #1 PAC podcast in America. The program is produced for the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC) and each weekly episode includes a recap of the association's latest activities, actionable intelligence for the PAC community, and an interview with a featured guest. Show host Micaela Isler is the Executive Director of NAPBAC.

National Association of Business Political Action Committees


    • May 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 17m AVG DURATION
    • 194 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Facts About PACs Podcast

    Sky's the Limit: A First Look at NABPAC's Blue Ribbon Panel

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 11:16


    NABPAC convened 16 industry thought leaders for a no-holds-barred discussion about the future of business political engagement. As the association approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, President and CEO Micaela Isler shares a first look at insights that could reshape how the business community engages politically for the next five decades.Episode Sponsor: PASS | Public Affairs Support Serviceshttps://pactrack.net/

    Reconciliation Update with Jennifer Belair | Atlas Crossing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 14:46


    Your Memorial Day weekend update on the latest developments in budget reconciliation has arrived. We break down what this "big and beautiful bill" means as it heads to the Senate with special guest Jennifer Belair, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Atlas Crossing. Sponsored by Capital Bank - your partner in political banking solutions.https://capitalbankmd.com/

    FEC Update with Mark Renaud | Wiley

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 18:41


    In this episode of Facts About PACs, hosts Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar welcome Mark Renaud from Wiley Law to discuss recent developments at the Federal Election Commission. Mark breaks down the current FEC membership crisis, with only three commissioners remaining and no quorum to issue advisory opinions or move on enforcement cases. Despite this deadlock, he emphasizes that PAC professionals must maintain compliance with reporting requirements. The conversation covers President Trump's executive orders on election integrity, recent enforcement cases with significant penalties, and consideration of the future of the FEC. This episode provides essential insights for PAC professionals navigating the current regulatory landscape, complete with PAC trivia about the FEC's unique bipartisan structure. Episode Sponsor: Chain Bridge Bankhttps://www.chainbridgebank.com/

    Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Fundraising: Applying Behavioral Science to PAC Communications

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 16:19


    In this episode of Facts About PACs, the gang recaps NABPAC's May luncheon featuring Kevin Schulman from DonorVoice. Learn how to move from persuasion to attraction in PAC communications, understand the psychology behind donor motivation, and discover practical strategies to improve your fundraising efforts through personality-based messaging. Plus, find out the surprising statistic about PAC email open rates and why traditional generational targeting might not be as effective as industry peers once thought.Episode Sponsor: PASS - Public Affairs Support Services, Inc.https://pactrack.net/

    In Full Swing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 14:25


    The Facts About PACs team returns with updates on NABPAC's exciting spring and summer lineup, including the upcoming May luncheon featuring innovative fundraising strategies, PAC giving in the states webinar, and the much-anticipated Summer Soiree on June 12th. Hit play and join the gang as NABPAC kicks into high gear! 

    Your Exclusive Ticket to Capitol Hill Bipartisanship

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 14:57


    PAC managers: secure your seat at "Across the Aisle," the must-attend Capitol Hill event where Problem Solvers Caucus members and corporate government relations leaders reveal how to drive real results in today's divided climate. Sarah Bonk from Business for America joins the podcast with details on this exclusive opportunity to network with lawmakers who make things happen beyond the headlines. Discover actionable strategies to mobilize your PAC's influence, build effective coalitions, and show value to your stakeholders. NABPAC members register free—your investment of time will pay dividends in PAC effectiveness.Episode Sponsor: Chain Bridge Bankhttps://www.chainbridgebank.com/

    Top PAC SWAG in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 15:27


    What's the secret to PAC donor recognition that actually works in 2025?In this essential episode of "The Facts About PAC" podcast, swag expert Lori Barber reveals the hottest trends in donor appreciation that are driving engagement right now.Discover why PACs are moving away from cheap trinkets toward premium branded items that donors actually use and display. From Apple AirTags to custom socks that turn heads, learn what makes for effective recognition in today's political fundraising landscape.Episode Sponsor: Public Affairs Support Services, Inc (PASS)https://pactrack.net/

    Mastering the Fly-In: Effective Advocacy on Capitol Hill

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 19:51


    Facilitating Capitol Hill advocacy through successful legislative fly-ins involves managing expectations and preparing advocates to build lasting relationships with congressional staff. In this episode of Facts about PACs, hosts Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar sit down with Colleen Morton, owner and principal of Congressional Meetings LLC, to discuss the post-pandemic surge in in-person advocacy and why her "politely persistent" approach works. Whether you're organizing your first fly-in or seeking to enhance your advocacy strategy, this episode offers practical guidance on how to amplify your organization's voice in Washington.Episode sponsor:  Capital Bankhttps://capitalbankmd.com/

    2026 Political Landscape with Jim Ellis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 22:04


    Political analyst Jim Ellis returns to the #1 PAC Podcast in America to dissect the evolving political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms. With a razor-thin Republican majority in the House and several high-profile Senate retirements, Ellis offers his expert analysis on what could be the most competitive Senate campaign cycle in decades.Episode sponsor:  Capital Bankhttps://capitalbankmd.com/

    PAC Leadership When Washington Seems Chaotic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 17:36


    Intellectually honest responses to mounting anxiety surrounding PACs and government relations in today's DOGE era. From donor hesitation, C-suite skepticism, and the challenge of demonstrating value amid political chaos, David Schild and Adam Belmar offer practical strategies for communicating PAC importance to stakeholders, maintaining critical relationships during uncertainty, and reminding contributors that the serious, steady lawmakers—not the headline-grabbing firebrands—are where PAC support truly matters. A thoughtful guide for government affairs professionals seeking to maintain strategic focus when emotions run high.

    Candid Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 15:40


    How are employee-funded and business trade association PAC leaders engaging younger employees? Do competition-based initiatives spark engagement among next-generation contributors? The shared experience and wisdom from NABPAC's signature roundtable events are on tap in this unplugged episode of the Facts About PACs Podcast. 

    AI, Advocacy, and the Future of Digital Campaigns with Shannon Chatlos

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 14:14


    In this episode of Facts About PACs, digital advertising expert Shannon Chatlos shares insights on how AI is reshaping political campaigns and advocacy in 2025. As a partner at Strategic Partners and Media, Chatlos discusses the shift toward thought leaders and away from paid influencers, the future of podcast advertising, and how PAC professionals can leverage AI tools to work more efficiently. The episode also covers breaking news about NABPAC's legislative priority with the introduction of the Prior Approval Repeal Bill (HR 1399). 

    Prior Approval Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 11:47


    Have you ever wondered why trade groups need permission slips before they ask certain people for donations or why a corporation can only give this permission to one trade association per year? Amie Adams joins the pod to preview her upcoming Let's Talk with Wiley's Carol Laham: Perfectly Effective and Legal Ways to Ask for Prior Approval. Episode Sponsor:Quorum PAChttps://www.quorum.us/products/pac/

    Fundraising Momentum in the Off-Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 16:17


    A discussion about maintaining fundraising momentum during off-election years. Guests Trey Hawkins from America's Credit Unions and Neil Cohen from AbbVie share strategies for keeping political action committees engaged when campaign season ends and legislative work begins. Episode Sponsor:PASS, Public Affairs Support Services, Inc.https://pactrack.net/ 

    Our Issues: NABPAC's Legislative Priorities for 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 16:28


    A roundtable discussion about NABPAC's legislative priorities for 2025. How have employee-funded and business trade association PAC contribution limits remained frozen at $5,000 since 1974, while individual donation limits continue to rise with inflation? Is "prior approval" an outdated rule unnecessarily limiting political participation? Episode Sponsor: PASS, Public Affairs Support Services, Inc.https://pactrack.net/

    Podcasts, PACs, and Personal Connections: Digital Engagement in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 19:00


    Join NABPAC's President and CEO Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar as the #1 PAC Podcast in America dives into the fascinating world of digital voter engagement with political technologist Eric Wilson. Hot off the press from the Center for Campaign Innovation's 2024 post-election survey, this episode reveals surprising shifts in how voters consume political information - including the rise of social media over local news and the emergence of podcasts as a major player in political communication. Plus, hear why personal connections and workplace relationships are becoming increasingly crucial in political messaging. Episode Sponsor: Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.https://www.chainbridgebank.com/

    Meet Alex Bolton (Atlas Crossing)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 15:30


    The Facts About PACs podcast starts 2025 with an introduction to the new cool kid on the block, Alex Bolton with Atlas Crossing.  Fresh from his role as Chief of Staff to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Alex shares an insider's perspective on the incoming 119th Congress and offers PAC leaders valuable insights on the session's first 100 days.Episode Sponsor: Quorum PAC

    Annual Reports

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 16:31


    It's time to start thinking about your annual reports. Need some ways to make the annual report process easier? What information should you include? Should it go to PAC donors or all PAC-eligible employees? Hit play for the last episode of 2024!

    Bad Words with Amy Showalter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 17:50


    In this delightfully salty episode, language and PAC expert Amy Showalter joins the Facts About PACs crew to drop truth bombs about the words and phrases we should all retire in 2025. From the eye-roll-inducing "going forward" to the overused "historic," no corporate buzzword or political cliché is safe from Showalter's witty critique. Listen as hosts Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar navigate this verbal minefield with humor and insight.

    How to Raise a Citizen with Lindsey Cormack

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 16:21


    Are you looking to stuff those stockings with something more substantial than candy this year? Join us as we welcome Dr. Lindsey Cormack, author of the new book, "How to Raise a Citizen," for a refreshing conversation about raising the next generation of civic-minded citizens. 

    Top 5 Takeaways

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 18:46


    A Friendsgiving fireside chat about the Top 5 Takeaways from the NABPAC Post-Election Conference.  Join Amie Adams, Rocky Krivijanski, David Schild, Adam Belmar and Micaela Isler

    Live from Palm Beach!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 26:16


    Live from the 2024 NABPAC Post-Election Conference, the #1 PAC Podcast in America is on location with the employee-funded and business trade association PAC professionals who make it happen. 

    Showtime

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 15:13


    The final episode before election day. A special preview of the NABPAC Post-Election Conference. 

    Last Mile Briefing with Jim Ellis (Ellis Insight)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 15:08


    Polls, pandas, and political parlor games! Jim Ellis returns, armed with data and daring predictions. From Senate squeakers to presidential photo finishes, we're dissecting the electoral map. Will ticket-splitting be 2024's October surprise?

    PAC Match and Disaster Recovery

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 15:23


    Can your PAC Match program allow you to support disaster relief? A conversation about how PAC leaders can explore giving opportunities and show empathy to affected members.

    State Compliance with Mark Renaud (Wiley)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 17:42


    We're serving up a piping hot cup of what you need to know about significant changes in state campaign finance law. Legal eagle Mark Renaud from Wiley joins the podcast to discuss new laws in Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Maryland and California.

    Deepfakes and Deception

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 19:40


    Sarah Bonk, Founder and CEO of Business for America, joins the #1 PAC Podcast in America to discuss how we can all help defend our organizations against AI deepfakes.  And why we should understand these threats to democracy as a business issue. 

    45-Days to Election Checklist

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 13:35


    With about 45 days until Election Day, the Facts About PACs podcast is here with the PAC Director's checklist. From creating engaging election night scorecards to crafting post-election analyses that matter, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you shine.

    Political Overtime with Jim Ellis

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 19:35


    Find out why you might be carving your Thanksgiving turkey before we know who controls Congress. Hit play for an in-depth analysis of the upcoming congressional elections with political analyst Jim Ellis.

    DNC 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 13:42


    Join us for a live report from the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago with Paul Brathwaite, Chief Strategist at Federal Street Strategies.

    Intern Impact: TFAS

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 10:40


    On this episode of the #1 PAC Podcast in America, NABPAC summer intern Eloise Hupfer highlights the value of her participation in The Fund for American Studies Washington D.C. internship program.

    Congressional Campaign Forecast Update with Chaz Nuttycombe (CNalysis)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 15:35


    Election forecaster Chaz Nuttycombe is back with updated forecasts for the 2024 U.S. House and Senate races. Hear the forecasting methodology and learn why the upcoming Washington state primary is a key indicator for predicting the national political environment.Episode Links:State Navigate: Your compass for state legislatureshttps://statenavigate.org/https://cnalysis.com/

    Do's and Don'ts with Rocky Krivijanski, Trine Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 11:41


    Political events have shocked American voters for more than a month.  Special guest Rocky Krivijanski, Founder of Trine Strategies, has the Do's and Don'ts for employee-funded and business trade association PAC Directors this hot election summer. 

    RNC 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 15:11


    Join us for a live report from the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with Tim Monahan, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Atlas Crossing.

    Chin Straps On

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 13:25 Transcription Available


    What PAC professionals do in periods of political turbulence. A candid conversation on the state of play in campaign 2024 from the #1 PAC Podcast in America.

    Election Ready with Amie Adams, Dunn Associates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 13:33


    Amie Adams, President of Dunn Associates and the PAC Expert on the other end of the NABAPC Help Hotline is back with everything PAC Directors need to get election-ready!

    Political Involvement and the PAC Director with Dan Ekstein (SAGAC)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 18:06


    In this episode of Facts About PACs, Dan Ekstein of SAGAC Public Affairs discusses the vital role of PAC directors as connectors between organizations, employees, and candidates. He emphasizes the importance of political engagement, encouraging PAC directors to be passionate defenders of the democratic process and to leverage employee trust for positive civic involvement.

    IRL

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 10:44


    Live from the NABPAC Summer Soiree it's an IRL special episode you can't afford to miss. 

    Hurt Locker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 14:48


    Want to avoid the pitfalls and steer clear of the Hurt Locker? Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar have actionable tips for PAC Directors seeking to recognize the small things that can morph into profoundly troubling issues.

    hurt locker adam belmar
    Leadership Advice for PAC Directors

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 21:05


    Are you looking for a sharper focus?  We have expert advice on leadership and what we can all do to turn that focus inward and harness our authenticity.  Author, consultant, and executive coach Tracy J Edmonds joins the #1 PAC Podcast in America with some candid advice on leadership. 

    Election Update

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 15:27


    David Wasserman from the Cook Political Report joined a PAC'd house to share his comprehensive 2024 Election Update. And loyal listeners of the #1 PAC podcast in America have not been left out.  From the most thought-provoking scenarios to the consequences of redistricting, your cut of Wasserman's insights into the strategic underpinnings shaping electoral outcomes is one click away.

    School's Out for Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 11:35


    The #1 PAC Podcast in America has you covered with the Top 3 Things you need to know from here to Labor Day.  

    Solutions In Action: Speak4

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 19:11


    PAC and Grassroots advocacy are critical components of your corporate strategy. When quantity and quality in advocacy engagements matter and personalized impactful messages need to be on target.  You have options… especially in a budget-constrained environment. We are live from the intersection of Tech, Digital Advocacy & Marketing with Joe Mansour, Founder & CEO of Speak4.Link to download the Speak4 Corporate Advocacy Myths Report: https://bit.ly/4d8NZlL 

    Employees Vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 20:03


    BIPAC hosts EmployeesVote.com, a site dedicated to Employee Voter Registration.   Hit play to hear about the nonpartisan resources available to you and your team for encouraging voter registration.  Kim Durcho and Liz Byrd from BIPAC  join Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar for the scoop on Employees Vote 2024.

    vote employees adam belmar
    Public Opinion: Intersection of Business and Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 20:39


    Amy Showalter joins the #1 PAC podcast in America with contextual analysis of a new opinion survey of American consumers and employees about how businesses address politics in the workplace.

    PAC Insights with Lisa Strikowsky Gillman | T-Mobile

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 16:13


    Special guest Lisa Strikowsky Gillman joins Adam Belmar and David Schild to discuss her experiences in managing employee-funded PACs.

    March Madness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 14:00


    It's the Facts About PACs take on March Madness and you don't need a bracket or a ball to enjoy this episode. Because in our league, we know what drives us a little mad.Episode Sponsor: Quorum

    Dark Money

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 14:20


    What is Dark Money?  Are SUPER PACs Dark Money? What are Employee Funded and Business Trade Association PACs? David Schild and Adam Belmar join Micaela Isler for an unforgettable episode where darkness is illuminated and transparency wins the day.

    dark money adam belmar
    Leap Day!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 15:17


    You've got 365 days a year to make your employee-funded or business trade association PAC program great, but what would you do with just one more?  Hit play for an episode full of Leap Day facts and festivity.

    Senate Primaries with Punch

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 13:51


    The latest on the US Senate Primary Races packing the most punch. Get the backstory and state of play in California, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, and Utah with Jim Ellis.

    Love PACtually

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 8:43


    We're in the Valentine's Day spirit and saying out loud the things that make us love what we do. And yes, it is Love PACtually! 

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