Facts About PACs Podcast

Join hosts Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar as they welcome back political prognosticator Jim Ellis for an essential mid-year political update that PAC professionals can't afford to miss. From redistricting battles to competitive races across six open Senate seats, find out why another razor-thin House majority is virtually guaranteed. Essential listening for PAC directors weighing primary endorsement strategies, understanding fundraising dynamics between state and federal races, and planning for what promises to be another highly competitive election cycle, where business community engagement will be critical.

Live from the hottest ticket in town!  Hit play to join the fun at NABPAC's summer 2025 kick-off event. 

NABPAC Board Chair Kipp Maloney joins Micaela Isler to discuss the organization's achievements in the first half of 2025. From legislative victories to record-breaking member engagement and growth, NABPAC is thriving. Kipp shares insights from the Blue Ribbon Panel, how NABPAC is changing the conversation about business PACs on Capitol Hill, and the strategic planning process that's positioning the organization for the next 50 years. Plus, get excited for the upcoming Summer Soiree! 

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/

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/

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/

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/

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! 

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/

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/

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/

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/

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.

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. 

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). 

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/

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/ 

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/

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/

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

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!

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.

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. 

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 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. 

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

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?

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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/

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. 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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

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 

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.

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.

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

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

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.