80-Proof Politics

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.