Episodes

A look at how one company embarked on an accelerated 18-month charm offensive in Washington, DC.

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 ...

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 transl...

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...

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 & ...

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 …

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...

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 y...

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 …

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 acti...

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 ev...

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 Foundi...

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 lobby...

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...

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...

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,...

Tom Sheridan, CEO and Founder of The Sheridan Group, discusses his new book, "Helping the Good Do Better," in which he distills the art of social advocacy, explains how to build a coalition of social cause groups and keep the...

Distilling the Art of Agency Advocacy, mixed with a bit of Capitol Hill lobbying. Sean Todd talks with us about catching the green bug in L.A., the value of putting yourself in position to raise your hand and say, "I …

Nadeam Elshami, Policy Director - Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schrek, and one of Politico's "30 Most Powerful People in Trump's DC," talks about lessons learned during his lengthy career serving top Democrats in both the House an...

Ron Hutcheson, Managing Director - H+K Strategies, talks about the importance of the policy value proposition, representing the International Olympic Committee and Princess Haya of Jordan, and why creating a surround sound fo...

Sarah Spreitzer, Director of Government and Public Affairs for the American Council on Education, talks about representing the presidents of 1,700+ colleges and universities with a staff of six, and why a graduate degree in M...

Our Guestpert on this week's 80-Proof Politics is Glenn Lemunyon, Founder and President of The LeMunyon Group, LLC. Glenn talks to us about representing clients, lobbying budget issues and appropriations, and how not to orde...