Tim Miller, writer-at-large for The Bulwark, joins host Jim Papa to discuss ethical challenges and the tough choices that many staffers often face. The two also discuss Miller’s book “Why We Did It,” and dive into conversations he had with friends and former colleagues after he became a leader in the Never Trump movement.

On this episode of STAFFER, hear Christina Reynolds talk about her experiences in the crucible of campaigns, advice to staffers, and the importance of recognizing mistakes. Christina is currently the Vice President of Communications at Emily’s List, which is dedicated to electing pro-choice, Democratic women.

Jim is joined by Ruchi Bhowmik, Vice President of Public Policy at Netflix. They discuss her time working in government and politics as well as the key traits needed to be a great staffer.

Tom Perriello, former U.S. Representative and staffer, talks with Jim Papa about his life fighting injustice. Tom dives into how important it is to find meaning in everything you do, whether it’s interning on the Hill or leading an organization like Open Society.

In the wake of historic gun legislation – but also more tragic shootings – Peter Ambler, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, joins host Jim Papa on this week’s episode of STAFFER to discuss the organization’s dedication to fighting for a safer America.

From the Clinton White House and Vice President Al Gore... to Senate Democratic Leader Daschle... to Presidents Obama and Biden, author and speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum has served at the highest levels of government. Host Jim Papa speaks with him about communicating ideas, how speechwriting has evolved, his advice for using humor, and his new book, “Undelivered.”

Jano Cabrera, former Deputy Press Secretary to Vice President Gore, talks about building resilience, taking responsibility, and learning along the way from the White House to General Mills.

Monica Dixon is the president of external affairs & chief administrative officer for Monumental Sports. She spent a career in politics at the highest of levels but she got her start working on the campaign trail and then in the senate for Senator Tom Daschle. In this episode, hear stories from her career and advice she has for current and future staffers.

Cecilia Muñoz, Senior Advisor at New America, joins us to talk about her impressive career – from working on immigration policy at the National Council of La Raza (now known as Unidos) for two decades to becoming the first Hispanic person to serve as the DPC Director under the Obama Administration.

Jim Papa sat down with Mark Bayer, President of Bayer Strategic Consulting and former Chief of Staff in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, to discuss everything from how to craft a persuasive message to lessons learned in politics.

Throughout his career as a public servant, Josh Shapiro has taken on the status quo, brought people together to solve tough problems, and delivered results for the people of Pennsylvania. Since 2017, he has served as the People’s Attorney General, working every day to stand up to powerful institutions and protect Pennsylvanians’ rights. He has held more than 90 public officials, Republicans and Democrats alike, accountable for breaking the law. Working with law enforcement partners at the...

Gautam Raghavan serves as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. Before that, he served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel since January 20, 2021. Previously, he was the first employee hired by the Biden-Harris Transition Team where he served as Deputy Head of Presidential Appointments. Raghavan served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal...

Maria Teresa Kumar is the founding President and CEO of Voto Latino, an Emmy-nominated contributor with MSNBC and former host for Changing America on msnbc.com. A dynamic community leader, Maria Teresa was named by Hispanic Business among the 100 most influential Latinos in America. Fast Company called Maria Teresa one of the top 100 Creative Minds for her work at Voto Latino, using technology, celebrity voices, media and youth themselves to empower a generation of young voters. Under her...

Awenate Cobbina is the CEO of Bedrock Group LP, an investment firm primarily focused on retail and consumer-facing companies, including Detroit-based Shinola. In his current role, Awenate advises all of Bedrock Group LP’s current operating companies and leads new investments. Previously, Awenate was the Vice President of Public and Business Affairs for Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) and the Detroit Pistons, as well as the Executive Director of the Detroit Pistons Foundation....

Fiona Hill is the Robert Bosch senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings. She recently served as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council from 2017 to 2019. From 2006 to 2009, she served as national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at The National Intelligence Council. She is co-author of "Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin"

Michael Strautmanis, a native of Chicago, joined the Obama Foundation as Vice President for Civic Engagement in January of 2016. In his role with the Foundation, he is tasked with developing and leading the execution of outreach efforts and civic engagement programs relating to the work of The Foundation. Michael is the Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor for Strategic Engagement to Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett.

Chris Murphy, the junior United States Senator for Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. Senator Murphy has been a strong voice in the Senate fighting for job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy.

Paul Brathwaite brings more than two decades of government relations experience to clients in financial services, health care, food and nutrition, transportation and infrastructure, media and telecommunications, and the education and non-profit fields. With his extensive knowledge and high-level relationships, Paul has a proven track record of helping clients work with Members in the House and Senate, on both sides of the aisle.

Anthony Ruggiero is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Anthony's broad experience in the fields of counterproliferation and nonproliferation spans more than 21 years, including more than 19 years in the United States Government in both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Mona Sutphen is currently a Senior Advisor at The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private equity firm, and is a venture advisor and co-founder of several technology start-ups. Previously, she was a partner at Macro Advisory Partners (MAP), where she led the firm's U.S. practice advising leading global corporates on emerging risks and opportunities across a range of sectors, including technology platform regulation, market entry strategies, and political dynamics and regulatory risks in the...

James “Jim” Shelton is Chief Investment and Impact Officer at Blue Meridian Partners. In this role, Jim leads Blue Meridian’s efforts to continuously increase the impact, reach, and influence of our investees and investments. This includes driving the evolution, expansion, and ongoing implementation of Blue Meridian’s regional investment strategy — integrating the work of expanding effective solutions nationwide with developing regional and local strategies that capture the compounding...

Ed Skyler is the Executive Vice President and Head of Global Public Affairs at Citi where he oversees the primary functions that shape the reputation of Citi, including Communications, Government Affairs, Marketing, Sustainability/ESG, Community Investing and Development and Citi’s compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). He also has responsibility for corporate operations including the company’s aviation, client and internal event management and conferencing units, and chairs...

Katie Hill is the Senior Vice President of Communications for the National Football League. Hill brings more than 15 years of strategic communications and public affairs experience to the League, spanning the White House, Capitol Hill, the private sector and political campaigns. As Senior Vice President, Hill is responsible for leading the NFL's day-to-day communications operation, aligning the League's communications strategy with its priorities. She works closely with the leadership team...

Will Kinzel is the Vice President of Molson Coors Beverage Company (commonly known as Molson Coors), a Canadian multinational drink and brewing company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to that, he served as the Government Affairs Managing Director for Delta Airlines for over five years. Will also worked in the Office of the Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) from 2011-2013 as Assistant to the Speaker for Policy.

Kelly Burton is the President of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), an organization chaired by former Attorney General Eric Holder that is executing a comprehensive redistricting plan to achieve fair maps. She also serves as the President for NDRC's affiliates, the National Redistricting Action Fund and the National Redistricting Foundation.