Episodes
When Kailey Leinz realized her dream to be a ballerina was fleeting, she turned her attention to broadcast journalism, and she hasn't turned back. From her early days at NBC in Charlottesville, VA to a meteoric rise at Bloomberg News, Kailey Leinz is one to watch. Hosting Balance of Power radio (and broadcast online) and BOP in the evenings on Bloomberg TV, this host is fearless in her interviewing of high-power guests. Tune in to hear more about her remarkable journalism journey and her keen...
Published 05/17/24
Richard Just is managing editor for long form for News of the United States and head of the Albritton Journalism Institute's Admissions process. He joins Lisa today in advance of announcing the second (ever) class for the AJI. With a magazine background, Richard takes us into the process of developing and delivering journalism that is not on the usual breaking news track -- rather at the intersection of news and opinion, as he explains. Tune in today to hear more about his role at this...
Published 05/17/24
Published 05/17/24
Don't miss this week's episode with Brody and Luke Mullins -- two D.C.-native, investigative journalist brothers who teamed up to report on the dynamics of lobbying and it's origins in the nation's capital. These two superstars (one at Wall Street Journal and the other at Politico Magazine) have produced one of the most anticipated books of the year -- illustrating the contours of lobbying through the investigation of the most-known characters in the business. Tune in today to hear how the...
Published 05/03/24
Amie Parnes is Senior Correspondent for The Hill newspaper, covering the White House, among many other D.C. and political things. She tells us in this episode that she has always wanted to be a journalist and shares some fun anecdotes about her courage in advocating for herself. Fast forward to 2024 and an abrupt change in her employment situation, it is that same tenacity that has her restored to a top spot at one of the busiest D.C. newsrooms. With three best selling books (co-authored with...
Published 05/03/24
With an extraordinary career of anticipating trends in marketing, Beth Sidhu is now chief brand and communications officer for Stagwell. She joins Lisa today for a conversation about important trends in business and the culture of sports -- as she plans to deliver a second successful year of Sport Beach at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Beth's career has been truly at the intersection of business, news and politics and is well-known inside the beltway as a true...
Published 04/12/24
Will Kinzel is the Founder of Parafossam, a new and booming business inside of Washington, D.C. With a keen insight into running policy campaigns, Will is deciphering Washington, D.C. for private equity clients in a way like no other. Will's experience from inside political committees, top offices inside the U.S. Capitol and high perches inside corporate America have given him a killer instinct and his clients are thriving because of his intuitive nature. Tune in to better understand how...
Published 04/05/24
Today's guest is a strategist, an author, a publisher and a podcaster with a passion for making people famous for what they do. Torund Bryhn is the author of "Fame Revolution," and she's captured the essence of today's public life in a way no other author has yet done. Listen in today to hear Torund share wisdom about how to live your own personal brand. Her positive approach to this kind of marketing is inspirational. She insists we're in the golden age of public relations and to hear...
Published 03/22/24
Jason Blevins from the Colorado Sun tells me he was a ski bum that snuck in the back door to journalism, but anyone that knows this killer journo knows its instinct and grit that makes him a must-follow. After a long tenure at the Denver Post, Blevins took a leap of faith and struck out on his own to build what is now a non-profit publication with a team of great talent. We get into the business of journalism, the thrill of living in the West and the health of the ski industry. Big thanks to...
Published 03/08/24
Maggie Hroncich is a staff reporter for the New York Sun, and to hear her unfold her daily playbook is a complete inspiration. At a time when we're regularly hearing about newsrooms shrinking or disappearing altogether, today's conversation is a hopeful one with a brilliant journalist. Tune in today to learn more about Maggie's journalism path, her focus on trends in local media and how TikTok and other media platforms are quickly becoming pipelines for news coverage. Learn more about your ad...
Published 03/01/24
Emily Hanford is senior producer and correspondent for APM Reports. She's the host of the hit podcast, "Sold a Story," the second most shared show on Apple Podcasts in 2023 and Time Magazine top THREE podcasts of the year joins Lisa today for a conversation reading instruction. Her entire career has been dedicated to public radio -- much to her English degree's surprise -- and has really made a tremendous name for herself. While her hit podcast launched at a time when parents, educators and...
Published 02/23/24
The National Press Foundation is dedicated to investing in the future of young journalists and my guest today has made this organization a top priority. Amos Snead is the chair of the NPF and also president of D.C. public affairs firm Adfero. Today, he's a guest of the Friday Reporter. As an avid supporter of journalism and communications, Amos famously tells everyone he mentors that we're in the "friend-making business," and it shows. His success in public affairs, his authoring of a smart...
Published 02/09/24
Yolanda Brignoni started her career as a journalist in Macon, Georgia, but quickly found that her willingness to help and advocate became her passion. Fast forward a few years to today, she's VP External Affairs & Communications for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. (www.pedaids.org). Her passion for advocacy has taken her into and onto some of the most rewarding communications posts and even in corporate communications for a D.C. based news outlet. Yolanda shares her...
Published 02/02/24
Patrick Wohl is a Washington, D.C. political professional and author of an insightful new book -- Down Ballot, How a Local Campaign Became a National Referendum on Abortion. Today, Lisa and Patrick unpack how an Illinois state primary ignited a national conversation about abortion, while also setting a precedent for counting electoral ballots -- without giving up too much about this smart new book. Patrick also offers a window into the process of writing and having a book published. Tune in...
Published 01/19/24
Mark Penn is the Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, Inc., but also a best selling author and former advisor to U.S. Presidents, prime ministers and so much more. He joins Lisa today from CES, one of the biggest tech trade shows in the world. Penn shares his early love for polling, the needle corporations must thread in these dicey political times, and even a story about how he almost got tossed out of school early on his political path. At the start of a very busy election season, this...
Published 01/12/24
Sterling Marchand is partner at Baker Botts law firm and host of "The Lawful Influence Podcast." 2024 promises to deliver many stories about campaign finance, so today's guest helps us understand the contours. Sterling Marchand is known in D.C. as a man who can break down the complexities of this issue in a way that all of us can understand. That's why he's chosen to take to the airwaves and host his brand new show -- don't miss this one!! Additionally, Sterling shares his fantastic...
Published 01/05/24
Tim Murtaugh has served at the highest levels of political communications, as his career encompasses serving as communications director for the Trump 2020 campaign – plus work on statewide campaigns, congressional races, and in senior leadership positions at national political committees. But Tim's path wasn't always easy, as he details in a raw and personal account in his upcoming book, "Swing Hard In Case You Hit It." In today's episode, Tim shares a preview of his own struggles to quit...
Published 12/22/23
Evan at a very young age in Mumbai, Sarakshi Rai knew her path was journalism. From watching her father produce a magazine to interning for numerous publications, her passion was pure and has secured her upon a super impressive path. The Hill's Director of Audience and Social Media visits with Lisa today to talk through her own literal journey to the busy news town of Washington, D.C. She shares some insight into successful audience capture and how important it is for her team to take a trail...
Published 12/15/23
Today's guest is David Pollack, the host and creator of the David Pollack Radio Show on 94.9 FM /950 AM. https://www.thedavidpollackshow.com/ As a Seminole County native, this passionate conservative talk show host uses his voice and his expertise to engage his audience in ways -- and lots of others are following his lead. As an attorney and former candidate for office, David found himself wanting to increase the volume of his own voice and built a show that is turning fast into an...
Published 12/08/23
Jade Davis is the co-founder and chief strategy officer for Thornton Buckeye Group in Cleveland, OH. He started the firm with his wife Crystal nearly a decade ago - and has turned his attention to growing this business that is connecting people in state and across the country. As senior vice president at the Port of Cleveland, Jade oversaw public affairs and energy policy while witnessing record economic growth at this important trade port in the U.S. Though a lifetime of hard work and...
Published 11/17/23
Frank Larkin is a national advocate for veterans suicide prevention and traumatic brain injury research. As a former Navy Seal himself with a long and decorated career in the U.S. Secret Service and as U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, Frank joins Lisa today to raise awareness for an organization near and dear to his heart. Frank shares his own personal story about the loss of his own son, Ryan, and how the efforts of families affected like his are truly making a difference in how we continue to...
Published 11/11/23
After several years overseas covering OPEC, landing impossible-to-get guests and breaking news, Annmarie Hordern returned to D.C. for Bloomberg to cover the White House. Her easy and brilliant approach to news coverage is the envy of many of her colleagues and sources. Annmarie's point of view on the difference between international and U.S. news, along with the importance of having a worldview, is an important conversation in today's environment. Tune into today's conversation with the...
Published 11/10/23
Jeff Nelligan is a senior exec at the U.S. FDA, but that's not nearly all that keeps him busy. He's the proud author of two great books -- "Four Lessons from My Three Sons, How to Raise Resilient Kids" & "Your Kid's Rebound from Pandemic Lockdowns." With a 7 year old start at politics, donning a clip-on bowtie to campaign for his mom, Jeff prides himself on his careful and considerate approach to parenting and all things political communications. He had an early stint at journalism...
Published 11/03/23
Brad Todd is the co-founder of On Message and co-author of The Great Revolt, but he confessed today that he's also a recovering journalist. Heard weekly on TV and radio, he's offering keen insight into political mindset and voter dispositions. Brad's point of view is sought from both elected and private sector clients alike. He shares his projections on '24, the challenges facing traditional polling and how to make an impact outside of politics -- through philanthropy. His Coach to Cure MD...
Published 10/27/23
This week's guest is podcast host and superstar Corey Nathan -- host of Talkin' Politics and Religion Without Killing Each Other. At a time when polarization is at an all-time high, Corey launched and continues to host a super successful podcast with some of the most intriguing and compelling hosts in the U.S. today. His own amazing personal story inspired the concept and it's grown exponentially since then. Tune in to get some great insight about how to talk these tough topics with friends...
Published 10/20/23