Explore every episode of the podcast Wesley Donehue Podcast

Welcome back to season 2 of the Wesley Donehue Podcast! Dive back in with Chief Creative Officer at Push Digital Group, Brian Athey, as he lays the groundwork for an exciting new venture with Wesley.

➡️ Change Is Never Easy: Wesley and Brian review the pivotal decisions being made at PDG at the end of the 2024 political cycle, as well as all the changes leading up to it over the past 13 years with personnel, company infrastructure, and priorities for the firm. 

👀 Peeling Back the Curtain: Wesley and Brian relay the plan for intentional innovation brought by Sandbox, aiming to redefine politics and foster solutions for the GOP party, no matter which party holds power in Washington. 

🧠 What’s On Your Mind?: Brian picks Wesley’s brain on his focus as he takes a new role in the company, including addressing fundraising, media strategy, and infrastructure issues is crucial for sustained political success within the GOP. 

🚧 In the Trenches: Wesley explains his vision in transitioning his focus from execution to innovation ensures scalability and the ability to tackle future challenges.

🌦️The Forecast: Wesley and Brian unpack their plan to launch 12 new things in the next 12 months, rolling out changes in how the company can maximize its tangible impact on our nation’s politics. 

🎙️Join us for this week’s episode as we sit down with Katey McCutcheon, former Communications Director for Senator Joe Manchin and current SVP at Firehouse Strategies, for an inside look at messaging strategies that transcend political lines🐘🫏

↪️A Change of Heart: Katey shares her journey into the political world and reveals how she shifted her political views and affiliations through her work in the West Virginia State Senate.

💼Headed Up the Hill: Hear about Katey’s experiences on Capitol Hill and the unique, relentlessly challenging work culture within the House and Senate.

👩🏼‍💻Started From the Bottom: Katey recounts her meandering ascendance from intern to Communications Director on the Hill.

🤝One in the Same: Wesley and Katey discuss how public displays of inter-party disagreement are felt in both major political parties.

🕹️Messaging Maneuvers: Katey discusses the expectations of party leadership messaging in congressional offices and how she had to think outside the box to meet the unique factors of her boss's positioning.

🍪Not So Cookie Cutter: Katey explains the key considerations for Senator Manchin’s Communications team and how the diverse makeup of constituents sometimes conflicted with party expectations.
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Katey McCutcheon is a Senior Vice President at Firehouse Strategies.
Before Firehouse Strategies, she worked at a Washington, D.C.-based communications firm, specializing in communications for corporate, political and advocacy clients. Prior to that, she began her career on Capitol Hill where she specialized in communications for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and, most recently, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin. For six years, she helped navigate Senator Manchin through his reelection in 2018, government shutdowns, three Supreme Court confirmations and numerous policy proposals.
Katey is originally from Long Island, New York and grew up in New York, California and Texas. She graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Political Science.

🎤📌Today, Wesley is joined by General Consultant Brad Shattuck! Tune in to hear about his journey through the political world, including how he came to open his own firm.

🚨Up in the Air: Wesley and Brad discuss how tumultuous the month of July has been for the political world, from shifting campaign landscapes to the unpredictability of what's coming next.

🏃‍➡️The Political Track: Brad shifted his aspirations from track and field to political ambitions during college when he became chairman of the WVU College Republicans.

📺Someone to Look Up To: Wesley and Brad reflect on the political figures they admired growing up, from former U.S. Presidents to fictional executive staffers.

🏆The Campaign Appeal: Brad and Wesley agree that the campaign life is the path for them, explaining why some aspects of it were more appealing than jobs on Capitol Hill.

🥷The Assassin Mentality: Wesley and Brad discuss the dexterity and intensity required to succeed in political campaigns, as well as the importance of containing those mentalities to the workplace.

🤿Swimming Upstream: Wesley shares his perspective on fundraising wins and losses, both past and present, for GOP campaigns and how they tie into media relations.
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After a string of successes managing political action committees, statewide and Congressional campaigns, and independent expenditure efforts around the country, Brad Shattuck founded Strategic Impact, intent on building a Republican consulting and voter contact firm aimed at electing solid Republicans to office.

Shattuck began his career helping to reelect one of the most endangered Republican Congressmen in the country in 2000. After securing an 18-point victory, Shattuck moved to Virginia where he worked on the 2001 GOP nomination contest for Governor. From there, he went on to run one of the nation’s largest conservative PACs and oversaw successful independent expenditure efforts, helping to expand the GOP majority in 2001 and 2002.

In 2003, he helped elect the first GOP Governor in over 32 years in Kentucky and ran the campaign for Secretary of State, resulting in the first win in over 80 years for a down-ballot Republican. After the campaign, he worked at the Republican Party of Kentucky overseeing multiple candidates and campaigns.

Following a successful stint at the Party, Shattuck went on to run two other Congressional races before finally starting Strategic Impact. Today, his firm works with dozens of Members of Congress, numerous down-ballot statewide officials, conservative organizations, and State House and State Senate campaigns and caucuses around the country. His work has won the coveted Pollie Award (the Oscars of the political industry), and he has been featured in The New York Times, Politico, Roll Call and a host of other publications.

🎙️📝Today’s episode with Brett O’Donnell, pro communications consultant whose work has spanned the globe, is a can’t miss. Tune in to hear how he has helped presidents, governors, and prime ministers fine-tune their messaging!

📌Memorable & Meaningful: Brett explains his mastery in compressing complex policy into digestible, adaptable political messaging for speeches, debates, and direct mail campaigns alike.

🙊We Spoke Neither: O’Donnell explores his work with international candidates, revealing how he navigated language barriers to deliver universal messaging, unbound by geography.

🍔Feed Me the Cheeseburger: Wesley and Brett examine whether the rhetoric of candidates like Donald Trump, who speaks plainly, and Bernie Sanders, who addresses those feeling neglected by the political system, reflects a broader trend of voters seeking raw, unfiltered information.

🛗A Wide Reach: Wesley gets the scoop on Brett’s extensive client history and his approach to strategizing messaging for a diverse range of personalities.

🥉The Holy Trinity: Brett outlines what he believes are the three key factors that drive voter support for a candidate, all rooted in authenticity.

💥Like a Loaded Gun: Wesley asks about Brett’s favorite campaign war story, featuring a memorable quip to Senator John McCain that received widespread acclaim from his audience.
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Brett O’Donnell is the President of O’Donnell and Associates, an international political and corporate strategic communications consulting firm. He currently serves as a message, communications and media strategist for nonprofit and for-profit corporations and numerous members of the United States Congress. He has served on six US Presidential Campaigns and served three Prime Ministers of Britain.  He was messaging director for the Vote Leave campaign in Britain, commonly known as the Brexit.  He has led the communications and messaging for political campaigns in Latvia and the Dominican Republic and consulted on others in France, Poland, Israel and Panama.  In 2018, O’Donnell led the confirmation process for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He still serves as Pompeo’s communications and political advisor, a post he has occupied since 2014. During the 2008 presidential campaign, O’Donnell was twice named to Time magazine’s “Five Most Important People Not Running for President” list and has been described as the “best political debate coach” in the country. He was a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics in the fall of 2012.

O’Donnell has also consulted for nonprofit humanitarian organizations for message/marketing strategy, communications strategy and rapid response and media communications. He and his firm also provide messaging, communications, crisis communications, media training, speech writing and marketing consulting for Fortune 500 companies. O’Donnell has appeared as a guest on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report, appeared numerous times on the BBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox News, CNN and MSNBC as a political analyst.

🎤🦅Today’s episode with Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09) is a can’t-miss! Join us as we delve into the Congresswoman’s career path, legislative priorities, and her advice for those entering public service.
🛣️A Winding Path: Rep. Houchin details her journey from interning at the state legislature to challenging a long-time incumbent in the State Senate, and most recently securing a seat in the United States House of Representatives.
🙋🏼‍♀️Did You Know There’s a Senator Here? Rep. Houchin recalls facing discrimination as a woman, including being directed to an alternate location for spouses during her own Indiana State Senate inauguration.
🕹️Navigating the Negativity: The Congresswoman and Wesley discuss the pervasive pessimism in political media cycles and the value of becoming your own information source, as she does in her podcast, The Contender.
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Keeping Kids Safe: Rep. Houchin and Wesley discuss the importance of the Kids Online Safety Act, a current legislative priority for the Congresswoman. As parents, they emphasize the critical importance of online safety for America’s children.
🏆Beating the Odds: Rep. Houchin shares how she overcame a 26-year incumbent to win her State Senate seat, becoming the first Republican in nearly a century to hold the position. She also reflects on the challenges of her 2022 U.S. House primary campaign, from which she emerged successful.
🔊A Congresswoman’s Wisdom: To wrap up the episode, Rep. Houchin offers words of encouragement for aspiring public officials, stressing that there are no mandatory qualifications or personal restrictions to hinder anyone from seeking office.
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Congresswoman Erin Houchin proudly represents the 9th Congressional District of Indiana. As a mother, community leader, and small business owner, Erin is dedicated to serving the 9th district to better the lives of all Hoosiers who call it home.

Erin currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee. Previously, Erin represented the 47th District in the Indiana Senate for eight years and served as a member on several committees with jurisdiction over issues important to Hoosiers, including: Commerce and Technology; Elections; Family and Children Services; Utilities; Veterans Affairs and the Military; Homeland Security and Transportation; Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications; and Ranking Member of the Tax and Fiscal Policy.

Along with her service in the State Senate, Erin was a Hoosier small business owner operating a PR company focused on helping law enforcement communicate the good work they do. In addition to her private sector work, Erin held several leadership positions in her community. These positions included 9th District Chairwoman of the Indiana Republican Party, 9th District Chairman of the Indiana Federation of Republican Women, Vice Chairwoman of the Washington County Republican Party, and the Governor’s appointee to the Indiana Commission of Women. In 2011, Erin also served as Southeast Indiana Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dan Coats which covered most of Indiana’s 9th Congressional District.

Erin graduated from Indiana University with her Bachelor’s degree, and proceeded to earn her Master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University.

Erin was born in Southern Indiana and is a native to the 9th District. She married her husband Dustin in 2002, and they currently live in Washington County with their three children.

📫🎙️Today's episode covers all aspects of conservative direct mailing efforts with expert Jeff Kruszyna!

🆚Digital vs. Direct Mail: Wesley and Jeff highlight the resurgence of direct mail's tangible interaction compared to the reactionary nature of digital media, noting the difference the formats make for educated voters.

📈Expanding the Donor Pool: Jeff and Wesley discuss the broadening of the donor base by engaging those feeling excluded from politics and leveraging news events like Trump's legal troubles to attract new donors.

👨🏻‍🔬From Computer Science to Political Science: Jeff shares his journey from one science to another, driven by his experience with the Young America's Foundation and his Christian faith.

🔁This or That: Wesley and Jeff discuss how direct mail and digital campaigns are most cost-effective for local races, offering the best return on investment.

🗂️Entrepreneurial Ups and Downs: Jeff reflects on his first solo year in the direct mail business, where they both note the importance of different investments.

🦅Hate Congress, Love the Congressman: Wesley and Jeff cover how non-political efforts and constituent services help maintain voter support for individual congressmen despite overall dissatisfaction with Congress.

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With more than 20 years of experience in the areas of Republican politics, direct response strategy, fundraising, copywriting, design, donor acquisition, list selection, segmentation and analysis, Jeff Kruszyna is ready to help you raise the money needed to achieve your goals, win your campaign, or fund your cause.

Jeff’s a three-time Peer Choice “All Star Award” winner and a 2019 recipient of the American Association of Political Consultants’ “40 Under 40 Award” who has raised more than $100 million for Republican campaigns, political action committees, veteran support groups, Christian charities, and other conservative advocacy organizations.

His direct mail fundraising appeals have been recognized with more than a dozen industry awards including: the American Association of Political Consultants’ “POLLIE” Award, the Direct Marketing Association of Washington’s “MAXI” (Marketing Award for eXcellence and Innovation) Award, and the Peer Choice “GOLD ELEPHANT” Award.

A native of New York, Jeff graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Stony Brook University’s Honors College with a B.A. in Political Science and a M.A. in Public Policy. In 2021, his alma mater selected Jeff as an honoree of their prestigious “40 Under Forty Award” recognizing him as an exceptional and distinguished leader in the areas of civil service and activism.

 Today Jeff lives in beautiful Loudoun County, Virginia, attends church at Cornerstone Chapel, and enjoys rooting for the Green Bay Packers.

🧐🎧Do people cast their votes based on intellectual decisions, or their emotions? Wesley and Robert delve deep into that question in this episode.

📍Pervasive Pessimism: Wesley and Robert dive into the widespread sense of pessimism in this nation and the sources of these negative rhetorics.

📆Origins of Skepticism: Robert and Wesley ponder the historical events which may have contributed to a loss of faith in institutions, including manufactured evidence and economic turmoil.

🌄A Changing Media Landscape: Wesley and Robert explore how watching cable television has turned from a familial gathering post to a toxic echo chamber. 

📣From Policy to Personality: Robert and Wesley explore how candidates are increasingly judged based on relatability and personal traits rather than their policy prescriptions, influencing voter decision-making and electoral outcomes.

🗳️Emotional Appeals and Authenticity: Wesley and Robert unpack what motivates the American electorate to get out their vote - and why one former President is particularly effective at captivating his base time and time again. 

🥊Counterpunch Ready: Robert shares an impactful campaign moment, highlighting the power of using research to win a campaign. 

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As one of the top pollsters in the country, Robert Blizzard’s political experience includes polling for presidential campaigns, major races for U.S. Senate and Governor across the country, party committees and Super PACs, dozens of Republicans in Congress, and state legislative caucuses across America. 

In the 2022 midterm election, Blizzard polled for two new Members of Congress, including for Dr. Rich McCormick (GA-6) who cruised in November after winning both a competitive Republican primary and run-off election against a Trump-endorsed candidate, and for an independent expenditure on behalf of Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4).

Blizzard helped guide the return of several other Republicans to Washington, including long-time clients Andy Barr (KY-6), Thomas Massie (KY-4), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24). Blizzard polled for SuperPAC efforts to re-elect both Senator Marco Rubio in Florida as well as Don Bacon (NE-2) in a seat Biden won in 2020.

In addition to his political expertise, Blizzard also regularly conducts corporate image, messaging, and crisis management research for national and state-based associations, public affairs groups, and Fortune 500 companies on topics related to criminal justice, consumer and customer strategy, education, energy, finance, health care, retail, and tech, among others.

Over the years, Blizzard has overseen extensive qualitative research on a variety of topics and issues around the country – from politics to public policy – moderating hundreds of focus groups and ad-testing groups both in-person and online. During the 2020 election cycle, Blizzard helped center-right clients better understand the key voting constituency of suburban voters by pioneering innovative qualitative research to better understand the attitudes of this swing voter cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A graduate of Clemson University, Blizzard lives in the Washington DC area with his wife and two sons. Prior to founding UpONE Insights, Blizzard spent nearly two decades at Public Opinion Strategies, working his way from intern to co-owner of the firm and top political pollster.

🎙️On today’s 80th anniversary of D-Day, hear from Matt Kenney, an Army combat veteran and seasoned political operative in the great state of Arizona.🇺🇸

🪖The Catalyst for Leadership: Matt explains how experiencing 9/11 as a highschooler and watching the military and NFL career of Pat Tillman prompted motivations to serve his country. 

⚔️A Profession of Arms: Matt reviews the many important lessons learned from Ranger School, ranging from specialized infantry techniques to unparalleled interpersonal skills. 

🎛️The Need to Pivot: Matt recounts the silver linings that he found as a result of the physical hardships and injuries from his time in combat.

🫡Platforms of Service: Upon exiting his days of service, Matt found a platform in working towards VA Reform, rebuilding the foundation of the Republican party in Arizona, and bolstering the newly censured and fellow veteran Senator John McCain. 

💥Crash Course in Politics: Matt explains that his first job after leaving combat was, notably, leading the successful Super PAC to reelect Senator McCain in 2015. 

📋The Monumental Marriott: Matt shares his favorite Campaign War Story, featuring multiple hotel ballrooms and hundreds of dedicated canvassers who still remember their many hours of hard work years later. 

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Matt Kenney specializes in organizational development, public affairs, and political consulting. For nearly a decade, Matt has worked on political and initiative campaigns as well as public relations projects.

He previously served as the executive director of the independent expenditure efforts to re-elect Senator John McCain and as executive director of the Arizona Republican Party. He has been a lead consultant on advocacy campaigns for Veteran Affairs reforms and accountability, energy initiatives, free market policies and the Arizona House and Senate’s Republican Legislative Victory Fund.

Before working in public affairs, Matt served in the US Army as an infantry officer and is a combat veteran. Matt holds certificates in American Public Policy and International Studies as well as Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees from Arizona State University.

Matt currently serves on the board of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, the Arizona Attorney General’s Veteran and Military Family Advisory Council, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and the Western Maricopa Coalition. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Brittany and their three children Braiden, Eden and Rowan.

🗯️🎙️You won’t want to miss today’s inspiring episode featuring Thomas Peters, founder and CEO of the political texting company, RumbleUp!

🐘Big Observations: Thomas recounts a key insight from Mitt Romney’s 2012 defeat: the potential of using smartphones as a tool to organize a winning campaign.

🤫Behind Closed Doors: Wesley and Thomas discuss the lack of transparency among political professionals and how this secrecy limits potential growth in the field.

🛟A True Lifesaver: Thomas shares how creating his business saved his mental health during his recovery from a traumatic, life-threatening injury.

💪🏼Creating Teflon: Thomas and Wesley reflect on lessons about life's fragility and how these lessons influence decision-making in entrepreneurial pursuits.

✂️Democrats Invent, Republicans Perfect: Thomas discusses how many digital crafts are initially developed by Democrats, then adjusted to perfection by Republicans.

📑Code of Conduct: Wesley and Thomas theorize about the regulatory measures that should or should not be implemented in GOP political campaigns.

🚌The Keys to The Bus: Thomas describes his positive experiences on Carly Fiorina’s presidential campaign, highlighting that camaraderie and trust in a young staff were key to a great experience.

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Thomas Peters, 38, holds two masters degrees, grew up in California and Michigan, and moved to Washington DC in 2007, where his career began in online political organizing and digital grassroots advocacy, first through his award-winning personal blog AmericanPapist, read by millions of people a year at its height, then as a communications director, writer, consultant and pundit. In 2012 he consulted for the advocacy organization CatholicVote on a project to mobilize millions of Catholics in several swing states on behalf of Mitt Romney for President. In 2014 he founded uCampaign, a platform which enables clients to launch and operate their own white label iOS/Android apps. uCampaign built the official smartphone apps of over 50 organizations in 12 countries, including Ted Cruz for President and Donald Trump for President (2016) as well as the UK, Canadian and Australian center–right parties’ apps. These apps were downloaded over 700,000 times in 9 languages and resulted in tens of millions of grassroots actions being performed by their supporters. In 2018 he launched RumbleUp, the most advanced political texting platform. In 2020 RumbleUp powered the official white label campaign texting platforms of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). In 2020 he wound down uCampaign to focus his team 100% on RumbleUp. In 2021, he launched Switchboard, a texting platform dedicated to shortcode texting as well as non-political texting use cases. Its first two significant clients are the Republican Governors Association and Friends of Ron DeSantis. In 2022 in addition to powering the NRCC & NRSC’s platforms for a second cycle in a row, RumbleUp also powered the official white label campaign texting platforms of the Republican Governors Association and the Republican State Leadership Committee. In 2020 he was awarded a “40 under 40” award in “recognition as a leader and innovator in the political business community” by the American Association of Political Consultants. His work has been profiled by The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and he was featured as a Fox News Sunday Power Player on August 30, 2020. He has been interviewed by NPR, Axios, Reuters, USA Today, Campaigns & Elections as well as Bloomberg’s Balance of Power podcast, the Business of Politics podcast, the Digital Politics podcast and the Ruthless podcast. He has given talks to the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), the Cellu

🎧🏡On today’s episode, Chris Sinclair joins Wesley to discuss all things issue advocacy in the Realtor world. You won’t want to miss his insights on digital marketing and beyond!

⏯️There's Something to This Youtube: Chris talks about using a new tool called Youtube in it’s early days to launch an issue advocacy campaign. 

🫏It’s Done, We’re All Done: Chris reflects on the epiphany he had on election night in 2008 when he realized the power wielded by the Obama campaign’s digital efforts to emerge victorious in the Presidential election. 

🗣️You Lie!: Wesley explains how marrying the tools and the message creates successful digital efforts, citing the triumph he found with Rep. Joe Wilson’s infamous moment during the State of the Union in 2009.

📔The 37 Page Plan: Chris shares how he got his start in legislative communications, using that to forge an entrepreneurial path building upon his previous relationships with the Association of Realtors.

🤳🏼Working the Market: Wesley and Chris discuss how realtors use internet marketing abundantly and ponder why this isn't as transferable to political advocacy work.

👔Straight Grifters: Wesley and Chris unpack the scrutiny on political consultants and how bad behavior creates a negative perception amongst the public.

💸Time is Money: Chris and Wesley consider the importance of time spent versus money earned and the pressures of political careers.

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Chris Sinclair has been actively involved in North Carolina politics and public affairs for over 20 years. Recognized as a top influencer and strategist by multiple organizations, including Campaigns & Elections magazine which named him one of the Top 500 Influencers in American Politics (2013). Sinclair has founded multiple firms including Public Solutions, an award-winning public affairs firm, which later merged with Cornerstone Strategy & Communications to become Cornerstone Solutions. Chris was instrumental in the passage of Marsy’s Law for All legislation in North Carolina that passed with 62% of the vote, the highest of all six of the constitutional amendments up for consideration by voters in 2018. He has also been fundamental in implementing campaigns for three Wake County education bonds, all passing by over 65% of the vote, totaling nearly $1.5 billion. His work has proven powerful enough to sway the majority of citizens to vote for a candidate outside their political party. Chris has also helped run one of the most successful business and real estate coalitions in the country, concentrating on issue advocacy, strategic communications, and grassroots mobilization. Chris has served on numerous boards and commissions including a recent appointment to the North Carolina Victims’ Assistance Network Board of Directors. He also serves as the chair of the Central Wake High Charter School Board of Directors and has served on the Wake County Planning Board. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and was a former planner for the Tennessee Valley Authority and the City of Greenville, South Carolina. Chris obtained his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill University. He is a father of three and currently resides in Charlotte, NC.

🎧🤠Tune in to today’s episode to listen to the political journey of Josh Robinson, the founder of 936 Media, from D.C. to Texas and beyond!

🙏🏼Josh’s Genesis: Josh shares how his work on campaigns began with a conversation on a Sunday at his hometown church, and evolved into a political career.

📌Authenticity in Action: Wesley and Josh delve into the significance of authenticity in political relationships, advocating for a composed and genuine demeanor to attract like-minded individuals.

🩺Nip and Tuck: Josh and Wesley agree on the necessity of preserving candidates' authenticity in their media and digital endeavors, intervening only to make subtle enhancements.

🏹In It For the Long Haul: Josh shares his approach to sustaining longevity in the political realm without succumbing to burnout, emphasizing the importance of balance and effective prioritization.

🧳Beyond the Beltway: Josh reflects on the advantages and drawbacks of departing from the Washington, D.C. area as a political practitioner.

🏆Uncharted Territory: Josh recounts his most memorable campaign experience, featuring unconventional alliances and groundbreaking achievements in a mayoral race in San Antonio.
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Josh Robinson is the founder of 936 Media, a full service multi media company.  Josh grew up in Texas by way of Alabama and worked on his first campaign at the age of 17.  He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and continued working on campaigns across the country including Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential race.  Josh has held various leadership positions throughout his career including Regional Political Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Chief of Staff in the United States House of Representatives and as the Political Director of the Republican Governors Association(RGA).  While at the RGA Josh managed a $55 million political budget and oversaw the largest Independent Expenditure Campaign defending Gov. Scott Walker in the historic 2012 recall election victory.  Since 2012 Josh has served as general consultant and media vendor on a number of successful statewide, congressional and regional campaigns.

🎧👠 Take a walk on the feminine side of politics in today’s episode with Sarah Selip, founder of 917 Strategies! 

🎨The Artist’s Touch: Wesley and Sarah explore the creative dimension of digital politics, emphasizing the diverse application of skills in this domain.

🫂Finding Your Tribe: Sarah elaborates on her experience in establishing a mentorship program and navigating the political landscape as a young woman.

💥Pop Culture Passions: Sarah discusses the fusion of conservative politics, cultural facets, and media within her boutique firm, 917 Strategies.

📊Weighing the Scales: Wesley and Sarah analyze the trend toward larger-scale firms in the political industry and consider how clients' interests align with these shifts.

🔄Ups and Downs: Sarah and Wesley break down a thought-provoking quote Sarah’s father shared with her about building relationships across every stage in a political career. 

📥The Ballot Box Matters: Sarah discusses her work with Congressman Jody Hice and the journey from investigating election integrity in 2020 to a book release on the topic in 2024.

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Sarah Selip has nearly a decade of experience in political public relations, coalition building, and strategic communications, which has given her a deep understanding of the media landscape. She has worked closely with prominent figures in the Republican movement, including on state, House, Senate, and presidential campaigns. With her extensive background in conservative politics, Sarah is well-equipped to shape public perceptions and foster positive relationships between clients and the media. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fox News, Newsweek, New York Post, andthe Washington Examiner. As a former congressional communications director, Sarah spent the last four years helping members of Congress effectively communicate their legislative agenda and priorities by raising their media profiles nationwide and within their districts.

🎧🍃Tune in to today's episode to hear about Matt Nichol's career path, from serving his country to campaigns to medical cannabis!

⭐️Matt’s Northern Star: Matt shares how politics captivated his attention in a middle school history class, and took him all the way to Capitol Hill. 

🪖The Mud Run and Beyond: Matt elaborates on how he managed to serve his country, earn a college degree, and stay actively involved in politics simultaneously.

🫡The Last One: Matt reminisces about his tenure serving in the office of the Adjutant General in South Carolina and his six years of service in that role under General Bob Livingston. 

🎖️Veterans Voices: Matt reflects on the intersection of his political and military backgrounds and how he leverages his experience to advocate for meaningful veteran policies. 

🛣️On the Road to Recovery: Matt and Wesley discuss the importance of integrating Cannabis in treating medical issues ranging from Veterans mental health to chronic pain conditions, and how sentiments  in South Carolina continue to change regarding the policy initiative.

📲The Blackberry Bust: Matt shares his favorite campaign story, involving illicit substances and an energized local politician. 

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Matt Nichols, a Marine Corps veteran, has built a reputation in Republican circles as a tenacious political operative. Matt currently serves as a lobbyist with The Southern Group where he represents a variety of interest ranging from cannabis to disaster recovery.  

Matt also served as Senior Advisor to Congresswoman Nancy Mace, the Representative for South Carolina’s First District. In this role, he served as a crucial policy advisor on issues surrounding veterans, conservation, and cannabis. Most notably, he led the drafting of the States Reform Act. 

In 2019, Matt served as COO of the Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF) where he led their mission to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act. He played a major role in developing the SAFE ACT, which allows federal banking regulators to provide banking services to legitimate marijuana or hemp-related businesses without fear of penalty. 

Prior to joining CTF, Matt served as Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Push Digital, acreative, crisis communications, issue advocacy and political campaign agency. Founded as a political digital agency, Push Digital grew quickly and spun off a digital Advocacy Division in 2013, and in 2016 added a Creative Division with the acquisition of On Point Digital. Brands responded positively to the offering, and the agency has since developed work for name brands such as SeaWorld, HSN, Sears and Kmart. As COO, Matt established and implemented a business development program, oversaw the day-to-day operations of the agency as well as its long-term strategic growth.  

Prior to joining Push Digital, Matt served as Director of Government Relations for the South Carolina Military Department. In this capacity, he oversaw the agency’s state and federal legislative agenda.  

Matt has personally worked on campaigns in 19 states. He has specialized in nationally targeted congressional races but his experience also includes gubernatorial and presidential campaigns. Matt is a graduate of the Republican National Committee’s nationally competitive Campaign Management College. He is also the former Political Director of the South Carolina Republican Party. 

Matt was born and raised in Bossier City, LA and is an alumni of Louisiana State University.  

🌵🎧Travel through Corey Vale’s political career, featuring an insider’s take on Senator John McCain, Service Academy aspirations, the junction of tech and political worlds, and much more! 

⚓️Falling In Love With Politics: Corey explains his entry into politics, which involved a letter of recommendation from Senator McCain and aspirations to gain admittance to the Naval Academy. 

❎The Great Intersection: Corey shares his early career oscillation between political campaign work and tech industry gigs, predating the current amalgamation of these two spheres.

🗺️The Digital Landscape: Wesley and Corey delve into the groundbreaking digital strategies of the 2008 presidential election, which revolutionized the political landscape.

🧊Cube Conference Chairs: Corey tells several stories from his presidential campaign days, and identifies several notable figures with whom he shared a cubicle with, including the current GOP Conference Chair and a sitting Governor. 

📲Digital Impact: Wesley and Corey discuss how the digital world has grown from simplistic to increasingly multifaceted, and how it touches every silo of modern campaigning.

🚦One Simple Word: Corey shares a remarkable campaign anecdote that underscores the profound character of the late Senator John McCain.

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For the last 25 years, Corey has been at the intersection of the digital revolution, bringing his insight and experience to leadership roles in both large corporations and small technology start-ups. His digital experience includes managing projects for some of the largest brands in the country such as Netflix, Disney, Sony, and YouTube.

Additionally, he has broad political experience at the national, state, and local level and has worked on four presidential campaigns including senior roles with Governor Tim Pawlenty, Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Senator John McCain.

In the last 15 years, Corey has led digital and political strategy for some of the most important races and initiatives in the country managing millions of dollars in digital spending.

He lives in Mesa, Arizona with his wife Ami. They have two adult children.

✊🏼🎧Knock Knock! In this episode, delve into the evolving world of political canvassing with Tommy Knepper, Founder of In Field Strategies.

🧠Institutional Knowledge: Tommy explains how his experience in the U.S. Army allowed him to develop leadership skills that naturally translated to success in field politics.

💸The Instinctual Entrepreneur: Tommy shares insights into his personal drive for entrepreneurial projects, detailing how it propelled him to kickstart a successful strategy firm after only a brief stint in the political arena.

🚪A Canvassing Evolution: Wesley and Tommy discuss the evolving norms surrounding political volunteering, driven by companies like In Field Strategies.

🐅Tiger Teams: Tommy reviews how to find, prep, and keep the best canvassers in the game, and how to keep the troublemakers off the doorstepping path.

🏘️Mister Tommy’s Neighborhood: Tommy answers Wesley’s questions about the decorum and safeguards around the real-life possibilities when it comes to knocking on a stranger’s door.

🕵🏻‍♂️On The Tail: Tommy shares his favorite campaign war story, featuring spying and valuable lesson learned by his entire staff.

Tommy Knepper is President and Co-Founder of In Field Strategies, a nationwide grassroots firm that has employed over 40,000 people, working in 37 states over the past 7 years. Prior to starting In Field Strategies, Tommy served as the Pennsylvania State Director for the Republican National Committee in 2016 where he was instrumental in winning the state for the first time in 28 years. In 2014 Tommy was Campaign Manager for Carl DeMaio in California’s 52nd Congressional Race and served as Deputy Campaign Manager for the 2012 Mayor's Race in San Diego, California.Tommy has over 16 years of experience managing campaigns involving large-paid ground operations, worked as a District Director in the California State Assembly, the Director of Intern Recruitment in the City of San Diego District 7 office and in the Public Liaison Office for the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee.Tommy also served in the California Army National Guard as a Lieutenant for 6 years ending in 2014. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, Tommy received his bachelor’s degree in History and a minor in Political Science in June 2008 and currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife Anastacia Knepper and 4 children.

🎧You don't want to miss this super-fun episode featuring one of Wesley's oldest political pals, Adam Piper. Get ready to have a laugh and gain some unique insight into SC Politics! 🐓

🕺🏻🚶🏻‍♂️A Walk Down Memory Lane: Wesley and Adam reminisce about how South Carolina has changed in the past two decades and all the shenanigans they got up to during their college years.

🍻🏡 A Stake in the Race: Wesley and Adam extensively discuss the role of yard signs in South Carolina races and their collegiate activities.

🏆🤝Nothing but Relationships: Adam and Wesley determine that the key to a fruitful political career is not winning races or successful fundraising, but rather maintaining strong relationships from day one of your political career.

🔀🗳️Setting the Course: Adam unpacks how one Senate race in the early 2000s outlined South Carolina politics for years to come.

👥🌅The Facebook: Adam and Wesley talk about integrating Facebook in its early days and how it served as inspiration for a now very successful political career.

🔵🔴Bipartisanship Isn't Dead: Adam and Wesley discuss how certain issues remain open to bipartisan collaboration, such as human trafficking and overdose prevention.
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Adam Piper is a proven public policy problem solver. For over 20-years, he has assisted leaders achieve success and significance ranging from local impact to global difference. He has counseled Presidential candidates, Governors, Attorneys General, Members of Congress, Mayors, and even the head of the World Food Program.  Throughout his career, Piper has sought the necessary challenges to make a difference. That purpose focused philosophy led Piper to found Pennant LLC, a bespoke strategy and positioning practice which helps clients align purpose, policy, and prosperity/profitability. As President of Pennant LLC, Piper has co-created the Coaches vs. Overdoses effort pairing overdose prevention with evidence based drug disposal, steered the National Child ID Program, and helped found a mental health start-up. Prior to founding Pennant, Piper led a $20 million national organization to 35% cycle-over-cycle revenue growth by drastically increasing the organization’s national footprint and member services. He also previously served as Executive Director of a state attorney general’s office where he spearheaded efforts on a state and national level including the passage of major pieces of legislation which addressed domestic violence, mental health, and human trafficking. Piper’s efforts have been recognized on various national 30 under 30 and 40 under 40 lists. 

Piper is a graduate of University of South Carolina, where he served as President of the University’s Young Alumni Council and on the University’s alumni Board of Governors. Piper and his wife, Meredith currently reside in Raleigh, N.C. with their two young daughters.

🌙 🎧We’ve got a great episode today with South Carolina’s own, Amanda Elliott! You’re not gonna want to miss this:

📰Not Just Happenstance: Amanda dives into the roots of her weekly Newsletter, the DoomScroll, and Wesley explains how he initially heard about it after an occurrence that seemed almost too coincidental.

👑King of Content: Elliott bestows the great honor of “King of Content” to Wisconsin Senate candidate, Eric Hovde. Hear how a piece of his routine outside of his political candidacy became a piece of digital content with a high volume of engagement.

🤪Embrace the Weirdness: Wesley and Amanda explore why some candidate’s unique, organic content sets them apart from the buttoned-up, stuffy political content of the past.

🔩How to Screw Up: Elliott shares more about her one-woman consulting shop: she and Wesley explore all the ways starting a business can go horribly wrong, or perfectly right.

👁️2020 Vision: Amanda reflects on how Governors across the country were vital in the response to COVID, and how entangled all of these policies got within a heated election cycle while she worked at the RGA.

🍼Bumping For the Win:  Amanda reveals the intensity of her 2020 workload, even to the point of requesting to edit client content as she went into labor with her firstborn.
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Amanda Elliott has spent the last 10 years working in digital Republican politics. Most recently, she served as Digital Director for the Republican Governors Association for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 election cycles. While at the RGA, she oversaw millions in digital media spend in dozens of competitive gubernatorial races around the country. In 2021, she launched the committee’s first online fundraising program, working with top-tier vendors and growing the active donor file from the ground up.

Prior to joining the RGA in 2017, Amanda did digital in-house at the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislation Action. There, she managed the organization’s social media presence during the 2016 presidential election cycle, launched its first-ever app, worked on ballot initiatives around the country, and engaged with the group’s 5 million+ members.

Amanda got her start in digital at CRC Public Relations, a boutique public affairs firm in Alexandria, VA. There, she worked with several issue advocacy clients on their social media content and strategy.

Amanda is also the writer of Doomscroll, a weekly newsletter about all things digital on the right. 

After spending nearly 13 years in Washington, D.C., Amanda relocated in early 2023 to Greenville, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Clemson University.

🎧Tune in for a peek behind the wonderful world of Wisconsin Politics with Anthony Birch!

🧀A True Wisconsinite: Birch has built a career on campaign and advocacy work in his home state of Wisconsin. In this episode, hear how his roots, his alma mater, and his political drive produced a career in Wisconsin policy and beyond.

🟣Purple Reign: Birch and Wesley explore how Wisconsin's political ambivalence could reflect the national electorate as a whole, and what GOP chances look like in this election cycle.

💪🏼Fight For That Inch: Birch dives into his political entry as an intern for Ron Johnson’s 2016 reelection campaign, and how this team was able to cross a rugged finish line victoriously with an inspirational mantra pushing them every day.

🍻He’s Just Like Us: Birch delves into how Senator Johnson’s campaign team had to tackle the issue of relatability through ads featuring peeing babies, chugging beers, and NFL football.

🤹🏼‍♀️A Multifaceted Approach: Birch explains how his political practices offer government relations and lobbying efforts with a digital and communications-based method.

🏔️Peaks and Valleys: Anthony and Wesley discuss the swing of political cycles, and how advocacy efforts can be useful as an anchor in off-years.

Listen along to hear more about Anthony's  journey through his home state's political scene! 🪤
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Anthony Birch is an experienced marketer, communicator and story-teller who has honed his skills on Sen. Ron Johnson’s successful re-election, in the U.S. Senate for Sen. Lamar Alexander, at Targeted Victory where he worked with renowned political campaigns and national political committees on their marketing and digital programs, at Wisconsin’s state chamber of commerce Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) and with the Fortune 1000 energy technology company Generac.

Anthony’s marketing, communications and story-telling skills have been refined through tangible success in his roles that have come from leading holistic ad strategy and media planning, direct to consumer and direct response marketing strategy, email marketing strategy and copywriting, creative strategy, social media strategy, public relations efforts and content creation projects.

He knows that there is a difference between motion and movement. Anyone can come up with tactical ideas, but the key is asking enough questions to get clear about your goals so you can develop a strategy that includes the tactics that will help you reach your KPIs. Anthony can’t wait to help you reach your audience where they are with a message that they will be receptive to hear to encourage them to take an action that they are ready to take.

I'm excited to be joined by Jeff Vreeland, COO of The Prosper Group.

There's a lot to unpack from this episode:

🎙️ Digital Handymen: 💻🔧 Delving into the myriad uses of political-digital tools across diverse audiences and formats, aiming for various outcomes.

📺 Talking Heads: 🗣️📈 Analyzing the evolving role of TV ads versus digital strategies in political campaigns, foreseeing potential shifts in their efficacy with ever-advancing technology.

💡 Easy Come, Easy Go: 🔄💬 Looking forward to a resurgence in the customization of messaging efforts by digital firms for the 2024 cycle, and how these efforts might be coming full circle from previous cycles.

🌐 World Wide Web: 🌐📱 Examining the evolving role of websites compared to other digital strategies, observing significant shifts over the past several years.

👥 Political Pupils: 🎓🗳️ Investigating the dynamics of client communication regarding the importance of digital engagement, both current and prospective.

🔥 In the Heat of It: 🔥💰 Sharing an unmistakable campaign anecdote, accounting for a burning bus and a clever fundraising maneuver.

Hear what's happening to the digital side of GOP campaigns in this hot episode with Jeff Vreeland.
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A lifelong techie, Jeff enjoys his role as Chief Operating Officer for The Prosper Group. In this role, Jeff leads a team of fellow digital experts who are developing interesting and inspiring narratives from clients all over the country. 

In a constantly shifting industry, Jeff prides himself on his ability to connect and communicate with fellow geeks and business professionals alike to develop in-depth strategies to tell their stories, on any medium, in any scenario. This skill came in handy during his five years working for software giant SunGard, where Jeff worked with nearly every size client imaginable, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. After five years of working on diverse and high-level projects, Jeff had seen it all, solved it all, and presented it all to some of the country’s biggest C-level executives. 

In addition to his work at SunGard, Jeff co-founded VM Technologies, a highly successful political technology company that he ran beginning in 2007. With VM Technologies, Jeff took his passion and turned it into his profession. Due to the success of his company and an impressive record of campaign wins, Jeff has built a reputation as a national go-to political technology expert. 

Jeff joined a small technology business in early 2011 when VM Technologies was acquired by Birmingham-owned Infomedia. In his role as Vice President of Digital Strategy, he provided digital strategies for clients while managing their production, customer service, marketing, and project management teams. 

Wanting to try something new, Jeff was recruited to join GISinc, a location technology consulting firm, in 2012 to help build a marketing department, rebrand the look and feel of the company, and developed an award-winning lead generation strategy. 

Jeff is married to his high school sweetheart. He and his wife have two daughters and two sons. The happy family lives in Carmel, Indiana, where Jeff houses his extensive collection of bourbon and attempts to master his barbecue skills. If he is not found behind his MacBook you will most likely find him outside on the trail or running. 

Join us for an insightful journey into the world of politics with Jim Hobart. 🌟

🕵️ Pursuing His Passion: Learn how Jim's early interest in politics ignited his career, from volunteering on Jim Whitehead's U.S. House special election campaign to kickstarting his journey in politics.

🏃‍♂️ The Campaign Grind: Discover Jim's top advice for aspiring politicos, as he emphasizes the importance of grassroots involvement and the invaluable lessons learned from diving into unpaid campaign work.

📊 The Pulse of Polling: Delve into the evolution of polling methodologies with Jim, as he reflects on his 17-year tenure at Political Opinion Strategies and discusses adapting to the digital era's advancements in reaching diverse segments of the electorate while attention spans are collapsing.

📈 The Social-Political Heartbeat: Explore the efficacy of "social listening" as a dynamic tool for gauging public sentiment, as we discuss its relevance in today's political landscape.

🎨 Not Just Numbers: Uncover the artistry behind political polling as Jim underscores the importance of messaging and narrative crafting in shaping successful surveys, transcending mere data crunching. 

Tune in as we unravel the intricate tapestry of political polling and campaign strategy! 🎙️
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Jim Hobart is a Partner at Public Opinion Strategies. Jim has been a part of the polling team in some of the most competitive and important elections in the country and has received the prestigious Rising Star Award from Campaign and Elections Magazine. 

During the most recent election cycle, Jim polled for Governor Greg Abbott’s resounding victory over Beto O’Rourke. He also polled for the primary SuperPAC backing J.D. Vance in the Ohio Senate race, which has been credited with propelling Vance to victory. Jim has now polled for the leading SuperPAC for four dierent U.S. Senators. Jim was also a part of the research eort for Governor Mike Dunleavy in Alaska, as well as five winning local ballot initiatives in Illinois. In 2020, Jim polled for the largest independent expenditure eort backing Roger Marshall in the Kansas Senate primary and general elections, helping Marshall take both races from nail-biters to resounding victories. He also polled for successful outside eorts in four winning Congressional campaigns and for the campaign on seven successful local ballot initiatives. Jim was also involved in research eorts for major Senate races in Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan. In 2018, Jim polled for Governor Brian Kemp’s come-from-behind wins in both the primary and general elections in Georgia. Kemp shocked political observers by first defeating heavy favorite Casey Cagle in the primary, and then topping 50% to triumph over Stacey Abrams without a runo. In polling conducted for the NRSC in 2018, Jim was the first pollster in the country to correctly show Heidi Heitkamp was a clear underdog to then Congressman Kevin Cramer. Cramer would go on to defeat Heitkamp by eleven points. Jim is also an accomplished focus group moderator, having moderated more than 200 groups throughout the country. He regularly appears on NPR, CNN, HillTV, and the BBC to oer political analysis. 

Jim and his wife Megan live in Alexandria with their daughter Ellie and dog Riley. 

🎙️ Welcome to another episode of Campaign War Stories! Today, we're diving deep into the world of political campaigns with Bobby Saparow, a seasoned campaign operative with a wealth of experience across the country.

In this episode, we explore:

Palmetto State Beginnings: 🌴🌟 How Bobby went from interning at the SCGOP to becoming a top campaign operative on house, senate, and presidential campaigns across the country.

Friends and Enemies in Politics: 👫👥 Navigating friendships across different campaigns can be tricky, and we all end up working against each other at some point. Can you work against each other in politics and still be friends?

Campaign Life vs. The Hill: 🏛️🏃 Bobby shares the shift in mentality he experienced from running Drew Ferguson’s campaign in Georgia to becoming his chief of staff on Capitol Hill.

Learning from our Mistakes: 📉💡 We often learn more from our losses than we do from our wins – in politics and beyond. But making mistakes makes us pay closer attention to the little things.

Winning Georgia: 🏆🍑 Lessons learned from running (and winning) one of the most-watched gubernatorial races in the country.

Let’s Play Ball: ⚾🎉 Bobby explains how Atlanta pulling out of the MLB All-Star Game became a catalyst for Brian Kemp’s national growth.

Breaking Fundraising Norms: 💰📈 How generating national name recognition helped raise nearly $78 million for a gubernatorial candidate and helped take down Stacey Abrams.

Tune in as we unpack Bobby's fascinating journey through the world of political campaigns, offering insights, anecdotes, and lessons learned along the way.

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Bobby Saparow has worked with multiple candidates and campaigns across the country, from Congressional races to national Presidential campaigns. Most recently, Bobby successfully managed Governor Brian Kemp’s gubernatorial re-election campaign and ran an independent expenditure for Vice President Mike Pence’s Presidential campaign. Shortly after successfully managing Kemp’s re-elect, Bobby won the AAPC National Campaign Manager of the Year Award and was named to their 40 under 40 list. 

Prior to Kemps campaign, Bobby served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Whip Drew Ferguson in the U.S. House of Representatives. As Chief, Bobby helped steer Congressman Ferguson to becoming one of the quickest members to ever be assigned Chief Deputy Whip. Bobby also served as Southeast Regional Political Director for Ben Carson’s Presidential campaign, helped elect Rick Allen, in one of the country’s most competitive house races of that cycle, and served various finance roles on campaigns across the country. 

A University of South Carolina graduate, Bobby resides in Marietta, GA with his daughter Hayes and dog Cooper. 

"Iowa picks corn, New Hampshire picks presidents, South Carolina picks pockets."

Explore the heart of American democracy with Wesley Donehue and Matthew Bartlett as they delve into the pivotal roles of their respective home states, South Carolina and New Hampshire, in shaping the presidential primaries.

🗳️ Democracy in Action: Gain insights into the unique significance of South Carolina and New Hampshire in the presidential primary process and their influential roles in American politics.

⚖️ Navigating Politics and Technology: Join the discussion on the intricate dance between politics and technology, exploring the evolving landscape of the industry and the impact of the internet on modern political discourse.

🤝 The Power of Personal Connection: Discover the unparalleled value of personal interaction in New Hampshire politics, as Matthew highlights the enduring impact of face-to-face engagement with Granite State voters.

🏠 From Humble Beginnings: Trace Matthew's journey from his early days selling windows and siding in Massachusetts to becoming a prominent figure in New Hampshire's political arena.

🌍 Bridging Divides: Learn about Matthew's transition from working with Bono on the ONE Campaign to overseeing bipartisan efforts in the State Department under the Trump Administration, including the reauthorization of PEPFAR to combat global HIV/AIDS.

🤝 Darby Field Advisors: Explore the genesis of Darby Field Advisors, a bipartisan corporate communications firm founded by former staffers from both sides of the political aisle, as they navigate the intersection of politics and business.

Join us for an engaging conversation that celebrates the essence of democracy and uncovers the rich tapestry of American political history.

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Matthew Bartlett co-founded Darby Field Advisors after his time serving at the U.S. Department of State.

While at the State Department, he served first as the Congressional Liaison for the Office of the Global HIV/AIDS Coordinator, working under Dr. Deborah Birx. Matthew oversaw the bipartisan reauthorization of the U.S. effort to combat global HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR, through the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Upon passage, he coordinated with the Administration to hold a high profile post signing ceremony with VP Mike Pence on World AIDS Day.

Matthew then moved to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, where he served in leadership for the 600 person Bureau with an annual budget of over 700 million dollars.

Before that, Matthew served for years on staff for U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire where he worked with a diverse constituency base, large and small businesses, and took part in countless public events.

In 2011, Matthew helped manage Utah Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman's Presidential Campaign. He built wide ranging coalitions, managed social media, and planned town halls and campaign events.

Matthew started his professional career pioneering global health advocacy efforts for the ONE Campaign, co-founded by Bono of U2, starting in 2005 in New Hampshire and later in D.C. Through his advocacy work, he built a strong bipartisan base of support in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and engaged with high profile national leaders which led to billions more in funding for life saving programs.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with BJ Martino of The Tarrance Group, a seasoned political pollster who's redefining the landscape of electoral forecasting.

📊 Marrying Economics with Politics: Discover how BJ leveraged his academic background to carve out a niche in the world of political polling.

🎯 Challenging Polling Perceptions: Explore common misconceptions about polling accuracy and unravel the complexities of private versus public polling methodologies.

🔄 Evolving Polling Practices: Delve into the dynamic nature of polling formats and methodologies, and how they adapt to capture the evolving electorate's attention.

🤖 The Role of AI in Polling: Gain insights into the integration of artificial intelligence in modern polling practices and its potential impact on the future of the field.

🔍 BJ's Campaign Story: Uncover BJ's intriguing tale from the trenches of a 2012 recall campaign in Wisconsin, where a firsthand discovery challenged his professional polling numbers.

Don't miss out on this captivating episode as we unravel the mysteries behind political polling and hear firsthand accounts from the front lines of electoral forecasting.
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B.J. Martino is President and CEO of The Tarrance Group, one of the most respected political research and strategy firms in the country. In his two decades with the firm, he has helped develop and direct strategic research programs for national, state, and local political and issue campaigns. 

Martino has conducted successful research for over thirty statewide campaigns, dozens of congressional campaigns, as well as projects for the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and other independent organizations. 

As one of several trained focus group moderators at The Tarrance Group, Martino has also conducted extensive qualitative focus group research on a variety of topics around the country. In addition, Martino has conducted research into modeling nationwide Republican performance at the county and precinct level, bringing market analysis methodology to political campaigns. Martino and Tarrance Partner Brian Tringali received the “Republican Strategist of the Year Award” for 2012, from the American Association of Political Consultants. Martino was named Republican Pollster of the Year in 2021 by the American Association of Political Consultants for his work as a pollster on the Youngkin for Governor campaign in Virginia. 

Martino earned his Bachelor's Degree in Economics (with honors) with a Political Science minor from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Masters Degree in political management from The George Washington University, Valedictorian of his graduating class. He has served as an adjunct professor of polling at GWU. Martino is an Eagle Scout, and is active in his church. He, his wife, and children live in Alexandria, Virginia. 

🎙️ Get ready for another exciting episode of Campaign War Stories with my good friend Tim Cameron!

👬 Fifteen Years of Friendship: Join us as we reminisce about our early days working together on South Carolina campaigns, filled with youthful energy and a hint of mischief.

🎿 Crazy Campaign Stories: Dive into some wild tales from our past, including the unforgettable moment when Tim uncovered a shocking revelation about a prominent South Carolina official.

🚀 Digital Beginnings: Learn how Tim and I fell in love with digital at the same time and how those experiences propelled parallel careers.

🌟 From Grassroots to National Politics: Explore Tim's remarkable journey from our grassroots beginnings to his pivotal roles with Newt Gingrich and the NRSC.

💼 Partner at FlexPoint: Learn about Tim's current role as CEO and co-founder of FlexPoint, a leading GOP media buying agency, and gain insights into his experiences shaping new ways campaigns plan for and purchase media.

A big congratulations to the Camerons on the birth of their first child just this week.

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Tim Cameron is co-founder and CEO of FlexPoint Media, a GOP media buying agency.

Today, join me as I sit down with New Jersey State Senator Mike Testa, one of our cherished clients at Push Digital Group.

🌟 Positive Leadership: Discover the transformative power of positive leadership and the importance of acknowledging hard work with gratitude.

🥊 Rough and Tumble Politics: Dive into the gritty world of New Jersey politics, exploring the challenges and triumphs faced by Senator Testa in the political arena.

🔵🔴 Republican in a Blue State: Gain insights into what it's like being a Republican navigating the deep blue landscape of New Jersey and Senator Testa's strategies for taking the fight to the Democrats.

😷 Fighting Back During Covid: Explore Senator Testa’s fight against state shutdowns imposed by the Democratic Governor.

📊 KRAP Polls: Learn about KRAP polls (Keep Republicans Away Polls) and the unexpected victories they often precede, as illustrated by Senator Testa's remarkable electoral win. 
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On his father’s side, his great-grandparents emigrated from Italy to secure a better future for their children and themselves. His grandfather became the first elected Mayor of the City of Vineland and later became a Judge, despite not even speaking English until 1st grade. Michael’s father went on to start and build their family law firm. On his mother’s side, his grandparents were Polish Jews who met in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II and were rescued by Allied soldiers. After the war, they came to the United States, where the Senator’s mom was born. They settled in Buena and ran a family chicken farm.

Sen. Testa is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law and received his Masters at Temple University Beasley School of Law. He and his wife Julie live in Vineland with their three children, Eva Marie, Sarah, and Tripp.

At age 26, Sen. Testa was named Board Chairman of the Vineland Downtown Improvement District/Main Street Vineland. He is a proud member of the Greater Vineland Chapter of the NAACP, and Past Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland and Salem counties.

As the incredibly proud father of two little girls, Sen. Testa has been the Board President of the Vineland Regional Dance company for several years, and was the 2016 recipient of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance Paul Aiken Encore Award for his dedication to the arts in South Jersey.

As a political candidate, Michael Testa promised to stand up for South Jersey and be a check-and-balance on Governor Phil Murphy’s radical agenda. In 2019, Sen. Testa was elected to the New Jersey State Senate to represent the First Legislative District and is a member of the Senate Budget and Labor committees. During the 2020 COVID Pandemic, Sen. Testa dedicated his time to assisting the families of the First Legislative District. With Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan, Testa helped nearly 4,000 residents receive the unemployment benefits they deserved.

The Senator strongly opposed Gov. Murphy’s State shutdown and introduced legislation, S-2482, which would limit executive orders issued by the Governor to 14 days unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending the duration.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Republican digital strategist Kurt Luidhardt, founder of Prosper Group, as we delve into the intricacies of digital campaigning in the 2024 election cycle.

🔍 Explore the challenges facing digital fundraising and uncover the reasons behind the industry's recent slowdown.

📺Examine why digital persuasion spending has slowed down despite growth in cord cutter audiences.

💡 Gain valuable insights into the shifting dynamics of digital campaigning and the need for innovative approaches to navigate the evolving landscape.

🌐 Discover Kurt's perspectives on reshaping the digital business model to prioritize ethical practices and foster positive engagement.

Don't miss this insightful conversation on the future of digital campaigning with Kurt Luidhardt. Tune in now!

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Kurt Luidhardt is an entrepreneur, investor, and business leader. Together with his wife, Kristen, he's founded a dozen companies and profitably exited three of them.

Kurt is the CEO and co-founder of The Prosper Group, a leading digital agency in Republican politics that he started with Kristen in 2006. His midwestern values of hard work and service have helped him establish relationships with a diverse range of clients, including dozens of governors and US senators, as well as the last three Republican presidential candidates. The Prosper Group has also worked with international brands, including car manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and in professional sports.

Under Kurt's leadership, The Prosper Group has earned several accolades, including being named one of Inc. Magazine's 5000 fastest growing companies in 2019. The Prosper Group has won more than three dozen advertising awards from the American Association of Political Consultants and Campaigns and Elections magazine. Over the last 5 years, his company has also worked internationally on political campaigns or in advocacy in Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, and Brussels.

In addition to his work with The Prosper Group, Kurt and Kristen founded Mustard Seed Interactive, a data company supporting direct marketing campaigns in the financial services, non-profit, and consumer product sectors. They also provide venture capital to political technology firms and invest in multi-family real estate.

When he's not working, Kurt enjoys reading, rooting for the Indianapolis Colts, and spending time with his wife and two kids. He's also a frequent speaker at political training seminars and guest on business and leadership podcasts.

For years political TV vendors fought digital at every turn. They called it a fad. They said it didn’t move numbers. They did everything they could to put the digital team at the kiddie table. Now they see the opportunity to grab a quick buck so they evangelize streaming products while claiming they’re better suited at those placements than the digital team. We call bullshit.

🎙️ In this episode with Jacob Hawkins, we explore the evolving landscape of digital spending in political campaigns:

💻 We delve into the concerning trend of reduced digital spending on persuasion efforts, despite the increasing popularity of cord-cutting among audiences.

📺 Discover the sudden shift of TV vendors into the digital space, and the implications this has for campaign strategies.

🖥️ Explore the importance of digital vendors in crafting and placing digital creative content, and why this is essential for effective digital campaigning.

🔮 Look ahead to the future of digital campaigning, discussing potential trajectories and innovations in the upcoming election cycles.
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Jacob Hawkins is an ultra-competitive digital operative with over a decade of experience strategizing and executing award-winning political and public affairs campaigns. He currently serves as Vice President at LINK Public Affairs. His experience includes consulting on presidential and statewide campaigns, the highest-spending ballot initiatives in history, and leading the launch of a $300MM+ education foundation as its first Executive Director. He can build a digital program from the ground up: from identifying and acquiring target audiences, to
developing software platforms and websites, to designing and placing advertisements. 

Jacob is a graduate of Georgia College in Milledgeville, where he restored a former Governor's home and historic house (The Samuel Rockwell House). He resides in Atlanta with his wife Lenze.

📬✉️ Explore the world of direct mail fundraising in this insightful episode of Campaign War Stories! Join me as I sit down with the seasoned Republican mail fundraising expert, Steve Brown. As President of SBDM, Steve currently serves seventeen state Republican parties, along with a number of Governors, U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, and candidates for those offices.

In this conversation, we unravel:

• 🌟 Steve's journey into the intricate realm of mail-side fundraising.
• 📉 Insights into the challenges facing the fundraising industry and the reasons behind its recent sluggishness.
• 🔄 The evolving dynamics of mail and its intriguing relationship with digital fundraising.

Don't miss this deep dive into the often-overlooked yet crucial aspects of political campaigns! 🎙️🔍

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Steve Brown is president of Steve Brown Direct Marketing, LLC, a political direct mail fundraising firm based in Tallahassee, Florida. SBDM is currently proud to serve seventeen state Republican parties, along with a number of Governors, U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, and candidates for those offices. He was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended Westside High School, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1998. During college he was active in his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, numerous campaigns for President, Governor, and U.S. Senate, College Republicans, and he also started a group called Campus Conservatives to help support the policies of President Ronald Reagan on college campuses. Steve and his wife, Brandi, have twin fourteen-year-old boys. They enjoy attending Florida State football and basketball games (even though he is a life-long, die hard Cornhusker), as well as spending time together at the beach, on the water, and traveling to national parks during summer breaks.

Welcome to a compelling episode of Campaign War Stories. I'm thrilled to have Jon Adams, the powerhouse behind TAG Strategies, one of the leading Republican digital consulting firms in the nation.

While Jon and I often find ourselves on opposite sides in client pitches and primaries, we're united in our shared battle against an industry that's been resistant to change. This episode delves into the intricacies of our journey, combating an industry slow to embrace digital innovation.

Join us as we dissect the dynamics of slower fundraising, explore the evolving landscape of digital strategies in the 2024 cycle, and passionately discuss why digital must wield a larger footprint and take on a leadership role in modern campaigns. It's a candid conversation shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the realm of political consulting. 
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Jon Adams is the founder and CEO of TAG Strategies, a premier marketing and consulting firm. With over a decade of experience in the digital world, he is a veteran marketing professional and entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of new media and digital transformation at the highest levels of politics and government.

Welcome back to Campaign War Stories, where we delve into the multifaceted world of politics and campaigns. In this captivating episode, we're thrilled to have Justin Germany join us as our special guest.

🎨  A Creative Visionary: Justin Germany is a man of many talents, but his creative spirit truly sets him apart. Not only is he known for crafting some of the most compelling political ads, but he also unleashes his artistic prowess as The Artist JGG, exploring the realms of pop art and reimagining beloved pop culture icons.

🚴  Endurance Enthusiast: Beyond the world of art and politics, Justin harbors a deep passion for endurance cycling, and we dive into what fuels this exhilarating pursuit.

🪄  Balancing Act: We explore the delicate balance between Justin's artistic inclinations and his transition from ad guru to painter.

🇺🇸 McCain Campaign Chronicles: Justin takes us on a journey through his experiences working on the McCain for President campaigns.

🌟 A Start at Campaign Solutions: Justin's remarkable journey began at Campaign Solutions under the guidance of the incredible Becki Donatelli, and he shares the invaluable lessons he learned during this formative period.

Join us for an engaging conversation that delves into the world of art, endurance, politics, and the vibrant tapestry of Justin Germany's life and career. 🖼️🚴‍♂️🎙️ 
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Even in an industry that has been democratized by new technology, Justin is still the rare creative Maverick who not only has the skills to produce, write and direct - but is an artist who can shoot and edit as well. Over the years he has produced and edited thousands of web videos and TV ads.

Previously, Justin was a founder of CRAFT Media Digital - a full service political advertising and public affairs agency, where he led the creative practice. 

Germany cut his teeth in Presidential politics, serving as Director of Online Media for the McCain 2008 Presidential campaign.  Producing numerous TV ads and web videos, including "The One" which New York Magazine named the best ad of the entire 2008 campaign. 

In 2004, he served on the Bush-Cheney '04 re-election campaign as the videographer and web video editor, filming the President in a cinema verite style as he campaigned across the country.

Justin's work has been written about in the New York Times, Details Magazine, New York Magazine, Time Magazine, the Weekly Standard and many more. In 2007 he was named a Rising Star by Campaigns and Elections magazine.

In his spare time - Justin is a pop art painter - known as "The Artist JGG". 

Welcome back to Campaign War Stories, where we bring you the inside scoop on the world of campaigns, politics, and much more. In this special episode, we're joined once again by Terry Sullivan, a seasoned campaign expert who has made the transition to becoming a public affairs authority.

🏞️  From Leadville to Everest: Terry previously graced our podcast when we discussed our ambitious endeavor to conquer the Leadville 100 race. In this exciting follow-up episode, we revisit the aftermath of that grueling race and explore Terry's upcoming adventure to summit the awe-inspiring Mt. Everest.

🗳️ A Journey Through Politics: But that's not all; politics is never far from our minds. Terry and I share stories from our political journeys, including our time on the Jim DeMint and Trey Gowdy campaigns. Plus, we dive into our personal interactions with the remarkable Nikki Haley.

Join us as we traverse the diverse terrain of extreme physical challenges, the intricacies of politics, and the thrilling adventures of one of our favorite returning guests, Terry Sullivan. Whether you're scaling mountains or navigating campaigns, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. 🏔️🎙️

🎙️ Meet Caleb Smith: The Man Behind Three Speakers 🏛️

Step into the dynamic world of Capitol Hill with Caleb Smith, a digital communications expert with a remarkable track record. Caleb's journey is nothing short of extraordinary, having served as the trusted hand behind three different Speakers of the House: John Boehner, Paul Ryan, and most recently, Kevin McCarthy. 🇺🇸

In this episode, we explore:

🏛️ Capitol Chronicles: Journey through more than a decade of Caleb's expertise in digital communications on Capitol Hill, where he spearheaded groundbreaking strategies for three Speakers.

📸 The Visual Storyteller: Discover the magic of Caleb's multimedia creations. His photos, videos, and written content have captured the essence of political giants, from Boehner mowing his lawn to Paul Ryan's snowcam—entertaining and persuading in equal measure.

 🔄 Becoming The Minority: the political pendulum doesn't stop swinging. Hear what it’s like to control the House, become the minority and then take back over again.

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Caleb Smith, where politics and storytelling intersect in a captivating narrative. 🎧🏛️

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For more than a decade, Caleb Smith has been the leading digital communications expert on Capitol Hill. He is the only person alive to have served three different Speakers of the House: John Boehner, Paul Ryan, and most recently, Kevin McCarthy as his Head of Communications, where he led the successful communications strategy behind the landmark debt ceiling negotiation. Caleb’s work speaks for itself–his photos, videos, and written content have undoubtedly shown up in your feed at some point. Whether it was Boehner mowing his lawn or Paul Ryan’s snowcam, Caleb is a creative storyteller who always manages to strike the right balance between entertaining and persuading.

Prior to Capitol Hill, Caleb ran political campaigns and managed a motorcycle dealership. Nowadays, he continues to advise Members of Congress while supervising a team of three: his wife and two kids, ages 5 and 2.

Campaign War Stories is back, kicking off 2024 with a brand-new episode! Join me as I sit down with Push Digital Group's Managing Partner, Phil Vangelakos, for an insightful conversation about politics and life.

In this episode, we dive deep into some compelling topics:

🔍 Mergers & Acquisitions: Explore the challenges and intricacies of acquiring and merging companies in the dynamic political industry.

🏥 Health Matters: Delve into the impact of the demanding political lifestyle on one's well-being, shedding light on the toll it takes and the importance of prioritizing health.

❤️ Life's Perspective: Gain invaluable insights as we discuss life post-heart attack, revealing the profound realizations and newfound priorities that emerge.

Tune in now to kick off Season 2 with this thought-provoking episode! 🎧🌟 
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Phil is a political strategist and recognized digital communications expert with a history of leveraging cutting-edge trends in technology, traditional and social media; strategic communications, branding and research.

If your campaign is a heist film…Phil is your explosives expert.

Phil has a proven reputation of uniquely positioning GOP candidates and committees to achieve success on election day. Most recently, Phil directed Senator Lindsey Graham’s 2020 digital efforts. In 2016, he led digital strategy for Senator Marco Rubio during his re-election to the United States Senate and directed online fundraising for South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy. But he’s been jumping into foxholes for a long time, advising campaigns up and down the East Coast, including the successful campaigns of Attorney General Bill McCollum (FL – 2006), Congressman Tom Rooney (FL – 2008), Governor Nathan Deal (GA – 2014) and US Senator Thom Tillis (NC – 2014).

In this episode, I have the pleasure of hosting Saat Altey, a seasoned DC lobbyist who honed his skills on Capitol Hill, notably serving alongside Senator Tim Scott. Saat's unique journey in the world of politics led him to an unexpected specialty: hill parties and receptions. While it might appear lighthearted, Saat's ability to navigate this social scene epitomizes the significance of relationships in the political arena. Tune in to discover how Saat transformed a seemingly casual pursuit into a thriving and impactful career.

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Saat Alety represents corporate clients and trade associations before the United States Congress and the Administration with a concentration on banking, capital markets, housing, and insurance issues. Named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyist list in 2022, Mr. Alety is known as a savvy and well-connected government affairs advocate in the nation’s capital.

Before being named Partner at Federal Hall, Mr. Alety led Allstate’s advocacy efforts with Congress, the White House, and federal agencies, in addition to its public policy development at the federal, state, and local level.

Mr. Alety previously served as Majority Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development under U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. As Sen. Scott’s senior policy advisor on financial services issues, Mr. Alety led efforts that resulted in the enactment of legislation to grow consumer access to banking services, prevent synthetic identity theft, and modernize mortgage credit standards.

Prior to his tenure as a Senate staffer, Mr. Alety spent three years as Communications Director to U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A native of Naperville, Illinois, Mr. Alety began his career in the office of U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL). He is an alumni advisor to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association and a recipient of its Jose M. Montano Jr. Award for “going above and beyond to sustain a pipeline of AAPI Hill staffers and leaders on the Hill.”

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Ringel, the leader of the government relations team at the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. But Aaron's journey in politics didn't start in boardrooms; it began on the front lines of political campaigns. 

🥊 Fight or Flight: Join us as we delve into Aaron's experiences in the political trenches, where campaigns are more like boxing rings.

🎖️ From Battlefield to Ballot Box: We explore the unique transition from military service to the intense world of political campaigns.

🇺🇸 Stolen Valor Standoff: Hear the thrilling tale of Aaron's time with former Congressman Michael Grimm's campaign, where a claim of stolen valor led to an audacious press conference hijacking.

Prepare for a rollercoaster ride through the adrenaline-fueled world of campaign warfare, where quick thinking and bold actions can make or break a candidate. 🎉 

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Aaron runs the day-to-day operations of American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturer’s federal government relations team. Most recently Aaron worked at the Coalition for a Prosperous America where he served as Vice President of International Policy and Advocacy. Before that, he served in both the U.S. Department of State and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the State Department, he was Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, a leadership role that included setting international public affairs strategy, overseeing operations and policy communications. Prior to that he was Senior Advisor at the State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources. At EPA, Aaron worked as Deputy Associate Administrator for Congressional Affairs.

Before his work in the Executive Branch, Aaron worked for several Members of Congress including Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) and former Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS). He served more than eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas.

Welcome to a special episode that's been hidden away in our podcast vault for far too long. Join us as we unearth a fascinating conversation from three months ago with Stu Sandler of On Message Inc, a giant in GOP consulting.

Stu emerged from the trenches of Michigan politics, where he held pivotal roles such as Executive Director of the state party. Later, he played a central role in the dynamic career of former Attorney General Mike Cox.

Fast forward to Stu's tenure as the Political Director of the NRSC, where he spearheaded efforts that came close to flipping the US Senate. In this episode, we roll up our sleeves and dive deep into the intricacies of the 2022 political landscape, shedding light on the challenges facing the industry.

We also unearth Stu's captivating war story from the 2002 Mike Cox reelection campaign, a tale that offers invaluable insights into the world of political consulting.

Our heartfelt apologies to Stu for the delay in bringing this episode to light. Dive in, and let's get started on this political journey.

🎙️ Prepare for an Unconventional Episode! 🌟

Get ready to dive into the world of influencer marketing with a twist. Meet Link Lauren, the rising star of conservative TikTok influencers who's making waves in Republican circles. 📱🇺🇸

In this episode, we uncover:

- Why influencer marketing is pivotal in today's political landscape 🌐📢

- Link's journey as a "voice of reason" among Gen Zers and the LGBTQ community 🏳️‍🌈✨

- Insights into how Link navigates the dynamic world of social media and engages with younger generations 🌟🎯

Tune in for a unique perspective on the power of influencers in shaping political conversations! 🎙️🔥

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Join us for an inspiring episode with Vinny Minchillo, the creative force behind Glass House Strategy and a renowned Texas-based Republican consultant. 

In this conversation, we explore the fascinating world of creative strategy, tracing Vinny's journey from the corporate sector to the dynamic realm of political campaigns. 

Discover the nuances of creative work in both corporate and political landscapes, and gain insights from Vinny's firsthand experience as an in-house creative strategist for Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign. 

Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the mind of a creative genius and gain a fresh perspective on the art of political messaging. 

In this episode, we tackle an essential question often overlooked in the world of politics: How do we balance the critical needs of our clients while running a political consulting business?

Our guest, Patrick Stewart, the Chief Revenue Officer of Red Oak Strategic, brings a wealth of experience from both the political arena and international business relations to the table. Patrick emphasizes that while politics is not a for-profit industry, it's vital to remember that running a political consultancy is indeed a business with bills to pay and payrolls to meet.

We delve deep into the inner workings of the political ecosystem, highlighting the unique role that businesses play in driving innovation. Unlike committees and campaigns, which often operate on short-term cycles and face frequent leadership changes, businesses have the stability and long-term vision required to push the boundaries of political strategy and innovation.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation as we explore the delicate balance between serving clients' needs and running a successful political consulting business. Discover the pivotal role of businesses in shaping the future of political campaigns and the critical value of revenue in addressing the challenges that arise in this dynamic industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the intersection of politics and business! 
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Patrick Stewart is responsible for business development and client partnerships at Red Oak, a role that complements his extensive experience across politics and international business relations.

With a keen interest in database management, business intelligence, and emerging technologies, Patrick is able to expertly tailor solutions to his clients’ needs. His client work spans a wide range of project and organization types, from Fortune 50 companies to local political organizations.

🎉🎙️ Celebrating our 50th episode with a bang! Join us for an extraordinary conversation with Scott Howell, GOP media maestro. 🎉🎙️

This is a special episode because Scott is also my friend, big brother, mentor and partner at Push Digital Group.

In this milestone episode, Scott unveils the incredible journey that led him to become one of the most successful GOP media consultants in Republican Party history. 🗳️💥

We dive deep into his winning strategies for crafting emotionally resonant messages that connect with people on a profound level. Get ready for insights into the artistry and strategy of political media consulting. 🧠✨

We also delve into a riveting war story where the corporate world meets politics in the airline industry, revealing the intricacies of managing this high-stakes intersection. ✈️🤝

Scott's journey started in the heart of South Carolina, where he honed his skills on local campaigns, ultimately rising to become a force to be reckoned with in media consulting. 🌟🇺🇸

His creative genius, strategic prowess, and messaging wizardry have catapulted Scott Howell & Company (SHC) to the forefront of media firms in the United States. 🚀📈

Stay tuned as we explore his early days working under the legendary Lee Atwater at the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the pivotal role he played in shaping the political landscape. 🗂️🏛️

Don't miss this special episode as we celebrate our 50th milestone with a dynamic and insightful conversation. 🎊🎉

Tune in now for an unforgettable journey through the world of political media consulting! 🎧

Today we have our very first returning guest —Brian Athey, the Chief Creative Officer at Push Digital Group.

Brian's return to the show brings fresh perspectives and invaluable insights. In this episode, we explore a myriad of compelling topics:

🏢 The Future of Work: Dive into the post-Covid conundrum facing businesses worldwide. Should teams return to the office or continue remote work? Discover the challenges and benefits of each approach.

⏰ Productivity and Innovation: Explore the dynamics of productivity and innovation, examining whether an in-office environment fosters collaboration and creativity or if remote work provides the ideal setting.

🚀 Growing Pains: Uncover the exhilarating yet challenging journey of running a rapidly expanding business, as Brian shares firsthand experiences and wisdom gained along the way.

🌟 Striking a Balance: Delve into the delicate art of balancing a thriving career with family life, and the importance of being fully present when spending time with loved ones.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that dissects the evolving landscape of work, ponders the future of office dynamics, and explores the intricacies of managing a thriving enterprise, all while emphasizing the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

John DeWorken, a friend, and client, is not your typical public servant. He wears multiple hats as a Greenville, SC City Councilman, a state lobbyist, and a father. In this episode, we delve into a range of fascinating topics:

🏙️ Balancing Act: Discover the unique challenges and rewards of balancing the roles of an elected City Councilman and a state lobbyist.

🌪️ Resilience in Politics: Discover how John's journey embodies resilience, as he bounced back from losing one campaign to secure victory in a subsequent race, showcasing the tenacity required in the world of politics.

🌟 Authenticity in Politics: Learn from John's journey as he shifted from a defensive stance to embracing his true self, and how authenticity became the key to his electoral victory.

Join us for an insightful conversation that unveils the inner workings of political campaigns and highlights the power of authenticity in the world of politics.
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John earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree in English from Clemson University, where he served as the national president of the Clemson Young Alumni Association. He has over 20 years of experience in state-level advocacy and spent seven years at the Greenville Chamber, where he ultimately became the Vice President of Public Policy, before creating a small business with his wife, Sunnie, in 2009. 

John is a former president of the North Main Community Association and was active in the Overbrook neighborhood prior to moving to North Main. He is also a former vice-chairman of the Greenville Transit Authority board and was instrumental in providing solvency to the system and moving it under the City administration.  

John, along with a small group of leaders, created the Upstate Chamber Coalition in 2009, which was one of the first of its kind in the nation and still exists today. He currently serves on the Urban League Board of Directors, the Upstate Chamber Coalition Advisory Council and the Church Council at Buncombe Street United Methodist Church. He is a graduate of Leadership Greenville (Class XXVII) and has been featured on Greenville Magazine’s “ Top 50 Most Influential People in Greenville” list twice. 

John and Sunnie have two children.

Ever wondered how someone becomes a political pollster? The answer awaits in this intriguing episode of Campaign War Stories, where we sit down with Chris Perkins, one of the GOP's leading pollsters and the founder of Ragnar Research.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of political polling:

The Pollster's Journey: Join us as we explore Chris Perkins' path to becoming a premier pollster and gain insights into the art of understanding public opinion.

The Future of Polling: Discover what lies ahead for political polling and how technology is reshaping the industry.

Vulnerability Studies: Explore the critical role of vulnerability studies through the lens of the Ted Cruz campaign. Learn why understanding your own vulnerabilities is just as crucial as knowing your opponent's.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that demystifies the world of political polling and highlights the importance of preparation in the political arena. Tune in now to Campaign War Stories. 🎧🗣️
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Chris Perkins is an expert in quantitative and qualitative analysis. He’s considered one of the most accurate pollsters and top public opinion experts in the United States. Since 2010, Chris has polled for nearly one hundred winning Republican candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, and a variety of other offices. Chris has also been a key resource for numerous organizations tackling public policy issues, including Fortune 500s, trade associations, and non-profit organizations.

When he's not wading through petabytes of data, Chris can usually be found at one of his kids’ baseball games, hosting friends to some of the best block parties in Austin, or explaining the virtues of Austin barbecue to the uninitiated. And rest assured, while Chris’s barbecue is never over seasoned, his highly detailed memory of every campaign he's ever touched intimidates even his most seasoned employees.

Join us on Campaign War Stories for an inspiring conversation with State Senator Sean Bennett. Get ready for a political journey like no other!

In this episode:

Battling the Incumbent: Discover how Sean overcame the odds and secured victory against an incumbent in a fiercely contested GOP primary.

Legal Challenges: Dive into the unexpected legal battle that followed Sean's election and the lessons learned from this unique experience.

Leadership Insights: Gain valuable insights into the world of state politics and leadership from a dedicated State Senator.

Resilience and Triumph: Sean's story is a testament to perseverance and the unwavering commitment to public service.

Don't miss this engaging conversation! Tune in now to Campaign War Stories. 🎧🗣️ 

Today I'm joined by Liz Mair, who is known for for her candid and unapologetic approach to politics

Liz's career in politics began across the pond in London, where she honed her skills and passion for political strategy. Her journey eventually led her to the heart of American politics, where she became a renowned political strategist and communications expert.

In this episode, we delve into her remarkable experiences, including her role in Carly Fiorina's 2010 campaign for the United States Senate. We explore the campaign's memorable and notorious "demon sheep" ad, which left an indelible mark on the political landscape.

Liz Mair's candid insights into campaign strategies and messaging provide a fresh perspective on the world of politics.
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Liz Mair is the owner, founder and President of Mair Strategies LLC and the US’ leading right-of-center online communications operative.  

Liz served as Online Communications Director at the Republican National Committee during 2008, where she led an aggressive and groundbreaking online media outreach effort aimed at electing John McCain, Sarah Palin and Republicans across the US. In this capacity, she also served as a spokesperson, undertaking on-camera interviews and debates on behalf of the RNC and the campaign against representatives of the Obama campaign and the DNC.  

The RNC-McCain operation Liz led in 2008 was widely credited by political reporters, pundits, and fellow operatives on both sides of the aisle for its effectiveness and professionalism, and is considered one of the areas in which the Republican side vastly outperformed its Democratic counterpart that cycle.  

During 2009 and 2010, Liz advised former Hewlett-Packard CEO and US Senate candidate Carly Fiorina on communications, including how to push back on attacks on her tenure at the helm of HP. She played an integral role in ensuring Fiorina won a difficult and hotly contested primary, and both beat the voter registration gap and outperformed more moderate Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman in the general election in deep blue California.  

Liz also consulted for Texas Governor Rick Perry during his presidential run, primarily working with left-of-center media to blunt and neutralize criticism of Perry from the left and amplify criticism from the left of other GOP primary contenders. A principal focus of Liz’s work was researching and educating the media regarding Mitt Romney’s business career and liabilities associated with it, the line of attack that ultimately prevented him from winning the presidency. 

In addition, Liz served as Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's online communications strategist ahead of and through his successful 2012 campaign against recall, and thereafter, as he prepared for his successful 2014 re-election campaign and his 2016 presidential run. Before leaving the Walker team in March 2015, she served as a trusted communications adviser for several weeks during the initial planning stages ahead of Walker’s planned presidential run.  

Liz has advised Senator Rand Paul on outreach to tech and conservative online media, particularly during 2013 when the Senator’s influence and imprint on the GOP was steadily increasing. 

She also conducted communications and opposition research services that enabled the decisive re-election of Senator Roy Blunt in 2016.  

Liz is also the originator of the most cost-effective ad in US political history, and a leader in litigation communications particularly concerning constitutional cases. She undertook communications efforts with respect to the three cases heard by the Supreme Court concerning marriage equality where as a long-time advocate, she acted on behalf of Freedom to Marry, which achieved its desired outcomes in each Supreme Court case.  

Liz also handles ballot initiative c

Rarely do competitors unite to recount a campaign's tale from both sides. 🎙️✨

In this fun episode of Campaign War Stories, witness this unique convergence! Joining me is SC Senator Thomas McElveen, who vied for an open seat in 2013 while I helmed the opposing campaign. Though he emerged victorious, a decade of shared experiences has fostered mutual respect between us.

Joined by his former campaign manager turned my teammate at PDG, Phil Bailey, we unveil the behind-the-scenes story of how they outperformed my candidate and overcame my attacks. Don't miss this engaging recounting of political strategy and camaraderie! 🗳️🤝

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Elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2013, he is known as a thoughtful, pragmatic leader who champions efforts moving the state forward by reaching beyond party lines and to find common ground. Despite his relatively short time in the State House, Thomas has been recognized by numerous organizations for his work, including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation Leaders Program at the Darden School of Business. 

Since 2014, he has served as an Honorary Wing Commander (civilian) for the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base. A talented student athlete, Thomas lettered in cross country and track and field at Davidson, earning Southern Conference all-academic honors and serving as captain of the cross-country team. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College and Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a Fellow of the 2018 Class of Liberty Fellowship and is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Join us as we explore Eric Wilson's journey through the intricate realm of technology and politics. Known as one of the GOP's leading tech innovators, Eric dedicates his time to elevating our understanding of tech's role in campaigns. As the guiding force behind Startup Caucus, he fosters a thriving community of innovators and startups.

Don't miss out on the wisdom Eric imparts in his email newsletter, "Learn Test Optimize," hailed as one of the best and most valuable resources by political enthusiasts like us.
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Eric Wilson is a political technologist driving innovation and digital transformation. He’s a veteran of numerous campaigns, having led Marco Rubio’s digital team during his 2016 campaign for president.

Today, he is a Senior Vice President at Bullpen Strategy Group, an insights-focused public affairs advocacy and strategic advisory firm. He's also the Managing Partner of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology.
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Named Campaigns & Election’s “2021 Technology Leader of the Year” and a Harvard Ash Center Technology & Democracy Fellow (2019-2021), he’s frequently interviewed by the media about campaigns and technology and regularly speaks domestically and internationally about the digital transformation of politics.

He’s a proud graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas.

Eric and his wife have a daughter and son and live in the Washington, D.C. area.

Get ready to dive into the dynamic world of political insights and strategy as we sit down with former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges. From navigating the chaos of campaign life to the invaluable lessons he's gleaned along the way, this episode promises an insightful exploration into the heart of politics.

Governor Hodges' journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Having served as Democratic Leader in the South Carolina State House, he clinched the governorship in 1998, triumphing over incumbent David Beasley. Today, he takes the helm as the CEO of McGuire Woods consulting, showcasing his enduring commitment to public service and strategy.

We're privileged to have Governor Hodges share his wealth of experience, offering a glimpse into the war stories that shaped his political career. Tune in to "Campaign War Stories" and embark on an illuminating journey through the lens of a seasoned political leader! 
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Jim Hodges was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. He attended Davidson College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina in 1979 and a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1982. He served as general counsel to the Springs Company and was a member of the board of directors of a number of businesses. He also represented Lancaster in the state legislature for eleven years prior to being elected governor. Education was a top priority for Hodges, and during his first year as governor he won approval for a referendum on a state lottery, provided $1 billion for school construction without raising taxes, and launched the First Steps to School Readiness early children education initiative. He also signed legislation approving removal of the confederate flag from atop the state house in the face of an economic boycott against the state by the NAACP. In 2002, Hodges was defeated for reelection to a second gubernatorial term. He is now Chief Executive Officer of the Hodges Consulting Group and a partner in the law firm of Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell & Hickman.

Welcome to a dynamic episode of "Campaign War Stories"! 🎙️

In this captivating installment, we are joined by Drew Ryun, the founder and CEO of CampaignSidekick—a voter contact management system highly favored by the Republican National Committee. Beyond his technological prowess, Drew is also a multifaceted strategist for various organizations and non-profits.

In this episode, we embark on a thrilling journey that explores not only the realms of entrepreneurship, technology, and leadership but also the exhilarating world of running. Drew shares insights into his experiences and lessons learned from both the fast-paced world of political tech.

Whether you're seeking inspiration for your entrepreneurial endeavors, intrigued by cutting-edge technology, or interested in the joys and challenges of running, this episode has it all. 
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Drew Ryun is a strategist for multiple organizations and non-profits, and also the founder and CEO of CampaignSidekick, a voter contact management system. One of the Republican National Committee’s preferred vendors, CampaignSidekick currently services over 100 campaigns each election cycle.

Co-founder of American Majority, a non-profit candidate school, Drew has personally trained numerous current state legislators to run for office in multiple states. For years Drew served as Director of Government Affairs for the American Center for Law and Justice in Washington, DC as well as the Main Representative for the European Center for Law and Justice at the United Nations in New York City.

A twice-published author, Drew appeared frequently as host and co-host of Jay Sekulow Live, a nationally syndicated radio show with a daily listenership of 2 million.

A former Deputy Director in the Political Division at the Republican National Committee during the 2004 election cycle, Drew has played a key role in organizing grassroots activities for United States House, Senate and Presidential campaigns.

Currently residing just outside of Fort Worth, TX, Drew and his wife Becca also direct the Jim Ryun Running Camps every summer (www.RyunRunning.com) and are the parents of three daughters, Skye, Lily and Willa, and one son, Miles.

I had the privilege of engaging in a candid conversation with South Carolina Speaker of the House, Murrell Smith. From his impactful role as the former Ways and Means Chairman to his current position as the Speaker, this episode delves deep into the complexities of leadership and public service.

Discover the remarkable journey of Speaker Smith, as he not only manages the intricacies of leading a diverse group of 124 Republican and Democrat state representatives but also shoulders the responsibility of representing the entire state. Furthermore, he remains devoted to his Sumter County district. The weight of these roles magnifies the significance of his time spent sharing insights on this podcast.

Tune in to "Campaign War Stories" and glean wisdom from Speaker Smith's unique vantage point on leadership, service, and the intricacies of governance. 🏛️🎧🌐 
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The Honorable G. Murrell Smith, Jr. is an attorney and current Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Smith is a native of Florence, South Carolina and grew up in Sumter, where he graduated from Wilson Hall in 1986. He attended Wofford College and graduated in 1990, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government. After earning his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1993, Smith began practicing law in his hometown while simultaneously serving as a part-time public defender from 1994-1998.

Smith later joined the practice of Lee, Erter, Wilson, Holler & Smith, where his focus evolved to insurance defense, automobile claims, and medical malpractice defense. Since 2019, he has been a partner at Smith Robinson where he has a presence representing clients in virtually every county in the state.

In 2000, Smith was elected to represent District 67 in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He began his political career as a member of the House Judiciary Committee where he eventually rose to the position of first vice chairman. Starting in 2009, he served on the House Ways and Means Committee and was named Chairman of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee in 2012. In 2018, Smith was elected as Chairman of the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee. Smith also served as the Chairman of the House Ethics Committee until 2021 and was on the South Carolina Judicial Merit Selection Commission until 2022. On April 28, 2022, Smith was elected to be the 61st Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and he began his term on May 12, 2022.

Smith has been married to his wife, Macaulay, for 18 years and they have two children together: Mary Brown “Bee” and George Murrell III. Smith enjoys an active presence in Sumter, where he resides, and is a longtime member of the Sumter Rotary Club and the First Presbyterian Church.