The Political Life

From campaigns to capitols and everywhere in between - a podcast about the people whose lives are immersed in the political world, and how they got there. Politicians, lobbyists, pollsters, and business people. If they're on the show, they're living the political life.

Celebrating America's 250th with Michael O'Brien 07/02/2026

Celebrating America's 250th with Michael O'Brien On today's special July 4th episode, hosts - executive coach, cyclist and host of a new podcast, They discuss his new project, the podcast's origin story, and its aim. In each podcast, Michael sits down with a real American from every state in our union, plus Washington, D.C. to discuss what America means to them, where the current tension lives, and what they wish for as America celebrates our 250th birthday. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/41938755

Brody Mullins and the Evolution of Media and Lobbying in Trump’s Washington 06/09/2026

Brody Mullins and the Evolution of Media and Lobbying in Trump’s Washington In the 2026 season opener of The Political Life, hosts Mullins is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. He spent nearly two decades covering the intersection of business and politics for The Wall Street Journal. He is underway in reshaping how Washington is covered and understood through his new media ventures including and . /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/41524950

Meeting the Moment with Layla Zaidane, Future Caucus CEO & President 02/12/2026

Meeting the Moment with Layla Zaidane, Future Caucus CEO & President In this week's episode, hosts CEO & President of the Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project). The discussion focuses on Layla's professional trajectory and the lessons picked up along the way which have enabled her to be a driving force in the organization's growth and relevance in a hyper-partisan and polarized America. The two also explore the greatest challenges facing young elected officials and how the Future Caucus continues to innovate, drive bi-partisan conversations and find policy solutions to address the most vexing issues facing the states today. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/40048925

The Role of the States with West Virginia Speaker Roger Hanshaw 01/23/2026

The Role of the States with West Virginia Speaker Roger Hanshaw For the first The Political Life taping of 2026, sits down with West Virginia Speaker of the House of Delegates, The Speaker shares his professional and political path and how they intertwine to serve his constituents and state, current conditions impacting federalism, and his participation in the new Assembly for State Legislative Leaders. Finally, he previews the West Virginia legislative session which kicks off this month. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/39763445

Showing the Value of State Government Affairs with Deana Lykins of Haleon 01/05/2026

Showing the Value of State Government Affairs with Deana Lykins of Haleon In today's episode, sits down with Lead for State Government Affairs at Haleon. A Kentucky native and now New Jersey resident, Deana has worn essentially every hat in state policy making and advocacy. From campaigns to state capitol aide before crossing over to the private sector where she's held roles as a contract lobbyist, running a state association, and now her role in the corporate sector. Learn how she thinks about the work and where she's found success in communicating and demonstrating the value of state government affairs internally. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/39519950

Entering the MultiState Group Chat: 2026 Issues Forecast 12/23/2025

Entering the MultiState Group Chat: 2026 Issues Forecast For The Political Life's final episode of 2025, and to prepare our listening audience for state legislative sessions in 2026, we stood up a MultiState Group Chat to discuss all the emerging issues that may be coming to a state capitol building near you. This fall, MultiState released a 2025 Issues Review and 2026 Forecast Report. An extensive and large undertaking, the report pulls from the expertise of MultiState's Issue Management team who review hundreds of thousands of bills each year. To illuminate the report's findings, hosted colleagues , and - all subject matter experts in fiscal and tax, health care, technology and artificial intelligence, as well as elections - for a discussion on what awaits state government affairs professionals in the new year. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/39496825

2026 Midterms: Attorneys General Preview with Adam Piper, RAGA 12/13/2025

2026 Midterms: Attorneys General Preview with Adam Piper, RAGA Next year is huge for gubernatorial races, but don't take your eye off the 30 state attorneys general races set for 2026. Increasingly, AGs play an outsized role in state policymaking, multistate investigations, and federal activity. Beyond that, more of them are ascending to higher office including governor, Congress, and federal cabinet positions. In the eight 2024 gubernatorial races, three AGs (plus one former) ran and won the governorship in Washington, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Hampshire. To get a read on the landscape ahead, hosted two recent conversations with executives and respectively for the (DAGA) and (RAGA). /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/39391035

2026 Midterms: Attorneys General Preview with Sean Rankin, DAGA 12/08/2025

2026 Midterms: Attorneys General Preview with Sean Rankin, DAGA This week and next week's episodes on 2026 attorneys general races are rebroadcasts of recent MultiState client webinars. Next year is huge for gubernatorial races, but don't take your eye off the 30 state attorneys general races set for 2026. Increasingly, AGs play an outsized role in state policymaking, multistate investigations, and federal activity. Beyond that, more of them are ascending to higher office including governor, Congress, and federal cabinet positions. In the eight 2024 gubernatorial races, three AGs (plus one former) ran and won the governorship in Washington, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Hampshire. To get a read on the landscape ahead, MultiState's will host two upcoming conversations with executives and respectively for the and . /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/39325775

Meet State Senator James Maroney –a Leading Policy Expert on Artificial Intelligence and Currently Vice Chairperson on the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy Senator James Maroney was first elected to represent the 14th District (Milford) in 2018. Senator Maroney currently serves as the Co-Chair of the General Law Committee. In his time as co-chair of the committee, he has passed comprehensive consumer data privacy laws, children and consumer health data privacy laws, a law governing state government use of AI, laws modernizing and expanding the practice of pharmacy in Connecticut, among others. Recently Senator Maroney was named to the inaugural Leadership Council of the Future of Privacy Forum Center for Artificial Intelligence. Senator Maroney’s work on tech legislation has been recognized nationally. Prior to politics, Sen. Maroney founded and ran an educational consulting business in Milford. In addition, he was a past president and founding member of the Milford Education Foundation and served on the Milford Board of Education. A proud and active participant in the community, he is a member and past president of the Devon Rotary, where he chaired the scholarship committee for years. Prior to a successful career in public service, State Senator Maroney attended Yale (Class of '96), where he was a 3-time varsity letter winner in both track and field and cross-country. In his senior year, he was elected captain of the track and field team and was awarded the Yale Men’s Cross-Country Award for Performance and Dedication. He graduated from Jonathan Law High School of Milford in 1992. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/39152755

2025 Virginia Election Preview with David Hallock, Two Capitols Consulting 10/24/2025

2025 Virginia Election Preview with David Hallock, Two Capitols Consulting In this week's episode, hosts president of Two Capitols Consulting in Virginia. With 30 years of experience working in the Virginia Governor’s office and General Assembly, the United States Senate, and the private sector, David is one of the most seasoned and respected operatives in the Commonwealth. Maggie and David walk through the evolving dynamics in this year's statewide election including gubernatorial and attorney general races and what could be in store in the closing weeks ahead of November's election. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/38759075

New Jersey Gubernatorial Election Preview with Bill Maer, Public Impact Strategies 10/17/2025

New Jersey Gubernatorial Election Preview with Bill Maer, Public Impact Strategies In today's episode, hosts , senior partner wtih Public Impact Strategies. Bill is a well-respected New Jersey lobbyist and onetime political operative with a career spanning more than 30 years. He was appointed to Governor Phil Murphy’s 2018 Transition Committee to advise the incoming Administration on State related policies. Maggie and Bill discuss the Garden State's colorful political dynamics and how historical trends could or could not apply to this year's gubernatorial race betweeen Jack Ciattarelli (R) and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D). /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/38595095

Remembering Charlie Kirk with Sen. Julia Coleman 09/19/2025

Remembering Charlie Kirk with Sen. Julia Coleman On today's special episode, hosts Minnesota state to reflect on the life and legacy of her friend and mentor Charlie Kirk. The conversation took place on September 12, two days after he was assassinated while addressing an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. Sen. Coleman began her political career on the staff of Turning Point USA and later became the youngest woman elected to the Minnesota state senate. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/38201915

Meet Amanda Nguyen, President & CEO of the American Distilled Spirits Alliance 09/05/2025

Meet Amanda Nguyen, President & CEO of the American Distilled Spirits Alliance On today's episode, hosts President & CEO of the Amanda, an accomplished attorney and seasoned government affairs executive, recently took the helm at ADSA. The two discuss Amanda's time working in a state legislature, her path to Washington, D.C. and raising her daughter as a single mom while building a successful career. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/38020160

Why Political Lives Last Longer than Any Individual Campaign, with Vartan Dijhanian 08/29/2025

Why Political Lives Last Longer than Any Individual Campaign, with Vartan Dijhanian In today's episode, sits down with , Director of Global Government Affairs for LAM Research. Vartan has worked on political campaigns since middle school and went on to serve on the staff for multiple Members of Congress before transitioning to the private sector. A native of Lebanon, he has a deep appreciation for American politics and how anyone can pursue public service and give back to their country. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/38020115

Pigskins and Politics with T.J. Birkel 08/22/2025

Pigskins and Politics with T.J. Birkel In this week’s episode, hosts Head - Government Affairs, West, for Kroger and host of his own podcast, They chat about T.J.’s time on Capitol Hill, his transition to the private sector and state affairs, building businesses and of course, Nebraska football. Go Big Red. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37911110

Meet New Mexico Speaker Javier Martinez 08/01/2025

Meet New Mexico Speaker Javier Martinez On today's episode, is joined by . They discuss his ascent into politics and legislative leadership, the issues that matter most to him, how he leads his chamber, the big issues that the legislature tackled this session and what's ahead in 2026. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37640345

NCSL Marks 50 Years with Tim Storey 07/25/2025

NCSL Marks 50 Years with Tim Storey In today's episode, welcomes back to the show, CEO of the to mark the organization's 50th anniversary. The two discuss the origins of NCSL, its impact on states as well as thousands of state legislators and staff, current programs and NCSL's important role in states rights. Tim also shares a preview for the 50th Legislative Summit set for Boston next month. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37413770

Meet Nneka Chiazor, New President at the Public Affairs Council 07/18/2025

Meet Nneka Chiazor, New President at the Public Affairs Council In today's episode, is joined by , the newly installed President for the The two discuss Nneka's career, her vision for the Council moving forward, and she shares all the ways any professional in public or government affairs can get involved. More about upcoming Public Affairs Council events . /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37413730

A Tribute to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman with Cristine Almeida 07/11/2025

A Tribute to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman with Cristine Almeida In the wake of the tragic political assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, sits down with of Almeida Public Affairs in St. Paul, Minnesota. The conversation explores Speaker Hortman's career and legacy in Minnesota as well as the impact of her death reverberating in the community of states and the challenge to our country which faces increased threats of violence to public officials. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37351255

Reconciliation & Medicaid: What's at Stake for States with Barrett Thornhill and Brock Ingmire 06/27/2025

Reconciliation & Medicaid: What's at Stake for States with Barrett Thornhill and Brock Ingmire Today, we are rebroadcasting a recent MultiState virtual client event hosted by on the budget reconciliation bill which contains President Trump's domestic policy agenda currently moving in the U.S. Senate. In May, the House narrowly passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" — which would cut taxes, increase border and military spending, and notably scale back Medicaid, among other provisions. Maggie alongside two of her health care policy expert colleagues,with Forbes Tate Partners and with MultiState, explored the current disposition and provisions of the legislation, what could come next and its potential impacts to the states. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37094475

SGAC Celebrates 50 Years! 06/20/2025

SGAC Celebrates 50 Years! On today's episode, hosts President of the This year, SGAC celebrates its 50th anniversary. Fred shares an 101 on SGAC and how the organization is marking this milestone year with a national campaign to celebrate the state government affairs profession and raising funds for He also talks about his favorite new spot - Bowdie's Chophouse in Lansing, Michigan, where he had his best meal this year. /episode/index/show/thelobbyingshow/id/37088410

The Political Life

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