PODCAST · government
The Political Life
A podcast about the people whose lives are immersed in the political world, and how they got there - from campaigns to capitols and everywhere in between. Politicians, lobbyists, pollsters, and business people. If they're on the show, they're living the political life.
Episodes
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Disrupting Politics with Katie Harbath
As we near the 2026 Midterm elections, Maggie Mick hosts Katie Harbath of Anchor Change. Katie is a longtime political strategist and technology-policy expert who spent 10 years at Facebook, ultimately serving as Public Policy Director for Global Elections. She helped build Facebook's elections...
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Meet Joe Vidulich with Appian
This week, Maggie Mick hosts Joe Vidulich. After a decade at Capital One, Joe recently walked across the street in McLean, Virginia to build a new government affairs operation at Appian. They discuss how Joe reached the decision to make a big mid-career move and how AI is impacting not only his...
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Celebrating America's 250th with Michael O'Brien
On today's special July 4th episode, Maggie Mick hosts Michael O'Brien - executive coach, cyclist and host of a new podcast, A Perfectly Imperfect Union. 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...
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Brody Mullins and the Evolution of Media and Lobbying in Trump's Washington
In the 2026 season opener of The Political Life, Maggie Mick hosts Brody Mullins. 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...
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Meeting the Moment with Layla Zaidane, Future Caucus CEO & President
In this week's episode, Maggie Mick hosts Layla Zaidane, 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...
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The Role of the States with West Virginia Speaker Roger Hanshaw
For the first The Political Life taping of 2026, Maggie Mick sits down with West Virginia Speaker of the House of Delegates, Roger Hanshaw. The Speaker shares his professional and political path and how they intertwine to serve his constituents and state, current conditions impacting federalism,...
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Showing the Value of State Government Affairs with Deana Lykins of Haleon
In today's episode, Maggie Mick sits down with Deana Lykins, 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…
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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2025 Virginia Election Preview with David Hallock, Two Capitols Consulting
In this week's episode, Maggie Mick hosts David Hallock, 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...
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New Jersey Gubernatorial Election Preview with Bill Maer, Public Impact Strategies
In today's episode, Maggie Mick hosts Bill Maer, 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...
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Remembering Charlie Kirk with Sen. Julia Coleman
On today's special episode, Maggie Mick hosts Minnesota state Sen. Julia Coleman 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...
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Meet Amanda Nguyen, President & CEO of the American Distilled Spirits Alliance
On today's episode, Maggie Mick hosts Amanda Nguyen, President & CEO of the American Distilled Spirits Alliance. 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...
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Why Political Lives Last Longer than Any Individual Campaign, with Vartan Dijhanian
In today's episode, Maggie Mick sits down with Vartan Dijhanian, 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...
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Pigskins and Politics with T.J. Birkel
In this week's episode, Maggie Mick hosts T.J. Birkel, Head - Government Affairs, West, for Kroger and host of his own podcast, Common Fan. 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...
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Meet New Mexico Speaker Javier Martinez
On today's episode, Maggie Mick is joined by New Mexico Speaker Javier Martinez. 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.
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NCSL Marks 50 Years with Tim Storey
In today's episode, Maggie Mick welcomes back to the show Tim Storey, CEO of the National Conference of State Legislatures 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…
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Meet Nneka Chiazor, New President at the Public Affairs Council
In today's episode, Maggie Mick is joined by Nneka Chiazor, the newly installed President for the Public Affairs Council. 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...
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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, Maggie Mick sits down with Cristine Almeida of Almeida Public Affairs in St. Paul, Minnesota. The conversation explores Speaker Hortman's career and legacy in Minnesota as well as the impact...
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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 Maggie Mick 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…
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SGAC Celebrates 50 Years!
On today's episode, Maggie Mick hosts Fred Zeytoonjian, President of the State Government Affairs Council. 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...
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Meet Machalagh Carr – who has held some incredible jobs on Capitol Hill; General Counsel on the Ways and Means Committee, General Counsel for the Speaker of the House and Ultimately Chief of Staff for the Speaker.
Machalagh Carr is a trusted and discreet counselor with decades of private sector and government experience. She has nimbly navigated the intersection of congressional investigations and oversight, law, geopolitics, international anticorruption measures, and policy, and served as the top staffer…
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On the Front Lines – Representing X at State Capitols – Meet Jordan Rodell.
Jordan Rodell is a seasoned public policy professional specializing in technology and free speech advocacy. She currently serves as Public Policy Manager at X (formerly Twitter), where she leads legislative and executive engagement efforts across the U.S. Prior to this, she was the State Policy...
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How the state AGs are Asserting in 2025
During The Political Life podcast's legislative session recess, we bring you another rebroadcast of a recent MultiState virtual event. To gain insights on trends and a better understanding of the state of play with attorneys general, MultiState's Maggie Mick and Kelley Drye & Warren's Paul…
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Meet Jacque Robinson-Baisley, currently the Director of External Affairs for Cordoba Corp. in their Education and Facilities Sector.
Meet Jacque Robinson-Baisley, currently the Director of External Affairs for Cordoba Corp. in their Education and Facilities Sector. Jacque also served as Vice Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Pasadena – that was recently devastated by the wildfires. Jacque is a tenured leader with over…
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Meet Will Melofchik- the new CEO of National Conference of Insurance Legislators – NCOIL.
For this week's episode, we are rebroadcasting a webinar hosted by Maggie Mick and Brock Ingmire and features new National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), Will Melofchik. Will was installed as CEO on January 1. He was formerly NCOIL's General Counsel. Previously, Will was a…
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This week We Sit Down with Speaker Brian Evans of Arkansas!!
Rep. Brian S. Evans serves as Speaker of the House for the 95th General Assembly. He is serving his fourth term in the Arkansas House. He represents District 68 which includes the city of Cabot, as well as portions of Lonoke County. For the 94th General Assembly, he served as Chair of the House...
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Meet the leader of GOPAC - David Avella.
David Avella is the Chairman of GOPAC, the Republican Party's premier organization dedicated to educating and electing Republican leaders. The GOPAC network invested nearly $33 million in the 2023-2024 election cycle. A seasoned communications professional and political leader, Avella has spent…
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Meet Mat Lapinski – the CEO of Crossroads Strategies
Mathew Lapinski is CEO of Crossroads Strategies, LLC. Mat represents a broad spectrum of clients across multiple practice areas. With two decades of advocacy experience, he is an expert in navigating Washington's federal legislative and regulatory institutions. Beginning as a lobbyist for health...
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Meet Bill Kramer – the Election Expert with MultiState
Bill Kramer has been with MultiState since 2011. Recognized for his wide breadth of state legislative and policy knowledge, Bill oversees the firm's research services, advises clients on strategic government affairs initiatives, develops and manages coalitions and associations, and pens the…
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This Week Meet the Dynamic and Intelligent Leigh Walton.
Leigh Walton is Vice President of Global Government and Regulatory Affairs for Pitney Bowes. As Vice President of the Global Government and Regulatory Affairs team, Leigh leads the company's work in influencing public policy to increase opportunities for its shipping, mailing, and financial...
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What's Going On in Missouri? Well, to find out we talk to Sarah Schlemeier Henke.
Sarah Schlemeier Henke attended the University of Missouri from 2010-2014, where she graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Health Sciences and minors in Psychology and Service Learning. After working in the nonprofit sector in grant-funded positions, Sarah was hired by a lobbying firm before...
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Meet Kellie Rittershausen - Executive Director for the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
*Recorded on October 1, 2024.* This is a rebroadcast of a MultiState webinar 'Meet the Exec' with Kellie Rittershausen, new executive director of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA). Kellie Rittershausen serves as the Executive Director of the National Lieutenant Governors...
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Meet Ches McDowell – Managing the GR team at Checkmate Government Relations.
**This episode was recorded prior to the 2024 election** Ches McDowell leads the Checkmate Government Relations team and focuses primarily on the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Congressional Delegation. He has delivered victories for clients in health care, financial...
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Simon Wlodarski has served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now he is working for Bank of America. Tune in to hear his story.
SIMON WLODARSKI, is a Senior Vice President at Bank of America and is a member of the U.S. State and Local Government Relations Team, overseeing State/Local Government Relations for the company in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Colorado. In this...
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Meet Tre Hargett – the Secretary of State from the Greatest State in the Union!
Tre Hargett was elected by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2009 to serve as Tennessee's 37th Secretary of State. He was reelected to four-year terms in 2013, 2017, and 2021. Secretary Hargett is the chief executive officer of the Department of State with oversight of approximately 300…
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Rachael Eckles – Policy and Public Affairs Expert, lawyer, bioethicist and Author of Trading Secrets and its sequel, Risky Assets. Rachael is currently working on the third book in the series.
Rachael Eckles has worked in the health care industry for over twenty years. A lawyer and bioethicist by training, she began her career in clinical research, ran a hospital medical ethics committee, and began a bioethics program at a pharmaceutical company. Her love of shaping the environment...
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"You have to Learn to Lobby on behalf of Yourself". Meet Suzanne Swink.
Suzanne Swink is Vice President of Government Relations for KORE Power, the leading U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of battery cell technology for the clean energy industry. In this role, she is responsible for the company's legislative and regulatory strategy for federal and state affairs,...
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Reflecting on 9/11 with Garrett Graff the author of "The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11.
Today we are joined by bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist Garrett M. Graff who has spent two decades covering politics, technology, and national security, and is now recognized as one of the nation's most prolific and wide-ranging journalists and historians. His award-winning...
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How do you get a job on Capitol Hill? Take a sabbatical and move to Washington, DC - meet Amy Efantis who did just that and has never looked back.
Amy is currently SVP of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at Ascension. Amy is an experienced leader who has guided successful teams in the U.S. and abroad & believes strongly in servant-leadership; over two decades of experience in Washington, D.C. leading organizations, managing budgets,...
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This week we sit down with Steve Yeager, Speaker of the Nevada Assembly, one of the key political leaders in a battleground state.
Description: Steve Yeager has been serving as the speaker of the Nevada Assembly since 2022. Yeager graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001 and then attended Cornell Law School, graduating in 2004. After law school, Yeager practiced law and later worked as a chief deputy public defender...
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More interviews from NCSL
In this week's episode, you will continue to join Maggie Mick in her home state of Kentucky for a constellation of conversations had with colleagues and friends attending the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2024 Legislative Summit in Louisville.
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TPL Travels to Kentucky for NCSL
In this week's episode, you will join Maggie Mick in her home state of Kentucky for a constellation of conversations had with colleagues and friends attending the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2024 Legislative Summit in Louisville. We'll take you into the policy sessions, along the...
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Meet Jack Quinn, One of the Best
Jack Quinn: Head, State Government Affairs for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Jack Quinn leads Regeneron Pharmaceutical's state policy, advocacy, regulatory, and political activity across all 50 states. Born-and-raised in Buffalo, NY, Jack attended Siena College and SUNY Buffalo Law School. After…
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Jerry Cornfield got his start as a crime reporter in San Francisco- today he breaks down elections in the state of Washington - not that the two are related!
Jerry Cornfield started as a crime reporter in San Francisco and spent the better part of the last four decades covering politics and government in California and Washington. He worked in media for 12 years in Santa Barbara, reporting for daily and weekly newspapers, serving as editor-at-large…
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How do you oversee a 50 state Government Affairs operation with over 500 members and be ranked one of the most effective year after year? Meet Bobby Patrick, VI from AdvaMed - who helps make it all happen.
Bobby Patrick, VI is the Vice President of State Affairs, Regional Government, and Alliance Development at AdvaMed, the MedTech Association. He oversees AdvaMed's state affairs work and partnerships with external stakeholders, including patient advocacy organizations and physician groups....
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Meet Sen. Bob Duff, Senate Majority Leader in Connecticut
Senator Bob Duff is a state senator from Connecticut and has been the Majority Leader since 2015. Bob's Norwalk family ties go back five generations. His passion for public service began at the age of eight. That's when Bob voiced his concerns for the future of Duffy Field to then-mayor William...
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What do Murthy and the other recent Supreme Court decisions mean for Free Speech? For Trump? The Presidency? Carl Szabo from NetChoice breaks it all down for us.
As Vice President and General Counsel, Carl analyzes, advocates, and testifies on tech-related legislative and regulatory initiatives relevant to online companies. Carl is also an adjunct professor of internet law at the George Mason Antonin Scalia Law School. Before joining NetChoice, Carl was…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast about the people whose lives are immersed in the political world, and how they got there - from campaigns to capitols and everywhere in between. Politicians, lobbyists, pollsters, and business people. If they're on the show, they're living the political life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Political Life have?
The Political Life currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Political Life about?
A podcast about the people whose lives are immersed in the political world, and how they got there - from campaigns to capitols and everywhere in between. Politicians, lobbyists, pollsters, and business people. If they're on the show, they're living the political life.
How often does The Political Life release new episodes?
The Political Life has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Political Life?
You can listen to The Political Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
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