The Deciders

Patrick Dorton is the founder and CEO of Rational360, one of Washington's leading independent public affairs firms. In this episode, he explains how crisis sharpens you, how technology is more critical than ever in an evolving advocacy business, and why knowing your value and your audience is the one strategy that lasts.Pinpoint Targeting is patent pending.Become an insider: sign up for early access to every new episode of The Deciders before it's public at www.deciders.show/subscribeThis episode sponsored by:The American Property Owners’ Alliance – helping families unlock the dream of homeownership. 535.news – streaming live from Capitol Hill every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Hester Peirce is head of the SEC's Crypto Task Force. In this episode, she explains the hard lessons of the 2008 financial crisis, why bad consequences help make good markets, and why regulators should draw more lines and file fewer lawsuits. Become an insider: sign up for early access to every new episode of The Deciders before it’s public at https://www.deciders.show/subscribeThis episode sponsored by: Narrative: Solving today’s most demanding reputational and public affairs challenges at the convergence of business, media, and politics.​ACII: The voice for the next generation of American consumers and investors.

Rohit Chopra is a former FTC commissioner and former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where he forced President Trump to fire him rather than resigning. He describes how federal agencies have become toothless, why the fight for consumer protection is shifting to state attorneys general, and why the real power may still reside with the American public.This episode sponsored by: ACLI: The American Council of Life InsurersThe American Consumer & Investor Institute The American Property Owners’ Alliance

Jeff Miller runs one of DC’s top lobbying firms by revenue — with just 12 people. He explains how he built it by refusing to represent clients he doesn’t agree with, turning down revenue rather than changing his firm’s culture, and mastering the art of the ask.Miller also opens up about his appointment to the U.S. Holocaust Museum Board and why fighting antisemitism has become, in his words, the most important thing he can do.The episode sponsored by:ALCI: The American Council of Life InsurersAssociation of American RailroadsALFA News

Suzanne Clark’s first five years leading the nation’s largest business lobby included navigating a pandemic, historic inflation, and a Biden administration she sued 21 times. In this episode, she explains why it’s a mistake to try filling a legend’s shoes, what she discussed with the Venezuelan opposition leader, and how companies and constituents both have a role in addressing political extremism. This episode sponsored by:PhRMA: Representing America’s innovative biopharmaceutical research & biotechnology companies.EEI: The association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies.ACII: The voice for the next generation of American consumers and investors.

Mike Sommers has spent nearly a decade bolstering the American Petroleum Institute’s influence in Washington — regardless of who’s in power. A protégé of Speaker John Boehner, he reveals how principle-based advocacy outlasts political volatility, why API bet millions on Landman before anyone knew it would be a hit, and what he did the Saturday morning the U.S. moved on Venezuela.

Brian Ballard, one of Washington's most successful lobbyists, reveals how his firm navigates the Trump administration by building deep relationships, staying persistent through political volatility, and maintaining credibility above all else.