The Friday Reporter

Don't miss this week's episode with Brody and Luke Mullins -- two D.C.-native, investigative journalist brothers who teamed up to report on the dynamics of lobbying and it's origins in the nation's capital. These two superstars (one at Wall Street Journal and the other at Politico Magazine) have produced one of the most anticipated books of the year -- illustrating the contours of lobbying through the investigation of the most-known characters in the business. Tune in today to hear how the project came to be, the process of producing this killer book and the difference between reporting and now selling a sure to be best-seller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amie Parnes is Senior Correspondent for The Hill newspaper, covering the White House, among many other D.C. and political things. She tells us in this episode that she has always wanted to be a journalist and shares some fun anecdotes about her courage in advocating for herself. Fast forward to 2024 and an abrupt change in her employment situation, it is that same tenacity that has her restored to a top spot at one of the busiest D.C. newsrooms. With three best selling books (co-authored with her colleague) and another on the way, Amie Parnes still finds time to balance work and life in a way that we can all admire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With an extraordinary career of anticipating trends in marketing, Beth Sidhu is now chief brand and communications officer for Stagwell. She joins Lisa today for a conversation about important trends in business and the culture of sports -- as she plans to deliver a second successful year of Sport Beach at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Beth's career has been truly at the intersection of business, news and politics and is well-known inside the beltway as a true visionary. She shares her pathway through media driven events, elevated brand engagement at an authentic level and the power of the digital age at even the youngest generation level. Tune in today to hear more about Beth Sidhu, Sport Beach and her remarkable work at Stagwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Kinzel is the Founder of Parafossam, a new and booming business inside of Washington, D.C. With a keen insight into running policy campaigns, Will is deciphering Washington, D.C. for private equity clients in a way like no other. Will's experience from inside political committees, top offices inside the U.S. Capitol and high perches inside corporate America have given him a killer instinct and his clients are thriving because of his intuitive nature. Tune in to better understand how government affairs could unlock doors and see around corners for investors long before difficulty arises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is a strategist, an author, a publisher and a podcaster with a passion for making people famous for what they do. Torund Bryhn is the author of "Fame Revolution," and she's captured the essence of today's public life in a way no other author has yet done. Listen in today to hear Torund share wisdom about how to live your own personal brand. Her positive approach to this kind of marketing is inspirational. She insists we're in the golden age of public relations and to hear her tell the story, it's clear we absolutely are. Tune in today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Blevins from the Colorado Sun tells me he was a ski bum that snuck in the back door to journalism, but anyone that knows this killer journo knows its instinct and grit that makes him a must-follow. After a long tenure at the Denver Post, Blevins took a leap of faith and struck out on his own to build what is now a non-profit publication with a team of great talent. We get into the business of journalism, the thrill of living in the West and the health of the ski industry. Big thanks to my hubs for this recommendation. If you're a skier or just curious about how they cover news in Colorado, drop into this episode and meet a legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maggie Hroncich is a staff reporter for the New York Sun, and to hear her unfold her daily playbook is a complete inspiration. At a time when we're regularly hearing about newsrooms shrinking or disappearing altogether, today's conversation is a hopeful one with a brilliant journalist. Tune in today to learn more about Maggie's journalism path, her focus on trends in local media and how TikTok and other media platforms are quickly becoming pipelines for news coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Hanford is senior producer and correspondent for APM Reports. She's the host of the hit podcast, "Sold a Story," the second most shared show on Apple Podcasts in 2023 and Time Magazine top THREE podcasts of the year joins Lisa today for a conversation reading instruction. Her entire career has been dedicated to public radio -- much to her English degree's surprise -- and has really made a tremendous name for herself. While her hit podcast launched at a time when parents, educators and the world was curious about the effect of the pandemic on today's students, it's proven to be an enduring and sought-after source of information. Tune in to hear her insights and incredible passion for a topic that not only impacts tomorrow's future, but today's everyday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Press Foundation is dedicated to investing in the future of young journalists and my guest today has made this organization a top priority. Amos Snead is the chair of the NPF and also president of D.C. public affairs firm Adfero. Today, he's a guest of the Friday Reporter. As an avid supporter of journalism and communications, Amos famously tells everyone he mentors that we're in the "friend-making business," and it shows. His success in public affairs, his authoring of a smart bipartisan book, "Climbing the Hill," to a publicity platform called, "Famous D.C.," Amos is a well-regarded innovator in D.C. Tune in for this fun conversation today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yolanda Brignoni started her career as a journalist in Macon, Georgia, but quickly found that her willingness to help and advocate became her passion. Fast forward a few years to today, she's VP External Affairs & Communications for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. (www.pedaids.org). Her passion for advocacy has taken her into and onto some of the most rewarding communications posts and even in corporate communications for a D.C. based news outlet. Yolanda shares her remarkable story, the amazing work she's doing for pediatric AIDS all across the globe and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously -- and letting curiosity lead us on our journey. Listen in to meet Yolanda and hear more about the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Wohl is a Washington, D.C. political professional and author of an insightful new book -- Down Ballot, How a Local Campaign Became a National Referendum on Abortion. Today, Lisa and Patrick unpack how an Illinois state primary ignited a national conversation about abortion, while also setting a precedent for counting electoral ballots -- without giving up too much about this smart new book. Patrick also offers a window into the process of writing and having a book published. Tune in today and download your copy of Down Ballot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Penn is the Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, Inc., but also a best selling author and former advisor to U.S. Presidents, prime ministers and so much more. He joins Lisa today from CES, one of the biggest tech trade shows in the world. Penn shares his early love for polling, the needle corporations must thread in these dicey political times, and even a story about how he almost got tossed out of school early on his political path. At the start of a very busy election season, this conversation was so appreciated and insightful. Tune in together his take on the tech industry, 2024 and so many other topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sterling Marchand is partner at Baker Botts law firm and host of "The Lawful Influence Podcast." 2024 promises to deliver many stories about campaign finance, so today's guest helps us understand the contours. Sterling Marchand is known in D.C. as a man who can break down the complexities of this issue in a way that all of us can understand. That's why he's chosen to take to the airwaves and host his brand new show -- don't miss this one!! Additionally, Sterling shares his fantastic philanthropic empire -- Be The Good Project -- that he started with his brilliant wife Amber during the pandemic in 2020. Not only should you immediately subscribe to his show, you need to follow and figure out how to help their efforts to help the food insecure in our community. Tune IN! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Murtaugh has served at the highest levels of political communications, as his career encompasses serving as communications director for the Trump 2020 campaign – plus work on statewide campaigns, congressional races, and in senior leadership positions at national political committees. But Tim's path wasn't always easy, as he details in a raw and personal account in his upcoming book, "Swing Hard In Case You Hit It." In today's episode, Tim shares a preview of his own struggles to quit alcohol and his professional rise in the world of political communications for the President of the United States. Listen in today to this remarkable redemption story and the final Friday Reporter episode of 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Evan at a very young age in Mumbai, Sarakshi Rai knew her path was journalism. From watching her father produce a magazine to interning for numerous publications, her passion was pure and has secured her upon a super impressive path. The Hill's Director of Audience and Social Media visits with Lisa today to talk through her own literal journey to the busy news town of Washington, D.C. She shares some insight into successful audience capture and how important it is for her team to take a trail and error approach to success. Listen in today to learn more about the Hill's exciting plans for 2024 election coverage and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is David Pollack, the host and creator of the David Pollack Radio Show on 94.9 FM /950 AM. https://www.thedavidpollackshow.com/ As a Seminole County native, this passionate conservative talk show host uses his voice and his expertise to engage his audience in ways -- and lots of others are following his lead. As an attorney and former candidate for office, David found himself wanting to increase the volume of his own voice and built a show that is turning fast into an empire. David shares tactics such as Twitter Spaces, along with some other tricks he has used to become one of the most sought after voices on the conservative side of the discussion. Join me today to meet David and hear more about his show and his smart approach to engaging conversation with his listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jade Davis is the co-founder and chief strategy officer for Thornton Buckeye Group in Cleveland, OH. He started the firm with his wife Crystal nearly a decade ago - and has turned his attention to growing this business that is connecting people in state and across the country. As senior vice president at the Port of Cleveland, Jade oversaw public affairs and energy policy while witnessing record economic growth at this important trade port in the U.S. Though a lifetime of hard work and tremendous experience, Jade was proud to bring prosperity back to his hometown community. Jade shares how he got his start in politics from a very young age -- thanks to his parent's commitment to civics and community - worked on super high-level campaigns, the Ohio state house, and landed in D.C. on a critical issue campaign. That's where he saw 39 states and his career path crossed with Lisa's to forge a lifelong friendship. Listen in today to meet Jade Davis and hear more about the exiting things happening in Cleveland, OH and at Thornton Buckeye Group. (www.thorntonbuckeyegroup.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank Larkin is a national advocate for veterans suicide prevention and traumatic brain injury research. As a former Navy Seal himself with a long and decorated career in the U.S. Secret Service and as U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, Frank joins Lisa today to raise awareness for an organization near and dear to his heart. Frank shares his own personal story about the loss of his own son, Ryan, and how the efforts of families affected like his are truly making a difference in how we continue to honor and serve our veterans after their service has concluded. Warrior Call Day is every year on November 12, reminding us all that reaching out and making connections with our friends and family that have served could truly make a difference. Join me for this special episode today -- and learn more about Frank's efforts at www.warriorcall.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After several years overseas covering OPEC, landing impossible-to-get guests and breaking news, Annmarie Hordern returned to D.C. for Bloomberg to cover the White House. Her easy and brilliant approach to news coverage is the envy of many of her colleagues and sources. Annmarie's point of view on the difference between international and U.S. news, along with the importance of having a worldview, is an important conversation in today's environment. Tune into today's conversation with the hardest working woman in media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Nelligan is a senior exec at the U.S. FDA, but that's not nearly all that keeps him busy. He's the proud author of two great books -- "Four Lessons from My Three Sons, How to Raise Resilient Kids" & "Your Kid's Rebound from Pandemic Lockdowns." With a 7 year old start at politics, donning a clip-on bowtie to campaign for his mom, Jeff prides himself on his careful and considerate approach to parenting and all things political communications. He had an early stint at journalism before taking some tremendous posts in government -- both Administration and Capitol Hill. Dive in today to learn more about Jeff's common sense approach to raising resilient kids and how his political background informed it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices