Back in Session: A DMGS Podcast

In this episode of Back In Session , hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara dive deep into the work of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) with guests Drew Dehoff and Stacey Hanrahan. From managing AI’s impact on water usage to restoring American eel populations, the SRBC plays a critical role in the health and sustainability of one of America’s most vital waterways. You'll hear about the Co...

In this episode of Back in Session , hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara speak with Anne Gingerich, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), about the significant role nonprofits play in the Commonwealth—and how ongoing state and federal budget uncertainty is impacting their ability to serve communities. Anne shares recent data on the financial strain fa...

In this episode of Back in Session , Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Inganamort for a wide-ranging and energizing conversation about life in the Garden State and the real challenges facing small-town America. From managing forest fire risks to fighting burdensome state mandates and championing the legendary New Jersey diner culture, Assemblyman Inganamort brings a...

In this episode of Back in Session , hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacey Garrity for a wide-ranging conversation. From her 30-year military service to her rise in the private sector and eventually public office, Treasurer Garrity shares the story behind her unexpected journey to becoming State Tresaurer. They explore her leadership at the Treasury,...

In this episode of Back in Session , hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome Anne Dudro and Luc Montminy, the newest members of Duane Morris Government Strategies. From policy consulting to working at the White House and on Canadian political campaigns, Anne and Luc bring decades of experience in government affairs. They share their journeys, lessons from the trenches of politics and government...

Mallerie Stromswold made headlines as one of the youngest state legislators in the country when she won a Montana House seat while still a teenager. Now, she’s serving in a different way—as Government Affairs Manager and Event Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. In this episode of Back in Session , Mallerie shares how she got started, the issues she championed in office, and what...

Join hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara on this episode of the Back in Session podcast as they chat with Pennsylvania State Representative David Rowe, Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. Dive into Rowe's unconventional path to politics, from teaching English in Taiwan and running CrossFit gyms to local township service and now tackling state issues. He breaks down the Policy Committ...

In this episode of Back in Session , the Ryans sit down with Jeff Berkowitz , founder and CEO of Delve , for an in-depth conversation on how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of public affairs and government relations . Drawing from his years of experience at the intersection of politics, research, and strategy, Jeff shares how AI is moving beyond chatbots to become a true partner...

What exactly does the Pennsylvania Auditor General do—and why should you care? Deputy Chief of Staff Hayden Rigo joins the Back in Session podcast to demystify the work of this essential state office. Learn how audits protect taxpayer dollars, how Rigo’s lobbying past informs his present role, and what priorities shape the office’s future under Tim DeFoor. A must-listen for anyone curious about go...

In this solo-hosted episode of Back in Session , Ryan Stevens welcomes back Micah Rasmussen from Rider University’s Rebovich Institute for an in-depth breakdown of New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial and legislative primaries. As the state gears up for a high-stakes election season, Micah dives into the surprising results, strategic party shifts, and the end of New Jersey's infamous "county line" ball...

In this special local government edition of Back in Session , hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Jack Gombach, Managing Director of the City of Reading, Pennsylvania. From government affairs pro to city hall COO, Jack shares his journey and his relentless optimism for what's ahead. With insights into urban revitalization, reducing crime, streamlining bureaucracy, and positioning Read...

In this episode of the Back in Session Podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome Massachusetts State Senator Brendan Crighton. The discussion dives into Crighton’s journey from a civic-minded college student to a state senator, his work as chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, and the pressing issues facing Massachusetts, including budget uncertainties and transportation challe...

In this episode of the Back in Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Andrew O'Connor from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) to explore the advocacy efforts shaping the video game industry. Andrew discusses critical policy challenges like artificial intelligence (AI) and online safety, debunking myths about gamers and highlighting how states like Texas and New...

Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper steps up to the plate on this episode of Back in Session to talk about PA's economy, energy policy, and the GOP’s 2025 legislative game plan. He breaks down Governor Shapiro’s budget, discusses the future of election integrity, and even calls out MLB’s robot umpires. Also tune in to find out Leader Topper's predictions for the Pirates baseball seas...

What’s it like to govern in one of the most politically divided states? PA State Rep. Mike Schlossberg joins Back in Session to discuss mental health reform, education funding, and bipartisan challenges in Harrisburg. Plus, he shares insights into Governor Shapiro’s budget, reflects on his path to politics, and settles the debate about Billy Joel’s “Allentown.” Tune in for a lively discussion on P...

The Back in Session podcast kicks off 2025 with a deep dive into multi-state lobbying and government affairs. Hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Kristen Casimir, a government affairs professional covering the southeastern U.S., to discuss the complexities of advocating across different state legislatures. Kristen shares her journey from campaign work to in-house government affairs, o...

In this episode of The Back in Session Podcast , hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara are joined by Brendan Williams from PBF Energy. They delve into the state of energy policy, the refining sector, and the challenges posed by electric vehicle mandates and renewable energy transitions. Brendan offers insights into his career, the pivotal role of refiners, and how energy policies impact consumers. Ab...

In this episode of the Back in Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Michigan State Representative Bryan Posthumus to explore the key issues shaping Michigan’s political and legislative landscape. Posthumus, the GOP Floor Leader, shares his experiences running for office during COVID-19, highlights the "Mission for Michigan" policy platform, and outlines his vision for...

Ever wondered what goes into organizing a U.S. presidential debate? In this episode of Back in Session , Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Jean Cantrell and Dan Felton, who have served as members of the 'Ticketing Team' with the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), to uncover the complexities behind the scenes. From selecting venues to ticketing logistics, discover the intricate plan...

In this episode of the Back in Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Amy Bos, Director of State and Federal Affairs at NetChoice, to discuss the critical issues facing the tech industry today. They dive into the latest developments around AI regulation, antitrust lawsuits, and online speech moderation. Amy shares insights from her Capitol Hill experience and highlights...

Join us in this insightful episode of the Back in Session podcast as co-hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Pennsylvania State Representative and Republican Whip, Tim O'Neal. Dive into the complexities of the recent state budget, explore the dynamics of special vs. general elections, and learn about crucial legislative efforts aimed at transparency and consumer convenience. Whether yo...

In this episode, the Back in Session hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara dive into their excitement for the upcoming National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. They then welcome this week's special guest, Alex Baloga, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), for an insightful discussion on his career journey, PFMA's mission, and...

In this episode of the Back in Session Podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara are joined by Mark Hutchinson, the CEO and founder of Blue Line Solutions. With a rich background in law enforcement, Mark shares his personal journey and the heartbreaking incidents that led him to create Blue Line Solutions, a company dedicated to improving road safety through automated speed enforcement technolog...

Welcome to this episode of the "Back in Session" podcast, featuring a dynamic discussion between hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara, and their special guest, Terra McClelland, the current president of the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) and Vice President of Government and External Affairs for Benevis. In this episode, discover Terra’s insights on professional development, state-level poli...

In this episode of the "Back in Session" podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara delve into the innovative world of AI technology applied in gun detection with Burgess Nichols from ZeroEyes. Starting with some light-hearted sports banter, the conversation transitions into a serious discussion on how AI can help mitigate mass shootings through advanced detection systems. The episode also covers...