Capitol Spotlight

Today's topics: John Ohly comes from a legacy of public service and spent over 10 years on Capitol Hill. He worked for House Oversight and Reform Committee and the House Energy and Commerce committee where he dove into investigation work. After some time lobbying in the auto industry, he recently joined TSG Advocates as Partner.

Today's topics: Ashley Davis, former White House staffer and author, shares what it was like inside the West Wing on 9/11 and helping stand up the Office of Homeland Security as employee #1. She also dives into her new book, "The Power Pivot: With Grit, Grace, and Growth".

Today's topics: Managing the "nerve center" of the West Wing, receiving Sharpie-redlined edits from the president, gaining 100,000 Instagram followers in just two months, switching careers, and professional etiquette tips. Alison Cheperdak, Founder of Elevate Etiquette and Author of “Was It Something I Said” , joins Capitol Spotlight!

Today's topics: Building the first AI platform approved for use in the House, the critical need for verifiable data over “Reddit rumors,” why legacy policy tools are ripe for disruption, solving the “mile wide and inch deep” staffer struggle, and navigating the House’s new AI guardrails. Jackson Tufts, Founder of Article One and former National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser for Rep. Dav...

Today's topics: Working on a horse ranch in Spain, skiing across the world, writing a book, office culture at Asana, and what to learn from work-life balance on the west coast. Brennan Adelaide, Public Policy Lead at Asana and former Deputy Comms Director for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joins Capitol Spotlight! Read more about BrennanCNCT with Brennan Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Writing a book about the Appropriations process, working in the Congressional Budget Office, memories from Bush's White House, how money dictates policy, and pitching a TV pilot. Adrienne Ramsay, Founder of Delphi Strategies and former Sr. Budget Analyst for the OMB, joins the show! Read more about Adrienne CNCT with Adrienne CNCT with Delphi Strategies Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: All about Center Forward, humanizing Hill comms, how bipartisanship benefits your work, viewing compromise as a strength, creative phases, and cake decorating. Cori Kramer, CEO at Center Forward, sits down to share her story. Read more about Cori. CNCT with Cori CNCT with Center Forward Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Being born and raised in Cuba, the culture of Miami, what it takes to do bilingual/Spanish comms, and the beauty of silence. Laura Hernandez Smith, Senior Account Director at ROKK Solutions, joins the show to share her story! Read more about Laura .CNCT with Laura Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Owning a farm, being a grandson to a lifelong politician, starting a landscaping company, owning a deli during COVID, and remaining competitive in AI development. Caleb Max, President and CEO of the NAIA, sits down to share his story. Read more about Caleb . CNCT with Caleb Connect with CNCT

In this panel, discover how analytics are rewiring political media. Join Sara Fagen of Tunnl and Andrew Markoff of Three Point Media to hear which skills matter most in an analytics-driven world, how political media has evolved in just five years, where audiences are actually showing up, and more. Presented by Columbia University, Political Analytics. See more about the panel . CNCT with Sara CNCT...

Today's topics: Inside the Supreme Court, writing a book, transparency in Congress, returning to the structural Constitution, campaign culture, and chicken wings. Sarah Isgur, host of the Advisory Opinions podcast at The Dispatch and Editor for SCOTUSblog, joins the show! Read more about Sarah here . CNCT with Sarah Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Is Guinness better in Ireland? Bringing curiosity across the aisle, 2028 predictions, surviving the White House, campaign work, and being the piano player at JWoww's wedding. John McCarthy, Principal at Causeway Strategy Group, shares his story. CNCT with John Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: The Hill in the early 2000s, culture at Capital One, volunteering at the Center for Great Apes, and traveling via cruises. Emily Weems, Head of Global Policy Affairs Group at Capital One, sits down to join the show! CNCT with Emily Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: How to be a beekeeper, life as a twin mom, bringing AI to the Hill, and modernizing Congress. Aubrey Wilson, Director of Global Initiatives at POPVOX Foundation, shares her story. CNCT with Aubrey Connect with CNCT

On this episode: The original idea for CNCT, executing the vision, struggles, successes, and misconceptions. Podcast producer Nick Delaney turns the camera (and mic) around to interview CNCT Founder and CEO David Tennent in this special episode. CNCT with David Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Becoming Gerry Connolly's Chief of Staff at 26 years old, running for Representative of VA's 11th district, knocking on 15,000 doors, and getting coffee from 7-Eleven. James Walkinshaw, candidate for VA's 11th District, joins the show! CNCT with James Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: What does it take to compete in pageants? How do you publish your own children's book? What can a staffer learn from dancing? How do you balance it all with work?? Annemarie Cake, Deputy Clerk & Professional Staff for the Committee on House Administration, answers it all in this episode! CNCT with Annemarie Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Serving as Parliamentarian for the House of Representatives, learning 435 names, what's changed on the Hill since 1989, finding a work-life balance, and the best hiking spots. Tom Wickham, Vice President of Government Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sits down for a chat! CNCT with Tom Connect with CNCT

Today's Topics: Speechwriting for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the Harris Campaign, and Fenway, and finding the best burger in America. Aaron Bennett, Senior Speechwriter at Fenway, joins the show! CNCT with Aaron Connect with CNCT

Today's Topics: Advance work – the best kept secret in town, international travels for the first Trump Admin, spending time outdoors, and being a "car guy" inside and outside of work. Mike Watson, Director of Federal Relations for the American Petroleum Institute, joins the show! CNCT with Mike Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Behind-the-scenes at Punchbowl News, covering the Hill, the ins and outs of newsletter writing, and some political speculation. Heather Caygle, Managing Editor at Punchbowl News, takes the spotlight. CNCT with Heather Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Congressional Management Foundation, resources and opportunities, the Democracy Awards, innovation on the Hill, and efficiency in your office. Jen Daulby, Chief Executive Officer of the Congressional Management Foundation, joins Capitol Spotlight! CNCT with Jen CNCT with CMF Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: The purpose behind STATION DC, building a business, having a growth mindset, and risk tolerance in D.C. James Barlia, Executive Director of STATION DC, joins the show! CNCT with James Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Writing a book, growing up outside of Gary, IN, finding your vocation, and facing adversity. Robert Ordway, Senior Policy Advisor for Indiana Governor Mike Braun, shares his story. CNCT with Robert Connect with CNCT

Today's topics: Memories as the Press Secretary for former First Lady Jill Biden, presidential campaign life during the pandemic, and White House comms. Michael LaRosa, Partner at Ballard Partners, joins Capitol Spotlight to share some stories! CNCT with Michael Connect with CNCT