Center Maryland Presents: The Lobby Podcast

In episode 34 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 1 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 1, Damian is joined by someone most familiar with MACo and Maryland leaders, Melanie Miller of Miller Par...

In episode 33 of The Lobby, Damian talks all things Frederick County with the people who know it best. We are joined by Rick Weldon of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Hugh Gordon of the Frederick County Association of Realtors, and Danielle Adams of the Frederick County Building Industry Association for a discussion on the Livable Frederick Coalition, the unintended consequences of the L...

In episode 32 of The Lobby, Damian returns to his roots and narrows in on what makes Columbia, James Rouse's great experiment, the great success it is, and the unique principles that have guided its growth. We're joined by Frederick Bart Harvey for a discussion on Rousian values, growing communities, and the next big thing. Stick around for a behind-the-scenes look at the founding of Columbia. We...

In episode 31 of The Lobby, in celebration of Conduit Street Podcast's recent achievement in reaching 1000 followers, Damian jumps all the way in on county politics. Guest Michael Sanderson of the Maryland Association of Counties and the Conduit Street Podcast joins us to share his insight into Maryland government structure, where the power rests in the state, and the reason we care what the count...

In this special Conference Call cross-over episode of The Lobby, Damian is joined by CNN political analyst and author John Avlon to talk about the lasting and unseen legacy of the politicking of Abraham Lincoln, and the keys to his success. Later, Damian and John discuss the importance of local journalism in the wake of the launch of the Baltimore Banner, and the effect of dwindling local news aro...

In episode 30 of The Lobby, Damian speaks with Bretta Grinsteinner, a vice-president at EPIC pharmacy, and Scott Pace, an independent pharmacy owner and go-to voice on the relationship between Pharmaceutical Services Administrative Organizations (PSAOs) and pharmacies for the Maryland legislature. Legislation to differentiate between PSAOs and Pharmacy Benefit Managers is moving on for the Governo...

In episode 29 of The Lobby, Damian speaks with Senator Jim Rosapepe (MD-21) about the legislative session and the suspension of the gas tax. Then, stick around while the Senator gives his view of the unfolding situation in Ukraine, colored by his own foreign policy experience as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1997-2001.  We hope to see you soon in the Lobby.

In episode 28 of The Lobby, Damian speaks with Ascension St. Agnes President and CEO Ed Lovern about his path to Ascension and what drew him to Maryland. Join us for a discussion on what makes the Maryland medical system unique, and what Ascension St. Agnes brings to the equation. Then, stick around for a special Catonsville shoutout. We hope to see you soon in the Lobby.

In episode 27 of The Lobby, Damian sits down with Advantage Foundry Network's CEO and relationship guru Matt Sitter for a discussion about the ways that connections deepen our potential to innovate and expand. Listen to Sitter's personal journey to drive leaders toward new perspectives and strategies derived from unique relationships with leaders in other industries. Then, stick around for a look...

In episode 26 of The Lobby, settle in for a look at restarting during COVID-19. Melanie Miller's career has spanned from the Young Democrats to Comcast to, now, Miller Partnership Consultants. MPC works to connect clients, like Southland Energy, with county governments and communities to deepen their connection in Maryland. Then, stick around for a retelling of the legacy of Mike Miller from one o...

In episode 25 of The Lobby, Damian brings on one of the state’s most dynamic couples, Hannah Powers Garagiola and former State Senator Rob Garagiola to give us an inside perspective on their growing firm, Compass Advocacy, a multi-service public affairs, government relations, and law firm. Join us for a conversation on the challenges of the 2022 session, and growing a new business during the pande...

In episode 24 of The Lobby, following the 40th anniversary of MPT's State Circle, Damian dives in deep with host Jeff Salkin to reexamine his storied career, discuss the value of independent local journalism, and look at the future of news in Baltimore where the soon-to-be-launched Baltimore Banner is set to shake up the fourth estate.  We hope to see you soon in the Lobby.

In episode 24 of The Lobby, buckle up for a wide-ranging discussion as Damian catches up with Jeremy Eldridge, Partner at Eldridge, Nachtman, & Crandell LLC. They cover everything from Howard County campaign finance to the Mosby indictment  and rising crime. Join us for Eldridge's insight on races around Maryland, and the realities of finding justice in different political environments. We hope to...

The 2022 Maryland legislative session has begun, and in episode 22 of The Lobby, Damian catches up with Leslie Simmons, COO of LifeBridge Health, and Brian Frazee, VP of Government Affairs with the Maryland Hospital Association to check-in on our frontline team as COVID-19 continues to rage. Together, they discuss the most critical issues facing healthcare workers, the pressing priorities of the 2...

The 2022 Maryland legislative session has begun, and in episode 21 of The Lobby, Damian joins Senator Malcolm Augustine of Prince George's County to look around at the continued sacrifice of his community to battle the pandemic, and look ahead at the realities of another session affected by COVID-19. Join us for a conversation about Augustine's beginnings, delivering for your community, and recogn...

In episode 20 of The Lobby, Damian joins with Senator Jeff Waldstreicher to examine the ways that family and fatherhood have shaped their careers. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at one of the General Assembly's biggest stars for a  look at his role as Vice-chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, recent events in Montgomery County, and the things that make his district (MD-18) unique in...

In episode 19 of The Lobby, Damian reconnects with Senator Cory McCray and Delegate Marc Korman on their 2020 reading list, what has inspired them, and what it means to be an advocate. Check out this in-depth on how they've found time to make progress, the new perspectives they've found, and the inspiration they draw from each other. Then, listen in for an inside look at Books in Bloom 2021 this S...

In episode 18 of The Lobby, Damian welcomes long-time friend Pastor John Heath, Co-Founder of The National Black Professional Lobbyist Association and Senior Government Relations and External Affairs Manager with Turo, for an awe-inspiring telling of his journey from homelessness to national success and leader to new generations of lobbyists across the country. Listen in for an inside view of how...

In episode 17 of The Lobby, Damian welcomes the incomparable Bob Enten, recently named by Best Lawyers of America® as the 2022 Government Relations “Lawyer of the Year” in Baltimore for the second time, for an examination of the stories and qualities that have defined his career. Listen in for an inside view of Maryland's past Senators and Delegates, and the last-one-out mentality that has shaped...

In episode 16 of The Lobby, Damian welcomes Steve Silverman of SS Gov Relations and Jonathon Rowland of Rowland Strategies for a discussion about 'the big county.'  Listen in as they talk economic development in Montgomery County, how they pursued a reimagined County Council, as well as the Gubernatorial and County Executive primary campaigns. Then, stick around while they discuss the ways COVID-1...

In episode 15 of The Lobby, Damian welcomes President of Johns Hopkins Health System, Kevin Sowers, M.S.N., R.N., F.A.A.N., and President and CEO of University of Maryland Medical System, Dr. Mohan Suntha to The Lobby. Listen in as they discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, the toll it has taken on healthcare workers, and their unprecedented resiliency. Then, stick around while they discuss the undercurr...

In Episode 14 of The Lobby— a National Intern Day Special —, Damian is joined by Sara Walsh, Stephen Hook, and Julianne Blackman, interns at KO Public Affairs. They discuss working in a professional environment during a pandemic, what they have learned from their experiences with KO, and their career goals in the political sphere. Then, stick around to hear the interns’ favorite parts of working f...

In episode 13 of The Lobby, Ray Glendening, Founder and CEO of Scarlet Oak Strategies joins Damian to talk about his career path, and the perspective it's given him on political races in Maryland and elsewhere. Glendening also talks us through the road to opening his own firm, and the niche they've found in research and polling. Then, stick around while Damian and Ray expand on the Maryland Gubern...

On episode 12 of The Lobby, Len Lucchi of O'Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore joins Damian to give a perspective on his highly-impactful career. Lucchi talks about his time representing Prince George's County as a lobbyist, the relationships he's developed over the years, and his perspective on proposed state-wide solutions to transit and connectivity like the proposed Maglev train. Then, stick aroun...

We've heard from some of the architects of the biggest stories in Annapolis this year and asked them what they’ve accomplished during a period when Marylanders have needed them most. On episode 11 of The Lobby, we’re picking up where we left off with Senator Craig Zucker (MD-14) and Quinton Askew of Maryland 2-1-1. We’ll talk with Delegate Bonnie Cullison (MD-19) about the successes of the 2021 se...