Taryn's Political TrailMix

In this episode of Political TrailMix , Taryn Rosenkranz sits down with Kelly Grace Gibson, Vice President of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), for a candid discussion about what political professionals are seeing behind the scenes. Kelly shares insights from more than two decades in political media, including why Democrats need a more conversational message, how AI is chan...

In this episode of Political TrailMix , Taryn Rosenkranz sits down with Zandria Haines, partner at Moxie Media and veteran voter contact strategist, to discuss the tools, tactics, and challenges shaping modern campaigns. They explore why direct mail continues to outperform expectations, how AI is creating new opportunities and risks, and why campaigns often struggle to communicate with voters in w...

In this episode of Political TrailMix , Taryn sits down with longtime friend and colleague Jen Pihlaja for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, identity, resilience, and the pressure of political life. Jen shares her path from political consulting to coaching and facilitation, along with reflections on writing Leading From Within . They talk about personal growth, navigating stress, finding yo...

In this episode of  Political TrailMix , Taryn talks   with digital and social media strategist Stefanie Cruz to discuss 20 years of online politics and social impact work, from training elected officials on early social platforms to leading rapid-response strategies for major mobilizations. They dig into burnout, boundaries, and practical self-care, and leadership lessons rooted in kindness, fami...

In this episode of Political TrailMix , Taryn talks to Justin Myers, Executive Director of Blue Leadership Collaborative, about building strong campaign leadership through pay stability, training, and intentional support. Justin explains how Blue Leadership Collaborative recruits, trains, and retains diverse campaign managers across local, state, and federal races. He outlines the organization's c...

In this episode of Political TrailMix , Taryn talks with strategist Jesse Ferguson about messaging, voter perception, and the shifts shaping Democratic communication. They break down how people respond to economic narratives, why language matters, and what campaigns often miss when speaking to real voters. Ferguson also shares lessons from Virginia, New Jersey, and national races, and talks about...

On this episode of Political TrailMix , Taryn is joined by Sarah Flowers and Matt Erickson of 76 Words, two Democratic media consultants who've spent decades crafting messages that move voters. Together, they dive into the evolution of campaign strategy, the future of political storytelling, the rising influence of healthcare and cost-of-living issues, and how rage, hope, and resilience drive the...

On this episode of  Political TrailMix, we have Rebecca Pearcey. Rebecca has run campaigns from coast to coast, from advising Senator Elizabeth Warren to helping elect Congresswoman Summer Lee. In this episode, Pearcey shares why politics is "maintenance, not miracles," cutting through the noise with simple, authentic ads and where AI helps (and harms).  Website: brysongillette.com Socials: @rebec...

On this episode of  Political TrailMix we have Mitch Kates. Mitch knows his way around an arena -- first as a heavyweight wrestling champion and professional wrestler, and now as a veteran political operative with more than two decades of campaign experience in the U.S. and abroad .  Mitch Kates has spent 21 years winning hard-fought battles in politics at every level. Now Executive Director of th...

On this episode of Political TrailMix we have Evan Glass. Evan went from covering Congress at CNN to making history as the first openly gay man elected to the Montgomery County Council. He's championed pay equity, housing justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and greener, more accessible communities. In this episode, we talk about his journey, his wins, and why two rescue beagles might be the secret to it all....

On this episode of Political TrailMix we have Kelly Burton. Kelly is the Founder & CEO of Both/And Leadership, helping social impact leaders build resilience and thrive over time. A veteran of top political roles — including leading the National Democratic Redistricting Committee with Eric Holder — she's spent her career at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and purpose. Website:  https://b...

On this episode of Political TrailMix we have Lucinda Guinn. Lucinda is a trailblazing Democratic strategist who made history as the first Latina to lead the DCCC and helped flip 24 House seats in 2018 with women candidates. Now at Ralston Lapp Guinn Media , she's sharing how campaigns are won and what it really takes to change the game. Website: rlgmediagroup.com Socials: @lmguinn   Credit: Music...

Welcome to Political TrailMix! The show that blends the sweet wins, salty debates, and everything in between from the world of politics. Host Taryn Rosenkranz, a veteran of 500+ campaigns, kicks things off with her vision for real, unfiltered conversations that take you behind the scenes of how political power is built, messaged, and won.