What's Working in Washington

Mary Abbajay is a career consultant and president of Careerstone Group, an organizational and leadership development consultancy for business and government. She is also the author of bestselling career guide, “Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss.” On this episode of What's Working in Washington, Mary discusses the future of post-pandemic work, explains how...

What’s Working in Washington is thrilled to welcome back Richard Levick, Chairman and CEO of leading D.C. crisis-management PR firm, LEVICK. On this episode, Richard explains the changing role and definition of crisis management in the digital age, describes how LEVICK strategically assists firms, brands, and people in crisis, and shares his take on current 'crises' from Will Smith to Ukraine. See...

Ryan Leirvik is an experienced cybersecurity executive and author of "Understand, Manage, and Measure Cyber Risk," a practical guide for creating and managing a sustainable cybersecurity program. Ryan discusses the difference between state-sponsored and stateless cyber threats, explains how breaches in both open and closed software systems can jeopardize critical data, and offers recommendations o...

Tom Donohue is the former president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest community of business leaders. On this episode of What's Working in Washington, Tom shares his accomplishments in the Chamber over the years, including notable regulatory and legal reforms for which he was an advocate. He expresses concerns regarding the declining quality of civics education in America...

Mark Ruppert, a DC local, is the founder and CEO of the 48 Hour Film Project. In this exciting annual competition, teams of filmmakers are given just 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film from start to finish. Mark shares how he got into the film industry, explains the logistics of the film project, and reveals how 12 lucky filmmakers each year are awarded the opportunity of a lifetime:...

Ed Barrientos is the CEO of Brazen, a high-growth HR software used by top employers and universities. On this episode, Ed describes the unique condition of the job market in 2022, in which companies are competing for talented candidates while simultaneously facing the repercussions of the 'Great Resignation.' Ed also explains the effects of the broad shift to remote working, the dehumanizing natur...

Jeffrey Page, author of “Becoming a Student of Leadership,” joins Mark Walsh to discuss the process of leadership learning. They dive into the key features of exceptional leadership, exploring topics like curiosity, vulnerability, communication, and radical candor. Jeffrey, who previously worked at the Library of Congress, shares personal anecdotes on leadership and reveals to listeners how they,...

Pat Sheridan is the CEO of Modus Create, a D.C.-based technology consulting firm that helps companies achieve their digital goals. He joins Mark to share what it means to be an apprentice, how to transform a regular office into a place with culture, and how community co-working spaces have the potential to reshape neighborhoods. With these important trends in mind, Pat speculates on the future of...

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, presidential historian and author of "The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution," joins Mark Walsh to share her extensive knowledge on the origin, significance, and trajectory of the American presidential Cabinet. Dr. Chervinsky explains how an institution that was not pre-ordained in our constitution became a mainstay of the American presid...

Jonathan Aberman, Dean of the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership, and Technology at Marymount University, joins Mark for a lively conversation on the current state of the economy. Jonathan explains the effect of the ‘Great Resignation’ on labor force participation rates, shares how working from home is impacting peoples’ careers, and provides insight on the D.C. venture capital bubble. Fi...

Bennett Richardson is the president and co-founder of Protocol, a sister agency of POLITICO that reports on the tech industry. He explains how Protocol's focus on technology as a global power center takes the successful POLITICO model and brings it to a new industry and space, describes the challenges faced in establishing a specialized brand and insider audience, and even shares insight on the co...

Alan Miller, founder and CEO of the News Literacy Project, shares how his nonpartisan, nonprofit organization gives middle and high school students the tools to discern fact from fiction in the news media. In this episode, Miller reveals just how many Americans are woefully unprepared to navigate the digital news landscape and how this poses an existential threat to democracy. In a world where fak...

Stefan Midford, founder and CEO of Capango, shares how his ‘dating app for jobs’ has revolutionized the service industry. He explains the ongoing challenges faced by restaurants and retail businesses in recruiting employees and how Capango seizes this opportunity to be a liaison. For first-time workers and senior citizens alike, listen in to learn how Capango creates an employee-centered, industry...

Martina Vandenberg is the president and founder of the Human Trafficking Legal Center, a non-profit organization that connects victims of human trafficking and forced labor with pro bono legal representation. She explains the importance of expanding worldwide access to justice, discusses the consequences of forced labor goods entering developed markets, and proposes compelling economic and legisla...

Tommy McFly, dubbed "D.C.'s version of Ryan Seacrest" by the Washington Post, brings his vibrant personality to today's episode of What's Working in Washington. He discusses his exclusive role as the emcee of the White House Easter Egg Roll for six years in a row, and chats with Mark about all the wonderful things D.C. has to offer. Spoiler: it's a lot more than politics! See Privacy Policy at htt...

Bettina Stern, co-founder of seasonal vegetable taco company Chaia Tacos, joins Mark to share how she built a successful D.C. restaurant from the ground up. A firm believer that vegetables are “the most luxurious item on the plate,” Bettina explains how her business aims to get people to eat more veggies, and how she ultimately wishes for a world where no one goes hungry. See Privacy Policy at htt...

Annie Donovan, EVP and COO of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), joins Mark Walsh to talk about impactful investing. She explains how the CDFI Fund invests in small businesses to make a social impact, and gives recommendations for how the government can further support these important initiatives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:...

Mark Ein, Chairman of Kastle Systems and CEO of Venturehouse Group, is a true D.C. native. He joins Mark Walsh to discuss capital formation, how the marketplace has changed over time, and how Washington D.C. can reclaim the positive reputation it deserves. Finally, Mark tells the story of tennis superstar Rafael Nadal's exciting visit to play in the city open - reminding us just how special Washin...

Richard Levick is the Chairman and CEO of LEVICK, a leading crisis-management PR firm in Washington, D.C. On today’s episode of What's Working in Washington, Richard explains how the role of Human Resources has changed forever, gets transparent about transparency, and shares his surprising account of what it's like to work with companies domestically and abroad. See Privacy Policy at https://art19...

Diana Hosford, VP of Sports and Entertainment for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), explains how her organization helps survivors who have lost loved ones in military service. She describes how mentorship programs and initiatives, such as Good Grief Camps, ensure that the children and family of fallen veterans are supported during their difficult process of grief. She also discusses...

Tige Savage, co-founder of Revolution and managing partner of Revolution Ventures, discusses the key strategies and characteristics that set Revolution apart from other venture capital firms. He explains how he and his colleagues work to spread wealth, capital, and growth around the U.S. through their program, 'Rise of the Rest.' Tige also shares insight on maintaining a productive company culture...

Tom McGrath, CEO and chairman of Crossroads Live, joins Mark Walsh on today's episode of What's Working in Washington. As an expert in the entertainment industry, Tom shares his insider perspective on the incredible feat of putting on a Broadway show, explains how Washington’s legislation works to protect artists from those who steal music, and discusses the challenges and solutions to reopening t...

Bill Frischling is the Vice President of Alternative Data at FiscalNote, a D.C. based company that combines advanced data with global policy and market intelligence. On today's episode, he reveals some astonishing facts about the current capabilities of data collection, the fascinating future trajectory of computing technologies, and most importantly, the impact this will have on all of us. See Pr...

Chris Hoehn-Saric, Senior Managing Partner at Sterling Capital and Avathon Capital, joins Mark Walsh for a lively conversation on higher education outside the Ivies. The education specialist explains the cultural differences in how tutoring is seen in North America and Asia. Also, he surprises Mark with some statistics on just how many college students actually graduate, and urges students to dig...

John Ourand, media reporter for Sports Business Journal since 2006, gives What's Working in Washington the inside scoop on all things sports: in Washington D.C., nationally, and abroad. He discusses the amount of money at stake in the sports industry, the relationship between cities and professional sports teams, and other major sports erupting in the Washington D.C. market. See Privacy Policy at...