STAFFER
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82 episodes
This episode's guest is Josh Earnest, one of the few staffers to go the distance from early on the Obama campaign through both terms in the White House. Josh worked in politics and government from Florida to Iowa to New York City to Washington – and has applied lessons learned there to his job at White House Press Secretary and today, as EVP of Communications and Advertising for United. Learn all about his extraordinary pathway, his take on what makes a great staffer, and more.
A series of conversations in memory of Dan Turton, a former White House and House of Representatives staffer who died too young, made a lasting difference, and touched many lives.
As a little girl, Jocelyn Frye wanted to be a lawyer. That she did – and so much more. Today, Joelyn leads the National Partnership for Women and Families. On this episode, she shares insights about her journey from attorney to advocate to White House staffer, and back to advocate. Along the way, she describes what it was like to work so closely with the First Lady Michelle Obama, how she views the ongoing work for justice and equality, and so much more.
President Biden’s first two years in office resulted in several landmark laws: the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS & Science Act, and more. During that time, this episode's guest, Louisa Terrell, served as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. In this episode, hear Louisa discuss her journey to the West Wing and how she helped the President achieve historic wins under incredibly challenging circumstances. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Mike Harney knows the federal government like few others. Prior to his position as Senior Vice President and Head of Public Affairs at Clear, he held a range of impressive positions as a staffer. Hear about the joys and challenges of each position on this episode of STAFFER. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
On this episode of STAFFER, Steve Haro dives into his experiences throughout his over two decades in government and politics. He has served as Chief of Staff to two senators, worked in the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Obama Administration, and now works at TelevisaUnivision. He talks about what makes a good staffer, how he finds the private sector after life in government, and more. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Patrice Willoughby joins on STAFFER to discuss her career from Capitol Hill to the private sector. Patrice currently is the Senior Vice President, Global Policy and Impact at the NAACP.
In this episode, Greg Butler, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Eversource Energy, talks about his time as a staffer in the NYS Assembly and U.S. Department of Justice, and what lessons he’s taken with him in the decades since then. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Janno Lieber is a New Yorker through and through. He worked in the mayor's office during Ed Koch’s administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the private sector (where he oversaw major projects including Port Authority Bus Terminal and the new World Trade Center), and now at the MTA, where he serves as the Chair and CEO to largest public transportation network in North America. Hear about his experiences as a staffer and so much more on this episode of STAFFER. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
To say that Patrick Gaspard has had an impressive career as an activist is an understatement. Listen to this week's episode of STAFFER to hear more on his experiences: fighting against South African apartheid as a teenager; working in several presidential campaigns, including for Jesse Jackson, Howard Dean, and Barack Obama; running politics and policy for labor giant SEIU 1199; working in the Obama White House and DNC; serving as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa; and today, as the CEO of Center for American Progress Action Fund. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Tiffany Muller talks about her role as President of End Citizens United, which has more than 4 million members and 1 million grassroots donors. Together with Jim Papa, they dive into her journey through the political world – from her time on the Topeka City Council to campaigns in Kansas to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the fight for LGBTQ equality – and how she stays motivated to fight day in and day out.
Quentin Fulks and Jim Papa talk about Quentin’s new role as the Principal Deputy Campaign Manager for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ reelection campaign, the values that drive him, and the twists and turns that brought him to this moment. Along the way, they cover Quentin’s experience as Campaign Manager for Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock’s re-election campaign, and his role as Deputy Campaign Manager and Political Advisor to Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Sharon Werner is currently Chief Counsel at PNC Bank. But prior to PNC, Sharon served in the Obama Administration as the Chief of Staff to US Attorney Generals Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch and spent five years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA). Jim and Sharon discuss the traits of high-achieving staffers and developing a career in Washington and the private sector.
Mike Boots, Executive Vice President of Breakthrough Energy, joins Jim to discuss his life and career from politics to advocacy. Mike previously held the position of Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He provided advice to the institute and philanthropic foundations on topics relating to business, civil society, and the environment. Prior to that, he was the environmental advisor to President Obama in 2014 and 2015, leading the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Hear more STAFFER stories on our website https://www.staffershow.com.
From flight attendant to labor leader with the Transport Workers Union of America, from Senior Advisor to the Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to policy and government relations expert at AARP and NAACP, Portia Reddick White has seen a lot from the skies and the trenches. On this episode of STAFFER, host Jim Papa speaks with her about her experiences and so much more. Find more episodes at www.staffershow.com https://www.staffershow.com
This episode's guest is Shelly Stoneman, who has worked everywhere from Capitol Hill, the Balkans, the White House, and the Pentagon. She is a leader in the national security community and leads Government Relations for BEA Systems, where she is also on the Board of Directors. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also appointed Shelly to chair the Department of Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service, and in her “spare time,” Shelly also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security. Listen now. Find more episodes of STAFFER on our website https://www.staffershow.com
Polly Trottenberg is the Deputy Secretary of Transportation under Pete Buttigieg. She was previously the commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2014 to 2020. Trottenberg's more than 20 year career has taken her from working as a staffer on the Hill to helping to manage an agency of 55,000 people. Find more stories from staffers on our website www.staffershow.com. /www.staffershow.com
Greg Speed is president of America Votes. He is a leading progressive campaign strategist with a broad experience in politics, having worked for advocacy organizations, the Democratic Party and elected officials. He and Jim discuss his career in politics from staffer to political strategist.
Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer for Vail Resorts, Kenny Thompson, talks with Jim Papa on this episode of STAFFER. Kenny shares stories from Austin City Hall, the presidential campaign trail, and the White House, as well as lessons he learned along the way: connect with people, pay attention to detail, and always offer a solution. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
This episode of STAFFER features David Castagnetti, award-winning lobbyist, co-founder of Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, Capitol Hill veteran, and presidential campaign advisor, who offers his take on the most important quality of an outstanding staffer...and why you should never eat lunch at your desk. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Hildy Kuryk joins STAFFER to discuss her career spanning from politics to the private sector. She currently is the founder of Artemis Strategies, a consulting firm helping businesses communicate their core values, but she got her start in politics working in state and federal roles and serving two presidents. Hildy shares stories from her career which has taken her from Washington D.C. politics to working directly with Anna Wintour at Vogue and Teen Vogue.
Tim Miller joins Jim Papa to discuss his time working as a staffer in politics and on the campaign trail. Tim discusses his views on where politics are in America and elaborates on his feelings he put in his book, "Why We Did It: A Travelogue From the Republican Road to Hell". Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
On this episode of STAFFER, hear Christina Reynolds talk about her experiences in the crucible of campaigns, advice to staffers, and the importance of recognizing mistakes. Christina is currently the Vice President of Communications at Emily’s List, which is dedicated to electing pro-choice, Democratic women. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Jim is joined by Ruchi Bhowmik, Vice President of Public Policy at Netflix. They discuss her time working in government and politics as well as the key traits needed to be a great staffer. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
Tom Perriello, former U.S. Representative and staffer, talks with Jim Papa about his life fighting injustice. Tom dives into how important it is to find meaning in everything you do, whether it’s interning on the Hill or leading an organization like Open Society. Follow STAFFER on Twitter https://twitter.com/StafferShow • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StafferShow • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staffershow/
In the wake of historic gun legislation – but also more tragic shootings – Peter Ambler, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, joins host Jim Papa on this week’s episode of STAFFER to discuss the organization’s dedication to fighting for a safer America.
From the Clinton White House and Vice President Al Gore... to Senate Democratic Leader Daschle... to Presidents Obama and Biden, author and speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum has served at the highest levels of government. Host Jim Papa speaks with him about communicating ideas, how speechwriting has evolved, his advice for using humor, and his new book, “Undelivered.”
JANO CABRERA, FORMER DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY TO VICE PRESIDENT GORE, TALKS ABOUT BUILDING RESILIENCE, TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, AND LEARNING ALONG THE WAY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO GENERAL MILLS.
Monica Dixon is the president of external affairs & chief administrative officer for Monumental Sports. She spent a career in politics at the highest of levels but she got her start working on the campaign trail and then in the senate for Senator Tom Daschle. In this episode, hear stories from her career and advice she has for current and future staffers.
Cecilia Muñoz, Senior Advisor at New America, joins us to talk about her impressive career – from working on immigration policy at the National Council of La Raza (now known as Unidos) for two decades to becoming the first Hispanic person to serve as the DPC Director under the Obama Administration.
