The Friday Reporter

• How Lobbying Moves Markets

  This week on The Friday Reporter, I’m joined by Dan Clifton, Partner and Head of Policy Research for Strategas Securities — one of the sharpest minds in Washington when it comes to understanding how policy moves markets.I learn something new every time I talk with Dan. He’s built a powerhouse research and insights operation that advises top corporate leaders, global investors, and even heads of state. His analysis sits at the intersection of policy, politics, and the economy — and he has an uncanny ability to explain complex trends with absolute clarity.We also talk about one of his most innovative creations: the Strategas Lobbying Index, a first-of-its-kind tool that measures stock-market performance through the lens of corporate engagement in Washington, D.C. It’s been remarkably successful, and it says a lot about how closely policy and markets are now intertwined.This conversation is smart, fast, and loaded with takeaways for anyone working in public affairs, government relations or the business side of D.C. Dan is the definition of a must-listen. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

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• Keeping Pace in Washington, D.C.

  Karina Lynch has built a career at the intersection of health care, law and public policy — but it’s not the path she originally imagined. In this episode, I’m joined by Karina of DLA Piper for a conversation that spans the Senate Special Committee on Aging, health policy on (and off) Capitol Hill, and the unexpected turns that shape a life in Washington.We talk about how she once planned to go to medical school, how that evolved into law school and ultimately a role advising lawmakers and staff on some of the most complex issues in health care. Karina shares the counsel she gives to early-career staffers when things don’t go according to plan, and why patience, curiosity and resilience matter more than having a perfect roadmap.And because this is Washington, we also get into relationships, trust and those early-morning runs — including training for and running marathons with Members of Congress. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

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• Family, Policy and Purpose

  This week on The Friday Reporter, I’m joined by Stephanie Strategos Polis, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Plastics Industry Association.Stephanie and I cover a lot of ground in this conversation: what it’s like to raise young kids while managing a demanding public-affairs portfolio, how her time in the Bush administration shaped her approach to service, and why she finds real purpose in telling the story of an industry that faces its share of public scrutiny.It’s an honest, energizing look at modern communications in a town that never slows down — and a reminder that some of the most meaningful work happens when we’re willing to wade into the toughest conversations. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

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• Property Ownership and the American Dream

  In today’s episode, I’m joined by Colin Allen, executive director of the American Property Owners Alliance, for a conversation that moves effortlessly from campaign classrooms in Charlottesville to the frontline debates shaping housing policy today.Colin shares stories from his early days at UVA with Larry Sabato, the lessons that still guide his approach to politics and persuasion, and his time inside the U.S. Senate, where he learned how the institution really works — and sometimes doesn’t.We also talk about his years at the National Association of Realtors, the evolving housing landscape, and why affordability has become one of the defining economic and political challenges of our time. Colin walks through how regional differences shape the narrative, how local leaders can meet voters where they are, and why events outside Washington often tell us more than the ones inside the Beltway.It’s a smart and grounded conversation with someone who has lived the DC experience from multiple vantage points — and who’s now leading a national effort to give property owners a stronger voice. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

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• War Rooms, War Zones and Wild Stories

  I’m joined by Mark Pfeifle, founder and president of Off The Record Strategies — and truly one of the best storytellers in the business.Mark brings the kind of lived experience you can’t fake: from his time on the ground in Iraq to his earliest days learning how to navigate people, pressure, and purpose. He walks through some of the most intense communications crises of his career, breaks down how he approaches leadership in the hardest moments, and shares the kinds of stories that make you stop, think… and laugh out loud.It’s lively, it’s insightful, and it’s wildly entertaining. Mark’s path through government, crisis comms, and strategic counsel is unmatched, and spending a half hour with him is like getting a masterclass from someone who has seen it all— and can tell it better than anyone.Give this one a listen. You’ll walk away with lessons, perspective, and more than a few great stories to carry into your own work. Get full access to Authentically Speaking at thefridayreporter.substack.com/subscribe

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