First Mondays with PSG Consulting

PSG Consulting and Innovating for the Public Good: R&D for Democracy have launched a series of webinars focused on narratives, the power of themes and storytelling. This webinar will explore the crucial role media and entertainment play in amplifying values and ideals central to a strong democracy. Panelists will examine how storytelling can bridge divides, counter misinformation and inspire civic engagement.

In an era of information chaos, language isn't just communication — it's power. We discussed how words shape reality, dissected the metaphors that move movements, and thought about language that can cut through the noise, tell our story and reach people where they are.

Page Gardner kicked off the series on narratives, beginning with a discussion on definitional issues. Moderated by Erica Williams Simon, the expert panel included Laura Hughes and Joseph Phelan, who explored how to craft memorable and transformative narrative arcs.

Key Takeaways From the Discussion:

• Narrative is more than a story — it’s the deeper patterns of meaning that connect stories together.

• A strong narrative arc begins by defining the problem (the world as it is), ends with a compelling vision of the world we want, and places “us” — our solutions and actions — in the middle.

• Successful narratives have driven social change, from the civil rights movement to marriage equality, showing that we have the ability to shape history through storytelling.

• We need to reconnect with the art of narrative building by understanding audiences on a deeper level — not just through demographics, but through culture, values and lived experiences.

Join the next generation of leaders, including Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, North Carolina State Senator Sydney Batch and Hollywood filmmaker Billy Ray as they discuss strategies to address our current crisis, plan for the long term and counter the threat of an increasingly authoritarian Right.

In this special edition of the First Mondays Podcast, Page talks with Robert Jones, President and Founder of PRRI.

"Down the home stretch of the campaign, Donald Trump has doubled down on his message of Christian nationalism and white grievance. While his speeches have indeed become more meandering and more extreme, they nonetheless contain a coherent appeal that taps key elements from authoritarian playbooks around the world, including 1930s Nazi Germany..."

PSG Consulting and Innovating for the Public Good: R&D for Democracy worked with TargetSmart to conduct dial testing during the September 10 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The research used live dials and pre- and post-debate surveys with an audience of swing voters and Democratic-leaning mobilization targets. 

This study used moment-to-moment dial testing and hot button analysis, which focused on emotional responses and a series of metrics, ranging from head-to-head support and favorability to specific candidate traits and issue trust.

Worthy Strategy Group developed a “Critical Six” list of top leadership qualities voters seek.

Our speakers for Monday’s discussion included:

The US Elections Project data show that the elections of 2018, 2020 and 2022 were three of the highest-turnout U.S. elections of their respective types in decades. The turnout in 2020 was the highest rate for any election since the 1900s, with about two-thirds (66%) of the voting-eligible population participating that year. In 2018, 49% of the voting-eligible population participated. The 1941 elections were the last to see that kind of turnout. The latest midterm in 2022 had a 46% turnout, only exceeded by the turnout in 1970.All of these years were marked by singular moments in American history that resulted in surges of various demographic groups, both numerically and level of candidate support.

The real keys to understanding these elections are not only the number of people who voted but the types of voters who turned out, the margins of support for candidates, and their share of the overall electorate.

Sydney Batch, North Carolina State Senator

Tom Bonier

Geoff Garin

Carlos Odio

Joe Trippi

Dr. Christine Slaughter, Boston University

along with series host Erica Williams Simon

This episode marks the start of our four-part First Mondays September Series, where we delved into the forces threatening America’s democratic institutions and the 2024 elections.

Our distinguished panel of experts, including Tiffany Muller, Maya Wiley, Michael Waldman and Ben Scott, provided an in-depth analysis of the ongoing challenges facing American democracy. From voting rights and election manipulation to the influence of money in politics and the impact of disinformation, our speakers laid bare the critical issues undermining civic society. 

They highlighted how we’ve arrived at this precarious moment and stressed the urgent need for long-term, interconnected strategies to safeguard and strengthen our democratic institutions.

In short, it was one of the most compelling and interesting discussions I’ve had the pleasure of joining.

The 2020 elections saw enormous changes in how campaigns were conducted and how people voted. This is the first presidential election after the height of COVID-19. Will this be an election in which — as someone has said before — the more things change, the more they stay the same?

We have a rematch at the top of the ticket. Both candidates are unpopular, and it will be a close race. Voting patterns have altered among some voters, and states have changed rules governing registering and voting. There is a significant third-party vote, as of now, although it seems to be reducing in size. Double negative voters are also substantial in size once again, and segments of the base don’t seem to be performing as expected.

For the complete webinar as well as resource files, please visit the ⁠PSG Consulting Website⁠.

The 2020 elections saw enormous changes in how campaigns were conducted and how people voted. This is the first presidential election after the height of COVID-19. Will this be an election in which — as someone has said before — the more things change, the more they stay the same?

We have a rematch at the top of the ticket. Both candidates are unpopular, and it will be a close race. Voting patterns have altered among some voters, and states have changed rules governing registering and voting. There is a significant third-party vote, as of now, although it seems to be reducing in size. Double negative voters are also substantial in size once again, and segments of the base don’t seem to be performing as expected.

For the complete webinar as well as resource files, please visit the PSG Consulting Website.