In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford is joined by Michael Meyers, Executive Vice President at Tunnl Data and partner at Deep Root Analytics, for a wide-ranging conversation on the political and public affairs landscape heading into the 2026 midterms.

Meyers offers his assessment of key Senate and gubernatorial races, including Michigan, Maine, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Iowa, and Alaska, while examining the turnout questions and coalition challenges shaping both parties. He also discusses the Trump effect in Republican politics, the uncertainty surrounding the House, and the early contours of the 2028 presidential race.

The conversation then turns to one of the fastest-growing public affairs challenges in the country: data centers. Ashford and Meyers explore why community opposition is rising, how concerns over land use, water, energy demand, and AI are shaping local debates, and what developers must do to better explain the value of these projects.

Finally, Meyers reflects on the role of AI in polling, research, and audience targeting—where it can speed analysis and improve engagement, and where original research with real people in real places remains essential.

For public affairs professionals, political observers, business leaders, and anyone watching the intersection of politics, infrastructure, technology, and voter sentiment, this episode offers a timely look at the forces shaping the months ahead.

In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford reaches across the pond for a conversation with Sir Robert Buckland, former Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom, former Secretary of State for Wales, and longtime Member of Parliament.

Together, they examine a turbulent moment in British politics and what it may reveal about broader challenges facing democracies on both sides of the Atlantic. Their conversation covers political instability in the UK, the rise of populism, voter frustration, energy costs, migration, AI, and the growing strain on public institutions and the rules-based international order.

For public affairs professionals, business leaders, and anyone watching the relationship between politics, markets, and public trust, this episode offers a timely look at where British politics stands — and what lessons Americans may want to consider.

In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford is joined by Doug Sosnik, longtime political strategist, senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, and one of the country’s most respected analysts of American political trends.

Sosnik offers a wide-ranging look at the forces reshaping American politics: the rise of populism in both parties, the growing divide between economic winners and those struggling in a changing economy, the weakening role of traditional party institutions, and the structural realities that will shape the 2026 midterms.

The conversation moves beyond the usual election-year horse race to examine what these changes mean for public affairs, advocacy, reputation, and influence. From the increasingly polarized map of American counties and states to the challenges facing candidates in competitive House and Senate races, Sosnik explains why political strategy now requires a deeper understanding of economic anxiety, voter anger, and institutional distrust.

Looking ahead to 2028, Ashford and Sosnik also discuss how the old rules of presidential politics may be giving way to a more unpredictable era—one where nontraditional candidates, populist movements, and shifting coalitions could redefine both parties.

For public affairs professionals, business leaders, policy watchers, and anyone trying to understand where American politics is headed, this episode offers a clear-eyed assessment of the new landscape.

California is often viewed as politically unique, but its elections can reveal trends that eventually reach the rest of the country.

In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford is joined by veteran California political strategist and public affairs expert Kelly Calkin to unpack one of the most unpredictable and consequential California primaries in recent memory. From the emergence of Javier Becerra as the Democratic frontrunner to the collapse of several high-profile campaigns, they explore how a chaotic election season reshaped the race for governor and what it may signal for the future of politics in the nation's most populous state.

The conversation examines California's deep Democratic advantage, voter turnout challenges, the rise and fall of major candidates, the increasingly anti-establishment mood among voters, and the battles that will define November's elections. Along the way, Ashford and Calkin discuss Los Angeles politics, the influence of Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom's national ambitions, and why political observers across the country should be paying close attention to California.

Whether you're a political professional, policy watcher, or simply interested in understanding where American politics may be headed next, this episode provides an insider's look at the forces shaping the Golden State.

Topics discussed:

• California's 2026 gubernatorial race
• Javier Becerra vs. Steve Hilton
• The collapse of several major Democratic campaigns
• Voter turnout and enthusiasm trends
• Los Angeles mayoral politics
• The future of Gavin Newsom and national Democratic politics
• What California's elections may tell us about the country

Across the Aisle is produced by The Hawthorn Group and features conversations with policymakers, strategists, journalists, and thought leaders examining the issues shaping public affairs and American politics.

Charlie Cook returns to Across the Aisle to cut through the daily headlines and focus on the political fundamentals shaping the road to 2026.

One of the nation’s most respected nonpartisan election analysts and founder of the Cook Political Report, Charlie joins John Ashford for a wide-ranging conversation on today’s closely divided electorate, the growing role of turnout over persuasion, and why many of the stories dominating the news cycle may matter less than they appear.

The discussion explores the structural realities facing both parties in the House and Senate, how changes in media consumption are influencing public opinion, and why small shifts among a narrow band of voters can have outsized consequences in modern elections.

Grounded in data, history, and decades of experience, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where American politics stands—and where it may be headed next.

Data center demand is no longer theoretical. It is reshaping grid planning, infrastructure investment, and energy policy across the country.

In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford speaks with former Texas Public Utility Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty — founder of the Office of Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy and a leader in transmission expansion and grid reliability.

They discuss:

• The difference between cloud data centers and AI training loads
• Why ERCOT could see tens of gigawatts of new demand by 2030
• How battery storage is changing reliability dynamics
• Whether nuclear can meet near-term demand
• The reality of supply chain constraints in gas and nuclear technologies
• Affordability pressures and what consumers should expect
• Why Texas remains committed to grid independence

As AI-driven load growth accelerates and markets debate reliability, transmission, and permitting reform, this conversation offers a grounded look at what is realistic — and what is not — for the next phase of American energy development.

The podcast episode features a conversation between John Ashford and Chris Wilson, CEO of Eyes Over, discussing social media monitoring, artificial intelligence, and its impact on politics and corporate decision-making.

Takeaways

• Social media monitoring provides real-time opinion-based analysis, capturing dynamics and momentum rather than just attitudes.
• AI-driven conversational persuasion outperforms traditional political advertising, focusing on relatability and emotional mirroring.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Across the Isle Podcast
• 06:07 Advantages of Social Monitoring
• 12:21 Process of Social Media Monitoring
• 18:50 Impact of AI on Politics
• 24:35 Recent Findings and Surprises

Looking more internationally than our usual domestic political junkies’ views, this episode wraps up 2025 and looks – however dimly – into 2026 with one of the genuine experts on international relations, China and Russia.

Graham Allison, Ph.D., is the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard University where for years he was Dean of the Kennedy School of Government, with time off to serve as Assistant Secretary of State. Author of the seminal work on presidential decision making, Essence of a Decision, he has more recently authored – and briefed the Premier of China and the President of the United States – Destined for War, analyzing the threat of an emerging power to an established and dominant power.

In this episode, we talk about China and Russia, as well as everything from the prospects of war in Venezuela to the prospects of peace in Gaza.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of Political Uncertainty

03:08 International Developments and Their Impact

05:54 The Situation in Venezuela and Potential Conflict

09:02 The Role of Congress in Foreign Policy

12:10 Reassessing U.S.-China Relations

14:51 Trump's Approach to China and Global Dynamics

18:05 The Complexity of U.S.-China Rivalry

20:59 The Ukraine Conflict and Diplomatic Challenges

24:00 Final Thoughts on Global Security and Future Prospects

In this conversation, John sits down with Charlie Cook to discuss the current political landscape following the recent elections, focusing on the implications of redistricting, the challenges faced by political leaders like Chuck Schumer, and the importance of candidate quality in swing states. They explore the identity crisis within the Democratic Party and the role of independents in shaping election outcomes, while also looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 and 2028 elections.

Welcome to Across the Aisle, a podcast from The Hawthorn Group, where politics and business meet in conversation. Hosted by Hawthorn Founder & CEO John Ashford, each episode explores how elections, policy decisions, and regulatory shifts shape the industries that power America — and how those same industries influence political outcomes at every level of government.

Joined by Hawthorn’ staff and a rotating roster of thought leaders from both sides of the aisle, John takes listeners inside the rooms where strategy, regulation, and leadership intersect. Expect smart, civil, and deeply informed discussions about the real-world forces driving outcomes in energy, infrastructure, technology, and public affairs.

Episode 1: What the 2026 Elections Mean for Business and Industry

The premiere episode unpacks the 2025 election results — from Democratic gains in New Jersey and Virginia to historic upsets in Georgia’s Public Service Commission races.

Guests Skip Cimino and Craig Lesser join to discuss what these results mean for energy policy, economic development, and the future of bipartisan cooperation.

Subscribe to stay informed — and join us as we cross divides, connect perspectives, and explore the ever-evolving relationship between politics, business, and the public interest.

Learn more at hawthorngroup.com