MAD Warfare Podcast

Know Thy Enemies w Sonia Van Meter


Listen Later

What's the worst possible headline someone could write about you, using nothing but public records?

That's opposition research. Sonia Van Meter, managing partner of Stanford Campaigns, shows us how to use it–to your prosperity … or to your peril.

Key Topics

What opposition research really is (and isn't)

Why oppo is about narrative, not "silver bullets"

"Self-research": knowing your own vulnerabilities before anyone else does

Tone as strategy: how to hit hard without looking cruel

Strategic patience—when not to respond and let others do the work

Deepfakes, likeness, and why local races are most at risk

Why momentum and the perception of winning matters more than one perfect hit

Breaking in: why being nice and useful is the real oppo superpower

Resources + Links

Stanford Campaigns — oppresearch.com

Sonia on Instagram: @therealbourbonface

Sonia on Threads: @therealbourbonface

WANT TO SUPPORT MAD?

Sponsor us. We'll make you a weird, wonderful custom video.

Email [email protected]

(Or just send snacks. That works too.)

MAD Warfare™️ is hosted by narrative strategist Jocelyn Brady and cognitive neuroscientist Sean Anthony Guillory. Edited and produced by Amine el Filali. Visit our website at madwarfare.com for extra giggles. And send your wishes, weird ideas, dream guests, and (yes it bears repeating) sponsorship inquiries to [email protected].

FAIR USE: This show is MAD enough to include homages, short clips, and references that provide vital context and/or moments of joy. We DEEPLY respect every creator's work and use these moments purely for educational, artistic, and transformative purposes under Fair Use. If we are missing attributions or you would like to collaborate, please reach out—we're always happy to chat!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

MAD Warfare PodcastBy STP Productions