The Fly

The Fly

By Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public ServiceGovernment
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The Fly episodes

  • James Walkinshaw, Congressman from Virginia’s 11th district, "To do this kind of work, you have to do it with every fiber of your being.”
    In this interview, Chloe and Chase sit down with Congressman James Walkinshaw of Virginia’s 11th District to discuss the upcoming midterm elections and Democrats’ priorities. They talk about the Trump administration’s record on inflation, rising costs, and the war with Iran—and what Democrats could do if they regain control of Congress. Walkinshaw shares his views on the prospects for ending the war, the strategic position of the U.S. and Iran, and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and bringing U.S. service members home. He also discusses how Congress can hold the administration accountable and the possibility of future negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Tune in to hear the full conversation!
    20 min
  • Francis Suarez, Former Mayor of Miami, "Be Part of the Solution."
    In this episode of the Fly, Sarah sits down with Former Mayor of Miami, FL, Francis Suarez. Suarez served as the 43rd Mayor of Miami and helped position Miami as a global hub for technology, finance, and innovation. He also served as the President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is currently a Fox News Contributor. Curious to know if Miami could be the next Silicon valley? Interested in learning more about the role of Latino voters in the midterms? Tune in to hear the full conversation!
    30 min
  • James Walkinshaw, Congressman from Virginia’s 11th district, "To do this kind of work, you have to do it with every fiber of your being."
    On this episode of The Fly, hosts Chase and Chloe sit down with Congressman James Walkinshaw of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District to discuss the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Walkinshaw shares his perspective on Democratic priorities, the war in Iran and its economic consequences, and efforts to protect voting rights amid concerns over election oversight. Drawing on his experience as a congressional chief of staff and his current work in the House, he also discusses the challenges facing federal workers, the fight over government funding, and the role Congress can play in holding the administration accountable. Tune in for an inside look at the policy debates and political challenges shaping Washington ahead of the midterms!
    17 min
  • A Mayor Roundtable Discussion: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
    In this episode of The Fly, Sarah and Chase bring together Mayor Aftab Pureval of Cincinnati, Mayor Arunan Arulampalam of Hartford, and Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus to discuss the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and the challenges of expanding affordable housing. Mayor Pureval has focused on zoning reform and developer incentives to increase housing supply, while Mayor Arulampalam has pursued streamlined permitting, the redevelopment of vacant lots and downtown buildings, expanded homeownership opportunities, and stronger tenant protections. Mayor Ginther has championed major voter-approved housing investments, zoning reform, and public-private and regional partnerships to expand affordable housing. Together, the mayors discuss housing supply, rising costs, renter protections, and the role of the private sector, exploring what cities can accomplish locally and what more they need from state and federal leaders.
    44 min
  • Hudson Munoz, Executive Director of Guns Down America, "The firearms industry is a common denominator."
    In this episode of The Fly, David and Olivia sit down with Hudson Munoz, executive director of Guns Down America, to discuss how corporate accountability can help address gun violence. He explains the firearms industry’s influence, ways to bridge cultural divides around gun ownership, and why community interventions and safe-storage efforts matter—especially as firearm suicides rise.
    31 min
  • Sabrina Singh, Former Deputy Press Secretary for VP Harris, "Their obligation is not to an entity or to a person; it’s to the people.”
    Join Kennedy and Sarah as they sit down with the first GU Politics fellow of the semester: Sabrina Singh! Sabrina walks us through how an internship in Senator Barbara Boxer’s office during the 2009 recession unexpectedly launched a career at the center of American politics and national security. We get into what it’s really like to shape messaging in high-pressure environments, from Democratic campaigns to the Biden–Harris administration, to her time at the Pentagon at the start of the Ukraine war. Sabrina dives into the challenge of countering Russian disinformation in real time, and how misinformation can put U.S. institutions on the defensive and impact everything from battlefield morale to global perceptions of American power. Along the way, Sabrina reflects on lessons learned from crises like Afghanistan, the midterms, and other geopolitical flashpoints, including how to communicate clearly when the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tune in!!
    26 min
  • Alex Freedman, D.C. Senior Community Planner, "It is a transformational project"
    In this episode, Chloe and Kennedy interview Alex within the RFK Campus Master Plan public comment period, regarding the stadium construction set to begin in 2027. The economic impact is groundbreaking: 2,000 permanent jobs, 14,000 construction jobs, new affordable housing, restaurants, parks, and public services that will cost the district and Commanders $3.8 billion. Alex talks about all things construction, parking, transportation, the future of the project, comparison to Nationals Park, effect on the district, bringing the Commanders back home, and the logistical side of the planning process.
    30 min
  • John Leganski, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, "Turns out there’s not much to do for the Jokers when Batman is gone."
    The Fly sat down with John Leganski, former Deputy Chief of Staff and the youngest floor director in House history. His deep understanding of the policymaking process has launched Leganski's book to the bestseller list. Leganski is also the first Republican aide to serve on the floor team for each House leadership position, including the Majority Whip, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and Speaker. Tune in to hear Leganski share more of his knowledge on the Speaker Kevin McCarthy vote. He dives into the lead-up to the vote, the 15 rounds of voting, and how its aftermath will have significant implications for today's Congress. Tune in to Spotify to hear more of his predictions for this upcoming November.
    1 hr 11 min
  • Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United, "There’s a lot that could be done with a single vote of Congress."
    Welcome back to The Fly for a special episode with Tiffany Muller, the President of End Citizens United and Let America Vote. Named one of the Most Influential People in Washington, Tiffany transformed End Citizens United into a national organization with more than 4 million members. She's an outspoken advocate for campaign finance reform and voting rights. With the midterms coming up and recent voter suppression efforts, Tiffany’s work is more important than ever. Tune in to hear about how dark money influences elections, landmark Supreme Court cases, and her friendship with Spring 2026 Fellow Senator Jon Tester!
    36 min
  • Mehdi Hasan, Founder of Zeteo, "Telling people what they want to hear is not journalism."
    Award-winning journalist and Zateo founder Mehdi Hasan joins us on The Fly to discuss his transition from corporate media giants like MSNBC to the "fascinating, dynamic" world of independent, subscriber-funded journalism. Hasan offers a candid critique of mainstream media "groupthink" and explains why independent reporting is essential for covering global crises like the genocide in Gaza without the pressure to self-censor. He also reflects on his viral Jubilee appearance, grappling with the ethics of debating bad-faith actors and the personal impact of confronting rising authoritarianism as a parent in America. From his "pity interview" with a future mayor to his 2028 presidential picks, this episode provides an unfiltered look at the future of media and political discourse.
    49 min

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Your weekly window into how the most impactful moments in politics unfold. From the Oval Office to the Clinton campaign war room to the hallowed halls of Congress to Maryland's Governor's Mansion, we…