The Friday Reporter

This week’s episode is pure joy — because I’m joined by the incomparable Meredith Klein, the brilliant voice behind the wildly popular Meredith and the Media Substack.

If you’ve read her column, you already know:Meredith brings an irresistible blend of enthusiasm, wit, sharp media instincts, and genuine love for journalism that jumps off the page. In conversation, she’s even better.

We talk about:

The stories behind Meredith and the Media — and why her perspective resonates so deeply with journalists, PR pros, and media-obsessed readers everywhere.-How she approaches covering the industry with both affection and accountability-The passion, curiosity, and joy she brings to storytelling and to this community-Why the journalist-PR relationship doesn’t have to be adversarial — and how she navigates it with humor and humanity

Meredith is not only one of my favorite follows on Substack — she’s one of the most delightful people to talk to about the world we both love.

And good news: You’re going to get a chance to meet her in person soon! Meredith and I are planning a live event in Washington, D.C. later this year (or early next), so stay tuned here for details.

This one will leave you smiling. Enjoy!

This Week on The Friday Reporter Lisa welcomes Alex Conant, Founding Partner at Firehouse Strategies — a veteran communications strategist whose career has taken him from the halls of Capitol Hill to the highest levels of presidential politics.

Alex shares insights from his years as Communications Director for Senator Marco Rubio and as National Press Secretary during Rubio’s presidential campaign, reflecting on how political communication has evolved in the modern media environment. From campaign war rooms to corporate boardrooms, Alex’s perspective bridges the gap between strategy, storytelling and the speed of today’s digital news cycle.

Together, Lisa and Alex discuss how Washington’s communication playbook continues to change — and what it takes to break through the noise in a crowded, polarized media landscape.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as sharp as it is timely — with one of the best minds in political and corporate communication.

This week, I’m revisiting a favorite conversation with David Wildstein, the editor and founder of The New Jersey Globe.

Long before political news went digital, David created PoliticsNJ — an insider’s must-read publication that reshaped how campaigns, consultants and journalists tracked Garden State politics.

His background as a political operative and his encyclopedic knowledge of New Jersey’s political history make his reporting sharp, contextual, and impossible to ignore.

In this episode, David and Lisa dig into how New Jersey’s political coverage has evolved since the late ’90s, what lessons from Election Day 2021 still resonate, and how the state’s politics often forecast national trends.

With the November 4 gubernatorial race in New Jersey drawing near, this is your chance to hear from the journalist to watch as the story unfolds.

A must-listen for anyone who loves politics, journalism and a good bit of Jersey grit.

When Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi began their work as the Witches of Scotland, it was a campaign for justice; for a legal pardon, an apology and a memorial for the thousands of people — mostly women — that were convicted of witchcraft and executed between 1563 and 1736 in Scotland.

In a significant milestone, on International Women’s Day 2022, a formal apology acknowledging the egregious historic injustice suffered by those accused of witchcraft was issued. Since then these two remarkable women have conducted dozens of interviews for their podcast, authored a book, “How to Kill a Witch,” and registered an official tartan as a living memorial.

Claire and Zoe set off on their book tour in the United States in the coming days, and in advance of that trip, they’ve joined me for a conversation. Let this be a reminder that if we lose sight of history, we are doomed to repeat it.

James Davis is the founder and president of Touchdown Strategies. His story is a remarkable one of resilience and perspective that is truly unmatched. He shares his origin story and reminds us that kindness and good work reward us — and it’s exactly how he got his start in this business.

James’ career began in national defense, took him to the Gulf to manage one of the most significant crisis communications challenges of our time, and led him into an industry whose impact will be felt across the country for generations. Today, his firm serves clients with a wide range of communications needs — and he approaches every engagement with a remarkable talent for business development and a genuine ability to enrich everyone he meets.

Join me today for a great conversation with my friend James Davis.

This week, The Friday Reporter welcomes Pat Royal, President and Founder of PVR Communications, a veteran media strategist best known in Washington for his unmatched TV booking instincts. Pat built a reputation connecting top voices to the biggest platforms — and now he’s taken that same expertise to the world of sports.

Fresh off his work with NBC Sports and a behind-the-scenes experience at the Ryder Cup, Pat shares how he’s parlayed his booking savvy into a growing business that bridges media, messaging, and the power of storytelling.

In this conversation, we explore:

* How decades of experience in political media translate seamlessly to sports and entertainment

* What it takes to build trust with high-profile clients and producers

* And why authenticity and relationships remain the real currency in communications

It’s a masterclass in adaptability — and a reminder that great communicators can find success in any arena.

This week, In the Lobby welcomes Sam Geduldig, Managing Partner at CGCN Group, a powerhouse Republican firm that’s become one of the most recognized names in Washington.

A seasoned strategist and trusted advisor, Sam shares how his path to success wasn’t just built on policy expertise or party alignment — it came from discovering his authentic voice and staying true to it. In this candid and insightful conversation, Sam and Lisa talk about the importance of honesty in client counsel, clarity in communication, and courage in leadership — even when the easy answer might be to tell people what they want to hear.

From building one of the top GOP-aligned firms in D.C. to navigating today’s complex political environment, Sam offers a masterclass in reputation, relationships and real talk.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

* How authenticity fuels long-term influence in Washington

* Why honest advice always wins (even when it’s hard to deliver)

* The story behind CGCN’s growth and staying power

* What Sam has learned about leadership and loyalty in this town

Jonathan Allen—senior national politics reporter at NBC News and New York Times bestselling co-author of Shattered and Lucky—joins the show for a candid conversation about covering campaigns, Congress and the collisions between strategy and reality. He’s won the National Press Foundation’s Everett McKinley Dirksen Award and the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume Award for distinguished reporting on Congress.

We talk reporting discipline, sourcing without fear or favor, why narratives harden too early, how his award-winning work on Capitol Hill shaped his lens and lessons for communicators trying to break through in a fractious media environment.

His latest book is Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. Don’t miss his next great book (co-authored with previous Friday Reporter guest Amie Parnes!).

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who tracks campaigns, and drop a quick rating—helps more folks in public affairs and journalism find the show.

In this episode of the Friday Reporter, I reconnect with my longtime friend Lars Lichtenfeld — an author, creator, and educator with a talent for storytelling that stretches from the classroom to the ballpark.

Lars shares stories from his time as a writer and performer, including his unforgettable experiences as a live-action character for minor league baseball franchises. We talk about the creativity, humor, and hustle that shaped his career, and how those lessons continue to influence his work today.

It’s a conversation filled with nostalgia, laughter, and a reminder of the unique paths creativity can take.

The next installment of Friday Reporter’s In the Lobby series features Kristi Rogers — a business leader, seasoned executive, and trusted advisor at the nexus of government, security, and the private sector.

Kristi shares her remarkable journey from public service to the boardroom, offering candid insights on leadership, resilience, and bridging industries during times of change. She reflects on the lessons learned from navigating high-stakes challenges and the principles that continue to guide her work today.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation that showcases why Kristi is one of Washington’s most respected voices — and a perfect guest for our In the Lobby spotlight.