Chris Cillizza is asked often about his political takes — that’s not what this show is about. Instead, we’re talking independent journalism.

Newsrooms are smaller. Trust is harder to earn. The incentives are louder, quicker, and more punishing than ever. And for many of the most recognizable voices in political media, the next chapter isn’t another beat — it’s independence.

On this episode of The Friday Reporter, I sit with political analyst and longtime political journalist Chris Cillizza for a candid conversation about what it really means to build a career in media outside the machine — and why independent journalism isn’t just a trend, it’s becoming a necessity.

Cillizza shares how the economics of the modern newsroom shape what gets covered (and what gets ignored), why “high traffic” doesn’t always equal “high value,” and what audiences even get into the corrosive nature of the words “fake media.”

This conversation isn’t about the hottest take of the day. It’s about the infrastructure of political coverage — what’s working, what’s broken, and what comes next.

In this episode, we discuss:

* The incentives driving political coverage in 2026 — and what they reward

* The difference between high-traffic stories and high-value journalism

* The shift from newsroom journalist to independent voice — and what it costs

For communications leaders, this is the takeaway:

If you want to earn attention and trust today, you have to understand the environment journalists are operating in — and how independence is reshaping the business, the tone, and the future of political media.

The Friday Reporter opens 2026 with a conversation at the intersection of food, media and reinvention. Longtime Washington, D.C. restaurant critic Tom Sietsema joins the show to reflect on his departure from The Washington Post and the next chapter of his career.

We look back at some of his most influential restaurant reviews, how food has evolved in Washington and what great dining looks like when the spotlight is off. Tom also shares what he’s cooking at home, where he eats when he wants a reliable local favorite and how he thinks about restaurants now that he’s no longer reviewing them for the paper.

A thoughtful, behind-the-scenes conversation about taste, trust and life after one of the most recognizable roles in food journalism — and a smart way to start the year.

For the final episode of the year, I’m joined by John Scofield, founder and partner of S3 Group—one of Washington’s most respected government affairs firms.

John’s career arc mirrors the evolution of influence in Washington. He began as a highly regarded communicator on the House Appropriations Committee, where he learned firsthand how policy, process and power intersect. He later brought that experience to the private sector, building a government affairs practice that clients actively seek out— but because they get results.

In our conversation, John and I talk about:

* What separates effective government affairs shops from the rest

* How Hill experience shapes credibility outside the institution

* Why trust, preparation and institutional knowledge still matter in a rapidly changing town

* And how the best lobbyists think less about access—and more about outcomes

This episode also marks an important moment for The Friday Reporter. As we close out the year, I’m announcing that In the Lobby and The Friday Reporter are officially merging into one unified show: The Friday Reporter—continuing to air, as always, on Fridays.

This evolution creates room for new, exciting programming in 2026—while staying true to the original goal of the show: smart conversations with people who understand how influence really works.

Thank you for listening this year. More to come.

This week on The Friday Reporter, I’m joined by Dan Clifton, Partner and Head of Policy Research for Strategas Securities — one of the sharpest minds in Washington when it comes to understanding how policy moves markets.

I learn something new every time I talk with Dan. He’s built a powerhouse research and insights operation that advises top corporate leaders, global investors, and even heads of state. His analysis sits at the intersection of policy, politics, and the economy — and he has an uncanny ability to explain complex trends with absolute clarity.

We also talk about one of his most innovative creations: the Strategas Lobbying Index, a first-of-its-kind tool that measures stock-market performance through the lens of corporate engagement in Washington, D.C. It’s been remarkably successful, and it says a lot about how closely policy and markets are now intertwined.

This conversation is smart, fast, and loaded with takeaways for anyone working in public affairs, government relations or the business side of D.C. Dan is the definition of a must-listen.

Karina Lynch has built a career at the intersection of health care, law and public policy — but it’s not the path she originally imagined. In this episode, I’m joined by Karina of DLA Piper for a conversation that spans the Senate Special Committee on Aging, health policy on (and off) Capitol Hill, and the unexpected turns that shape a life in Washington.

We talk about how she once planned to go to medical school, how that evolved into law school and ultimately a role advising lawmakers and staff on some of the most complex issues in health care. Karina shares the counsel she gives to early-career staffers when things don’t go according to plan, and why patience, curiosity and resilience matter more than having a perfect roadmap.

And because this is Washington, we also get into relationships, trust and those early-morning runs — including training for and running marathons with Members of Congress.

This week on The Friday Reporter, I’m joined by Stephanie Strategos Polis, Vice President of Public Affairs for the Plastics Industry Association.

Stephanie and I cover a lot of ground in this conversation: what it’s like to raise young kids while managing a demanding public-affairs portfolio, how her time in the Bush administration shaped her approach to service, and why she finds real purpose in telling the story of an industry that faces its share of public scrutiny.

It’s an honest, energizing look at modern communications in a town that never slows down — and a reminder that some of the most meaningful work happens when we’re willing to wade into the toughest conversations.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Colin Allen, executive director of the American Property Owners Alliance, for a conversation that moves effortlessly from campaign classrooms in Charlottesville to the frontline debates shaping housing policy today.

Colin shares stories from his early days at UVA with Larry Sabato, the lessons that still guide his approach to politics and persuasion, and his time inside the U.S. Senate, where he learned how the institution really works — and sometimes doesn’t.

We also talk about his years at the National Association of Realtors, the evolving housing landscape, and why affordability has become one of the defining economic and political challenges of our time. Colin walks through how regional differences shape the narrative, how local leaders can meet voters where they are, and why events outside Washington often tell us more than the ones inside the Beltway.

It’s a smart and grounded conversation with someone who has lived the DC experience from multiple vantage points — and who’s now leading a national effort to give property owners a stronger voice.

I’m joined by Mark Pfeifle, founder and president of Off The Record Strategies — and truly one of the best storytellers in the business.

Mark brings the kind of lived experience you can’t fake: from his time on the ground in Iraq to his earliest days learning how to navigate people, pressure, and purpose. He walks through some of the most intense communications crises of his career, breaks down how he approaches leadership in the hardest moments, and shares the kinds of stories that make you stop, think… and laugh out loud.

It’s lively, it’s insightful, and it’s wildly entertaining. Mark’s path through government, crisis comms, and strategic counsel is unmatched, and spending a half hour with him is like getting a masterclass from someone who has seen it all— and can tell it better than anyone.

Give this one a listen. You’ll walk away with lessons, perspective, and more than a few great stories to carry into your own work.