The Political Life

This week, Maggie Mick hosts Joe Vidulich. After a decade at Capital One, Joe recently walked across the street in McLean, Virginia to build a new government affairs operation at Appian. They discuss how Joe reached the decision to make a big mid-career move and how AI is impacting not only his company but also the government and public affairs profession.

On today's special July 4th episode, Maggie Mick hosts Michael O'Brien - executive coach, cyclist and host of a new podcast, A Perfectly Imperfect Union. They discuss his new project, the podcast's origin story, and its aim. In each podcast, Michael sits down with a real American from every state in our union, plus Washington, D.C. to discuss what America means to them, where the current tension lives, and what they wish for as America celebrates our 250th birthday.

In the 2026 season opener of The Political Life, Maggie Mick hosts Brody Mullins. Mullins is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. He spent nearly two decades covering the intersection of business and politics for The Wall Street Journal. He is underway in reshaping how Washington is covered and understood through his new media ventures including The Deciders and 535.

In this week's episode, Maggie Mick hosts Layla Zaidane, CEO & President of the Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project). The discussion focuses on Layla's professional trajectory and the lessons picked up along the way which have enabled her to be a driving force in the organization's growth and relevance in a hyper-partisan and polarized America. The two also explore the greatest challenges facing young elected officials and how the Future Caucus continues to innovate, drive bi-partisan conversations and find policy solutions to address the most vexing issues facing the states today.

For the first The Political Life taping of 2026, Maggie Mick sits down with West Virginia Speaker of the House of Delegates, Roger Hanshaw. The Speaker shares his professional and political path and how they intertwine to serve his constituents and state, current conditions impacting federalism, and his participation in the new Assembly for State Legislative Leaders. Finally, he previews the West Virginia legislative session which kicks off this month.