From the incentives shaping the political system to the growing overlap between unlikely political allies on issues like corporate concentration, we pull back the curtain on why voters may be open to Independents—and why the system itself fights to keep them from even competing.

The episode explores:

💡 What it takes to build a campaign without traditional party infrastructure

💡 How third-party and Independent movements are trying to give voters another option

💡 Whether Independents can act as a balancing force—or fulcrum—in a partisan Congress

🔹 Join our Polling Club for exclusive insights into public opinion: PollingClub.com

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Inside Southern Democrat Party Politics? Join host Dustin Olson as he sits down with Dr. Aditi Bussells—former Columbia, SC City Council member, Democrat strategist, and healthcare policy expert—for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of running, governing, and surviving in today’s political system.

From navigating party pressure while trying to govern independently to building bipartisan support that ultimately hurt her politically, Bussells exposes the internal tensions, incentives, and unwritten rules shaping modern campaigns.

This isn’t just theory. It’s how politics actually works.

The episode explores:

💡 Where both parties fall short on healthcare

💡 How Mamdani and Trump capture energy—and attention

💡 Why Democrats keep losing on “unsexy” issues like voter ID and public safety

💡 How government incentives unintentionally sustain problems like homelessness

💡 Why voters often agree more than party leaders, but the system amplifies division

🔹 Join our Polling Club for exclusive insights into public opinion: PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE for your front-row seat to how politics really works.

From the broadcast to algorithm-driven media shift, to the surprising power of relational organizing and the fundamentals campaigns still can’t ignore, this episode pulls back the curtain on how elections are actually won in the digital era.

The episode explores:

💡 Why many campaigns are still using a broadcast-era strategy in an algorithm-driven world

💡 The surprising turnout impact of relational organizing and personal outreach

💡 The 4 campaign fundamentals that still determine who wins and who loses

🔹 Join our Polling Club community for insights into public opinion: https://PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for a front-row seat to how politics actually works.

From the realities of being a Republican candidate in a deep-blue state like NY, to cultivating the next generation of leaders for the GOP, and what the 2026 and 2028 elections might look like, this is a behind-the-scenes look at politics at the local, state, and federal level.

The episode digs into:

💡 What its like being a Republican candidate in a very blue state

💡 How the next generation of GOP leaders is thinking about the future

💡 How the 2026 midterm and 2028 presidential elections are shaping up

🔹 Join our new Polling Club community for more polling and insight into public opinion, and to get our newly released statewide survey of the Montana U.S. Senate race: PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics actually works.

Join Dustin Olson and American Pulse partner Sean Bartley as we build a first-of-its-kind study of political strategists on both sides of the aisle.

This episode captures the real-time process of crafting a national survey on how strategy, tech, fundraising, and defining issues will shape 2026 and 2028.

And we’re not just designing it ourselves—we’re asking you what America’s political consultants should be asked. Your input will directly shape the survey questions we field.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at:

💡 What strategists may be watching for 2026

💡 How methodology choices tilt the results of media polls

💡 How AI is reshaping political advertising, targeting, and persuasion

💡 How polling narratives are being used to spur Congressional retirements

What should we ask America’s political consultants? Drop your ideas in the comments or join the Polling Club to help shape the survey.

👉 Unlock the full Strategy Session and join our next LIVE session: PollingClub.com

A former anchor at CNBC and Fox Business Network, Kneale also held senior editor roles at The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on how modern business media actually works—and how it’s changed over the past three decades.

From the decline of traditional journalism to the rise of click-driven headlines, social media censorship, and the cultural battles shaping public perception, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the incentives, pressures, and players driving today’s information war.

The episode digs into:

💡 Why today’s newsrooms chase clicks, not truth

💡 What business journalists get wrong about business

💡 The unseen battle to dominate the public’s perception of issues

💡 Why Elon Musk broke the media—and what it means for free speech

📘 Buy Dennis Kneale’s book: The Leadership Genius of Elon Musk—Available wherever books are sold.

🔹 Join our new Polling Club for exclusive insights: PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics actually works

From combat injury and homelessness to navigating a six-year VA benefits battle and building a mission-driven organization, this episode explores Lukas’ personal story, and pulls back the curtain on the policies, bureaucracy, and realities that veterans face as they transition from military to civilian life.

…

The episode digs into:

💡 Why the VA claims process is so difficult to navigate

💡 The biggest mistakes veterans make when transitioning

💡 How to reverse-engineer your ideal life and job post-military

🔹Join our new Polling Club community to get more polling and insights on public opinion: PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics actually works.

From immigration enforcement in Minneapolis to redistricting, election-day operations, and more, this episode pulls back the curtain on the legal strategies and incentives shaping modern campaigns, and why lawyers now sit at the center of nearly every major political fight.

The episode digs into:

💡 How census rules and redistricting drive political power in blue states

💡 The hidden legal constraints that shaped GOP election security operations for decades, putting them at a disadvantage

💡 How a shadowy dark money group on the left is targeting Republican lawyers for disbarment, and the differing legal operations and strategies of the political parties

🔹Join our new Polling Club community to get more polling and insights on public opinion: PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to pull back the curtain on how politics actually works.

Stay tuned to find out—from Valley Forge to the modern age, these stories helped forge patriotism and national unity, still shaping how we think today.

📘 Powell’s new book Witness to War is out in February—pre-order now on Amazon.

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE

We discuss:

— What the first Thanksgiving was actually like, and how the menu has changed over time

— How presidents, wars, and politics shaped Thanksgiving into the national holiday we know today

— The backstory of Mark's new book, Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It

Whether you’re a history buff, or just love a good story behind tradition, this is one you won’t want to miss.

📚 Pre-order Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It by J. Mark Powell on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Witness-War-Story-Civil-Those/dp/0811777693

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics really works.

We unpack:

— Which races to watch next week & what they tell us about America’s political future

— How redistricting and political violence are reshaping the map

— Why Democrats are underperforming in blue territory

Whether you’re a campaign pro, strategist, or political junkie, this is one you won’t want to miss.

📊 Get full polling insights at PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics really works.

We break down:

— Who’s really winning (and losing) the government shutdown: Trump, Vance, Schumer, AOC or the American people

— Hints from public opinion polling about how the Shutdown will go, and polling on Medicaid, and why Democrats are losing both the messaging and meme war

— The real-world impacts Americans need to know: what stops, what continues, and who feels it first

— In NYC, Eric Adams is out, Cuomo and Mamdani roll out new (and head-scratching) ads — and our polling hints at where the race goes next

Whether you’re a campaign pro, strategist, or political junkie, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🔹 Join us LIVE and post your Questions/Comments!

🔹 Catch the replay and get more insights at PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to pull back the curtain on how politics really works.

We’ll dig into:

💡 The real secret to running world-class focus groups

💡 How top-tier survey research is used in high-stakes courtrooms

💡 The future of the Democrat Party, and what he'd do to save it

Whether you're a campaign pro, strategist, or just a political junkie, this is one you won’t want to miss.

🔹 Join us LIVE and bring your questions!

🔹 Catch the replay and get more insights at PollingClub.com

👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to pull back the curtain on how politics actually works.

Tune in to find out how Mamdani, Cuomo, and other candidates are shaping up against each other, and how voters’ views on Crime, Cashless Bail, and Defund the Police impact their vote, among other things.

🔹 Get the full poll at PollingClub.com

🔹 Bring your questions and join the conversation LIVE!

LIKE, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets and stay updated on the latest political insights!

Discover what Americans really think about U.S. airstrikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, the prospects for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and whether voters connect the border crisis to tensions with Iran.

We’ll break down surprising bipartisan consensus, reveal the newest Trump Job Approval numbers, and share actionable takeaways for policymakers and political strategists.

Don’t miss this in-depth, data-driven discussion on issues shaping America’s future.

🔹 Get the full poll at PollingClub.com

🔹 Bring your questions and join the conversation LIVE!

Please LIKE, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on the latest political insights!

Schneider provides a first-hand account of the humanitarian toll and the cartel-driven chaos at the border, emphasizing the need for strong security measures, including barriers, advanced technology, and dedicated law enforcement.

Schneider underscores how regular citizens can make a difference by supporting leaders committed to securing the border.

The episode also features a powerful mini-documentary produced by Olson Strategies & Advertising, revealing the on-the-ground realities and the impact on local communities.

WATCH THE MINI-DOCUMENTARY: SchneiderforSheriff.com

SUBSCRIBE for more insights, new episodes, and exclusive poll results leading up to Election 2024! 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Apple Podcasts 🔗 Spotify

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With close presidential and Senate races, the latest poll shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by 1.4%, and reveals critical voter sentiment on key issues. Mark breaks down the geography, early returns, and what makes Pennsylvania such a battleground. We also get into the lesser-known races to watch and, of course, the best Pittsburgh food!

Don’t miss this valuable discussion with one of PA's top political minds.

GET THE FULL POLL: PollingClub.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN PULSE

CHECK OUT COLDSPARK & MARK HARRIS

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John Rogers brings years of experience from his time at the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he established their polling department. He shares his unique perspective on state-level polling and the critical questions reporters and voters should ask when analyzing poll results. Meanwhile, Lee Vasche, a data science expert with extensive experience in fielding multimodal surveys with a focus on live phone interviews, sheds light on the growing issues with incentivized online surveys and explains how pollsters can better account for low-propensity voters and disaster-affected areas to deliver more accurate results.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on the mechanics of public polling, analyze its limitations, and reveal how polling impacts public perception and electoral strategies.

Don’t miss this in-depth discussion with two of the most knowledgeable pollsters in the business!

Subscribe on YouTube now for more Political Trade Secrets episodes and stay ahead of the game!

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#PoliticalPolling #PollingAnalysis #DustinOlson #JohnRogers #LeeVasche #Election2024 #CampaignStrategy #PoliticalTradeSecrets #PublicPolls #PollingMethodology #PollingBias #SwingStates

The dialogue opens with Wylie's recollections of a Massachusetts special election that he and host Dustin Olson worked on together, showcasing innovative tactics despite a close loss. He highlights the shift in GOP campaign tactics over the years, focusing on voter targeting and engagement. The discussion underlines the importance of authenticity in politics, drawing from various candidates' experiences.

Wylie shares insights from John Ashcroft's Senate race, emphasizing political values and strategic campaign decisions. The episode also delves into the necessity of grassroots tactics, opposition research, and the importance of preparing for personal attacks in campaigns.

Toward the end, Wylie and Olson critique the GOP's current reliance on social media, advocating for a renewed focus on direct voter engagement and grassroots efforts, especially in new demographics and movements like Parental Rights.

Listeners can seek campaign advice from Wylie at Matt@MattWylie.com.

For more insights, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave a Review to support the show.

Visit www.PoliticalTradeSecets.com for additional resources.

J. Mark Powell is a novelist, former TV journalist, and diehard history buff. He writes a regular Holy Cow! History article at InsideSources.com

Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.

• Ruth Edmonds, GOP Congressional Candidate & fmr Columbus NAACP Pres. shares her Vision & answers a listener’s question: “How should candidates talk about critical race theory?”
• We discuss our powerful maxim: “Opportunity is a Function of the Number of Conversations you have for Opportunity”
• How to Watch Game Tape to Level Up Campaign Performance

Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.

• The most productive way to think about, talk about and solve Border Security & Immigration
• How Terrible is Kamala Harris?
• Why you NEED a System for Thank Yous (or they’ll pile up)
• Unveil Dustin’s powerful strategic principle: “What You Do Daily Gets Done”
• The History of Memorial Day and the significance of Poppy Flowers w/ Author J. Mark Powell, plus a reading of the WWI Poem, “In Flanders Fields”

Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.

For daily updates and to communicate directly w/ Dustin & Sean, join our texting community by clicking here OR texting us directly at (202) 918-3345.

Sponsored by:

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In Part 1 of our conversation with Bill Greener, veteran political communicator and senior partner of media consulting firm, Greener and Hook, we discuss Bill’s extensive experience dates back to serving as a GOP volunteer in the 1964 presidential campaign.

Bill then shares stories and advice from experience ranging from working in the Ford White House's communications office, then became the Deputy Chief of Staff for political operations and communications at the Republican National Committee during the Reagan years and then served as CEO of the 1996 Republican National Convention.

Following this interview, which took place in June 2016 and had not been released until now, Bill was tapped to be the Program Director of the 2016 Republican National Convention and then Executive Producer of the 58th Presidential Inauguration. This interview itself generated the possibility of the show's host, Dustin Olson, playing a significant role in both historic events.

In a wide-ranging two-part interview, Bill begins by discussing how political communications has evolved through his years in the business, keys to effective messaging and then his unique perspective on the important role national political conventions play in framing its presidential nominee in a positive light.

“You’ve got to connect with your audience emotionally,” Bill says. “They’ve got to care about what you’re talking about, they’ve got to agree with what you’re saying about it, and they’ve got to believe you can do something about it. You’ve got to get all three things. Otherwise, you’re just wasting dollars.”

Bill had the chance to become acquainted with several presidents, and would-be presidents, over the years; and he explains how one of Ronald Reagan’s closest advisers made a positive impact on him.

We know you will enjoy hearing his fascinating stories and great advice; and of course, the story of the historic opportunities that came out of this interview.

For more info and links, check out the Show Notes on

www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

Political Trade Secrets is brought to you by Olson Strategies & Advertising Inc. With offices in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain West, OSA is a full-service public affairs firm offering advocacy, fundraising, and campaign advertising services. With decades of experience across the country and at all levels of politics, the team at OSA is dedicated to helping candidates, non-profits, corporations, and associations make a positive impact. Learn more about Dustin Olson, OSA founder and host of Political Trade Secrets, in this Colorado Statesman article.

For more info and links, check out the Show Notes on www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

Political Trade Secrets is brought to you by Olson Strategies & Advertising Inc. With offices in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain West, OSA is a full-service public affairs firm offering advocacy, fundraising, and campaign advertising services. With decades of experience across the country and at all levels of politics, the team at OSA is dedicated to helping candidates, non-profits, corporations, and associations make a positive impact. Learn more about Dustin Olson, OSA founder and host of Political Trade Secrets, in this Colorado Statesman article.

Mort Kondracke makes the argument that Jack Kemp is the most influential non-president, American politician of the last century.

Jack Kemp’s relentless optimism, focus on growth, enthusiasm for his ideas, and his compassion for all Americans, fueled his success and candidates on both sides would do well to take up the mantle of Jack Kemp and use it to make a positive impact for America.

Mort Kondracke served as a White House Correspondent, Senior Editor of The New Republic during the magazine’s heyday, Washington Bureau Chief for Newsweek and Executive Editor for the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. He's best know from his years on The McLaughlin Group and as a regular commentator on the Fox News Channel.

Get the book and Mort's article "The Jack Kemp Model and check out the Show Notes at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

Sean Bartley has spent the last decade running campaigns of all stripes. From taking on and defeating the SEIU in the first campaign he ran, to winning primaries and general elections at the Federal, State and Local level, Sean has a knack for getting results for his clients.

Sean Bartley is known for running aggressive, focused, and determined campaigns.  That's why it wasn't surprising that he earned the nickname "Bulldog" in the historic Colorado Recall Elections where he played a key role in removing the sitting Colorado Senate President from office.

Get all of Sean Bartley's articles and check out the Show Notes at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

TJ Walker is the CEO of Media Training Worldwide and is a prominent Democrat communications expert who has worked with CEOs, U.S. Senators, and both Presidents and Prime Ministers internationally. TJ is the author of 5 books including the #1 national bestseller "TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations," and has numerous online resources and products to help people seeking to become more effective in the media. He even holds the Guinness Book record for the most interviews in a 24 hour period.

TJ hammers home the importance of practicing on video, reviewing it, and repeating this process over and over again until you love what you see. We expand out from debate preparation to how to handle media interviews, your stump speech and some of the mechanics of how to look better on TV. We investigate some great political communicators, including the hard work and disciplined process Ronald Reagan followed to seem so effortless in his ability to communicate with the American people.

For the fans of Political Trade Secrets, TJ is also offering a special 67% Off Discount for his online Candidate Communications training course.

Get the Discount and check out the Show Notes at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

In Part 1, David Flaherty lays out everything you could possibly want to know about how polls are conducted, how to effectively use them, and what can be done to meet the challenges facing pollsters over the next decade. We talk about why so many polls recently have been wrong, including the recent British elections, the Greek Referendum, and former Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s surprise defeat.

David Flaherty has nearly 25 years of experience working with data, voter files, mapping technology, and in the redistricting process. As a pollster, this deep knowledge of data, is a real asset when it comes to understanding a population that you are trying to survey. 

David spent 14 years in Washington, DC working for organizations like the Republican National Committee, the US House of Representatives, and Americans for Prosperity. In 2006, David moved to Colorado and started Magellan Strategies. David and his team provide survey research, predictive data modeling, and voter data analysis services to political and public affairs clients.

Get more details on the show notes at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

Joe Fuld is a seasoned candidate trainer and we discuss his new eBook “Are You Ready to Run?” about how candidates can make sure they are ready to start their campaign.

Joe has been working for Democrat campaigns and liberal causes for more than 20 years. He founded The Campaign Workshop in 2009 after having been a partner at MSHCPartners. Prior to becoming a political consultant, Joe served as the Northeast Political Director at the Democrat National Committee and before that Joe managed 10 political campaigns throughout the country.

Get more details on the show notes at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone interested in political communications and dealing with the press. If you are a candidate, it will help you understand what it is like to deal with the press and what the person doing your communications is dealing with daily. If you’re a young operative who wants to make communications your career, there’s great advice for you on how to go about. We even lay out what a typical day in the life of a communications director looks like.

Check out the Show Notes and other resources from the episode here.

Lee details the common pitfalls candidates and initiatives fall into and then outlines the components of an effective signature drive. This is valuable wisdom for anyone trying to get access to the ballot.

Lee began in politics leading large grassroots volunteer efforts. Then Lee started Triton Polling conducting research for Fortune 500 companies,  political campaigns, and non-profit institutions. In 2011, Lee started The Signature Gathering Company of Oregon to help business friendly initiatives get on the ballot.

Brad is an expert on this topic. He served as the CFO on Romney 2012 presidential campaign and the deputy CFO on the 2008 campaign. Before that, he was in the Romney Administration where he served as a fiscal policy analyst and as the Director of Capital Planning and Policy. Before politics though, Brad’s background was on Wall Street working for companies like Prudential Securities and JP Morgan. In 2008, he founded Red Curve merging both his finance and political backgrounds.

The issues we discuss are critical to a well run campaign and if not handled right can get you into hot water. They are also one of the first components of your campaign that you have to deal with.

Lee has an eclectic mix of talents including statistical analysis, advanced telecom systems, political organizing, and database administration.

Lee began in politics leading large grassroots volunteer efforts. Then Lee started Triton Polling conducting research for Fortune 500 companies,  political campaigns, and non-profit institutions. In 2011, Lee started The Signature Gathering Company of Oregon to help business friendly initiatives get on the ballot.

Lee lays out how great grassroots work and goes in-depth on micro-targeting and how campaigns can effectively read and use polls, and what campaigns and candidates should do when hiring a pollster. Both candidates and political professionals should get a lot out of this episode.