On this episode, host Johanna Maska, and Press Advance's lead producer Christine Baratta look back on the impact of former President Barack Obama’s iconic 2004 convention speech 20 years ago, which inspired Johanna to join his 2008 presidential campaign in Iowa. They also discuss the significance of political discourse in shaping our democracy and provide a preview into the podcast’s transition to Substack featuring exclusive content and live interviews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, host Johanna Maska talks with Press Advance's lead producer Christine Baratta to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris's announcement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. They dive into why Walz was an unexpected pick, what he means to rural voters, and why he and JD Vance are more alike than expected.  Walz passed the vibe check—but does this mean he can win over the American public? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, host Johanna Maska breaks down this week's biggest political news with former acting Chief of Staff in the Trump White House, Mick Mulvaney, and Democratic strategist Michael Hardaway, who most recently worked with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. They discuss President Biden's push for Supreme Court reforms, backlash over JD Vance's resurfaced comments that "childless cat ladies" have ruined American values, and whether Donald Trump could or would drop Vance from the Republican ticket. Plus, extreme political divisions are driving up divorce rates in the nation’s capital—will the next 90 days make things worse? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Johanna Maska speaks with national security experts Olivia Troye and Dr. Evelyn Farkas from the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. They discuss the potential direction of foreign policy in a new presidential administration and who from Donald Trump's circle might be involved if he wins a second term. Since their conversation, there has been a whirlwind of political news. President Biden exited the presidential race, and Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt and unified the party at the Republican National Convention. So we caught up with Olivia Troye for an update. She shared her thoughts on the GOP convention, Donald Trump's treatment of military families, and the upcoming generation of political leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee takes up oxygen this week, Democrats are having tough conversations, including whether President Joe Biden could have another troubling debate. On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska talks with 21-year-old TikTok influencer Harry Sisson who is one of Biden's fiercest supporters online. Sisson believes that the 81-year-old President—who was born less than a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II—is the most qualified candidate to win over Gen Z voters and argues his generation is the most politically involved and politically intelligent generation in American history. They also discuss the appetite for political discourse among young people and the winning message from Democrats that might resonate with Gen Z voters this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode host Johanna Maska and producer Christine Baratta talk from the sidelines of NATO in Washington about the President's current situation. Anticipating what the White House is calling a "big boy press conference," so dubbed by a reporter, Republicans are planning their convention and Democrats are wondering about theirs. Which is why Maska also speaks to Democratic Strategist Danielle Cendejas who managed Obama campaign delegate plans (important should there be any issues with the nominee) and Ashley Davis who managed a Republican National Convention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with Will and Chris, two undecided voters from the key battleground state of Wisconsin. These voters are also known as double haters—dissatisfied with both candidates—but are crucial for the Biden and Trump campaigns as they try to win over independent voters in November. They discuss the issues driving their vote, how they engage in political conversations with friends and family in the Midwest, and whether they were persuaded by either candidate after watching last week's debate. Calling all persuadable voters in swing states! If you are still weighing your options for the November elections, Press Advance wants to talk to you. Reach out to us. Find us on X: @johannamaska Instagram: @johannamaska Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this bonus episode of Press Advance, host Johanna Maska, and producer Christine Baratta break down the truth about last night's shocking presidential debate with the two oldest presidential candidates in United States history—Joe Biden and Donald Trump. They discuss President Biden's disastrous performance, Democrats' secret discussions about replacing him on the ballot, and which other candidates could beat Donald Trump in November. Plus, a flash-back from Johanna's interview with former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, where she predicted Biden's age could become a problem. Calling all persuadable voters in swing states! If you are still weighing your options for the November elections, Press Advance wants to talk to you. Reach out to us. Find us on X: @johannamaska Instagram: @johannamaska Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring presidential campaign veterans Democrat Joan Kato, who worked for Bernie Sanders and President Barack Obama, and Republican Lauren Zelt, who worked for Mitt Romney and Chirs Christie, to talk about what's at stake in this week's upcoming presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. They discuss what messaging could win over undecided voters on economic issues like inflation and increasingly restrictive reproductive rights in the aftermath of the US Supreme Court's ruling that overturned Roe vs. Wade. Plus, the panel reacts to which administration added more to the national debt and claims by Donald Trump and other Republicans that Joe Biden will be taking performance-enhancing drugs at the debate. Calling all persuadable voters in swing states! If you are still weighing your options for the November elections, Press Advance wants to talk to you. Reach out to us. Find us on X: @johannamaska Instagram: @johannamaska Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Democrat Ameshia Cross, who worked in the Obama White House, and Republican Tomi Lahren, the host of "Tomi Lahren is Fearless." They discuss this week's political news, including Donald Trump's visit to a Black church in Michigan—in front of a mostly white audience and his proposal for tax-free tips for service workers. Democrats are talking more about the politicization of the Supreme Court and what voters should think when they cast their ballots this November. Plus, the panel reacts to the internet's debate over whether President Biden froze up at a Juneteenth event at the White House while others were dancing and if that was the most important part of the event. Calling all persuadable voters in swing states! If you are still weighing your options for the November elections, Press Advance wants to talk to you. Reach out to us. Find us on X: @johannamaska Instagram: @johannamaska | Press Advance is produced by Situation Room Studios: www.sitroomstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska breaks down cable news’ coverage and political disconnect between the Hunter Biden and Donald Trump guilty verdicts with a political panel featuring Republican strategist Denise Gitsham, who worked in the Bush administration and Democratic strategist Michael Hardaway, who most recently worked with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. They also discuss other political news this week — the US Senate refused to protect contraception access, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was caught on tape talking about how one side has to win. Plus the panel reacts to admitted puppy killer Kristi Noem’s stance on neo-nazis marching on the Capitol in South Dakota.  Find us on X: @johannamaska Instagram: @johannamaska | Press Advance is produced by Situation Room Studios: www.sitroomstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska breaks down the fallout from Donald Trump's guilty verdict with a political panel featuring Desiree Barnes, who worked in President Obama’s Press Office, Danielle Cendejas, a Partner for the Strategy Group and former Obama campaign organizer, and Brittany Martinez, a former aide to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. They discuss what it means for America to potentially have a convicted felon reelected to the White House. They also discuss other political news this week — members of Congress treating Dr. Anthony Fauci like a criminal at a hearing on the pandemic, and President Biden’s crackdown on migrants on the southern border with a new executive order. Plus, what did White House staffers think about the controversy over President Obama's tan suit compared to current presidential scandals. Find us on X: @johannamaska  @Instagram @johannamaska Press Advance is produced by Situation Room Studios: www.sitroomstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Samantha Dravis, who worked in the Bush and Trump administrations, Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark podcast and former Communications Director for Jeb Bush's 2016 presidential campaign, and Joan Kato who worked with President Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders. They discuss frustration with the two-party system and how Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy could impact the election, politics in our judicial system, the behavior of political leaders, and which ones are doing a good job staying high when the other side goes so low. Plus, the panel debates the high cost of living and whether the average voter is not "feeling" the economy despite record-low unemployment and positive economic data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode host Johanna Maska talks leads a political panel with Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins and Republican strategist Mehek Cooke and they talk — sports. Specifically they get into Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butler’s widely criticized comments regarding women’s careers, LGBTQ+ rights and President Joe Biden’s faith. After they kick that off, Maska, Hopkins, and Cooke talk about the House Oversight Committee that erupted into personal attacks and the upcoming Presidential Debates between Biden and former President Donald Trump. They wrap it up by talking about the romantic comings and goings in the House of Representatives - including a high profile divorce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Morgan Ortagus, who served as the State Department Spokesperson under President Donald Trump, and Lindsay Scola, a veteran of the Obama White House who also worked at the US Mission to the UN with Ambassador Susan Rice. The panel discusses the state of speech on college campuses and the divisions over the Biden administration's nuanced stance on Israel, whether expletive language by our elected leaders has been normalized, and the dangers to women's health from state abortion bans. The panel also reacts to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez's outrageous defense for having gold bars at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Pro-Palestinian campus protests have shut down commencements and sent students home, Johanna Maska takes a step back in Press Advance to speak to an expert who spent his life trying to negotiate peace in the Middle East. In this wide-ranging discussion, Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses the history of tensions, US policy towards the Middle East, and how student protesters could use their energy for peace in the region. Ross also discusses the changes to women's rights in Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and describes what he's seen in the over 400 miles of tunnels Hamas built underground in Gaza. Ultimately, Ross says even though right now it feels like we're back to 1948— the existential nature of the conflict—he has reason to believe it is still possible to restore a two-state solution with reforms and institutions for a Palestinian state.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with Kristen Hawn, who served as the chief political advisor to the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of more than 50 moderate Democrats in the House of Representatives. They discuss the defense of indefensible actions by politicians in a post-Trump era, the continued criticism of Kristi Noem and whether she lied about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, and the indictment of Democratic Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar on bribery charges. Johanna also previews a bonus episode that will drop later this week with Middle East peace negotiator and former United States Ambassador to Israel, Dennis Ross, for a conversation about the history of tensions in the region.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins and veteran Republican campaign operative Matt Gorman. They discuss the state of the free and fair press, and President Biden's fight with The New York Times. The panel also shares thoughts on underreported races, including Congressman Colin Allred's bid to unseat Senator Ted Cruz in Texas and North Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate Mark Robinson's wife is facing scrutiny after closing a non-profit that she says was targeted by her political rivals. Plus, Johanna polls the group on who has what it takes to win the Trump Veepstakes and if South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is out of the running after admitting to killing her 14-month-old puppy Cricket.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins and Boyd Matheson, former Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah (R). They discuss pushback from Democrats and Republicans over threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, politics in the office and whether it should be off limits, and heightened tensions on college campuses after pro-Palestinian student protests have spread across the country. Plus, we talked to Hagar Chemali, an adjunct assistant Professor at Columbia University, for her first-hand account of what she saw at student protests on campus and the challenges the school faces in balancing freedom of speech with a safe environment for students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Adam Hodge, former Spokesperson for the National Security Council in the Biden administration, and Amy Tarkanian, former Chairwoman of the Nevada State Republican Party. They discuss the White House response to Iran's drone and missile strikes against Israel and pushback from the progressive wing of the Democratic party on U.S support for Israel, former President Donald Trump's legal troubles and if voters are paying attention, and abortion access in Arizona after the state's Supreme Court ruled a Civil war-era abortion ban can be enforced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices