Fly On The Wall

Award-winning journalist and Zateo founder Mehdi Hasan joins us on The Fly to discuss his transition from corporate media giants like MSNBC to the "fascinating, dynamic" world of independent, subscriber-funded journalism. Hasan offers a candid critique of mainstream media "groupthink" and explains why independent reporting is essential for covering global crises like the genocide in Gaza without the pressure to self-censor. He also reflects on his viral Jubilee appearance, grappling with the ethics of debating bad-faith actors and the personal impact of confronting rising authoritarianism as a parent in America. From his "pity interview" with a future mayor to his 2028 presidential picks, this episode provides an unfiltered look at the future of media and political discourse.

We are flying back in with a special guest! Our flies Kennedy and Aniya sit down with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler as she discusses her journey from a young activist to becoming the first female leader of the federation. She highlights the stark differences between the Biden and Trump administrations, arguing that recent executive actions have undermined federal worker protections and collective bargaining rights. Shuler details how the labor movement is combating union-busting, navigating the risks of artificial intelligence, and advocating for immigrant rights through grassroots mobilization and legal challenges. She also emphasizes the vital role of younger generations in driving a modern resurgence of labor interest and organizational energy. Tune in!

Aaron Bennett discusses the founding of the show and the importance of relationship building in Washington, D.C., noting how his own career trajectory was shaped by connections made at the Institute of Politics and Public Service. As a professional speechwriter for high-profile figures like Nancy Pelosi and Tim Walz, he outlines his "three M's" formula for success: the message, the messenger, and the moment. He emphasizes that effective speechwriting is a collaborative and iterative process that requires capturing a principal's unique voice rather than centered on the writer's own opinions. Tune in!

Sit down with Richard Walters to hear about the Republican Party's strategy heading into the 2026 midterm elections, why affordability and "pocketbook issues" remain the top priority for voters, and where the GOP lands with tax cuts, housing, and healthcare. The conversation also dives into the complexities of election integrity, fundraising dynamics, and the stark contrasts between Republican and Democratic preparations for the upcoming campaign cycle. Join us for an expert’s look at the shifting landscape of American politics and what to watch for as the nation heads toward the polls!

Former Montana Senator Jon Tester joins us to talk about his journey from small‑town school board member to the U.S. Senate — and back to his family farm. He shares hard-earned lessons on public service, building trust across the aisle, and why authenticity beats “slick” politics every time. We also dive into his candid take on the war in Iran, congressional war powers, and what it will take to repair America’s standing in the world.

Welcome back to another episode with Nora O'Donnell, a Georgetown alumn and award-winning journalist! This episode features O'Donnell's experiences covering significant events like 9/11 and the October 7 attacks, and her 60 Minutes Interview with President Donald Trump. Tune in to hear more about O'Donnell new book, "We the Women," which explores women's contributions to American history. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Stephen Martinko, TikTok's Global Head of Product Public Policy, "There aren’t Republican bridges or Democratic roads" by Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public Service

Monica Popp, Former Chief of Staff to Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), "In this town, integrity is everything.” by Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public Service

Welcome to our President’s Day special episode with guest Representative Greg Landsman! Will and Bode had the chance to talk with the Ohio Representative to hear about how he flipped a swing seat, his time in Congress so far, and his plan for an “American comeback”. Listen to our latest episode to hear more about Representative Landsman’s honest insights about life on the Hill.

This week, fly to Radio Free Europe's Headquarters in Prague to sit down with Sarah Sverdlov as she interviews Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who served nearly nine months in a Russian prison. Kurmasheva was imprisoned for her work, including a book titled "Saying No to War," which documented Russian dissent. She described the harsh prison conditions and her coping mechanisms, such as running and reading Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." Post-release, she advocates for press freedom and supports imprisoned journalists. Tune in!

Our latest episode is with Ankit Jain! Elected in 2024, Ankit Jain has served as the Shadow Senator for the District of Columbia and has stayed committed to advocating for statehood and expanding voting rights for DC. Before entering politics, Jain worked as a voting rights attorney and founded Young Democrats Ward 2 to encourage civil engagement in young people. Jain’s election as a shadow senator for D.C was historic as he was the first Asian-American and Indian-American elected to office in Washington, D.C. Listen more to hear everything there is to know about Congress from Ankit Jain!

Welcome back to another episode of the Fly on the Wall! Today, we welcome Former Senator Laphonza Butler on the podcast! Laphonza Butler is a former senator representing California, who Governor Gavin Newsom appointed to replace the late Senator Dianne Feinstein after her death in 2023. Born in Mississippi, Butler attended Jackson State University before beginning her career as a labor organizer. She has been actively involved in the United States labor movement throughout her public service career, serving as President of SEIU Local 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Before serving in Congress, former Senator Butler served as the president of Emily’s List which works to elect Democratic pro-choice women to government. Former Senator Butler has also been prominent in the private sector, working as Director of Public Policy for Airbnb. Former Senator Butler is a Fall 2025 GU Politics Fellow at Georgetown University and has hosted her weekly discussion groups on AI, Labor, and the Politics of the Future of Work,

Tune in to this week’s episode with a fellow podcaster, Jamelle Bouie! Co-host of his own podcast, Unclear and Present Danger, and columnist for the New York Times, Jamelle Bouie, provides perspective on history and politics.  Before joining the Times, Bouie began his career at The American Prospect magazine and then became the chief political correspondent at Slate magazine. From receiving the Hillman Prize for Opinion & Analysis Journalism and being elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Bouie has shaped national conversations on democracy and race. Some of Bouie’s most recent articles for the Times include “They Don’t Want to Live in Lincoln’s America” and “This Administration Is Silencing Its Critics.” Listen to one of the most influential commentators in politics today as Bouie explores topics of the Constitution and the role of executive power in modern politics

Welcome back, flies! We hope you had a spook-tacular halloween

Hi Flies, welcome back to Episode 5 of Season 18! On this episode, we have Congressman Adam Smith, a democrat from Washington state’s 9th district on the podcast. Representative Smith recently spoke at an event hosted by Georgetown’s Initiative for U.S-China dialogue, and discussed the U.S/China relationship and its importance. Representative Smith was born here in Washington, D.C and grew up in Washington State. In 1987, Congressman Smith graduated from Fordham University with a degree in political science and went back to Washington state to pursue his law degree at the University of Washington. After law school, Congressman Smith worked in both private and public law, notably practicing for Cromwell and Mendoza and Belur, before becoming a prosecutor and later a judge. At 25 years old, Mr. Smith was the youngest state senator ever elected, serving there until 1996 before being elected to Congress in 1997. Mr. Smith is currently the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and is a member of the

Get ready for Episode 4 of Season 18!

Welcome back to the Fly for our third episode of Season 18! Rob Flaherty is a Georgetown University Fall 2025 Fellow who is a leading political strategist. He previously served as Former Assistant to President Joe Biden, as well as his Director of Digital Strategy. When President Biden exited the presidential race in 2024, Flaherty took over as Deputy Campaign Manager for Harris for President in her historic 107 day battle for the White House. Flaherty is a 2013 graduate of Ithaca College, whose career in politics was sparked after watching West Wing and from there, joined local campaigns in New York. As a young professional, Flaherty also worked on Terry McAuliffe’s campaign for governor of Virginia. Later, Flaherty moved to the national stage where he became Presidential Candidate Beto O’Rourke’s Digital Director in 2020, Creative Director at Priorities USA, and Deputy Director of Digital Communications for Hillary for America. Flaherty runs a fellow’s discussion group currently titled "The Politics of Atte

There is a big buzz in that air for Episode 2 of Season 18! Jamaal Bowman, former middle school principal turned US Representative for New York’s 16th Congressional District joined us for a special episode on activism. Before entering politics, Bowman founded Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, a middle school focused on a restorative justice approach for their students. In the 2020 Democratic primary, Bowman's defeat of 16-term incumbent, Eliot Engel, showed the strength of grassroot campaigning. Once in Washington, Bowman quickly became an influential progressive figure for his viewpoints on education, racial equity, and US foreign policy in Israel. Known for his authenticity and dedication to his community, Bowman was a key player in policies surrounding education and labor reform. In 2024, Bowman lost to pro-Israel candiate George Latimer in what was recorded as the most expensive House of Representives primary in US history. Since then, Bowman has launched the Built to Win PAC, and has used his platfo

Welcome back, Flies! For the first episode of Season 18, we met with a special guest: FOX News original Trace Gallagher! Gallagher has been a member of FOX News since its creation in 1996. Gallagher is an anchor and Chief Breaking News Correspondent for “FOX News @ Night,” where approximately 1.5 million households watch his reporting each night. He is truly an international expert, having reported on everything from the Israel-Hamas war to the second inauguration of President Trump. Tune into this episode to hear Gallagher’s insider scoop on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Democratic heavyweight Gavin Newsom, and the key to success in broadcast journalism. Special thanks to Fly Team member Sarah for this great interview!

Welcome back flies!! It’s the end of another great semester here at Georgetown which means it’s the season finale of The Fly! What a better way to end the season than with GU Politics Fellow Don Graves! Graves served as the 19th Deputy Secretary of Commerce under the Biden-Harris Administration from May 2021 to January 2025. He previously served as Counselor to President Biden during the 2020 campaign and held senior roles in the Obama-Biden Administration, including Executive Director of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he oversaw programs like the CDFI Fund and the Small Business Lending Fund. Austin and Chloe spoke with Graves about the future of the federal workforce, the value of the private and public sectors, and Graves’ political experience in both Detroit and Puerto Rico. Graves also spoke on his experience drafting major policy like the CHIPS Act, and the importance of government accountability and resul