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Politics has never been more divisive, and with political violence on the rise, it has never been so important that we have the opportunity to peek behind the curtain to see what’s really happening, what Democrats are doing differently, and where we all go from here. So, what makes this podcast different? Taryn brings her friends from the last two decades on the trail to talk about how to survive in these times, inspire hope in the future, and laugh a lot along the way.
Find full episodes as they drop on Substack, subscription-free, Spotify, and anywhere you like to listen to pods.
In our inaugural episode, former DCCC Executive Director and now Partner at Ralston Lapp Guinn Media, Lucinda Guinn, shares how campaigns are won and what it really takes to change the game. Come have a listen, join the conversation, and maybe even open a bag of trail mix for yourselves! You’ll find us wherever you get your podcasts.
Lucinda Guinn knows what it takes to win — and win big. As a Democratic media consultant at Ralston Lapp Guinn Media, she’s helped shape campaigns across the country. She made history as the first Latina to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and was the force behind 24 House pick-ups in 2018 that secured the House Majority — all with women candidates. Before that, she led efforts at EMILY’s List to elect pro-choice Democratic women at every level. In this episode, Lucinda shares the strategy, the stories, and the lessons from years on the frontlines of political battles.
In this episode, Taryn and Kelly share their stories of becoming mothers while working at the DCCC, how to stay sane when you are in the grind, and the genesis of After Action. For those who throw their lives into the high-purpose, high-intensity experience of camapigning, how do you decompress and move forward? Whether working on a camapign is your career as an operative or as an uber volunteer, you can feel the crash after its over. What are the support systems to make sure this kind of work is sustainable for us as people? How can you dedicate your life to this important work and be a parent? How can you find balance? How can you stay healthy so you can continue to do the work?
The research in other fields has helped to inform what scaffolding needs to be in place for political operatives. To optimize performance and find balance there are three pillars: 1) professional training 2) personal health 3) inner focus – or exiting the fight or flight paradigm.
Kelly Burton has spent more than two decades at the highest levels of political campaigns and advocacy — and now she’s on a mission to sustain the people who sustain our democracy. As Founder & CEO of Both/And Leadership, she coaches and trains social impact leaders to develop the clarity, resilience, and staying power they need to thrive for the long haul. Before launching her own organization, Kelly served as the inaugural president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, working alongside former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to pioneer a first-ever comprehensive redistricting strategy for fair maps. She’s also led at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, managed congressional and U.S. Senate campaigns, and held senior roles in state government and advocacy. In this episode, Kelly shares lessons from a career at the intersection of leadership, politics, and purpose.
Taryn and Evan share stories about how their upbringings influenced them to make good happen today, why inequity perpetuates, and how to break the cycle, and how to keep showing up.
Evan Glass made history in 2018 as the first openly gay man elected to the Montgomery County Council, where he now serves his second term as an At-Large member. Raised by a single mother in New York and the first in his family to graduate from college, Evan has spent 25 years making Montgomery County a better place through landmark legislation on pay equity, housing justice, LGBTQ+ rights, transportation access, and environmental sustainability. A former CNN journalist covering Congress and national politics, he also led programs empowering immigrant and low-income youth. Evan lives in Silver Spring with his husband, Jason, and their two rescue beagles, Daisy and Poppy.
On this episode of Political TrailMix we have Mitch Kates. Mitch knows his way around an arena — first as a heavyweight wrestling champion and professional wrestler, and now as a veteran political operative with more than two decades of campaign experience in the U.S. and abroad. Mitch Kates has spent 21 years winning hard-fought battles in politics at every level. Now Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, he’s managed races from local GOTV efforts to prime minister elections abroad, all with a mix of grit, strategy, and showmanship.
On this episode of Political TrailMix, we have Rebecca Pearcey. Rebecca has run campaigns from coast to coast, from advising Senator Elizabeth Warren to helping elect Congresswoman Summer Lee. In this episode, Pearcey shares why politics is “maintenance, not miracles,” cutting through the noise with simple, authentic ads and where AI helps (and harms).
On this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn is joined by Sarah Flowers and Matt Erickson of 76 Words, two Democratic media consultants who’ve spent decades crafting messages that move voters.
Together, they dive into the evolution of campaign strategy, the future of political storytelling, the rising influence of healthcare and cost-of-living issues, and how rage, hope, and resilience drive the work that changes elections.
In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn talks with strategist Jesse Ferguson about messaging, voter perception, and the shifts shaping Democratic communication. They break down how people respond to economic narratives, why language matters, and what campaigns often miss when speaking to real voters. Ferguson also shares lessons from Virginia, New Jersey, and national races, and talks about advice for people thinking about running for office.
In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn talks to Justin Myers, the Executive Director of Blue Leadership Collaborative, about the organization’s mission to deepen the bench of strong, savvy, resilient campaign managers. In a line of work that can churn and burn even the most talented people, BLC aims to create the internal and external infrastructure to support experienced and aspiring campaign leaders in making this a career in which they can grow and thrive, resulting in better-run races and ultimately more wins up and down the ballot. Taryn and Justin also dive into how managers and campaigns are using, identifying, and combating AI, where we are, what taking action means, and predictions for 2026.
In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn talks with digital and social media strategist Stephanie Cruz to talk through 20 years of online politics and social impact work, from training elected officials on early social platforms to leading rapid-response strategy for major mobilizations. They dig into burnout, boundaries, and practical self-care, and leadership lessons rooted in kindness, family, and consistency. The episode closes with straight talk on midterm messaging, avoiding celebrity-driven politics, focusing on real people’s daily struggles, and building online and in-person community through clear, useful content.
In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn sits down with longtime friend and colleague Jen Pihlaja for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, identity, resilience, and the pressure of political life. Jen shares her path from political consulting to coaching and facilitation, along with reflections on writing for Leading From Within. They talk about personal growth, navigating stress, finding your sphere of concern, and why strong leadership starts with knowing yourself. This episode offers an honest look at what it means to lead with self-awareness in a demanding political world, while leaving room for humor, friendship, and hope for what comes next.
In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn Rosenkranz sits down with Zandria Haines, partner at Moxie Media and longtime voter contact strategist, for a conversation about what’s really shaping campaigns today. They dig into why tried-and-true tactics like direct mail are still delivering results, how AI is opening new doors while creating new challenges, and why so many campaigns struggle to connect with voters in a way that feels genuine.
They also talk about women in political leadership, the realities of balancing career and family, building stronger voter relationships, crafting messages that resonate, and what they’re watching as the 2026 midterm elections begin to take shape.
In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn Rosenkranz sits down with Kelly Grace Gibson, Vice President of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), for an inside look at what political professionals are seeing, hearing, and learning behind the scenes.
Drawing on more than two decades in political media, Kelly shares her perspective on the challenges shaping campaigns today — from the need for Democrats to communicate in a more natural, relatable way, to how AI is reshaping campaign strategy, and what consultants can learn from working across the aisle. They also discuss why local elections often have a bigger impact than voters realize and what the future of political communication may look like.