In this episode, Raghu Devaguptapu, AAPC Board Member and Partner at TKO Political, sits down with Jordan Lieberman, CEO of Powers Interactive to unpack what the data reveals about the state—and future—of the political consulting industry. Drawing on years of original research, Lieberman examines how the number and structure of firms have evolved, whether careers are becoming more sustainable or more cyclical, and what forces are truly driving growth—from technology and media fragmentation to compliance and market concentration. The conversation explores specialization versus generalization, partisan balance across firms, barriers to entry, and the implications of increasing consolidation for consultants at every stage of their careers. A data-driven look at where the industry has been, what’s changing now, and the questions that still remain unanswered.

In this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, Brent Buchanan, CEO of Cygnal, sits down with Rebecca Pearcey, partner at Bryson Gillette and AAPC Board member, to discuss his groundbreaking book, America's Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices. They explore how emotions shape voting decisions, and what political consultants can do to tap into these dynamics for the 2026 cycle and beyond.

Not every campaign can book the biggest podcasts — but every campaign is operating in a world shaped by them.

In this episode, Roger Salazar, AAPC Board Member and President of ALZA Strategies sits down with Dr. Megan Duncan of Virginia Tech to explore how podcasts fit into today’s political information ecosystem, what they tell us about trust and storytelling, and why traditional media assumptions no longer fully explain how voters learn about politics.

A must-listen for political professionals thinking beyond legacy media strategies.

Trust is changing, and so is the way influence works.

In a time when voters are questioning institutions, media, and even one another, political consulting is entering a new era. What does persuasion look like when trust is the most valuable currency in public life?

In this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, Matt Klink, Owner and President of Klink Campaigns sits down with Aaron Guiterman, Chairman, US Public Affairs at Edelman to explore the trust trends reshaping public engagement - from polarization and grievance to misinformation and AI - and what they mean for campaigns, institutions, and consultants moving forward.

Drawing on insights from the Edelman Trust Barometer, this conversation looks ahead to a future where rebuilding trust isn’t just a communications challenge, it’s the strategy itself.

According to recent Gallup data, a record-high 45 percent of U.S. adults now identify as political independents, outpacing both major parties. That means nearly half the electorate isn’t firmly tethered to traditional partisan labels — a trend that could reshape campaigns in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode, Mike Shields, Board Member of the American Association of Political Consultants and founder of Convergence Media is joined by Brett Loyd of Bulfinch Group and the Independent Center to dig into what this massive independent electorate looks like, how they behave, and, most importantly, what it means for campaign strategy — from segmentation and messaging to turnout and analytics.

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are once again shaping election conversations, alongside growing claims about their accuracy and concerns about their influence.

On The Future of Political Consulting, EMC Research President Ruth Bernstein moderates a conversation with John Phillips, CEO of PredictIt, one of the earliest election-related prediction markets. They compare prediction markets with traditional polling, explore whether markets measure or shape political narratives, and reflect on lessons from PredictIt’s experience that remain unresolved.

Digital organizing is evolving fast and campaigns that treat DMs like door knocks are already ahead.

On this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, host Taryn Rosenkranz (AAPC Board Member and Founder and CEO of New Blue Interactive) talks with Gabriella “Gabbi” Zutrau (Digital Strategy Advisor, Zohran for NYC and 2025 AAPC Top Ops Award Winner) about how the Zohran Mamdani campaign turned Instagram enthusiasm into real-world organizing power. They break down how chatbots and DM automations can capture leads, fill canvasses, and move supporters from scroll to street, particularly when engagement begins with supporters initiating contact, resulting in stronger follow-through and sustained participation.

More importantly, the conversation looks ahead: what this approach signals about the future of the digital ground game, how campaign engagement is changing, and what political consultants should be doing now to prepare for 2026 and beyond.

This episode explores how modern advocacy intersects with campaign strategy and what that means for the future of political consulting. Joshua Habursky and Dr. Casey Burgat discuss the evolving tools, technologies, and relationship-driven skills shaping year-round influence work in Washington. A valuable listen for emerging professionals navigating career paths across campaigns, public affairs, and advocacy.