Facts About PACs Podcast

In a landmark episode for the Facts About PACs community, hosts Micaela Isler, Adam Belmar, and David Schild sit down with Federal Election Commission Chair Shana Broussard. Chair Broussard is leading the FEC through its longest quorum crisis in the agency's 50-year history — now past 295 days without the four commissioners needed to issue advisory opinions, move enforcement matters forward, or finalize regulations. She joins the show to explain what that means in practical terms for PAC professionals, what the agency can still do for the regulated community, and why she's operating as if quorum could be restored tomorrow. The conversation also tackles some of the biggest issues facing the PAC community right now — from Chair Broussard's passionate case for indexing PAC contribution limits to inflation after 50 years stuck at $5,000, to her candid assessment of National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC, which she calls the most consequential case before the commission since Citizens United. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear directly from the nation's top campaign finance regulator at a pivotal moment for money in politics.

What really gets Hill staff to pay attention to your advocacy messages? In this installment of Solutions in Action, Speak4 founder and CEO Joe Mansour returns with fresh insights from the people who receive advocacy every day—Capitol Hill and state legislative staffers themselves. Whether you're mobilizing grassroots supporters or building PAC member engagement, this episode delivers actionable intelligence on breaking through the noise and creating legislative impact.

PAC directors and government affairs professionals have long struggled to access reliable state legislative data, as free resources have been locked behind paywalls. State Navigate founder Chaz Nuttycombe returns to explain how his nonprofit is filling that gap with comprehensive, free campaign finance data, legislative forecasting, and ideological analysis across eight states. Learn how this transparency tool can inform your 2026 midterm strategy—from identifying competitive races to tracking members and analyzing voting patterns.

John Mason is stepping into the board chair role at an exciting moment for NABPAC. In this conversation with Micaela Isler, Adam Belmar, and David Schild, John shares his vision for the organization's next chapter—from strengthening advocacy on Capitol Hill to providing PAC professionals with the data and insights they need to build stronger programs. As NABPAC approaches its 50th anniversary, John explains why this moment of transformation represents opportunity, not necessity, and what members can look forward to in the year ahead.

Is your PAC program ready for primetime? Eric Wilson returns to Facts About PACs with research-backed insights on what separates programs that work from those that just look good on paper. From website credibility checks to video best practices, Eric walks through his New Year's campaign checklist and shares results from real-world voter turnout experiments. Learn why outdated social icons matter more than you think, how "streak messaging" boosted turnout by two points, and why captions are now non-negotiable for video content. If you want to prove your PAC program is ready for the midterm election cycle, start here. Episode Sponsor: State and Federal Communications, Inc.

New year, new headshot? In this first episode of 2026, we're talking about professional presence. Award-winning producer and NABPAC's official photographer, Brendan Kownacki, joins us to break down the art of the professional glow up. From the truth about how often you should refresh your headshot (hint: it's more than you think) to the strategic networking moves to make on LinkedIn, Brendan brings practical advice for PAC professionals looking to level up their brand in 2026.

Words matter—and some words need to go. Amy Showalter returns with her annual Bad Words list, calling out the tired phrases and corporate jargon that undermine your credibility as a communicator. From "paradigm shift" to "thought leader," "you do you" to "my truth," discover which terms are making you sound like everyone else—and what to say instead. As PAC professionals competing for attention, hearts, and minds, it's time to speak with precision and impact. Are you guilty of these communication sins?

Live from NABPAC's annual holiday luncheon, between hot chocolate refills and holiday cheer, we reflect on what makes this PAC community unique.

On December 9th, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC, a case challenging federal limits on coordinated party expenditures. Legal expert Steve Roberts of Lex Politica breaks down why this First Amendment case could make hard dollars more relevant than they've been in a generation—and what it means for PAC directors' fundraising strategies.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Micaela, David, and Adam reflect on a successful year for NABPAC and the PAC community. The hosts discuss the momentum from the Insight Conference, emphasize the importance of donor appreciation during the holiday season, and preview strategic planning for the 2026 midterm cycle.

NFIB's Sharon Sussin joins the Facts About PACs to discuss what the 2025 election results mean for corporate and trade association PACs heading into 2026. With Democratic wins in Virginia and New Jersey still fresh, Sharon delivers essential guidance on capitalizing on the brief post-election window of attention before the holidays hit. She addresses the looming redistricting uncertainty, offers strategies for identifying and supporting authentic champions who run on your issues, and reminds PAC directors to cut through the political noise by staying laser-focused on what matters to your members and employees. If you're planning your 2026 approach, this conversation provides the clarity and confidence you need right now. Episode Sponsor: Aristotle

Shrinking. Misunderstood. Polarized. Regulated. Haunted. Employee-funded and business trade association PACs face their scariest challenges yet as influence wanes and misinformation spreads. Don't listen to Facts About PACs Halloween Spooktacular alone!

Join hosts Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar as they broadcast live from the NABPAC Insight Conference

Join Micaela, David, and Adam as they recap NABPAC's September member luncheon featuring election law attorney Mark Renaud from Wiley. Discover the practical compliance insights PAC managers gained around due diligence, documentation requirements, and navigating complex fundraising scenarios.

In this candid unplugged episode, hosts Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar address the challenging realities facing PAC professionals today. They explore growing donor safety concerns, discuss FEC Commissioner Lindenbaum's recent op-ed on disclosure requirements, and examine strategies for protecting contributor privacy in our digital age. The conversation also covers preparing for upcoming electoral opportunities, maintaining strategic flexibility with PAC boards, and developing contingency plans for potential government shutdowns that could impact operations and fundraising efforts.

Are you going to the NABPAC Insight conference? Game-changing roundtables with real member insights, breakthrough strategies your colleagues are already using to drive results, resilience training for high-pressure environments, and proven marketing principles that actually boost participation rates. This isn't just another conference - it's your competitive edge for PAC success.

Get briefed on NABPAC's first legislative summit as the employee-funded and business trade association PAC industry mobilizes for Capitol Hill. Hosts Micaela Isler and Adam Belmar are joined by board members Joe Manion (American Waterways Operators) and Nicole Porter (US Travel Association) for a look at two key reforms: eliminating outdated prior approval requirements that force companies to choose just one trade association PAC per year, and indexing business PAC contribution limits frozen at $5,000 since 1974. Episode Sponsor: PASS https://pactrack.net/

As Congress returns from summer recess, employee-funded and business trade association PAC directors face a busy fall. Micaela, David, and Adam discuss NABPAC's upcoming Legislative Summit, the impact of redistricting battles in Texas and California, and why PAC managers must be proactive and flexible. Education precedes solicitation, and keeping donors informed about rapidly changing political dynamics is crucial.

Political chaos erupts as Texas pursues five new GOP House seats mid-decade, triggering retaliatory redistricting threats from Democratic governors. GWU's Casey Burgat breaks down this unprecedented gerrymandering arms race, explaining how states could redraw maps before the 2026 midterms, potentially flipping House control. From jungle primaries to incumbent-versus-incumbent races, discover why this redistricting revolution could reshape American politics.

Join host Micaela Isler and the Facts About PACs podcast team for their annual summer intern special featuring Luke Rinker from The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) and AY Kuwornu from Ghana. From Capitol Hill briefings to cross-party collaboration, these interns reveal what surprised them most about Washington's political finance landscape and why transparency matters more than you might think.