Reputation, Regulation and Relationships: What’s driving policymaker priorities in 2025

On this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, Penta Policy Brand Research leaders Rebecca Cunningham and Victoria Nolte join hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to unpack findings from the 2025 Washington Insights Review, an annual Penta report based on a survey of hundreds of senior Washington policymakersTheir conversation covered:Which issues are shaping U.S. policymaker priorities across parties, from the economy and immigration to AI, fintech, and China.How corporate reputation in Washington has shifted post-COVID, and what’s driving both the rise of emerging sectors and the reputational slip of legacy industries.Why companies must tailor their advocacy to resonate authentically with policymakers, and how social commitments are being evaluated differently across political parties.The rising importance of data-backed, bipartisan engagement strategies that reflect political durability in a shifting landscape.

On this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, now a member of Penta's Global Advisory Board, shared his perspective on the evolution of political leadership and business strategy amid rising global uncertainty.His candid and wide-ranging conversation with hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui covered: What it was like to negotiate directly with President Trump and what he learned about the President's governing and communications playbook. How Europe is responding to shifts in the geopolitical order.The opportunities and threats facing companies navigating transatlantic trade during a period of volatility.How political durability and long-term planning can help organizations stay resilient through electoral and ideological shifts.The importance of authenticity in navigating social and cultural controversies.You can learn more about the former Taoiseach’s background and new role within Penta Group here: https://pentagroup.com/insight/leo-varadkar-joins-penta

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake examines the future of farming and ranching through a burgeoning and innovative technology: virtual fencing. Penta Partner Andrea Christianson, Nofence Director of Global Market Development John Smout, and Monument Advocacy Principal John Weber discuss how virtual fencing—sitting at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and public policy—is changing herd and livestock management for American farmers through the use of GPS-powered collars.Their conversation covered:How virtual fencing works and the benefits it bringsThe role of public policy in accelerating the growth and adoption of this technologyWhat the future of agriculture could look like with a new generation of farmersYou can learn more about Nofence by visiting https://www.nofence.no/en-us/ 

In this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, Business Roundtable president and COO Kristen Silverberg shares her insights on the opportunities and challenges facing American businesses as they navigate a rapidly shifting policy landscape, both at home and abroad. Ambassador Silverberg shared with Bryan and Ylan the importance of corporate executives maintaining a long-term vision for success that can withstand geopolitical turbulence. The conversation with Penta hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui covered:The two-way street: How Business Roundtable helps members understand Washington while educating policymakers about the business impacts of their decisionsHow businesses have taken proactive steps to prepare for trade uncertaintyTax reform’s role in driving business growth and innovationWorkforce initiatives creating opportunities for those without four- or two-year degrees You can learn more about Business Roundtable at https://www.businessroundtable.org/

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake dives into the evolving world of new media and the rise of independent, online journalists. Penta Group Managing Directors Ylan Mui and Megan Whittemore talk to Mosheh Oinounou, an award-winning executive producer and founder of Mo News, about the impact of the creator economy on journalism, audience trust, and the way we consume information.Their conversation covered:Why authenticity, transparency, and engagement are the new currency of mediaHow traditional journalism values can thrive in a creator-driven ecosystemThe origin story behind Mo News and how it became a go-to source of news on Instagram with over 500,000 followersWhat brands and policymakers need to know when working with digital news influencersYou can follow Mo News online at https://www.mo.news/, on Instagram at @mosheh and on the Mo News podcast.Click here, for the Liz Kelly Nelson piece entitled "From 'Trad News' to AI: The evolving journalism landscape," referenced in the episode.

This week’s episode of What’s at Stake tackles the mounting pressure on corporate America as President Donald Trump’s tariffs rattle the markets and stoke fears of a global economic slowdown. Penta CEO Matt McDonald joins hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to discuss the response from the business community and frameworks for determining when and how to engage publicly.Their conversation covered:Whether tariffs are a tool for negotiation or an end resultThe importance of "signposting" to determine next stepsThe impact of the markets on White House and corporate decision-making

This week's episode of What's at Stake delves into the creation and consumption of media amid the rapid advancement of AI. Sally Shin, venture partner at Comcast Ventures, joins Penta hosts Ylan Mui and Andrea Christianson, to discuss the impact of this convergence on journalism and our daily lives.Their conversation covered:Guardrails to protect intellectual property and the accuracy of AI-generated contentPartnerships between publishers and AI companiesOpportunities to leverage AI within news organizationsThe revolution that voice technologies and no-code tools could bring to content creation

This week's episode of What's at Stake explores the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency as the industry gears up for a transformative 2025 amid strong support from both the Trump administration and Capitol Hill. Ron Hammond, senior director of government relations and institutional engagement at the Blockchain Association, joins Penta hosts Ylan Mui and Bryan DeAngelis to discuss the vibeshift in Washington and the industry's policy priorities. Their conversation covered:Policymakers' evolving perceptions of cryptocurrencyChallenges and opportunities for stablecoin legislationCrypto interest from institutional investors Building consensus across the crypto universe

This week's episode of What's at Stake crosses the Atlantic to discuss the impact of President Trump's tariffs with Penta's experts in Europe. Rory O’Donnell, a partner in the Brussels office, and Stuart Harbinson, a senior adviser who has represented Hong Kong to the World Trade Organization, joined Penta managing director Ylan Mui to examine the motivations behind the tariffs and the implications of global retaliation.Their conversation covered:EU and Chinese perspective on trade tensionsPotential economic consequences for consumers and businessesHow the private sector can best navigate these turbulent timesThe potential end game for tariffs