Political Trade Secrets: Winning Campaigns | Elections | Politics

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets’ America 250 Series | David Barton on the Declaration of Independence, the Founders, and the Faith Behind 1776

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, do we still understand what made the Declaration of Independence possible?

In this special America 250 episode of Political Trade Secrets, host Dustin Olson is joined by David Barton, best-selling author, founder of WallBuilders, host of The WallBuilders Show, and author of Lives, Fortunes, & Sacred Honor: The Signers of the Declaration, to pull back the curtain on the faith, ideas, sermons, and sacrifices that shaped America’s founding.

This conversation explores...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: The Human Cost: Broken Borders Forcing Political Realignment Worldwide

Join host Dustin Olson and guest Nicole Kiprilov—Republican strategist, media commentator, and Executive Director of The American Border Story—as they reveal why human stories are now the most powerful force reshaping politics on immigration.

From Angel Families and fentanyl victims to ranchers whose land has been destroyed, this episode breaks down how the real human cost of open-border policies is driving major political realignments—from the United States to Britain’s collapse under Starmer. Nicole explains why pure fear messaging is no longer eno...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Winning Local Elections | Campaign Playbook for Municipal Races, Ballot Questions, & Local Government

Join host Dustin Olson and guest Bill Ray—political and public relations consultant and owner of WR Communications—as they pull back the curtain on how local elections are really won.

From ballot questions and city council races to the collapse of local journalism and the rise of social media as the new town square, this episode breaks down what candidates, campaigns, and community leaders need to understand about winning and communicating at the local level.

The episode explores...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Politics Across the Pond: Brexit, Reform’s Rise, Starmer’s Fall, and What Britain’s Political Realignment Reveals for America in '26 & '28

Join host Dustin Olson and guest James Johnson, British pollster, former Senior Opinion Research Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing, and co-founder of J.L. Partners, for a behind-the-scenes look at the political realignment reshaping Britain and what it can teach American campaigns heading into 2026 and 2028.

In this episode of Political Trade Secrets, we go from Downing Street to Washington, D.C. to examine how Brexit, immigration, voter frust...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: First in the South Politics: South Carolina’s 2026 Primaries, Trump, Redistricting, Murdaugh & the Road to 2028

President Trump’s endorsement of Pamela Evette just rocked South Carolina’s wide-open governor’s race, but the fallout may be even bigger than the endorsement itself.

In this episode of Political Trade Secrets, Dustin Olson is joined by Will Folks, founding editor of South Carolina’s top political news outlet, FITSNews, to break down the closing days of the 2026 South Carolina primaries, the Trump endorsement, the Henry McMaster JR. running-mate controversy, the growing blowback inside the GOP, and what i...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Last Full Measure of Devotion—Stories Behind Memorial Day

Join host Dustin Olson and guest J. Mark Powell—author, syndicated columnist, and former television network journalist—for a thoughtful Memorial Day conversation honoring Americans across generations who gave what Abraham Lincoln called the “last full measure of devotion” for our country.

Drawing from Powell’s new book, Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It, the conversation explores real human stories from the front lines of the Civil War and the sacrifices that helped shape America’s traditi...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: 📊 PART TWO: Data-Driven Field Strategy: From the 2000 Florida Recount to the 2013 RNC Autopsy

Join host Dustin Olson and guest Chris McNulty—Fmr. RNC Political Director and National Sales Director at In Field Strategies—for part two of their conversation as they pull back the curtain on some of the most consequential behind-the-scenes moments in modern Republican campaign history.

From the chaos of the 2000 Florida recount and the so-called “Brooks Brothers Riot,” to the GOP’s post-2012 rebuild after Mitt Romney’s loss, to the field testing and voter-contact strategies that helped Republicans win back the U.S. Se...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Brand Politics—How Democrats Lost the Working Class & Why Latinos Are the New Soccer Moms

Join host Dustin Olson and Chuck Rocha—Democratic strategist, founder of Solidarity Strategies, former Labor organizer, and leading expert on Latino marketing—as they pull back the curtain on cutting-edge campaign messaging and advertising techniques.

From connecting with minority voters through true cultural competency to rebuilding trust with working-class Americans, this episode reveals messaging that actually drives votes and exposes what both parties are getting wrong—and what they could do differently—as the midterm elections loom.

The episod...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: 📊 PART ONE: Data-Driven Field Strategy: The Mechanics of Winning Elections & The Role Parties Play

Join host Dustin Olson and Chris McNulty—Fmr. Political Director at the RNC and National Sales Director at In Field Strategies—as they pull back the curtain on how Republicans won back the US Senate in 2014, how Ohio transformed from purple to red, and what running campaigns is actually like.

From field operations before modern data to the systems, structure, and strategy that determine who wins, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at campaigns and political parties.

The episod...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Controlling the Narrative: What Politics Can Learn From Trial Attorneys | Why would a Democrat say Trump understands commanding attention and shaping narratives better than other politicians?

Join Dustin Olson and Donte Mills—national trial attorney, Temple law professor, and Democrat analyst—as they pull back the curtain on how persuasion actually works in courtrooms, campaigns, and the media—and why controlling the narrative often matters more than the facts themselves.

The episode explores:

• Why the same set of facts can lead to completely different outcomes

• Why many trials are effectively...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: 👥 Winning with Field Operations: Plus Organizing Presidential Debates, National Conventions, & Ballot Access | How do you knock 2.4 million doors in 10 weeks?

Join Dustin Olson and Ryan Price—Veteran, GOP Strategist, and President of Echo Canyon Consulting—as they pull back the curtain on the real field-organizing mechanics of winning campaigns, from ground game to the biggest stages in politics.

The episode explores:

🚪 The story behind Elon Musk’s America PAC knocking millions of Pennsylvania doors in the final months of 2024, and what it actually took to execute

🗳️ How low-turnout elections like Virgini...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Can Independents Break the Two-Party System? Join host Dustin Olson as he talks with Todd Achilles—Army veteran, former Idaho state legislator, and Independent U.S. Senate candidate—for a candid conversation on the growing Independent movement and what it might take to break the two-party gridlock in Washington.

From the incentives shaping the political system to the growing overlap between unlikely political allies on issues like corporate concentration, we pull back the curtain on why voters may be open to Independents—and why the system itself fights to keep them from even competing.

The ep...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: The Dem They Didn't Know What to Do With—What Really Happens

Inside Southern Democrat Party Politics? Join host Dustin Olson as he sits down with Dr. Aditi Bussells—former Columbia, SC City Council member, Democrat strategist, and healthcare policy expert—for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of running, governing, and surviving in today’s political system.

From navigating party pressure while trying to govern independently to building bipartisan support that ultimately hurt her politically, Bussells exposes the internal tensions, incentives, and unwritten rules shaping modern campaigns.

This isn’t just th...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Politics in the Age of Algorithms, Tech, & Media Fragmentation—Join host Dustin Olson and Eric Wilson, executive director at the Center for Campaign Innovation, for how these forces are reshaping modern political campaigns. Drawing on years of campaign experience and new research into voter behavior, they unpack why the old campaign playbook needs a system update—and what campaigns must do to adapt.

From the broadcast to algorithm-driven media shift, to the surprising power of relational organizing and the fundamentals campaigns still can’t ignore, this episode pulls back the curtain on how elections are actuall...

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Raising Up Future Leaders of the Grand Opportunity Party — Join host Dustin Olson for a wide-ranging and candid conversation with New York GOP Committeewoman and Coalition Member of Black Americans for Trump, Scherie Murray!

From the realities of being a Republican candidate in a deep-blue state like NY, to cultivating the next generation of leaders for the GOP, and what the 2026 and 2028 elections might look like, this is a behind-the-scenes look at politics at the local, state, and federal level.

The episode digs into:

💡 What its like being a Republican candidate...

🗳 Political Trade Secrets: An exclusive Polling Club Strategy Session, designing our Study of America’s Political Strategists. What do the professionals who actually run campaigns think is coming in 2026 and 2028?

Join Dustin Olson and American Pulse partner Sean Bartley as we build a first-of-its-kind study of political strategists on both sides of the aisle.

This episode captures the real-time process of crafting a national survey on how strategy, tech, fundraising, and defining issues will shape 2026 and 2028.

And we’re not just designing it ourselves—we’re asking you what America’s political consultants should be ask...

Political Trade Secrets: Breaking the News: Clicks, Chaos & Censorship—How Business Media Really Works — Join host Dustin Olson for a wide-ranging and candid conversation with legendary business journalist Dennis Kneale, host of the What’s Bugging Me podcast and author of The Leadership Genius of Elon Musk.

A former anchor at CNBC and Fox Business Network, Kneale also held senior editor roles at The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on how modern business media actually works—and how it’s changed over the past three decades.

From the declin...

Political Trade Secrets: Why Some Veterans Struggle After Leaving the Military—Join host Dustin Olson for a candid and deeply personal conversation with veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and founder at VetClaims.ai Lukas Simianer, as they unpack what really happens when service members leave the military, and why the systems designed to help them so often fail.

From combat injury and homelessness to navigating a six-year VA benefits battle and building a mission-driven organization, this episode explores Lukas’ personal story, and pulls back the curtain on the policies, bureaucracy, and realities that veterans face as they transition from...

Political Trade Secrets: Legal Battles Shaping American Politics — Join host Dustin Olson as he sits down with top Republican Constitutional and election law attorney Chris Murray, founder of First & Fourteenth, for a wide-ranging and candid conversation on how the law, politics, and power collide in today’s America.

From immigration enforcement in Minneapolis to redistricting, election-day operations, and more, this episode pulls back the curtain on the legal strategies and incentives shaping modern campaigns, and why lawyers now sit at the center of nearly every major political fight.

The episode digs into:

🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Join us for a special holiday episode w/ historic storyteller J. Mark Powell. What can Christmas & New Year's moments in American history teach us about media, persuasion, and strategy?

Stay tuned to find out—from Valley Forge to the modern age, these stories helped forge patriotism and national unity, still shaping how we think today.

📘 Powell’s new book Witness to War is out in February—pre-order now on Amazon.

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Political Trade Secrets: Join us as we explore the surprising history and politics of Thanksgiving—from the Pilgrims and the first feast in 1621, to Lincoln’s proclamation, and FDR's “Franksgiving” folly.

We discuss:

— What the first Thanksgiving was actually like, and how the menu has changed over time

— How presidents, wars, and politics shaped Thanksgiving into the national holiday we know today

— The backstory of Mark's new book, Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It

Whether you’re...

Political Trade Secrets: Join us as we break down the most interesting and important 2025 elections across the country: New York City, Virginia, New Jersey, and California—and why they matter for 2026 and beyond. PLUS, who’s winning the Shutdown in polling?

We unpack:

— Which races to watch next week & what they tell us about America’s political future

— How redistricting and political violence are reshaping the map

— Why Democrats are underperforming in blue territory

Whether you’re a campaign pro, strategist, or political junkie, this is one you won’t want to miss.<...

Political Trade Secrets: Strategy, Polling & the Shutdown Showdown — Join host Dustin Olson for a revealing look at the forces driving Washington’s budget battle, PLUS who's winning the MEME War? PLUS a shake-up in the New York City Mayor's Race (we predicted here) and a look at Mamdani and Cuomo's new ads 😱. And we remember the victims of October 7th, look at how Public Opinion has evolved over two years.

We break down:

— Who’s really winning (and losing) the government shutdown: Trump, Vance, Schumer, AOC or the American people

— Hints from public opinion polli...

Political Trade Secrets: Inside the Mind of Voters, Jurors, & Consumers —Join host Dustin Olson as he sits down with his favorite Democrat pollster, renowned Focus Group leader, & Courtroom Strategy expert, Carey Crantford for a revealing conversation on how to peel back the onion of public opinion.

We’ll dig into:

💡 The real secret to running world-class focus groups

💡 How top-tier survey research is used in high-stakes courtrooms

💡 The future of the Democrat Party, and what he'd do to save it

Whether you're a campaign pro, strategist, or just a political jun...

Political Trade Secrets: Crime & The City—Join host Dustin Olson as he analyzes the latest poll from American Pulse Research & Polling, this time focused on the NYC Mayoral Race and insights into voters’ concerns on Crime.

Tune in to find out how Mamdani, Cuomo, and other candidates are shaping up against each other, and how voters’ views on Crime, Cashless Bail, and Defund the Police impact their vote, among other things.

🔹 Get the full poll at PollingClub.com

🔹 Bring your questions and join the conversation LIVE!

LIKE, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secret...

Join host Dustin Olson for a special LIVE episode of Political Trade Secrets as we unveil exclusive insights from the latest American Pulse poll.

Discover what Americans really think about U.S. airstrikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, the prospects for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and whether voters connect the border crisis to tensions with Iran.

We’ll break down surprising bipartisan consensus, reveal the newest Trump Job Approval numbers, and share actionable takeaways for policymakers and political strategists.

Don’t miss this in-depth, data-driven discussion on issues shaping America’s future...

In this episode of Political Trade Secrets, host Dustin Olson sits down with Kurt Schneider, soon-to-be Sheriff of Ashland County, to explore the most pressing issues for 2024, with a deep focus on the U.S.-Mexico border crisis.

Schneider provides a first-hand account of the humanitarian toll and the cartel-driven chaos at the border, emphasizing the need for strong security measures, including barriers, advanced technology, and dedicated law enforcement.

Schneider underscores how regular citizens can make a difference by supporting leaders committed to securing the border.

The episode also features a powerful mini-documentary...

In this episode of Political Trade Secrets, host Dustin Olson dives into new, exclusive Pennsylvania polling from American Pulse and pull back the curtain on Pennsylvania swing state politics with Special guest Mark Harris, a top strategist and founding partner of Pennsylvania-based ColdSpark, who shares his expertise on what to expect in the Keystone State as we head toward Election Day.

With close presidential and Senate races, the latest poll shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by 1.4%, and reveals critical voter sentiment on key issues. Mark breaks down the geography, early returns, and what makes Pennsylvania such...

In this insightful episode of Political Trade Secrets, host & pollster Dustin Olson dives deep into the world of public polling—polls released to the public through the media—with two seasoned experts: Pollster John Rogers of Torchlight Strategies and Pollster Lee Vasche, Olson's colleague from American Pulse Research & Polling. Together, they unpack the challenges pollsters face in today’s turbulent political climate, exploring the differences between public and internal campaign polls, and why some polling methods—like online panels—might be even less reliable than you'd expect.

John Rogers brings years of experience from his time at the National...

In this enlightening episode, host Dustin Olson and GOP strategist Matt Wylie dissect key political campaign strategies and the evolution of the GOP's ground game. Wylie brings decades of experience to the table, offering an insider's view of landmark campaigns that have shaped the GOP's tactics.

The dialogue opens with Wylie's recollections of a Massachusetts special election that he and host Dustin Olson worked on together, showcasing innovative tactics despite a close loss. He highlights the shift in GOP campaign tactics over the years, focusing on voter targeting and engagement. The discussion underlines the importance of authenticity...

Today, Dustin is joined by the official patriotic historian of the Political Trade Secrets Show, J. Mark Powell to Explore Surprising History Trivia around Our Independence Day!

J. Mark Powell is a novelist, former TV journalist, and diehard history buff. He writes a regular Holy Cow! History article at InsideSources.com

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Today on Political Trade Secrets’ Weekly Big Show Podcast w/ Dustin Olson & Sean Bartley:

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On this episode of Political Trade Secrets’ Weekly Big Show Podcast, Dustin & Sean take the field to tackle important news this week, how Republicans can talk about it, and some of the best “political trade secrets” to winning:

How does Redistricting work? What will Redistricting look like this year? How will it impact Congressional Races in 2022 & Beyond?   In this episode, Top Experts join Dustin & Sean to make sense of the new Census numbers & how Redistricting will impact the emerging 2022 Congressional Map: Redistricting Expert: Alan P. Philp of Patriot Pathways
Political Panel: Fmr Exec Dir of the NRCC John Rogers of Torchlight Strategies Fmr CO House GOP Leader Mark Waller of Waller Consulting Political Strategist Matt Wylie of Wylie Strategy Group

Sponsored by: Olson Strategies: Everything You Need to Win Your Campaign Grassfire, LLC: Signature Gathering, C...

Today on the show, Dustin and Sean explore how people are influenced by incentives and disincentives - both for good and bad - and how we can use this for positive strategy and political progress.   Sponsored by Olson Strategies, Grassfire, LLC., & 10CentTexting.com.   Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.

Today on Political Trade Secrets, Dustin and Sean talk w/ Brian DeRoy on How to Fight Fake News, Win w/ Media Relations by Understanding News Landscape and What Media Wants | ACB is ON THE COURT!!! | And DON'T CALL ME GEORGE! Sponsored by www.Grassfire.us and www.10centtexting.com.

Today on Political Trade Secrets, Dustin and Sean talk Facebook Ad-mageddon and where to spend to connect w/ voters with friends John Rogers from Torchlight Strategies and Andy Yates from RepublicanAds.com | The fun of a recent Trump Rally, SCOTUS confirmation proceedings, and other news of the day. Sponsored by www.Grassfire.us and www.10centtexting.com.

Dustin Olson and Sean Bartley Recap the Presidential Debate and are joined by ️PASTOR JC Church to talk about how Pastors can Empower Christians to be Salt & Light in America by voting, speaking up, AND Leading in the Public Square... Don't miss it!

Today on Political Trade Secrets Dustin & Sean discuss how to use the Olson Strategy Sweet Spot, Fake News Fact-Checking, Kamala calling half the country racist, and ACB's unanimous Senate Judiciary committee vote.

Today on Political Trade Secrets, Dustin Olson and Sean Bartley Preview POTUS Debate 2, bring a Strategy Filter to the News and talk about ️THE POSSIBILITY PRESIDENT: How Donald Trump Sees Possibilities Where Others Only See Constraints... Sponsored by www.Grassfire.us & 10CentTexting.com.