13th & Park
"13th & Park" hosts insightful conversations with special guests covering a broad range of topics from politics and government, to technology, culture, economics and the media. Listeners eavesdrop on what feel like private conversations featuring the savviest and most highly regarded minds in the country. The show, co-hosted by media veterans Adam Goodman and Justin Sayfie, is produced by Ballard Partners in the Ballard Studios in Washington DC.
Congressman Mike Thompson on War, Veterans, and the Fight for Healthcare | 13th and Park
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Congressman Mike Thompson joins Anthony Williams on 13th and Park for a wide-ranging conversation recorded at Ballard Studios' remote location in Sacramento, California. A Vietnam War veteran who earned a Purple Heart, Thompson reflects on how his military service shaped every chapter of his life, from dropping out of high school to eventually earning a GED, an undergraduate degree, a high school diploma, and a master's degree, and how combat gave him an unshakeable standard for voting to send American troops into harm's way.
Thompson shares the story of uncovering Project...
Patrick Kennedy & Collin Gage on Addiction, Mental Health, and Fixing a Broken System | 13th & Park
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Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Collin Gage, CEO of ARMR Sciences, join Alison Anway, Ballard Partners Health Policy Chair, for a candid and deeply personal conversation on addiction, mental health, and the fentanyl crisis reshaping American life.
Kennedy reflects on his own public struggle with addiction, from being outed by a fellow rehab patient early in his political career in Rhode Island, to a DWI on Capitol Hill that sent him back to treatment. Rather than derailing his career, those experiences ultimately gave him the credibility and conviction to champion the...
Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Makes His Case for Governor of California | 13th and Park
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Xavier Becerra, former California Attorney General, HHS Secretary, and 12-term Congressman, joins 13th and Park for a wide-ranging conversation on his campaign to become Governor of California. Running to be the first Latino elected governor in the state's history, Becerra makes the case that his experience confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiating drug prices, and defending California against federal overreach sets him apart in a crowded field.
Becerra reflects on the defining moments of his public service career, from taking on the Trump administration as Attorney General to leading the Department of...
Rep. Chris Deluzio on Youth Sports, Corporate Greed & the American Dream | 13th & Park
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Congressman Chris Deluzio, a Naval Academy graduate and second-term representative from Pennsylvania's 17th District, joins 13th and Park for a candid conversation on economic power, the cost of living, and what he believes the government owes working families. Drawing on his upbringing in western Pennsylvania, his service during the Iraq War, and his background in election security law, Deluzio outlines a political identity rooted in hard work, patriotism, and skepticism of concentrated power.
Deluzio discusses the Monopoly Busters Caucus he helped launch, explaining why he sees corporate consolidation as one of...
A Selfie Could Save Your Life: Helfie AI's Case for Early Detection | 13th & Park
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George Tomeski, founder and CEO of Helfie AI, and Dr. Ranya Habash, a physician and former healthcare technology leader with Microsoft, join 13th and Park to make the case for a fundamental reimagining of how Americans access and engage with their own health. For Tomeski, the mission is deeply personal: watching his mother suffer through 11 years of misdiagnosis before a terminal stage 4 stomach cancer diagnosis lit a fire that would eventually become Helfie AI, a smartphone platform designed to make health screening continuous, affordable, and universally accessible.
Dr. Habash, an ophthalmologist...
FDA's Kyle Diamantis on MAHA, Additives & Fixing America's Food Supply | 13th and Park
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Kyle Diamantis, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food, joins Adam Goodman and Allison Amway on 13th and Park for a wide-ranging conversation on what it means to oversee roughly 80% of the American food supply. Diamantis explains how the administration is working to put food policy at the center of the national health conversation, describing a fundamental shift in FDA's mission from reactive outbreak response to proactive, long-term chronic disease prevention.
The conversation digs into the FDA's new post-market review framework for chemical additives, a system designed to systematically reassess ingredients that have...
The MAHA Insider: Calley Means on Chronic Disease, Big Food, and Healthcare Costs | 13th & Park
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Calley Means, advisor to HHS and co-author of Good Energy, joins 13th and Park for a wide-ranging conversation on why America is the most chronically diseased society in human history and what it will take to change that.
Means, a former consultant to the food and pharmaceutical industries turned outspoken reformer, argues that the core problem is not a failure of effort but of design. He walks through the economic incentives that reward sickness over health, from insurance companies profiting off rising premiums to a pharmaceutical treadmill that manages chronic conditions...
"We're Back at It" - NASA's Jared Isaacman on the Moon, Mars, and What Comes Next | 13th & Park
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on America's space program, the race back to the moon, and what it will take to reach Mars.
Isaacman pulls back the curtain on Artemis 2, including the six-minute communications blackout during reentry and the fact that the heat shield was known to be imperfect before splashdown. He explains why the team pressed forward with confidence, and what the post-mission data confirmed. He also lays out the full roadmap: moon landings in 2027 and 2028, a permanent lunar base, in-situ resource manufacturing, nuclear...
U.S. Representative Seth Moulton on Combat, Congress, and Running for the U.S. Senate | 13th & Park
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Congressman Seth Moulton joins 13th & Park for a candid conversation on leadership, service, and the future of American politics.
A former Marine officer who served four tours in Iraq, Moulton reflects on the defining moments that shaped his leadership philosophy, from combat decisions under pressure to the responsibility of leading troops in life-or-death situations. He explains how those experiences continue to influence his approach in Congress, where he has built a reputation for independence and a willingness to challenge both parties.
The conversation explores the real-world consequences of decisions...
Steve Hilton on Running for Governor of California & Building a Majority for Change | 13th and Park
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Steve Hilton, Trump backed candidate for Governor of California, joins 13th & Park to discuss his campaign and why he believes the state is ready for change.
Hilton explains why he sees a growing majority of Californians who believe the state is heading in the wrong direction, pointing to rising costs, housing challenges, and frustration with long standing political leadership. He lays out a platform focused on affordability, including lowering gas prices, cutting energy costs, and creating a path to homeownership for working families.
The conversation also covers the impact...
Sheriff Chad Bianco on Why California Is Broken and How He Plans to Fix It As Governor | 13th & Park
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Sheriff Chad Bianco joins Anthony Williams on 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on his run for Governor of California, the challenges facing the state, and why he believes voters are ready for a different kind of leadership.
Drawing on more than three decades in law enforcement, Bianco discusses public safety, homelessness, affordability, energy independence, government overreach, and what he sees as the deeper failures driving California’s cost-of-living crisis. He also explains why restoring accountability, rebuilding opportunity, and bringing common sense back to government are at the center of his ca...
House GOP Chair Lisa McClain on Messaging, Manufacturing, and the American Dream
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House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain joins 13th & Park for a conversation on voter ID, DHS funding, border security, taxes, manufacturing, and the issues she says matter most to working families. McClain argues that the strongest political message is rooted in “kitchen table economics” — the price of gas, groceries, housing, and the ability to build a better future for the next generation. She also reflects on her upbringing in Stockbridge, Michigan, the mentors who shaped her leadership, and the family moment that pushed her into public service.
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SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler on Fraud, SBA Reform, and Empowering Small Businesses | 13th & Park
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SBA Administrator and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler joins 13th & Park to discuss the state of America’s small businesses, the fallout from pandemic-era spending, and the push to restore accountability across federal programs.
Loeffler explains why small businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, driving job creation and powering local communities. She outlines the current economic landscape, pointing to rising optimism alongside ongoing challenges like high interest rates that are slowing growth and investment.
The conversation also dives into one of the biggest issues facing th...
Inside California’s Political Machine with Newsom’s Former Chief of Staff Jim Deboo | 13th & Park
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Veteran political strategist Jim Deboo, former Chief of Staff to Governor Gavin Newsom, joins 13th & Park for an in-depth conversation on the forces shaping California politics and the future of the nation’s largest state economy.
With direct experience at the highest levels of state government, Deboo explains why California operates less like a state and more like a “nation state”—with massive budgets, global regulatory influence, and a unique political environment dominated by ballot measures and long-standing institutions.
The discussion explores the inner workings of California’s political system, in...
The First Female White House Press Secretary: Dee Dee Myers on Politics & Power | 13th and Park
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Dee Dee Myers joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on political leadership, crisis management, and the realities of governing during moments of uncertainty.
Myers made history as the first woman to serve as White House Press Secretary under President Bill Clinton, becoming one of the most visible communicators in American politics at a young age. She reflects on her path from campaign politics to the White House briefing room, the pressures of representing a new administration, and the lessons she learned navigating major political and international challenges.
The...
Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on Trump, Brexit & Britain’s Deep State | 13th and Park
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Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Liz Truss joins Co-Host Justin Sayfie on 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of Britain, the future of Europe, and the global political shift toward populism.
Truss reflects on her time in office, the economic policies that defined her premiership, and what she describes as the entrenched bureaucratic establishment within the UK. She discusses her recent meeting with President Donald Trump in Florida, her reaction to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Munich Security Conference speech, and why she believes Europe is...
David Meek & Dr. Stacey Rifkin: A New Era in Sickle Cell Treatment | 13th & Park
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Sickle cell disease has devastated families for generations — causing chronic pain, repeated hospitalizations, and shortened lives. On this episode of 13th & Park, we explore a potential breakthrough that is redefining what’s possible for patients living with this severe genetic condition.
This conversation is hosted by Alison Anway, Chair of the Health Policy Group at Ballard Partners.
She is joined by David Meek, CEO of Genetix Biotherapeutics, and Stacey Rifkin, a nationally respected pediatric hematologist who has spent her career treating children with sickle cell disease.
Together, they...
Dr. Marty Makary on Rebuilding Trust in Medicine and Reforming the FDA | 13th and Park
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On this episode of 13th & Park, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary joins Adam Goodman and Alison to discuss rebuilding public trust in medicine, reforming the FDA, and accelerating life-saving innovation.
From challenging long-standing medical dogma to issuing national priority review vouchers that speed up breakthrough treatments, Dr. Makary outlines how the FDA is reducing review times, increasing transparency, and modernizing outdated regulatory models. He explains why Bayesian clinical trials matter, how food chemical loopholes are being addressed, and why restoring confidence in public health institutions is central to the agency’s mission.
Fox Business News Anchor Elizabeth MacDonald on Truth, Markets, and Media | 13th and Park
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On this episode of 13th & Park, host Adam Goodman is joined by Fox Business News anchor Elizabeth MacDonald, the longtime journalist behind The Evening Edit.
MacDonald reflects on her career holding power to account—from Wall Street scandals and IRS investigations to Washington oversight and economic policy—and explains why asking why still matters in modern journalism. Drawing on decades of reporting at the intersection of markets, government, and everyday life, she discusses the responsibility journalists owe their audience, the danger of opinion-driven media, and how economic decisions in Washington shape real...
Congressman Carlos Gimenez on China, Communism, and the Fight for Freedom | 13th & Park
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Congressman Carlos Gimenez joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on national security, China, communism, and the fight to defend freedom at home and abroad.
Born in Havana and raised in the shadow of communism, Gimenez brings a deeply personal perspective to today’s geopolitical challenges. He explains why the Chinese Communist Party represents the most serious threat to global freedom, how China’s Belt and Road Initiative is reshaping influence across the world, and why the United States can no longer afford complacency in its own hemisphere.
The conv...
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Farmers, Food Security & America First | 13th and Park
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There are very few roles in Washington where a decision made in the morning can change what Americans eat that night. As Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins sits at the center of that responsibility.
On this episode of 13th & Park, Secretary Rollins discusses her journey from rural Texas to the Cabinet, how her upbringing shaped her leadership philosophy, and why America’s farmers are central to food security, economic strength, and the future of rural communities.
The conversation explores the pressures facing today’s farm economy, the role of food...
Marc Caputo on Why the Trump Era Forced a Reset in Political Journalism | 13th and Park
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In this episode of 13th & Park, host Adam Goodman is joined in the Washington, D.C. studio by co-host Justin Sayfie, a Partner at Ballard Partners, for a wide-ranging conversation with Marc Caputo, White House reporter for Axios, who joins the show remotely from Miami.
Together, they examine how power is exercised inside the White House—and how it is covered in today’s rapidly evolving media environment. Drawing on decades of experience covering Florida politics, national campaigns, and multiple presidential administrations, Caputo explains what has changed inside the White House pres...
Stephanie Haridopolos on America’s Health and the Surgeon General’s Office | 13th and Park
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In this episode of 13th & Park, we sit down with Stephanie Haridopolos, physician and Chief of Staff to the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of American health and what it will take to reverse decades of chronic disease.
Dr. Haridopolos reflects on her journey from growing up as a patient with a congenital heart condition to practicing family medicine for more than two decades, and now serving at the highest levels of public health leadership. She explains how that experience shapes her...
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Venezuela, Maduro & Health Care Reform | 13th and Park
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U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and the future of American health care reform.
A physician and decorated military veteran, Miller-Meeks offers a grounded national-security perspective on recent U.S. actions involving Venezuela, explaining why the Maduro regime poses a real threat tied to narco-terrorism, regional instability, and U.S. energy and security interests. Drawing on historical precedent, she outlines how these actions fit within long-standing American foreign policy and why they differ fundamentally from traditional sovereignty disputes.
T...
K.T. McFarland on Trump, Venezuela, and Resetting the Global Chessboard
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Former National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging, deeply informed conversation on the most consequential foreign-policy shift of our lifetime.
Drawing on decades of experience inside the Situation Room, McFarland explains why recent U.S. actions in Venezuela represent more than a regional intervention — they signal a fundamental reset of the global chessboard. She breaks down deterrence, leadership, and psychology in American power, and why the Western Hemisphere has once again become the central arena of great-power competition.
The discussion spans China, Iran, Russia, dr...
U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson’s Vision for South Dakota as Governor | 13th and Park
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Congressman Dusty Johnson joins 13th & Park to discuss his decision to run for Governor of South Dakota and his vision for the state’s future at a pivotal moment for the country.
Representing one of America’s most rural states, Johnson sits at the intersection of agriculture, energy, technology, and national security. In this wide-ranging conversation, he explains why food security is national security, how America can remain competitive with China, and why bipartisan cooperation is essential to rebuilding infrastructure, expanding energy capacity, and strengthening rural communities.
Johnson also outl...
American Chemistry Council CEO Chris Jahn on Why Chemistry Is the Backbone of U.S. Manufacturing
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The chemical industry sits at the very beginning of America’s manufacturing supply chain — powering everything from energy and advanced manufacturing to AI, national defense, and everyday consumer products.
In this episode of 13th & Park, Adam Goodman sits down with Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, to break down why chemistry is foundational to American competitiveness, energy independence, and economic security.
Jahn explains how U.S. chemistry enables innovation across AI, semiconductors, transportation, defense systems, and clean energy — and why overregulation, permitting delays, and rail consol...
Congressman Byron Donalds on Why He’s Running for Governor of Florida | 13th and Park
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Congressman Byron Donalds, representing Florida's 19th district, joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about leadership, faith, economic policy, and his decision to run for Governor of Florida.
From his background in finance and state government to his time in Congress, Donalds explains how economics, constitutional limits, and voter accountability guide his decision-making. He discusses why affordability has become the defining issue for Floridians — touching on housing costs, insurance, taxes, and property ownership — and outlines his vision for keeping Florida competitive while protecting long-term opportunity for families and young peop...
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on Leadership, Federalism & the American Dream
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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, federalism, business-minded governance, and the future of the American Dream.
From his roots in Norman, Oklahoma, to building a successful private-sector career, to becoming one of the most prominent governors in the country, Stitt explains how entrepreneurial thinking shaped his approach to governing. He discusses why states function best as laboratories of democracy, how incentives differ between government and the private sector, and why growth, affordability, and opportunity start at the state level—not in Washington.
St...
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin on Loyalty, Leadership & the Fight for America’s Future
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U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin joins 13th & Park for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping America’s future — from energy dominance and AI-driven power needs to tribal sovereignty, economic pressure on working families, and the personal story that forged his approach to public service.
A Cherokee Nation citizen, rancher, and lifelong entrepreneur, Mullin discusses why Congress must recruit leaders with real-world experience, how permitting reform is holding back U.S. energy capacity, and why America’s ability to compete in the next era of data, defense, and AI depends on unleas...
What Voters Really Want: Echelon Insights’ Kristen Soltis Anderson Breaks Down What’s Coming in 2026
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Kristen Soltis Anderson — pollster, author, and Founding Partner of Echelon Insights — joins 13th & Park for a deeply analytical conversation on voter behavior, the national mood, and the political forces shaping America ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Drawing on years of public opinion research, Kristen breaks down why voter anxiety is rising, where trust in institutions has collapsed, and which issues matter most to voters across generations. She explains the widening gap between leaders and the electorate, how younger voters are consuming politics through an entirely different ecosystem, and why the cost-of-living crisis is r...
VA Secretary Doug Collins on Transforming the VA, Serving Veterans First, and Leading With Purpose
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VA Secretary Doug Collins joins 13th & Park for a candid conversation about strengthening the Department of Veterans Affairs, improving access to care, and leading with a mission-first mindset shaped by his years as a pastor, chaplain, and member of Congress.
Collins explains why “meeting veterans where they are” is at the center of his approach, and discusses how the VA is working to deliver faster, more reliable care through accountability, modernization, and a renewed focus on the veteran experience. He also outlines the role of technology and AI in expanding access, impr...
The Brian Ballard Journey: The rise of Ballard Partners is a Florida story about American’s promise.
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Brian Ballard, founder and CEO of Ballard Partners, joins 13th & Park to kick off Season 4 with an inside look at how one of America’s most influential lobbying firms grew from its Florida roots into a national powerhouse.
Ballard reflects on his early years in Tallahassee politics, his role as Chief of Staff to Governor Bob Martinez, and the high-stakes lessons learned during major reform and crisis moments in Florida government. He also shares the story of his decades-long relationship with Donald Trump, from their first correspondence to the political turning po...
Wealth, Wisdom & Work Ethic: Paul Auslander on Building a Financial Legacy
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Paul Auslander, President of Seabridge Private Wealth, joins 13th & Park for a conversation on money, mindset, and the discipline behind lasting financial success.
Auslander breaks down the keys to generational wealth, financial literacy, and retirement planning, offering insight into how Americans can better prepare for their financial futures. He discusses the importance of education, the role of personal responsibility in investing, and how emotions often stand in the way of smart financial decisions.
From navigating uncertain markets to understanding policy shifts that affect everyday investors, Auslander shares decades of...
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya on Life Expectancy, COVID Lessons & Making America Healthy Again
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Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), joins 13th & Park to discuss the future of American health, the challenges of life expectancy, and the takeaways from COVID-19.
Bhattacharya explains how the NIH can better support breakthroughs by reshaping incentives for scientists, strengthening replication, and investing in prevention. He highlights lessons from the pandemic, the need to rebuild public trust in science, and introduces his vision for “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA),” focused on promoting longer, healthier lives.
From extending life expectancy to reforming research culture, Bhat...
Ballard Partners’ Robert Wexler on Gaza, Diplomacy, and Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
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Robert Wexler, former Democratic Congressman and President of the Center for Middle East Peace, joins 13th & Park to discuss one of the most consequential diplomatic moments in recent history, the Gaza Peace Pact.
Wexler unpacks how President Trump’s 20-point plan brought Israel, Arab nations, and global powers together to broker a ceasefire, return hostages, and lay the groundwork for long-term regional peace. He explains why he, a lifelong Democrat, called for Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and why bipartisan recognition is critical to sustaining progress in the Midd...
Congresswoman Terri Sewell on Selma, Alabama’s Legacy, Common Ground, and Fighting for What’s Right
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Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07) joins 13th & Park for a conversation that bridges America’s past and present. From her childhood in Selma, Alabama, to her leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sewell reflects on the enduring legacy of the civil rights movement, the unfinished work of John Lewis, and her mission to restore and protect the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As the Ranking Member on the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee and a leading voice in the Congressional Black Caucus, she shares her vision for bipartisan cooperation, rural he...
Making Life Possible: Dr. Mylene Yao & Dr. Kaylen Silverberg on the Future of IVF
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Having children remains one of life’s most personal and miraculous experiences — yet millions of Americans struggle to start families. On this episode of 13th & Park, Adam Goodman sits down with Dr. Mylene Yao, physician, scientist and CEO of Univfy, and Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, Medical Director of the Texas Fertility Center and Co-Chair of Americans for IVF, to discuss how AI, predictive analytics, and policy are transforming access to fertility care.
Together, they explore:
- How technology is improving IVF success rates
- Why access and insurance coverage remain the...
Chairman Mike Rogers on Modernizing the Military and Preparing for the Wars of Tomorrow
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Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, joins 13th & Park to discuss the future of America’s defense strategy and the new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Rogers explains how the NDAA delivers pay raises for U.S. troops, invests in next-generation weapons, and accelerates the adoption of artificial intelligence in national security. He breaks down why America must modernize its Pentagon acquisition system, strengthen its nuclear triad, and repatriate defense supply chains away from China.
From proposals like a “Golden Dome” layered air defense system to addres...
Peter Navarro, Trump’s Trade Warrior on Politics & Prison | "I Went to Prison So You Won't Have To"
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Peter Navarro, Senior Advisor on Trade and Manufacturing to the White House, joins 13th & Park to discuss his new book, “I Went to Prison So You Won’t Have To: A Love and Lawfare Story in Trump Land.”
Navarro shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Trump campaign trail, the dynamics of the West Wing across both terms, and his four months in federal prison. He opens up about his arrest at Reagan National Airport, what life was like behind bars at age 74, and how those experiences reshaped his views on politics, executive privil...
