Washington Insider

It’s Emmy weekend and my first guest on the new "Cone of Silence" podcast is the award-winning executive producer and showrunner of HBO's Veep, David Mandel. His comedy career began at Comedy Central and SNL and he went on to produce some of the greatest comedy hits of our time from Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm to taking over Veep in Season 5. We get the inside scoop on how the Veep team put together the last season and came up with the incredibly fitting finale (be warned: spoilers). We also talk about what it's like to work (twice) with the amazing Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and what it takes to stay on top of the comedy game. Plus, learn how Veep always seems to be ahead of the news cycle (we're talking Washington insiders!).

NYU business professor Scott Galloway, author of the new book “The Algebra of Happiness” and co-host with Kara Swisher of Vox’s Pivot Podcast, was celebrated at a book party in Washington, D.C. hosted by Hilary Rosen, Kara Swisher and Tammy Haddad. Galloway's book tells the story of how you can have a happier life by looking at things in a completely different way. It’s based on a lecture he gives during the final session of the course he teaches which is standing room only.

Journalists and Washington influencers came to the famed Cafe Milano to celebrate the release of Ronan Farrow's new book, "War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence" and to toast Farrow on winning the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service for his reporting on Harvey Weinstein. The book explores the collapse of American diplomacy and the abdication of global leadership. Hosted by Franco Nuschese, Kathy O'Hearn, Hilary Rosen, and WHC Insider's Tammy Haddad.

WHC Insider's Tammy Haddad talks with two Former White House social secretaries about their new book on civility and social skills, "Treating People Well: The Extraordinary Power of Civility at Work and in Life." Lea Berman, who worked for George and Laura Bush, and Jeremy Bernard, who worked for Michelle and Barack Obama, are the ultimate White House Insiders. Join us as we talk about how to deal with awkward situations, how to not take things personally or too seriously, and how not to behave while a guest at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

WHCInsider co-founder Tammy Haddad spoke with Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Hager Bush about their new book "Sisters First" at a release party hosted by Connie Milstein, Dr. Mark Dybul and Anita McBride at The Jefferson Hotel. While they admitted they know, the twins remained mum about the joke their father, President George W. Bush whispered to President Barack Obama at the Hurricane relief event held in Houston, TX earlier this month. Sounds like they also put family first! #SistersFirst

Holly Peterson is the New York Times best-selling author of four books, including her latest work of social satire, It Happens in the Hamptons. Megan Murphy, Editor of Bloomberg Businessweek, interviewed Ms. Peterson about the new book and its themes of ambition, and the clash of social classes. Peterson also offers a few insights on the Trump family. The book party was hosted by Tammy Haddad, Connie Milstein, Hilary Rosen, Heather Podesta, Kathy O’Hearn and Carol Melton at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC on May 17, 2017.

Jon Meacham is the author of the New York Times best-selling biography of President George Herbert Walker Bush, "Destiny and Power." Mr. Meacham was interviewed at a Washington Women Technology Network event by WWTN co-founder Tammy Haddad and Megan Murphy, Bloomberg DC Bureau Chief. Questions were also taken from the audience in the Gallatin Room of The Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC on November 20, 2015.

No stranger to life on the campaign trail, two term Democratic Senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar, spoke to Trail Talk during a special gathering of Washington Women Technology Network. Senator Klobuchar spoke frankly about the challenges facing women running for political office, especially when it comes to raising money in what has traditionally been a man’s world. She also shared stories about balancing life in the U.S. Senate with raising a teenage daughter and moving her family to Washington, D.C. Follow the conversation on Twitter with @amyklobuchar @trailtalkpod and @whcinsider.

Megan Smith, White House CTO and advocate for all things digital, shares her thought on how the U.S. can serve its citizens better and become more effective with the help of many new technologies. @USTCO @haddadmedia @bfischermartin

Texas Senator and GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz joins Tammy and Betsy to discuss the status of his presidential run. @trailtalkpod @Haddadmedia @bfischermartin @tedcruz

Tammy Haddad talks with Kailash Satyarthi who has devoted his life to ending child slavery and fighting child labor and poverty. He was recognized for his work in 2014 with the Nobel Peace Prize alongside fellow childhood education activist, Malala Yousafzai. Kailash brought his message to Washington, D.C. in June. He sat down with Washington Insider to discuss how he discovered and continues to pursue his lifelong mission.

Acclaimed political strategists Bob Shrum and Rob Collins take us inside the war rooms of the presidential campaigns, before a live audience at Georgetown's landmark Dog Tag Bakery. @trailtalkpod @HaddadMedia @bfischermartin @collins_DC @bobshrum @featurestory

G.O.P. presidential candidate Carly Fiorina candidly shares her thoughts on the 2016 race and her candidacy with Tammy and Betsy. Journalist Simon Marks also weighs in on the latest action in the race to the White House. @TrailTalkPod

Veteran TV producers Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin present TRAIL TALK, the up close news from the 2016 presidential campaign trail. This inaugural episode of TRAIL TALK features conversations with potential 2016 presidential hopeful Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Beau Willimon, screenwriter and show runner of the Netflix hit political thriller, HOUSE OF CARDS. Futures episodes will feature strategists, journalists, lawmakers, pollsters and the candidates themselves, exploring what it takes to get elected, how policy decisions are made, and why it matters.

Jon Favreau (right) and Jon Lovett (left), former President Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton speechwriters - who also created the comedic presentations for President Obama at the White House Correspondents' Dinner - discuss what it takes to make the President the funniest person in the room.

What role does race play when covering the White House? April Ryan, a White House correspondent since 1997, Washington Bureau Chief for American Urban Radio Networks, and author of THE PRESIDENCY IN BLACK AND WHITE, has never hesitated to ask presidents the hard questions on race relations in America. Only five generations removed from her ancestors who were slaves – and working in a White House built by slaves – April shares her thoughts about covering three presidents and representing those who for too long have been removed from America’s power centers.

Actor, director, writer and producer Chris Addison talks about the peril and benefit of creating an hilarious video that teamed U.S. Vice President Joe Biden with Selina Meyer, fictional vice president of HBO's VEEP, played by comic genius Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The result was a masterpiece that brought down the house at the 2014 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

Captain Richard Phillips, the hero of the Maersk Alabama hijacking, shares his thoughts with Washington Insider's Tammy Haddad on what happens when one is thrust into the media spotlight in Washington, DC.

How can celebrities champion policy inside the Beltway? Madam Secretary star Tim Daly and Robin Bronk, CEO of the Creative Coalition, join Washington Insider's Tammy Haddad to discuss the important role Hollywood celebrities play in shining a light on policy issues important to them and many other Americans.

Tribune White House Correspondent Christi Parsons, who also serves as president of the White House Correspondents' Association, joins Washington Insider's Tammy Haddad in a no-holds-barred conversation about the urgent need for greater media access to the President and the White House. Parsons also shares how she convinced SNL's Cecily Strong to perform at the 2015 WHCA Dinner.