I’m joined by Mark Pfeifle, founder and president of Off The Record Strategies — and truly one of the best storytellers in the business.

Mark brings the kind of lived experience you can’t fake: from his time on the ground in Iraq to his earliest days learning how to navigate people, pressure, and purpose. He walks through some of the most intense communications crises of his career, breaks down how he approaches leadership in the hardest moments, and shares the kinds of stories that make you stop, think… and laugh out loud.

It’s lively, it’s insightful, and it’s wildly entertaining. Mark’s path through government, crisis comms, and strategic counsel is unmatched, and spending a half hour with him is like getting a masterclass from someone who has seen it all— and can tell it better than anyone.

Give this one a listen. You’ll walk away with lessons, perspective, and more than a few great stories to carry into your own work.

This week’s episode is pure joy — because I’m joined by the incomparable Meredith Klein, the brilliant voice behind the wildly popular Meredith and the Media Substack.

If you’ve read her column, you already know:Meredith brings an irresistible blend of enthusiasm, wit, sharp media instincts, and genuine love for journalism that jumps off the page. In conversation, she’s even better.

We talk about:

The stories behind Meredith and the Media — and why her perspective resonates so deeply with journalists, PR pros, and media-obsessed readers everywhere.-How she approaches covering the industry with both affection and accountability-The passion, curiosity, and joy she brings to storytelling and to this community-Why the journalist-PR relationship doesn’t have to be adversarial — and how she navigates it with humor and humanity

Meredith is not only one of my favorite follows on Substack — she’s one of the most delightful people to talk to about the world we both love.

And good news: You’re going to get a chance to meet her in person soon! Meredith and I are planning a live event in Washington, D.C. later this year (or early next), so stay tuned here for details.

This one will leave you smiling. Enjoy!

This Week on The Friday Reporter Lisa welcomes Alex Conant, Founding Partner at Firehouse Strategies — a veteran communications strategist whose career has taken him from the halls of Capitol Hill to the highest levels of presidential politics.

Alex shares insights from his years as Communications Director for Senator Marco Rubio and as National Press Secretary during Rubio’s presidential campaign, reflecting on how political communication has evolved in the modern media environment. From campaign war rooms to corporate boardrooms, Alex’s perspective bridges the gap between strategy, storytelling and the speed of today’s digital news cycle.

Together, Lisa and Alex discuss how Washington’s communication playbook continues to change — and what it takes to break through the noise in a crowded, polarized media landscape.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as sharp as it is timely — with one of the best minds in political and corporate communication.