In this episode of the Friday Reporter, I reconnect with my longtime friend Lars Lichtenfeld — an author, creator, and educator with a talent for storytelling that stretches from the classroom to the ballpark.

Lars shares stories from his time as a writer and performer, including his unforgettable experiences as a live-action character for minor league baseball franchises. We talk about the creativity, humor, and hustle that shaped his career, and how those lessons continue to influence his work today.

It’s a conversation filled with nostalgia, laughter, and a reminder of the unique paths creativity can take.

The next installment of Friday Reporter’s In the Lobby series features Kristi Rogers — a business leader, seasoned executive, and trusted advisor at the nexus of government, security, and the private sector.

Kristi shares her remarkable journey from public service to the boardroom, offering candid insights on leadership, resilience, and bridging industries during times of change. She reflects on the lessons learned from navigating high-stakes challenges and the principles that continue to guide her work today.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation that showcases why Kristi is one of Washington’s most respected voices — and a perfect guest for our In the Lobby spotlight.

This week on The Friday Reporter, I sit down with Brian Athey — chief creative officer at Push Digital Group and a true campaign architect. Brian has built a career at the intersection of politics, marketing, and storytelling, helping campaigns and organizations break through with bold, creative strategies.

In our conversation, Brian talks about his work at Push, his growing fractional CMO practice, and the lessons he’s learned guiding brands that need seasoned leadership without the overhead of a full-time executive. We also dive into his podcast, The Creative Brief, where he brings sharp insight and candid perspective to the world of marketing and strategy.

From the war room to the boardroom, Brian is a strategist who knows how to shape messages that move people — and this episode shows exactly why.

This week on In the Lobby with The Friday Reporter, Lisa is joined by Nat Wienecke, president of Conscience Point Consulting and longtime D.C. power player with a reputation for getting things done — and doing them the right way. From his years on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch to his leadership at a major trade association, Nat has built a career around trust, strategy, and service.

Lisa and Nat dive into how the best advocacy starts with listening, how to build relationships that last beyond any one issue, and why Washington needs more people who understand both the policy and the politics. Plus, they explore Nat’s new chapter as a firm founder and thought leader — and how he's helping others step into the spotlight with purpose.

Whether you're a policy wonk, a public affairs pro, or just curious about how Washington really works, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

This week on The Friday Reporter, Lisa welcomes Aaron Kwittken — founder and CEO of PRophet, a trailblazing AI-driven communications platform — for a dynamic conversation about the future of public relations, the power of predictive tech, and the importance of staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Aaron shares how his background as a seasoned agency leader led him to create PRophet, a tool that harnesses artificial intelligence to help communicators better predict media interest, craft smarter pitches, and measure impact more effectively. Together, they explore the implications of emerging technologies in the PR world, what it means for journalists and communicators alike, and why embracing innovation is no longer optional.

From the intersection of tech and storytelling to the practical ways AI is shaping reputation management and media strategy, this episode offers a glimpse into where the industry is headed — and how the best communicators will lead the way.

Tune in for insights on:

* The founding story behind PRophet

* How AI is revolutionizing media relations

* Why human creativity still matters — maybe more than ever

Whether you're a PR pro, media strategist, or just AI-curious, you won’t want to miss this one.

This week on The Friday Reporter, Lisa sits down with James Williams, Executive Vice President of Advocacy, Communications, and External Affairs at Arnold Ventures, for a wide-ranging conversation about how philanthropy and public policy intersect to drive meaningful reform. From criminal justice to health care and beyond, James shares how Arnold Ventures leverages data-driven advocacy and strategic communications to create lasting change.

With deep roots in the nonprofit and policy world, James offers thoughtful insights into what makes advocacy work—and how staying focused on results can cut through the noise. Whether you’re in government, policy, or philanthropy, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn bold ideas into real-world impact.

This week on The Friday Reporter, Lisa sits down for another robust conversation with with Madeline Fetterly, Founder and CEO of Be the Brand Collective — a firm that helps executives harness the power of thought leadership and presence, especially on LinkedIn.

Madeline makes the case that LinkedIn isn't just a digital résumé or job board — it's the place where today’s most influential conversations are happening. She shares tips and insight about using the platform to show up authentically and consistently, turning your single post into a force multiplier for reputation, reach, and real-world opportunity.

Tune in for a conversation about the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and visibility — and how the right executive presence online can drive real impact offline.

This week on The Friday Reporter, Lisa is joined by veteran journalist and producer Mike Melia for a behind-the-scenes look at a remarkable career in news.

Mike shares the story of how he got his start by simply following the advice to “just show up and ask for the job.” That bold move landed him a role at States News Service — and it launched a career that would eventually take him to PBS NewsHour, where he worked under the legendary Jim Lehrer, and later to CNN, producing for anchor Jake Tapper.

In this episode, Mike reflects on the mentors who shaped his path, the evolving role of producers in today’s media landscape, and what it means to carry journalistic values into a fast-paced, digital-first world. Mike is out on his own with Melia Media, helping clients navigate the new frontier of news making.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about persistence, integrity, and the power of showing up.