When Brody Mullins published "The Long History of People Stealing Money from Political Action Committees," we didn't just read it — we put it to the test. In this episode, Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar dig into the actual case data, separate employee-funded and business trade association PACs from those driving the headlines, and argue that a scary headline is best answered not with defensiveness but with discipline. Plus: the FEC's enforcement gap, why "the courts are closed" is never a defense, and what stewardship of other people's money really demands.

NABPAC's second Hill Day is in the books — and by all accounts, it delivered. In this debrief episode, Micaela Isler is joined by co-host Adam Belmar and two NABPAC board members who were right in the mix: Trey Hawkins of America's Credit Unions and Joe Manion of the American Waterway Operators. Together, they break down what made this year's Hill visit stand out — from the growing familiarity congressional offices have with NABPAC's priority issues like indexing and prior approval, to the power of PAC professionals who can walk into any meeting and tell their story without a script. Plus, a look back at the summer soirée that capped off the week, including the goat cheese bites that caused some serious FOMO.
Whether you were in the room or following along from afar, this episode captures what happens when the Business PAC community shows up — and keeps showing up.

Six states. One night. And Jim Ellis has the congressional breakdown. Election analyst Jim Ellis returns to Facts About PACs with his Ellis Insight on the June 2nd primaries across California, Iowa, South Dakota, Montana, New Jersey, and New Mexico. From a Sacramento race that could unseat a 20-year incumbent to a New Jersey congressman whose unexplained two-month absence may have cost his party the seat, Jim walks PAC professionals through every competitive House race on the board — and what each one means for the battle over the majority.

PAC jobs are moving. The market is hot, and NABPAC has the data to prove it. This week, Amie Adams — who runs the NABPAC Help Hotline and is on the front lines of member engagement every day — joins Micaela, David, and Adam to walk through the NABPAC Insights Survey and what it tells us about who today's PAC director really is. We'll look at the profile the data reveals, what the strongest candidates have in common, and what organizations say they can't find when they're hiring. If you're looking to hire or looking to move up, this one's for you.

What does it really take to walk into a congressional office and move the needle? Stacey Leavandosky — former Chief of Staff to Rep. Zoe Lofgren and a two-decade House veteran — makes her podcast debut on Facts About PACs to break down the art and science of Hill advocacy. Now with NABPAC's Democratic lobbying partner Federal Street Strategies, Stacey shares what she looks for when advocates walk in the door, how to prepare for the meeting that goes sideways before it starts, and why showing up with district-level presence is still one of the most powerful tools in any PAC's arsenal. Timed ahead of NABPAC's second annual Legislative Summit and Day of Action, this conversation is essential listening for every PAC director and government affairs professional heading to the Hill.

Introducing Leader of the PAC — a brand new recurring series on Facts About PACs where we step away from the issues and programs to hear from the people who have built careers and shaped this community. In our debut episode, Micaela Isler, David Schild, and Adam Belmar sit down with Meaghan Killion Joyce, Director of Political and Advocacy Strategy at International Paper, for a conversation about her journey from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to Capitol Hill to nearly three decades at the intersection of PAC management and government affairs leadership.

Meaghan shares how a middle school current events assignment sparked a lifelong interest in politics, how a $1,000 salary difference changed the course of her career, and how raising her hand for the things nobody else wanted to do became the foundation of everything that followed. She talks candidly about imposter syndrome, navigating major organizational change, what it really means to run a PAC like a small business, and why the NABPAC community was the turning point she didn't know she needed.

Whether you are just finding your footing in the PAC world or looking to take the next step in your career, this conversation is for you.

Episode Sponsor: PASS

The map is moving — and PAC directors need to be ready. What does the Supreme Court's VRA ruling mean for contribution strategy, incumbent relationships, and budgets built before the lines changed? Plus: with fly-in season arriving and 45 primaries still ahead, a conversation on GOTV and civic engagement — and a preview of Leader of the PAC, a new Facts About PACs series on career paths in the government relations community.

It's back — the annual PAC swag update is here, and so is Lori Barber. The Facts About PACs crew reunites with their go-to promotional products expert to find out what's working, what's fading, and what PAC directors should be putting in the bag in 2026.

Spoiler: This year it's travel gear, premium brands, and sunglass straps — and if your PAC is hitting a milestone, Lori has thoughts on that too. If your swag is getting put in the drawer, this episode is for you. And, yes! You can reach Lori directly at lori@civicengagementllc.com.

Episode Sponsor: Chain Bridge Bank