
Advertise on podcast: Political Trade Secrets: Winning Campaigns | Elections | Politics
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
61 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Dustin OlsonExplicit
No
Date created
2015/07/07
Latest episode
2026/01/27
Average duration
64 min.
Release period
122 days
Description
Political Trade Secrets goes behind the scenes of campaigns, elections, and media strategy to reveal how American politics really works. Join host Dustin Olson as he pulls back the curtain on campaign strategy, political messaging, and voter persuasion—offering insights used by top consultants from both sides of the aisle. Whether you’re a political professional, media strategist, or engaged citizen, you’ll get actionable takeaways on how power, strategy, and communication shape modern politics.
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Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Political Trade Secrets: Winning Campaigns | Elections | Politics podcast
Legal Battles Shaping American Politics with Chris Murray
2026/01/27
Political Trade Secrets: Legal Battles Shaping American Politics — Join host Dustin Olson as he sits down with top Republican Constitutional and election law attorney Chris Murray, founder of First & Fourteenth, for a wide-ranging and candid conversation on how the law, politics, and power collide in today’s America.
From immigration enforcement in Minneapolis to redistricting, election-day operations, and more, this episode pulls back the curtain on the legal strategies and incentives shaping modern campaigns, and why lawyers now sit at the center of nearly every major political fight.
The episode digs into:
💡 How census rules and redistricting drive political power in blue states
💡 The hidden legal constraints that shaped GOP election security operations for decades, putting them at a disadvantage
💡 How a shadowy dark money group on the left is targeting Republican lawyers for disbarment, and the differing legal operations and strategies of the political parties
🔹Join our new Polling Club community to get more polling and insights on public opinion: PollingClub.com
👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to pull back the curtain on how politics actually works.
🎄 Ghosts of Christmas Past - Christmas & New Year’s in American History w/ Historic Storyteller J. Mark Powell
2025/12/24
🎙️ Political Trade Secrets: Join us for a special holiday episode w/ historic storyteller J. Mark Powell. What can Christmas & New Year's moments in American history teach us about media, persuasion, and strategy?
Stay tuned to find out—from Valley Forge to the modern age, these stories helped forge patriotism and national unity, still shaping how we think today.
📘 Powell’s new book Witness to War is out in February—pre-order now on Amazon.
👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE
🦃 Surprising History & Politics of Thanksgiving w/ Author J. Mark Powell
2025/11/26
Political Trade Secrets: Join us as we explore the surprising history and politics of Thanksgiving—from the Pilgrims and the first feast in 1621, to Lincoln’s proclamation, and FDR's “Franksgiving” folly.
We discuss:
— What the first Thanksgiving was actually like, and how the menu has changed over time
— How presidents, wars, and politics shaped Thanksgiving into the national holiday we know today
— The backstory of Mark's new book, Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It
Whether you’re a history buff, or just love a good story behind tradition, this is one you won’t want to miss.
📚 Pre-order Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It by J. Mark Powell on Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/Witness-War-Story-Civil-Those/dp/0811777693
👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics really works.
🗳 2025 Off-Year Elections Preview: NYC, Virginia, New Jersey, & More!
2025/10/30
Political Trade Secrets: Join us as we break down the most interesting and important 2025 elections across the country: New York City, Virginia, New Jersey, and California—and why they matter for 2026 and beyond. PLUS, who’s winning the Shutdown in polling?
We unpack:
— Which races to watch next week & what they tell us about America’s political future
— How redistricting and political violence are reshaping the map
— Why Democrats are underperforming in blue territory
Whether you’re a campaign pro, strategist, or political junkie, this is one you won’t want to miss.
📊 Get full polling insights at PollingClub.com
👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to how politics really works.
Government Shutdown Showdown... PLUS NYC Mayor's Race
2025/10/07
Political Trade Secrets: Strategy, Polling & the Shutdown Showdown — Join host Dustin Olson for a revealing look at the forces driving Washington’s budget battle, PLUS who's winning the MEME War? PLUS a shake-up in the New York City Mayor's Race (we predicted here) and a look at Mamdani and Cuomo's new ads 😱. And we remember the victims of October 7th, look at how Public Opinion has evolved over two years.
We break down:
— Who’s really winning (and losing) the government shutdown: Trump, Vance, Schumer, AOC or the American people
— Hints from public opinion polling about how the Shutdown will go, and polling on Medicaid, and why Democrats are losing both the messaging and meme war
— The real-world impacts Americans need to know: what stops, what continues, and who feels it first
— In NYC, Eric Adams is out, Cuomo and Mamdani roll out new (and head-scratching) ads — and our polling hints at where the race goes next
Whether you’re a campaign pro, strategist, or political junkie, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
🔹 Join us LIVE and post your Questions/Comments!
🔹 Catch the replay and get more insights at PollingClub.com
👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to pull back the curtain on how politics really works.
🔮 Focus Groups, Courtrooms & the Future of the Democrat Party
2025/09/19
Political Trade Secrets: Inside the Mind of Voters, Jurors, & Consumers —Join host Dustin Olson as he sits down with his favorite Democrat pollster, renowned Focus Group leader, & Courtroom Strategy expert, Carey Crantford for a revealing conversation on how to peel back the onion of public opinion.
We’ll dig into:
💡 The real secret to running world-class focus groups
💡 How top-tier survey research is used in high-stakes courtrooms
💡 The future of the Democrat Party, and what he'd do to save it
Whether you're a campaign pro, strategist, or just a political junkie, this is one you won’t want to miss.
🔹 Join us LIVE and bring your questions!
🔹 Catch the replay and get more insights at PollingClub.com
👉 LIKE, FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets for your front-row seat to pull back the curtain on how politics actually works.
🗽 Crime & the City—NEW NYC Mayoral Poll
2025/09/02
Political Trade Secrets: Crime & The City—Join host Dustin Olson as he analyzes the latest poll from American Pulse Research & Polling, this time focused on the NYC Mayoral Race and insights into voters’ concerns on Crime.
Tune in to find out how Mamdani, Cuomo, and other candidates are shaping up against each other, and how voters’ views on Crime, Cashless Bail, and Defund the Police impact their vote, among other things.
🔹 Get the full poll at PollingClub.com
🔹 Bring your questions and join the conversation LIVE!
LIKE, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE to Political Trade Secrets and stay updated on the latest political insights!
🚨 Poll Briefing: America’s View on Iran Airstrikes, Israel-Iran Ceasefire & Trump Job Approval
2025/06/26
Join host Dustin Olson for a special LIVE episode of Political Trade Secrets as we unveil exclusive insights from the latest American Pulse poll.
Discover what Americans really think about U.S. airstrikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, the prospects for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and whether voters connect the border crisis to tensions with Iran.
We’ll break down surprising bipartisan consensus, reveal the newest Trump Job Approval numbers, and share actionable takeaways for policymakers and political strategists.
Don’t miss this in-depth, data-driven discussion on issues shaping America’s future.
🔹 Get the full poll at PollingClub.com
🔹 Bring your questions and join the conversation LIVE!
Please LIKE, FOLLOW, & SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on the latest political insights!
Top 2024 Issues: Focus on the Border w/ OH Sheriff-Elect Kurt Schneider
2024/10/31
In this episode of Political Trade Secrets, host Dustin Olson sits down with Kurt Schneider, soon-to-be Sheriff of Ashland County, to explore the most pressing issues for 2024, with a deep focus on the U.S.-Mexico border crisis.
Schneider provides a first-hand account of the humanitarian toll and the cartel-driven chaos at the border, emphasizing the need for strong security measures, including barriers, advanced technology, and dedicated law enforcement.
Schneider underscores how regular citizens can make a difference by supporting leaders committed to securing the border.
The episode also features a powerful mini-documentary produced by Olson Strategies & Advertising, revealing the on-the-ground realities and the impact on local communities.
WATCH THE MINI-DOCUMENTARY: SchneiderforSheriff.com
SUBSCRIBE for more insights, new episodes, and exclusive poll results leading up to Election 2024! 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Apple Podcasts 🔗 Spotify
#PoliticalTradeSecrets #BorderCrisis #Election2024 #KurtSchneider #HumanitarianCrisis #DustinOlson #BorderSecurity #MiniDocumentary
Pennsylvania Swing State Focus: New Poll + PA-based Strategist Mark Harris Reveals What to Expect
2024/10/15
In this episode of Political Trade Secrets, host Dustin Olson dives into new, exclusive Pennsylvania polling from American Pulse and pull back the curtain on Pennsylvania swing state politics with Special guest Mark Harris, a top strategist and founding partner of Pennsylvania-based ColdSpark, who shares his expertise on what to expect in the Keystone State as we head toward Election Day.
With close presidential and Senate races, the latest poll shows Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by 1.4%, and reveals critical voter sentiment on key issues. Mark breaks down the geography, early returns, and what makes Pennsylvania such a battleground. We also get into the lesser-known races to watch and, of course, the best Pittsburgh food!
Don’t miss this valuable discussion with one of PA's top political minds.
GET THE FULL POLL: PollingClub.com
LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN PULSE
CHECK OUT COLDSPARK & MARK HARRIS
SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE
FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS
FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY
#PoliticalTradeSecrets #PennsylvaniaPolling #MarkHarris #ColdSpark #2024Elections #DustinOlson #SwingStateFocus #KeystoneState #PollingAnalysis
Polling 2024: What the Hell's Going on w/ Public Polls?
2024/10/09
In this insightful episode of Political Trade Secrets, host & pollster Dustin Olson dives deep into the world of public polling—polls released to the public through the media—with two seasoned experts: Pollster John Rogers of Torchlight Strategies and Pollster Lee Vasche, Olson's colleague from American Pulse Research & Polling. Together, they unpack the challenges pollsters face in today’s turbulent political climate, exploring the differences between public and internal campaign polls, and why some polling methods—like online panels—might be even less reliable than you'd expect.
John Rogers brings years of experience from his time at the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he established their polling department. He shares his unique perspective on state-level polling and the critical questions reporters and voters should ask when analyzing poll results. Meanwhile, Lee Vasche, a data science expert with extensive experience in fielding multimodal surveys with a focus on live phone interviews, sheds light on the growing issues with incentivized online surveys and explains how pollsters can better account for low-propensity voters and disaster-affected areas to deliver more accurate results.
Join us as we pull back the curtain on the mechanics of public polling, analyze its limitations, and reveal how polling impacts public perception and electoral strategies.
Don’t miss this in-depth discussion with two of the most knowledgeable pollsters in the business!
Subscribe on YouTube now for more Political Trade Secrets episodes and stay ahead of the game!
Follow on Apple Podcasts.
Follow on Spotify.
#PoliticalPolling #PollingAnalysis #DustinOlson #JohnRogers #LeeVasche #Election2024 #CampaignStrategy #PoliticalTradeSecrets #PublicPolls #PollingMethodology #PollingBias #SwingStates
Revitalizing GOP's Ground Game: A Strategy Session w/ Matt Wylie
2023/11/14
In this enlightening episode, host Dustin Olson and GOP strategist Matt Wylie dissect key political campaign strategies and the evolution of the GOP's ground game. Wylie brings decades of experience to the table, offering an insider's view of landmark campaigns that have shaped the GOP's tactics.
The dialogue opens with Wylie's recollections of a Massachusetts special election that he and host Dustin Olson worked on together, showcasing innovative tactics despite a close loss. He highlights the shift in GOP campaign tactics over the years, focusing on voter targeting and engagement. The discussion underlines the importance of authenticity in politics, drawing from various candidates' experiences.
Wylie shares insights from John Ashcroft's Senate race, emphasizing political values and strategic campaign decisions. The episode also delves into the necessity of grassroots tactics, opposition research, and the importance of preparing for personal attacks in campaigns.
Toward the end, Wylie and Olson critique the GOP's current reliance on social media, advocating for a renewed focus on direct voter engagement and grassroots efforts, especially in new demographics and movements like Parental Rights.
Listeners can seek campaign advice from Wylie at [email protected].
For more insights, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave a Review to support the show.
Visit www.PoliticalTradeSecets.com for additional resources.
Celebrating America! Surprising History Trivia of our Independence Day w/ J. Mark Powell, Official Historian of the Political Trade Secrets Show
2021/07/02
Today, Dustin is joined by the official patriotic historian of the Political Trade Secrets Show, J. Mark Powell to Explore Surprising History Trivia around Our Independence Day!
J. Mark Powell is a novelist, former TV journalist, and diehard history buff. He writes a regular Holy Cow! History article at InsideSources.com
Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.
Ruth Edmonds, GOP Congressional Candidate & fmr. Columbus NAACP Pres. Shares Her Vision & Takes on Critical Race Theory, plus Our Powerful Maxim for Opportunity, & How to Watch Game Tape to Level Up
2021/06/15
Today on Political Trade Secrets’ Weekly Big Show Podcast w/ Dustin Olson & Sean Bartley:
Ruth Edmonds, GOP Congressional Candidate & fmr Columbus NAACP Pres. shares her Vision & answers a listener’s question: “How should candidates talk about critical race theory?” We discuss our powerful maxim: “Opportunity is a Function of the Number of Conversations you have for Opportunity” How to Watch Game Tape to Level Up Campaign Performance
Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.
A Productive Way to Think about Border Security & Immigration | The History of Memorial Day | How Terrible is Kamala Harris? | You Need a System for Thank You's | Powerful Axiom: “What You Do Daily Gets Done”
2021/06/08
On this episode of Political Trade Secrets’ Weekly Big Show Podcast, Dustin & Sean take the field to tackle important news this week, how Republicans can talk about it, and some of the best “political trade secrets” to winning:
The most productive way to think about, talk about and solve Border Security & Immigration How Terrible is Kamala Harris? Why you NEED a System for Thank Yous (or they’ll pile up) Unveil Dustin’s powerful strategic principle: “What You Do Daily Gets Done” The History of Memorial Day and the significance of Poppy Flowers w/ Author J. Mark Powell, plus a reading of the WWI Poem, “In Flanders Fields”
Sign up to get exclusive Political Trade Secrets Insider stuff at www.PoliticalTradeSecrets.com.
For daily updates and to communicate directly w/ Dustin & Sean, join our texting community by clicking here OR texting us directly at (202) 918-3345.
Sponsored by:
www.OlsonStrategies.com www.Grassfire.us www.10CentTexting.com
Podcast reviews
Read Political Trade Secrets: Winning Campaigns | Elections | Politics podcast reviews
AlexKnox 2021/08/17
An excellent resource for candidates and citizen leaders
If you are considering running for office, currently running, or are an elected official, this is an excellent podcast and resource for expert knowled...
Common Sense Conservative 2020/10/13
Great Content! Looking forward to hearing more.
Really tackles the ins and outs of campaigns.
MCF417 2020/10/13
My favorite podcast!
Great for anyone thinking about a run for office, with fantastic guests and tons of insider knowledge. Dustin and Sean are real pros and I always look...
Smart Slumberer 2019/03/30
Incredible resource!
I listened to the Joe Fuld podcast. I plan to eventually run for office, and I am keeping this in my back pocket. It is an AWESOME resource. I definit...
Doane Tiger 2016/03/25
Absolutely Refreshing
I am truly blown away by the transparency that is revealed through the interview. You my friend are providing an incredible show, Thank you for this i...
Speaking w TJ Walker 2016/01/18
Speaking with TJ Walker
Great show with excellent insights for any interested in political communication
COBGA 2015/09/26
Great resource!
This is an excellent source for political novices and experienced political professionals.
vasque265 2015/09/12
2 Thumbs Up!
Some great info!
Justin Dew 2015/09/01
American
Great insight!! Really enjoyed the episode about being ready to run for office... keep up the great work!
TWM2015 2015/09/01
Well done
Very informative!
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