K Street: How to Buy Friends and Influence People

Once upon a time, in a land far away, corporate interests didn't rule the political roost. It's hard to imagine today, when Big Oil, Big Tech and Big Finance (among other 'bigs') all muscle in on US democracy, grappling for the attention and affections of elected representatives. Indeed, a whole industry has sprung up to mediate this muscling, and you can find it on K Street. Home to Washington DC's lobbyists, K Street is also the topic of Brody Mullins' new book, The Wolves of K Street. This week on Whale Hunting, host Bradley Hope chats to Brody about the book, which he co-authored with his brother, Luke Mullins, and what they uncovered on their deep dive into the world of American corporate lobbying. Together, they discuss why lobbying came about in the first place and how powerful forces have changed over time, from the influential civil rights and environmental groups of the 1970s to today's big players on K Street. From mysterious deaths to dirty tactics and signs of change on Capitol Hill, Brody unravels this filthy rich industry, its biggest personalities, and its most questionable practices.

Brody and Luke Mullins' book, The Wolves of K Street, is out now. You can find it online and in all good bookshops.

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