Alyssa Mastromonaco

Alyssa Mastromonaco, who served on the Obama transition team, and Caroline Reston, a podcast producer, delve into the fascinating world of presidential transitions. They share behind-the-scenes stories from the 2008 Obama administration, highlighting the chaotic shift from campaign to governance. The duo discusses the importance of communication during transitions, the absurdities of cabinet application processes, and the lessons learned from past administrations. Their playful banter adds a humorous touch to the serious nature of political handovers.

Alyssa Mastromonaco, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Vice President Joe Biden, engages in a riveting dialogue with Nancy Pelosi. They address Pelosi's experience as one of Trump’s 'enemies within' and the anxieties keeping her up at night. The conversation shifts to the drastically contrasting campaign messages, with Kamala Harris advocating for unity and reproductive rights while Trump stirs up division. They also dissect the critical impact of recent rallies on voter sentiments, especially focusing on essential issues like economic policy in Puerto Rico.

In this insightful discussion, Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House deputy chief of staff and COO of Vice Media, opens up about the pressure of high-stakes leadership and managing anxiety. She reflects on the need for breaks to recognize mental health symptoms that often go unnoticed in a relentless work culture. Alyssa shares her personal journey through career transitions, emphasizing the importance of redefining identity outside of work. Her candid embrace of mental health transparency highlights how openness can create supportive workplace environments.

Former Obama campaign members Jon Favreau, Robert Gibbs, Reggie Love, and Alyssa Mastromonaco share memories, reflect on the historic nature of the 2008 election, and discuss topics such as writing Obama's victory speech, the weight of the financial crisis, the significance of Obama's presidency, and the power of hope in his speeches.

Friend of the pod Alyssa Mastromonaco, former Deputy Chief of Staff under Obama, talks about what to expect from the Biden-Trump debate. Also, Supreme Court accidentally hints at allowing emergency abortions in Idaho, Midwest faces dangerous flooding, and Alex Morgan left off US Women's National Team's Olympic roster.