All Episodes
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 in total
Gavel In (Preview)
Welcome to Gavel In, a limited-run explainer podcast series designed especially to mentor new Members Elect of the incoming 119th Congress, their staff, and families, ...
Ep. 1: Schoolhouse Rock: A Refresher and Reality Check for the Modern Legislative Process
For the inaugural episode of Gavel In, your hosts, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift, pull back the curtain on Members’ and staffers’ real experiences in navigating th...
Ep. 2: The Structure of a Congressional Office and How to Boost Effectiveness Out of the Gate
During this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift glean insight from seven guests – three sitting Representatives, two former Members of House, and three experie...
Ep. 3: How Committees in the House Work and How to be an Effective Committee Member
A Member’s committee assignments can define their career in Congress. As a freshman, what expectations should you have regarding vying for a seat on the committees of ...
Ep. 4: House Rules: What Procedures to Become a Pro on Pronto
In this episode of Gavel In, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift engage with guests to demystify the House Rules to prepare incoming Members for one of the first votes t...
Ep. 5: Understanding Your Office Budget (“MRA”)
MRA is an acronym that all House Members and staff learn quickly. It stands for the “Members’ Representational Allowance,” which is a Representative’s allotted budget ...
Ep. 6: How to Work With and Oversee Federal Agencies
Oversight of the Executive branch is a cornerstone responsibility of Congress and essential to the checks and balances of America’s federal government. In this episode...
Ep. 7: Reaching Your Constituents and Translating Your Impact to the District
In this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift welcome onto the podcast a bipartisan mix of current Members of Congress and former Chiefs of Staff who share their ...
Ep. 8: Building Relationships and Rapport Within the Chamber
Congress is known to be a relationship business, but it also has a reputation for being a hub of debate and partisan turmoil. In this episode, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor...
Ep. 9: I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now
Across their conversations with current and former Members of Congress, Aubrey Wilson and Taylor J. Swift asked them, “What do you wish you knew during your freshman t...
Ep. 10: How to Approach the House as a Modern Institution
Over the last several years, the House has been undergoing an internal modernization golden age, led by Members and staff who have been inspired by the idea that an in...