Hawthorn's Across the Aisle Podcast

Reading the Political Risk Landscape w/Doug Sosnik

In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford is joined by Doug Sosnik, longtime political strategist, senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, and one of the country’s most respected analysts of American political trends. Sosnik offers a wide-ranging look at the forces reshaping American politics: the rise of populism in both parties, the growing divide between economic winners and those struggling in a changing economy, the weakening role of traditional party institutions, and the structural realities that will shape the 2026 midterms. The conversation moves beyond the usual election-year horse race to examine what these changes mean for public affairs, advocacy, reputation, and influence. From the increasingly polarized map of American counties and states to the challenges facing candidates in competitive House and Senate races, Sosnik explains why political strategy now requires a deeper understanding of economic anxiety, voter anger, and institutional distrust. Looking ahead to 2028, Ashford and Sosnik also discuss how the old rules of presidential politics may be giving way to a more unpredictable era—one where nontraditional candidates, populist movements, and shifting coalitions could redefine both parties. For public affairs professionals, business leaders, policy watchers, and anyone trying to understand where American politics is headed, this episode offers a clear-eyed assessment of the new landscape.

Inside California's Political Tremors w/Kelly Calkin

California is often viewed as politically unique, but its elections can reveal trends that eventually reach the rest of the country. In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford is joined by veteran California political strategist and public affairs expert Kelly Calkin to unpack one of the most unpredictable and consequential California primaries in recent memory. From the emergence of Javier Becerra as the Democratic frontrunner to the collapse of several high-profile campaigns, they explore how a chaotic election season reshaped the race for governor and what it may signal for the future of politics in the nation's most populous state. The conversation examines California's deep Democratic advantage, voter turnout challenges, the rise and fall of major candidates, the increasingly anti-establishment mood among voters, and the battles that will define November's elections. Along the way, Ashford and Calkin discuss Los Angeles politics, the influence of Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom's national ambitions, and why political observers across the country should be paying close attention to California. Whether you're a political professional, policy watcher, or simply interested in understanding where American politics may be headed next, this episode provides an insider's look at the forces shaping the Golden State. Topics discussed: * California's 2026 gubernatorial race * Javier Becerra vs. Steve Hilton * The collapse of several major Democratic campaigns * Voter turnout and enthusiasm trends * Los Angeles mayoral politics * The future of Gavin Newsom and national Democratic politics * What California's elections may tell us about the country Across the Aisle is produced by The Hawthorn Group and features conversations with policymakers, strategists, journalists, and thought leaders examining the issues shaping public affairs and American politics.

Small Margins, Big Consequences w/Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook returns to Across the Aisle to cut through the daily headlines and focus on the political fundamentals shaping the road to 2026. One of the nation’s most respected nonpartisan election analysts and founder of the Cook Political Report, Charlie joins John Ashford for a wide-ranging conversation on today’s closely divided electorate, the growing role of turnout over persuasion, and why many of the stories dominating the news cycle may matter less than they appear. The discussion explores the structural realities facing both parties in the House and Senate, how changes in media consumption are influencing public opinion, and why small shifts among a narrow band of voters can have outsized consequences in modern elections. Grounded in data, history, and decades of experience, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where American politics stands—and where it may be headed next.

The Big D: Data Centers and America’s Power Challenge w/Jimmy Glotfelty

Data center demand is no longer theoretical. It is reshaping grid planning, infrastructure investment, and energy policy across the country. In this episode of Across the Aisle, John Ashford speaks with former Texas Public Utility Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty — founder of the Office of Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy and a leader in transmission expansion and grid reliability. They discuss: • The difference between cloud data centers and AI training loads • Why ERCOT could see tens of gigawatts of new demand by 2030 • How battery storage is changing reliability dynamics • Whether nuclear can meet near-term demand • The reality of supply chain constraints in gas and nuclear technologies • Affordability pressures and what consumers should expect • Why Texas remains committed to grid independence As AI-driven load growth accelerates and markets debate reliability, transmission, and permitting reform, this conversation offers a grounded look at what is realistic — and what is not — for the next phase of American energy development.

Polling 2.0 - The Evolution of Political Intelligence w/Christopher S. Wilson

The podcast episode features a conversation between John Ashford and Chris Wilson, CEO of Eyes Over, discussing social media monitoring, artificial intelligence, and its impact on politics and corporate decision-making. Takeaways * Social media monitoring provides real-time opinion-based analysis, capturing dynamics and momentum rather than just attitudes. * AI-driven conversational persuasion outperforms traditional political advertising, focusing on relatability and emotional mirroring. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Across the Isle Podcast * 06:07 Advantages of Social Monitoring * 12:21 Process of Social Media Monitoring * 18:50 Impact of AI on Politics * 24:35 Recent Findings and Surprises