This week, In the Lobby welcomes Pat Royal, President and Founder of PVR Communications, a veteran media strategist best known in Washington for his unmatched TV booking instincts. Pat built a reputation connecting top voices to the biggest platforms — and now he’s taken that same expertise to the world of sports.

Fresh off his work with NBC Sports and a behind-the-scenes experience at the Ryder Cup, Pat shares how he’s parlayed his booking savvy into a growing business that bridges media, messaging, and the power of storytelling.

In this conversation, we explore:

* How decades of experience in political media translate seamlessly to sports and entertainment

* What it takes to build trust with high-profile clients and producers

* And why authenticity and relationships remain the real currency in communications

It’s a masterclass in adaptability — and a reminder that great communicators can find success in any arena.

This week, In the Lobby welcomes Sam Geduldig, Managing Partner at CGCN Group, a powerhouse Republican firm that’s become one of the most recognized names in Washington.

A seasoned strategist and trusted advisor, Sam shares how his path to success wasn’t just built on policy expertise or party alignment — it came from discovering his authentic voice and staying true to it. In this candid and insightful conversation, Sam and Lisa talk about the importance of honesty in client counsel, clarity in communication, and courage in leadership — even when the easy answer might be to tell people what they want to hear.

From building one of the top GOP-aligned firms in D.C. to navigating today’s complex political environment, Sam offers a masterclass in reputation, relationships and real talk.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

* How authenticity fuels long-term influence in Washington

* Why honest advice always wins (even when it’s hard to deliver)

* The story behind CGCN’s growth and staying power

* What Sam has learned about leadership and loyalty in this town

Jonathan Allen—senior national politics reporter at NBC News and New York Times bestselling co-author of Shattered and Lucky—joins the show for a candid conversation about covering campaigns, Congress and the collisions between strategy and reality. He’s won the National Press Foundation’s Everett McKinley Dirksen Award and the National Press Club’s Sandy Hume Award for distinguished reporting on Congress.

We talk reporting discipline, sourcing without fear or favor, why narratives harden too early, how his award-winning work on Capitol Hill shaped his lens and lessons for communicators trying to break through in a fractious media environment.

His latest book is Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. Don’t miss his next great book (co-authored with previous Friday Reporter guest Amie Parnes!).

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