The Pulse of Politics

DELOS
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The Pulse of Politics Podcast is where public affairs meets real-world impact. Each episode features candid conversations with public affairs professionals, strategic communication experts, and industry thought leaders. We dive into how they navigate today’s political realities, manage uncertainty, and shape tomorrow—sharing tools, frameworks, and personal stories along the way. Whether you're a seasoned policy pro or an emerging voice in the field, this is your backstage pass to the future of public affairs.

  1. 16 hr ago

    EP#13 - From Political Signals to Business Action with Laura Pistemaa

    Timestamps: 00:00 - From parliament to Lidl: influence as collaboration03:09 - Building Lidl’s public-affairs function as a challenger05:24 - Why parliamentary experience helps public-affairs work06:29 - Early warnings: data, conversations and European signals09:31 - Prioritizing policy by consumer impact and business freedom11:41 - Using Lidl’s European footprint to share insight14:09 - Winning leadership support with a one-page case16:15 - Measuring public affairs: protect, promote, license to operate21:06 - Lidl’s standing and voice in Finland23:49 - When to lobby directly and when to work through associations26:25 - Alcohol policy and Laura’s goal of wine liberalization28:34 - Finland’s transparency register and open dialogue About Laura Pistemaa Laura Pistemaa is Head of Public Affairs at Lidl Finland, where she has built the company’s public affairs function from the ground up. She previously worked as a parliamentary assistant in the Finnish Parliament, giving her experience on both the political and business sides of public affairs. Her work focuses on translating political developments into business impact, building relationships with decision-makers and ensuring Lidl’s perspective is represented in Finnish and European policy discussions. Episode Summary: In this episode of The Pulse of Politics, Silvan speaks with Laura Pistemaa about how public affairs works in Finland and what it takes to build an effective function inside a major international retailer. They discuss how Laura combines data, political relationships and insights from Lidl’s European network to spot regulatory developments early, prioritize issues and translate between politics and business. The conversation also explores how to demonstrate the value of public affairs, the role of trade associations and coalitions, Finland’s transparency register, and Lidl’s engagement in debates such as alcohol-market liberalization. Laura also shares how she uses AI as a “tireless junior researcher” while keeping political judgment and relationship-building firmly human, and why cooperation remains central to getting things done in Finnish public affairs. Learn more about DELOS - www.delosanalytica.com Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#13 - From Political Signals to Business Action with Laura Pistemaa

  2. 24 Sept

    EP#12 - From Newsroom to Boardroom: Communications, Public Affairs & AI with Ursula Nötzli

    Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to The Pulse of Politics01:09 – Welcoming Ursula Nötzli02:22 – Ursula’s transition from journalism to corporate communications04:37 – What stays consistent across communications and public affairs06:10 – Connecting communications, investor relations, public affairs, and sustainability09:25 – How public affairs differs across finance, industry, and media11:52 – Why communications and public affairs teams should collaborate15:37 – Responding to politically sensitive and reputational issues19:06 – Why emotional discussions cannot be won with rational arguments21:24 – The value of an external consultant’s perspective25:06 – How executive-board experience improves consulting27:14 – Balancing relationships, data, and intuition in public affairs29:27 – Identifying and prioritizing the right stakeholders32:16 – Essential capabilities for communications and public affairs professionals35:35 – Ethics and handling conflicts with an organization37:09 – How Ursula uses AI in her daily work39:52 – What should remain human-led when using AI42:05 – How AI is changing consulting business models45:29 – The changing importance of prompt engineering46:36 – The future of political, media, and stakeholder management by 203049:15 – Advice for young communications and public affairs professionals50:14 – Rapid-fire questions52:09 – Closing thoughts and outro About Ursula Nötzli Ursula Nötzli is an Equity Partner at Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Konsulenten (HNS), with a career spanning journalism, corporate communications, public affairs and executive leadership. She previously served as Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer and Group Executive Board Member at TX Group, Head of Communications at ABB Switzerland, and Head of Group Strategic Content at Credit Suisse. She also co-directs two executive education programmes at HWZ University of Applied Sciences Zurich focused on strategic communications and AI. Episode Summary: In this episode of The Pulse of Politics, Silvan speaks with Ursula Nötzli about how communications and public affairs are converging, and why both need to be treated as strategic functions rather than service departments. They discuss how media and political work can align around shared issues while still requiring different approaches to stakeholders, and what leadership teams often get wrong when dealing with reputational crises. The conversation also explores how AI is changing communications, public affairs and consulting, from research and scenario-building to monitoring and content production. Ursula explains where human judgment, ethics and relationship management remain essential, why sensitive situations require closer human involvement, and why the ability to curate, challenge and make sound strategic decisions is becoming more important as AI-generated content becomes easier to produce. Learn more about DELOS - www.delosanalytica.com Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#12 - From Newsroom to Boardroom: Communications, Public Affairs & AI with Ursula Nötzli

  3. 28 Aug

    EP#11 - AI in Public Affairs: Strategy, Methodology & What Comes Next with Dr. Yoav Shechter

    Timestamps 01:35 — What Dr. Shechter PhD Revealed About Lobbying03:30 — The Missing Methodology in Public Affairs06:59 — Why Public Policy Should Learn From Marketing10:54 — Building Better, Measurable Policy Objectives18:43 — The Reality of Working With International Clients21:07 — The 2019 Public Policy Innovation Experiment24:30 — Rebuilding the Vision With AI28:11 — What AI Can Actually Do for Policy Teams32:23 — Why Corporate Culture Slows AI Adoption34:13 — Never Outsource Responsibility to AI42:40 — How AI Changes the Consultancy Business Model46:09 — Human Verification Becomes a New Service48:02 — The Future of Public Affairs as a Profession50:05 — Who Is Most at Risk From AI?51:53 — Why Everyone Should Start Experimenting With AI53:02 — Rapid Fire About Dr. Yoav Shechter Dr. Yoav Shechter is an independent public-policy consultant working across Israel and international markets, with around three decades of experience spanning corporate public affairs, trade associations and consultancy. He has held senior policy roles at Merck and worked across APAC and EEMEA, while also developing policy innovation initiatives and AI-powered tools. His work focuses on bringing greater methodology, measurement and technological capability to public affairs. Episode Summary:  In this episode of Pulls of Politics, Silvan speaks with Dr. Yoav Shechter about why public affairs needs a stronger professional methodology and marketing may hold the answer. They discuss measurable policy objectives, stakeholder mapping, legislative strategy, Shechter's early attempts to build AI-powered policy infrastructure, and how today's AI tools are changing consultancy economics. The conversation also explores the limits of AI, the importance of human verification, and what it takes for public-policy professionals to remain relevant. Learn more about DELOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delosanalytica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#11 - AI in Public Affairs: Strategy, Methodology & What Comes Next with Dr. Yoav Shechter

  4. 31 Jul

    EP#10 - Why China Is No Longer Just a Market: Cynthia Xing on Geopolitics, AI & Boardroom Strategy

    Timestamps 00:54 – Cynthia's Journey into Public Affairs02:15 – Why Public Affairs Became Strategic05:25 – Building Institutional Trust07:45 – How China Has Changed09:55 – Leadership Under Uncertainty10:57 – Advice for CEOs12:00 – From Boutique Consulting to Edelman15:40 – Geopolitics Reshapes Business18:00 – AI and Public Affairs24:32 – The Future of Leadership29:09 – Rapid Fire About Cynthia Xing Cynthia Xing is Managing Director and Head of Greater China of Public and Government Affairs at Edelman, where she advises multinational companies, boards, and investors on navigating one of the world's most consequential business environments. With more than two decades of experience at the intersection of business, policy, and geopolitics—including becoming the youngest-ever partner at Yuan Associates, one of China's pioneering public affairs consultancies - Cynthia helps organizations make better strategic decisions in an increasingly complex world. Episode Summary: China is no longer just a market—it's one of the forces shaping the global business environment.  In this episode, Cynthia Xing explores why public affairs has become a boardroom discipline, how leaders should think about geopolitical uncertainty, and why understanding China's evolving political, technological and commercial landscape is now essential for every multinational—not just those operating in China. She explains why judgement matters more than headlines, why long-term institutional understanding creates lasting competitive advantage, and how business leaders can make better decisions in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more about DELOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delosanalytica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#10 - Why China Is No Longer Just a Market: Cynthia Xing on Geopolitics, AI & Boardroom Strategy

  5. 25 Jun

    EP#9 - How Power Really Works in Washington DC with Fred Turner

    Timestamps 00:54 – Growing Up Around Politics02:15 – 25 Years on Capitol Hill03:25 – Discovering International Affairs05:45 – Building Global Relationships06:55 – Public vs Private Sector08:57 – Why Leave Capitol Hill?11:00 – Understanding Client Objectives13:57 – Modern Lobbying Strategies18:00 – Measuring ROI in Public Affairs24:32 – What Great Lobbyists Do Differently29:09 – Bipartisanship in Washington33:56 – The Trump Era & Foreign Policy37:21 – The Toolkit for Governments40:21 – The World Cup & North America42:06 – America at 25045:52 – House of Cards vs Reality49:12 – What's Next for Fred Turner?50:33 – Rapid Fire About Fred TurnerFred Turner is Principal at BGR Group and leads international public affairs and trade engagements for governments and multinational organizations. Before joining BGR, he spent more than 25 years on Capitol Hill, including serving as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Staff Director of the U.S. Helsinki Commission. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of diplomacy, international relations and public policy. Episode Summary:In this episode, Fred Turner shares lessons from more than two decades inside Washington's political system. He explains how lobbying really works, why relationships matter more than access, how governments navigate today's geopolitical landscape, and what has changed under the Trump administration. The conversation also explores bipartisan deal-making, international diplomacy, and the future of American institutions. Learn more about DELOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delosanalytica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#9 - How Power Really Works in Washington DC with Fred Turner

  6. 28 May

    EP#8 - How Public Affairs in Israel Moves with Tzach Borovich

    Timestamps 00:05 – Introduction00:47 – From National Security to Lobbying02:15 – Inception of The Cabinet04:20 – How Public Affairs Works in Israel06:50 – Who Really Holds Power in Government09:07 – Politics vs Professionalism13:55 – OECD Standards & Transparency18:04 – Measuring ROI in Lobbying22:24 – Coalition Building & Associations28:18 – Civil Society & Government Relations31:37 – Public Affairs During War & Crisis39:17 – AI and the Future of Lobbying42:00 – Rapid Fire About Tzach BorovichTzach Borovich is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of The Cabinet, one of Israel’s leading lobbying and government relations firms. Before entering the private sector, he worked at Israel’s National Security Council within the Prime Minister’s Office. Under his leadership, The Cabinet became the first lobbying firm in Israel to adopt OECD transparency principles and now advises leading Israeli and global companies on government affairs, regulation, and strategic public policy. Episode Summary: In this episode, Tzach Borovich breaks down how lobbying and public affairs actually work inside Israel’s political system. From coalition politics and bureaucratic influence to crisis management during war and COVID, he explains why modern lobbying is far more about strategy, data, and institutional understanding than political favors. The conversation also explores AI, regulation, transparency, and Israel’s evolving role in global business and geopolitics. Learn more about DELOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delosanalytica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#8 - How Public Affairs in Israel Moves with Tzach Borovich

  7. 27 Apr

    EP#7 - Public Affairs in a Post-Trust World with Jessica Berk Ross

    Timestamps 00:05 – Introduction00:47 – Early Career & Capitol Hill Lessons04:08 – What Companies Get Wrong About Public Affairs08:41 – Washington Then vs Now11:00 – Social Media & Polarization15:07 – Evolution of Political Ideologies19:55 – Core Lessons from the Hill27:04 – Crisis Communications Today31:24 – The Post-Trust World33:18 – Geopolitics & Trade Shifts36:37 – America’s Global Role40:17 – Future of Lobbying41:34 – Politics = Policy45:03 – AI & Public Affairs49:10 – Human vs Machine52:00 – Rapid Fire About Jessica Berk RossJessica Berk Ross is Managing Partner and Global Public Affairs Practice Leader at Finn Partners. Based in Washington DC, she advises global clients on policy, crisis communications, and geopolitical risk. With roots on Capitol Hill, she brings decades of experience navigating complex political environments. She is known for integrating public affairs with business strategy and ethical decision-making. Episode Summary:This episode explores how public affairs has evolved into a high-stakes, multidimensional discipline shaped by political polarization, AI, and global instability. Jessica Berk Ross shares insights from Capitol Hill to crisis war rooms, revealing why trust is declining, strategy is becoming risk-driven, and success now depends on adaptability. Learn more about DELOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delosanalytica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#7 - Public Affairs in a Post-Trust World with Jessica Berk Ross

  8. 30 Mar

    EP#6 -Power, Reputation & Communication with Victor Schmid

    Timestamps 00:51 — Career Origin in Journalism04:20 — The Turning Point: Media Reality09:30 — Power vs Legitimation Framework16:30 — Reputation & Social Signals25:30 — Reputation in the Social Media Era31:00 — Political Leadership Lessons43:00 — Corporate World & Bureaucracy52:08 — Building a Consulting Firm59:48 — AI & the Future of Strategy01:16:30 — Rapid Fire About Victor Schmid ⁠Victor Schmid is one of the most experienced consultants for strategic communication, reputations and crisis management. With decades of experience navigating high-stakes corporate and political environments, he is recognized as a leading voice in reputation management across Switzerland and Germany. A PhD sociologist and former advisor to Swiss President Flavio Cotti, he leverages a formidable career background spanning from journalism to leading global communications. He is the co-founder of Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors AG, founder of Viscoma, and partner at CCounselors. Episode Summary:Summary In this episode, Victor Schmid breaks down the mechanics of power, legitimation, and reputation. He reveals how these forces shape leaders, companies, and entire societies. From his early discoveries in journalism to advising top executives and navigating political crises, he shares hard-earned lessons on authenticity, decision-making, and why AI will redefine but not replace strategic thinking. Learn more about DELOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.delosanalytica.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can always stay up-to-date with our latest initiatives.

    EP#6 -Power, Reputation & Communication with Victor Schmid
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About

The Pulse of Politics Podcast is where public affairs meets real-world impact. Each episode features candid conversations with public affairs professionals, strategic communication experts, and industry thought leaders. We dive into how they navigate today’s political realities, manage uncertainty, and shape tomorrow—sharing tools, frameworks, and personal stories along the way. Whether you're a seasoned policy pro or an emerging voice in the field, this is your backstage pass to the future of public affairs.

Information

  • Creator
    DELOS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 DELOS
  • Show Website
    The Pulse of Politics