The Friday Reporter opens 2026 with a conversation at the intersection of food, media and reinvention. Longtime Washington, D.C. restaurant critic Tom Sietsema joins the show to reflect on his departure from The Washington Post and the next chapter of his career.

We look back at some of his most influential restaurant reviews, how food has evolved in Washington and what great dining looks like when the spotlight is off. Tom also shares what he’s cooking at home, where he eats when he wants a reliable local favorite and how he thinks about restaurants now that he’s no longer reviewing them for the paper.

A thoughtful, behind-the-scenes conversation about taste, trust and life after one of the most recognizable roles in food journalism — and a smart way to start the year.

For the final episode of the year, I’m joined by John Scofield, founder and partner of S3 Group—one of Washington’s most respected government affairs firms.

John’s career arc mirrors the evolution of influence in Washington. He began as a highly regarded communicator on the House Appropriations Committee, where he learned firsthand how policy, process and power intersect. He later brought that experience to the private sector, building a government affairs practice that clients actively seek out— but because they get results.

In our conversation, John and I talk about:

* What separates effective government affairs shops from the rest

* How Hill experience shapes credibility outside the institution

* Why trust, preparation and institutional knowledge still matter in a rapidly changing town

* And how the best lobbyists think less about access—and more about outcomes

This episode also marks an important moment for The Friday Reporter. As we close out the year, I’m announcing that In the Lobby and The Friday Reporter are officially merging into one unified show: The Friday Reporter—continuing to air, as always, on Fridays.

This evolution creates room for new, exciting programming in 2026—while staying true to the original goal of the show: smart conversations with people who understand how influence really works.

Thank you for listening this year. More to come.

This week on The Friday Reporter, I’m joined by Dan Clifton, Partner and Head of Policy Research for Strategas Securities — one of the sharpest minds in Washington when it comes to understanding how policy moves markets.

I learn something new every time I talk with Dan. He’s built a powerhouse research and insights operation that advises top corporate leaders, global investors, and even heads of state. His analysis sits at the intersection of policy, politics, and the economy — and he has an uncanny ability to explain complex trends with absolute clarity.

We also talk about one of his most innovative creations: the Strategas Lobbying Index, a first-of-its-kind tool that measures stock-market performance through the lens of corporate engagement in Washington, D.C. It’s been remarkably successful, and it says a lot about how closely policy and markets are now intertwined.

This conversation is smart, fast, and loaded with takeaways for anyone working in public affairs, government relations or the business side of D.C. Dan is the definition of a must-listen.