Welcome to “Back in Session,” a podcast focused on exploring various state-level policies and legislation shaping our nation, one state at a time. Join our hosts, Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara from Duane Morris Government Strategies, as they engage a diverse range of guests to bring you behind the scenes of the legislative process.
Whether you are a policy wonk looking to dive into recent legislative developments, or a curious citizen interested in getting to learn more about the issues in your state and beyond, “Back in Session” is the podcast for you. Each episode offers fresh perspectives, shedding light on challenges and opportunities that shape policy landscapes in states around the country.
Subscribe now to stay informed on the always- evolving policy landscape in states around the country.
Mallerie Stromswold made headlines as one of the youngest state legislators in the country when she won a Montana House seat while still a teenager. Now, she’s serving in a different way—as Government Affairs Manager and Event Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. In this episode of Back in Session, Mallerie shares how she got started, the issues she championed in office, and what life looks like as a policy leader in Harrisburg. Plus, hear her take on Pennsylvania food culture (Rita’s, Wawa, Martin’s Potato Bread) and the Ryans debate Phillies vs. Yankees, as usual.
In this engaging episode of Back in Session, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome Mallerie Stromswold, a former Montana legislator and current Government Affairs Manager and Event Coordinator with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. From launching her campaign while still in high school to navigating the political landscape in a new state, Mallerie shares how early civic passion evolved into impactful public service and what she’s learned along the way.
🔑 What You’ll Learn
- A Campaign Before College: How Mallerie launched a successful bid for Montana’s House of Representatives at just 17, flipping a long-held Democratic seat.
- Doing It All During COVID: Managing college, two jobs, and a campaign, during the height of the pandemic.
- Policy with Purpose: Mallerie’s legislative work on genetic privacy and anti-human trafficking laws and the personal stories that fueled them.
- Chamber Life in PA: Her current role connecting business leaders and lawmakers, and how it compares to being a legislator.
- Montana vs. Pennsylvania: From permitting regulations to political party dynamics, how two states handle governance very differently.
- Local Love: Wawa, Rita’s, and Martin’s Potato Bread top Mallerie’s list of PA highlights.
Latest News
In this insightful episode of the Back In Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara chat with Drew Dehoff and Stacey Hanrahan from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC). The conversation covers everything from [...]
In the latest episode of Back in Session, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara talk with Anne Gingerich, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), about how budget uncertainty at both the [...]
In this episode of Back in Session, Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Inganamort for a wide-ranging and energizing conversation about life in the Garden State and the real challenges facing small-town [...]
Inside the Vault: Unclaimed Property, 529 Plans & PA’s Fiscal Health with PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity
In this episode of Back in Session, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacey Garrity for a wide-ranging conversation. From her 30-year military service to her rise in the private [...]
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