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.
Kentucky State Representative Vanessa Grossl joins hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara to talk about her extensive background experience that led her to the statehouse, including teaching English abroad, working at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, running an international center for the City of Lexington, shaping state policy at the Council of State Governments, working in tech startups, and finally flipping a state house seat.
Rep. Grossl shares what surprised her most about life as a first term legislator and reflects on how her varied career, including her time spent living and working in Japan, shapes her views on education and personal responsibility. She also previews her top legislative priority for the next session, closing a dangerous regulatory gap around compounding pharmacies, med spas, and weight loss drugs after a constituent’s harrowing medical scare. She also talks the value of the legislative conference circuit (CSG, ALEC, NCSL), and, of course, her favorite of the nearly 60 countries she’s visited.
In this insightful 2026 season-debut episode of the Back In Session podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara chat with Kentucky State Representative Vanessa Grossl about the career path that led her to the statehouse, her experience as a first-term legislator, and the issues she’s looking to take on in her next term that could reshape patient safety across the country.
💡 Key Takeaways
- A Career Built for the Job
- Before running for office, Rep. Grossl wore a lot of hats, and each one taught her something she now uses at the statehouse.
- Flipping a House Seat
- Outraised three to one, she pulled off the only seat flip in the Kentucky House in the last election. Learn about how she did it.
- Bill Drafting Process
- Rep. Grossl reveals just how confidential Kentucky’s bill drafting process really is.
- A Health Scare That Sparked a Bill
- A constituent’s frightening medical emergency is driving one of the most important pieces of legislation Rep. Grossl is pursuing next session. Other states are already taking notice.
- Lessons from Abroad
- Time spent living and working overseas gave her a perspective on education and responsibility that many lawmakers don’t have.
- The Legislative Circuit’s Value
- Legislative conferences play a bigger role in shaping state policy than most people realize, and they’re helping first term legislators like her make a greater impact early on.
- Wins You Haven’t Heard About
- Her first term delivered real results, from childcare reform to protections most people wouldn’t think to ask for.
- Fun Fact
- She’s visited nearly dozens of countries outside the U.S. Guess which one topped her list, and why it surprised even her.
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