What makes a politician click with voters?

Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about?

Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behind the scenes with political strategists to explore the making of a politician.

We'll break down the speeches, slogans, handshakes, photo ops, and yes – even the cringeworthy campaign ads.

Guests:
Jill Barkley Roy, director, Emerge Action Fund
Liz Kurantowicz, Republican analyst and owner, The Drury Group
Mercy Quaye, founder and CEO, The Narrative Project

What makes a politician click with voters?
Is it the message? The smile? The slogan? Or that one campaign ad everyone can't stop talking about?
Today on The Wheelhouse, we go behind the scenes with political strategists to explore the making of a politician.
We'll break down the speeches, slogans, handshakes, photo ops, and yes &ndash; even the cringeworthy campaign ads.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://emergeamerica.org/staff/jill-barkley/">Jill Barkley Roy</a>, director, Emerge Action Fund</li>
<li><a href="https://www.drurygroupllc.com/leadership">Liz Kurantowicz</a>, Republican analyst and owner, The Drury Group</li>
<li><a href="https://www.narrative-project.com/about-us">Mercy Quaye</a>, founder and CEO, The Narrative Project</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, many of the ideas at the heart of the nation's founding — from freedom and representation to checks and balances — remain subjects of fierce public debate.

This hour, we explore America's official time capsule and the artifacts Connecticut is sending into the future.

What story are we telling about who we are in 2026? And what does that story reveal about who we hope to become?

GUESTS:
Tom Medema, special advisor to America 250 and project manager for America’s Time Capsule
Cyndi Tolosa, Director of Advancement, CT Humanities, project manager for America 250 Connecticut Commission
Sarah Atwell, Durham’s America 250 Committee leader 
Jason Hayes, First Selectman of East Granby

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, many of the ideas at the heart of the nation's founding &mdash; from freedom and representation to checks and balances &mdash; remain subjects of fierce public debate.
This hour, we explore America's official time capsule and the artifacts Connecticut is sending into the future.
What story are we telling about who we are in 2026? And what does that story reveal about who we hope to become?
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Tom Medema, special advisor to&nbsp;<a href="https://america250.org/">America 250</a>&nbsp;and project manager for America&rsquo;s Time Capsule</li>
<li>Cyndi Tolosa, Director of Advancement,&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cthumanities.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ccwynne%40ctpublic.org%7C032d825a808648dbad6a08ded1f9e982%7C46f93d87c3a048d2834be99a572ddf32%7C0%7C0%7C639179068530145078%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6cLwH%2FA7XyXAlFjRh5wXaHX3DS7wV1zjPXukj%2BsobIc%3D&amp;reserved=0">CT Humanities</a>,&nbsp;project manager for&nbsp;<a href="https://ct250.org/">America 250 Connecticut</a>&nbsp;Commission</li>
<li>Sarah Atwell, Durham&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.townofdurhamct.org/entities/america-250-committee">America 250 Committee</a>&nbsp;leader&nbsp;</li>
<li>Jason Hayes, First Selectman of East Granby</li>
</ul>

What belongs in America's time capsule?

B Seg

C Seg

From Hurricane Maria through this year’s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny, the “King of Latin Trap” continues to weave politics into his lyrics.

From Hurricane Maria through this year&rsquo;s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny, the &ldquo;King of Latin Trap&rdquo; continues to weave politics into his lyrics.

How Bad Bunny became the global voice of the Puerto Rican resistance 

Can I afford that big summer vacation?

It’s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May that costs were up 3.8%. Moody’s – a financial services company – tells CNBC that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year.

We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer.

Guests:
Mark Blyth, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University
Rachel Lenda, director of tourism, Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development
David Standridge, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant
Paul Brault, owner, Lobster Tales food truck

Can I afford that big summer vacation?
It&rsquo;s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">reported in May</a>&nbsp;that costs were up 3.8%. Moody&rsquo;s &ndash; a financial services company &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/29/energy-costs-inflation-iran-war-trump.html">tells CNBC</a>&nbsp;that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year.
We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://home.watson.brown.edu/people/faculty/watson-faculty/mark-blyth">Mark Blyth</a>, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University</li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/decd/content/statewide-marketing-tourism/06_about_office_statewide_marketing_tourism/about-office-statewide-marketing-tourism/contact">Rachel Lenda,</a>&nbsp;director of tourism, Connecticut&rsquo;s Department of Economic and Community Development</li>
<li><a href="https://www.shipwrightsdaughter.com/team">David Standridge</a>, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lobstertalesfoodtruck/">Paul Brault</a>, owner, Lobster Tales food truck</li>
</ul>

Making the candidate: How politicians can stand out in 2026

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