Interviews


Chandler Dean, Senior Director at West Wing Writers

The New York Times: Gameplay

Senior Director Chandler Dean chats with The New York Times columnist Sam Corbin about tricolons. Do good things actually come in...
The cast members Janel Moloney, Dulé Hill, Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and Richard Schiff on stage during a tribute to The West Wing at the Emmy Awards last weekend

The West Wing at 25 — how does it match up to today’s reality?

Ever wondered how accurately hit series "The West Wing" depicts the West Wing? Jeff Shesol— original West Wing Writer, former White House speechwriter, and "the...
A headshot of Paul Orzulak with soundwaves behind him

Morning Edition: Harris and Trump prepare for their first debate Tuesday night in Philadelphia

Co-Founder and Executive Director Paul Orzulak was on NPR to share his thoughts on September’s presidential debate. Listen to learn more about what’s at stake...
The text says: Exit Readiness Podcast Casting Vision with the Monroe Motivational Sequence Ft. Vinca LaFleur. This is overlayed with a picture of Vinca.

Casting Visions with the Monroe Motivational Sequence

Vinca LaFleur joined Pat Ennis and Corby Megorden of Ennis Legacy Partners and their colleague Walter Deyhle to talk about leadership communications in the workplace;...
Photo of Vice President Kamala Harris on stage at the DNC.

Producing Chicago: The DNC covered nearly impossible ground to raise up Kamala Harris as the new hero

Co-Founder and Executive Director Jeff Shesol on the challenges that Vice Presidents seeking a candidate nomination have faced. At a political...
A headshot of Paul Orzulak with soundwaves behind him

Morning Edition: Presidential Debate

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with former presidential speechwriters Mary Kate Cary and Paul Orzulak about Thursday's debate between President Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. ...
A headshot of Vinca LaFleur with soundwaves behind her

Speak with Impact: Strategies for Effective Communication

Ever wondered how to become a more effective public speaker? You won’t want to miss our Vinca LaFleur's guest appearance on Mo Bunnell's podcast, where...
President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington. It’s an annual process that former presidential speechwriters say take months. Speechwriters have the uneviable task of taking dozens of ideas and stitching into a cohesive narrative of a president’s vision for the year. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

How speechwriters delve into a president’s mind

Co-Founder and Executive Director Jeff Shesol on drafting State of the Union addresses and other speeches for President Bill Clinton. That concept...
WWW alum and Mayor Michelle Wu's director of speechwriting, Ezra Zwaeli, took part in a brainstorming session in the mayor's office to discuss the video montage that will run during the event.

‘There’s just too much to say’: Meet Mayor Michelle Wu’s chief speechwriter

Ezra Zwaeli, WWW alum and director of speechwriting for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, on writing her 2024 State of the City address. ...
Pevsner sitting at a desk marked “United States President.”

What Is Something Only Laurence Can Say?

WWW alumn Laurence Pevsner on writing speeches for UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and the art of crafting the perfect apology. Laurence Pevsner...