Insight & Influence: The Podcast
In late 2024, we launched our Insight & Influence e-newsletter to share information and updates on Harrisburg happenings and those with across the state. Now we've moved to the next level with a companion podcast, also called Insight & Influence.
Presented by C & G Strategies, Insight & Influence brings insightful conversations from influential people including government officials, industry leaders, and advocates from across the state.
Episode 15 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.
In the latest episode, host Rob Vescio brings together key figures in Pennsylvania’s legislative, industrial, and local business sectors to discuss the advocacy efforts focused on the investment in U.S. Steel by the Nippon Steel Corporation. The historic partnership protected and created more than 100,000 jobs across U.S. Steel’s footprints in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Alabama. The agreement also assured that U.S. Steel retained its iconic name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh.
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Robert Johnson (Executive Director of the Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce), and Chris Masciantonio (The Masciantonio Firm and former U.S. Steel government affairs executive) talk about what the future of this iconic American manufacturer means for local economies, regional jobs, and state policy.
Senator Ward, the first legislator to guest on the podcast twice, shares insights from Harrisburg on preserving Pennsylvania's industrial footprint and supporting manufacturing workforce stability. Robert Johnson highlights the ripple effect on small businesses, supply chains, and communities across the Mon Valley region from the deal, while Chris Masciantonio outlines the business dynamics, regulatory landscape, and strategic challenges facing U.S. Steel.
2026 Episodes
Episode 1: What's Ahead from the C & G Strategies Team
Episode 2: Alex Halper of the PA Chamber
Episode 3: Dewey Ianuzzo and Rachel Poorman of the Pittsburgh Towing Association
Episode 4: Brian Kennedy of the Pittsburgh Technology Council
Episode 5: Rep. Justin Fleming and Jen DeBell of PennAEYC
Episode 6: Matt Smith of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Episode 7: Sheriff Kevin Kraus and Todd McGregor and Mike Daniher of Scouting America
Episode 8: Senator Nick Pisciottano and Alan Sisco, ACED Deputy Director
Episode 9: Saleem Ghubril of The Pittsburgh Promise and Leroy Ball of Koppers
Episode 10: Will Pickering of Pittsburgh Water
Episode 11: Jeff Garner of Pittsburgh Riverhounds Sports Group
Episode 12: Dawnelle Mock of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA)
Episode 13: Rep. Jessica Benham and Patrick DeMico, The Provider Alliance
Episode 14: C & G Strategies' Rob Vescio and Don Smith
Episode 15: Luke Bernstein of the PA Chamber
2025 Episodes
Episode 1: Senator Jay Costa, Jr.
Episode 2: Lt Governor Austin Davis and Cara Ciminillo (Trying Together)
Episode 3: Senate Pro Tem Kim Ward and Danielle Ramaley (WATT Fuel Cell)
Episode 4: Senator Joe Pittman, Ali Mills (Plum Contracting) and Rich Barcaskey (CAWP)
Episode 5: Rep. Jesse Topper and Audrey Russo (Pittsburgh Technology Council)
Episode 6: Senator Wayne D. Fontana and Saleem Ghubril (The Pittsburgh Promise)
Episode 7: Dawn Keezer (Pittsburgh Film Office) and Mamie Stein (IATSE Local 489)
Episode 8: Lauren Niehaus (Trulieve) and Meredith Buettner (PA Cannabis Coalition)
Episode 9: Rep. Lindsay Powell, Marc Little (Emery Construction) and Jason Tigano (LEVEL)
Episode 10: Major Marcus Jugenheimer and Adam Kitta (The Salvation Army WPA Division)
Episode 11: Matt Galluzzo (Riverlife) and Rep. Emily Kinkead
Episode 12: C & G Strategies' Tony Crisci and Rob Vescio
Episode 13: Tom Frank (NAIOP Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Councilmember Erika Strassburger
Episode 14: PA Senator Greg Rothman, Chair of the PA Republicans
Episode 15: Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, Chair of the PA Democrats
Episode 16: Rep. Matt Bradford
Episode 17: Senator Devlin Robinson and Christina Cassotis (ACAA)
Listen and learn on your favorite podcast platforms today.
(And don’t forget to subscribe. New episodes available twice a month – subscribe and don’t miss one.)
