First Mondays Webinars

Continuing in the tradition of bringing new insights and new voices to important topics, Gardner runs a First Mondays Webinar series. These are designed to bring an array of new voices to the conversation about the critical issues we face today as a democracy.

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2026 Webinar Series: A New Look at the American Voter

The 2026 PSG Consulting First Mondays Webinar Series returns with a timely and essential theme: A New Look at the American Voter. Building on the success and momentum established through our 2025 Narrative Series, this year’s series brings together a diverse group of leading practitioners, researchers, and strategists to examine the evolving dynamics shaping public opinion and political engagement. Register to join us live or subscribe below for full series access to recordings and panelist resources.

Watch the Recording Here
Our realities are increasingly shaped by what we are “learning” from AI-based sources like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. LLMs (AI Large Language Models) have become part of everyday life and increasingly shape what information people encounter and in what order, subtly deciding what's important and even what is true, sometimes without users realizing it.
The key question is: How are these models trained? Who and what is training the trainers?
To discuss this question, we were joined by Tim Chambers and Mary Coller Albert of Dewey Square Group; Jessica González, the co-CEO of the media and tech public policy organization, Free Press; and Kelsey Suter, a Partner at Upswing Research.
Understanding American voters requires understanding how their opinions are shaped. LLMs play an increasing role in determining how people understand and process information. We ignore this at our peril.
Watch the Recording Here
If we are to revitalize our country, it is essential to understand how the Right achieved its goal of changing the operating environment in which elections are held and public policies debated.

One of their most effective strategies has been to pit groups of Americans against each other. One group becomes an existential threat to the other.
“Othering,” as it’s known in research and policy circles, is increasingly recognized as a keystone to success by those who believe America’s democracy is not in their best interest.

Download the Full Research Deck Here
Register Here
Register Here

SUBSCRIBE TO THE 2026 WEBINAR SERIES

Subscribe for Full 2026 Series Access

Since its inception in 2022, PSG First Mondays Webinars have curated topics and speakers that have attracted a wide audience of campaign professionals, organizational leaders, elected officials, donors and activists across the country.

First Mondays can only continue with the audience support. We are asking you to help our efforts by subscribing to support these webinars. Your subscription will include:

Access to the entire webinar, where you can hear speaker presentations, participate in live Q&A
Opportunity to suggest follow ups and future topics
For certain webinars, you’ll be invited to a post-show extended discussion

Featured

Apr 13, 2026

The Path to Power: How to Defeat the Us versus Them Republican Strategy

Apr 13, 2026

If we are to revitalize our country, it is essential to understand how the Right achieved its goal of changing the operating environment in which elections are held and public policies debated.

One of their most effective strategies has been to pit groups of Americans against each other. “Othering,” as it’s known in research and policy circles, is increasingly recognized as a keystone to success by those who believe America’s democracy is not in their best interest.

If we are to revitalize our country, it is essential to understand how the Right achieved its goal of changing the operating environment in which elections are held and public policies debated.

One of their most effective strategies has been to pit groups of Americans against each other. One group becomes an existential threat to the other.

“Othering,” as it’s known in research and policy circles, is increasingly recognized as a keystone to success by those who believe America’s democracy is not in their best interest.

Innovating for the Public Good’s multi-phased research has shown its potency among various – if not most – audiences. And it is particularly effective in an environment where more and more Americans feel like they are losing power and the ability to manage their lives.

The latest research between Innovating for the Public Goodand the incredible team at Hart Research provides a way to not only understand the power of othering but also to develop strategies and tools to undercut its impact writ large versus the current whack-a-mole approach. We were joined this month by three members of the Hart Research Team: Geoff Garin, Corrie Hunt and London Wagner.

You can download both the slides shared in this month’s presentation, along with an extended deck, below.

Download the Webinar Deck

Download the Extended Deck

Apr 13, 2026

Mar 2, 2026

American Voters, Large Language Models & Shaping Realities

Mar 2, 2026

Our realities are increasingly shaped by what we are “learning” from AI-based sources like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. LLMs (AI Large Language Models) have become part of everyday life and increasingly shape what information people encounter and in what order, subtly deciding what's important and even what is true, sometimes without users realizing it. The key question is: How are these models trained? Who and what is training the trainers?

Our realities are increasingly shaped by what we are “learning” from AI-based sources like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. LLMs (AI Large Language Models) have become part of everyday life and increasingly shape what information people encounter and in what order, subtly deciding what's important and even what is true, sometimes without users realizing it.

The key question is: How are these models trained? Who and what is training the trainers?

That was the topic of discussion for our first 2026 Webinar Series: A New Look at the American Voter this month.

We were joined by Tim Chambers and Mary Coller Albert of Dewey Square Group; Jessica González, the co-CEO of the media and tech public policy organization, Free Press; and Kelsey Suter, a Partner at Upswing Research.

Understanding American voters requires understanding how their opinions are shaped. LLMs play an increasing role in determining how people understand and process information. We ignore this at our peril.

Download Dewey Square Group’s Slides

Read the Full Report on LLM Research Referenced Here

Download Kelsey Suter’s Slides

Mar 2, 2026

Jan 8, 2026

Reframing Democratic Values for a Shared Future

Jan 8, 2026

We hear all the time that America is deeply divided. But on many of the issues that affect people’s everyday lives, most Americans actually agree.

As screenwriter and political strategist Billy Ray points out, there’s broad support for core Democratic ideals, like raising the minimum wage, taking on climate change, investing in infrastructure and standing up to Big Pharma.

We hear all the time that America is deeply divided. But on many of the issues that affect people’s everyday lives, most Americans actually agree.

As screenwriter and political strategist Billy Ray points out, there’s broad support for core Democratic ideals, like raising the minimum wage, taking on climate change, investing in infrastructure and standing up to Big Pharma.

The problem isn’t the issues. It’s that Democrats have a branding problem. Despite spending billions in the 2024 election cycle, many Americans are still unclear what Democrats stand for. More than our opposition to Donald Trump, future communications must contribute to a larger narrative focused on our shared values.

This conversation is part of PSG Consulting’s ongoing work to convene thoughtful voices to discuss effective narratives for the road ahead. Rewatch the 2025 Narrative Series and learn more here.

Jan 8, 2026

Dec 8, 2025

Shaping the 2026 Narratives

Dec 8, 2025

During our narrative series this year, one thing that became increasingly clear was that we will not be able to rebuild America unless we have a narrative of compelling stories, based in fundamental American values, that speak to everyday lives and signal a willingness to actually listen to one another with a desire to find common ground.

Our panelists Erica Williams Simon, Andy Bernstein and Nancy Zdunkewicz discussed the narratives and stories we should be promoting in 2026.

During our narrative series this year, one thing that became increasingly clear was that we will not be able to rebuild America unless we have a narrative of compelling stories, based in fundamental American values, that speak to everyday lives and signal a willingness to actually listen to one another with a desire to find common ground.

The current debate among Democratic insiders focuses on the question of whether we should move to the center or champion progressive candidates and policies. This debate misses the point.

Most Americans believe that democracy is the best form of government, but 1/3 don’t have faith in democracy anymore. And a quarter do not believe that our political leaders are committed to protecting it or acting in the interest of their constituents.

Democracy depends on people to engage in a joint effort to make a more perfect union. The stories we tell ourselves either help or hurt this aspirational goal.

Our panelists Erica Williams Simon, Andy Bernstein and Nancy Zdunkewicz discussed the narratives and stories we should be promoting in 2026 to not only elect candidates but also to buttress the belief in our country’s ability to form a more perfect union.