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.
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.
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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.
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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
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
How do people remember, believe, decide, and act—and what does that mean for the way we communicate?
In this PSG Consulting Conversation, Page Gardner is joined by Dr. Jiggy Geronimo, Kate Catherall and Dr. Drew Westen, to explore the research behind emotions-first communication and why rational, poll-tested messages can fall short when they fail to create emotional resonance.
How do people remember, believe, decide, and act—and what does that mean for the way we communicate?
In this PSG Consulting Conversation, Page Gardner is joined by Dr. Jiggy Geronimo, Kate Catherall and Dr. Drew Westen, to explore the research behind emotions-first communication and why rational, poll-tested messages can fall short when they fail to create emotional resonance.
Drawing on neuroscience, social psychology, message research, and the new Feelings Over Facts: Embracing an Emotions-First Narrative Strategy report, the discussion examines motivated reasoning, shared values, belonging, storytelling, social proof, visual communication, repetition and the role of trusted messengers. The speakers also offer a practical framework for understanding an audience’s emotional landscape and developing narratives designed to capture attention, create connection and move people toward action.
You can view the full report, guide and practitioner workbook here.
Download the Feelings Over Facts Slides
Download Dr. Drew Westen’s Slides