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Lead Balloon - Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Communications StoriesPresented by Podcamp Media Author: Dusty Weis
Compelling tales from the world of public relations, marketing and branding, told by the well-meaning communications professionals who lived them. On Lead Balloon, professional communicators share tales of the do-or-die situations that defined their creative careershow they planned for the unexpected, how they navigated high-profile crises, and what they learned in the process. With immersive storytelling and a wry sense of humor, host Dusty Weis revisits epic PR disasters, intense communications scenarios, professional inflection points and notable campaigns we all remember, and usually finds a reason to chuckle. Because sometimes, there are important lessons to be learned from someone else's worst day. And sometimes, it's just more convenient than group therapy. Lead Balloon is an award-winning program for strategic communicators and content creators, named by Adweek as "Marketing Podcast of the Year," nominated for a Webby award and nominated for "Best Business Podcast" in the Podcast Academy awards. Tune in monthly for new episodes. Visit podcampmedia.com/leadballoon to learn more. Language: en Genres: Business, Business News, Marketing, News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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66. Cracks in the ICE: Legal Observers in Minneapolis Use the First Amendment to Swing Public Opinion About Immigration Crackdown
Episode 66
Tuesday, 24 February, 2026
Since the government shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, something has changed in the national conversation about the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. And the primary reason it’s happening is not a brilliant PR campaign, Pulitzer-winning journalism, or organized political strategy. It’s because of regular folks with camera phones documenting what’s actually happening on the streets of Minneapolis and other cities that have been occupied by ICE. By simply recording and sharing, they have publicly and irrefutably contradicted the Trump Administration’s blatant lies. And now, many people who did not want to pay attention to the issue are paying attention. Some folks who supported the aggressive immigration enforcement now don’t. And citizens who were not comfortable questioning the administration’s lies... question them now. Whether you want to call them “Legal Observers,” “Constitutional Observers,” or "regular folks" who record what’s happening, the impact is profound. So in this episode, we discuss why these brave Minnesotans with camera phones are such a potent force in the current political environment with Scott Libin, a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism. And, we speak with a former law enforcement leader in the Midwest who says more people need to pick up their smartphones and serve as "legal observers." Dave Mahoney served as Dane County, Wisconsin Sheriff from 2007 to 2021, and shared an interesting encounter with Dusty in 2011 that cemented both of their appreciations for the First Amendment right to document the government's actions. For those who are interested in serving as legal observers, Libin and Mahoney will even lay out some steps for enhancing your effectiveness and bolstering your safety. Because every American has a role to play in protecting our constitutional rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
