When the phone rings at midnight and a global crisis is unraveling — Greg Hittelman is the one you want on the line.
Dubbed a "secret weapon of Capitol Hill," Greg Hittelman shares what it really takes to navigate political chaos, corporate disaster, and global corruption — all while staying calm and strategic under pressure.
In this powerful interview, Greg opens up about:
The first thing he does when a crisis hits (and why it works)
How to balance legal advice with brand values in PR nightmares
The Gulf oil spill lesson no CEO should forget
Behind the scenes at The Sentry — George Clooney’s anti-corruption nonprofit
How they follow the money to shut down war profiteers & launderers
A hilarious story bartending for Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr.
His personal career failures, recovery, and philosophy on saying “yes”
Why doing - saying in crisis response
🔥 Whether you’re a founder, exec, communicator, or just love epic true stories — this episode delivers strategy, inspiration, and some serious laughs.
🎙 Sponsored by: Litchfield Distillery & Works Branding Studio
📘 Greg’s featured in Peter’s book – available now.
📍 Follow Greg’s work with The Sentry
0:00 – Intro: Crisis, Lawyers & Brand Disasters
0:40 – Meet Greg Hittelman: Capitol Hill’s “Secret Weapon”
1:12 – What Happens When Crisis Calls at Midnight?
2:00 – Why Staying Calm is Your Biggest Advantage
2:55 – The Power of Listening in Crisis Response
3:30 – Lawyers Say "Don't Get Sued" – But Is That Always Right?
4:46 – Balancing Legal Risk vs. Brand Values
5:56 – The PR Mistake of the Century: CEO on a Yacht During Oil Spill
6:41 – Don’t Just Spin It — Solve It First
7:00 – Introducing The Sentry: Clooney’s Anti-Corruption Machine
7:58 – How The Sentry Fights Global Corruption & War Profiteers
8:56 – Investigating Wagner Group & High-Risk Targets
9:45 – Data Security, Physical Safety & Real Consequences
10:30 – Bartending for Frank Sinatra & The Rat Pack
11:54 – Sammy Davis Jr.'s Egg Salad Sandwich Test
13:30 – The Life Lesson: Say Yes First, Figure It Out Later
14:50 – Major Failure on Set: Too Much Hustle, Not Enough Timing
16:00 – Why Some Crews Hate Overachievers (Truth Bomb)
16:20 – Final Words & Peter’s Book Shoutout
17:15 – “Don’t Be a Fanboy – Treat Them Like People”
#GregHittelman #CrisisManagement #PRDisasters #TheSentry #GeorgeClooney #PoliticalStrategy #BrandReputation #CapitolHill #MoneyLaundering #GlobalCorruption #FrankSinatra #SammyDavisJr #CrisisResponse #LeadershipInCrisis #WarProfiteering #WagnerGroup #CryptoCrime #corporatecommunication
🔗 Subscribe for more insider interviews
A big thanks to our sponsors
https://litchfielddistillery.com
❤️ Sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury
Thanks to Atlas Studios for powering the marketing and distribution of this podcast — your expertise in launching bold ideas and building lasting audiences means the world.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!