Building Bridges in Divisive Times: Insights from Political Consultant and Entrepreneur Scott Schweitzer

Working Across Differences in Politics: "I can work with people, and still it goes back to what we were saying earlier. I can work with people and still disagree with them on things, but maybe I need to." - Scott Schweitzer

We sit down with Scott Schweitzer—a longtime political consultant and entrepreneur whose journey bridges the worlds of politics and microbrewing. Scott shares how a simple night of beer tasting with friends led him to co-found a brewery, while continuing his 25-year career navigating the highs and lows of American politics.

Scott Schweitzer began his career in political storytelling in 2000 at The Strategy Group Company. Over the years, Scotthas worked across every stage of the advertising process and at every level of politics. Including having served as Co-Chair of Vivek Ramaswamy’s Super PAC.  

Today, he serves as the Chief Operations Officer as well as providing campaign strategy to statewide officeholders, members of Congress, legislative caucuses, ballot initiatives, and third-party organizations.

Before joining The Strategy Group Company, Scott worked in Washington, D.C., focusing on grassroots lobbying and public policy. Upon returning to Ohio, he served as Executive Director of a successful issue advocacy organization, managed numerous political campaigns, and worked at the Ohio State House of Representatives.

We talk about the powerful emotions that drive today’s increasingly divided political arena, explore the complexities of building bridges across differences, and talk about how tribalism in both politics and everyday life can separate us—or bring us together.

Scott also opens up about his approach to helping candidates connect authentically with voters through storytelling and reflects on the personal challenges of staying grounded and empathetic in a profession marked by skepticism and heated debate.

Plus, we touch on the impact of social media, the importance of curiosity, and how skills from entrepreneurship and consulting translate to everyday relationships. Whether you’re interested in leadership, emotional intelligence, or are just a curious soul, this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and some practical advice—including a heartfelt reminder that failure is part of learning and growth.

Here are our top three takeaways:

• Curiosity Opens Doors: Scott emphasized the power of asking questions and being curious, both for personal growth and bridging divides. Stepping outside our echo chambers and seeking different perspectives can reshape our understanding and foster empathy.
• Emotional Connection is Key: Whether it’s a political campaign or launching a new product, Scott underscored the importance of building genuine emotional connections. People are far more likely to buy in—to ideas, products, or candidates—when they feel heard and understood.
• Failure is Part of the Process: Scott’s advice for entrepreneurs? Be willing to fail—and most importantly, learn from those failures. Growth comes from trying, stumbling, reflecting, and trying again.

Key Moments

05:12 The Cost of Political Tribalism

09:23 Purposeful Living and Community Impact

11:40 Rethinking Affirmative Action Globally

14:56 Value of Elected Officials

18:00 U.S. Government's Poor Decision-Making

23:21 Collaborating Despite Differences

24:25 Familiarity Breeds Skepticism

28:07 "Emotional Connection in Politics"

32:03 Profound Insight on Bill Maher

35:33 "Escaping Reality and Its Risks"

38:45 "Power of Personal Testimony"

41:06 Embrace Failure to Succeed

44:31 Overlooking Self-Empathy's Importance

48:07 The Challenges of Personal Growth

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