Garrett Boorojian and Bloomberg News Political Contributor, Political Science / International Studies Professor at Iona University, Visiting Fellow at Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Author, Pollster, Jeanne Sheehan Zaino

Garrett Boorojian and Bloomberg News Political Contributor, Political Science / International Studies Professor at Iona University, Visiting Fellow at Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Author, Pollster, Jeanne Sheehan Zaino

Author: Garrett Boorojian February 19, 2026 Duration: 1:20:38

Garrett Boorojian and Jeanne Sheehan Zaino discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Garrett and Dr. Zaino, who's a Bloomberg News contributor, an Iona University political science and international studies professor, a book author, and a pollster, analyze the current state of our nation during these polarizing times where the federal government under both Trump Administrations have been sowing doubts in our free and fair democratic elections, undermining democratic norms, and dismantling democratic institutions. Dr. Zaino believes, and Garrett concurs, that the constructs of Congress and The White House need to be reimagined (redesigned) to prevent any future unconstitutional and authoritarian-style overreach originating from the Executive Branch.

Garrett and Dr. Zaino also speak about the political fallout of President Trump's role on January 6th, 2021, the immigration policy during President Biden's Administration, and the 2010 BP Oil spill during President Obama's first term.

Garrett believes that the federal government under Trump hasn't employed as many of the best and brightest compared to America's academic, financial, and corporate institutions. He further adds that not every leader at the federal level, although previously accomplished in the private sector, are effective, qualified, and competent. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are cited as examples.

https://jeannesheehanzaino.net/

https://ash.harvard.edu/people/jeanne-sheehan-zaino/

https://www.iona.edu/faculty/zaino-jeanne

"JEANNE SHEEHAN ZAINO, PH.D.

PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Phone:

(914) 633-2252

Email:

jzaino@iona.edu

Degrees:

  • Ph.D., Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • MA, Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • MPA, Survey Research & Data Analysis, Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut, Storrs (now Cornell University)
  • BA, University Scholar, Political Science & Mass Communications, University of Connecticut, Storrs

Biography

Dr. Jeanne Sheehan Zaino is a professor of Political Science & International Studies at Iona University (NY, USA). A pollster by training, she is also political contributor with Bloomberg News, a Senior Democracy Fellow with the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress [CSPC], an affiliated faculty member with the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies (ITPS), a member of the International Advisory Board for South Asia Research, and author of several books and articles, including her most recent book Sikander Hyat-Khan: Collected Papers of The Premier of United Punjab, 1928-1942 (Primus 2024) and the forthcoming America Democracy in Crisis: The Case for Rethinking Madisonian Government, Post-January 6 (Palgrave MacMillian 2025). Along with four colleagues at Iona who form the Data Science working group she was recently awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) Division of Undergraduate Education for a project entitled "Data Science for Future Leaders."

More on Dr. Sheehan Zaino and her work can be found on www.jeannesheehanzaino.net."


Garrett Boorojian hosts WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment, a podcast that digs into the human dynamics behind high-stakes success. Each conversation moves beyond typical interviews to explore how trust, communication, and genuine connection are forged under pressure. The guest list is a testament to the universal application of these principles, featuring Hall of Fame athletes from football, basketball, and baseball, Olympic medalists, Emmy-winning media figures, and top coaches and executives. These are individuals for whom "team" is not a corporate buzzword but the fundamental mechanism of achievement. You'll hear firsthand accounts of navigating locker rooms, boardrooms, and creative collaborations. The discussions are grounded in real stories-from the tension before a championship game to the delicate negotiations of a major business deal-revealing the practical methods these professionals use to build cohesive units. This isn't abstract theory; it's lived experience dissected to uncover what actually works. Whether you're leading a sports team, a business department, or any collaborative project, this podcast offers a rare look at the relational craftsmanship required to excel. Garrett guides these explorations with a focus on actionable insight, making each episode a masterclass in the subtle art of working with others.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment
Podcast Episodes
Garrett Boorojian and FOX 5 DC Anchor / Reporter, former Washington Commanders Game Day Host, former NBC Sports Washington Host / Anchor, former News Desk Anchor for NBC Olympics, Miss Florida USA 2001, University of Florida graduate, Julie Donaldson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:35
Garrett Boorojian and Julie Donaldson discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.juliedonaldson.com/"ABOUT JULIEJulie has been a pioneering figure in sports broadcasting, breaking gender barriers in…
Garrett Boorojian and NYT Bestselling Author, JFK Jr.'s friend, former The History Channel Scholar–in–Residence, University of Oklahoma Emeritus Professor, former University of Oxford Lecturer, former Yale University Associate Professor, Steve Gillon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:56
https://www.stevenmgillon.com/"STEVEN M. GILLONHistorian | Author | Producer | Professor | Speaker"History is not about memorizing facts. It’s about using facts to build an argument for interpreting the past." - Steven M…
Garrett Boorojian and Fenway Senior Speechwriter, former Speechwriter – Governor & First Lady Walz, former Communications Director & Chief Speechwriter – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, former Director of Speechwriting – Speaker Pelosi, Aaron Bennett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:46
Garrett Boorojian and Aaron Bennett discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://fenwaystrategies.com/team/aaron-bennett/"Aaron BennettSenior SpeechwriterAaron’s parents suspected that he might have a futu…
Garrett Boorojian and CNN Senior Legal Analyst, former Assistant U.S. Attorney – Southern District of New York, former Assistant Attorney General – New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Senior Counsel at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Elie Honig [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:59
Garrett Boorojian and Elie Honig discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B093HZ7WZL/about"Elie HonigAbout the authorElie Honig is CNN's Senior Legal Analyst. He previously…
Garrett Boorojian and DrPH, MA, RDN, 2022 Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year, 2024 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Distinguished Lecture Award winner, Recurring Nutrition Expert / Guest on ABC's "LIVE with Kelly and Mark," Wendy Bazilian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:59
Garrett Boorojian and Wendy Bazilian discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.wendybazilian.com/about"Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RDN is a writer, educator, food enthusiast and award-winning journali…
Garrett Boorojian and Principal of JOEY JACKSON LAW, PLLC, CNN Legal Analyst, honored with the Joey Jackson ICC, Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney's Office, former Adjunct Professor at Monroe College, Joey Jackson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:08
Garrett Boorojian and Joey Jackson discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.joeyjacksonlaw.com/"PREMIER LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR NEW YORKNationally recognized for expertise in criminal law, union m…
Garrett Boorojian and the 62nd U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, 34th Chief of Protocol of the U.S., former Finance Chair for 2024's Biden for President and Harris for President, former DNC National Finance Director, Brown University alumnus, Rufus Gifford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:50
Garrett Boorojian and Rufus Gifford discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.elrodgifford.com/https://www.elrodgifford.com/#services"Rufus GiffordREAD FULL BIORufus Gifford is a former U.S. Ambassa…
Garrett Boorojian and the 31st Chief of Protocol of the U.S., former Executive Vice President & Global Head of Government and Public Affairs at SAP, formerly served in Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden Administrations, Peter Selfridge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:02
Garrett Boorojian and Peter Selfridge discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.usasean.org/https://www.usasean.org/people/peter-selfridge"Peter SelfridgeNominations and Governance Committee ChairPe…
Garrett Boorojian and Chief Legal Analyst at CNN, Emmy Award winner, former Staff Writer at The New Yorker, Contributing Opinion Writer at The New York Times, former Assistant U.S. Attorney (Brooklyn), Best–Selling Book Author, Jeffrey Toobin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:04
In his conversation with Garrett, Jeffrey speaks about:- His mentor Tina Brown, former Editor of The New Yorker, who gave Jeffrey a chance by hiring him in 1993.- Covering Mark Fuhrman's role in the O.J. Simpson trial.-…
Garrett Boorojian and Brig. Gen. USAF (Ret.), former F–15E Combat Pilot, former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University alumnus, John "Dragon" Teichert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
Garrett Boorojian and Brigadier General (Retired) John Teichert discuss relationship building in a team environment.John spoke with me about how Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun” movie inspired him to join the United States Air For…