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 1996 NCAA Division I Runner–Up / NBA First Round Draft Pick, former Consensus Second–Team All–American, former McDonald's All–American, Executive Board Member of the 501(c)(3) Heavenly Productions Foundation, John Wallace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:46
Garrett Boorojian and John Wallace discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.legendsofbasketball.com/alumni/john-wallace/https://www.legends-mag.com/for-john-wallace-hard-work-mental-healthGarrett a…
Garrett Boorojian and 4x Emmy Award winner, National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Famer, National Jewish Sports Hall of Famer, International Jewish Sports Hall of Famer, ESPN SportsCenter Anchor of 33 years, Linda Cohn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:16
Garrett Boorojian and Linda Cohn discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/cohn_linda/"Linda CohnSportsCenter AnchorHall of Fame sportscaster Linda Cohn has served as a SportsC…
Garrett Boorojian and former Chief of Staff to Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Kamala Harris (Harris for President) / former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education, Sheila Nix [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:19
Garrett Boorojian and Sheila Nix discuss relationship building in a team environment.Sheila has one of the most complete and accomplished professional careers in local, state, and national politics, from the campaign tra…
Garrett Boorojian and National Political Reporter and former White House Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, former Reporter at the Associated Press, Georgetown University and Columbia Journalism School Alumnus, Ken Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:17
Garrett Boorojian and Ken Thomas discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.wsj.com/news/author/ken-thomas"Ken ThomasNational Political Reporter, The Wall Street JournalKen Thomas is a national polit…