POLITICO announces key 2026 audio and video hires

Announcement from Ben Reininga, Global Vice President, Audio and Video:

I’m excited to share several key developments on the audio/video team as we continue expanding the reach and impact of POLITICO’s journalism.

Our ambition is to establish POLITICO as a truly multi-platform publisher — as strong on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Instagram Reels as we are everywhere else. That means investing in premium formats that deepen loyalty with our core audience, introducing our reporting to new ones, and elevating the journalists who define our coverage.

Since last summer, we’ve built real momentum. The Conversation with Dasha Burns has become our flagship franchise, delivering a run of high-profile, globally news-making interviews — including Dasha’s sit-down with Donald Trump last fall. We relaunched the DC Playbook Podcast, now with video, debuted Canada Playbook, overhauled our Energy podcast, and earlier this year introduced Brussels Playbook as a daily show. And we have another exciting launch next week!

To sustain and scale that growth, we’re expanding the team. Today, I’m excited to announce several key additions and changes — with more to come.

Veronica Tejera joins as Deputy Head of Audio/Video.

Veronica brings more than a decade of experience producing high-impact political journalism across cable and digital newsrooms. Most recently, she was a Senior Producer for Live Events at The Washington Post, where she pitched, booked and produced flagship programs that amplified the Post’s journalism and convened top political and global leaders.

Before that, Veronica was a producer at CNN, helping lead daily and breaking news coverage from the control room and producing major interviews and political specials, including The Lead with Jake Tapper. Earlier in her career, she served as Jorge Ramos’ primary field producer during the 2016 election cycle and produced international specials and documentaries on global crises. She began her career in digital video at HuffPost Live and Fox News Channel. Veronica’s experience building ambitious, journalist-led franchises makes her the ideal partner as we scale.

Caitlin Hartman joins as Senior Producer for The Conversation.

Caitlin comes to us from NBC News’ Meet the Press, where she worked across editorial roles supporting the Sunday broadcast and major live news events, including the 2024 election and second inauguration of Donald Trump. Most recently, she served as Kristen Welker’s anchor producer, helping produce high-profile interviews and coordinate reporting across platforms.

She brings sharp editorial instincts, booking experience at the highest levels, and a deep understanding of political storytelling.

Blair Guild officially joins full-time as Senior Video Producer.

Blair Guild, a skilled video editor and producer, has been with the company since June, working across various podcasts and leading video production for Season 2 and 3 of The Conversation. At the end of 2025, she produced and edited video for The Conversation's interview with President Trump. Before POLITICO, Blair was a video journalist covering politics for The Washington Post. There, she created long-form video explainers, covered multiple elections, and produced featured video series covering national politics.

Saga Ringmar joins Dionis Sturis on the Brussels Playbook Podcast

After two years at POLITICO as a social media producer, Saga is joining the audio/video team, bringing experience across radio, podcasting and digital strategy. She previously worked with Swedish Public Radio’s Kinapodden, served as senior producer for the NuVoices podcast, and wrote for Time Out Beijing. 

Saga joins Dionis Sturis, the show’s senior producer, who’s spent years at Politico as the driving force behind EU Confidential, and has now moved into a new role, running the daily Brussels podcast.  Before joining POLITICO, he was a longtime foreign affairs reporter for TOK FM in Warsaw and is an award-winning nonfiction author who also writes cookbooks.

Nirmal Mulaikal takes on the senior producer role on the Energy Podcast

Nirmal— who’s not at all new to POLITICO — is stepping into a new role as Senior Producer of our newly expanded Energy Podcast, which relaunched earlier this year as a video/audio show with an interview with Energy Secretary Chris Wright. In his 6 years at POLITICO, Nirmal has worked on nearly ten POLITICO audio products. In addition to making the show, he’s a frequent host, so check him out on our podcast feeds.

This Audio/Video team reflects where we’re headed. In less than a year, we’ve redefined our flagship products, launched new daily shows on two continents, and laid the groundwork for even more growth. And we’re looking forward to more announcements in the coming weeks.