Ballard Partners’ incredible growth over the course of more than two decades has significantly raised its profile. Established in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1998 by Brian Ballard, Ballard Partners now maintains well over a dozen offices across the country and around the world.
Ballard Partners has also raised its profile through its podcast, 13th & Park. Hosted by acclaimed media consultant Adam Goodman, 13th & Park features informative and engaging interviews with prominent guests from across the worlds of politics, media, entertainment, sports, business, and more.
Much of the credit for the success of the show goes to Goodman, who prides himself on asking questions that enable viewers to learn who the guests are as people. In one notable example, he opened an interview with Marco Rubio, then a senator but soon to be appointed secretary of state, by reciting an Eminem lyric. The strategy worked and resulted in an entertaining, insightful conversation.
While Goodman typically welcomes guests to Ballard Partners’ studios in Washington, DC, the firm also maintains a studio in West Hollywood. When a particular episode has a California angle, Goodman will occasionally turn the hosting duties over to Anthony Williams, the managing partner of Ballard Partners’ Sacramento, California, office. Let’s look at the three most recent times that’s happened.
Season 3, Episode 23
In the wake of the catastrophic Los Angeles fires, Williams welcomed Mark Ghilarducci, the former director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, for a conversation about what the state can do to pick up the pieces. Ghilarducci shared insights gleaned from his tenure as the director for 11 years, during which time he led the response to several devastating wildfires.
Ghilarducci, who now serves as the president and CEO of Emergent Global Solutions, was the ideal choice to speak with Williams about the fires because of his widely regarded expertise in fire response. During his tenure in the governor’s office, he established nationally recognized standards that included enhanced wildfire monitoring. Today, along with his responsibilities as the head of Emergent Global Solutions, he is a board member with the National Fire Protection Association.
Season 3, Episode 57
The June 2025 episode was a conversation between Williams and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. As he considered a run for governor, Villaraigosa discussed many of California’s challenges, ranging from climate change to homelessness. In addition, Villaraigosa discussed how, if elected, he would draw on his experience as a public servant to address these issues.
Villaraigosa has since confirmed his plans to enter the California gubernatorial race in 2026, joining a contest to replace the term-limited Gavin Newsom. Williams was particularly well-suited to interview Villaraigosa given the host’s experience working in the California governor’s office as a legislative affairs secretary during Newsom’s first term.
At Williams’ prompting, Villaraigosa discussed the many lessons he learned over his two terms leading Los Angeles. Along with his focus on improving public safety, Villaraigosa spent his tenure pursuing sustainability, education, transportation, and other initiatives aimed at making Los Angeles a better place to live.
Season 3, Episode 64
Another well-known Los Angeles figure, Nathan Hochman joined 13th & Park for this July 2025 episode. The new district attorney of Los Angeles County, Nathan Hochman shared with Williams his vision for justice in the county. He also discussed strategies for how the District Attorney’s Office can play a role in addressing homelessness and protecting the victims of crime.
Hochman came to his position as district attorney after serving as an assistant US attorney general and as a private-practice lawyer. Elected by over a 20-point margin in 2024, he ran as a nonpartisan candidate and attracted bipartisan support. Prior to beginning his career as an attorney, Hochman earned a law degree from Stanford University and graduated magna cum laude from Brown University.
