Season 3 Theme: “What’s Next for New Orleans?”
The Back Rooms of Power
What does it really take to make a difference in New Orleans?
Who’s being left out of the conversation - and how do we change that?
This season pulls back the curtain on the city’s political machinery and explores what it will take to elect a mayor who reflects the real future of this city. Through candid discussions and exclusive insights, it ventures into the "backrooms of power," uncovering the city's survival strategies and institutional wisdom. By providing a platform for open dialogue, the speaker series seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in New Orleans.
Since 2021, Squeeze the Juice has brought together New Orleans’ most seasoned civic leaders and its boldest next-gen voices.
Past speakers include - Ti Martin, Melisssa Sawyer, Suzanne Mestayer, Bill Hines, Mark Davis, Aimee Quirk, Tara Hernandez, David Guidry, Clancy Dubos, Lee Zurik, Michael Hecht
Each private salon includes:
🍊An unfiltered interview with a local power player
🍊A closed-door discussion with invited guests. Emerging leaders with skin in the game.
🍊No recordings. No press. Real talk only.
In Season 3 the spotlight turns toward the 2026 mayoral election and the people working to put the next mayor in office... or keep them out.
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CJ Blache
C.J. Blache is a native of New Orleans and for over 30 years the focus of his practice has been in the area of governmental relations and regulatory law at the state and local level. He has been active in every session of the Louisiana Legislature since 1980 and is recognized as a keen strategist and consensus builder. His clients are exceptionally diverse and include a multitude of public and quasi-public entities and some of the largest corporations in the petro-chemical industry, transportation, maritime, and business arena.
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Stephanie Grace
Columnist and Editorial Director, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
Stephanie Grace is a prominent columnist at NOLA.com, renowned for her insightful commentary on Louisiana's political landscape. With a deep understanding of local politics, Stephanie delivers engaging columns that distill complex issues for readers. Her career spans various journalistic roles, showcasing her commitment to journalistic integrity and community engagement. As a trusted voice in Louisiana politics, Stephanie continues to contribute invaluable insights to NOLA.com, enriching public discourse on key issues in the region.
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Pres Kabakoff
Pres has been instrumental in transforming cities nationwide, starting with HRI’s hometown of New Orleans. In doing so, he’s turned underutilized areas into vibrant urban centers. Prior to founding HRI, he practiced real estate law and served as assistant to the managing partner of International Rivercenter, experience that proved valuable as HRI expanded in size and scope. He earned a B.S. from the University of Denver and holds a law degree from Louisiana State University.
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Silas Lee
Dr. Silas Lee is a nationally recognized pollster and strategist for a host of corporate, non-profit, public sector, political, and legal clients over the last 30 years. His company, Dr. Silas Lee and Associates, specializes in conducting public opinion research and creating communications strategies.
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Greg Rusovich
Born and raised in New Orleans, Mr. Rusovich is also very active in numerous past and present civic pursuits and has received many awards and honors for his many civic endeavors. He has dedicated his civic efforts toward post Katrina New Orleans reform and recovery issues. In that capacity, he serves as Chairman, Louisiana Board of International Commerce, past Chair, Greater New Orleans, Inc., and past Chair, New Orleans Convention Visitors Bureau. Appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, Mr. Rusovich currently serves as a Commissioner and is a past Chairman.
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James Carville and Mary Matalin are two of America’s most recognizable political strategists, renowned for their sharp minds, opposing political ideologies, and their famously tumultuous yet enduring marriage. Carville, a Democrat, gained fame as the mastermind behind Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, epitomized by his folksy Louisiana charm and relentless attack-style tactics. His mantra, “It’s the economy, stupid,” became a defining slogan of Clinton’s victory. A liberal icon, Carville has since advised progressive candidates and remained a vocal critic of conservative policies, particularly under the Bush and Trump administrations.
Matalin, a Republican, rose to prominence as a fervent conservative strategist, working for figures like Newt Gingrich, George H.W. Bush, and Donald Trump. Known for her fiery rhetoric and staunch conservatism, she has defended policies ranging from deregulation to Trump’s controversial actions as president. Despite her adversarial relationship with Carville during political battles—such as their legendary on-air sparring on CNN’s Crossfire—Matalin and Carville married in 1993, sparking media fascination over their “Democrat-Republican marriage.”
Their relationship, often described as a “political love story,” has been marked by public clashes (including a widely reported incident where Matalin called Carville a “fascist” during a fight) yet enduring partnership. They’ve co-authored books and occasionally appeared together in media, though their political differences remain irreconcilable. Carville and Matalin symbolize the deep partisan divide in American politics while also illustrating how personal bonds can persist amid ideological warfare.