Leaders Lead Even When It Hurts

Every election, we’re asked to choose the people who will make decisions that affect our families, our communities, our schools, our businesses, and our future.Yet too often, we make those decisions based on campaign ads, mailers, sound bites, headlines, or mudslinging. On the Record™ was created to offer something different: a place where candidates step away from campaign slogans and have real, long-form conversations about who they are, what they believe, and how they intend to lead if elected.In this episode, Tony Taylor sits down with Jim Pierson, a candidate for Washington State Representative in the 35th Legislative District, Position 1.Pierson discusses his seven years serving in Army Special Forces, his career managing projects in the technology industry, and the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership. He also shares his views on housing affordability, healthcare costs, property taxes, government spending, immigration, energy, data centers, and protecting individual rights.The conversation explores how Pierson approaches difficult decisions, why he believes listening to voters across the political spectrum matters, and what he hopes to accomplish if elected. He also explains his commitment to transparency, constituent engagement, and representing individual voters rather than corporate interests.Every candidate on the ballot for this office has been offered the same opportunity to participate in On the Record™.Our mission is not to tell you who to vote for. Our mission is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision for yourself.Learn more about Jim Pierson:ElectJimPierson.comSubscribe to the podcast so that you can you can be notified when the next episode or debate drops: leadersleadthepodcast.com

On the Record™ is powered by Leaders Lead Network and SpeakUniversity.org.

What if the exhaustion you're feeling isn't a sign that you're working hard enough?

What if it's a warning sign that your nervous system is overwhelmed?

In this episode of Leaders Lead, Tony Taylor sits down with somatic educator, TEDx speaker, certified hypnotherapist, and author Dr. Danielle Griffith for a powerful conversation about burnout, stress, nervous system regulation, and the physical toll that high achievement can take on the body.

Dr. Griffith shares her own journey through chronic stress, grief, entrepreneurship, sleep deprivation, and burnout. Together, Tony and Dr. Griffith explore why so many leaders normalize exhaustion, how stress gets stored in the body, and practical ways to interrupt the cycle before it becomes a crisis.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, professional, caregiver, or someone who feels like you're constantly carrying the weight of the world, this conversation offers practical tools to help you reconnect with yourself and create sustainable success.

• Why high achievers often mistake exhaustion for commitment
• The hidden physical symptoms of chronic stress
• How stress can show up as eye twitches, muscle cramps, digestive issues, and poor sleep
• What somatic healing actually is and how it works
• Simple breathing and movement practices to calm the nervous system
• The role of hypnotherapy in overcoming fear, anxiety, and limiting beliefs
• Why hustle culture may be keeping you stuck
• The connection between trauma, stress, and chronic pain
• How to build success without sacrificing your health and relationships
• Practical steps you can begin using today

"Most people have been taught to override themselves for so long that they no longer recognize what peace and safety feel like."

Website: drdaniellegriff.com

Social Media: @DrDanielleGriff

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

Remember:

Leaders lead even when it hurts.

A special thank you to Henry Yang for his outstanding editing and production work on this episode. Your attention to detail helps bring these conversations to life and ensures they reach listeners with the quality they deserve.

Angela Taylor never expected to run for office.As a working mother of five caring for aging parents in rural Washington, she spent years experiencing the same pressures many families face every day: rising costs, medical expenses, caregiving responsibilities, and the constant challenge of making ends meet. Then came the sleepless nights.After years of hoping someone else would step up and address the issues impacting working families, Angela decided to stop waiting and put her own name on the ballot.In this episode of On The Record, Angela shares the personal experiences that led her to run for State Representative in Washington's 2nd Legislative District. She discusses the realities of the sandwich generation, supporting aging parents while raising children, surviving domestic violence, advocating for public education, and why she believes lived experience belongs at the policymaking table.We also explore what it's really like to run for office, the challenges facing rural communities, healthcare access, support for working families, small businesses, and why Angela believes everyday people should have a stronger voice in government.Whether you agree with her politics or not, this conversation offers an honest look at the person behind the campaign and the experiences that shaped her decision to serve.Hosted by Tony Taylor.Audio Edited by Henry YangOn The Record is a candidate spotlight series from Leaders Lead designed to help voters get to know the people behind the campaign through long-form conversations.Listen now and decide for yourself.

In this episode of On The Record™, Tony Taylor sits down with Jenn Marie Strickling, former union laborer, artist, community organizer, Chair of the 25th Legislative District Democrats, and candidate for Washington State Representative in the 25th Legislative District.

Jenn shares her journey from the construction trades and labor movement into public service, discussing how her experiences working alongside everyday people shaped her views on leadership, government, and economic opportunity. The conversation explores what happens when working families feel disconnected from decision makers, why community involvement matters, and the role leaders play in ensuring every voice has a seat at the table.

Tony and Jenn also discuss labor unions, healthcare access, housing affordability, artificial intelligence and the future of work, political accountability, and the challenges facing working families across Washington State.

Whether you agree with her positions or not, this conversation offers an opportunity to hear directly from a candidate about the values, experiences, and concerns that have shaped her approach to public service.

Follow On The Record™ for thoughtful conversations with candidates, elected officials, community leaders, and also public figures discussing the issues shaping our communities.

Edited by ⁠Henry Yang⁠

For most of my life, I didn’t realize I was dealing with body dysmorphia.

I thought it was....comparison, overthinking, insecurity, and constantly feeling like I needed to fix myself. In this episode, I talk about where it started for me, how the Marines amplified it, and some of the things that genuinely helped me work through it over the years. This was not an easy episode to record because men don’t really talk about this stuff openly.

But I know a lot of people carry this quietly.

We talk about:

1. comparison
2. perfectionism
3. emotional suppression
4. never feeling “good enough”
5. meditation
6. therapy
7. journaling
8. awareness
9. and learning how to stop attacking yourself mentally

One thing I’ve learned:

Just because the voice in your head says something about you doesn’t make it true.

If this episode resonates with you, subscribe to Leaders Lead, leave a rating, and share it with a friend who may need to hear it.

leadersleadthepodcast.com

This episode was edited by our amazing editor, Henry Yang, who is available for hire.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of abuse and may be sensitive for some listeners.

In this episode of Leaders Lead, Tony Taylor sits down with Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse for an in-depth, on-the-record conversation addressing the 2024 investigation and subsequent settlement.

As public scrutiny continues to shape the political landscape ahead of the next election cycle, Commissioner Clouse responds directly to questions about the investigation, her conduct, and the personal and professional fallout that followed.

This long-form discussion moves beyond headlines to explore accountability, resilience, leadership under pressure, and the broader implications for local government transparency.

Topics include:

1. The 2024 investigation and settlement
2. Public claims of “exoneration” and how she views the findings
3. The toll of scrutiny on public officials
4. Leadership during controversy
5. Governance, transparency, and public trust
6. The path forward as she continues in office

This episode offers listeners the opportunity to hear directly from the commissioner in her own words.

If any individual referenced in this episode wishes to respond or offer a rebuttal, they are invited to contact Tony and the Leaders Lead team at [email protected].

We welcome additional perspectives and are open to hearing other sides of the story.

leadersleadthepodcast.com

Self-worth isn’t something I learned from a book.

I learned it in the absence of someone who was supposed to be there. In this solo episode, I share a moment from my childhood that shaped how I saw myself for years… and how that belief followed me into my relationships, my work, and how I showed up in the world.

Fam, This isn’t a perfect story or a “here’s how I fixed everything” conversation. It’s my truth.

We talk about:

1. what it feels like to not feel chosen
2. how that belief shows up later in life
3. overextending, people-pleasing, and staying too long
4. the shift from proving your worth to understanding it

If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn being chosen… this episode is for you.

1. Not feeling chosen early in life can shape how you see yourself
2. Overgiving is often rooted in trying to earn love or validation
3. Just because you feel something doesn’t mean it’s true
4. Your worth isn’t based on how much you prove or give
5. You don’t have to keep carrying beliefs that weren’t yours to begin with
6. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
7. The importance of support, community, and honest conversations

If this resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself.

Share it with someone who might need to hear it…and take a moment to follow or rate the show. Listen on all platforms:

https://flowcode.com/p/FIHnpn9a

I’m dropping a new episode every Friday so when you wake up Saturday morning, it’s there for you.

This is a space for real conversations about what we’re actually going through.

I know a lot of you are carrying things you don’t talk about.

You don’t have to do it alone.

I’m putting together a monthly meditation and intention group. Nothing complicated. Just a place to check in, talk about what’s real, set an intention, and slow down.

If you need that, email [email protected] with MEDITATION in the subject line. I’ll send you the details.

I’m especially speaking to men with this. A lot of us are carrying more than we say.

If you’re here, I appreciate you. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next, and share this with someone who needs it.

I Turned 40… And Realized I’m Running Out of Time

For the first time in my life, I realized I probably have more years behind me than I do in front of me.

That changes how you look at everything.

In this solo episode, I’m not coming to you with answers. I’m coming to you with the questions I’ve been sitting with.

What am I doing with the time I have left?

Where am I still holding back?

And what does it actually mean to live in a way where nothing is left on the table?

We move through life like we have time. Like we can start later, say it later, fix it later.

But at some point… later starts running out.

If you’ve been feeling that pressure… if you know there’s more in you but you’ve been waiting…

This episode is for you.

🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms: https://flowcode.com/p/FIHnpn9a

📺 Full video episodes on YouTube coming soon. Subscribe now.

https://flowcode.com/p/FIHnpn9a⁠

This episode was mixed and edited by the amazing Henry Yang. He is available for hire. Tell him that Tony sent ya :)

https://www.instagram.com/henry_yang_productions/

In this episode, I share a personal update about the fight my family has been navigating and how it led me to step into advocacy in a deeper way. As a caregiver to a child with PANDAS PANS, I open up about the emotional weight, the challenges of navigating broken systems, and the moment I realized I could not stay silent any longer.

I talk about returning to school for counseling, supporting legislation for families like mine, and what it truly means to lead when the stakes are personal. This episode is about resilience, responsibility, and taking action when the system falls short.

If you are carrying stress, advocating for your family, or searching for purpose through hardship, this conversation will remind you that leadership often begins in the middle of the struggle.

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Listen here: leadersleadthepodcast.com

Community
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Join for support grounded conversation and a place to connect without the online noise while you navigate real life.

Resources
National Mental Health Support Lines: 988 or 1 800 273 8255
Podcast website: leadersleadthepodcast.com
Leaders Lead Community: flowcode.com/p/cSHVgIMAa?fc=0