Leaders Lead Even When It Hurts

Tony Taylor
  • 4.8 (39)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Semiweekly

Leaders Lead Even When It Hurts is a show about the real moments that shape us. Every week Tony Taylor sits with people who have lived through something hard and came out changed. Caregivers, creators, entrepreneurs, survivors. People in the messy middle who kept going even when it hurt. These conversations are raw, honest, and unscripted. We talk about the moments that broke you open, the choices that changed everything, and the strength you didn’t know you had. If you’re carrying a lot and trying to stay true to yourself while you build

  1. 4d ago

    On the Record: Running for Thurston County Commissioner | Michelle Gipson

    I've always believed that the best way to make an informed decision is to hear directly from the people asking for your vote.In this episode of On the Record™, I sit down with Michelle Gipson, who is running for Thurston County Commissioner, for a long-form conversation about her life, leadership, and vision for Thurston County.Michelle shares her journey from immigrating from Jamaica to building a life in Thurston County, raising a family, serving on the North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors, and working in nonprofit leadership. We also discuss housing affordability, homelessness, county budgeting, public safety, environmental stewardship, leadership, and what she hopes to accomplish if elected.My goal with On the Record™ isn't to tell you who to vote for. My goal is to create a space where candidates can have real conversations so voters can hear directly from them and make their own informed decisions.In this episode we discuss:Michelle's journey from Jamaica to Thurston CountyHer background in nonprofit leadership and public serviceServing on the North Thurston School BoardHousing affordability and homelessnessCounty budgeting and difficult leadership decisionsPublic safety and county governmentEnvironmental concerns and responsible growthLeadership philosophyWhy she's running for Thurston County CommissionerEvery candidate on the ballot for this office was offered the same opportunity to participate in On the Record™.If you enjoy these conversations, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode. An informed community starts with informed conversations.Connect with Michelle Gipsonhttps://www.michellegipson.com

  2. 6d ago

    On the Record™: Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders

    What does it really take to lead one of Washington State's largest sheriff's offices? In this episode of On the Record™, I sit down with Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders for an unscripted, long-form conversation about leadership, accountability, public safety, and the difficult decisions that come with serving more than 300,000 residents. During our conversation, Sheriff Sanders shares his perspective on: • Immigration enforcement and working with federal agencies• Flock cameras and balancing technology with privacy• Officer accountability and misconduct• Hiring decisions and lessons learned• Mental health response and crisis intervention• Community trust and transparency• Social media and public communication• Political independence and voting for President Trump• Race, leadership, and lived experiences• The legacy he hopes to leave as sheriff The purpose of On the Record™ is simple: To create space for thoughtful, long-form conversations that allow people to hear directly from the individuals serving their communities.. without sound bites, without headlines, and without someone else deciding what you should think. Whether you agree with Sheriff Sanders or disagree with him, my hope is that you'll leave this conversation with a better understanding of how he approaches leadership and the responsibilities of serving Thurston County. If you enjoy conversations like this, please subscribe, leave a comment, and let me know who you'd like to see interviewed next.

    On the Record™: Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders

  3. Jul 21

    On the Record: Running for Washington State Representative | Nick Oloo

    In this episode of On the Record, Tony Taylor sits down with Nick Oloo, a candidate for Washington State Representative in Washington’s 25th Legislative District. Oloo discusses his background as a pastor, educator, social worker, community advocate, nurse, and caregiver, along with the experiences that inspired him to seek public office. He explains how working directly with families has shaped his belief that strong families help create stronger communities. The conversation explores affordable housing, childcare, healthcare access, education, school safety, transportation, support for caregivers and healthcare workers, opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, immigration, public safety, and the rising cost of living. Oloo also discusses the loss of his son, how his views toward the LGBTQ community have evolved, the role his faith plays in his leadership, and how he would represent people of different faiths, backgrounds, identities, and political beliefs. He shares how he would communicate with constituents, approach compromise, remain connected to the community after an election, and measure whether he had been successful in office. On the Record is a nonpartisan, long-form interview series created to help voters hear directly from the candidates asking for their vote. Our goal is not to tell you who to support. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Every candidate on the ballot for this office has been offered the same opportunity to participate.

  4. Jul 18

    On the Record™: Running for Thurston County Sheriff | Kevin Burton-Crow

    On the Record™: Running for Thurston County Sheriff | Kevin Burton-Crow Choosing a sheriff means deciding who will be trusted with protecting the public, leading law-enforcement professionals, safeguarding constitutional rights, and responding during some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives. I created On the Record™ because I believe those decisions deserve more than campaign advertisements, social media posts, political arguments, or carefully rehearsed talking points. I want candidates to have the time and space to explain their experience, priorities, leadership style, and plans directly to the voters they hope to serve. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Burton-Crow, a candidate for Thurston County Sheriff. Kevin shares his experience serving 20 years in the United States Army and his work with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, which began when he volunteered as a reserve deputy in 2014. We also discuss his current work as a Special Victims Detective, his education in criminal justice and public administration, and the experiences that shaped his service-centered approach to leadership. Our conversation covers constitutional protections, interactions between local law enforcement and federal agencies, transparency, accreditation, training standards, recruitment and retention, conditions at the county jail, community policing, and support for vulnerable members of our community. Kevin also explains his “trust but verify” approach, his support for publishing measurable information about the Sheriff’s Office, and his belief that the agency should be built around strong systems that continue beyond any individual sheriff. Every candidate on the ballot for Thurston County Sheriff has been offered the same opportunity to participate in On the Record™. My mission is not to tell you who to vote for. My mission is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision for yourself. Learn more about Kevin Burton-Crow: https://Burton-CrowForSheriff.com Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/L1q5ocdUIFI On the Record™ is powered by Leaders Lead Network and SpeakUniversity.org.

  5. Jul 17

    On the Record™ Running for State Representative, 24th Legislative District | Mark Hodgson

    We created On the Record™ to give voters the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates asking for their vote.Too often, we are asked to make important decisions based on campaign ads, mailers, headlines, and short soundbites. I wanted to create something different: long-form conversations that allow voters to better understand who the candidates are, what they believe, and how they intend to lead.In this episode, I sit down with Mark Hodgson, a candidate for Washington State Representative in Washington’s 24th Legislative District.Mark discusses his background as a father, grandfather, Navy combat veteran, 20-year law enforcement officer, Port Angeles City Council member, union member, and community volunteer.He shares how growing up with housing insecurity shaped his views on affordable housing and economic opportunity. He also reflects on working multiple jobs as a young adult, returning to his community after military service, helping his family preserve their home, and why he believes rural communities need stronger representation in Olympia.During our conversation, we discuss:• Affordable housing and housing instability• Living-wage and family-wage jobs• Rural healthcare access• Economic development• Public safety and constitutional rights• Supporting working families• LGBTQIA+ rights• Listening to people with different political perspectives• Compromise, leadership, and decision-making• Accountability to constituents• How he would measure success in officeMark also explains why he believes legislation should reflect the unique needs of rural communities rather than relying on one-size-fits-all policies created primarily for the I-5 corridor.Every candidate on the ballot for this office has been offered the same opportunity to participate in On the Record™.I am not here to tell you who to vote for. My goal is to give you the information you need to listen, compare the candidates, and make your own informed decision.Learn more about Mark Hodgson at MarkHodgson.org.Watch the full conversation, share it with another voter, and let me know what stood out to you.Subscribe at LeadersLeadThePodcast.com#OnTheRecord #MarkHodgson #WashingtonPolitics #24thLegislativeDistrict #Election2026 #PortAngeles #OlympicPeninsula #LeadersLeadPodcast

  6. Jul 17

    On the Record™: Running for Washington State Representative | Jim Pierson

    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.

  7. Jun 13

    Somatic Healing Explained: How Stress Gets Trapped in the Body | Dr. Danielle Griffith

    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 commitmentThe hidden physical symptoms of chronic stressHow stress can show up as eye twitches, muscle cramps, digestive issues, and poor sleepWhat somatic healing actually is and how it worksSimple breathing and movement practices to calm the nervous systemThe role of hypnotherapy in overcoming fear, anxiety, and limiting beliefsWhy hustle culture may be keeping you stuckThe connection between trauma, stress, and chronic painHow to build success without sacrificing your health and relationshipsPractical 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.

  8. Jun 6

    On The Record: Angela Taylor's Journey from Sleepless Nights to the Campaign Trail

    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.

    On The Record: Angela Taylor's Journey from Sleepless Nights to the Campaign Trail
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About

Leaders Lead Even When It Hurts is a show about the real moments that shape us. Every week Tony Taylor sits with people who have lived through something hard and came out changed. Caregivers, creators, entrepreneurs, survivors. People in the messy middle who kept going even when it hurt. These conversations are raw, honest, and unscripted. We talk about the moments that broke you open, the choices that changed everything, and the strength you didn’t know you had. If you’re carrying a lot and trying to stay true to yourself while you build

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