[EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publish]Corey Zimmerman is learning campaign politics the hard way and turning it into a playbook for real-world change. If you care about New Mexico, health care, education, or what actually happens when someone leaves the comfort zone and starts meeting voters, this conversation is the one to hear.What starts as a status update quickly becomes a revealing look at how a first-time candidate builds credibility fast - by listening, showing up, and refusing to talk in slogans. Corey shares what he’s learned from mentors like Ramona Goldsby and Miguel Padley, how campaigning has pushed him into festivals, galas, barbershops, union meetings, and campus events, and why the most effective thing a candidate can do is have honest conversations instead of just reciting talking points.We break down the issues he’s hearing about most: malpractice insurance driving doctors out, Medicare and Medicaid access, the coming Presbyterian coverage changes, and the growing reality that New Mexicans may be forced to cross state lines for care. Corey explains why he’s focused on practical solutions like tort reform, higher reimbursement rates, and keeping more health care dollars in-state instead of watching corporate middlemen scoop up the profits.You’ll also hear how his campaign is reshaping his view of politics itself. Rather than treating people as enemies, Corey argues for a New Mexico first approach built on integrity, teamwork, service, and responsibility. Cody and Collin press him on party stereotypes, polarization, and the problem with turning every disagreement into a tribal fight, and Corey makes the case that the future belongs to people willing to meet in the middle and work the problem.If you’re tired of empty politics and want to hear what a candidate sounds like when he’s actually learning from the people he meets, this episode delivers. It’s especially relevant for New Mexicans, voters in Bernalillo County District 26, and anyone who still believes leadership should mean listening first and serving the common good. Guest CredibilityCorey Zimmerman is a New Mexico candidate and hospice chaplain whose campaign is grounded in community listening, health care advocacy, and service-oriented leadership. Cody brings the host perspective and sharpens the conversation around local politics, health care, and community impact. Collin Klein adds the philosophical counterbalance, pushing the discussion toward root causes, human motivation, and what it means to think beyond binary politics.Vote early, stay informed, and hear why Corey believes the real work starts long before Election Day. Chapters 00:00 Insights from Political Campaigning03:14 Impact of Policy Decisions on Healthcare10:27 Importance of Integrity and Responsibility29:05 Navigating Political Polarization30:29 The Importance of Genuine Communication32:17 Humility and Wisdom in Leadership49:43 The Impact of Individual Votes
