Leaders Lead Even When It Hurts

Tony Taylor
  • 4.8 (40)
  • 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. 1d ago

    Thurston County Commissioner Rachel Grant’s Story of Recovery, Redemption, and Second Chances

    I sat down with Thurston County Commissioner Rachel Grant for a powerful and deeply human conversation about recovery, redemption, second chances, and public service. Rachel shared her story of becoming a young mother, losing her son’s father, struggling with drug use, being arrested, going through Thurston County Drug Court, rebuilding her life, and eventually becoming a Thurston County Commissioner. This conversation is not just about politics. It is about the human behind the title. We talked about addiction, recovery, motherhood, grief, foster care, behavioral health, housing, workforce, mentorship, public service, and what it means to turn lived experience into service. Rachel also shared the story of how she was encouraged to run for commissioner, what she has learned in the role, and why she believes people who have been impacted by systems need to be part of the decisions that shape those systems. If you live in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, Rochester, Rainier, Bucoda, or anywhere in Thurston County, I believe this is a conversation worth hearing.

  2. 4d ago

    Open Lacey City Council Seat: What the Job Really Takes | Maren Turner

    Thinking about applying for the open seat on the Lacey City Council, or just curious what the job actually involves? Apply for the open Lacey City Council position here:https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b3d4ed0cea6e430b8d41fbd932eb39ba In this special I’m Asking for a Friend edition of On The Record, Tony Taylor sits down with Lacey City Councilmember Maren Turner for a candid conversation about what serving on the council really looks like. Turner breaks down the time commitment, preparation, committee work, relationships between councilmembers, how much influence one person actually has, and why you don’t need to walk into the job as an expert. She also explains why asking questions, doing your homework, and learning how to work with people who see things differently are essential to being effective. They also get into a question a lot of people quietly wonder about: Do you have to “go along to get along” to get things done? Turner explains how disagreements are worked through before votes happen and why being the loudest person in the room does not necessarily make someone the most effective. She also discusses what she hopes to see in whoever fills the vacant seat and why she believes the council should focus on choosing the person who is best for Lacey. At the time of the interview, Turner said the city had received at least 16 applications, with the application deadline set for September 18. If you’re considering applying, this conversation gives you a much clearer picture of what you’d actually be signing up for.

  3. 4d ago

    Running for Thurston PUD Commissioner, District 3 | Christopher L. Pettit

    Christopher L. Pettit is running for Thurston Public Utility District Commissioner, District 3. Pettit has spent more than 20 years working in water and environmental resource management, law, public policy, infrastructure financing, and government. But in this On the Record™ conversation, we go beyond the résumé. We talk about the experiences that shaped him, why he built a career in public service, why he decided to run for office, and what he believes leadership should look like when difficult decisions have to be made. Pettit discusses water affordability, environmental protection, climate resilience, utility rates, accountability, regional water management, and why he believes access to safe and reliable drinking water is foundational to a functioning community. We also get into politics. Pettit explains his political background, the organizations and elected officials supporting his campaign, and why he believes a PUD commissioner must be able to represent people with very different political viewpoints. And when the conversation turns to leadership, Pettit is direct: leaders have to be willing to make difficult decisions, stand on their values, and accept that not everyone will agree with them. Most importantly, we break down a question many voters may have never considered: What does a PUD commissioner actually have the power to do, and why should voters care who holds that seat? Pettit explains how commissioners influence rates, utility policy, accountability, infrastructure, affordability, and the long-term management of water resources. Then, as always on On the Record™, the candidate gets the last word. No sound bites. No campaign commercial. A long-form conversation so voters can hear directly from the person asking for their vote.

  4. Sep 8

    Congressional Candidate Catherine Hildebrand: “I’m Going to Run Again”

    I sat down with former congressional candidate Catherine Hildebrand for a conversation that went way beyond the campaign. Catherine ran for Congress in Washington’s 1st Congressional District in 2026. She didn’t advance out of the primary, but during our conversation she made one thing very clear: she plans to run again. We talked about what she learned from running for Congress for the first time, what she thinks is broken about our political system, and why she believes everyday people need a much bigger voice in government. One of the most personal parts of our conversation was healthcare. Catherine shared that she lives with stage-four endometriosis and had to fly from Washington state to Boston for surgery because she couldn’t find an in-network specialist here. She told me it was actually cheaper to fly across the country, stay in a hotel while recovering, and fly home than it would have been to receive out-of-network care in her own state. That experience has deeply influenced the way she thinks about universal healthcare and access to medicine. We also got into some big topics: • Why she decided to run for Congress• What it was like running a campaign with almost no money• Going from registering as a Republican at 18 to eventually running as a Democrat• Why she says “lobbying is bribery”• Medicare for All and pharmaceutical patents• Minimum wage, universal basic income and wealth taxes• Billionaires, corporations and economic inequality• Term limits and congressional accountability• America’s two-party political system• Democratic socialism• Environmental policy and economic growth• What she would do differently the next time she runs One of the things I appreciate about long-form conversations is that we have time to get beyond talking points. You don’t have to agree with Catherine. You don’t have to agree with me. That’s not the point of On The Record I want you to hear people explain what they believe, why they believe it, and how they arrived there. Then you can make up your own mind. And Catherine definitely gave us plenty to talk about. Toward the end of our conversation, I asked her what comes next. Her answer was simple: She’s running again. I’m Tony Taylor, and this is On The Record. Subscribe to the channel and let me know what you think about the conversation in the comments. #OnTheRecord #CatherineHildebrand #WA01 #WashingtonPolitics #Congress #TonyTaylor

  5. Aug 4

    Ashley Fedan Running for Washington State House | On The Record

    Who is Ashley Fedan beyond the campaign? In this episode of On The Record, I sit down with Ashley Fedan, candidate for Washington State Representative in the 11th Legislative District, for a long-form conversation about the experiences that shaped her life, her leadership, and why she's running for office. Ashley shares what it was like growing up in West Virginia's coal mining country, serving in the U.S. Navy, and spending her career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. We discuss how those experiences influenced her views on healthcare, housing, education, public safety, workers' rights, foster care, homelessness, and public service. My goal with On The Record™ is simple: to give voters the opportunity to hear directly from candidates in a respectful, long-form conversation that goes beyond campaign ads, headlines, and social media clips. Every candidate is invited to share their story, explain what they believe, and help voters make informed decisions. Whether you agree with Ashley, disagree with her, or are still undecided, I hope this conversation helps you better understand the person behind the campaign. If you enjoy thoughtful, long-form conversations like this one, subscribe to the Leaders Lead Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe here on YouTube so you don't miss future episodes. Subscribe: LeadersLeadThePodcast.com #OnTheRecord #AshleyFedan #Leadership #WashingtonPolitics #Election2026 #LeadersLead #TonyTaylor #11thLegislativeDistrict #Podcast

  6. Jul 26

    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

  7. Jul 24

    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

  8. 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.

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4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

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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