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Miguel Gutierrez, a Shelton City Councilmember and candidate for Mason County Commissioner, District 3, joins Tony Taylor for a wide-ranging conversation on On The Record. Gutierrez talks about why he entered public service, his experience on the Shelton City Council, and why he believes he can take what he has learned at the city level and bring it countywide. Pasted text The conversation covers housing affordability and development, healthcare access, the Mobile Integrated Health Program, public safety and privacy concerns surrounding Flock cameras, the influence of money in politics, community engagement, and his concerns about the future of democracy. Pasted text Miguel also discusses working across political differences, his belief in being accessible to voters regardless of party, and his message of “housing, healthcare, and hope” and “peace, love, and justice.” Toward the end of the conversation, he challenges voters to stay engaged, hold elected officials accountable, and even vote him out if he fails to do what he promises. His closing message centers on keeping the American Dream and representative democracy alive through participation, community, and voting.

Terry Carlson is the Democratic candidate for Washington State Representative in the 19th Legislative District, Position 2. In this episode of On The Record, Terry talks about growing up in Washington timber country, working as a logger, organized labor, affordability, rural healthcare, education, taxes, jobs, and why he decided to run again for office. We also talk about the increasingly personal nature of the race, his opponent Joel McEntire, and questions that surfaced around court, CPS, and law-enforcement records from Terry’s past. Terry was given the opportunity to respond directly and explain his side on the record. This conversation is not an endorsement. On The Record exists to give voters a chance to hear directly from the people asking for their vote and make their own decision. Subscribe to Leaders Lead and On The Record so you don’t miss upcoming candidate interviews.

I sat down with Kevin Moynihan for a full On The Record™ conversation about why he’s running for Washington State Representative in the 19th Legislative District, Position 1. Kevin currently serves on the Aberdeen City Council and describes himself as a working-class person who decided to run after seeing the struggles facing his neighbors and communities throughout the district. We talked about rural healthcare, hospitals closing, people having to travel long distances for specialty care, schools, affordability, economic development, mental health and addiction services, and what he believes rural Washington needs from Olympia. We also talked about how he would represent a district made up of very different communities. Kevin said that means actually going to places like Vader and Pe Ell, talking to people who may otherwise feel overlooked, holding town halls, and making himself available instead of expecting everyone to come to Olympia. We got into his approach to political parties, why he says the district would come before party loyalty, healthcare, economic development, environmental issues, accountability, and what he wants voters to be able to hold him accountable for if he’s elected. One of the reasons I created On The Record™ was to give voters more than campaign signs, mailers, ads, and short clips. I want people to hear the longer conversation, get a feel for the person behind the campaign, and make up their own minds. Watch the full conversation and let me know what stood out to you. Powered by the Leaders Lead Network#KevinMoynihan, #WA19, #OnTheRecord, #WashingtonPolitics, #RuralHealthcare, #AberdeenWA, #LongviewWA, #VaderWA, #PeEllWA, #GraysHarbor, #LewisCounty, #CowlitzCounty

Title: State Rep. Tarra Simmons | Washington's 23rd Legislative District | On The Record Washington State Representative Tarra Simmons joins me for a conversation on On The Record. Tarra represents Washington's 23rd Legislative District, Position 1, and is running for reelection. We talk about her journey to becoming a state representative, the experiences that shaped her, and the work she's doing in Olympia. Our conversation covers criminal justice reform, housing, healthcare, working across party lines, and legislation involving PANS/PANDAS, an issue that's especially personal to my family. We also get into the challenges of public service, what she's learned during her time in office, and why she believes voters should send her back to Olympia. One of the things I enjoy about these long-form conversations is getting beyond the campaign signs, talking points, and political arguments to learn more about the person behind the title. That's what On The Record is about. Watch the full conversation and decide for yourself. On The Record is produced by Leaders Lead Media and hosted by me, Tony Taylor. Conversations with candidates and elected officials are intended to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from them. An interview does not constitute an endorsement. #OnTheRecord #TarraSimmons #WashingtonPolitics #WA23 #LeadersLead

Tamara Stramel is running for Washington State Senate in Washington’s 31st Legislative District. She is certified to appear in the 2026 general election. WA Secretary of State In this episode of On The Record, Tamara talks about the experiences that shaped her, why she decided to step from working behind the scenes in politics into becoming a candidate herself, and what she’s hearing from voters across the district. We talk about affordability, transportation and infrastructure, public education, healthcare, Washington’s tax system, gun policy, political participation, and what she believes accessibility and accountability should look like from an elected official. On The Record: isn’t here to tell you who to vote for. Listen to the conversation. Compare the answers. Decide for yourself. Because informed voters build stronger communities.

What happens after you recognize narcissistic abuse? How do you actually begin healing? In this episode of Leaders Lead, Tony Taylor sits down with narcissistic abuse recovery coach Adriana Bucci, founder of Let’s Get Your Shift Together, for an honest conversation about narcissistic abuse, trauma, chronic pain, survival mode, boundaries, people-pleasing, and reclaiming yourself. Adriana shares her own experience growing up with a narcissistic mother and spending years struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, people-pleasing, and few boundaries before beginning the healing journey that changed her life. Together, Tony and Adriana explore the emotional patterns that can keep people stuck, including guilt, shame, fear, gaslighting, love bombing, devaluation, fight-or-flight, freeze and fawn responses, and the difficulty of setting boundaries after years of conditioning. But this conversation isn't just about identifying narcissistic behavior. It's about what comes next. How do you stop living in survival mode? How do you set boundaries without being consumed by guilt? How do you reconnect with yourself? And what does healing look like when you've spent years taking care of everyone else's emotions while ignoring your own? Adriana also shares her personal experience with chronic pain and the mind-body approaches she says played an important role in her recovery. If you've experienced narcissistic abuse, emotional manipulation, people-pleasing, chronic stress, difficult family relationships, or simply feel like you've lost pieces of yourself along the way, this conversation is about finding your way back. Subscribe to Leaders Lead for more conversations about leadership, healing, mental health, resilience, relationships, and the experiences that shape us. Disclaimer: This episode includes personal experiences and discussion of trauma, mental health, chronic pain, and mind-body approaches. It is provided for educational and informational purposes and is not medical or mental health treatment. Chronic pain can have many causes, and listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding their individual circumstances.

Alex Scheel is a combat veteran, organizer, Democratic Socialist, and candidate for Congress in Washington’s 10th Congressional District. Alex was a late addition to this episode, and I’m glad we had the opportunity to talk. In this conversation, Alex shares how his experiences serving in Army intelligence and deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan changed the way he understood war. He talks about one experience in particular, sitting across from a young Iraqi man and hearing how the war had affected his family and his life. Alex says those experiences eventually helped lead him from soldier to anti-war activist. We also talk about his work with the Democratic Socialists of America, organizing around housing and workers’ rights, and what democratic socialism actually means to him. Alex doesn't shy away from some of the bigger issues either. We get into Medicare for All, housing affordability, U.S. military spending, Israel and Gaza, and why ending U.S. involvement in overseas wars is such a major part of his campaign. The conversation also gets personal. We talk about mental health, loss, and why politics ultimately affects real people and real families. Alex shares the loss of his sister to an overdose and his best friend to suicide, and why those experiences matter to him. I’m looking forward to learning more about Alex’s journey, especially how he went from serving in the military to becoming an organizer and activist. This conversation is not an endorsement of Alex Scheel or his campaign. On The Record™ gives candidates an opportunity to share their stories, positions, and perspectives in their own words. Listen to Leaders Lead Podcast on all major podcast platforms. #OnTheRecord #AlexScheel #WA10 #WashingtonPolitics #Congress #Veterans #AntiWar #DemocraticSocialism #LeadersLeadPodcast

Candidate for WA State Representative, 31st Legislative District, Stephen Szczurko-Walton joins On The Record™ for a long-form conversation about his background, military service, leadership, and the issues shaping his campaign. The conversation covers healthcare, affordability, Washington’s tax structure, artificial intelligence, corporate money in politics, rural transportation, climate policy, and public trust in government. Szczurko-Walton also discusses his nine and a half years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear reactor operator and what he says he is hearing from voters across the district.On The Record™ gives voters the opportunity to hear directly from the people asking for their vote, beyond the campaign ads, headlines, and soundbites. Watch the full conversation and make up your own mind.

Troy Rasband joined me for On The Record to talk about why he decided to run for Congress in Washington's 3rd Congressional District and the issues driving his campaign. We talked about his story, what shaped his political views, the challenges facing working families, healthcare, immigration, government accountability, the transgender community, and what he believes needs to change in Washington, D.C. This is a long-form conversation designed to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidate, beyond campaign ads, social media posts, and sound bites. On The Record doesn't tell you who to vote for. The goal is simple: ask the questions, give candidates room to answer, and let voters decide for themselves. Learn more about Troy Rasband:Troy Rasband for Congress #TroyRasband #WA03 #OnTheRecord #WashingtonPolitics #Election2026 #Congress #CandidateInterview #SouthwestWashington

I sat down with Washington State Rep candidate Kevin Moynihan for a candid talk about his platform and his vision for our state.We step away from the campaign trail to have a real, unscripted interview. This conversation is not a polished sound bite or a press release, but a chance to hear directly from him about the topics that matter most to voters. We talk about his background, the challenges he sees in our district, and the specific insights he has gained while running for office.Whether you are familiar with his work or just discovering his story, this podcast conversation offers a clear look at the person behind the campaign. We move past the surface level to talk about what he believes, why he makes the decisions he does, and what he sees on the horizon for local politics. This political interview is designed to help you get a better sense of who you are voting for this year.Subscribe to the Leaders Lead Podcast for weekly long-form discussions, and let me know in the comments who you want to see on the show next.

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.

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.

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.

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

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