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Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!
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Guest:
Damien Williamson is a 2024 Bard Environmental Defense Fellow, driving sustainable solutions at both the corporate and policy levels. He is a former editor-in-chief of Aspen Peak
Damien Williamson is a 2024 Bard Environmental Defense Fellow, driving sustainable solutions at both the corporate and policy levels. He is a former editor-in-chief of Aspen Peak
Magazine, and Harvard graduate with a B.A. in psychology —yes, Ivy League fancy—but his story starts far from privilege. Damien grew up in Chicago, Illinois in an underserved neighborhood, but with the support of a loved one and a lot of self-described luck, and an unwavering pursuit of education, Damien set himself on an expansive new path. From environmental policy to high-end media, from public service to cultural commentary, Damien has lived a truly miraculous and uncommon journey—one that blends grit, intellect, and relentless purpose, shaping a truly unique and important perspective.
About the Episode:
In today’s episode we dig into the mental toll and strategic insights that come from living in multiple worlds. You will learn how intense stress, financial disadvantage, and community decay can lead to unrivaled resilience and growth, but more commonly end in tragedy, and what you can do to be or support an expansion of the former, and lessening of the latter.. We get tactical, discussing how being militant with your calendar freedom, especially in high-stakes service work. How stepping outside the noise of cancel culture can lead to better well-being and clearer purpose, and how to be a force to educate rather than condemn, understand rather than judge, and fuel collective healing over self-righteous noise.Damien shares his perspective on nihilism as a precursor to purpose, and opens up about a career-ending mistake that, in hindsight, became the doorway to the life he was actually meant to live. This conversation is raw, deeply human, and packed with wisdom for anyone trying to make a difference without losing themselves in the process.
Key Topics Discussed:
· [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Intro
· [00:05:05] Origin Story
· [00:10:38] Circumstance as a Superpower and Hindrance
· [00:13:12] The Average Outcome
· [00:15:30] Grandma: Someone who gave a sh*t
· [00:16:55] The Jump(s) to Harvard
· [00:20:24] Testing Boundaries of Self and Space: Full Sparkle Pony
· [00:23:30] Planning is a Privilege: Survival Grows Skills
· [00:28:08] Avoiding Survivorship Bias
· [00:29:40] Inflection Points
· [00:31:48] Mind, Body, Spirit
· [00:34:00] The Perfect as the Enemy of Good
· [00:35:50] Creating Balanced Experiences
· [00:39:42] Meticulous Planning for More Freedom
· [00:42:15] Also Doing Nothing ~
· [00:43:00] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals
· [00:46:10] Scandal as a Path to Self Reckoning
· [00:49:45] The Stages of Scandal Grief
· [00:52:10] Switching from Showing to Being
· [00:53:00] Public Perception Inhibiting Individual Growth
· [00:54:50] Punishment vs. Accountability
· [01:00:14] When Centering Yourself is a Distraction
· [01:03:30] Where is the Attack/Trigger Coming from?
· [01:07:30] Final question: The Impact of Support
· [01:50:47] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter
· [01:51:25] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)
Key References and Resources Mentioned:
Where to Find Damien Williamson:
Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:
- Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com
- Follow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirow
- Book a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call to see if coaching is right for you
Episode Sponsor:
Helping You Heal Our Politics
The Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.
Contact the HOP Team:
Do you have an episode idea?
Want to suggest a guest?
Can you provide critical feedback?
We'd love to hear from you!
Contact our team at jesse@healingourpolitics.com
Your input helps us create content that matters.
Creators and Guests
Host
Skippy Mesirow
Skippy Mesirow is a prominent leader, certified Master Coach, and founder of the Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) and ELC Foundation. ELC leads the US in mental health and well-being training for public servants, recognized in The Apolitical Foundation's Mere Mortals report, and named as one of 26 worldwide political well-being "Trailblazer Organizations." A transformational leader in political innovation and wellness, Skippy serves on Gov. Polis’s Natural Medicine Advisory. Skippy’s work has been featured in numerous podcasts and publications, as well as main-stage speaking engagements for organizations NLC, YEO, CML, MT2030, Bridging Divides, and Fulcrum, highlighting his significant contributions to mental health, community, and policy reform. Alongside his professional achievements, Skippy lives in Aspen, CO. with his partner Jamie where he enjoys running ultra-marathons, road biking, motorcycling, international travel, culinary arts, Burning Man, and lifelong learning.
Producer
Aaron Calafato
Aaron’s stories are currently heard by millions around the globe on his award-winning Podcast 7 Minute Stories and on YouTube. Aaron is a co-host of Glassdoor's new podcast (The Lonely Office) and serves as a podcast consultant for some of the fastest-growing companies in the world.
Editor
Jesse Link
Jesse is a strategy, research and partnership consultant and podcast enthusiast. A 2x founder, former Goldman Sachs Vice President and advisor to 25+ businesses, Jesse brings a unique and diverse background to HoP, helping to elevate the range, depth and perspective of HoP's conversations and strategy.
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This is your training ground for courage.
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The Civic Courage Lab™ Podcast brings the world’s leading experts in human development together for the people doing society’s hardest work — public servants, civic innovators, changemakers, and bridge builders. Each conversation explores how to apply these insights directly to your role, helping you strengthen all six pillars of empowered leadership through real stories, practical tools, and wisdom from high-impact leaders who’ve turned their greatest challenges into personal growth and collective success.
Success in the ultra-endurance sport of impact demands courage, curiosity, integrity, and love. Here, you’ll cultivate them all — in community.
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