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Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!
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About the Episode:
Today, in the final episode of our very first season, the tables turn.
For nearly 30 episodes, I’ve asked the questions, held space for others to open up, and pulled at threads in hopes that you, the audience - leaders and colleges - could find resources and actionable strategies. Now I find myself on the other side of the mic, sitting face to face with my mirror, Jesse Link - (and by chance a literal mirror!) We get into my own journey — my upbringing, my family, the roads I’ve walked, the mistakes I’ve made, the systems I’ve built to stay standing, and the people and relationships that keep me whole.
Guest Host:
Jesse Link is a strategic partner to agencies and growing businesses, helping CEOs connect the dots between their numbers, their narratives, and themselves. He’s also the lead researcher at Healing Our Politics, and, proudly, a coaching client turned lifelong friend.
From college athlete, to climbing the ladder at Goldman Sachs, and founding a venture-backed startup, Jesse decided to step off the corporate fast track, to follow the crooked path — the kind built through failure, creative discovery, and honest reinvention. Not the one laid out for him on Wall Street, but one that meant something. And while he’s exploring new creative frontiers — through writing, video, and documentary — he’s still learning to lead with not knowing.
He’s asking the big questions — what drives us, what blocks us, and how we find our way back to passion.
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Key Topics Discussed:
· [00:02:40] Episode/Guest Host Intro
· [00:09:03] Identifying as a Public Service
· [00:12:43] What Would Grandma Think?
· [00:18:17] Skippy Shows His Cards: Political Family History
· [00:23:43] Partnership as Lead Domino, Partnerships is a Verb
· [00:28:45] Selfishness in a Good Way
· [00:29:50] Discipline and Practice
· [00:32:55] What Worked for Weirdo (Skippy)
· [00:34:20] Hitting the Decision Point
· [00:36:20] Change of Environment
· [00:37:43] From the Illusion of Confidence to Genuine Confidence
· [00:40:07] It's More of a Spectrum of Growth than a “Before and After”
· [00:49:30] Unrelenting Hope
· [00:55:22] Ho to be an Unbogged Public Servant
· [01:00:48] Skippy’s Happiness Parachute in Office (An Unsolved Bog)
· [01:03:54] Time In Office and Campaigning for Conversation
· [01:12:25] Leaders are the Wheel, not the Gas
· [01:16:20] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15
· [01:19:35] Comparison in a Bubble of Privilege
· [01:24:46] The Dichotomy of Shame and Desire of Wealth
· [01:26:12] Available Resources for Public Servants and its Consequences
· [01:31:37] Financial Responsibility as a Constraint for High Function
· [01:31:37] A Digression into Spinny Flippy Zone
· [01:35:25] Safety and Risk
· [01:39:25] Fear is a Yellow Light
· [01:43:34] Skippy’s Theory of Travel (and tips!)
· [01:54:12] How to Stay Charged While at Work
· [01:57:16] Rapid Fire Q&A’s: From Favorite Color to Biggest Fear
· [02:04:34] Skippy’s Zone of Genius: The Wellbeing of Leaders
· [02:13:50] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter
· [02:14:04] Support ELC
Key References and Resources Mentioned:
· [02:00:23] The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, Jonathan Haidt
· [02:13:50] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter
· [02:18:18] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15
Where to Find Jesse Link:
Where to Find Skippy Mesirow:
- Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com
- Follow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirow
- @healingourpolitics
- Book a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call to see if coaching is right for you
Episode Sponsor:
Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15
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.
What is Civic Courage Lab?
Hello,
I’m Skippy Mesirow, host of “Civic Courage Lab”, the show that shows you, the heart-centered public servants and political leaders, how to heal our politics by starting with the human in the mirror.
Civic Courage Lab, “CCL,” is a first-of-its-kind show that provides tools and practices for mental well-being, health, and balance, specifically for public servants so we can do good by feeling good and safe in our jobs.
CCL brings together experts, scientists, doctors, thought leaders, healers, and coaches to share their insights in practical, tactical, actionable ways specifically tailored to the public service experience for you to test and implement with yourself and your teams. Episodes feature intimate conversations with global leaders about their self-care practices and personal challenges, providing insights for a more holistic, connected approach to leadership. Whether you're a Mayor, teacher, police officer, or staffer, this podcast will guide you to be the best version of yourself in service to yourself and the world!
Sign up for our once-per-month Leader’s Handbook newsletter to receive an actionable toolkit of how-to guides on topics discussed on the podcast that month to test and implement in your life and with your team: https://leadershandbook.substack.com/