What if the exhaustion you're feeling isn't a sign that you're working hard enough?

What if it's a warning sign that your nervous system is overwhelmed?

In this episode of Leaders Lead, Tony Taylor sits down with somatic educator, TEDx speaker, certified hypnotherapist, and author Dr. Danielle Griffith for a powerful conversation about burnout, stress, nervous system regulation, and the physical toll that high achievement can take on the body.

Dr. Griffith shares her own journey through chronic stress, grief, entrepreneurship, sleep deprivation, and burnout. Together, Tony and Dr. Griffith explore why so many leaders normalize exhaustion, how stress gets stored in the body, and practical ways to interrupt the cycle before it becomes a crisis.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, professional, caregiver, or someone who feels like you're constantly carrying the weight of the world, this conversation offers practical tools to help you reconnect with yourself and create sustainable success.

• Why high achievers often mistake exhaustion for commitment
• The hidden physical symptoms of chronic stress
• How stress can show up as eye twitches, muscle cramps, digestive issues, and poor sleep
• What somatic healing actually is and how it works
• Simple breathing and movement practices to calm the nervous system
• The role of hypnotherapy in overcoming fear, anxiety, and limiting beliefs
• Why hustle culture may be keeping you stuck
• The connection between trauma, stress, and chronic pain
• How to build success without sacrificing your health and relationships
• Practical steps you can begin using today

"Most people have been taught to override themselves for so long that they no longer recognize what peace and safety feel like."

Website: drdaniellegriff.com

Social Media: @DrDanielleGriff

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Remember:

Leaders lead even when it hurts.

A special thank you to Henry Yang for his outstanding editing and production work on this episode. Your attention to detail helps bring these conversations to life and ensures they reach listeners with the quality they deserve.

Angela Taylor never expected to run for office.As a working mother of five caring for aging parents in rural Washington, she spent years experiencing the same pressures many families face every day: rising costs, medical expenses, caregiving responsibilities, and the constant challenge of making ends meet. Then came the sleepless nights.After years of hoping someone else would step up and address the issues impacting working families, Angela decided to stop waiting and put her own name on the ballot.In this episode of On The Record, Angela shares the personal experiences that led her to run for State Representative in Washington's 2nd Legislative District. She discusses the realities of the sandwich generation, supporting aging parents while raising children, surviving domestic violence, advocating for public education, and why she believes lived experience belongs at the policymaking table.We also explore what it's really like to run for office, the challenges facing rural communities, healthcare access, support for working families, small businesses, and why Angela believes everyday people should have a stronger voice in government.Whether you agree with her politics or not, this conversation offers an honest look at the person behind the campaign and the experiences that shaped her decision to serve.Hosted by Tony Taylor.Audio Edited by Henry YangOn The Record is a candidate spotlight series from Leaders Lead designed to help voters get to know the people behind the campaign through long-form conversations.Listen now and decide for yourself.

In this episode of On The Record™, Tony Taylor sits down with Jenn Marie Strickling, former union laborer, artist, community organizer, Chair of the 25th Legislative District Democrats, and candidate for Washington State Representative in the 25th Legislative District.

Jenn shares her journey from the construction trades and labor movement into public service, discussing how her experiences working alongside everyday people shaped her views on leadership, government, and economic opportunity. The conversation explores what happens when working families feel disconnected from decision makers, why community involvement matters, and the role leaders play in ensuring every voice has a seat at the table.

Tony and Jenn also discuss labor unions, healthcare access, housing affordability, artificial intelligence and the future of work, political accountability, and the challenges facing working families across Washington State.

Whether you agree with her positions or not, this conversation offers an opportunity to hear directly from a candidate about the values, experiences, and concerns that have shaped her approach to public service.

Follow On The Record™ for thoughtful conversations with candidates, elected officials, community leaders, and also public figures discussing the issues shaping our communities.

Edited by ⁠Henry Yang⁠