In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn sits down with longtime friend and colleague Jen Pihlaja for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, identity, resilience, and the pressure of political life. Jen shares her path from political consulting to coaching and facilitation, along with reflections on writing Leading From Within. They talk about personal growth, navigating stress, finding your sphere of influence, and why strong leadership starts with knowing yourself. This episode offers an honest look at what it means to lead with self-awareness in a demanding political world, while leaving room for humor, friendship, and hope for what comes next.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/corinne/bruxelles

License code: WJR4OASKCN8ZIBTV

Music by: Bruxelles by: Corinne

In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn talks with digital and social media strategist Stephanie Cruz to talk through 20 years of online politics and social impact work, from training elected officials on early social platforms to leading rapid-response strategy for major mobilizations. They dig into burnout, boundaries, and practical self-care, and leadership lessons rooted in kindness, family, and consistency. The episode closes with straight talk on midterm messaging, avoiding celebrity-driven politics, focusing on real people's daily struggles, and building online and in-person community through clear, useful content.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/corinne/bruxelles

License code: WJR4OASKCN8ZIBTV

Music by: Bruxelles by: Corinne

In this episode of Political TrailMix, Taryn talks to Justin Myers, Executive Director of Blue Leadership Collaborative, about building strong campaign leadership through pay stability, training, and intentional support.

Justin explains how Blue Leadership Collaborative recruits, trains, and retains diverse campaign managers across local, state, and federal races. He outlines the organization's core focus on year-round benefits, structured campaign management training, and direct access to professional networks.

The episode also explores the role of AI in political campaigns, including its responsible use, research support, and detection of deepfake content. The conversation concludes with advice for candidates, guidance for individuals interested in getting involved in politics, and an explanation of why people-powered organizing remains essential during election cycles.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/corinne/bruxelles

License code: WJR4OASKCN8ZIBTV

Music by: Bruxelles by: Corinne