Pro Politics with Zac McCrary Jeff Romig: Political Operative, Author, Mental Health Advocate
Jeff Romig has been working in the trenches of politics for well over a decade. Inspired to work in campaigns by Congressman John Lewis, he's worked in all phases of campaigns to win tough races at the state and local level - and he's deeply experienced running non-profits as well. But the time is right now to talk to Jeff, as he's just released a memoir about living for 25 years in the shadow of his father's suicide and coming to grips with his own mental health and addiction issues. The book, Don't F***ing Kill Yourself (dfkybook.com), was released last week and is already an Amazon Bestseller. I find Jeff's book and story to be very timely as the conversation about mental health concerns for those who work in and around politics is just starting to happen. I appreciate Jeff's openness in his book and his commitment to using his own life and struggles to help keep this important conversation going.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Jeff bounces around in journalism in South Carolina and Indiana before finding his way to working politics…
Spending time around Congressman John Lewis inspires Jeff toward a career in politics…
Jeff tells memorable stories of being up close and personal with John Lewis…
Jeff talks through some of the key moments from his career working in politics…
Jeff talks the parallels between being a working journalist and a political operative…
Jeff talks his best practices from years of helping non-profits succeed and grow…
Jeff talks through his new book and what motivated him to write it…
Jeff talks about the need to de-stigmatize suicidal ideation…
Jeff talks about some of the specific mental health challenges he’s run across while working in politics…
Jeff talks his struggle with alcoholism and the mental health and recovery tools that have helped him…
Jeff talks the nuts-and-bolts of how his book went from a broad concept to a completed, published work…