546: Tim Ryan - Giving Stump Speeches, Using Meditation & Mindfulness, Playing Quarterback, Listening to Dave Matthews Band, and Running for President?

Sep 24, 2023

Tim Ryan, a former congressman, discusses his entry into politics, his love for the Dave Matthews Band, and his efforts to bring unity and reform to American society. He talks about the division in American politics and the power of storytelling and communication as a leader. He addresses the perception of the Democratic Party in Ohio and the challenges of promoting mindfulness in a media-dominated world. He also shares his excitement about meeting Dave Matthews and Bernie Co-Star during a concert in support of his campaign.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Unity and Reform: Tim Ryan's Journey in Politics

01:35 • 4min

Media Coverage and Polarization

05:10 • 7min

The Power of Storytelling and Communication

12:05 • 22min

Addressing Endorsements and Challenging the Perception of the Democratic Party in Ohio

33:38 • 2min

The Path Back for the Exhausted Majority

35:31 • 12min

Meeting Dave Matthews and Bernie Co-Star

47:07 • 11min

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Gratitude – For Tim’s last speech as a congressman, he said “It’s an honor to be a citizen of the United States. I think we get out of this mess we’re in, the polarization, the hate, the anger, the fear… The first step out of that is with gratitude.”
Tim opens by sharing the impact his high school football coaches had on him and why playing quarterback at John F. Kennedy High School prepared him for life as a leader...
In 2002, Tim ran for the United States House of Representatives for the 17th District. Tim was initially seen as an underdog in a 6-way primary. He was elected at age 29.
"There is an exhausted majority in the country, and they feel like they don't have any political home at all," Ryan said, describing his target audience as those who have been "checking out." "That's maddening because that gives a bigger voice to those forces of division and hate and anger, so we want to build an organization that welcomes these people to participate.”
AOC endorsed Tim for his Senate run in 2022. And he said, “It’s not helpful here. Nor did I seek it.”
David Axelrod said about Tim's 2022 Senate Run that “he's running the best campaign in the country. And the best campaign in the country may not be enough.”
“Dave Matthews has inspired me to live a better life, to do what’s right, that it’s okay to care about each other."
- “There may be some things where we don’t agree, but I think we need to have decent people that care about us in government, and I think Tim is a decent man.” -- Dave Matthews
- “I’m honored to have Dave Matthews, one of my absolute favorite musicians, in the Buckeye State to fire up our team and bring this thing home.”
Being in the moment – The campaign trail is grueling. Every day is a new town with new people. And you need to get up and give your stump speech, listen to people, and tell compelling stories. His mantra of “I am only in control of this stump speech,” and Tim’s ability to stay in the moment was critical and is a key reason why he’s done so well over the years.
Tim's grandfather… And the impact he had on his life. “He was there."
- Regardless of the weather or whatever he had going on, Tim felt his grandfather’s presence as a servant leader. This is an excellent reminder for us as leaders that our first job is to show up consistently for those we are leading.