Gary Jacobs, widely known as The Zen Lobbyist, to explore how mindfulness and authenticity can fundamentally reshape influence in Washington. Drawing from decades of experience in health policy, government relations, and organizational leadership, Gary shares his journey from early-career advocate to a leader who grounds his work in stillness, compassion, and gratitude. He recounts the personal health challenges, including anxiety, panic attacks, and even a stroke, that forced him to slow down, reevaluate his identity, and adopt mindful practices that now guide both his life and his approach to influence. Through stories of policymaking, personal transformation, and professional reinvention, Gary illustrates how bringing humanity back into advocacy creates deeper trust and more effective impact.Gary also reflects on major milestones in modern healthcare, from the rise of HMOs to Medicare Advantage to value-based care, and what he learned from being inside some of the most consequential policy moments of the last several decades. He explains why relationship-building, not pressure or transactions, sits at the heart of sustainable influence, and why democratizing access to information is the next frontier of advocacy. Together, Gary and Anthony explore how leaders can foster connection in an increasingly tech-driven, high-pressure environment and why influence today requires not only strategic skill, but emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a willingness to lead with empathy.Takeaways:Start every day with stillness to set your strategy: Gary begins each morning with meditation and yoga, using stillness as the foundation for clarity before stepping into chaotic policy environments.Lead with compassion to build authentic, long-term relationships: Gary emphasizes that empathy—not pressure or transactions—is what creates trust with policymakers and partners.Practice gratitude consistently to renew energy and prevent burnout: Expressing appreciation strengthens relationships, grounds your leadership, and maintains resilience in high-stress fields.Redefine influence as education, not persuasion: Rather than selling a point of view, Gary focuses on educating members of Congress with honesty, transparency, and real-world context.Abandon rigid scripts and prepare to respond in the moment: After a transformative yoga retreat, Gary stopped scripting meetings and shifted to more authentic, adaptive conversations.Invest in relationships beyond positional power: Washington’s hierarchy is temporary—what endures is how people experience you as a human being, not the title you hold.Advocate for democratized, accessible information: Gary believes modern influence includes helping people navigate complex issues using real-time tools—podcasts, digital platforms, and transparent communication.Quote of the Show:“Compassion is influence. When you lead with empathy, people listen differently.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-jacobs-99966035/ Website: https://garymjacobs.com/ 

We’re re-airing one of our most popular Chief Influencer® episodes, and for good reason. In this fan-favorite panel conversation, host Anthony Shop brings together an inspiring lineup of nonprofit leaders to talk about how they use their personal brands to power their missions and amplify impact.Featuring Steve Schwab (Elizabeth Dole Foundation), Jean Accius (Creating Healthier Communities), Katie Schubert (Society for Women’s Health Research), Jennifer Sirangelo (Points of Light), and Lidia Soto-Harmon (Student Conservation Association), this conversation explores how today’s nonprofit CEOs are showing up authentically, building community through digital storytelling, and leading with purpose in an ever-changing world.We loved this conversation for its honesty, insight, and generosity,  and it clearly resonated with our listeners, too. Whether you missed it the first time or are ready for a fresh dose of inspiration, this replay is packed with timeless lessons on leadership, authenticity, and influence for good.Takeaways:Start from within. The best nonprofit leaders know their greatest advocates begin inside their organization — among staff, volunteers, and board members.Authenticity builds trust. Blending the personal with the professional creates genuine connection and strengthens influence.Share the stage. Elevate others’ stories — staff, partners, or community members — to make your message more powerful and human.Think beyond your niche. Broaden your conversations to connect with new audiences and partners aligned with your mission.Be strategic but consistent. Plan ahead, but remember: even one thoughtful post or comment can make a meaningful impact.Show up visually. “Faces are the new logos” — leaders who put themselves out there amplify credibility and relatability.Leverage collaboration. Partnerships and cross-sector storytelling can expand your reach and deepen impact.Quote of the Show:“If people understand your ‘why,’ they may not agree with every decision, but they’ll understand it.” – Jean AcciusLinks:Kathryn Godburn SchubertLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-godburn-schubert-07352a7/ Website: https://swhr.org/ Jean AccuiusLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/accius4/ Website: https://chcimpact.org/ Jennifer SirangeloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sirangelo-62a8723/ Website: https://www.pointsoflight.org/ Lidia Soto-HarmonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidia-soto-harmon-a921a213/ Website: https://thesca.org/ Steven SchwabLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-schwab7676/ Website: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/ 

Alex Wirth, Co-Founder and CEO of Quorum, joins Anthony Shop to explore what it really takes to lead with influence, from the Senate floor to the tech boardroom. Alex shares how he built one of Washington’s top civic tech startups from a Harvard dorm room and scaled it to more than 330 employees. He breaks down his “Hacker and Hustler” founding model, the evolution from “Superman” to “Captain America” leadership, and why consistency, clarity, and communication define great leaders.In this insightful conversation, Alex reveals his approach to influence inside organizations and in Washington, D.C., including how Quorum helps Fortune 500 companies, associations, and nonprofits advocate effectively. From using AI to personalize congressional outreach to leading with authenticity and transparency, Alex shows how influence today means building movements, not just managing teams.Takeaways:Communicate more—and more consistently. Great leaders are “Chief Reminding Officers” who repeat key priorities across channels until they stick.Know your strengths and build around them. Use tools like Gallup StrengthsFinder to balance influencers, executors, relationship builders, and strategic thinkers across your team.Adapt your leadership as you scale. Move from doing everything yourself (“Superman”) to empowering other leaders (“Captain Americas”) who can build their own high-performing teams.Personalize advocacy. Whether engaging staff or lawmakers, tailor messages to individuals. Authentic, human communication wins over one-size-fits-all tactics.Communicate, especially when it’s uncomfortable. Transparency during uncertainty builds trust faster than waiting for perfect answers.Measure and prove impact. Tie public affairs objectives to measurable outcomes, including financial value, to strengthen organizational credibility.Sustain your own energy. Prioritize rest, exercise, and downtime so you can bring your best self to your work and lead for the long haul.Quote of the Show:“Communicate when it’s most difficult to communicate—that’s when people need it most.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaliowirth/ Website: https://www.quorum.us/ Shoutouts: Adrian Newey Autobiography: https://a.co/d/0RHW62Z 

Evan Low, President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, joins host Anthony Shop for a powerful conversation about resilience, representation, and authentic leadership. Evan’s story comes full circle—from being one of the Victory Fund’s youngest endorsed candidates to now leading the organization that once believed in him.He shares lessons from his historic career, including his work advancing marriage equality and finding common ground across ideological divides. Evan reflects on what it means to lead with authenticity, how visibility fuels influence, and why meeting people where they are—especially in times of polarization—is essential for progress. With characteristic optimism, he reveals how today’s challenges have sparked a new wave of leaders stepping forward to serve and why he believes the future of democracy depends on ensuring every voice is heard and seen.Takeaways:Visibility is Influence. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Representation creates pathways for others and strengthens democracy.Meet People Where They Are. True influence requires empathy, listening, and finding shared values—even across ideological divides.Resilience Is the Secret Weapon. Failures and setbacks are part of leadership. Learn, adapt, and rise stronger.Authenticity Builds Trust. Being transparent about your journey invites connection and fosters credibility.Invest in Future Leaders. Training and mentorship create pipelines for sustainable impact.Use Your Platform Wisely. In today’s digital world, leaders must tell their own stories with clarity and purpose.Democracy Thrives on Inclusion. The more diverse the voices at the table, the stronger our institutions become.Quote of the Show:“If you're not at the table, you're on the menu. You have to show up, but you have to do that authentically.”Links:Evan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-low-1952064/ VF LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/victoryfund/VF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoryfund/ Website: https://victoryfund.org/ 

Cleve Mesidor, Executive Director of the Blockchain Foundation and Founder of Butterscotch Media, joins Chief Influencer® to share her remarkable journey from the halls of Washington to the frontlines of Web3 innovation. A former Obama Administration appointee, Cleve discusses how her “aha moment” with Bitcoin set her on a mission to create an inclusive digital economy, one that prioritizes accessibility over adoption.In this wide-ranging conversation, she explains how blockchain can be demystified through trust and relationships, why public policy and tech innovation must work together, and how influence today is built not through status but through consistency. Cleve also reflects on her evolution as a thought leader, building a 10,000-subscriber media platform from a simple Mailchimp newsletter, and offers timeless advice on how to stay grounded, passionate, and true to your purpose in a world that’s changing faster than ever.Takeaways:Start with Accessibility, Not Adoption. Focus on educating and empowering people to understand technology, even before they use it.Build Trust Through Relationships. Demystify complex topics by connecting on a human level and using plain, relatable language.Be Consistent. Whether it’s publishing weekly or showing up daily, consistency is the foundation of influence.Bridge the Gaps Between Worlds. Influence happens at intersections—between policy and innovation, Washington and crypto, tradition and disruption.Simplify the Story. Translate technical concepts into simple truths. As Cleve says, blockchain just “securely verifies information and facilitates exchange without third parties.”Own Your Journey. Mistakes and pivots are part of building credibility—own them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.Lead with Passion and Purpose. Influence isn’t about titles; it’s about showing up consistently for what you believe in.Quote of the Show:“Be consistent. Whether you have five readers or five million, keep showing up—because that’s what builds influence.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmesi/ Butterscotch Media Website: https://butterscotch.media/ Blockchain Foundation Website: https://theblockfound.com/