#17 Tom Leonard - Leadership, Justice & the Future of Michigan

In this episode, James sits down with Tom Leonard, former Michigan Speaker of the House and gubernatorial candidate, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, justice, and what it takes to build a thriving state. Tom shares a powerful story from his time as a prosecutor, one that shaped his entire philosophy on leadership. Rather than focusing on convictions, he explains that “the role of a prosecutor is to seek justice every day,” and recounts a moment where listening, compassion, and action kept a young man out of prison when the truth was uncovered. That story becomes the foundation for a bigger message: people don’t want noise, blame, or politics they want leaders who will listen, identify problems, and go to work fixing them. Throughout the conversation, Tom dives into the real challenges facing Michigan today: Population decline and why keeping young people in-state is critical The importance of economic growth, small business support, and “economic gardening” Mental health, especially among young people, and the urgent need to remove stigma Law enforcement, education, and nursing as some of the toughest (and most essential) professions today Infrastructure, healthcare costs, and accessibility across both urban and rural communities He also shares his vision for leadership, one rooted in accountability, accessibility, and action. From answering calls in the governor’s office to working late nights to solve real problems, Tom emphasizes that leadership isn’t about holding the title, it’s about doing the job every single day. Beyond policy, this episode explores something deeper: mindset. Tom reflects on what wealth really means not just financially, but in life. He shares a personal story about spending time with his son and how true wealth comes from intentional choices, relationships, and presence not just money. 👉 Learn more about Tom Leonard and his vision: https://www.tomformichigan.com/ Mike closes with a powerful reflection on the meaning of wealth, reinforcing that while circumstances may differ, true wealth is built through the choices we make—how we show up, how we lead, and how we live. #TomLeonard #MichiganGovernor #LeadershipMatters #JusticeSystem #WealthIsAChoice #PublicService #MichiganFuture #MentalHealthAwareness #EconomicGrowth #SmallBusinessMatters #PolicyAndPeople #MoneyMindset #CommunityLeadership #PurposeDriven