Episode Details

A candid conversation between a Leah Hanany, school board president, and the founder of Nickel Hayden, Rudy Mejia, about the demands of public service, the pressures facing public schools, and the courage required to lead through difficult decisions. They also reflect on how weightlifting supports wellbeing, how the firm grew from a tiny office to a leading Texas municipal advisor, and why creating opportunities for others matters.

Leah describes starting weightlifting in her 40s to address low energy, and how exercise has improved her daily wellbeing. We discuss the often-unpaid labor of school board service, including extensive preparation, constituent work, family tradeoffs, and public scrutiny.

Nickel Hayden grew from a tiny “shoebox” office with one computer, printer, and binding machine; it reached the top ranking in Texas for school bond volume, according to the speakers.

The firm’s name honors Colonel James “Buster” Hayden, a mentor who helped more than 600 young people from El Paso reach West Point over roughly 50 years.

Rudy shares a three-part approach to business: fail often, forget and move forward, then fear mistakes enough to check work repeatedly and build strong review systems.

They discuss districts facing simultaneous pressures: declining enrollment, inflation, the end of federal COVID relief, stagnant state funding, and constrained budgets.

Leah emphasizes transparency, accountability, student-centered decisions, and the emotional weight of decisions affecting children and families. They connect their work to opportunity, reflecting on mentors, family histories, and the responsibility to create paths for others.