Ashleigh Ewald shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Ashleigh , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
This is a challenging question because it puts me in a vulnerable position, but I value being transparent with the community. After the 2024 presidential election, I stepped back from political involvement to focus on finishing college early, preparing for graduate school, and prioritizing my mental health. That pause gave me space to reflect, reset, and realize the importance of rest to move forward more successfully.
During this time, I came to understand that my calling right now is to explore my place within the political arena, whether that means continuing within the same party or reconsidering where I truly belong. I’ve also wrestled with fear around my evolving views and the idea of embracing my full, authentic self without worrying about judgment or being confined to a box. I cried my eyes out for months, knowing that I had been suppressing a huge part of myself for so long. I am working on it and making sure I make the best decisions so I can then serve the public being my entire self. My overall calling is to focus on policy and help protect vulnerable communities by advocating for policies that improve the quality of life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a proud Gen Z American who is passionate about uplifting others and serving my community. As the host of the 100% Real With Ashleigh Ewald Talk Show podcast, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing celebrities, thought leaders, and change-makers to share their stories and inspire young people. Beyond the mic, I’m a first-year Master of Science in Public Policy student at Georgia Tech, where I’m focused on shaping solutions that bridge communities, amplify voices, and drive impact. My mission is simple: to use both my podcast and policy work to empower the next generation to believe in their voice, embrace their journey, and create lasting change.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
In college, I faced an unexpected challenge that threatened my reputation and legitimacy as a leader. The reasons given for the challenge were unfounded, and the way it unfolded caught me completely off guard, especially when an email went out announcing I would be replaced.
What could have been a devastating moment instead revealed the true strength of my community. Peers rallied behind me, showing up to support me in person and online. Faculty and mentors also helped me document the situation, and I compiled a detailed 33-page record of events, notes, and screenshots that clearly demonstrated the act was unjustified, a record I will always preserve. Later, multiple participants involved in the situation personally apologized to me the same month and the following fall semester, acknowledging that the attempt was wrong and unjustified.
Instead of letting that moment define me negatively, I chose resilience. I realized that true leadership is about standing firm in integrity, even when others try to tear you down, with others who want to do the same. And in an incredible twist of fate, in the same month, former President Barack Obama mentioned my full name live on national television. A moment covered by The New York Times, Roll Call, and shared widely across President Biden’s and President Obama’s platforms. I had the honor of joining former President Biden, former President Obama, and former Speaker Pelosi in a national video highlighting the importance of young people enrolling in the ACA. That experience showed me that unexpected challenges can become stepping stones when met with perseverance and integrity. It also reinforced that actions speak louder than words, and the support I received from my peers reflected how proud the student body was to see one of their own representing our campus on a national stage.
My final thought on this is simple: always treat others how you want to be treated. Your actions will speak for themselves, and trying to tear others down will only end up hurting you in the long run.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
At one point, I was terrified of living a life without passion, to the extent that I felt I would rather not live than live without ambition. What helped me navigate that fear were my parents, successful family members, teachers, and, of course, close friends. They kept me grounded, helped me build routines, and taught me to embrace discipline as a path to purpose.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire Parker Short, who served as Vice President of the Young Democrats of Georgia (YDG) while I was Chairwoman of the College Democrats of Georgia (CDG) from 2022–2023. He has never wavered in his values or commitment to supporting the Democratic Party, which I find truly admirable. His consistency, belief in others, and dedication to hope and progress are inspiring. During my time with CDG and YDG, he mentored me, guiding me through organizing and community-building, and showing me how to rally behind candidates who truly reflect our shared values. He did not give up on me. That experience is one I will always cherish and never forget. Regardless of what the future holds for me and in general, I will hold that experience, bond, dear in my heart and keep learning from it.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I can. If I genuinely enjoy a hobby or type of work, the opinions of others won’t diminish my passion or commitment. Doing something meaningful for myself is reason enough to give it my best, regardless of external praise. I also believe that when I continue pursuing projects like my podcast, writing, and other work for the right reasons, without seeking recognition, they will eventually flourish. We plant the seeds through our effort and dedication, and in time, we get to watch them bloom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ashleighewaldofficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleighewaldofficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighewald/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleigh.ewald.2025
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ashleighewaldpodcast?feature=shared
