After 20 Years in Office, She Learned the Most Valuable Currency Is Trust
A conversation with Cathy McMorris Rodgers
After twenty years in the U.S. Congress, Cathy McMorris Rodgers didn’t point to power, policy wins, or seniority as the most important asset she gained.
She pointed to trust.
That insight sits at the heart of this week’s episode of You Are What You Give—and it reframes how we think about leadership, generosity, and public service.
Over two decades in office, Cathy worked with people across industries, communities, and ideologies. What consistently made progress possible wasn’t about scoring points - it was being trusted: trusted to listen, trusted to show up honestly, and trusted to keep commitments even when outcomes were uncertain.
And trust, as we explored, is a form of giving.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why trust may be the most undervalued currency in leadership
Giving time, attention, and responsibility
Business as a values-driven contribution, not a moral compromise
Public service as stewardship rather than status
Why generosity that lasts is almost always relational
Cathy also reflects on what it means to step away from public office. Family, community engagement, mentoring, and civic education now shape her giving in this season, including her work through the Cathy McMorris Rodgers Leadership Institute.
This episode is a reminder that:
We are not remembered for what we accumulate
Leadership is measured in consistency
Giving that matters is built over time
The episode is now live. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Watch on YouTube.
I’m looking forward to unpacking its insights together throughout the week.
— Avi