A premature birth, 78 days in the NICU, and a community that showed up—that’s where our conversation with Mayor Jay Ruais begins. From a young dad’s sleepless nights to a mayor tackling homelessness, addiction, public safety, and affordable housing, Jay connects personal experience to public leadership.

He reflects on his own recovery and the decade-long path to earning a National Guard commission, a persistence that shapes his governing style: after-action reviews, data-driven decisions, and even vetoing his own budget when needed. We unpack the real math of housing, creative tools like selling surplus city property to fund shelters without raising taxes, and the partnerships that turn good ideas into results.

Jay also talks about the campaign skills that matter in life—listening, clarity, authenticity—and shares lighter moments, from an unforgettable chorus nickname to Metallica-fueled workouts and a bilingual home full of Spanish storybooks. It’s a portrait of leadership that’s personal, practical, and rooted in community.