The lobbying firm that was interviewing Lydia Borland told her there were two qualifications: Hill experience and a master’s degree. She had neither. She wasn’t even clear what Hill experience was.

But, most importantly, she wasn’t going to let anyone tell her she was unqualified. As far as Lydia was concerned, working as the receptionist at her sister’s beauty salon meant she was the most qualified candidate to be a lobbyist, whatever that even meant. And she was prepared to show “those idiots” at the firm.

Nearly three decades later, on a Friday afternoon, Lydia sat down with me to share what a lobbyist actually does. And to emphasize that, to any serious politician, your voice matters waaay more than hers. So organize and use it.

Listen to this conversation now: