1 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, I'm Kitty Kuric, and this is next question. 2 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: Gwen Walls is about as wholesome as you can get, 3 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: and their romance really is straight out of Friday Night Lights. 4 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: So here she is talking about her experiences on the 5 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: campaign trail and as a wife and mother. So take 6 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: a listen. I think you'll really learn a lot about 7 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: her and I'm going to try my hardest to get 8 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: her great grandmother's ginger snap recipe. Stay tuned. First of all, 9 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:41,279 Speaker 1: it is so nice to meet you. I'm assuming it's 10 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:45,559 Speaker 1: okay if I call you Gwen. Please call me Gwen, yes, please, Well, 11 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: thank you for talking to us on this Saturday morning. 12 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,200 Speaker 1: And I imagine the last few months for you, Gwen, 13 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: have brought new meaning to the word whirlwind. How would 14 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: you describe what you've been going through through? 15 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 2: Well, let me say again, thank you for having me, 16 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 2: And maybe the last few months can be kind. 17 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 3: Of crystallized in this. 18 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 2: Moment, because I never imagined I would be on a 19 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 2: podcast or an interview or any sort of thing with 20 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 2: Katie Curic. So that's kind of what it's like. You know, 21 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 2: it was it was a fast process, and you know, 22 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 2: we were we were busy with our lives being governor 23 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:37,120 Speaker 2: and first lady in Minnesota and our kids, and you know, 24 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 2: I would have been door knocking and uh calling and 25 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 2: working on elections in Minnesota and also governors races. And 26 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 2: so when we got this call, we say it was 27 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,559 Speaker 2: a it was a different call, but I wasn't even home, 28 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 2: and so I was speaking of all the superintendents in 29 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 2: Minnesota getting ready for the start of school. 30 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 3: And we said, you. 31 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 2: Know, my mom has to sink when you have to 32 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: do the work that's in front of you. And so 33 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 2: when that became the work in front of us, we 34 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 2: shifted into gear. But I you know, I'm telling you 35 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 2: the truth on this. It is it is a new 36 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 2: experience and fantastic in so many ways, like that I'm 37 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:23,320 Speaker 2: in Michigan right now and getting to see these amazing 38 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 2: places and meet people across the country, which is all 39 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 2: very exciting and learning and listening. But it you know, 40 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 2: there are challenges that come with it too, like some 41 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:36,919 Speaker 2: people say not very nice things or things that aren't true. 42 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 2: And I'm traveling a lot more and it's, you know, Gus, 43 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 2: the senior year, so I have to balance like the 44 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: homecoming stuff with the political stuff and figuring that out 45 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 2: is what every mom in America is doing. It's just 46 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 2: maybe on a bit of a different scale. But I 47 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 2: also have a great staff and great friends and a 48 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 2: fantastic family of three sisters, and they are all super helpful. 49 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,799 Speaker 1: I'm sure your schedule, Gwinn has been absolutely bonkers. I mean, 50 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: all the candidates are in full gear as we are 51 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 1: in the home stretch of this election. What kinds of 52 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 1: things are you hearing out on the campaign trail, because 53 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: I know you've been going to blue areas and to 54 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 1: red areas. Are you noticing a big difference in people's 55 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 1: concerns and those two different parts of the country. 56 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 3: Well, I think you know. 57 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 2: I'm a teacher and a school administrator and director, and 58 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 2: so the power of listening is survival those in those environments, 59 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 2: and it is too out on the trail, and it's 60 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 2: a privilege for people to tell you their stories and 61 00:03:55,160 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 2: tell you their concerns. And interestingly, we all have very 62 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 2: similar concerns and there are people who might approach those 63 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 2: concerns differently. But where Tim and I taught and lived 64 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 2: for twenty two years in man Cato in the first 65 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 2: Congressional District, that was a district that was really more 66 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:22,839 Speaker 2: Republican than Democrat, and Tim won that race six times. 67 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 2: I say, we won that race six times. And we're 68 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 2: used to working with and being around people who might 69 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 2: not see every single issue exactly the way that you 70 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 2: see it. But finding a way forward is important. So 71 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,919 Speaker 2: the conversations I'm getting to have and getting to listen 72 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:44,359 Speaker 2: to and participate in are what's the way forward here. 73 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,799 Speaker 2: I mean, there are some people who protest who aren't 74 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 2: really ready to listen, but I find that occurring less 75 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 2: than people who might just have a different perspective. And 76 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: let's face it, in this election, it's the most important 77 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 2: election of our lifetime. I know we say that maybe easily, 78 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,040 Speaker 2: but I think everyone would agree with that right now. 79 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 2: And where I start is I ask people to tell 80 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 2: me a little bit about their story. 81 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 3: And I like that. 82 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: As an English teacher, I think stories are most important, 83 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 2: and I try to share a bit of my stories 84 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 2: in my remarks that I'm giving or when I'm answering 85 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 2: a question, because I think in our stories we identify 86 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 2: what we value. And what I still see across this 87 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 2: country is that we value the same things we value democracy, 88 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 2: we value reproductive freedom. We value children in schools and 89 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 2: food and housing and how we get there. We may 90 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 2: not see it the same way, but that's the dialogue 91 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 2: we have to get back to. So I encourage people 92 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 2: when they're door knocking or phone calling or campaigning to 93 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 2: tell their stories, and let's work on finding some of 94 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: those commonalities. 95 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,920 Speaker 3: You know. And I'm again. 96 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 2: Going to be very real, I'm not going to find 97 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 2: commonalities with what I feel is bullying by some of 98 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 2: the things mister Trump says and does, and mister Vance 99 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 2: says and does. I'm not talking about I'm not talking 100 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 2: about that kind of behavior. I'm talking about real, legitimate 101 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 2: conversation and storytelling, even with passionate passionate fire that we 102 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 2: might have, but not bullying. 103 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:29,799 Speaker 3: Nope. 104 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: Let me ask you quickly about meeting your husband. I 105 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: know you were both school teachers. You were teaching English, 106 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 1: he was a coach and a social studies teacher. This 107 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: was an alliance Nebraska. Tell me about your impressions of 108 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: him when you all first met, Well, when he was. 109 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 2: First in alliance, he started the middle school and I 110 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:54,160 Speaker 2: was at the high school, so I didn't know at 111 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 2: that very at the very at that very moment, But 112 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 2: I knew who he was because we were both in 113 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 2: the in the gym and there was an upper gym 114 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 2: in a lower gym, and he was helping with a 115 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 2: basketball program, and at that point I was coaching the 116 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 2: cheerleaders and so I was in the upper gym and 117 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 2: he was in the lower gym. So you know, I 118 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 2: would see him on occasion, but I like had things 119 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 2: to do because I was doing the speech and debate 120 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 2: stuff too, and teaching English and the church choir and 121 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 2: teaching piano lessons. 122 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 3: Wow, and you were busy. 123 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 2: I know, I know, but you know, when you're twenty two, 124 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 2: twenty three, twenty four, like you can do all those things. 125 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 2: And I was trying to pay my student loans off also, 126 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 2: so I was taking advantage of all those things. So 127 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 2: I wasn't sure. But my sister came out and stayed 128 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 2: with me during January term and she saw him teach 129 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 2: and she said to me, Gwenn, do you know Tim Walls? 130 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 2: And I said, I think I know who he is. 131 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 2: I think he's you know that guy, and blah blah blah, 132 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: And she said, I saw him teach, and I'm going 133 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 2: to tell you he's the best teacher I've ever seen. 134 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:05,360 Speaker 3: And I was like, wow, really, and she's like, yeah, 135 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:06,679 Speaker 3: I would. 136 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 2: I think you should meet him. She even made some 137 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 2: like predictions. And then it was a little while later 138 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:16,679 Speaker 2: but that we met. But we actually then when he came. 139 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 3: To high school. 140 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 2: Because we were school a school that was short on 141 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 2: space and short on money, they took the choir room, 142 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 2: the old choir room, and they put a divider right 143 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,239 Speaker 2: down the middle. And this divider was not a fit divider. 144 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:30,400 Speaker 2: But he taught on one side and I taught on 145 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 2: the other. And so that that was a way to 146 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 2: get to know one another. And yeah, and and so 147 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 2: we did. 148 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:42,199 Speaker 3: And you know, he asked to marry you. I understand, 149 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 3: Gwen on your first date. Is that true? Well, he said, 150 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 3: I'm going to marry you. 151 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 2: Because he asked if he could kiss me good night 152 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 2: and I said no, that I don't ever kiss on 153 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 2: a first aid. English teachers have policies and you know, 154 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 2: I don't have to think about these things. And he 155 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: like looked at me and in a way like aren't 156 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:03,479 Speaker 2: you in your mid twenties and this is your policy? 157 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 2: And I'm you know, safety first, So yeah, it was, 158 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 2: it was my policy. So he looked at me, like really, 159 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:16,199 Speaker 2: and then he said, well, all right then, because I'm 160 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 2: going to marry you. 161 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 3: Now get out of my car. So fun, Yeah, isn't it? 162 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 3: I mean? And I like looked at him, and then 163 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 3: he didn't call me for three days. Oh wow, I 164 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 3: hate that. But I finally did and you did get married. 165 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and we did and yeah, and you know, sharing 166 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 2: that classroom with him, and what I saw from is 167 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 2: coaching too, is I knew that we shared a vision 168 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 2: of how we saw school and how we saw education, 169 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 2: and we both chose that career, like we both come 170 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 2: from families of educators, but we both chose that career 171 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 2: because we love it right, and we believe in education, 172 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 2: and we thought it was how we contributed most to 173 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 2: the future. And I still say, the most fun days 174 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 2: are days you're in schools, and the most hopeful days 175 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 2: are days you're in schools because you get to be 176 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 2: with those kids and here here those students and those 177 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:17,320 Speaker 2: voices and that vision. 178 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 3: You know, and like, it's not easy. It is not easy. 179 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 2: I was high school English, eleventh and twelfth grade, and 180 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:27,959 Speaker 2: you learn very quickly, like there is you are not cool. 181 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 3: But what was your favorite book? 182 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 2: To teach Gwen, Oh, so I can. 183 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: I it's a play yeah, sure, our Town that's playing 184 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: here in New York on Broadway right now. 185 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 3: I know, you know, because it keeps coming back. I 186 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 3: love that play too. 187 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 2: It's it's amazing, right because when you think about it, 188 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 2: and there's a there's a line near the end of 189 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 2: the play that you know, they talk about like cups 190 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 2: of coffee and and and how the usual things in 191 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 2: life are really really special, right, and how you don't 192 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 2: recognize how beautiful they are during your life. And I 193 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:20,880 Speaker 2: think that's such an important message and lesson, you know, 194 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 2: because everyone thinks they want to have this spectacular, you know, 195 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 2: kind of life, even with social media stuff and everything, 196 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 2: and really it's like saying hi to your neighbor and 197 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,679 Speaker 2: planting new flowers in the garden and having a cup 198 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 2: of coffee and getting to meet new people, And you know, 199 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 2: aren't those the most wonderful things in all of our lives? 200 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 2: And do we take time to recognize how very beautiful 201 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 2: they are? 202 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 3: And I think that's such a challenge for all of us. 203 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:51,199 Speaker 2: And that was a fun thing to talk about with students, 204 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 2: and I actually would start my class with that because 205 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: I wanted all the voices in the. 206 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 3: Room, you know, or to have a chance to have 207 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 3: the voices. And so I like that I can talk about. 208 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 2: American literature for a long time because one of the 209 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 2: things that I really emphasized was when I started teaching 210 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 2: that were just a lot of old white men in 211 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 2: the curriculum. And one of the things I was able 212 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 2: to do throughout my entire career was to bring actually 213 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 2: what American literature is, you know, beginning with Native voices 214 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 2: and you know, Frederick Douglas and women and modern writers 215 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 2: and all of that, and so that was really exciting, 216 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 2: and you got to talk about challenges in our country 217 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 2: and equity and why weren't these pieces in a textbook 218 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 2: and what might we learn from them? So anyway, I know, 219 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 2: I'm supposed to be winning the race here, Cannity. 220 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 3: That's okay. I love talking about this too. 221 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: And apparently in the latest production of Our Town on 222 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: Broadway they pump in the Smell of Bacon, which sounds 223 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 1: really fun and I'm really anxious to see it because 224 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: I love that play too. It always makes me cry 225 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 1: and I just it's such a moving play. Thornton Wilder 226 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: and just love it. But anyway, let's get back to politics, 227 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,959 Speaker 1: so we talk about literature. You know, it's interesting how 228 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 1: you say, throughout your career you've really made an effort 229 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:20,360 Speaker 1: to make the curriculum more inclusive and more representative. I 230 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: think that's something that many Americans seem, for whatever reason, 231 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:29,559 Speaker 1: to be rejecting right now, this idea of more inclusion 232 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: representation kind of under the guise of being woke. And 233 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 1: I'm curious if you've encountered that and how you express 234 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 1: your views that help people understand why these things have 235 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: been important to you and maybe important to the country. 236 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 2: You know, there's no reason to have fear, but sometimes 237 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 2: we just we just do when we don't know the future. 238 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,760 Speaker 3: Different is not wrong. Different is just different. 239 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 2: And so I would always say to my students at 240 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 2: the beginning of the year, some people said, you have 241 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 2: to earn my respect, right, And I never approached it 242 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 2: like that. I always said, you have my respect, and 243 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 2: I hope I have yours, and let's just work on 244 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 2: keeping it that way. 245 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 3: And I think. 246 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 2: That when you have that base of respect, then the 247 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 2: reason that you talk about including other voices saying American 248 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 2: literature is because they're part of the story, right, They're 249 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 2: part of our story in our history. And you know, facts, 250 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 2: facts are facts, and we can talk about those in 251 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 2: lots of different contexts, and we can talk about those 252 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 2: and in our own stories and what that means. 253 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 3: And when you speak to values like values of. 254 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 2: Freedom, or values democracy right, or values like making your 255 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 2: own choice about your own body, most people do not 256 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 2: disagree on values and and so that's always the way 257 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 2: that I've approached it. There have been, you know, people 258 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: who disagree, and I respect their ability to disagree, but 259 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 2: we have to think about being more inclusive or we're 260 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 2: not going to close gaps. 261 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 3: And we are not. 262 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 2: You know, we are working toward a more perfect union here, 263 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 2: and there's a lot of work to be done, and 264 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 2: we need all voices in that. You can't have a 265 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 2: more perfect union if if you only tell part of 266 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 2: the story. 267 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 1: If you want to get smarter every morning with a 268 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: breakdown of the news and fascinating takes on health and 269 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: wellness and pop culture, sign up for our daily newsletter, 270 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: Wake Up Call by going to Katiecuric dot com. Gwen, 271 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: I was curious about what you're hearing on the subject 272 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: of reproductive freedom. You mentioned it earlier that has become 273 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: a central issue in this race. And you have been 274 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 1: very open along with your husband about your infertility journey, 275 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: and I know it's something that you kept very private 276 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: for a number of years. How hard has that been 277 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,920 Speaker 1: to talk about and why did you feel it was 278 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,680 Speaker 1: important to be open about your own experiences? 279 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 3: Thanks? Thanks for that question. 280 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 2: It is very hard to talk about it. It's we 281 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 2: have been in the political light for you know, a 282 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,879 Speaker 2: long time now, and even as teachers, you're kind of 283 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:10,199 Speaker 2: public figures. But I'm a private person and so that 284 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 2: felt really private to me and Tim and I didn't 285 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 2: share that for you know, almost eighteen years and longer 286 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 2: if you count, you know, if you count our journey 287 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,959 Speaker 2: to have hope, And we didn't talk about it because 288 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 2: it was a painful and private process that we went 289 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 2: through and kind of sharing it at that time made 290 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 2: it more painful, or we thought it would, and so 291 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 2: we didn't and that was just part of you know, what, 292 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:43,120 Speaker 2: who we were, and that felt like enough. But then 293 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 2: when the Alabama Supreme Court decision came down, we said, no, 294 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:52,879 Speaker 2: we have a responsibility in our current leadership positions to 295 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:57,640 Speaker 2: talk about this because we cannot possibly have people denied 296 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 2: the right to make their own choices about their own families, 297 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:07,719 Speaker 2: to have someone else like Donald Trump or Jadvance determine if, 298 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 2: when or how they're going to have a family, and like, no, 299 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 2: we have to we have to tell our story. And 300 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 2: Tim felt exactly the same way, and so we did 301 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 2: almost immediately tell it once that decision came down, and 302 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:26,719 Speaker 2: I decided that on the campaign trail it would be 303 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 2: something that we would talk about because if you do 304 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 2: not have freedom over your own body, whatever you might 305 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:39,919 Speaker 2: believe about abortion or anything, if you do not have 306 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:42,359 Speaker 2: the right to make decisions about your own body, what 307 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 2: other freedoms do you really have? I feel it's so foundational, 308 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 2: so fundamental, and I feel like it's part of an agenda. 309 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,160 Speaker 2: You know, Donald Trump has said some things like he's 310 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 2: going to be the protector of women. No, thank you 311 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 2: very much, Donald Trump. I'm not interested in that, and 312 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 2: I don't think many women are. And that is a 313 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 2: paternalistic sort of degrading idea to me, and that files 314 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 2: right along with the attitude about reproductive freedom. And we 315 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:20,479 Speaker 2: are facing a national abortion band here, and we are 316 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 2: facing real consequences here if we do not vote. I 317 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 2: feel like it's for freedom and equality for women. And 318 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:36,200 Speaker 2: I wonder in my generation, like, have I done enough? 319 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 2: So I wasn't going to make that mistake again. I'm 320 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:42,640 Speaker 2: doing everything I can right now, and I'm fighting for 321 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 2: my daughter and for her friends and for people we 322 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:51,199 Speaker 2: don't even know because it's that important. But I'm not 323 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,360 Speaker 2: going to have the legacy in my generation be that 324 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 2: we lost the rights for women to have autonomy over 325 00:19:58,240 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 2: our own body. 326 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: Kinds of things are you hearing from voters out on 327 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 1: the trail when this subject comes up? 328 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:09,919 Speaker 3: I tell Katie, it is amazing. 329 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 2: Every time I tell this story, which is a lot, 330 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 2: sometimes three and four times a day, depending on how 331 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 2: many events or the particular events, there are women and 332 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:24,679 Speaker 2: men who come to the ropeline or wait for me 333 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 2: afterwards and tell me their stories or their journey or 334 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 2: the journey of someone in their family or someone that 335 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 2: they know. And these are painful and horrific stories. And 336 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 2: I have to tell you, I'm angry that people have 337 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 2: to tell their stories that clearly it's hard for them 338 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 2: to tell, or even as I said, hard for me 339 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 2: to tell, but we have to tell them, and they 340 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 2: feel they have to tell them. I am so grateful 341 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 2: for people sharing their stories and sharing that with me. 342 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,879 Speaker 2: But it's heartbreaking. It is heartbreaking that we are having 343 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:08,200 Speaker 2: this conversation or having to have this conversation right now. 344 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 3: But I'm also grateful. 345 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 2: For the generosity of people who are willing to share 346 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 2: this and are clearly fighting for it and are clearly 347 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 2: engaged in this election because of this issue in what 348 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:27,879 Speaker 2: it means and if there's such a stark contrast between 349 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 2: Kamal and Tim Right who trust women, and Jade Vance 350 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:37,040 Speaker 2: and Donald Trump, who clearly do not. And if there's 351 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,200 Speaker 2: one single thing for women and I think for men 352 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 2: who are smart to vote on, it's this issue. 353 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: I'm curious how you feel about this gender gap that 354 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:51,159 Speaker 1: has submerged during the course of this election, with women 355 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 1: overwhelmingly supporting the Harris Walls ticket, but men actually overwhelmingly 356 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:04,719 Speaker 1: or sertainly by a pretty significant margin, supporting Donald Trump 357 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:08,480 Speaker 1: and jd Vance. What do you make of that? Because 358 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: I think most people would see your husband as a 359 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,919 Speaker 1: as a guy's guy. Oh not that he not that 360 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:18,680 Speaker 1: he doesn't support women, But how do you explain this 361 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 1: big divide? 362 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 3: Right? 363 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:25,520 Speaker 2: It's it's it's worth thinking about and worth talking about. 364 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 2: But I will tell you we are not giving up 365 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 2: on anyone. And so I see this divide as lessening. 366 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 2: I'm not I'm not a Polster, or at least this moment, 367 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 2: I'm not a polster. So so I know we see 368 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 2: some things that that may say differently, and maybe when 369 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,160 Speaker 2: this race is over, maybe it will still look that way. 370 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 3: But I still think there. 371 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 2: Is time, and I think we cannot we cannot give 372 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:59,120 Speaker 2: up on making this issue relevant, or any issue really, 373 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:06,120 Speaker 2: but specifically reproductive freedom relevant to young men and all men, 374 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 2: and telling our stories and sharing those values. We aren't 375 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:15,239 Speaker 2: giving up on that, and I think we just have 376 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 2: to continue to do that. I also think that fear 377 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 2: is a short term motivator, and there are ads and 378 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 2: things out there about about the fear right, the fear 379 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 2: factor that are appealing directly toward men. 380 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 3: But the democracy is not like a pie, you. 381 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 2: Know, where there are just so many slices and only 382 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 2: a few people get a slice of the pie. That's 383 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 2: not democracy. There is enough for everyone, and there is 384 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:51,159 Speaker 2: a place for everyone in this democracy. And so that 385 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:55,160 Speaker 2: motivator of fear, that discussion around what you know might 386 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 2: what you might. 387 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:57,440 Speaker 3: Lose or or. 388 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:04,199 Speaker 2: Whatever, what ever is that appeals to that sense. We 389 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:07,200 Speaker 2: have to have better and more conversations. And I would 390 00:24:07,320 --> 00:24:11,920 Speaker 2: encourage every woman who's listening to this to find three people, 391 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 2: maybe even three men, and tell your story and talk 392 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 2: about your values. And I bet you we are going 393 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 2: to see those smart men come right along, right along 394 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:28,400 Speaker 2: with us. You can be a man's man and still 395 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 2: understand what we are fighting for here and the freedom 396 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:36,160 Speaker 2: we're fighting for and a hopeful vision, a hopeful vision, 397 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 2: and Katie, we're not going back. 398 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 1: Glenn, I'm curious what role you think sexism might be 399 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:46,679 Speaker 1: playing in this campaign. There's been a lot written about 400 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 1: Kamala Harris Downplane, sort of her gender or her race. 401 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 1: Out on the campaign trail. You don't hear her talk 402 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:57,360 Speaker 1: about that much about being the first woman president, and 403 00:24:57,440 --> 00:25:01,680 Speaker 1: yet it seems like they're are some people who don't 404 00:25:01,720 --> 00:25:07,239 Speaker 1: even recognize their implicit bias against a female leader. How 405 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 1: do you respond to that and have you seen much 406 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 1: of that out campaigning? 407 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 3: Well? 408 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 2: I mean, I think for women that there is a 409 00:25:17,359 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 2: there is a reality, right that we have dealt with 410 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:26,520 Speaker 2: in board rooms, administrative rooms, teachers rooms, that that that 411 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 2: has been embedded to a degree in our culture, and 412 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:34,399 Speaker 2: we are we are taking that on and we must 413 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 2: we must take that on, and we must have powerful 414 00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:45,439 Speaker 2: conversations about that. I I am hopeful that the vision 415 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:49,639 Speaker 2: that Tim and Kamala put forward, which you know, is 416 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 2: about our way forward right, a new way forward, gives 417 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 2: people an opportunity to make the decisions again about the 418 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:00,719 Speaker 2: issues and values that they care about. They are speaking 419 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:03,479 Speaker 2: to the middle class, they are speaking to reproductive freedom, 420 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 2: they are speaking to kitchen table issues. 421 00:26:05,880 --> 00:26:08,640 Speaker 3: There they are speaking about strength. 422 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:14,000 Speaker 2: And I think if you have any dissatisfaction with this country, 423 00:26:14,560 --> 00:26:17,000 Speaker 2: Tim and Kamala are also your way forward, right because 424 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:22,440 Speaker 2: they are a new way forward. And I think women collaborate, 425 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 2: they have strong conversations. We are strong and mighty, and 426 00:26:27,119 --> 00:26:30,400 Speaker 2: we get it done, maybe five things at one time. 427 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 3: We get done. And I think people need to recognize that. 428 00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 3: I won't I won't say that it's not. 429 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:43,199 Speaker 2: Part of the conversation, but it is not really what 430 00:26:43,359 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 2: I hear, and if and when I do hear that, 431 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 2: I approach that once again by our shared values and 432 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 2: by what's at stake. And I think I think Coma 433 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:59,879 Speaker 2: is one tough prosecutor. I think she is smart, She 434 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:05,400 Speaker 2: is on it and and she can cook dinner, right, 435 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,719 Speaker 2: and you see her do it all and I, you know, 436 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 2: in my own role, I won't shy away from any 437 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:17,199 Speaker 2: of it. I bring cookies my great grandmother's recipe. I 438 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:20,200 Speaker 2: bring them to field offices across the country. One weekend, 439 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:23,920 Speaker 2: we made like fifteen hundred of and what kind of cookies? 440 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:26,560 Speaker 2: Ginger snaps? Ginger snaps. 441 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:30,640 Speaker 3: Maybe you'll give us the recipe and we can post it, Okay, 442 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 3: you know I will. I will try to do that. 443 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 2: I know they posted it, and it's like a fundraising thing. 444 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 2: But if you, if you ask for it, I know 445 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:40,120 Speaker 2: they'll give it to you. And I'll try. I'll try 446 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:40,600 Speaker 2: to do that. 447 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:42,520 Speaker 3: They're they're really good. 448 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,399 Speaker 2: And you know, my great grandmother made them for me 449 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:47,880 Speaker 2: as a little girl, and I made them my whole life. 450 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:50,679 Speaker 2: And I serve them at the Minnesota Governor's residence, warm 451 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:54,960 Speaker 2: on winter's nights before people leave. Okay, I do that, 452 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:59,760 Speaker 2: And I can teach our town. And I am as 453 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:05,440 Speaker 2: top his nails in negotiating for teacher contracts and administrative contracts. 454 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:10,040 Speaker 2: So you know what, we are not limited. We are 455 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 2: not limited people, and we are beginning to have a 456 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:18,680 Speaker 2: really important conversation and Kamala can do that times two. 457 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:23,400 Speaker 2: I'm telling you, and smart people recognize that, and Tim 458 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 2: has always recognized that. He said, you know, one of 459 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 2: his signs is what I've done is I've surrounded myself 460 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:32,679 Speaker 2: with a lot of smart women. And that's, you know, 461 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:36,360 Speaker 2: that's a good strategy. But it doesn't mean that he's 462 00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 2: less of a man. It doesn't mean that he doesn't 463 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:42,320 Speaker 2: have his own approach in doing things too. 464 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:45,240 Speaker 3: But we do have the shared values, the shared values 465 00:28:45,240 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 3: of freedom and democracy, and that's what we're fighting for here, 466 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 3: men and women, So we can't be afraid to have 467 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:53,320 Speaker 3: those conversations. 468 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:55,880 Speaker 1: I don't think I know you have to leave soon, 469 00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:57,960 Speaker 1: but it does have two more questions, Gwen. 470 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 2: One is Katie, can I say something? Yes, please, can 471 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:05,360 Speaker 2: I say something to you because I've when I heard 472 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,959 Speaker 2: that I got to speak with you, I wanted to 473 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:10,360 Speaker 2: tell you this that I was in the classroom on 474 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 2: nine eleven and I it was my prep period and 475 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:18,680 Speaker 2: I always watched your show during my prep period while 476 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 2: I was doing things getting ready for the day, and 477 00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 2: so you were on the air right on nine to eleven, right, 478 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 2: And I want to thank you for that because you 479 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:34,040 Speaker 2: don't even know this, but you and I together helped 480 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:39,000 Speaker 2: my students and all the students in our school through 481 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:42,880 Speaker 2: that day because you were on and I was in 482 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 2: my classroom and we had the TV on all day. 483 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:48,640 Speaker 2: And I want to tell you, I've always wanted to 484 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:52,280 Speaker 2: tell you how much that means to me and how 485 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 2: much we did that together, and just thank you. And 486 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:01,520 Speaker 2: those students still I see to this day, and they 487 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 2: remember that experience and they remember you. And Tim and 488 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 2: I met in the staircase because he taught on the 489 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 2: first floor and I taught on the second floor, and 490 00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 2: after the planes hit in New York, and we met 491 00:30:14,760 --> 00:30:17,600 Speaker 2: on that staircase and we talked about it, and I said, 492 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:20,160 Speaker 2: you have to turn Katie Kirk, you have to turn 493 00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 2: an NBC on and he did and our whole school did, 494 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:25,560 Speaker 2: and we had that on throughout the whole day and 495 00:30:25,600 --> 00:30:27,320 Speaker 2: we used that as a way to work through that 496 00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 2: with students. And Tim had to leave that day because 497 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:36,840 Speaker 2: they were calling National Guard leaders together, and like you 498 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:41,320 Speaker 2: were the touchstone for us on what was happening, and 499 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:43,880 Speaker 2: I just have I've always wanted to thank. 500 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:44,200 Speaker 3: You for that. 501 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:45,960 Speaker 2: So I had to take a minute to do that 502 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 2: so thank you, thank you for that. 503 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 3: That means a lot to me. I really appreciate it. 504 00:30:51,680 --> 00:30:55,320 Speaker 1: And it was a terrible, terrible day, terrible day, and 505 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:59,800 Speaker 1: yet I feel like the country sort of experienced it 506 00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:05,400 Speaker 1: in a united way and came together after that horrible 507 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:09,680 Speaker 1: event in a way that it hadn't and certainly hasn't 508 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:14,720 Speaker 1: for many many years. And I, personally, Gwen, have never 509 00:31:14,760 --> 00:31:21,239 Speaker 1: seen the country so divided and so at odds. And 510 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 1: I wanted to ask you about your kids because Gus 511 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 1: was just so awesome at the DNC. He was so 512 00:31:28,280 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 1: excited seeing his dad up on stage and it was 513 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:38,080 Speaker 1: so moving to me and of course your daughter Hope 514 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:44,600 Speaker 1: as well. But after the DNC there were some hateful 515 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:50,160 Speaker 1: comments made on the right about Gus, and I'm just curious, 516 00:31:50,200 --> 00:31:56,840 Speaker 1: as a mom, how you protect your kids from this toxic, 517 00:31:57,520 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: toxic environment we're in. 518 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 3: Politically. 519 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:08,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, that was so overwhelming, I think for our 520 00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:14,280 Speaker 2: whole family. It happened so so quickly, and that room 521 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:19,239 Speaker 2: was so amazing, and seeing Tim take the stage, like, 522 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 2: I still get choked up about that, and Gus just 523 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:26,920 Speaker 2: expressed that, and you know, he just turned eighteen and 524 00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:29,360 Speaker 2: I was on the phone with him just before this, 525 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:31,040 Speaker 2: he called me to give me an update on the 526 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:35,720 Speaker 2: cat this morning and to talk about his day. My 527 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:38,760 Speaker 2: sister was staying with us and with him, and so 528 00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:41,160 Speaker 2: I was I was talking to him, and you know, 529 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:42,760 Speaker 2: we have we. 530 00:32:42,760 --> 00:32:45,240 Speaker 3: Have talked, we've had to talk about. 531 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,120 Speaker 2: He was two weeks old, a little more two and 532 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:49,480 Speaker 2: a half weeks sold when Tim was elected to Congress. 533 00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:52,720 Speaker 3: So what he has known is his dad in politics. 534 00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:56,320 Speaker 2: He didn't know his dad in a school, right, so 535 00:32:56,360 --> 00:33:00,360 Speaker 2: this has been his reality. And we have we've had 536 00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:02,239 Speaker 2: We lived in a district that was more red than 537 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:07,040 Speaker 2: blue when Tim was a congressman, and so we've encountered 538 00:33:07,320 --> 00:33:13,120 Speaker 2: these sort of conversations and this this sort of I mean, 539 00:33:13,160 --> 00:33:15,360 Speaker 2: this is this is more than we've never accounted. But 540 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:18,600 Speaker 2: it's not it's not a new thing to have people 541 00:33:18,760 --> 00:33:23,160 Speaker 2: be more hateful than they need to be. And what 542 00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:26,240 Speaker 2: we've always said to our kids, you know, is they're 543 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:29,200 Speaker 2: going to say a lot of things that are very 544 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:33,760 Speaker 2: mean and that are not true. But we know who 545 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:37,080 Speaker 2: we are, and we have a great family around us, 546 00:33:37,160 --> 00:33:40,479 Speaker 2: and we have great friends around us, and that just 547 00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:44,200 Speaker 2: shows us how we are not going to act. And 548 00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:49,680 Speaker 2: you know that that's not true about you, and you 549 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 2: might have a response at times or want to have 550 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:54,360 Speaker 2: a response, but we're not going to do that on 551 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 2: social media. We're not going to do that because we 552 00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:00,240 Speaker 2: talked to people face to face and we build relationship 553 00:34:00,320 --> 00:34:05,600 Speaker 2: together face to face, not across platforms of hate. 554 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:09,160 Speaker 3: These people usually it's not about you. 555 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:12,960 Speaker 2: It's about something in their own lives that they're unhappy 556 00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:16,600 Speaker 2: with and what Dad and I and you and Hope 557 00:34:16,640 --> 00:34:19,720 Speaker 2: and Gus are working towards. That's part of service right now, 558 00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:22,359 Speaker 2: and we have to do everything we can to try 559 00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:22,960 Speaker 2: to change that. 560 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 3: But we are fortunate to serve. 561 00:34:25,160 --> 00:34:29,080 Speaker 2: We get to live our values and tear our values, 562 00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:31,120 Speaker 2: and you know, if we want to cry in the pillow, 563 00:34:31,160 --> 00:34:34,120 Speaker 2: we can, and then we have to go on. Even 564 00:34:34,160 --> 00:34:35,680 Speaker 2: if you want to say a few words and put 565 00:34:35,680 --> 00:34:38,960 Speaker 2: a quarter in the squear jar, Okay, but then we're 566 00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:40,719 Speaker 2: going to write, We're going to move on because we 567 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:42,120 Speaker 2: know who we are. 568 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:43,839 Speaker 3: And then, you know. 569 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:46,879 Speaker 2: There are things because brands are still developing when you're 570 00:34:46,920 --> 00:34:50,960 Speaker 2: eighteen and twenty three. But I said, Gus, you know 571 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:55,719 Speaker 2: you have a lot more people who love you, right, 572 00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:59,000 Speaker 2: and look at some of the positive comments that you've gotten, 573 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:03,200 Speaker 2: and look at the community who feels that you and 574 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:06,719 Speaker 2: Dad and I are speaking to them and for them, 575 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:11,200 Speaker 2: and how proud they feel of you and all of us. 576 00:35:11,960 --> 00:35:14,600 Speaker 1: Talk about that community, Gwenn and what you've heard from 577 00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:16,120 Speaker 1: that community. 578 00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:22,160 Speaker 2: That has been amazing that I mean people again come 579 00:35:22,200 --> 00:35:26,360 Speaker 2: and share their stories and share their compassion. I have 580 00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:30,319 Speaker 2: people have t shirts all over like you know, I'm 581 00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:33,319 Speaker 2: voting for Gus's dad, or I love Gus, or you know, 582 00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:37,760 Speaker 2: I have hope or you know, all of these really 583 00:35:38,160 --> 00:35:42,000 Speaker 2: amazing things, because they're trying to embrace our family too, 584 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:44,719 Speaker 2: and they're trying to encourage those kids. And those are 585 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:49,200 Speaker 2: such good, brave people. I can't thank them enough. And 586 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:52,600 Speaker 2: there are people who you know, with the neuro divergent 587 00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:56,279 Speaker 2: and all the all those things, who feel like it's 588 00:35:56,320 --> 00:35:59,000 Speaker 2: time to have that conversation and they hope we will. 589 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:04,520 Speaker 2: And I think it's begun a conversation and I'm anxious. 590 00:36:04,160 --> 00:36:04,880 Speaker 3: To continue that. 591 00:36:05,719 --> 00:36:08,560 Speaker 2: And then there are really you know, you have to, 592 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:10,799 Speaker 2: like my mom says, do the work in front of you. 593 00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:12,719 Speaker 2: You have to use your own time and talents and 594 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:16,200 Speaker 2: expertise whatever they might be. But I do want to 595 00:36:16,239 --> 00:36:19,640 Speaker 2: say this on Gus's birthday, which was October thirteenth. 596 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,120 Speaker 3: Chris Rock called. 597 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:26,000 Speaker 2: Gush to wish them a happy birthday and to talk about, 598 00:36:26,760 --> 00:36:30,160 Speaker 2: you know, to talk about just kind of how special 599 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:31,600 Speaker 2: their superpowers are. 600 00:36:33,160 --> 00:36:38,520 Speaker 3: Now, how amazing is that? That? That is no more special? 601 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:40,279 Speaker 2: Right? I mean, it is special, but it's no more 602 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:42,160 Speaker 2: special than people who are on the ropeline who are 603 00:36:42,160 --> 00:36:44,160 Speaker 2: telling me those stories and asking us to have a 604 00:36:44,239 --> 00:36:45,160 Speaker 2: national conversation. 605 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:47,200 Speaker 3: I take that very seriously. 606 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:56,319 Speaker 2: I'm proud of both my kiddos, and I am hopeful 607 00:36:56,560 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 2: that we are teaching them the responsibility of service and 608 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:03,240 Speaker 2: what they might do for their country when the moment calls, 609 00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:04,320 Speaker 2: even if it's something. 610 00:37:04,080 --> 00:37:05,080 Speaker 3: That you little expect. 611 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:12,000 Speaker 2: So there are benefits definitely to all of it and 612 00:37:12,080 --> 00:37:14,480 Speaker 2: to all the stories in to what we're learning, to 613 00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:17,120 Speaker 2: conversations that are new that we get to have and 614 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:18,319 Speaker 2: learning that we get to have. 615 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:40,120 Speaker 1: Another thing that critics have seized on were a couple 616 00:37:40,120 --> 00:37:45,040 Speaker 1: of occasions when your husband has misremembered things. Yeah, and 617 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:50,839 Speaker 1: I think sort of question his character because of his 618 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:56,600 Speaker 1: recollections or his misstatements of what actually happened. Can you 619 00:37:56,719 --> 00:38:01,520 Speaker 1: shed any light on those incidents when people listening or 620 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:06,920 Speaker 1: watching that might explain sort of these incidents that his 621 00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:08,520 Speaker 1: opponents have really seized on. 622 00:38:10,480 --> 00:38:14,279 Speaker 3: I mean, this is how this is how I see it, right. 623 00:38:16,440 --> 00:38:21,600 Speaker 2: I think that when you are a teacher, you are 624 00:38:21,719 --> 00:38:26,040 Speaker 2: used to putting things in terms for people to understand, 625 00:38:26,080 --> 00:38:32,400 Speaker 2: and Tim is a fabulous communicator, right, And in that effort, 626 00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:36,400 Speaker 2: like let's just take the example of when he was 627 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:40,440 Speaker 2: in Tieneman Square, he probably said during the summer of 628 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:44,680 Speaker 2: nineteen eighty nine, and then someone said, well, what part 629 00:38:44,719 --> 00:38:46,839 Speaker 2: of the summer, and he would say, well, I don't know. 630 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:49,719 Speaker 2: I think it was probably the first part of the summer. 631 00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:52,200 Speaker 3: You know, And so then he'd be like, oh, was 632 00:38:52,200 --> 00:38:54,560 Speaker 3: it the first part of the summer. Well, he's not 633 00:38:54,600 --> 00:38:55,919 Speaker 3: looking at a calendar. 634 00:38:55,600 --> 00:39:01,160 Speaker 2: From nineteen eighty nine, and in politics, you know, I 635 00:39:01,160 --> 00:39:02,560 Speaker 2: don't know if you have to go back through that. 636 00:39:02,760 --> 00:39:06,880 Speaker 2: But he was right there in the summer, and frankly, 637 00:39:07,560 --> 00:39:12,360 Speaker 2: Tianeman Square looked a lot like it did on June fourth, 638 00:39:12,560 --> 00:39:16,359 Speaker 2: nineteen eighty nine, six months later, seven months later, eight 639 00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:19,239 Speaker 2: months later, right, there were tanks, there was it was 640 00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:22,360 Speaker 2: a militant atmosphere. So I think in an effort to 641 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:26,000 Speaker 2: clarify sometimes he you know, would say a statement and 642 00:39:26,040 --> 00:39:29,279 Speaker 2: then people would narrow that, try to narrow it down, 643 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:31,120 Speaker 2: and he would probably try to narrow it down in 644 00:39:31,160 --> 00:39:37,080 Speaker 2: his own mind. Tim is an incredibly authentic person and 645 00:39:37,120 --> 00:39:39,160 Speaker 2: an incredibly transparent person. 646 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:43,000 Speaker 3: And I think he tries. 647 00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:47,680 Speaker 2: I think he tries to answer the question, and like 648 00:39:47,719 --> 00:39:50,560 Speaker 2: in a debate, that can be your first mistake trying 649 00:39:50,560 --> 00:39:52,880 Speaker 2: to answer the question right instead of just trying to 650 00:39:52,880 --> 00:39:55,640 Speaker 2: get your talking points out there. But he's authentic about 651 00:39:55,640 --> 00:40:00,360 Speaker 2: that and authentic about communication. And does he get details wrong? Yes, 652 00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:02,880 Speaker 2: there are times, you know, there are times when he says, 653 00:40:03,280 --> 00:40:09,839 Speaker 2: you know, like I bought a new golf club when 654 00:40:10,040 --> 00:40:13,359 Speaker 2: and I'll say, okay, so like how much how much 655 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:13,920 Speaker 2: money was that? 656 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:16,480 Speaker 3: Or what to take out of the checking account, you know, 657 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:19,279 Speaker 3: and he rounds and like that rounding air. 658 00:40:19,480 --> 00:40:21,960 Speaker 2: That might not be exactly what it is, Katie, but 659 00:40:22,640 --> 00:40:25,719 Speaker 2: it's in the spirit of it, right, And that's just 660 00:40:25,880 --> 00:40:26,400 Speaker 2: who he is. 661 00:40:26,440 --> 00:40:27,879 Speaker 3: The important thing is he bought a new. 662 00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:31,239 Speaker 2: Golf book, right, and and there's money coming out of 663 00:40:31,239 --> 00:40:33,560 Speaker 2: the checking account because we're very much a middle class family, 664 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:35,920 Speaker 2: so we have to keep track of all kinds of 665 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:39,799 Speaker 2: all kinds of things like that. And that's how I 666 00:40:39,840 --> 00:40:43,120 Speaker 2: see it. What you see is what you get with Tim. 667 00:40:43,239 --> 00:40:47,319 Speaker 2: I'm incredibly proud of him. I also am. You know, 668 00:40:47,719 --> 00:40:50,000 Speaker 2: like we work together, We are a partnership. We have 669 00:40:50,120 --> 00:40:55,160 Speaker 2: been from day one, and I you know, I know 670 00:40:55,320 --> 00:40:58,040 Speaker 2: his strengths and I know the things that we're still 671 00:40:58,080 --> 00:41:00,520 Speaker 2: working on, just like he knows my st and he 672 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:04,200 Speaker 2: knows the things I'm still working on. You are getting 673 00:41:04,239 --> 00:41:08,720 Speaker 2: a teacher, a football coach, an incredibly smart man, a 674 00:41:08,760 --> 00:41:13,120 Speaker 2: retired military veteran. But what he cares about and what 675 00:41:13,160 --> 00:41:17,400 Speaker 2: he's always cared about, are people. And he has always 676 00:41:17,440 --> 00:41:21,360 Speaker 2: tried to serve and make the difference that he can 677 00:41:21,719 --> 00:41:24,240 Speaker 2: for people. And that's what he and Kamala have in common. 678 00:41:24,600 --> 00:41:26,920 Speaker 2: And they knew it the first moment that they spoke, 679 00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:30,200 Speaker 2: the first moment that they met. And I knew it 680 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:33,880 Speaker 2: the first time. I was on the bus with Kamala 681 00:41:33,920 --> 00:41:38,040 Speaker 2: and Doug and Tim and I and we all said, 682 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:40,200 Speaker 2: how do you run races? You run them like you're 683 00:41:40,239 --> 00:41:42,920 Speaker 2: ten points down and they like set it in unison 684 00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:45,879 Speaker 2: And that's the only text we all share with each other, 685 00:41:46,160 --> 00:41:48,480 Speaker 2: ten points down, because that's how hard every one of 686 00:41:48,560 --> 00:41:52,000 Speaker 2: us is working every single day in different directions. 687 00:41:52,440 --> 00:41:56,520 Speaker 1: Gwen, I know that it must be hard because, of 688 00:41:56,520 --> 00:41:59,400 Speaker 1: course you've been married to Tim for a long time, 689 00:41:59,480 --> 00:42:02,560 Speaker 1: you have kids with him, and I think in a 690 00:42:02,640 --> 00:42:08,600 Speaker 1: campaign sometimes people, you know, they make these assumptions about people, 691 00:42:09,360 --> 00:42:15,640 Speaker 1: and I think you've probably witnessed that happening with your husband. 692 00:42:15,920 --> 00:42:19,600 Speaker 1: He's been criticized by the right for things like supporting 693 00:42:19,680 --> 00:42:25,000 Speaker 1: gender affirming care, signing a law that mandates free minstration 694 00:42:25,239 --> 00:42:29,239 Speaker 1: products in public school restrooms. Some people have called him 695 00:42:29,320 --> 00:42:32,799 Speaker 1: tampon Tim, and I think they've painted a portrait of 696 00:42:32,840 --> 00:42:37,640 Speaker 1: an uber liberal guy. And you know, they talk about 697 00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:41,440 Speaker 1: the school lunches and school breakfasts, which I don't know 698 00:42:41,520 --> 00:42:45,799 Speaker 1: how you can actually criticize that, but I'm curious how 699 00:42:45,880 --> 00:42:50,279 Speaker 1: you would describe kind of his overall philosophy and political 700 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:52,759 Speaker 1: philosophy when it comes to issues like that. 701 00:42:54,480 --> 00:42:57,720 Speaker 2: I think Tim and I have always thought about removing 702 00:42:57,800 --> 00:43:02,560 Speaker 2: barriers to learning success us and whatever that barrier is, 703 00:43:02,600 --> 00:43:07,480 Speaker 2: whether it be free lunch, orminstruation products, or knowing who 704 00:43:07,560 --> 00:43:11,960 Speaker 2: you are. Everyone means everyone, and some things look different 705 00:43:12,600 --> 00:43:15,160 Speaker 2: for some people. People have different needs and they have 706 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:20,759 Speaker 2: different resources. But everyone means everyone and all of us, 707 00:43:21,800 --> 00:43:26,600 Speaker 2: and so that is not that is not an unmessy journey, 708 00:43:27,160 --> 00:43:31,080 Speaker 2: right but we have looked at it like what do. 709 00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:33,200 Speaker 3: You need to move forward? 710 00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:37,600 Speaker 2: What do you need to be happy and healthy and 711 00:43:37,719 --> 00:43:43,320 Speaker 2: have success? And how might we most effectively and best 712 00:43:43,680 --> 00:43:49,759 Speaker 2: help with that? And then mind your own damn business, right, 713 00:43:49,880 --> 00:43:53,279 Speaker 2: then get out of the way, because and I think 714 00:43:53,360 --> 00:43:59,080 Speaker 2: that those two pieces probably described him. He's compassionate, he's empathetic. 715 00:43:59,440 --> 00:44:02,560 Speaker 2: He removes barriers. You know, if kids are hungry in school, 716 00:44:02,760 --> 00:44:05,040 Speaker 2: what that does to brain and learning, You're not going 717 00:44:05,120 --> 00:44:07,720 Speaker 2: to learn to read. So if you're talking about learning 718 00:44:07,719 --> 00:44:10,160 Speaker 2: to read and closing gaps, then you better take away 719 00:44:10,200 --> 00:44:13,919 Speaker 2: the barriers for that. If that's tampons, then that's tampon, right, 720 00:44:14,520 --> 00:44:16,959 Speaker 2: take away the barriers, and let's get to the real 721 00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:22,279 Speaker 2: work of this, not get lost in what are you know, 722 00:44:22,280 --> 00:44:27,280 Speaker 2: what our components? And and as some people would say, 723 00:44:27,400 --> 00:44:29,880 Speaker 2: you know, egling the playing field or whatever it might be. 724 00:44:30,760 --> 00:44:32,759 Speaker 2: I think he does a great job of that. But 725 00:44:32,840 --> 00:44:36,680 Speaker 2: I also think, you know, then he's like, whose business 726 00:44:36,760 --> 00:44:40,800 Speaker 2: is that? Like, mind it yourself? Now I have to 727 00:44:40,840 --> 00:44:44,400 Speaker 2: put a quarter in this square jar, but but mind it, 728 00:44:44,520 --> 00:44:48,120 Speaker 2: mind it yourself, Like, let's let's just get on about 729 00:44:48,160 --> 00:44:51,000 Speaker 2: the real important issues that we have to solve, not 730 00:44:51,040 --> 00:44:52,000 Speaker 2: get caught up. 731 00:44:51,880 --> 00:44:56,839 Speaker 3: In people's own personal uh business. Let's just provide what 732 00:44:56,880 --> 00:45:01,960 Speaker 3: we need to provide. You know, we see atquity as getting. 733 00:45:01,640 --> 00:45:04,720 Speaker 2: People what they need to get to a specific place 734 00:45:04,920 --> 00:45:06,320 Speaker 2: where we can have that conversation. 735 00:45:07,360 --> 00:45:10,800 Speaker 1: I've heard you've gotten advice from both the second Gentleman 736 00:45:10,960 --> 00:45:15,360 Speaker 1: Doug m Hoff and first Lady Jill Biden. I'm curious 737 00:45:15,520 --> 00:45:19,120 Speaker 1: what they've told you that you have found particularly useful. 738 00:45:19,760 --> 00:45:20,840 Speaker 3: Oh, Gosh, okay. 739 00:45:20,880 --> 00:45:24,359 Speaker 2: So you know, as a teacher and a learner, good 740 00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:27,000 Speaker 2: teachers are good learners, and I strive to be a 741 00:45:27,000 --> 00:45:27,520 Speaker 2: good teacher. 742 00:45:27,520 --> 00:45:28,720 Speaker 3: So I hope I'm a good learner. 743 00:45:29,239 --> 00:45:34,920 Speaker 2: I take advice and seek resources from everybody that I 744 00:45:34,960 --> 00:45:37,560 Speaker 2: can in order to do the best job I can. 745 00:45:37,600 --> 00:45:41,480 Speaker 2: I'm taking this very I mean ultra seriously, right like 746 00:45:41,640 --> 00:45:46,520 Speaker 2: I I'm honored to be able to be in this position, 747 00:45:46,840 --> 00:45:49,040 Speaker 2: and I want to do it as the best I can. 748 00:45:49,560 --> 00:45:54,440 Speaker 2: So Doug m Hoff called me right away and continues 749 00:45:54,480 --> 00:45:56,040 Speaker 2: to call me. And you know, he and Gosh share 750 00:45:56,080 --> 00:45:58,160 Speaker 2: a birthday, so that was a kind of a fun 751 00:45:58,200 --> 00:46:04,040 Speaker 2: celebration with every on. And he is such an amazing 752 00:46:05,000 --> 00:46:10,600 Speaker 2: person and how he models support for his wife and 753 00:46:10,640 --> 00:46:17,560 Speaker 2: empowers women and empowers me. Is really miraculous. So he is, 754 00:46:18,160 --> 00:46:20,880 Speaker 2: you know, I have good sense of humor about things. 755 00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:24,759 Speaker 2: Has also said ask for what you need, you know, 756 00:46:25,320 --> 00:46:29,000 Speaker 2: ask for what you need. Be determined in what you're doing, 757 00:46:29,120 --> 00:46:32,640 Speaker 2: and you know, let us know, but take time for 758 00:46:32,760 --> 00:46:36,560 Speaker 2: yourself too. And so I mean all and lots of 759 00:46:36,680 --> 00:46:41,279 Speaker 2: other things, but really good perspective, right, And since he's 760 00:46:41,280 --> 00:46:44,319 Speaker 2: done this and recently and still doing it right and 761 00:46:44,360 --> 00:46:46,960 Speaker 2: they are the top of the ticket, that's super helpful 762 00:46:47,280 --> 00:46:50,440 Speaker 2: and empowering advice. And you know, he was great with 763 00:46:50,480 --> 00:46:53,919 Speaker 2: our children right away and like said, here's my cell 764 00:46:53,920 --> 00:46:57,080 Speaker 2: phone number, let me know if you need anything. I'm like, okay, kids, 765 00:46:57,160 --> 00:46:59,839 Speaker 2: do not text that man. He is very busy, you know. 766 00:47:00,160 --> 00:47:02,279 Speaker 2: Guss is like, I think I'm a text Doug and 767 00:47:02,320 --> 00:47:05,640 Speaker 2: have some I'm like, wait, hang on, you know, and 768 00:47:05,680 --> 00:47:07,520 Speaker 2: he's like, no, he said it good and like he 769 00:47:07,680 --> 00:47:14,760 Speaker 2: means it. But I know, so he I. Relationships are important, 770 00:47:15,120 --> 00:47:19,480 Speaker 2: and I and doctor Biden. When Tim was elected to Congress, 771 00:47:20,600 --> 00:47:23,440 Speaker 2: Joe Biden and doctor Biden were in the Senate and 772 00:47:23,560 --> 00:47:28,040 Speaker 2: so we knew them from from Congress. And like, Joe 773 00:47:28,040 --> 00:47:32,240 Speaker 2: Biden and I were too functioning educators, right, at that time. 774 00:47:32,680 --> 00:47:35,799 Speaker 2: So on in different places and different times, we are 775 00:47:35,840 --> 00:47:40,719 Speaker 2: like the ones correcting papers. And so that was and 776 00:47:40,760 --> 00:47:43,160 Speaker 2: if that was an affinity that we shared. And she 777 00:47:43,360 --> 00:47:48,400 Speaker 2: came to Augsburg University where I teach one class during 778 00:47:48,440 --> 00:47:51,040 Speaker 2: the last election cycle, and we did an event together 779 00:47:51,160 --> 00:47:53,279 Speaker 2: in the courtyard at the university. 780 00:47:53,120 --> 00:47:58,040 Speaker 3: And and you know, she's a trailblazer right in her 781 00:47:58,080 --> 00:47:58,560 Speaker 3: own way. 782 00:47:58,680 --> 00:48:03,920 Speaker 2: And she's a good teacher and a good mom. 783 00:48:03,440 --> 00:48:04,120 Speaker 3: Right and just. 784 00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:09,640 Speaker 2: She's just such a good perspective. And she is this 785 00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:13,560 Speaker 2: determined and strong of a person as I've as I've 786 00:48:13,560 --> 00:48:18,239 Speaker 2: ever met. And I get to campaign with her coming up, 787 00:48:18,320 --> 00:48:21,640 Speaker 2: and I'm so looking forward to that. And so she 788 00:48:21,920 --> 00:48:27,719 Speaker 2: balances all all of it, and you know, like in 789 00:48:27,719 --> 00:48:30,400 Speaker 2: in high heels, she balances it. You know that Freda 790 00:48:30,440 --> 00:48:33,680 Speaker 2: is thing like Ginger Rogers did it all in backwards. 791 00:48:33,880 --> 00:48:35,400 Speaker 3: That's always talk about doctor Biden. 792 00:48:36,440 --> 00:48:43,000 Speaker 2: And she also is always available to me, good days, 793 00:48:43,080 --> 00:48:44,600 Speaker 2: bad days, whatever it is. 794 00:48:45,160 --> 00:48:45,960 Speaker 3: She does not. 795 00:48:47,760 --> 00:48:51,799 Speaker 2: When she's your friend and supporter, she really means it. 796 00:48:52,360 --> 00:48:56,279 Speaker 2: And that is good to remember because when you're on 797 00:48:56,320 --> 00:49:00,040 Speaker 2: this campaign journey to still keep and value all of 798 00:49:00,080 --> 00:49:05,040 Speaker 2: those relationships that are so important to you and find 799 00:49:05,080 --> 00:49:05,799 Speaker 2: a way to do that. 800 00:49:06,120 --> 00:49:07,680 Speaker 3: She's given me good advice on that. 801 00:49:08,440 --> 00:49:10,920 Speaker 1: Well, Gwyn Walls, I know you have a very busy 802 00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:14,240 Speaker 1: day ahead. I can't tell you how much we appreciate 803 00:49:14,920 --> 00:49:18,239 Speaker 1: you taking all this time to allow us to get 804 00:49:18,280 --> 00:49:21,440 Speaker 1: to know you a little bit better and to listen 805 00:49:21,520 --> 00:49:26,480 Speaker 1: to your story and hear your values, and we're just 806 00:49:26,640 --> 00:49:28,720 Speaker 1: very grateful. So thank you. 807 00:49:28,719 --> 00:49:40,880 Speaker 3: You're the best. Thank you, Thanks for listening. Everyone. 808 00:49:41,280 --> 00:49:43,880 Speaker 1: If you have a question for me, a subject you 809 00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:46,200 Speaker 1: want us to cover, or you want to share your 810 00:49:46,200 --> 00:49:49,919 Speaker 1: thoughts about how you navigate this crazy world reach out. 811 00:49:50,320 --> 00:49:52,879 Speaker 1: You can leave a short message at six oh nine 812 00:49:53,080 --> 00:49:56,279 Speaker 1: five one two five five oh five, or you can 813 00:49:56,320 --> 00:49:58,960 Speaker 1: send me a DM on Instagram. I would love to 814 00:49:59,000 --> 00:50:02,880 Speaker 1: hear from you. Next Question is a production of iHeartMedia 815 00:50:02,920 --> 00:50:07,280 Speaker 1: and Katie Couric Media. The executive producers are Me, Katie Kuric, 816 00:50:07,400 --> 00:50:11,880 Speaker 1: and Courtney Ltz. Our supervising producer is Ryan Martz, and 817 00:50:11,920 --> 00:50:17,040 Speaker 1: our producers are Adriana Fazzio and Meredith Barnes. 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