1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to Work in Progress. Welcome 2 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: back to part two of Work in Progress with the 3 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 1: inimitable Kristen Welker. Let's continue. I wanted to ask you 4 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: about some of your favorite conversations, because yes, I want 5 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: to know all the details about you know, journalistic standards 6 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: and how the show works. And in the same way 7 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: that you have these more personal moments on me the moment, 8 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: they really excite me. And you know, you brought it 9 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 1: up when you mentioned your interview on that show with 10 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 1: or that segment rather with Olivia Munn, and I thought, 11 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: you guys did such a beautiful job having that conversation, 12 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: and it it touched me a lot listening to you to, 13 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: you know, discuss us obviously her illness and how that 14 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: shifted what she thought her plans would be for her motherhood. 15 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: You shared and have shared, so I think beautifully and 16 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:21,479 Speaker 1: vulnerably about infertility and surrogacy. And you know, it's been 17 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: I think, until recent years, a very kind of you know, 18 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 1: round bag bottom shelf conversation. Women go through this and 19 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 1: then they're welcomed into groups, but no one was really 20 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: talking about it in public. And I watch sometimes when 21 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: women do. There's so much support for the journey, and 22 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 1: then I don't have to tell you there's this horrible 23 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: segment of commenters who just say the most awful things. 24 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: I'm really curious. You know, it's such a personal thing, 25 00:01:54,240 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 1: and you are also this composed and brilliant figurehead for 26 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: so many of us, and I don't know you managed 27 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: to be the anchor you are, but also to show 28 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: us things that I didn't really feel like i'd ever 29 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 1: seen before. How do you balance the kind of knowing 30 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: you can shift a conversation, maybe feeling a responsibility as 31 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:29,679 Speaker 1: a reporter, and your own personal fears and the complexity 32 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: of privacy as a public figure like I just am 33 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: fascinated by it. 34 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, thank you for those comments. You're 35 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 2: going to make me cry, and it's just so meaningful. 36 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 2: You have no idea. I mean, look, infertility is incredibly 37 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 2: isolating and lonely and common and common. One in six 38 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 2: people experience infertility, and that's that's one of the reasons 39 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 2: that I thought I have to speak out and share 40 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 2: this journey. It also was about being honest with the audience. 41 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 2: I thought, you know, at the time, I was co 42 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: angering the Weekend Today Show with Peter Alexander, and I thought, 43 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 2: what am I going to say to people, I'm going 44 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 2: away for a few months and I had a child, 45 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 2: and not explain to them the journey that I went 46 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 2: through to get there. I mean, I struggled with infertility 47 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:30,800 Speaker 2: for years. I would leave my live shots at the 48 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 2: White House, rush to that my appointments, rushed back to work. 49 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 2: Oftentimes would go to my appointments and get really tough news. 50 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: My husband and I would like cry, wipe away the tears, 51 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 2: go to work for the day, try to sweep it 52 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: under the rug. And the decision to work with a 53 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 2: surrogate was challenging. It was not an overnight decision. This 54 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 2: was a lot of conversation between me and my husband, 55 00:03:56,240 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 2: our families, because we knew we wanted to be parents, 56 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 2: and so we did decide to go that path. And 57 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: as I've always said, people choose many different roads adoption, 58 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 2: which is so beautiful, and I felt like this was 59 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 2: the right journey for us, and to not share it 60 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:24,359 Speaker 2: would not be honest with the public. And the third 61 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: reason and maybe the most important, I wanted my daughter 62 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 2: to feel celebrated. I wanted her to feel like her 63 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 2: journey to this earth, and I want her to feel 64 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: is just as normal and excited and something to be 65 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 2: celebrated as every other beautiful child who exists on this earth. 66 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 2: And so I have shared with her her journey. By 67 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 2: the way we talk about it, and she likes to 68 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 2: talk about it. I mean, she's fascinated by it, and 69 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 2: I think that. But I have to tell you, Sophia, 70 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 2: I was terrified. I was absolutely terrified. I did not 71 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 2: know what the response was going to be, and I 72 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:16,359 Speaker 2: did not know if people would be critical. And I 73 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 2: have to tell you, overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly, my husband and I 74 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 2: after we shared our story, the response was nothing but supportive, 75 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 2: and it was incredible supportive. And also I couldn't believe 76 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 2: how many people came forward, women, men, to tell me 77 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 2: they had struggled with infertility and thank you for this story. 78 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,679 Speaker 2: And they were in various different stages of thinking about 79 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 2: how to become parents or maybe in the case of 80 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:49,799 Speaker 2: some people who decided, look, we're actually not going to 81 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 2: continue with our fertility journey, and that's fine too, But 82 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 2: so many people reached out to say thank you because 83 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 2: now we feel a little less alone. And so that 84 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 2: has been so powerful, and that's why the conversation with 85 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 2: Olivia Munn I think was so important for Bravery in 86 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,559 Speaker 2: speaking out about her battle against breast cancer and wanting 87 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 2: to share her story to save other lives and she 88 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 2: has just by sharing her own story and it's so incredible. 89 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 2: And then to talk about why she turned to surrogacy 90 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 2: and the bravery in that and as you say, it 91 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 2: was something that was swept under the rug. And I'm 92 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 2: so inspired by the fact that more women, more people 93 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 2: are speaking out about their journey with surrogacy and how 94 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 2: it's helped them to become parents, because it is a 95 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 2: beautiful thing. We still have relationships with both of our beautiful, 96 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 2: incredible surrogates who are angels here on earth, and we 97 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 2: are soally grateful for them. And I do think it's 98 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 2: something to be celebrated, and that's why I wanted to 99 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 2: speak out about it absolutely. 100 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: I mean, what a what an incredible gift, and what 101 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 1: a special just what a special connection and the way 102 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: you can look at your family and have those conversations 103 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 1: about you are so so loved, like we worked so 104 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 1: hard for you because you were supposed to be here. 105 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 1: You know, it's it's very very beautiful, and I really 106 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: appreciate the leadership you've taken on that well. 107 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 2: I appreciate that so much. I spoke to another mom who, 108 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 2: before Margo my daughter was born, and I, yeah, you know, 109 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 2: I'm so nervous about for actual birth. How am I 110 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 2: going to feel? What's it going to be like? Because 111 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 2: this was something I always envisioned that I would do, obviously. Yeah, 112 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 2: And this mom who I was talking to, who had 113 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 2: also welcomed her children with the help of a cerg, 114 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 2: it said, you will have a new understanding of gratitude 115 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 2: the moment that your daughter is born. That bond that 116 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 2: you have with your surrogate will take on a whole 117 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 2: new meaning. And again the gratitude that you feel. And 118 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 2: in the case of Margo's surrogate, the woman we worked with, 119 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 2: who's absolutely amazing, you know, going back to when she 120 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 2: was in high school, one of her family members struggled 121 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 2: with infertility and it had kind of always been a 122 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 2: dream of hers to become a so and so to 123 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 2: work with someone like that was just it was such 124 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 2: a gift. It was such an incredible gift. And I 125 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 2: think it's those stories that sometimes don't get told. So 126 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 2: we wanted to share that our sense of gratitude. 127 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's incredible. One of my best friends, her cousin, 128 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:56,959 Speaker 1: is a has bean, a surrogate, and I wanted to 129 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: ask questions about it, and she said, you know, we 130 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: had three kids. We knew we were done, she said, 131 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: and I'm one of those women who has never felt better, happier, prettier, 132 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: more alive, more energetic than when I'm pregnant and I 133 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: spent She was talking about how she spent about a 134 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: year after they had their last baby really grieving that 135 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: she would never be pregnant with her husband. And somehow 136 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,559 Speaker 1: a story kind of you know, came across her news 137 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: feed and she was like, wait a second, and they 138 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: had a conversation and she said, the fact that some 139 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: women don't get to have this breaks my heart and 140 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 1: I'm not ready to be done with it, but I 141 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: know we're done having kids. And she was a surrogate 142 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:45,959 Speaker 1: for three more families, amazing three more families, and she 143 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: said that if they didn't cut her off after three, 144 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,839 Speaker 1: she would have kept going. And I was like, you 145 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 1: are the most incredible person, Like what And it was 146 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 1: such a cool take to get story, to get you know, 147 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: the gratitude and the relationships, and it was it was 148 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 1: really beautiful to get to know that story, you know, 149 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:10,719 Speaker 1: just by happenstance of having a best friend who is 150 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: related to this person. It was cool. 151 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:16,480 Speaker 2: I absolutely love that, and I do think and and 152 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 2: my hope is that the stories of surrogates are told more. 153 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 2: It's an act of bravery and it's just incredible. And again, 154 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 2: we think of our two surrogates as angels on Earth truly, 155 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:35,839 Speaker 2: and we just feel incredibly blessed and fortunate. And so 156 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 2: I love specialization with Olivia Mount. There are other conversations. 157 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 2: So I will tell you this is a very different 158 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 2: topic than. 159 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:45,439 Speaker 1: Oh, I wonder if you're going to pick one of 160 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: the ones I want to ask, because it's definitely a 161 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,559 Speaker 1: left her no, you go, you go. I want to 162 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:50,440 Speaker 1: know what you're going to say. 163 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 2: So I think my top one, one of my top 164 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:59,200 Speaker 2: ones in new in the news category is President Zelenski. 165 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: That was gonna literally be my next one. I was 166 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: gonna say, full reversal. I need to know. 167 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 2: Okay, So what you have to know about this? First 168 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 2: of all, my executive producer and I were traveling to 169 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 2: Munich to conduct this interview. 170 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 1: Yes, And. 171 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 2: We had a range of travel challenges along the way, 172 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 2: one of them being that I had, after seven years 173 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:31,920 Speaker 2: of marriage, just legally changed my name, so now I 174 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 2: have the same last name as my kids. Yes. For 175 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 2: whatever reason, that created all sorts of glitches. Oh boy, 176 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 2: my travel documents. So we are about to board the 177 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 2: plane to Munich and I give them my ticket and 178 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 2: it's booked. Under whatever reason, they swapped the name and 179 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: a big X comes up on the screen. 180 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 1: No. 181 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 2: Yes, And they're like, ma'am, please come with me. 182 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: No, you're expecting the green check and you get the reddit. 183 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 2: We're like, no, I have to get on the plane. 184 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 2: You don't understand. I'm an interview with President Celenski. Thank 185 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 2: goodness they worked it out, but that was heart stopping. 186 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 2: We get to meet it and we're waiting, waiting. We're 187 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 2: all set up for this interview. We're waiting, we're looking. 188 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 2: We're like, oh, it's getting a little late. They were 189 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 2: supposed to do a security check. 190 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 1: Mm hmmm. 191 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 2: We're like, gee, you know what, this is all running 192 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 2: a little bit behind schedule. We weren't worried, but we 193 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 2: were kind of curious about, like, what's the timing going 194 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 2: to look like and we get a call from President 195 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: to Lonston's person, I'm so sorry, our meetings have all 196 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 2: run late. We're gonna have to reschedule for tomorrow. We're like, no, no, 197 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 2: no, no no, We're on a flight back to DC tomorrow. 198 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 2: The interview has to act and now yes, So this 199 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 2: is heart stopping moment number two. Thankfully, thankfully, and President Zelenski, 200 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,000 Speaker 2: to his credit, had been in meetings all day that 201 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 2: had run long. I mean they had run This was 202 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 2: a true and real statement. This was also a pivotal moment. 203 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 2: It was a month into this second Trump administration, deep 204 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 2: concerns about what would happen with US funding to Ukraine, 205 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 2: and so we reiterated all of those arguments, and to 206 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 2: his credit, they said, okay, he's going to come into 207 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 2: the interview, and he sat down. He wound up sitting 208 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 2: with me for I believe the better part of an hour. 209 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 2: And here's the extraordinary thing that happened. We asked him, 210 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 2: please can you speak in English? Because this is such 211 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 2: a pivotal moment. And I had interviewed him twice before 212 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,720 Speaker 2: and it had always been a mix of Ukrainian and English. 213 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: First sports out of his mouth were in English, and 214 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 2: the crux of the interview, the majority of the interview 215 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 2: he conducted in English, which was readily powerful and from 216 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 2: the perspective of the US audience, I think helped people 217 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 2: to really understand his point and one of the big 218 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 2: points he made in that interview, I think forcefully and 219 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 2: for the very first time, he said Ukraine cannot survive 220 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 2: without the United States support militarily. And it was this 221 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 2: very powerful moment and message, and so all of the 222 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 2: hurdles were absolutely worth it for what felt like a 223 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 2: quite frankly an historic moment. And she was sitting there 224 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 2: with President Zelenski, and to have him so powerfully speak 225 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 2: in English and convey this very strong message to the 226 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 2: United States, it was really one of the unforgettable moments 227 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 2: in my career. 228 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: That's amazing. I mean, what an interview. And I have 229 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 1: just been as a journalism nerd and history nerd who 230 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: doesn't do this for my perfect ession but pays attention. 231 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: I have been so struck by this man whose life 232 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: essentially took a left turn. Being the president of his 233 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: country was not his original plan, right, and he is 234 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: leading a nation through one of the most trying times 235 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 1: fighting one of the world's most enormous and formidable authoritarian powers, 236 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: and he just refuses to give up, and so his 237 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: people will not give up. And it feels to me 238 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: very kismet that we have interviews like that when that 239 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: you did with him to look to in times like 240 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: this in our own country. 241 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 2: Well, I so appreciate that. 242 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: I was going to ask, is it ever sort of surreal? 243 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: You know? I think about you mentioning Venezuela earlier, and 244 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 1: I think back to Fiona Hill's testimony in twenty nineteen saying, look, 245 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 1: Putin and Trump are talking. You take Ukraine, will take 246 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: Venezuela to see that. Now at the end of twenty 247 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: twenty five and into twenty twenty six, are there moments 248 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 1: as a journalist because you know all this stuff? You know, 249 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 1: I know this stuff because I'm nuts, admittedly, and I'm 250 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: like reading everything every day. But you know all of 251 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 1: these things so much more than I would say, you know, 252 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: the average news watcher. Do you do you ever think 253 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 1: about Oh, maybe on the show. I want to pull 254 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 1: from this interview I did with Zelenski. I want to 255 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 1: reference something historical to bring it back to what's happening 256 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: this week. You know, do you feel like your mind 257 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: is just a rolodex of political facts, Because I feel 258 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:50,040 Speaker 1: like it has to be. 259 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 2: I try to build it to be a rolodex. Yes, 260 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 2: that's my goal, but one hundred percent. I mean that 261 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 2: is I think one of the distinguishing feature of Meet 262 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:05,200 Speaker 2: the Press and has always been the whole decks, the 263 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 2: library of interviews and as you say, that are historic 264 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 2: and so meaningful and so that I mean, we read 265 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:20,120 Speaker 2: through hundreds of pages every single week SOFIA to prepare 266 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 2: for this one hour program, to make sure that we're 267 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 2: not missing anything, and we are always looking for that 268 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 2: moment in time that we can reference, that we can 269 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,880 Speaker 2: bring back, that we can unearth, that we can say 270 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 2: to a guest, this is what you said then, or 271 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 2: maybe this person said this then, you know, what are 272 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 2: the implications now? We are constantly putting this show together 273 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 2: and on the air with a mind towards what has 274 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 2: happened in the past and what our guests said in 275 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:58,679 Speaker 2: the past. I think it really is one of the 276 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 2: things that makes me depress and how we approach every 277 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 2: Sunday unique. But I think it's important for people's under 278 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:11,800 Speaker 2: broader understanding of these really complicated moments, because, as you say, 279 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:14,679 Speaker 2: it's important to have all of the context, and so 280 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 2: we absolutely try to bring that every Sunday, but finding 281 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 2: it sometimes it's quite obvious, But sometimes you stumble upon 282 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 2: these gems and we say, oh, my goodness, this person 283 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 2: made this comment ten years ago. We've got to use 284 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 2: that as part of our framing for you know, any 285 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:39,159 Speaker 2: given question or conversation, but certainly in the context of 286 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 2: the Zelenski interview. I always think back to it. I 287 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 2: always think back to his words then and how meaningful 288 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:49,959 Speaker 2: they are and how meaningful they continue to be. And 289 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:53,920 Speaker 2: by the way, I think back to my reporting back then, 290 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 2: which was during the Biden administration when Ukraine was invaded 291 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 2: and I was talking to administration visuals at the time 292 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:02,439 Speaker 2: and they said, this is going to be over twenty 293 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,440 Speaker 2: four hours because the Russians are just going to completely 294 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:12,679 Speaker 2: outpower Ukraine. Think about what Ukraine has done to your point, 295 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 2: it's incrediborinary. It's extraordinary. Their will to survive as a country, 296 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 2: it really is. I think one of the defining moments. 297 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: I do too. I do too. And now a word 298 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:40,960 Speaker 1: from our sponsors who make this show possible. There's another 299 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: one I want to ask you about, yes to bring 300 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 1: it home, but it is a well, it is a 301 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 1: political interview, but it gave such personal perspective you you 302 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:56,679 Speaker 1: did a bipartisan interview for my friends at home. It's 303 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: one of my favorites with Senator Raphael and We're not 304 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:02,879 Speaker 1: who is a Democrat and Senator James Langford, who as 305 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 1: a Republican on bridging the divides in our politics, on 306 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:15,199 Speaker 1: really how to do that hard work. And you know, 307 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: I understand that things exist on a case by case 308 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 1: basis for everyone, myself included, but I do believe that 309 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 1: unless we figure out how to remember that we really 310 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:30,239 Speaker 1: are just a giant neighborhood, we're going to lose the 311 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:34,200 Speaker 1: experiment of our democracy. As you said before, how did 312 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 1: that interview feel? How did you really get in the 313 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:43,160 Speaker 1: weeds of policy with two people who view a lot 314 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 1: of things very differently and also make sure they were 315 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 1: having really human conversations on a personal level with you. 316 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:54,919 Speaker 2: Well, I have to say that was one of my 317 00:20:55,000 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 2: favorite conversations. I'm so glad you use that. Thank you. 318 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 2: It was so important then and is so important now, 319 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:07,719 Speaker 2: and it really was the foundation of forming what is 320 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 2: now our finding common ground segment, and we're trying to 321 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:18,919 Speaker 2: have more of these conversations. People respond to and appreciate 322 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 2: these conversations. I cannot tell you the feedback that we 323 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 2: got for Fronts Sophia. I got emails please have another 324 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 2: conversation like that. And we did it around this shared 325 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 2: value that they have their faith, the fact that these 326 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:43,080 Speaker 2: are two pastors, Senator Warnock an active pastor, and that 327 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 2: they could speak about the different issues, whether it's immigration 328 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:52,880 Speaker 2: or the debate over guns in this country and find 329 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 2: threads and areas where they agree. And their biggest area 330 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,920 Speaker 2: of agreement was we have to keep talking. We have 331 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 2: to keep having these conversations. And it was so powerful, 332 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 2: and just the two of them sitting there together, I 333 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:13,639 Speaker 2: think was part of what made it so powerful. That 334 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:16,640 Speaker 2: people could see the power in that and the fact 335 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:22,119 Speaker 2: that that's really what Washington should be about, people coming 336 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 2: together across the aisle to bridge these divides. To yes, 337 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:30,720 Speaker 2: have very fierce debates. Yes, they're tough, tough issues that 338 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:34,880 Speaker 2: the country is facing. But to find a way to 339 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:39,400 Speaker 2: push beyond those difference is to find some areas of agreement. 340 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 2: And I think that's what you really saw on display 341 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 2: in that conversation, and again, the guiding principle to all 342 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:49,960 Speaker 2: of it was their shared faith and I thought that 343 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 2: made it an incredibly powerful conversation and one that still resonates, 344 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:56,640 Speaker 2: and we want to have them back. We just had 345 00:22:56,640 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 2: another bipartisan conversation with Senators k and Paul to Pat Paul, 346 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,359 Speaker 2: and in that conversation, less faith based, more focused on 347 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:11,240 Speaker 2: some of the issues that were at the forefront of 348 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:15,639 Speaker 2: that week. The war powers activate over that Venezuela, the 349 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:20,199 Speaker 2: path forward, but it's a segment that we're really dedicated to. 350 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:23,919 Speaker 2: And again that conversation with Senators Warnock and Langford was 351 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,680 Speaker 2: at the root of it, and both senators have been 352 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 2: frequent guests on the show and the wake of that, 353 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 2: and just really grateful because, by the way, sitting down 354 00:23:36,040 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 2: together in this climate is not necessarily an easy thing either. 355 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:43,880 Speaker 2: It opens them up to criticism, but they did it 356 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,720 Speaker 2: for the message that it sends for their constituency and 357 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 2: that message, yes, we are willing to do the tough thing, 358 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:54,879 Speaker 2: which is to disagree, but then to figure out a 359 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:57,680 Speaker 2: path forward, because that's why they were elected. 360 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: Yes, and that's a that I think is a very 361 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 1: big deal and a great reminder for people. This is 362 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:08,600 Speaker 1: their literal job. If you are an elected official, your 363 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 1: job is to sit down with people you disagree with. 364 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: And you know, some viewer or constituent at home might 365 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 1: not like it, but that's why you're not elected. That's 366 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 1: why I'm not elected to you know. And I think 367 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:29,439 Speaker 1: we have to remember that we don't get through anything 368 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:35,439 Speaker 1: by refusing to try to fix the problem. You know, 369 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:42,480 Speaker 1: there are certainly certain people. Sometimes people will say, oh, well, 370 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 1: if you're willing to sit down with someone on the 371 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,360 Speaker 1: other side, would you sit down with And They'll fill 372 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:50,639 Speaker 1: in the blank with something horrific, and I'm like, no, no, 373 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 1: the other side is not fascism. That's a third thing. 374 00:24:56,480 --> 00:25:03,439 Speaker 1: But I genuinely believe that sitting down to interact with 375 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 1: people is the way we solve these things. And honestly, 376 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,119 Speaker 1: an example I think a lot about, and I know 377 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,320 Speaker 1: is a history of buff you'll appreciate this. I think 378 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:18,800 Speaker 1: about the architecture of the healing that was run in 379 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: the wake of the Rwandan genocide and how it was 380 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:27,200 Speaker 1: done in that country. That entire initiative that took years 381 00:25:27,920 --> 00:25:31,359 Speaker 1: was run by the women, and they said, every single person, 382 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:36,560 Speaker 1: every victim will sit with a violence maker, and every 383 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:38,919 Speaker 1: single person will hear, and they will heal and they 384 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 1: will figure this out together. And it does really remind 385 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 1: me of what's possible if we care more about the 386 00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: outcome of a niche than our personal upset in a moment. 387 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 1: And so I'm like, good, I'm going to sit at 388 00:25:56,920 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 1: home and yell at you to do your jobs better. 389 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:00,959 Speaker 1: But if you're elected, I expect you to do your 390 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:02,439 Speaker 1: job better. Go fix it. 391 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:05,960 Speaker 2: And you're right, And I mean, what a powerful example 392 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:08,240 Speaker 2: you raised. But I do I love that framing, like 393 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 2: the power of what's possible. And I think that's what 394 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:17,560 Speaker 2: these bipartisan conversations, this Finding common Ground segment that we've launched, yeah, 395 00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:23,240 Speaker 2: across all NBC platforms is really focused on that question 396 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:27,240 Speaker 2: power of what is possible and what is so important 397 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 2: against the backdrop of this climate. 398 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:33,480 Speaker 1: That's so important. I have to ask about one last 399 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:35,200 Speaker 1: thing and then I promise we're almost done. 400 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 2: No, I'm loving it. 401 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 1: I think back to you moderating the final presidential debate 402 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:46,200 Speaker 1: of twenty twenty, and the consensus on social media wasn't 403 00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 1: about either candidate. It was that you were the winner. 404 00:26:49,080 --> 00:26:51,560 Speaker 1: And I loved that for you. I love that for 405 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 1: all of us. I just have to know, do you 406 00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 1: look at that stuff? Do you have a little moment 407 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: in your office? Are you like cute and you just 408 00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:04,480 Speaker 1: get back to work, because I imagine you need a 409 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 1: little bit of a release just from the the adrenaline 410 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:12,040 Speaker 1: of that kind of high stakes moment and unpredictable participants. 411 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:15,680 Speaker 1: Do you let yourself like have a little fun when 412 00:27:15,680 --> 00:27:16,680 Speaker 1: the cameras are off. 413 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:22,400 Speaker 2: I well, I felt immense relief that that was the takeaway, 414 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:25,720 Speaker 2: and I appreciate your raising that. I mean, that was 415 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:30,879 Speaker 2: the hardest assignment I've ever had. Yeah, and you were 416 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:34,320 Speaker 2: creat for That was in the middle of COVID And 417 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 2: by the way, that's when I really started to understand 418 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 2: the power of mock debates. I helped Lester Holt prepare 419 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:45,760 Speaker 2: for moderating the debate he moderated in twenty sixteen between 420 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 2: President Yes and Hillary Clinton, and then when I was 421 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:52,880 Speaker 2: asked to moderate that debate, used the same exact framework 422 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 2: those mock debates. And because it was cod in that 423 00:27:56,320 --> 00:28:01,920 Speaker 2: final week, we were in Nashville, often sitting outside at 424 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:08,360 Speaker 2: times by candlelight doing mock debates. Wow, and I should say. 425 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 2: I also started meditating to prepare for the enormity of 426 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:17,439 Speaker 2: the pressure that I would feel when I sat down. Wow, 427 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 2: it really helped me to center myself. I mean, I 428 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:24,679 Speaker 2: had walked through when you do those debates there you 429 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:27,640 Speaker 2: kind of sit down and you have two minutes of 430 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:31,400 Speaker 2: silence just by yourself to collect yourself and your pen. 431 00:28:32,040 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 2: It was like, Okay, what are you going to do 432 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:36,560 Speaker 2: for two minutes. You've got to find your breath, You've 433 00:28:36,560 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 2: got to center yourself, You've got to find calm in 434 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:44,440 Speaker 2: those moments. And I've practiced it over and over and 435 00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 2: over again, and I almost put as much work into 436 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:50,720 Speaker 2: those two minutes as I did for the hour and 437 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:54,280 Speaker 2: a half debate, because in some ways, that starting point 438 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 2: was the most important thing. That we started on a 439 00:28:57,640 --> 00:29:02,960 Speaker 2: steady footing and the enormity and the pressure. And when 440 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 2: I got through the debate, I stood up and I'll 441 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 2: never forget my legs started shaking. It was like I 442 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 2: was holding all of this tension in my two legs. 443 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:18,880 Speaker 2: They literally started shaking. And I looked at my producer 444 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:21,320 Speaker 2: at the time, Rashida Jones, one of the people who 445 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,719 Speaker 2: helped me prepare, came out and she said, you know, 446 00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 2: you crushed it. You did a great job. And I said, really, 447 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:28,800 Speaker 2: are you sure, and she said, no, no, you did. 448 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 2: And that was when the relief started coming in to 449 00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 2: your question. I don't linger on the kind of relief 450 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:42,120 Speaker 2: because every weekend have another debate, basically. 451 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:44,960 Speaker 1: Right back in the spin cycle came back in it. 452 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:48,760 Speaker 2: But it was it was such an incredible honor to 453 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:52,640 Speaker 2: be able to moderate that debate and an incredible experience, 454 00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:55,560 Speaker 2: and the team was incredible, and so yes, I let 455 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 2: myself enjoy it for a minute and then got back 456 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 2: to the task at hand, which is what we do 457 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 2: every Sunday. You know, everyone says, what's it like when 458 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 2: you get off the set of Meet the Press. I'm like, 459 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:10,000 Speaker 2: I'm moderating Meet the Press again in another seven days. Oh, 460 00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:13,360 Speaker 2: it's start thinking about, Yes, Meet the present's going to 461 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:16,840 Speaker 2: look like and as you say, the enormity and the 462 00:30:16,880 --> 00:30:19,520 Speaker 2: significance of this moment and making sure that we're getting 463 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:22,080 Speaker 2: all of our interviews right for our audience. 464 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:25,920 Speaker 1: Of course, it's such a high pressure job in the 465 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:28,640 Speaker 1: first place, and in a year like twenty twenty six, 466 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:43,120 Speaker 1: it's unprecedented. And now a word from our sponsors, I 467 00:30:43,160 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 1: wonder for you, you know, because you do balance. God, 468 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:49,320 Speaker 1: I hate using that word with women because men don't 469 00:30:49,360 --> 00:30:50,520 Speaker 1: get asked about their balance. 470 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 2: But but ask me, please, because I do all the time. 471 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, but you do balance so many things, you know, 472 00:30:57,480 --> 00:31:03,040 Speaker 1: the gravity of the entire political landscape and the context 473 00:31:03,040 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 1: of American history and global history, the immediacy of the moment, 474 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 1: the nuance of shifting policy, and also the reality that 475 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:19,120 Speaker 1: this is personal for people, and that that comes with 476 00:31:19,680 --> 00:31:25,360 Speaker 1: a slew of its own specifics and complications. And on 477 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:29,200 Speaker 1: top of it, you are not just a journalist. You 478 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:31,960 Speaker 1: know a person that audiences can trust. You are your 479 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:35,640 Speaker 1: own person. You are a wife, you are a mom. 480 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:39,240 Speaker 1: You have a sense of humor about things that many 481 00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:40,840 Speaker 1: of us don't know about. We don't know about the 482 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:42,840 Speaker 1: inside jokes in your house or with you and your 483 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 1: best friends. I don't know what your favorite cocktail is yet. 484 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:46,840 Speaker 1: I'm going to figure it out when we come on 485 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:52,480 Speaker 1: the show. But it's like it's so many things. Oh 486 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:58,480 Speaker 1: my god, is it really incredibly dry? Must be mineral. 487 00:31:58,760 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 1: If it's sugary, I don't want it. 488 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:02,280 Speaker 2: That's right dry. 489 00:32:03,080 --> 00:32:04,880 Speaker 1: I'm going to bring you a Greek white wine that 490 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:05,960 Speaker 1: I love Oh, this is going. 491 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:06,680 Speaker 2: To be fantastic. 492 00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:12,280 Speaker 1: Oh, fantastic when you think about the whole sphere of 493 00:32:12,320 --> 00:32:17,160 Speaker 1: your life. The answer could be personal, it could be professional, 494 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:20,560 Speaker 1: it could be neither, something totally unexpected. But I wonder 495 00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:24,680 Speaker 1: right now for you, what feels like your work in progress. 496 00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:29,120 Speaker 2: It's a great question, Sophia. I think my work in 497 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:35,880 Speaker 2: progress is trying to find that right mix of giving 498 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:37,960 Speaker 2: one hundred and sty percent to work and one hundred 499 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:44,080 Speaker 2: and fifty percent to being a mom, which is always 500 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:47,960 Speaker 2: my top priority, which is not to take anything away 501 00:32:47,960 --> 00:32:51,160 Speaker 2: from the enormity and the seriousness with which I approach 502 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:56,080 Speaker 2: my work. I was laughing because last night my son 503 00:32:56,120 --> 00:33:01,200 Speaker 2: who's only eighteen months, John Zachary, has decided then he 504 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:04,120 Speaker 2: wants to wake up at three am, and he's waiting 505 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:08,920 Speaker 2: up for the past at three am. So I was 506 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:13,240 Speaker 2: hoping I would be coherent for this conversation. You're doing great, 507 00:33:13,680 --> 00:33:18,760 Speaker 2: thank you, because it has been a long stretch. And yeah, 508 00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:20,360 Speaker 2: I still have to be there for him in the 509 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:25,000 Speaker 2: middle of the night when he wakes up, and I 510 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:27,640 Speaker 2: on my days off, try to to the extent that 511 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:32,880 Speaker 2: I can put the phone down, stay focused. There's just 512 00:33:32,920 --> 00:33:35,560 Speaker 2: a snowstorm. We're dealing with this major breaking news story, 513 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:39,959 Speaker 2: so he went sledding. I did make a few calls 514 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:44,440 Speaker 2: because this is such an enormous story, but I wanted 515 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:47,000 Speaker 2: to make this a fun snowstorm for the kids. And 516 00:33:47,040 --> 00:33:49,880 Speaker 2: I wanted to feel like we were hungered down as 517 00:33:49,920 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 2: a family and having fun and cooking things. And I 518 00:33:54,920 --> 00:33:56,840 Speaker 2: want them to be proud of me, and I want 519 00:33:56,840 --> 00:33:59,320 Speaker 2: them to look back at this body of work when 520 00:33:59,320 --> 00:34:01,680 Speaker 2: they're old enough to understand it and feel proud of 521 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:06,479 Speaker 2: it too. So I hold both things at once, and 522 00:34:06,520 --> 00:34:11,280 Speaker 2: I think that that is my ongoing work in progress always. 523 00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:14,640 Speaker 2: And it's a cliche, but it's true. It's a cliche 524 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:20,920 Speaker 2: because it's true because exactly parents, working parents are juggling 525 00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:24,480 Speaker 2: an immense amount all of the time. When I step 526 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:27,600 Speaker 2: foot into the office, I've had a full day with 527 00:34:27,680 --> 00:34:30,640 Speaker 2: my family already. I mean, my kids are up anywhere 528 00:34:30,719 --> 00:34:34,200 Speaker 2: between you know, six am and seven am. So yes, 529 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:37,919 Speaker 2: i've had a full day whenever I start my work day, 530 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:42,799 Speaker 2: and that it's a wonderful blessing. And I want to 531 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:45,000 Speaker 2: make sure my kids always feel like I am present 532 00:34:45,080 --> 00:34:48,800 Speaker 2: with them. I don't always achieve that, but I always 533 00:34:48,840 --> 00:34:52,480 Speaker 2: try to achieve that, and at the same time, when 534 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:54,840 Speaker 2: I'm at work, I have to make sure I'm getting 535 00:34:54,840 --> 00:34:57,400 Speaker 2: it right for all the reasons that I've been discussing, 536 00:34:57,480 --> 00:34:59,720 Speaker 2: because the stakes have never been higher. 537 00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:04,320 Speaker 1: Absolutely, But I think there's something really beautiful in the trying, 538 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:07,680 Speaker 1: because you know, in whatever way you become a parent 539 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:13,160 Speaker 1: or a bonus parent, you really do go oh. My 540 00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:18,279 Speaker 1: parents were literally just me, like they are just two 541 00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:20,000 Speaker 1: people trying to figure it out and do the best 542 00:35:20,040 --> 00:35:24,200 Speaker 1: they can. I thought they knew everything for you, and 543 00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:26,279 Speaker 1: suddenly you have so much more grace for them, and 544 00:35:26,320 --> 00:35:28,440 Speaker 1: suddenly you have so much more grace for yourself. But 545 00:35:29,239 --> 00:35:32,680 Speaker 1: you said something, you know both of the things, and 546 00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:35,759 Speaker 1: I think about that. You know, the work of my 547 00:35:35,880 --> 00:35:38,319 Speaker 1: life is to constantly be able to hold more things 548 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:42,680 Speaker 1: at the same time, including oppositional truths that are both 549 00:35:42,760 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 1: true about the world. And it made it sort of 550 00:35:47,920 --> 00:35:50,239 Speaker 1: triggered my actor brain when you said, you know this 551 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:52,880 Speaker 1: part of parenting and this part of work, both because 552 00:35:52,880 --> 00:35:58,360 Speaker 1: we have this phrase and improv in comedy where it's it's. 553 00:35:57,920 --> 00:36:00,359 Speaker 2: Yes and yes and exactly. 554 00:36:00,440 --> 00:36:03,560 Speaker 1: And no matter what gets thrown at you, you go yes, 555 00:36:04,120 --> 00:36:07,200 Speaker 1: and and you show up with something to offer back, 556 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:11,680 Speaker 1: and and I think about that, and I think about. 557 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:15,480 Speaker 2: The both and yes that that our. 558 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:19,919 Speaker 1: Political landscape and our world requires. And there's some there's 559 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:23,040 Speaker 1: some sweet spot between those two that I think for 560 00:36:23,160 --> 00:36:26,000 Speaker 1: all working parents might be the key. 561 00:36:26,600 --> 00:36:28,560 Speaker 2: I think it is the key you're at. You hit 562 00:36:28,600 --> 00:36:32,440 Speaker 2: the nail on the head. It is both end because 563 00:36:32,880 --> 00:36:37,480 Speaker 2: they both have to exist and I have to nurture 564 00:36:37,520 --> 00:36:38,840 Speaker 2: both of them at the same time. 565 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:42,520 Speaker 1: Well, I'm just so happy for you. You're doing great, Mama. 566 00:36:42,719 --> 00:36:44,520 Speaker 2: Thank you, Thank you so much. 567 00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:46,560 Speaker 1: Well, thank you for today. 568 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:50,920 Speaker 2: Thank you. This was just an incredible conversation and I 569 00:36:50,920 --> 00:36:53,279 Speaker 2: could keep talking to you all all day. I'm so 570 00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:54,520 Speaker 2: gratefully for asking me. 571 00:36:55,360 --> 00:37:04,560 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. I'm so grateful that you joined us.