October 22, 2024 • 38 mins
Minnesota's First Lady and the wife of VP Nominee Tim Walz is hitting the ground running with an important message - get to the ballot box and VOTE!
Gwen Walz joins Sophia to discuss the critical issues at stake this election, including a top voter concern that’s also incredibly personal to her and Sophia: reproductive freedom. Gwen also shares why and how Tim got involved in politics after returning from his military deployment, how they kept their infertility story to themselves for 20 years, and why they decided to go public with it in hopes to support other families.
Plus, Gwen reveals who she turns to for advice, lessons learned as a teacher (and why she thinks Sophia would make a great professor!) and her own work in progress.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to Work in Progress. Hey
with smarties, Welcome back to another episode of Work in Progress.
Today's guest is someone that I absolutely adore. I've watched
(00:25):
her from afar for a very long time, and her
leadership has been so impressive to me, perhaps crystallizing when
her husband, none other than Minnesota Governor Tim Walls was
selected by Vice President Kamala Harris to be her running
mate on the twenty twenty four ticket. Gwen Walls is
(00:46):
an American educator and public school administrator. She is the
thirty ninth and current first Lady of Minnesota as the
wife of said Governor Tim Walls. And Gwen is fascinating
to me because she is a teacher and an advocate,
and she gives me the kind of energy and a
conversation that I just know would have made her my
(01:08):
absolute favorite teacher in high school. She began her English
teaching career in Western Nebraska, which is where she met Tim,
and throughout her career, Gwen has taught in public, alternative
and migrant schools, which has shaped her vision for education.
She served for more than two decades as an administrator
and coordinator in the man Cato area public schools working
(01:30):
to eliminate the achievement gap and strive for more equity
and access within education systems because Gwen knows that a
strong public education system, which she considers to encompass from
birth through senior citizens, is critical to empowering every person
and for her every Minnesotan to succeed. Throughout her life,
Gwen has worked passionately to build a more just and
(01:53):
equitable world, from teaching at prisons and promoting criminal justice
reform to advocating for the lgbt TQ plus movement. Gwen's
desire to learn from and work with others to advance
meaningful change is her guiding principle, which makes her an
absolutely perfect guest for work in Progress. Let's chat with
the First Lady of Minnesota, Gwen Walls.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (02:27):
I am fine? I am great. I mean Minnesota fine
kind of like covers everything. So if you say you're
fine in Minnesota, it's like, oh, pretty good, you know,
and weather's great, no rain, you know, and that's kind
of like a Minnesota thing.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, So I'm in Minnesota today and that's pretty fun
to be here home for a day to kind of
switch clothes. See everybody you know just sleep in your
own bed, so that that's nice.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Yeah, I'm so glad to hear it.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Well, I just want to thank you for taking the
time and for surely for just the way that you've
jumped into this race, you know, with such passion and
enthusiasm and joy. I know it's an intense time and
I can't imagine how intense it is for you all,
but it really does feel nice to have so much
(03:25):
positivity in politics on our side these days.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Thank you. That's that's kind. And thank you. I know
you're very active and doing all kinds of things everything
you can.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Thanks.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Yeah, we appreciate it. I mean, I think we're all
doing it for the same reason, right, we all really
care about our country and we are determined to win.
And as I say in my stump speech, I know
we are going to win because we have you.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
So yeah, that's beautiful. Can I can I ask?
Speaker 1 (03:56):
I mean, and I imagine I know that you and
your husband come from you know, historic sort of personal
careers as educators. You know, your folks that stand up
for people that believe in you know, who's coming after
us and in the America that they're going to build.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
So I think it makes sense. You know, when I
look at the two of.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
You, I go, what a great, you know, powerhouse leadership
couple they are.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And then I also go, what was it like for you?
Speaker 1 (04:27):
You know, when you first sat down to have this conversation,
not you know, the governor and the first Lady of Minnesota,
but just Gwen and Tim and he said, Hey, I
think I want to run for office. Was that did
it take a while or did it just feel like, yes,
that's absolutely what our family's going to go do next.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Well, you know the governor, So you know that we
never sat down to have that conversation right like that
was that was on a dead run? Actually, it's it's
kind of an interesting story. I think we felt compelled
to run, and it seems like every step that we've
(05:09):
taken in politics has been because we've been compelled by
a really strong reason. My mom has this saying. She
used to say, Gwen, you have to do the work
that's in front of you growing up, and I thought
growing up that meant like the dishes or my homework
or something, right, But what she was really saying was
that I had to see with my own eyes, what
(05:31):
the work was that was in front of me, and
it was a very empowering statement to look at my
neighborhood or my school, or you know, my community, eventually
my state and now my country. So there's always been,
I think for Tim and I a real compelling reason.
We never planned our life to be in politics, but
(05:52):
we say our life kind of helped prepare us for that.
But when Tim was deployed in three oh four, Hope
was two and a half. That was two and a
half to three and a half, and we were really,
you know, frustrated with the war that was in Tim
served in support of Operation and touring Freedom and when
(06:13):
he came back, he went to a George Bush rally
in our community and it was the first time a
president had been in our community in man Cato since
I don't know, a really long time, probably more than
fifty years at least. And so Tim thought he should
go to the rally, and there were some students who
wanted to go with him, so he took some students.
I did not go. I was working during the summer
(06:37):
for the school district and just did not take the
time to do that. And so at that rally, because
the kids had like this John Carey sticker on their billfold,
and because they had been holding signs as a motorcade passed,
you know, that were they weren't my mean signs, but
they were like healthcare for National Guard and things like that.
(06:59):
They were asked rally and yeah, and public radio documented
this and they asked him to leave the rally and
he said, I'm I'm not going to leave the rally.
There's no reason for me to leave the rally. And
so they said, well, then we're going to have to
put secret service around you. And this was all with
our friends and our neighbors and our community. And Tim
(07:21):
had just returned from you know, serving a deployment. He
had been like the teacher of the Year and was
a finalist at that time for the Minnesota Teacher of
the Year. He was a coach, he was, you know,
an active civic person in our community. And we just
felt like, what kind of country is this where you
can't have a differing or an opposing view and be
(07:43):
okay at a rally. And so we got involved in
the John Kerry campaign and said what can we do?
And we called the Democratic Party and said what can
we do? And so they told us, and so we
got involved trying to organize, and we it was our
first time being involved in politics. We'd dropped literature before
(08:06):
for a teacher who would run for state house, but
that was it. And so we got involved and hoped
John Kerry would win, and we got involved in the
Democratic Party and opening up the Democratic office in our
community and trying to keep it open. Anyway, John Kerrey
did not win, and we were really despondent about that,
(08:28):
and our friends and neighbors and students said, you know,
one of you should run for Congress. And we learn
a really red district, and Tim and I thought about it,
and we said, well, in order to stop the war,
you stop the money, and the only place you can
stop the money is the United States Congress, and so
(08:50):
you have to run for the United States Congress. Because
then people were like, oh my gosh, you're running for Congress.
You haven't even ever run for anything before, right, And
so I said, well, Tim's the homecoming king. That was
the last thing he was elected to. And you know,
they said, well, that's not a ringing endorsement for Congress.
They said, well maybe yes, maybe no, but you know,
(09:12):
this is this is our goal, like this is why
we're running. And so we got involved and you know,
we put it all on the line in that race.
And that's a rather long story to tell, but I
wanted to answer your question fully and maybe for people
who listen, it is a story that they too can
(09:34):
relate to, because I think you just have to find
what it is that you can do, what the work
is in front of you, and how just getting involved,
for sure doesn't mean you're going to eventually run for Congress,
but it does mean that you're going to get involved
with your community, and that taking action is super important,
(09:54):
and listening to your friends and neighbors and facilitating those
conversations right and finding through your own talents and your
own time and your own experiences, how you might best
serve and asking asking that question, how might I best
serve and then answering that with your own with your
(10:15):
own gifts, because there's not you know, unlike schools, sometimes
there's not a wrong answer. Here, there's only a right
answer because it's your answer, so that you know. So
that's really how it started, and we won because once
we got in that race, we were determined and we
(10:35):
had a goal and then it was re elected five
more times after that, but we could see things were
moving towards some statewide discussions and we had some real
cares and concerns about Minnesota, and so we decided to
run forgether.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
We'll be back in just a minute, but here's a
word from our sponsors. So it really is so interesting
to me to hear the story of, you know, your
early shift as a family into politics, and thank you.
I don't think it's too long a story at all.
I loved every minute of it, but I it's not
(11:12):
lost on me. You know that he talks about something
that I think should be pretty basic, you know, the
idea that certain things have become partisan, like making sure
folks have clean air to breathe or clean water, or
being frank that everyone I think in our country deserves healthcare,
but certainly our veterans. Do you know, I don't think
that should be controversial, and the idea.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
You know that he and these.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Students were asked to leave a rally then and it
seemed so shocking and by the way, is and should
have been. But you fast forward to today and you
see the other side hosting these rallies talking about deploying
the American military on American citizens who don't vote for
the candidate. On the other side, you know, he wants
(11:57):
to lock up anybody who doesn't agree with him. And
he thinks the fact that you know, he's actually been
called a criminal because he is a criminal, I mean,
a thirty four time convicted felon, is somehow an inappropriate
talking point. It feels like we've lost the plot a
little bit. And I would imagine, especially being a military family,
(12:18):
you know, it's got to be incredibly difficult to see
folks who don't respect the Constitution. And I ask that
because you all, in my observations anyway, as a citizen
who's certainly a policy nerd, but you all have been
so incredible at kind of taking a part these right
(12:43):
wing talking points simply because you are who you are.
You know, you said the governor served his country, You
talked about his deployments. You you know, first lady, have
spoken so openly about your own reproductive freedom journey, your
experiences with fertility treements. As we have these conversations now
about how to protect women and our families and our
(13:06):
abilities to have families, you know, you all have been
able to kind of look around.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And go, what are we talking about here?
Speaker 1 (13:15):
You know, he hunts and is for gun control, same
with so many people in my family. You know, how,
how do you too feel like you bring some sanity
to these crazy partisan talking points? Because to me, I'm like,
I can tell you both have been teachers for a
long time. You're so good and communicating. And I don't
(13:39):
mean to make light of it, because it is dire,
but the way that you seem to take the wind
out of those crazy sales gives me a lot of hope.
And I guess I'm just curious how you guys do this,
you know, as a family unit.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Well, thank you. That's an awful big compliment and we
are we are honored to serve. And part of the
real thrill of being on this campaign is that we
get to live our values. And that was what politics
was about from the very start. We said, when Tim
(14:14):
was asked to leave that Bush rally, we said, you know,
we did not have hope, not have our dad at
home for almost an entire year, not to be able
to have not to be able to express our views,
and not to have everybody else be able to express
their views either, Right, Like that means a lot to us,
and so we have to get in the game here
(14:37):
right in a way. And I think all you can
be is who you are, and so you bring your
authentic self, good, bad and otherwise you know, to the table, right,
and you bring your own you bring your own skill set. Now,
if you taught high school juniors and seniors, you be
(15:00):
well practiced at pulling the main points or you know,
the important points out of all kinds of noise around you,
because that's a survival skill. And if you can't do
that as a teacher, your kids aren't going to be
ready for what they need to do next. And you
(15:20):
can't imagine as a teacher not being able to do
that for your students. That's your responsibility. And I think
for Tim and I too, we also just feel so
incredibly hopeful in schools that every day when you go
into that classroom or going to that school, you see
the future in front of you. And when people would
(15:42):
worry about the future, we never did because we saw
those kids who were going to create it every single day.
And Tim and I both feel like we are so
incredibly blessed to have amazing students and every year when
they would graduate, we'd be like, oh no, you know,
like there's never a new class like this again. And
(16:02):
then next year the class would come and you'd be like, oh,
my gosh, these kids are the most amazing kids ever.
And then at the end of the year we'll be like,
oh no, you know, and like just youth, energy and
kids and ideas are out there. But we took that
very seriously. We say teaching, Yes, that's the career we chose.
(16:24):
It's the job we did. But more than that, it's
who we are. You know, my parents were both teachers.
I had three sisters, two of them are teachers. Tim's
dad was a teacher and then a superintendent. He had
three siblings. They all became teachers. Most of them are
married to teachers. You know. We have great friends who
(16:45):
are teachers. So like, that was all around us, and
those are skills that you develop over time. But I
will say we work really hard at trying to understand
and listen, and those are important things. Listening is important,
(17:06):
and then you have you have to try to bring
it to the task at hand, and we work at
that every single day because not only now do we
care about our students, but we care we care about
the people in our community and our state. You have
to know who you are and what you're fighting for
(17:26):
and why you're fighting for it. And everybody does that
in their own way. And I'm so respectful like you
doing this this podcast right, like you're fighting for it
and this is very important. And your listeners they may
be having a conversation with someone nobody else is having
(17:47):
a conversation with right, And now we all have a
chance to bring all the diversibilities and talents together and
get to that ballot box and vote for what we
care about. That that is our voice, and that's living
our values. I don't know if that's a good answer
or not.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I think it's a great answer.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
That's kind of where I am with that. But the
highest compliment for me has been so many of our
students coming back and telling their stories and talking about
you know, how they appreciated us. Maybe even not at
the moment. Governor Walls was always known as the fun Walls,
and I was always known as the other Walls. So
(18:32):
but but I got those kids ready to write, whether
it be in college or their next experience, and you know,
they came to really appreciate that. So that's been like
a great joy for us on the campaign. And I know,
I know they are all going to vote. We all
have a piece in this, and we do this. We
(18:55):
do this together. And that's like a school in a classroom,
or an activity or a from building experience, or a
football team or a debate team or whatever it is.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
I love that we do it together. I absolutely love that.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
And I can hear the influence that teaching has had
on you, you know, in the way that you think
about community and the way that you think about public service.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
And I.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Feel so heartened by what you have to say. And
I guess I'm curious. You know, as you said, the
circle of community is ever widening. Right, you go from
military service to congressional service, you know, you're going essentially
from your neighborhood to your state. And now you were
(19:42):
talking about this, you know, big national leadership level. Who
do you get to turn to for good advice on this?
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Like?
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Are you calling.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Doctor Biden and Doug Mhoff or are you calling your
best friend from junior high or maybe everybody?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Yes, yes, and yes, like there are important issues that
are at stake. You know, reproductive freedom is on the line,
and like, if you cannot make decisions about your own body,
what other decisions? What o their decisions even matter? Right?
I look at what Kamala Harris has done throughout her
(20:21):
career and how she has fought for reproductive freedom. And
I look at Tim and and where he has stood
on you know, individual freedom and the autonomy to make
your own decisions. And he stood strong in the breach
in that too. And there's a very clear distinction right
(20:43):
between what Tim and Kamalin are saying and what Trump
and Vands are saying. You know, I'm insulted by by
the other side saying things, you know, like they're going
to be our protectors. You know, no, thank you very much.
You know I could, I could say some not very
nice things about how I feel about that, or you know,
(21:06):
even even the IVF treatments. And for Donald Trump to
say the other night, you know, he's the father of IVF.
Are you kidding me? You know, we were having IVF
treatment or we're having fertility treatments. I want to clarify
that for treatments before he came down the golden escalator,
right exactly. So there is so much at stake that
(21:29):
you have to you have to. I'm not an expert
on issues, so I seek advice and listen, and yes,
I have, you know, I have friends, and I am
very fortunate to have great friends from all over in
all different perspectives. I have, you know, friend Lisa Peterson,
(21:53):
if you're listening, spend my friends since I was three
years old.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Hi, Lisa.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
She still lives in my hometown, right. And then I
have friends from high school in college, but frankly, I
have great friends from my teaching days and my days
as director of assessment and research in our school district,
and they are with me all the way. Then I
have congressional spouse friends and a dear friend that I
(22:22):
mentored in Congress and he's with me all the way.
And then I have three amazing sisters and a whole
bunch of nieces and nephews who continually support and give
me advice, as well as cousins and moms and aunts.
And I tried to on the campaign trail have the
(22:43):
time to listen to the stories and the concerns that
people have. I think if you want to be a
good teacher, the very first thing you have to be
as a good learner, and so I think I've learned
to learn, and a lot of that is through listening.
So I love yeah, but this is crazy. And doctor
(23:05):
Biden and Doug muff Oh yeah, them too. You know,
doctor Biden's been through it, Doug m Hof's been through it.
But they you know, everybody's busy too, so everybody pitches in.
I have texts every day, you know, I've met and
a lot of people along the way. And I do
(23:27):
want to give a shout out to the staff, our staff,
to both in the Governor's office, friends when Tim was
in Congress, and that the staff working so hard for
the Harris Walls ticket. They've worked every hour of every day.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
They're the best.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
They they're the best, right, So how lucky that And
you know why we're going to win because we have
them too, right, Like we do this together. We have
all of those people pulling in the same directions. So
I feel so fortunate that I get to be kind
of a maybe a landing spot for some of that.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
Sure, yeah, we'll be back in just a minute after
a few words from our favorite sponsors. What you just
said about how being a good teacher, which I think
is you know, easily easily replaceable with leader, you know,
teachers or leaders, and if you know the election goes
(24:26):
the way we want it to, you'll you all will
be at that next level of leadership.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
And it does.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Require being a good listener, you know, being willing to
hear what people are going through. It's it's one of
the real I think perks of my life is a
democratic volunteer all these years, is anytime I have a question,
anytime something just oh makes me feel crazy because the
injustice of it all feels wrong. Like when we talk
about reproductive freedoms, for example, there are folks I can call,
(24:55):
I can call experts to learn who will say, this
is the book you.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Need to read.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Here's the new study. I've got a couple of group
chats now, like you're talking about that are just white papers,
new information, you know, not to give you a horrible fact.
But as we talk about the facts again, learning teaching
that reproductive freedoms are a whole They're a whole sphere
of care. You know, it's a whole world. And whether
(25:21):
that is access to birth control, or access to abortion,
or access to IVF, they are all intrinsically linked. And
to see how you know, the study came out today
that as these bands have gone these Donald Trump abortion
bands have gone into law in these states around the country,
we're seeing one hundred and thirty four rape related pregnancies
(25:43):
a day now, and these women can't get care.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
And I'm going, Okay.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
So the misogyny and the grotesqueness of a party that
wants to take our rights away. None of these people
are doctors, like you said, none of these law made
have gone to medical school. It's crazy to me that
we're dealing with this. And there's no way I believe
as a constituent to say that this is rational on
(26:13):
any level, because they're taking away your right to get
an abortion when you need one, and they're taking away
your right to access IVF when you want to have
a family. And so it's clearly not about us or
our families. And I know you know as I do.
I have a long and complicated history with fertility treatment,
and I've spoken about that a little bit, but I
(26:34):
was so I got I just like woman to woman,
I have to thank you your article, the article with
Women's Health that you penned.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
You know, you wrote it in your own words. I
did that once too. These things that are so important.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
I think deserve our full platforms, and they can be
really hard to share. Can you tell me a little
bit about as we're men, about the insanity of the
partisanship around these issues. What was the personal side of
wanting to share your story? What made you and the
(27:10):
governor say oh, now's the time.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Yeah, okay, I'm going to answer that question. But I
want to tell you, Sophia, I think you are a
very good teacher. That's what I want to say. This
is what you're doing right here, you're teaching. And I
had to write that new back down because I haven't
read that yet.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Well, i'll send it to you, guys. I was just
reading the news all morning. It hit today. It's horrible.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
Yeah, thank you, but thank you for sharing that. And
I think I think you're very good.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
That's so kind.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
Thank you. I would hire you in a second in
my school.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
My goal for my third phase of life is to
be a professor. So we'll talk about it.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
I think you are right here on this podcast, so
I just wanted to note that and teacher to teacher,
that's that's a high compliment. But I wish I didn't
you know, Tim, and I didn't tell that story for
almost twenty years, not even to our close friends and
family really, because we felt it was just a private
(28:08):
and personal thing, so personal, yes, and when we were
going through it, like it was hard enough to go
through it, let alone like talk about it, so we
didn't and we just never did. And even though we
had a life in public, there's still things that you
have that are private. Right. But I am telling you
when the Alabama Supreme Court decision came down about limiting
(28:32):
access and the infertility implications, I Tim and I looked
at each other and we were actually in his office
at the Capitol, and we are like, we have got
to tell our story because we have got to find
a way to bring some sanity to this discussion. And
(28:53):
in a role of leadership, you have a responsibility to
do that. And so as much as I did not
want to tell that story and it's hard every time
I talk about it, I am going to tell that
and I'm going to ask other people who feel they
(29:15):
can to tell their stories too, because stories change minds
and hearts in ways that even facts don't write. So
hearing someone's story is very personal and it even moves,
it moves hard hearts sometimes but Tim and I knew
(29:36):
at that moment that we were going to tell our
story and we were going to speak out because we
were going to have to fight this fight. And I
think all women have to fight this fight. However it
may be, even if it's not telling your own story,
maybe it's supporting women who are or at least this
at least it is going to that ballot box and
(29:57):
voting your voice right and encouraging people who may not.
They may say there are so many issues. I'm not
sure what I even. I don't know if I know
enough to vote. I hear some people say that, or
I'm not sure which issue is most important to me. Well,
I will tell you if you are a woman or
if you are a man who knows a woman, right,
(30:20):
you have got to have the right to make your
own decisions about your own body. Otherwise that word freedom
is just an abstract concept, right, And that's an issue.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
One of the things that I really I try to
talk to people about in my sort of circle of influence,
whether it's the podcast or around the dinner table, is
there are certain issues where the math and the morals
really meet, because if you understand that morally a person
cannot be a fully functioning member of society if she
cannot decide if and when to become a parent, you know,
(30:55):
if she cannot plan her higher education, if she cannot
start her small business, you know, whatever it might mean
when you think about the implications for the economy. If
fifty one percent of us cannot meaningfully participate in our
education and in the economy, that harms everybody, even the
folks in this country who can't get pregnant. And so
(31:18):
if we want to build a prosperous America, we have
to do that with planning. You'd never be able to
build a prosperous business without a business plan. Think about
your whole entire life, your whole entire existence. That works
on a timeline. And for us, the timeline has to
be about being able to control our bodies.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
We determine when, if or how we are going to
start a family exactly, and that is our healthcare. But
you know, I think a distinct difference again between Tim
and Kamala and Trump in advance, is that Tim and
Kamala have made it very clear that they trust women exactly.
They trust women, and I do not see that communicated
(32:03):
in any way shape or form from the other side.
And if you don't trust women to determine their own healthcare,
their own decisions right, their own reproductive freedom, then what
else don't you trust them with?
Speaker 2 (32:21):
Exactly right.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
I just I just think it is a defining issue,
and I know you do too, and I want to
thank you for your advocacy here, and I think for
your listeners. Right, even if you can tell your story, great,
if you have a story, if you know you know
I think the reason why this election is important to you,
(32:48):
that's your story to tell too. And if you can
tell that to three people, I can give you a
little homework assignment here. Tell three ye I love that
you know, like the story or whatever story about why
this matters so much that will compel people to vote.
But we have to vote. We have to vote with
our we have to have our boys with our feet,
and we have to vote right at that ballot box.
(33:10):
And we have to make sure of a plan.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
Well you said it. We've got to vote our values.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Yes we do.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
And you know I have to thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
I know I'm watching the clock, but I have to
thank you because you know everything from education to criminal
justice reform to the wonderful advocacy that you and the
governor do for the LGBTQ plus community. Thank you so
much to the sensible conversations you have about you know,
the economy, to gun reform, to all the things you
(33:39):
show up holistically for us. You talk about the sorts
of programs and policies that will better the lives of
the American people, however they live, wherever they live, and
for that you know, as a person who's not until
this election been able to vote for you all, but
I can't wait. I appreciate that, even as a resident
(33:59):
of another state. I know there's a million more issues
we could talk about, but I guess I just want
to ask you as you look forward in this moment,
because you know we're under thirty days now, what for
you feels like your work in progress?
Speaker 3 (34:17):
Oh gosh, well that's a big question, but maybe so
kind of. I would say, you know what my mom says, like,
do the work in front of you. So I'm keeping
my eyes and ears and and all of it open
to see where I can have an impact, and you
(34:39):
know and I what I can do. But at this moment,
I'll go back to what I said before I am
I am privileged to be able to live my values
by being on this ticket and meeting people across this
country who are doing extraordinary things that they thought they
(35:02):
never could do, because this election matters so very much.
And when I was a teacher, other teachers sometimes said,
you know, to kids, you have to earn my respect,
and I never felt that way. I always said to
students when they came in my classroom, you have my respect,
(35:25):
and I hope I have your respect, and let's just
work together to maintain that right because I think when
we have a view of the world where we are
in this together, where we see individuals, where we have
a hope for the future and respect for all people
and everyone right, every single person as well as all
(35:47):
of us, and there is a place for all of
us and for everyone. And again that's a distinct difference
that Tim and Kamala share compared to the other side,
who just have sort of a stratified view of things.
But when we really live that, when we really say
that is who we are and put that to action,
(36:09):
well I think we can't lose. And that's why I
believe so much in this in this ticket and in
all the people and I'm meeting and in use of
YA and in your listeners, and I just can't say
enough that it matters that you take that power yourself, right,
(36:35):
you take your own power because we do it together
and we all make a difference together. Make sure you
have a voting plan, make sure those around you have
a voting plan, and know why you're voting. There's lots
of information out there and you can say, oh, you know,
there's so much I might not sort through. Well, we
need to vote for our future, and we need to
(36:56):
vote for the kind of future and world that Kamala
and Tim believe in that they fought for as middle
class champions their entire life. And I Tim is a
very authentic person, he always has been. And I am
going to be proud to cast my ballot for the
(37:18):
Harris Walls ticket.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
You and me both thank you.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
Thank you. It's the greatest honor to have some someone
vote for that ticket.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:31):
And I feel honored about that and know we are
we are working hard and we're going to just continue
to do so. And I hope I get to meet
some of your listeners along along the way.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
That'd be so cool.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
I hope I get to meet you along the way too.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
Me too.
Speaker 1 (37:49):
I had the pleasure of meeting your husband at the
Human Rights Campaign gala, and he's just he's a gem,
you know, He's an absolute gem of a man.
Speaker 2 (37:59):
He's something, he really is. I'm very grateful to you both.
Thank you so much for taking the time today.
Speaker 1 (38:05):
I know you have a million other things to do.
We will make sure to remind all of our people
to go out and vote and make a plan.
Speaker 3 (38:14):
We're close, and hopefully we can talk again after the election.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
I would love that.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
I told your husband I want to go shooting with him,
so I'm coming to Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (38:22):
Holy smokes.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
Okay, okay, you just keep on keeping on. I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (38:27):
I had the Camo in the closet. I was ready
to go.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
Yeah, you are ready.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
For sure, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (38:33):
Okay, ma'am okay, see you soon. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
Thank you to your team. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
Bye bye bye
Hi, everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to Work in Progress. Hey
with smarties, Welcome back to another episode of Work in Progress.
Today's guest is someone that I absolutely adore. I've watched
(00:25):
her from afar for a very long time, and her
leadership has been so impressive to me, perhaps crystallizing when
her husband, none other than Minnesota Governor Tim Walls was
selected by Vice President Kamala Harris to be her running
mate on the twenty twenty four ticket. Gwen Walls is
(00:46):
an American educator and public school administrator. She is the
thirty ninth and current first Lady of Minnesota as the
wife of said Governor Tim Walls. And Gwen is fascinating
to me because she is a teacher and an advocate,
and she gives me the kind of energy and a
conversation that I just know would have made her my
(01:08):
absolute favorite teacher in high school. She began her English
teaching career in Western Nebraska, which is where she met Tim,
and throughout her career, Gwen has taught in public, alternative
and migrant schools, which has shaped her vision for education.
She served for more than two decades as an administrator
and coordinator in the man Cato area public schools working
(01:30):
to eliminate the achievement gap and strive for more equity
and access within education systems because Gwen knows that a
strong public education system, which she considers to encompass from
birth through senior citizens, is critical to empowering every person
and for her every Minnesotan to succeed. Throughout her life,
Gwen has worked passionately to build a more just and
(01:53):
equitable world, from teaching at prisons and promoting criminal justice
reform to advocating for the lgbt TQ plus movement. Gwen's
desire to learn from and work with others to advance
meaningful change is her guiding principle, which makes her an
absolutely perfect guest for work in Progress. Let's chat with
the First Lady of Minnesota, Gwen Walls.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (02:27):
I am fine? I am great. I mean Minnesota fine
kind of like covers everything. So if you say you're
fine in Minnesota, it's like, oh, pretty good, you know,
and weather's great, no rain, you know, and that's kind
of like a Minnesota thing.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, So I'm in Minnesota today and that's pretty fun
to be here home for a day to kind of
switch clothes. See everybody you know just sleep in your
own bed, so that that's nice.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Yeah, I'm so glad to hear it.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Well, I just want to thank you for taking the
time and for surely for just the way that you've
jumped into this race, you know, with such passion and
enthusiasm and joy. I know it's an intense time and
I can't imagine how intense it is for you all,
but it really does feel nice to have so much
(03:25):
positivity in politics on our side these days.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Thank you. That's that's kind. And thank you. I know
you're very active and doing all kinds of things everything
you can.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Thanks.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Yeah, we appreciate it. I mean, I think we're all
doing it for the same reason, right, we all really
care about our country and we are determined to win.
And as I say in my stump speech, I know
we are going to win because we have you.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
So yeah, that's beautiful. Can I can I ask?
Speaker 1 (03:56):
I mean, and I imagine I know that you and
your husband come from you know, historic sort of personal
careers as educators. You know, your folks that stand up
for people that believe in you know, who's coming after
us and in the America that they're going to build.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
So I think it makes sense. You know, when I
look at the two of.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
You, I go, what a great, you know, powerhouse leadership
couple they are.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And then I also go, what was it like for you?
Speaker 1 (04:27):
You know, when you first sat down to have this conversation,
not you know, the governor and the first Lady of Minnesota,
but just Gwen and Tim and he said, Hey, I
think I want to run for office. Was that did
it take a while or did it just feel like, yes,
that's absolutely what our family's going to go do next.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Well, you know the governor, So you know that we
never sat down to have that conversation right like that
was that was on a dead run? Actually, it's it's
kind of an interesting story. I think we felt compelled
to run, and it seems like every step that we've
(05:09):
taken in politics has been because we've been compelled by
a really strong reason. My mom has this saying. She
used to say, Gwen, you have to do the work
that's in front of you growing up, and I thought
growing up that meant like the dishes or my homework
or something, right, But what she was really saying was
that I had to see with my own eyes, what
(05:31):
the work was that was in front of me, and
it was a very empowering statement to look at my
neighborhood or my school, or you know, my community, eventually
my state and now my country. So there's always been,
I think for Tim and I a real compelling reason.
We never planned our life to be in politics, but
(05:52):
we say our life kind of helped prepare us for that.
But when Tim was deployed in three oh four, Hope
was two and a half. That was two and a
half to three and a half, and we were really,
you know, frustrated with the war that was in Tim
served in support of Operation and touring Freedom and when
(06:13):
he came back, he went to a George Bush rally
in our community and it was the first time a
president had been in our community in man Cato since
I don't know, a really long time, probably more than
fifty years at least. And so Tim thought he should
go to the rally, and there were some students who
wanted to go with him, so he took some students.
I did not go. I was working during the summer
(06:37):
for the school district and just did not take the
time to do that. And so at that rally, because
the kids had like this John Carey sticker on their billfold,
and because they had been holding signs as a motorcade passed,
you know, that were they weren't my mean signs, but
they were like healthcare for National Guard and things like that.
(06:59):
They were asked rally and yeah, and public radio documented
this and they asked him to leave the rally and
he said, I'm I'm not going to leave the rally.
There's no reason for me to leave the rally. And
so they said, well, then we're going to have to
put secret service around you. And this was all with
our friends and our neighbors and our community. And Tim
(07:21):
had just returned from you know, serving a deployment. He
had been like the teacher of the Year and was
a finalist at that time for the Minnesota Teacher of
the Year. He was a coach, he was, you know,
an active civic person in our community. And we just
felt like, what kind of country is this where you
can't have a differing or an opposing view and be
(07:43):
okay at a rally. And so we got involved in
the John Kerry campaign and said what can we do?
And we called the Democratic Party and said what can
we do? And so they told us, and so we
got involved trying to organize, and we it was our
first time being involved in politics. We'd dropped literature before
(08:06):
for a teacher who would run for state house, but
that was it. And so we got involved and hoped
John Kerry would win, and we got involved in the
Democratic Party and opening up the Democratic office in our
community and trying to keep it open. Anyway, John Kerrey
did not win, and we were really despondent about that,
(08:28):
and our friends and neighbors and students said, you know,
one of you should run for Congress. And we learn
a really red district, and Tim and I thought about it,
and we said, well, in order to stop the war,
you stop the money, and the only place you can
stop the money is the United States Congress, and so
(08:50):
you have to run for the United States Congress. Because
then people were like, oh my gosh, you're running for Congress.
You haven't even ever run for anything before, right, And
so I said, well, Tim's the homecoming king. That was
the last thing he was elected to. And you know,
they said, well, that's not a ringing endorsement for Congress.
They said, well maybe yes, maybe no, but you know,
(09:12):
this is this is our goal, like this is why
we're running. And so we got involved and you know,
we put it all on the line in that race.
And that's a rather long story to tell, but I
wanted to answer your question fully and maybe for people
who listen, it is a story that they too can
(09:34):
relate to, because I think you just have to find
what it is that you can do, what the work
is in front of you, and how just getting involved,
for sure doesn't mean you're going to eventually run for Congress,
but it does mean that you're going to get involved
with your community, and that taking action is super important,
(09:54):
and listening to your friends and neighbors and facilitating those
conversations right and finding through your own talents and your
own time and your own experiences, how you might best
serve and asking asking that question, how might I best
serve and then answering that with your own with your
(10:15):
own gifts, because there's not you know, unlike schools, sometimes
there's not a wrong answer. Here, there's only a right
answer because it's your answer, so that you know. So
that's really how it started, and we won because once
we got in that race, we were determined and we
(10:35):
had a goal and then it was re elected five
more times after that, but we could see things were
moving towards some statewide discussions and we had some real
cares and concerns about Minnesota, and so we decided to
run forgether.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
We'll be back in just a minute, but here's a
word from our sponsors. So it really is so interesting
to me to hear the story of, you know, your
early shift as a family into politics, and thank you.
I don't think it's too long a story at all.
I loved every minute of it, but I it's not
(11:12):
lost on me. You know that he talks about something
that I think should be pretty basic, you know, the
idea that certain things have become partisan, like making sure
folks have clean air to breathe or clean water, or
being frank that everyone I think in our country deserves healthcare,
but certainly our veterans. Do you know, I don't think
that should be controversial, and the idea.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
You know that he and these.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Students were asked to leave a rally then and it
seemed so shocking and by the way, is and should
have been. But you fast forward to today and you
see the other side hosting these rallies talking about deploying
the American military on American citizens who don't vote for
the candidate. On the other side, you know, he wants
(11:57):
to lock up anybody who doesn't agree with him. And
he thinks the fact that you know, he's actually been
called a criminal because he is a criminal, I mean,
a thirty four time convicted felon, is somehow an inappropriate
talking point. It feels like we've lost the plot a
little bit. And I would imagine, especially being a military family,
(12:18):
you know, it's got to be incredibly difficult to see
folks who don't respect the Constitution. And I ask that
because you all, in my observations anyway, as a citizen
who's certainly a policy nerd, but you all have been
so incredible at kind of taking a part these right
(12:43):
wing talking points simply because you are who you are.
You know, you said the governor served his country, You
talked about his deployments. You you know, first lady, have
spoken so openly about your own reproductive freedom journey, your
experiences with fertility treements. As we have these conversations now
about how to protect women and our families and our
(13:06):
abilities to have families, you know, you all have been
able to kind of look around.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And go, what are we talking about here?
Speaker 1 (13:15):
You know, he hunts and is for gun control, same
with so many people in my family. You know, how,
how do you too feel like you bring some sanity
to these crazy partisan talking points? Because to me, I'm like,
I can tell you both have been teachers for a
long time. You're so good and communicating. And I don't
(13:39):
mean to make light of it, because it is dire,
but the way that you seem to take the wind
out of those crazy sales gives me a lot of hope.
And I guess I'm just curious how you guys do this,
you know, as a family unit.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Well, thank you. That's an awful big compliment and we
are we are honored to serve. And part of the
real thrill of being on this campaign is that we
get to live our values. And that was what politics
was about from the very start. We said, when Tim
(14:14):
was asked to leave that Bush rally, we said, you know,
we did not have hope, not have our dad at
home for almost an entire year, not to be able
to have not to be able to express our views,
and not to have everybody else be able to express
their views either, Right, Like that means a lot to us,
and so we have to get in the game here
(14:37):
right in a way. And I think all you can
be is who you are, and so you bring your
authentic self, good, bad and otherwise you know, to the table, right,
and you bring your own you bring your own skill set. Now,
if you taught high school juniors and seniors, you be
(15:00):
well practiced at pulling the main points or you know,
the important points out of all kinds of noise around you,
because that's a survival skill. And if you can't do
that as a teacher, your kids aren't going to be
ready for what they need to do next. And you
(15:20):
can't imagine as a teacher not being able to do
that for your students. That's your responsibility. And I think
for Tim and I too, we also just feel so
incredibly hopeful in schools that every day when you go
into that classroom or going to that school, you see
the future in front of you. And when people would
(15:42):
worry about the future, we never did because we saw
those kids who were going to create it every single day.
And Tim and I both feel like we are so
incredibly blessed to have amazing students and every year when
they would graduate, we'd be like, oh no, you know,
like there's never a new class like this again. And
(16:02):
then next year the class would come and you'd be like, oh,
my gosh, these kids are the most amazing kids ever.
And then at the end of the year we'll be like,
oh no, you know, and like just youth, energy and
kids and ideas are out there. But we took that
very seriously. We say teaching, Yes, that's the career we chose.
(16:24):
It's the job we did. But more than that, it's
who we are. You know, my parents were both teachers.
I had three sisters, two of them are teachers. Tim's
dad was a teacher and then a superintendent. He had
three siblings. They all became teachers. Most of them are
married to teachers. You know. We have great friends who
(16:45):
are teachers. So like, that was all around us, and
those are skills that you develop over time. But I
will say we work really hard at trying to understand
and listen, and those are important things. Listening is important,
(17:06):
and then you have you have to try to bring
it to the task at hand, and we work at
that every single day because not only now do we
care about our students, but we care we care about
the people in our community and our state. You have
to know who you are and what you're fighting for
(17:26):
and why you're fighting for it. And everybody does that
in their own way. And I'm so respectful like you
doing this this podcast right, like you're fighting for it
and this is very important. And your listeners they may
be having a conversation with someone nobody else is having
(17:47):
a conversation with right, And now we all have a
chance to bring all the diversibilities and talents together and
get to that ballot box and vote for what we
care about. That that is our voice, and that's living
our values. I don't know if that's a good answer
or not.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I think it's a great answer.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
That's kind of where I am with that. But the
highest compliment for me has been so many of our
students coming back and telling their stories and talking about
you know, how they appreciated us. Maybe even not at
the moment. Governor Walls was always known as the fun Walls,
and I was always known as the other Walls. So
(18:32):
but but I got those kids ready to write, whether
it be in college or their next experience, and you know,
they came to really appreciate that. So that's been like
a great joy for us on the campaign. And I know,
I know they are all going to vote. We all
have a piece in this, and we do this. We
(18:55):
do this together. And that's like a school in a classroom,
or an activity or a from building experience, or a
football team or a debate team or whatever it is.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
I love that we do it together. I absolutely love that.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
And I can hear the influence that teaching has had
on you, you know, in the way that you think
about community and the way that you think about public service.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
And I.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Feel so heartened by what you have to say. And
I guess I'm curious. You know, as you said, the
circle of community is ever widening. Right, you go from
military service to congressional service, you know, you're going essentially
from your neighborhood to your state. And now you were
(19:42):
talking about this, you know, big national leadership level. Who
do you get to turn to for good advice on this?
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Like?
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Are you calling.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Doctor Biden and Doug Mhoff or are you calling your
best friend from junior high or maybe everybody?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Yes, yes, and yes, like there are important issues that
are at stake. You know, reproductive freedom is on the line,
and like, if you cannot make decisions about your own body,
what other decisions? What o their decisions even matter? Right?
I look at what Kamala Harris has done throughout her
(20:21):
career and how she has fought for reproductive freedom. And
I look at Tim and and where he has stood
on you know, individual freedom and the autonomy to make
your own decisions. And he stood strong in the breach
in that too. And there's a very clear distinction right
(20:43):
between what Tim and Kamalin are saying and what Trump
and Vands are saying. You know, I'm insulted by by
the other side saying things, you know, like they're going
to be our protectors. You know, no, thank you very much.
You know I could, I could say some not very
nice things about how I feel about that, or you know,
(21:06):
even even the IVF treatments. And for Donald Trump to
say the other night, you know, he's the father of IVF.
Are you kidding me? You know, we were having IVF
treatment or we're having fertility treatments. I want to clarify
that for treatments before he came down the golden escalator,
right exactly. So there is so much at stake that
(21:29):
you have to you have to. I'm not an expert
on issues, so I seek advice and listen, and yes,
I have, you know, I have friends, and I am
very fortunate to have great friends from all over in
all different perspectives. I have, you know, friend Lisa Peterson,
(21:53):
if you're listening, spend my friends since I was three
years old.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Hi, Lisa.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
She still lives in my hometown, right. And then I
have friends from high school in college, but frankly, I
have great friends from my teaching days and my days
as director of assessment and research in our school district,
and they are with me all the way. Then I
have congressional spouse friends and a dear friend that I
(22:22):
mentored in Congress and he's with me all the way.
And then I have three amazing sisters and a whole
bunch of nieces and nephews who continually support and give
me advice, as well as cousins and moms and aunts.
And I tried to on the campaign trail have the
(22:43):
time to listen to the stories and the concerns that
people have. I think if you want to be a
good teacher, the very first thing you have to be
as a good learner, and so I think I've learned
to learn, and a lot of that is through listening.
So I love yeah, but this is crazy. And doctor
(23:05):
Biden and Doug muff Oh yeah, them too. You know,
doctor Biden's been through it, Doug m Hof's been through it.
But they you know, everybody's busy too, so everybody pitches in.
I have texts every day, you know, I've met and
a lot of people along the way. And I do
(23:27):
want to give a shout out to the staff, our staff,
to both in the Governor's office, friends when Tim was
in Congress, and that the staff working so hard for
the Harris Walls ticket. They've worked every hour of every day.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
They're the best.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
They they're the best, right, So how lucky that And
you know why we're going to win because we have
them too, right, Like we do this together. We have
all of those people pulling in the same directions. So
I feel so fortunate that I get to be kind
of a maybe a landing spot for some of that.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
Sure, yeah, we'll be back in just a minute after
a few words from our favorite sponsors. What you just
said about how being a good teacher, which I think
is you know, easily easily replaceable with leader, you know,
teachers or leaders, and if you know the election goes
(24:26):
the way we want it to, you'll you all will
be at that next level of leadership.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
And it does.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Require being a good listener, you know, being willing to
hear what people are going through. It's it's one of
the real I think perks of my life is a
democratic volunteer all these years, is anytime I have a question,
anytime something just oh makes me feel crazy because the
injustice of it all feels wrong. Like when we talk
about reproductive freedoms, for example, there are folks I can call,
(24:55):
I can call experts to learn who will say, this
is the book you.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Need to read.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Here's the new study. I've got a couple of group
chats now, like you're talking about that are just white papers,
new information, you know, not to give you a horrible fact.
But as we talk about the facts again, learning teaching
that reproductive freedoms are a whole They're a whole sphere
of care. You know, it's a whole world. And whether
(25:21):
that is access to birth control, or access to abortion,
or access to IVF, they are all intrinsically linked. And
to see how you know, the study came out today
that as these bands have gone these Donald Trump abortion
bands have gone into law in these states around the country,
we're seeing one hundred and thirty four rape related pregnancies
(25:43):
a day now, and these women can't get care.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
And I'm going, Okay.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
So the misogyny and the grotesqueness of a party that
wants to take our rights away. None of these people
are doctors, like you said, none of these law made
have gone to medical school. It's crazy to me that
we're dealing with this. And there's no way I believe
as a constituent to say that this is rational on
(26:13):
any level, because they're taking away your right to get
an abortion when you need one, and they're taking away
your right to access IVF when you want to have
a family. And so it's clearly not about us or
our families. And I know you know as I do.
I have a long and complicated history with fertility treatment,
and I've spoken about that a little bit, but I
(26:34):
was so I got I just like woman to woman,
I have to thank you your article, the article with
Women's Health that you penned.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
You know, you wrote it in your own words. I
did that once too. These things that are so important.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
I think deserve our full platforms, and they can be
really hard to share. Can you tell me a little
bit about as we're men, about the insanity of the
partisanship around these issues. What was the personal side of
wanting to share your story? What made you and the
(27:10):
governor say oh, now's the time.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Yeah, okay, I'm going to answer that question. But I
want to tell you, Sophia, I think you are a
very good teacher. That's what I want to say. This
is what you're doing right here, you're teaching. And I
had to write that new back down because I haven't
read that yet.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Well, i'll send it to you, guys. I was just
reading the news all morning. It hit today. It's horrible.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
Yeah, thank you, but thank you for sharing that. And
I think I think you're very good.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
That's so kind.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
Thank you. I would hire you in a second in
my school.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
My goal for my third phase of life is to
be a professor. So we'll talk about it.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
I think you are right here on this podcast, so
I just wanted to note that and teacher to teacher,
that's that's a high compliment. But I wish I didn't
you know, Tim, and I didn't tell that story for
almost twenty years, not even to our close friends and
family really, because we felt it was just a private
(28:08):
and personal thing, so personal, yes, and when we were
going through it, like it was hard enough to go
through it, let alone like talk about it, so we
didn't and we just never did. And even though we
had a life in public, there's still things that you
have that are private. Right. But I am telling you
when the Alabama Supreme Court decision came down about limiting
(28:32):
access and the infertility implications, I Tim and I looked
at each other and we were actually in his office
at the Capitol, and we are like, we have got
to tell our story because we have got to find
a way to bring some sanity to this discussion. And
(28:53):
in a role of leadership, you have a responsibility to
do that. And so as much as I did not
want to tell that story and it's hard every time
I talk about it, I am going to tell that
and I'm going to ask other people who feel they
(29:15):
can to tell their stories too, because stories change minds
and hearts in ways that even facts don't write. So
hearing someone's story is very personal and it even moves,
it moves hard hearts sometimes but Tim and I knew
(29:36):
at that moment that we were going to tell our
story and we were going to speak out because we
were going to have to fight this fight. And I
think all women have to fight this fight. However it
may be, even if it's not telling your own story,
maybe it's supporting women who are or at least this
at least it is going to that ballot box and
(29:57):
voting your voice right and encouraging people who may not.
They may say there are so many issues. I'm not
sure what I even. I don't know if I know
enough to vote. I hear some people say that, or
I'm not sure which issue is most important to me. Well,
I will tell you if you are a woman or
if you are a man who knows a woman, right,
(30:20):
you have got to have the right to make your
own decisions about your own body. Otherwise that word freedom
is just an abstract concept, right, And that's an issue.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
One of the things that I really I try to
talk to people about in my sort of circle of influence,
whether it's the podcast or around the dinner table, is
there are certain issues where the math and the morals
really meet, because if you understand that morally a person
cannot be a fully functioning member of society if she
cannot decide if and when to become a parent, you know,
(30:55):
if she cannot plan her higher education, if she cannot
start her small business, you know, whatever it might mean
when you think about the implications for the economy. If
fifty one percent of us cannot meaningfully participate in our
education and in the economy, that harms everybody, even the
folks in this country who can't get pregnant. And so
(31:18):
if we want to build a prosperous America, we have
to do that with planning. You'd never be able to
build a prosperous business without a business plan. Think about
your whole entire life, your whole entire existence. That works
on a timeline. And for us, the timeline has to
be about being able to control our bodies.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
We determine when, if or how we are going to
start a family exactly, and that is our healthcare. But
you know, I think a distinct difference again between Tim
and Kamala and Trump in advance, is that Tim and
Kamala have made it very clear that they trust women exactly.
They trust women, and I do not see that communicated
(32:03):
in any way shape or form from the other side.
And if you don't trust women to determine their own healthcare,
their own decisions right, their own reproductive freedom, then what
else don't you trust them with?
Speaker 2 (32:21):
Exactly right.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
I just I just think it is a defining issue,
and I know you do too, and I want to
thank you for your advocacy here, and I think for
your listeners. Right, even if you can tell your story, great,
if you have a story, if you know you know
I think the reason why this election is important to you,
(32:48):
that's your story to tell too. And if you can
tell that to three people, I can give you a
little homework assignment here. Tell three ye I love that
you know, like the story or whatever story about why
this matters so much that will compel people to vote.
But we have to vote. We have to vote with
our we have to have our boys with our feet,
and we have to vote right at that ballot box.
(33:10):
And we have to make sure of a plan.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
Well you said it. We've got to vote our values.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Yes we do.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
And you know I have to thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
I know I'm watching the clock, but I have to
thank you because you know everything from education to criminal
justice reform to the wonderful advocacy that you and the
governor do for the LGBTQ plus community. Thank you so
much to the sensible conversations you have about you know,
the economy, to gun reform, to all the things you
(33:39):
show up holistically for us. You talk about the sorts
of programs and policies that will better the lives of
the American people, however they live, wherever they live, and
for that you know, as a person who's not until
this election been able to vote for you all, but
I can't wait. I appreciate that, even as a resident
(33:59):
of another state. I know there's a million more issues
we could talk about, but I guess I just want
to ask you as you look forward in this moment,
because you know we're under thirty days now, what for
you feels like your work in progress?
Speaker 3 (34:17):
Oh gosh, well that's a big question, but maybe so
kind of. I would say, you know what my mom says, like,
do the work in front of you. So I'm keeping
my eyes and ears and and all of it open
to see where I can have an impact, and you
(34:39):
know and I what I can do. But at this moment,
I'll go back to what I said before I am
I am privileged to be able to live my values
by being on this ticket and meeting people across this
country who are doing extraordinary things that they thought they
(35:02):
never could do, because this election matters so very much.
And when I was a teacher, other teachers sometimes said,
you know, to kids, you have to earn my respect,
and I never felt that way. I always said to
students when they came in my classroom, you have my respect,
(35:25):
and I hope I have your respect, and let's just
work together to maintain that right because I think when
we have a view of the world where we are
in this together, where we see individuals, where we have
a hope for the future and respect for all people
and everyone right, every single person as well as all
(35:47):
of us, and there is a place for all of
us and for everyone. And again that's a distinct difference
that Tim and Kamala share compared to the other side,
who just have sort of a stratified view of things.
But when we really live that, when we really say
that is who we are and put that to action,
(36:09):
well I think we can't lose. And that's why I
believe so much in this in this ticket and in
all the people and I'm meeting and in use of
YA and in your listeners, and I just can't say
enough that it matters that you take that power yourself, right,
(36:35):
you take your own power because we do it together
and we all make a difference together. Make sure you
have a voting plan, make sure those around you have
a voting plan, and know why you're voting. There's lots
of information out there and you can say, oh, you know,
there's so much I might not sort through. Well, we
need to vote for our future, and we need to
(36:56):
vote for the kind of future and world that Kamala
and Tim believe in that they fought for as middle
class champions their entire life. And I Tim is a
very authentic person, he always has been. And I am
going to be proud to cast my ballot for the
(37:18):
Harris Walls ticket.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
You and me both thank you.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
Thank you. It's the greatest honor to have some someone
vote for that ticket.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:31):
And I feel honored about that and know we are
we are working hard and we're going to just continue
to do so. And I hope I get to meet
some of your listeners along along the way.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
That'd be so cool.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
I hope I get to meet you along the way too.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
Me too.
Speaker 1 (37:49):
I had the pleasure of meeting your husband at the
Human Rights Campaign gala, and he's just he's a gem,
you know, He's an absolute gem of a man.
Speaker 2 (37:59):
He's something, he really is. I'm very grateful to you both.
Thank you so much for taking the time today.
Speaker 1 (38:05):
I know you have a million other things to do.
We will make sure to remind all of our people
to go out and vote and make a plan.
Speaker 3 (38:14):
We're close, and hopefully we can talk again after the election.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
I would love that.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
I told your husband I want to go shooting with him,
so I'm coming to Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (38:22):
Holy smokes.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
Okay, okay, you just keep on keeping on. I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (38:27):
I had the Camo in the closet. I was ready
to go.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
Yeah, you are ready.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
For sure, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (38:33):
Okay, ma'am okay, see you soon. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
Thank you to your team. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
Bye bye bye
Hosts And Creators
Bethany Joy Lenz
Sophia Bush
Robert Buckley
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