November 4, 2024 • 30 mins
Karen and Brittany kick off the conversation and delve into the excitement of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, focusing on Vice President Kamala Harris' run. Her candidacy is not just a political event; it's a cultural moment that resonates across communities. They share their admiration for Harris' leadership style, her knack for connecting with diverse voters through an inclusive and genuine marketing approach, and the communal spirit that voting instills. They also touch on fashion and food as a means of connection. Join us for an engaging dialogue that blends personal anecdotes with reflections on how politics intersect with culture and identity in shaping societal views.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Harrison Ford makes presidential endorsement days before 2024 election (The Independent)
- Kamala Harris Is Redefining the Power Suit on the Campaign Trail (The Hollywood Reporter)
- When It Comes to Food and Politics, Kamala Harris Is Riffing on the Recipe (New York Times)
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Brittany S. Hale (00:01):
Hey Brittany, Hi Karen, how are you?
I'm doing okay.
How about you?
I'm doing well.
Mina's joining us again.
Hi, Mina, she's like I'm readyfor a nap.
Karen McFarlane (00:13):
Ready for a nap ?
Yeah, ready for a sleep.
Brittany S. Hale (00:16):
Okay, it's a hard life, you know, being the
dog of a single childless dogmom.
But here we are.
Karen McFarlane (00:29):
It's good life.
Wow, exciting times are upon us.
Brittany S. Hale (00:38):
Exciting times .
This is the last pod we'regoing to do before we elect a
new president of the UnitedStates.
Did you vote already?
Karen McFarlane (00:48):
I did on Saturday, no Friday night,
Friday evening I did.
I did my early vote.
It took me like five minutesReally Well, because you know I
broke my foot right, so I got.
Brittany S. Hale (01:00):
Ah right.
Karen McFarlane (01:02):
Okay, I was going to say I was like wow the
line, but yes, I got a littlehashtag going on, which I
greatly appreciated, so it tookme longer to walk in the
building than it did to vote,which was awesome.
They were great.
Brittany S. Hale (01:18):
That is awesome.
Karen McFarlane (01:21):
And also in New York.
What was interesting?
Well, I, I didn't.
I guess I didn't pay that muchattention, so that's bad.
But anyway, on the back youflip it over and you're voting
yes for equal protections, um,for doing so to be added to the
state constitution.
Brittany S. Hale (01:41):
So if you you're in New York and you still
haven't voted, make sure youflip over your ballot yes,
always make sure you read yourballot, the sample ballots that
come in the mail, don't justchuck them in the trash.
Karen McFarlane (01:54):
I don't get sample ballots.
Brittany S. Hale (01:56):
Really.
Oh, maybe they don't do that inNew York.
Karen McFarlane (01:59):
I don't know, I don't get one, I just show up
and do what you need to do.
But no, this is really exciting.
I mean the energy that's around.
Well, our viewers, ourlisteners should know, and
viewers should know, that we are, uh, vice president Kamala
(02:20):
Harris supporters, and so theenergy that is around her is
really quite palpable.
And, you know, it just means somuch to me, from, you know, the
perspective of a Black female,to just see her rise to this
occasion in such a short periodof time and galvanize all of
(02:42):
these different groups and do itin a way that's really classy
but also hard, hitting Right and, um, really kind of speaks to
where we are in our time andalso reaching out to various
different groups and also her,her messaging of, you know,
(03:05):
wanting to be inclusive ofpeople that don't even vote for
her.
Brittany S. Hale (03:10):
Right, that's, that is exactly what I was
going to hit on.
So, yes, I also voted early.
Mina came with me in a littlesling.
Karen McFarlane (03:20):
She got a little.
Brittany S. Hale (03:21):
I voted early sticker.
She did not vote for those whomaybe.
She got a little.
I voted early sticker.
She did not vote for those whomaybe.
But, um, I, I agree with youbecause I I don't know if I told
you I come from a family ofstrong military family.
Almost my father served in themilitary, um, my aunts and
(03:43):
uncles have served.
So I always say our family,we're as American as apple pie,
we're as patriotic as one canget.
And being in a space where youknow, having worked on campaigns
before making calls on thiscampaign and speaking with
(04:04):
people all over the countryabout what's important to them,
it's exciting.
It does feel like the firsttime I ever voted.
I voted for President Obama andthat was amazing, right,
because one.
It was like, oh, I worked onthis campaign, right, so you had
(04:25):
this immediate sense of youreffort yielding some sort of
return, right, right.
But subsequently, after that,having run for office, been in
elected office, come out, it's,it's just an indescribable
feeling.
It's just an indescribablefeeling, if you liked, the first
(04:46):
day of school, it's kind oflike that.
But it's really exciting justto speak with people in your
community, figure out what'simportant to them and come
together to think about what,what comes next and the type of
country you want to live in.
And I was going to mention Idon't know if you saw Harrison
(05:09):
Ford's ad.
He recently came out andadvised that he voted for Kamala
Harris.
And again, you know, from amarketing perspective.
I'd love to hear what you thinkabout her campaign from that
marketing lens, because I thinkit's just ingenious.
But he says she's protectingyour right to disagree with her
(05:34):
Right, exactly, not typicallyvote for a Democrat or for who?
For Republicans who felt, quitefrankly, pushed out of their
party because of extreme ideals.
It's such a simple platform I'mprotecting your right to
(05:58):
disagree with me, right, and?
And working forward.
Karen McFarlane (06:02):
So I um, I think that, or at least I really
do feel like her whole platformis based on authenticity, um,
her lived experience, bothpersonally and professionally.
Uh, she talks a lot aboutfamily and her upbringing and
(06:27):
the positives and the challengesaround that.
I think that she has been onthe ground in understanding all
the different issues, and sowhen you bake something in your
lived experience and yourauthenticity, it just comes out.
It makes the marketing so mucheasier, right, because you're
(06:50):
not actually making anything up.
Your biggest challenge is how doyou communicate all of those
things in a way that resonateswith people in the world now
that we live in, which reallyrequires these short sound bites
, correct, correct.
And if anybody's ever writtenanything, you know it's so much
(07:13):
harder to write something shortthan it is to write something
long.
Right, and so it's the sameprinciple.
I think her team is prettyamazing with a again classy but
no holds barred attitude.
Right, they seize uponopportunities in a moment's
(07:36):
notice.
Yeah, if something is happening, it feels like everything is
happening primarily in real time, right?
Brittany S. Hale (07:45):
Yes.
Karen McFarlane (07:47):
That is just a testament to the apparatus that
she has around her that is intune with culture and society
and also it needs to happen to,you know, meet the end goal
right, they have the end goal inmind and they're working
backwards and they're tellingtheir truth.
(08:11):
Now, people may not agree withtheir truth or have different
versions of it, but it's theirtruth that they want to bring to
the American people.
Correct, and I have nothing butrespect for that apparatus that
also respects the audience thatthey're trying to serve.
Brittany S. Hale (08:31):
And this is this underscores the importance
of diversity, right, because shecould have gone the way of
hiring, you know, communicationsexperts who've been in the
field for decades, and we seenot only people with extensive
experience, but we see, to yourpoint about culture.
We see a lot of Gen Zers on herteam, right, people who've
(08:55):
grown up and continue to liveonline, and so you do have these
rapid responses to thesemoments that are, quite frankly,
bizarre.
I mean, there was they.
(09:17):
They took a clip of a rallyfrom her opponent and they just
tweeted out a question markbecause there was, there was a
sense of it being so odd, youknow, and us not apparently
having the same takeaway, butthey're able to authentically
not only capture your attention,but you feel like she's
receiving it, similarly, likewhat is what is happening, right
(09:39):
?
You know, yeah, and I think it'sreally awesome to see someone
who has experienced both.
You know well in all threereally the judicial, the
legislative and executivebranches of government.
For those of you who forgotcivics classes, there are three
(10:02):
branches of government.
Those of you who forgot civicsclasses, there are three
branches of government.
But I think that's reallyimportant because, as
accomplished as she is, she'sstill very approachable.
Karen McFarlane (10:16):
Yeah yeah, well , can we talk about that for a
minute?
Because, like yes, just as youjust pointed out, she has all
this professional experiencewhich typically we think has a
certain persona attached to it,but because she's extremely
(10:38):
comfortable in her skin.
We see not only thatprofessional, corporate, quote,
unquote side right, but we seesome of the everyday side of her
.
I'm not saying we're going tosee all of it because we're not
in our house, we're not hangingaround our family, okay but you
kind of get a sense of that,especially when you know you see
(11:01):
moments of her, like when she'stalking about cooking, or you
know.
Brittany S. Hale (11:06):
That's exactly what I was going to say.
Yes, and you see the joy, yousee that and the excitement, and
you know she's getting and thisis what you're going to do, and
the same that you would havewith a friend or a colleague or
someone you're getting to know.
Karen McFarlane (11:21):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, someone you're getting
to know you.
Yeah, yeah, exactly, and sothat that's that approach.
I think that's thatapproachability piece because
it's so relatable and I justhave to say this right, because
Obama had this factor too, justlike this general cool factor.
Because, yes, because, well,I'm just going to say she's not
(11:46):
putting on an act about beingcool like Black people, people
of color.
We're cool people, all, right,a, you know, we're not.
We're far and few in between,right, obviously, this is a big
(12:20):
one, of the biggest ones, and wesee those people being
authentically black or, in hercase, also authentically South
Asian, also authentically SouthAsian.
Right, that's cool, because ourquote unquote norm was
(12:40):
something else, not saying thatsomething else was bad, it just
wasn't as relatable to us.
And so when we can relate tothat and other groups relate to
that too, as we've seen across,you know, history and time it
just feels good because itallows you to just kind of be
other people, to be comfortablein their own skin, because you
(13:01):
can be comfortable in thosehigher platforms of society.
Brittany S. Hale (13:06):
Yeah, and women in leadership, especially
women of color, especially Blackwomen, are encouraged to
compartmentalize right.
And you so.
When you think of apresidential candidate, you
think of a dark colored pantsuit, an American flag pin and this
(13:28):
stoic demeanor in order to betaken seriously.
Whereas, to your point, yes, wecan get the corporate Kamala
right, the competent Kamalawhich is pervasive through every
part, but we've gotten to seeher as an aunt and a stepmom,
(13:53):
someone who deeply cares abouther family, who is going to give
you her favorite recipe.
And here's what you need to doand you know all of these spaces
to take the time to learn alittle bit of sign language, to
connect with people to yourpoint more authentically and to
center them.
And so I think this is exciting.
(14:16):
I mean, I have a mentor, uh,you know an Italian guy in his
60s, you know, and this weekendhe texted and he's like hey, I'm
going to, you know, I'm goingto Pennsylvania, do you want?
Come, we have room in the car.
You know, like this, this energyof connection.
(14:36):
You see people at her rallies,regardless of their background.
You know people walking downthe street that you may not
think are going to have much incommon are showing up at the
rallies, dancing to you know,whatever artist is there, and
even if that's not the artistthat they may normally listen to
(14:57):
.
It's that space of getting toexplore and be free and connect
which, despite all of thedifferent channels for
connection we have, is morelacking than ever.
I think we're deeply lacking inconnection, and so I really
appreciate this energy of peoplebecoming patriots.
(15:21):
I mean the American flag, right.
Even if you, I think, if youdrive past someone who has a
flag on their car a car you'rebiased.
You're probably going to assumesomething about what they
support, who they support, whattheir political affiliation is,
(15:47):
and it's so exciting to see thatthat's no longer the case
because people are excited andcoming back to what it means to
be a patriot.
Karen McFarlane (15:56):
Yeah, I love that sentiment because you know,
you're right, there's a certainconnotation based on what the
past you know, few years havebeen and it is something to
think that everybody can raisethat flag.
It is something to think thateverybody can raise that flag
and, no matter what your beliefsare, we're unified under it and
(16:19):
hopefully, after Tuesday, thatwill be a signal, a great signal
I also want to tap into,because when you're talking
about connection, it's also thenot solely, but it's also the
power of, it's also female power, right, that is something that
(16:45):
you know from various studiesthat we're actually really
strong in is listening, notalways thinking that we have the
answer right, and bringingpeople together, and that's also
she's tapping into, that femaleenergy, probably quite
naturally right, and I thinkthat's why we're getting a
(17:08):
completely different vibe aswell, because that's a different
leadership style, right, andthat leadership style is born
out of many things, one thingbeing female energy.
But her ability to listen is soincredibly important because
(17:42):
and you know, she's listeningthrough her responses and her
reflection and also through herpolicy Right, and at the very
least, people feel heard, andthat is a really powerful
connection point is a reallypowerful connection point,
absolutely.
Brittany S. Hale (17:59):
I was just have you ever spoken to someone
and you can tell there'ssomething behind their eyes that
makes it clear that they'rejust waiting for you to be quiet
so they can go ahead and saywhat they're going to say.
That's not active listening,right?
And so we see these microaffirmations, her nodding her
head, her inclining her head.
You know, you see, that she'struly centered on and responsive
(18:20):
to the people that she'sengaging with, and even when her
, her answers aren't perfectlyscripted or perfectly
articulated, that, to me,signals this person is actively
listening.
They're not just coming fromworking from a script, and that
authenticity, I think, isincredibly important.
(18:43):
And when you're speaking aboutwhat women bring to leadership,
we have these spaces and we'renow exploring these strengths
that are required for leadership.
Connection, the ability tobuild consensus and be
(19:03):
authentically doing so, is astrength.
It's one of the premierstrengths that you have to have
In this day and age and it'sreally important.
I think it's fascinating to seesuch a great example of what a
woman in leadership can looklike, and even with the cooking
(19:29):
like.
I'm pleasantly surprised thatmore people are not saying, well
, she shouldn't talk aboutcooking, or conversely.
That's where women belong.
You know women belong in thekitchen.
It's a facet of who she is.
It doesn't define who she is.
Because she is a woman Doesn'thave to Fit into the stereotype
(19:52):
of or doesn't have to fear beingauthentically herself.
She doesn't have to fear sayingI like to cook because I'm sure
certain advisors would say stayaway from the cooking.
You're a woman, people aren'tgoing to like that.
You have to dispel yourself ofall of the things that we
traditionally think of as agendered role Right for a woman,
(20:15):
right, and we embrace that.
You know it could be be in thekitchen, evil stepmom.
You know all of these tropesthat she's kind of.
She's spun on their head andembrace them, which to me makes
me respect her more.
Karen McFarlane (20:32):
I totally agree .
I mean again, our norm has beenwhat white males do, or what
males do.
Norm has never been in apositive, not in a in a positive
and empowering way what womendo right as normal.
And so it.
(20:53):
It is refreshing to see that,and we all know this.
As women, we are multifaceted,we are multitaskers, correct,
and we still bring our best tothe table.
I was watching Diplomat onNetflix.
Yes, right, yeah, and I don'twant to give it away for the
(21:14):
viewers, but Allison Janneymakes appearance in the last two
episodes of the season, ofseason two, and, if you guys
remember her, she's in a lot ofshows, but she was originally a
West Wing, so it's kind of likeanother political situation and
she's the vice president andCarrie Russell plays.
Oh shoot, what's her name?
Katie, katie Weiler, I believe.
(21:36):
So I wish they would have kepther curls, but that's just.
So, to this point, allisonJanney's character vice
president criticizes her for nothaving a particular look
Interesting, for wearing like,for not caring about her
(21:57):
appearance, for not caring abouther appearance, for not caring
about her hair, and she admitsthat when she first started her
gig, that was something that shedidn't want to care about, but
quickly found that she did haveto care about it and her
rationale was because katie waslike I really just want people
to focus on my policy.
She's like you're never good.
(22:18):
No one's going to read your.
It's going to be a soundbite,but your picture is going to
show up as vice presidentbecause, sure, there's running
for vice president 12,000 and12,000 times per day and that's
what people are going to see.
Yeah, you have to have thisexternal persona and I thought
(22:39):
that was really powerful.
Right, because we sit here andwe say you know, we don't have
to look a certain way.
Right, and as women, weshouldn't be held to this
particular standard.
And of course, people aretalking and are going to
continue to talk about whatKamala wears.
Right, because she is a woman.
That's the framing and we don'ttalk about men in the same way,
(23:02):
except for Obama's beige suit.
Yes, that's the reality and Idon't think we could just ignore
it.
But as long as we are talkingabout that in a positive and
affirming way, I have to saythat I don't know what rally it
was.
I was watching some rally ontelevision and I saw Kamala walk
(23:26):
out in jeans.
I was like, oh my God, she'swearing jeans.
I called my mother over, I'mlike, let me see what she wore.
We were all excited about herwearing jeans and I was like why
am I excited about her wearingjeans?
Well, the reason and I've seenher in a few more clips wearing
jeans the reason is likeeveryday, people wear jeans.
We wear jeans every single dayand again.
(23:46):
This relatability and thisauthenticity, you know, that
idea of wearing jeans ExactlyBrings connection in a just, in
a way, unconscious way.
Right, you're like, oh okay,she's still got her blazer, she
still looks professional.
Right, she's still got her, youknow, five inch heels or
(24:08):
whatever it is.
But it's just so interestinghow we as women have to be, have
to think about our presence ina completely different way and
what signals it may have.
I'm sure that was thoughtthrough also.
Brittany S. Hale (24:25):
Yes, absolutely Absolutely.
Karen McFarlane (24:30):
So I can't wait to see what else she wears.
To be honest, like I, wasfascinated with Michelle Obama's
outfits and hair, I can't, Ican't, lie.
I was fascinated by it, obama'soutfits and hair.
Brittany S. Hale (24:39):
I can't, I can't lie.
I was fascinated by it.
I could totally bring upHousewives and Gemma Lyons, but
I won't.
But you see the pervasiveness.
Housewives is important inevery conversation, people.
For those who have no idea whatI'm speaking about Gemma Lyons,
formerly of JCrew.
Jenna Lyons, formerly of JCrewshe was the person who was
(25:04):
designing for and dressingMichelle Obama during the Obama
presidency.
Karen McFarlane (25:09):
So there you go .
Oh my goodness, but it's sointeresting.
I'm so excited to see whathappens.
I'm actually not nervous.
No, no, I have decided to speaklife to it.
(25:29):
I think that this is a momentin time In some ways.
My mother said this.
My mother said I think it's herdestiny.
And I was like you know, Iagree with you and I'm not going
to pay attention to all thepolls and all that stuff,
because it's, first of all, it'stoo stressful.
(25:52):
I was hanging out with a coupleof friends, uh, last night, and
they were like you know what?
They're going to find somethingelse to watch on Tuesday,
because we probably won't knowthe results, yeah, after,
although I'm really hoping for alandslide.
So I hope everybody goes outthere and does what they need to
(26:13):
do, but maybe they won't evencall it that early, even if it
is a landslide.
But yeah, yeah, wake up to a.
Maybe not on Wednesday, butwe'll wake up one day.
Brittany S. Hale (26:27):
Yeah, I, I actually just came back from
grocery shopping because I'vebeen asking everyone.
I asked you unintentionallysince you, but I want to know
what people's election nightmeals are going to be and you
know what they're going to do tobring joy to themselves and
(26:49):
their families.
So if that's watching electioncoverage, great.
I know certain members of myfamily are like oh, you know, I
have been waiting, you know Ihave been waiting.
You know this series justwrapped up, so excited to binge
it all in one night.
So I think everyone is hopeful,everyone's excited and I think,
(27:11):
to your point, you've done whatyou needed to do.
So I think that when there'snothing more that you can do,
you.
Karen McFarlane (27:32):
I think that's the election night meal this
time, okay, so, um, my mother,most of my parents, were here
nursing me for this broken footRight, so they left, they went
back to Floridaida, and so mymother cooked a bunch of meals
that are still in the fridge,and so, actually, I was trying
to pull this up really quickly,but I don't think I could find
it that fast, but anyway, she oh, here it is.
I'll tell you what she made.
(27:53):
I know there is lasagna, thereis Rasta Pasta with grilled
chicken, there's meatballs,barbecue ribs, jerk chicken and
a pot roast, and also oxtail.
Brittany S. Hale (28:10):
A pot roast and oxtail.
Yes, mina and I will be rightover, don't worry.
Karen McFarlane (28:17):
Don't worry, we have lots of food, okay, so one
of those will be the meals.
Brittany S. Hale (28:27):
I love that.
Shout out to moms.
Karen McFarlane (28:31):
Exactly it's great.
All right.
Brittany S. Hale (28:36):
Hopefully she's listening.
She can hear that she got aspecial shout out.
Karen McFarlane (28:42):
All right, hopefully she's listening.
She can hear that she got aspecial shout out, all right.
Well, everybody needs to go outthere and vote, if they haven't
done so already, and put goodvibes into the air.
Take a friend or three, or five, yes, yes.
And then, after Kamala Harrisbecomes Vice President, kamala
Harris becomes President-electHarris, then do all you can to
(29:07):
support her.
Brittany S. Hale (29:08):
I just got to chill.
Oh, that's so great.
Karen McFarlane (29:11):
Good, president-elect Harris, you can
do this.
It's going to get done.
Brittany S. Hale (29:18):
It's going to get done, it's going to get done
.
Karen McFarlane (29:20):
It's going to get done.
There's no other version ofreality that I will.
I am willing to accept at thispoint.
Brittany S. Hale (29:26):
No timeline jumping.
Karen McFarlane (29:27):
We're, we're here, we're staying here All
right, so the next time we willspeak will be after the election
.
Brittany S. Hale (29:40):
Oh, my goodness.
Yes, and I already apologizedin advance, because I'm going to
be sending you text after texton Wednesday.
Karen McFarlane (29:51):
So they won't see those.
Brittany S. Hale (29:54):
Yes, you all won't see that, but we'll recap
it for you by the time theelection's over.
Karen McFarlane (30:02):
Exactly.
We'll do a recap for ourepisode next.
All right, until then.
Until our next text message,brittany, until our next text
message Bye, bye.
Hey Brittany, Hi Karen, how are you?
I'm doing okay.
How about you?
I'm doing well.
Mina's joining us again.
Hi, Mina, she's like I'm readyfor a nap.
Karen McFarlane (00:13):
Ready for a nap ?
Yeah, ready for a sleep.
Brittany S. Hale (00:16):
Okay, it's a hard life, you know, being the
dog of a single childless dogmom.
But here we are.
Karen McFarlane (00:29):
It's good life.
Wow, exciting times are upon us.
Brittany S. Hale (00:38):
Exciting times .
This is the last pod we'regoing to do before we elect a
new president of the UnitedStates.
Did you vote already?
Karen McFarlane (00:48):
I did on Saturday, no Friday night,
Friday evening I did.
I did my early vote.
It took me like five minutesReally Well, because you know I
broke my foot right, so I got.
Brittany S. Hale (01:00):
Ah right.
Karen McFarlane (01:02):
Okay, I was going to say I was like wow the
line, but yes, I got a littlehashtag going on, which I
greatly appreciated, so it tookme longer to walk in the
building than it did to vote,which was awesome.
They were great.
Brittany S. Hale (01:18):
That is awesome.
Karen McFarlane (01:21):
And also in New York.
What was interesting?
Well, I, I didn't.
I guess I didn't pay that muchattention, so that's bad.
But anyway, on the back youflip it over and you're voting
yes for equal protections, um,for doing so to be added to the
state constitution.
Brittany S. Hale (01:41):
So if you you're in New York and you still
haven't voted, make sure youflip over your ballot yes,
always make sure you read yourballot, the sample ballots that
come in the mail, don't justchuck them in the trash.
Karen McFarlane (01:54):
I don't get sample ballots.
Brittany S. Hale (01:56):
Really.
Oh, maybe they don't do that inNew York.
Karen McFarlane (01:59):
I don't know, I don't get one, I just show up
and do what you need to do.
But no, this is really exciting.
I mean the energy that's around.
Well, our viewers, ourlisteners should know, and
viewers should know, that we are, uh, vice president Kamala
(02:20):
Harris supporters, and so theenergy that is around her is
really quite palpable.
And, you know, it just means somuch to me, from, you know, the
perspective of a Black female,to just see her rise to this
occasion in such a short periodof time and galvanize all of
(02:42):
these different groups and do itin a way that's really classy
but also hard, hitting Right and, um, really kind of speaks to
where we are in our time andalso reaching out to various
different groups and also her,her messaging of, you know,
(03:05):
wanting to be inclusive ofpeople that don't even vote for
her.
Brittany S. Hale (03:10):
Right, that's, that is exactly what I was
going to hit on.
So, yes, I also voted early.
Mina came with me in a littlesling.
Karen McFarlane (03:20):
She got a little.
Brittany S. Hale (03:21):
I voted early sticker.
She did not vote for those whomaybe.
She got a little.
I voted early sticker.
She did not vote for those whomaybe.
But, um, I, I agree with youbecause I I don't know if I told
you I come from a family ofstrong military family.
Almost my father served in themilitary, um, my aunts and
(03:43):
uncles have served.
So I always say our family,we're as American as apple pie,
we're as patriotic as one canget.
And being in a space where youknow, having worked on campaigns
before making calls on thiscampaign and speaking with
(04:04):
people all over the countryabout what's important to them,
it's exciting.
It does feel like the firsttime I ever voted.
I voted for President Obama andthat was amazing, right,
because one.
It was like, oh, I worked onthis campaign, right, so you had
(04:25):
this immediate sense of youreffort yielding some sort of
return, right, right.
But subsequently, after that,having run for office, been in
elected office, come out, it's,it's just an indescribable
feeling.
It's just an indescribablefeeling, if you liked, the first
(04:46):
day of school, it's kind oflike that.
But it's really exciting justto speak with people in your
community, figure out what'simportant to them and come
together to think about what,what comes next and the type of
country you want to live in.
And I was going to mention Idon't know if you saw Harrison
(05:09):
Ford's ad.
He recently came out andadvised that he voted for Kamala
Harris.
And again, you know, from amarketing perspective.
I'd love to hear what you thinkabout her campaign from that
marketing lens, because I thinkit's just ingenious.
But he says she's protectingyour right to disagree with her
(05:34):
Right, exactly, not typicallyvote for a Democrat or for who?
For Republicans who felt, quitefrankly, pushed out of their
party because of extreme ideals.
It's such a simple platform I'mprotecting your right to
(05:58):
disagree with me, right, and?
And working forward.
Karen McFarlane (06:02):
So I um, I think that, or at least I really
do feel like her whole platformis based on authenticity, um,
her lived experience, bothpersonally and professionally.
Uh, she talks a lot aboutfamily and her upbringing and
(06:27):
the positives and the challengesaround that.
I think that she has been onthe ground in understanding all
the different issues, and sowhen you bake something in your
lived experience and yourauthenticity, it just comes out.
It makes the marketing so mucheasier, right, because you're
(06:50):
not actually making anything up.
Your biggest challenge is how doyou communicate all of those
things in a way that resonateswith people in the world now
that we live in, which reallyrequires these short sound bites
, correct, correct.
And if anybody's ever writtenanything, you know it's so much
(07:13):
harder to write something shortthan it is to write something
long.
Right, and so it's the sameprinciple.
I think her team is prettyamazing with a again classy but
no holds barred attitude.
Right, they seize uponopportunities in a moment's
(07:36):
notice.
Yeah, if something is happening, it feels like everything is
happening primarily in real time, right?
Brittany S. Hale (07:45):
Yes.
Karen McFarlane (07:47):
That is just a testament to the apparatus that
she has around her that is intune with culture and society
and also it needs to happen to,you know, meet the end goal
right, they have the end goal inmind and they're working
backwards and they're tellingtheir truth.
(08:11):
Now, people may not agree withtheir truth or have different
versions of it, but it's theirtruth that they want to bring to
the American people.
Correct, and I have nothing butrespect for that apparatus that
also respects the audience thatthey're trying to serve.
Brittany S. Hale (08:31):
And this is this underscores the importance
of diversity, right, because shecould have gone the way of
hiring, you know, communicationsexperts who've been in the
field for decades, and we seenot only people with extensive
experience, but we see, to yourpoint about culture.
We see a lot of Gen Zers on herteam, right, people who've
(08:55):
grown up and continue to liveonline, and so you do have these
rapid responses to thesemoments that are, quite frankly,
bizarre.
I mean, there was they.
(09:17):
They took a clip of a rallyfrom her opponent and they just
tweeted out a question markbecause there was, there was a
sense of it being so odd, youknow, and us not apparently
having the same takeaway, butthey're able to authentically
not only capture your attention,but you feel like she's
receiving it, similarly, likewhat is what is happening, right
(09:39):
?
You know, yeah, and I think it'sreally awesome to see someone
who has experienced both.
You know well in all threereally the judicial, the
legislative and executivebranches of government.
For those of you who forgotcivics classes, there are three
(10:02):
branches of government.
Those of you who forgot civicsclasses, there are three
branches of government.
But I think that's reallyimportant because, as
accomplished as she is, she'sstill very approachable.
Karen McFarlane (10:16):
Yeah yeah, well , can we talk about that for a
minute?
Because, like yes, just as youjust pointed out, she has all
this professional experiencewhich typically we think has a
certain persona attached to it,but because she's extremely
(10:38):
comfortable in her skin.
We see not only thatprofessional, corporate, quote,
unquote side right, but we seesome of the everyday side of her
.
I'm not saying we're going tosee all of it because we're not
in our house, we're not hangingaround our family, okay but you
kind of get a sense of that,especially when you know you see
(11:01):
moments of her, like when she'stalking about cooking, or you
know.
Brittany S. Hale (11:06):
That's exactly what I was going to say.
Yes, and you see the joy, yousee that and the excitement, and
you know she's getting and thisis what you're going to do, and
the same that you would havewith a friend or a colleague or
someone you're getting to know.
Karen McFarlane (11:21):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, someone you're getting
to know you.
Yeah, yeah, exactly, and sothat that's that approach.
I think that's thatapproachability piece because
it's so relatable and I justhave to say this right, because
Obama had this factor too, justlike this general cool factor.
Because, yes, because, well,I'm just going to say she's not
(11:46):
putting on an act about beingcool like Black people, people
of color.
We're cool people, all, right,a, you know, we're not.
We're far and few in between,right, obviously, this is a big
(12:20):
one, of the biggest ones, and wesee those people being
authentically black or, in hercase, also authentically South
Asian, also authentically SouthAsian.
Right, that's cool, because ourquote unquote norm was
(12:40):
something else, not saying thatsomething else was bad, it just
wasn't as relatable to us.
And so when we can relate tothat and other groups relate to
that too, as we've seen across,you know, history and time it
just feels good because itallows you to just kind of be
other people, to be comfortablein their own skin, because you
(13:01):
can be comfortable in thosehigher platforms of society.
Brittany S. Hale (13:06):
Yeah, and women in leadership, especially
women of color, especially Blackwomen, are encouraged to
compartmentalize right.
And you so.
When you think of apresidential candidate, you
think of a dark colored pantsuit, an American flag pin and this
(13:28):
stoic demeanor in order to betaken seriously.
Whereas, to your point, yes, wecan get the corporate Kamala
right, the competent Kamalawhich is pervasive through every
part, but we've gotten to seeher as an aunt and a stepmom,
(13:53):
someone who deeply cares abouther family, who is going to give
you her favorite recipe.
And here's what you need to doand you know all of these spaces
to take the time to learn alittle bit of sign language, to
connect with people to yourpoint more authentically and to
center them.
And so I think this is exciting.
(14:16):
I mean, I have a mentor, uh,you know an Italian guy in his
60s, you know, and this weekendhe texted and he's like hey, I'm
going to, you know, I'm goingto Pennsylvania, do you want?
Come, we have room in the car.
You know, like this, this energyof connection.
(14:36):
You see people at her rallies,regardless of their background.
You know people walking downthe street that you may not
think are going to have much incommon are showing up at the
rallies, dancing to you know,whatever artist is there, and
even if that's not the artistthat they may normally listen to
(14:57):
.
It's that space of getting toexplore and be free and connect
which, despite all of thedifferent channels for
connection we have, is morelacking than ever.
I think we're deeply lacking inconnection, and so I really
appreciate this energy of peoplebecoming patriots.
(15:21):
I mean the American flag, right.
Even if you, I think, if youdrive past someone who has a
flag on their car a car you'rebiased.
You're probably going to assumesomething about what they
support, who they support, whattheir political affiliation is,
(15:47):
and it's so exciting to see thatthat's no longer the case
because people are excited andcoming back to what it means to
be a patriot.
Karen McFarlane (15:56):
Yeah, I love that sentiment because you know,
you're right, there's a certainconnotation based on what the
past you know, few years havebeen and it is something to
think that everybody can raisethat flag.
It is something to think thateverybody can raise that flag
and, no matter what your beliefsare, we're unified under it and
(16:19):
hopefully, after Tuesday, thatwill be a signal, a great signal
I also want to tap into,because when you're talking
about connection, it's also thenot solely, but it's also the
power of, it's also female power, right, that is something that
(16:45):
you know from various studiesthat we're actually really
strong in is listening, notalways thinking that we have the
answer right, and bringingpeople together, and that's also
she's tapping into, that femaleenergy, probably quite
naturally right, and I thinkthat's why we're getting a
(17:08):
completely different vibe aswell, because that's a different
leadership style, right, andthat leadership style is born
out of many things, one thingbeing female energy.
But her ability to listen is soincredibly important because
(17:42):
and you know, she's listeningthrough her responses and her
reflection and also through herpolicy Right, and at the very
least, people feel heard, andthat is a really powerful
connection point is a reallypowerful connection point,
absolutely.
Brittany S. Hale (17:59):
I was just have you ever spoken to someone
and you can tell there'ssomething behind their eyes that
makes it clear that they'rejust waiting for you to be quiet
so they can go ahead and saywhat they're going to say.
That's not active listening,right?
And so we see these microaffirmations, her nodding her
head, her inclining her head.
You know, you see, that she'struly centered on and responsive
(18:20):
to the people that she'sengaging with, and even when her
, her answers aren't perfectlyscripted or perfectly
articulated, that, to me,signals this person is actively
listening.
They're not just coming fromworking from a script, and that
authenticity, I think, isincredibly important.
(18:43):
And when you're speaking aboutwhat women bring to leadership,
we have these spaces and we'renow exploring these strengths
that are required for leadership.
Connection, the ability tobuild consensus and be
(19:03):
authentically doing so, is astrength.
It's one of the premierstrengths that you have to have
In this day and age and it'sreally important.
I think it's fascinating to seesuch a great example of what a
woman in leadership can looklike, and even with the cooking
(19:29):
like.
I'm pleasantly surprised thatmore people are not saying, well
, she shouldn't talk aboutcooking, or conversely.
That's where women belong.
You know women belong in thekitchen.
It's a facet of who she is.
It doesn't define who she is.
Because she is a woman Doesn'thave to Fit into the stereotype
(19:52):
of or doesn't have to fear beingauthentically herself.
She doesn't have to fear sayingI like to cook because I'm sure
certain advisors would say stayaway from the cooking.
You're a woman, people aren'tgoing to like that.
You have to dispel yourself ofall of the things that we
traditionally think of as agendered role Right for a woman,
(20:15):
right, and we embrace that.
You know it could be be in thekitchen, evil stepmom.
You know all of these tropesthat she's kind of.
She's spun on their head andembrace them, which to me makes
me respect her more.
Karen McFarlane (20:32):
I totally agree .
I mean again, our norm has beenwhat white males do, or what
males do.
Norm has never been in apositive, not in a in a positive
and empowering way what womendo right as normal.
And so it.
(20:53):
It is refreshing to see that,and we all know this.
As women, we are multifaceted,we are multitaskers, correct,
and we still bring our best tothe table.
I was watching Diplomat onNetflix.
Yes, right, yeah, and I don'twant to give it away for the
(21:14):
viewers, but Allison Janneymakes appearance in the last two
episodes of the season, ofseason two, and, if you guys
remember her, she's in a lot ofshows, but she was originally a
West Wing, so it's kind of likeanother political situation and
she's the vice president andCarrie Russell plays.
Oh shoot, what's her name?
Katie, katie Weiler, I believe.
(21:36):
So I wish they would have kepther curls, but that's just.
So, to this point, allisonJanney's character vice
president criticizes her for nothaving a particular look
Interesting, for wearing like,for not caring about her
(21:57):
appearance, for not caring abouther appearance, for not caring
about her hair, and she admitsthat when she first started her
gig, that was something that shedidn't want to care about, but
quickly found that she did haveto care about it and her
rationale was because katie waslike I really just want people
to focus on my policy.
She's like you're never good.
(22:18):
No one's going to read your.
It's going to be a soundbite,but your picture is going to
show up as vice presidentbecause, sure, there's running
for vice president 12,000 and12,000 times per day and that's
what people are going to see.
Yeah, you have to have thisexternal persona and I thought
(22:39):
that was really powerful.
Right, because we sit here andwe say you know, we don't have
to look a certain way.
Right, and as women, weshouldn't be held to this
particular standard.
And of course, people aretalking and are going to
continue to talk about whatKamala wears.
Right, because she is a woman.
That's the framing and we don'ttalk about men in the same way,
(23:02):
except for Obama's beige suit.
Yes, that's the reality and Idon't think we could just ignore
it.
But as long as we are talkingabout that in a positive and
affirming way, I have to saythat I don't know what rally it
was.
I was watching some rally ontelevision and I saw Kamala walk
(23:26):
out in jeans.
I was like, oh my God, she'swearing jeans.
I called my mother over, I'mlike, let me see what she wore.
We were all excited about herwearing jeans and I was like why
am I excited about her wearingjeans?
Well, the reason and I've seenher in a few more clips wearing
jeans the reason is likeeveryday, people wear jeans.
We wear jeans every single dayand again.
(23:46):
This relatability and thisauthenticity, you know, that
idea of wearing jeans ExactlyBrings connection in a just, in
a way, unconscious way.
Right, you're like, oh okay,she's still got her blazer, she
still looks professional.
Right, she's still got her, youknow, five inch heels or
(24:08):
whatever it is.
But it's just so interestinghow we as women have to be, have
to think about our presence ina completely different way and
what signals it may have.
I'm sure that was thoughtthrough also.
Brittany S. Hale (24:25):
Yes, absolutely Absolutely.
Karen McFarlane (24:30):
So I can't wait to see what else she wears.
To be honest, like I, wasfascinated with Michelle Obama's
outfits and hair, I can't, Ican't, lie.
I was fascinated by it, obama'soutfits and hair.
Brittany S. Hale (24:39):
I can't, I can't lie.
I was fascinated by it.
I could totally bring upHousewives and Gemma Lyons, but
I won't.
But you see the pervasiveness.
Housewives is important inevery conversation, people.
For those who have no idea whatI'm speaking about Gemma Lyons,
formerly of JCrew.
Jenna Lyons, formerly of JCrewshe was the person who was
(25:04):
designing for and dressingMichelle Obama during the Obama
presidency.
Karen McFarlane (25:09):
So there you go .
Oh my goodness, but it's sointeresting.
I'm so excited to see whathappens.
I'm actually not nervous.
No, no, I have decided to speaklife to it.
(25:29):
I think that this is a momentin time In some ways.
My mother said this.
My mother said I think it's herdestiny.
And I was like you know, Iagree with you and I'm not going
to pay attention to all thepolls and all that stuff,
because it's, first of all, it'stoo stressful.
(25:52):
I was hanging out with a coupleof friends, uh, last night, and
they were like you know what?
They're going to find somethingelse to watch on Tuesday,
because we probably won't knowthe results, yeah, after,
although I'm really hoping for alandslide.
So I hope everybody goes outthere and does what they need to
(26:13):
do, but maybe they won't evencall it that early, even if it
is a landslide.
But yeah, yeah, wake up to a.
Maybe not on Wednesday, butwe'll wake up one day.
Brittany S. Hale (26:27):
Yeah, I, I actually just came back from
grocery shopping because I'vebeen asking everyone.
I asked you unintentionallysince you, but I want to know
what people's election nightmeals are going to be and you
know what they're going to do tobring joy to themselves and
(26:49):
their families.
So if that's watching electioncoverage, great.
I know certain members of myfamily are like oh, you know, I
have been waiting, you know Ihave been waiting.
You know this series justwrapped up, so excited to binge
it all in one night.
So I think everyone is hopeful,everyone's excited and I think,
(27:11):
to your point, you've done whatyou needed to do.
So I think that when there'snothing more that you can do,
you.
Karen McFarlane (27:32):
I think that's the election night meal this
time, okay, so, um, my mother,most of my parents, were here
nursing me for this broken footRight, so they left, they went
back to Floridaida, and so mymother cooked a bunch of meals
that are still in the fridge,and so, actually, I was trying
to pull this up really quickly,but I don't think I could find
it that fast, but anyway, she oh, here it is.
I'll tell you what she made.
(27:53):
I know there is lasagna, thereis Rasta Pasta with grilled
chicken, there's meatballs,barbecue ribs, jerk chicken and
a pot roast, and also oxtail.
Brittany S. Hale (28:10):
A pot roast and oxtail.
Yes, mina and I will be rightover, don't worry.
Karen McFarlane (28:17):
Don't worry, we have lots of food, okay, so one
of those will be the meals.
Brittany S. Hale (28:27):
I love that.
Shout out to moms.
Karen McFarlane (28:31):
Exactly it's great.
All right.
Brittany S. Hale (28:36):
Hopefully she's listening.
She can hear that she got aspecial shout out.
Karen McFarlane (28:42):
All right, hopefully she's listening.
She can hear that she got aspecial shout out, all right.
Well, everybody needs to go outthere and vote, if they haven't
done so already, and put goodvibes into the air.
Take a friend or three, or five, yes, yes.
And then, after Kamala Harrisbecomes Vice President, kamala
Harris becomes President-electHarris, then do all you can to
(29:07):
support her.
Brittany S. Hale (29:08):
I just got to chill.
Oh, that's so great.
Karen McFarlane (29:11):
Good, president-elect Harris, you can
do this.
It's going to get done.
Brittany S. Hale (29:18):
It's going to get done, it's going to get done
.
Karen McFarlane (29:20):
It's going to get done.
There's no other version ofreality that I will.
I am willing to accept at thispoint.
Brittany S. Hale (29:26):
No timeline jumping.
Karen McFarlane (29:27):
We're, we're here, we're staying here All
right, so the next time we willspeak will be after the election
.
Brittany S. Hale (29:40):
Oh, my goodness.
Yes, and I already apologizedin advance, because I'm going to
be sending you text after texton Wednesday.
Karen McFarlane (29:51):
So they won't see those.
Brittany S. Hale (29:54):
Yes, you all won't see that, but we'll recap
it for you by the time theelection's over.
Karen McFarlane (30:02):
Exactly.
We'll do a recap for ourepisode next.
All right, until then.
Until our next text message,brittany, until our next text
message Bye, bye.
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