October 21, 2021 • 21 mins
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a critical time to elevate a topic that is known as a “silent problem.” 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime. Veteran journalist, nationally syndicated talk show host and pet lover Tamron Hall shines a light on Domestic Violence and Pets and what is being done to keep pets and people together. It’s a topic that is near and dear to her heart having lost her beloved sister, Renate, to domestic abuse more than a decade ago.
During our talk, Tamron discusses The Purple Leash Project. Founded by Purina and RedRover, the Purple Leash Project provides resources to make domestic violence shelters pet-friendly, allowing pets and people to escape abuse and heal together. Domestic Violence Awareness Month – As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s a time to elevate these issues, raise awareness and support survivors. Plus we learn about Tamron’s connection to this cause, passion for pets, her new book release and what else she is up to in the Fall/Winter season.
During our talk, Tamron discusses The Purple Leash Project. Founded by Purina and RedRover, the Purple Leash Project provides resources to make domestic violence shelters pet-friendly, allowing pets and people to escape abuse and heal together. Domestic Violence Awareness Month – As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s a time to elevate these issues, raise awareness and support survivors. Plus we learn about Tamron’s connection to this cause, passion for pets, her new book release and what else she is up to in the Fall/Winter season.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
Hi, I'm Wendy Lois Sloane,and this is what's up with Wendy's podcast.
I just wanted to tell you alittle bit about myself. I began
my career in New York City asa television producer for talk show legends Phil
Donahue and Heraldo Rivera. And forthe last decade, I've used these experiences
to create my unique style in interviewinghundreds of a list celebrities, newsmakers,
(00:22):
comedians, musicians, reality stars,fitness and nutrition experts, best selling authors,
and so much more. So.I hope you enjoy this wide variety
on my podcast. I hope you'llshare and subscribe, and again thanks for
tuning in joining me to shed lighton domestic violence and pets. Founded by
Pirna and Red Rover, the PurpleLeash Project provides resources to make domestic violence
(00:44):
shelters pet friendly, allowing pets andpeople to heal together. She's award winning
journalist, TV host. She's thehost of The Tamarin Hall Show. She's
joining me once again for this veryvery important topic. I always loved talking
to her. I said, ifI ever went back to be a television
producer, only be for her.A huge welcome. You won't want to
miss this. She's back. TamaronHall up next award winning TV host,
(01:07):
journalists, philanthropists. She is thehost and executive producer of the daytime television
show Tameron Hall, joining me onceagain to shed light on domestic violence and
pets. October is Domestic Violence AwarenessMonth. A big welcome back the beautiful
Tameron Hall. Wendy, It's sogood to be back with you. Thank
you so much for that long welcome. Oh my gosh. I love talking
(01:29):
to you and your show is oneof the ones that I actually watch being
a former television producer, because Ilike it so much, and I like
you so much, and I likeeverything that you stand for and that you're
doing. How has it been nowthat we're all back post COVID or I
guess you could say still kind ofin COVID. How has it been?
You know, it's been interesting.We just got our season three Prevator off
(01:53):
the ground and a lot of aduencein studio. I did the entire second
season alone in my studio, soit's so great to have the tam fam
in the room. Everyone's vaccinated maskout of safety and for my team as
well as for our guests. Butit's awesome to I can't imagine. I
(02:19):
mean, when I worked for Phildonnahue, the audience was basically his show
for the So it's like withous andit's a tim commandment of daytime television,
thou shalt have an audience. Andnow I know. So it must have
felt like it must have felt likeyou were alive again, right yeah,
absolutely, Okay, So mass stillon and all that, but that's okay
(02:40):
because it's all for our safety.So. UM, we talked about this
last year, and I love thatyou always bring attention to this. UM.
October is domestic violence Awareness month,and I don't think people realize that
one in three women and one andfour men. I don't think they know
that it's the men too, willexperience some form of domestic violence in their
lifetime, and many delay leaving theirhome and their abusers because they can't leave
(03:05):
their pets. Right. In fact, around forty eight percent of survivors delay
leaving their abuser because they cannot taketheir pet with them. Now that's not
to say that shelters around the countryare unwilling to accept pets, but they
are not equipped to accept pets.So Purlina and Red Rover in twenty nineteen
approached me about spreading the word.I've been a journalist for thirty years.
(03:30):
You've been doing this for many years. I've never heard this particular side of
the conversation as it relates to sheltersneeding the help to accept pets. So
here we are now twenty twenty one. Ten grants have been announced to help
shelters around the country get the equipmentthey need to accept the pets. Now
(03:53):
we will either year twenty twenty five. That's number up. They're around twenty
five percent. And I know thatwe can do it. Now. This
is my third year or second yeartalking to you about it, but it
is getting out. We are seeingprogress and we know we can reach this
goal. What creates the urgency,Wendy, is that we know this is
about life and death. So Iam willing and I know you are to
(04:16):
spend as much time as possible becausewe have the ability to save lives and
save fail moyes. We have todo this. I mean I didn't didn't.
I didn't realize and you brought thisup. I didn't even think we
talked about this last time, saidit says it only fifteen percent of domestic
violent shelters allow pets. But it'snot that they don't want to allow pets,
(04:36):
just they can't do it and theydon't have the means to do it,
because that's extra food, that's alot of different things that you know
they bring in. It's an additionalperson, absolutely, it's an additional living
thing that needs to be careful properly. And you mentioned that right now fifteen
percent of the domestic violence shelters allowpets. When we first started talking we
(04:58):
do, it was ten percent.So we've seen an increase of five percent.
That is a big leap, butwe know there's more work to be
done and it is an expensive taskto take on and it is something that
we know that Erna and Red Robotwant to help the shelters do the right
way. You know, that's addingoutdoor areas for dogs and indoor spaces for
(05:19):
them as well as cats, andbeing able to comfort that first family member
in the same carrying way we dothe survivors who are human and so for
us, it is about getting theword out. It's about asking people to
go to Purple Leash project dot comlook for ways that you can donate and
or just post on your social media. Purple is the color of solidarity for
(05:44):
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Get apurple leash for your pet and take a
picture and use it as an opportunityor a launch point to share these stories
of survival and these stories of solidaritythat we're hearing each and every day.
It's so important if you just toknow, I'm talking to Tamarinha. We're
talking about the Purple Lice Project,and we're also talking about helping get these
(06:08):
pets into these shelters and letting peopleleave their homes if they're being abused so
they can take their pets with them. The pets are you know there is
there are family there and I havemy golden right next to me here.
I couldn't imagine not being able tonot leaving, leaving this one. So
this is like, this is soimportant and so important that you're bringing this
(06:29):
back. Thank you so much fordoing that. Than you, so tell
me what the what the show lookslike going forward? Like what what are
you going? What are you areyou focusing on certain things? Are you
just going back to the basics?Well, that's nothing is basic about life?
Anymore righting, you know, andso you know, for the show
and for me, the goal hasalways been to talk about the things you
(06:51):
were talking about. You were indaytime TV for a very long time.
I lean in, if you will, on my years of journalist. But
also, I'm a mom, I'ma daughter, I'm a friend, And
we kicked off our season talking aboutthe mask mandate debate as it relates to
kids in school. I've never seenbattles like we've witnessed as of late at
(07:14):
school board meetings. And you know, listen, I had a list of
celebrities that we considered asking to comeon, and we still have our celebrities
and still have our fun. Buteverywhere I went, Wendy, it seemed
that people were talking about that issue, whether they had kids or not.
And I chose to launch season threewith an important conversation that resonates, and
(07:39):
so we kicked it off that way. We've had fun. Just today we
had our celebration of Disney's fiftieth anniversary. We sent off people to Disney with
their kids. It was a makesof everything. But it's just a continuation
of what many other greats before mehave done in daytime TV. Whether it's
your former or Oprah Winfrey or mybed list, I can bring the list
(08:05):
up. You know. It's havingthe conversation that people are having and they
able to meet people where they are, And that's the goal I always say
to this day, being a televisionproducer for Phil, Donni Huo and Herrodo
Rivera, if there was anyone Iwould watch now would only be you because
there because I always before you cameon, it was there was no shows
like to me. There was Imean Oprah, but she has gone sometimes,
(08:28):
but there was no shows like thatanymore. I mean, if I
had to go back to work,it would only be to do that.
It would only be for you.So thank you, thank you so much.
No, no, I mean that, I mean that sincerely. And
I covered major stories as I toldyou, O. J. Simpson,
John but A, RAMC, SusanSmith. But you would be the only
(08:48):
person I would I would consider everbonding with that again, so thank you
for doing that. And it's truethat's we're going to be talking about this
pandemic and COVID for a very longtime. Yes, there are many evolutions
of it. My son just startedhis two year old program two year old
like pre preschool, I guess whatthey call it. And one of the
(09:11):
leaders at the schools that you know, children are resilient. However, we
have to acknowledge that, um,there may be effects of the isolation or
you know, the majority of yourtime on this planet, people have had
masks on. And what that's done. My son would have normally have seen
his cousins and his grandmam, youknow, a lot more. So we'll
(09:33):
see. But listen, at theend of the day, we're still here.
We're still you know, bringing smilesto people's faces with the work you
do and the work that I do, and we we're building relationships again in
new ways. That's right. Andwe'll have to learn to live like this
because we have to keep everybody safe. So yeah, so I'm wearing my
mask. That's that's what I'm doing. I'm doing the best I can.
(09:54):
Okay. So that's right. Safe, Okay, So once again, give
us the information again, Tameron,so we can all help. Founded by
Pierina and Red Rover, the PurpleLeice Project provides resources to make domestic violence
shelters pet friendly, allowing people andpets to escape their abusers and heel together
it's so important. Absolutely, thankyou dot Com, Thank you, Wendy,
(10:20):
thank you so much. I'm surewe'll talk next year again. Thanks
again. This episode of What's Upwith Wendy's podcast. She made Daytime history
when she became the first African Americanwoman to host the Today Show in twenty
fourteen. Tameron Hall is joining meand not since my days as a television
producer for Phil Donahue and Heraldo Riverahave I ever admired someone. So she's
(10:41):
shedding light on domestic violence and pets. We're going to talk about that.
We're going to talk about her talkshow and so much more. You won't
want to miss my sit down upnext with Tameron Hall, my special guest
Today Award winning TV host, journalist, philanthropist. She is the host and
executive producer at the daytime television show. Tameron Hall joining me to talk about
that and to shine light on domesticviolence and pets. A huge, huge
(11:05):
welcome. I am a huge fan. I was a TV producer for Phil
Donahue and Heraldo Rivera and you aremy favorite. Now welcome Tim Rank you
Well, well, you've got agreat company there, so I take that
as a huge compliment, Thank you, But that was many moons ago.
So now I can tune into youand there's actually a show that I like
that reminds me of those days backthen. Yeah, that's our goal.
(11:30):
When we started the show, wewanted a traditional talk show where we could
talk about everything, including what I'mspeaking with you about today, which is
survivors of domestic violence, and somany parts of the conversation when, as
you know, are not openly discussed. And the issue of pets being left
behind was something I have to admitI was not aware of, even until
(11:52):
about two years ago when the PurpleLeash Project was brought to my attention.
In the number of forty eight percentof survivors of domestic violence delay leaving because
they can't leave their pets behind,it's to me it was just to read
that. I did not know that. And I also one in three women
(12:13):
and one in four men will experiencesome form of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
Many, which is shocking to me, can't don't leave their abuser because
they can't leave their pets behind.It wasn't that. That wasn't even I
didn't even that wasn't even a thoughtto me. About that to think about
this. I know, I lostmy sister in two thousand and four and
(12:37):
I started working on behalf of organizationswho helped survivors of domestic violence WHINNY,
and it was something that never cameup. To be honest with you,
there are so many layers of thisconversation, so many ways that people are
trying to help and learn in thisspace, and it took me aback when
I read that, you know,and it's something that makes perfect sense,
(12:58):
but during this pandemic, it wasa part of the conversation that really rushed
ahead. When you think about allof the people trapped in the home,
all of the additional use. Thereare enduring children, women, men to
your point, and then they decide, even in this pandemic, I have
gone to get out of this home, and there are places who are willing
(13:20):
to help me. Wait a minute, what about my pet? And sadly,
when there are of users who usethat leverage, who threatened the pet,
who threatened to do some of thesame violent things to that innocent family
fur member, and that holds agrip onto that individual. So we,
(13:41):
with Purina and the Purple Leashed Project, have the goal of by the year
twenty twenty five to have twenty fivepercent of the shelters out there become equipped
to take in family members who arefurry. And that means renovation, that
means pet play areas in and outdoors, that means cat bridges, you know,
all of these things that people havein their homes to make their lives,
(14:03):
the pets, their pets lives pleasant. We want to see those very
same things in shelters around the country, which shockingly, there's not right.
There's not right, and it's partyeah, So it's not because they don't
want to help. It's because,as you know, finances, financial aspect
of all of this. So atthe Purple Leash Project, since it is
(14:24):
the National Pet Month, we're justasking people go to Purple Leash project dot
com slash Pet Month to get moreinformation. But there are shelters, as
you know in the all are outof the country they want to help,
and the Purple Leash Project wants toprovide them with the funds to do those
renovations. So it is a winfor everyone. And I know this conversation
is pointed in the right direction.This conversation is absolutely in the right direction,
(14:48):
and I'm sure with the pandemic,more stress, more pressure, more
abuse was happening because, as yousaid, they couldn't nobody could get out,
nobody could leave, so it becamecame worse. So what an amazing
project, the Purple Leach Projects andyour beautiful purple shirt that you're wearing right
now. What a great thing.So they're providing resources to make domestic violent
(15:09):
shelters pet friendly, allowing pets andpeople to heal together. It's a beautiful
thing and we will put that outthere, and that's that's a goal twenty
twenty five, you said, yes, twenty twenty five, twenty five percent
of the shelters in the country becomingequipped to not only take survivors of domestic
(15:31):
violence, but their pets as well. And I'm a pet owner. The
last campaign we had with the PurpleLeach Project actually featured my beloved pet,
may Love had her for over adecade. She moved from Chicago to New
York with me and was at myside when I first learned I was having
my son, and so I knowwhat pets mean. It doesn't matter if
(15:52):
it's a bird or cat, afair at whatever it is, it's the
unconditional love that they offer us,and so for me to partner with Serena
and the Purple Leash Project, it'sjust it really touches my heart in such
a deep way when my sister passed. So I've been very opens thank you.
(16:15):
And one of the things that Istarted to think a lot about once
I partnered with Purina was the factthat her beloved on Minnie Me was right
there with her, and knowing thatbond that I'm breakable and shakable, bond
that we have in our pets,it just ignited another level of fire in
my ballet to do more and tospread the word. And this is a
(16:37):
very special way to do it.So I appreciate you. I'm making the
time to talk with us because itdoes require platforms like yours and voices like
lying to team up to get theword out about the Purple Leash Project.
I absolutely agree. And my belovedLucky, who's a lab he's thirteen plus,
is right here with me and Ican't imagine I could never imagine leaving
(16:59):
him. I can't imagine him leavingme. These pets, they are a
family. They make they make thehouse a home, right, So whatever
I can do for the Purple Leasedproject and for you and to help and
again, I'm so sorry about yoursister, and what a beautiful thing that
you're doing helping everybody. All Right, Tamaron, if you just to know
I'm talking to Tamarin Hall. Youmakee Daytime history when you became the first
(17:22):
African American women to host the TodayShow in twenty fourteen. I'll never forget
that. What was that journey likefor you? Oh, it's been incredible.
I mean my mother, it's anineteen year old single mother. My
grandfather was a sharecropper born in nineteenoh one, and they both poured unconditional
(17:44):
love inside of me and told meI could do anything. Everything that I
try to tell my son today,everything that I'm sure the parents were listening
tell their children every day. Soto have a goal like that accomplished something
that you know, my grandfather nevercould have ever imagined, and certainly not
even myself. It was phenomenal.It was even more phenomenal from that experience,
it gave me the skills and thedrive to push through and create this
(18:07):
talk show that I have, Thetamer Hall Show. It's naturally syndicated against
something I never imagined. But forme, it's less about the things accomplish,
but it's the work to be done. And on our show we try
to talk about at all. Welaugh together, we cry together, we
learn a little bit together, andwe talk about things like domestic violence and
what we can do for survivors ofdomestic violence. So none of it I
(18:30):
could have ever imagined. I couldn'thave there's no script for this, but
I'm grateful to have the platform andthe opportunity and this special place in TV
that I could share these types ofstories. And again, there's not shows.
There's not shows like the ones Iworked on until you. And I
think the reason that people trust youso much is because as of seeing today,
(18:51):
meeting you for the first time,and I can't believe it's the first
time that you are set a real, down to earth person with real experiences
and real life things, and you'rebringing that to television. And I think
that's the bond that people have withyou, because just looking at you right
now, I feel like I couldbe your best friend because just you bring
you bring that out, You bringthat out and everything that you do and
(19:15):
every show that you do, whatdid you've learned from the first season and
from the journey of starting this show. Wow, there's so many lessons I
learned listening. We were only onairror would maybe four months before the pandemic
happened, and we went from youknow, a live studio audience in this
beautiful facility to me doing my showfrom my kitchen like so many other people.
(19:41):
The pivot was one that we couldn'thave ever seen coming. You know,
someone asked me the other day,like, you know, could you
imagine, like if I could haveimagined I would have wanted the lottery or
something have imagined it. But Ithink what the show has taught me and
what I'm sure all of us inreflection looking back these past fourteen months,
we are all far more resilient thanwe could have ever imagined. You know,
I had a nine month old childwhen this started. He's now two
(20:04):
years old, and he's thriving,and we're just now, you know,
spending Gramma time in person. I'mvaccinated, My family members are vaccinated.
And I think that this time lastyear, I remember when you watching television
and doing the show, crying,watching the lines of people just hoping to
get a test whatever that you know, that was only a year ago.
(20:25):
He was hoping to get a testor the lines and lines of people.
There was a shot that I sawin the news. I think it was
in Florida, but the line stretcheddown the freeway, people trying to get
food and all. And so youknow from where we've come from to where
we are now, and we knowthat we still have more to do.
It's just also imaginable. So whenI look at the show, I look
(20:47):
at it under the lens of professionaland personal because we were all going through
this and I learned so much.But the most important thing I've learned is
the story of resilience and all ofus because I had never been met never
either. I would love to spendmore time with you. I will spend
hours with you. Thank you somuch. And the Purple Leash project,
(21:07):
we will put that out there byPyre Orrina. It's National Pet Month,
so we're going to all get involvedin this project and help you and help
everybody out there that needs it.Thank you so much. Maybe a big
hug for me, give your littlefirm babe, who's there with your big
hug for me, and a purpleleash might be on the way, Yes,
Thank you so much. Thanks forjoining me. Take good care.
(21:29):
Thanks for joining me for this episodeof What's Up with Wendy. If you
love this episode, head over toiTunes or your favorite platform to subscribe,
rate, and leave a review.Please also follow me on Instagram, Twitter,
and Facebook at What's Up with Wendy. And you can learn more about
me and my podcast on my website, What's Up with Wendy dot com.
And remember, only you can makeyou happy.
Hi, I'm Wendy Lois Sloane,and this is what's up with Wendy's podcast.
I just wanted to tell you alittle bit about myself. I began
my career in New York City asa television producer for talk show legends Phil
Donahue and Heraldo Rivera. And forthe last decade, I've used these experiences
to create my unique style in interviewinghundreds of a list celebrities, newsmakers,
(00:22):
comedians, musicians, reality stars,fitness and nutrition experts, best selling authors,
and so much more. So.I hope you enjoy this wide variety
on my podcast. I hope you'llshare and subscribe, and again thanks for
tuning in joining me to shed lighton domestic violence and pets. Founded by
Pirna and Red Rover, the PurpleLeash Project provides resources to make domestic violence
(00:44):
shelters pet friendly, allowing pets andpeople to heal together. She's award winning
journalist, TV host. She's thehost of The Tamarin Hall Show. She's
joining me once again for this veryvery important topic. I always loved talking
to her. I said, ifI ever went back to be a television
producer, only be for her.A huge welcome. You won't want to
miss this. She's back. TamaronHall up next award winning TV host,
(01:07):
journalists, philanthropists. She is thehost and executive producer of the daytime television
show Tameron Hall, joining me onceagain to shed light on domestic violence and
pets. October is Domestic Violence AwarenessMonth. A big welcome back the beautiful
Tameron Hall. Wendy, It's sogood to be back with you. Thank
you so much for that long welcome. Oh my gosh. I love talking
(01:29):
to you and your show is oneof the ones that I actually watch being
a former television producer, because Ilike it so much, and I like
you so much, and I likeeverything that you stand for and that you're
doing. How has it been nowthat we're all back post COVID or I
guess you could say still kind ofin COVID. How has it been?
You know, it's been interesting.We just got our season three Prevator off
(01:53):
the ground and a lot of aduencein studio. I did the entire second
season alone in my studio, soit's so great to have the tam fam
in the room. Everyone's vaccinated maskout of safety and for my team as
well as for our guests. Butit's awesome to I can't imagine. I
(02:19):
mean, when I worked for Phildonnahue, the audience was basically his show
for the So it's like withous andit's a tim commandment of daytime television,
thou shalt have an audience. Andnow I know. So it must have
felt like it must have felt likeyou were alive again, right yeah,
absolutely, Okay, So mass stillon and all that, but that's okay
(02:40):
because it's all for our safety.So. UM, we talked about this
last year, and I love thatyou always bring attention to this. UM.
October is domestic violence Awareness month,and I don't think people realize that
one in three women and one andfour men. I don't think they know
that it's the men too, willexperience some form of domestic violence in their
lifetime, and many delay leaving theirhome and their abusers because they can't leave
(03:05):
their pets. Right. In fact, around forty eight percent of survivors delay
leaving their abuser because they cannot taketheir pet with them. Now that's not
to say that shelters around the countryare unwilling to accept pets, but they
are not equipped to accept pets.So Purlina and Red Rover in twenty nineteen
approached me about spreading the word.I've been a journalist for thirty years.
(03:30):
You've been doing this for many years. I've never heard this particular side of
the conversation as it relates to sheltersneeding the help to accept pets. So
here we are now twenty twenty one. Ten grants have been announced to help
shelters around the country get the equipmentthey need to accept the pets. Now
(03:53):
we will either year twenty twenty five. That's number up. They're around twenty
five percent. And I know thatwe can do it. Now. This
is my third year or second yeartalking to you about it, but it
is getting out. We are seeingprogress and we know we can reach this
goal. What creates the urgency,Wendy, is that we know this is
about life and death. So Iam willing and I know you are to
(04:16):
spend as much time as possible becausewe have the ability to save lives and
save fail moyes. We have todo this. I mean I didn't didn't.
I didn't realize and you brought thisup. I didn't even think we
talked about this last time, saidit says it only fifteen percent of domestic
violent shelters allow pets. But it'snot that they don't want to allow pets,
(04:36):
just they can't do it and theydon't have the means to do it,
because that's extra food, that's alot of different things that you know
they bring in. It's an additionalperson, absolutely, it's an additional living
thing that needs to be careful properly. And you mentioned that right now fifteen
percent of the domestic violence shelters allowpets. When we first started talking we
(04:58):
do, it was ten percent.So we've seen an increase of five percent.
That is a big leap, butwe know there's more work to be
done and it is an expensive taskto take on and it is something that
we know that Erna and Red Robotwant to help the shelters do the right
way. You know, that's addingoutdoor areas for dogs and indoor spaces for
(05:19):
them as well as cats, andbeing able to comfort that first family member
in the same carrying way we dothe survivors who are human and so for
us, it is about getting theword out. It's about asking people to
go to Purple Leash project dot comlook for ways that you can donate and
or just post on your social media. Purple is the color of solidarity for
(05:44):
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Get apurple leash for your pet and take a
picture and use it as an opportunityor a launch point to share these stories
of survival and these stories of solidaritythat we're hearing each and every day.
It's so important if you just toknow, I'm talking to Tamarinha. We're
talking about the Purple Lice Project,and we're also talking about helping get these
(06:08):
pets into these shelters and letting peopleleave their homes if they're being abused so
they can take their pets with them. The pets are you know there is
there are family there and I havemy golden right next to me here.
I couldn't imagine not being able tonot leaving, leaving this one. So
this is like, this is soimportant and so important that you're bringing this
(06:29):
back. Thank you so much fordoing that. Than you, so tell
me what the what the show lookslike going forward? Like what what are
you going? What are you areyou focusing on certain things? Are you
just going back to the basics?Well, that's nothing is basic about life?
Anymore righting, you know, andso you know, for the show
and for me, the goal hasalways been to talk about the things you
(06:51):
were talking about. You were indaytime TV for a very long time.
I lean in, if you will, on my years of journalist. But
also, I'm a mom, I'ma daughter, I'm a friend, And
we kicked off our season talking aboutthe mask mandate debate as it relates to
kids in school. I've never seenbattles like we've witnessed as of late at
(07:14):
school board meetings. And you know, listen, I had a list of
celebrities that we considered asking to comeon, and we still have our celebrities
and still have our fun. Buteverywhere I went, Wendy, it seemed
that people were talking about that issue, whether they had kids or not.
And I chose to launch season threewith an important conversation that resonates, and
(07:39):
so we kicked it off that way. We've had fun. Just today we
had our celebration of Disney's fiftieth anniversary. We sent off people to Disney with
their kids. It was a makesof everything. But it's just a continuation
of what many other greats before mehave done in daytime TV. Whether it's
your former or Oprah Winfrey or mybed list, I can bring the list
(08:05):
up. You know. It's havingthe conversation that people are having and they
able to meet people where they are, And that's the goal I always say
to this day, being a televisionproducer for Phil, Donni Huo and Herrodo
Rivera, if there was anyone Iwould watch now would only be you because
there because I always before you cameon, it was there was no shows
like to me. There was Imean Oprah, but she has gone sometimes,
(08:28):
but there was no shows like thatanymore. I mean, if I
had to go back to work,it would only be to do that.
It would only be for you.So thank you, thank you so much.
No, no, I mean that, I mean that sincerely. And
I covered major stories as I toldyou, O. J. Simpson,
John but A, RAMC, SusanSmith. But you would be the only
(08:48):
person I would I would consider everbonding with that again, so thank you
for doing that. And it's truethat's we're going to be talking about this
pandemic and COVID for a very longtime. Yes, there are many evolutions
of it. My son just startedhis two year old program two year old
like pre preschool, I guess whatthey call it. And one of the
(09:11):
leaders at the schools that you know, children are resilient. However, we
have to acknowledge that, um,there may be effects of the isolation or
you know, the majority of yourtime on this planet, people have had
masks on. And what that's done. My son would have normally have seen
his cousins and his grandmam, youknow, a lot more. So we'll
(09:33):
see. But listen, at theend of the day, we're still here.
We're still you know, bringing smilesto people's faces with the work you
do and the work that I do, and we we're building relationships again in
new ways. That's right. Andwe'll have to learn to live like this
because we have to keep everybody safe. So yeah, so I'm wearing my
mask. That's that's what I'm doing. I'm doing the best I can.
(09:54):
Okay. So that's right. Safe, Okay, So once again, give
us the information again, Tameron,so we can all help. Founded by
Pierina and Red Rover, the PurpleLeice Project provides resources to make domestic violence
shelters pet friendly, allowing people andpets to escape their abusers and heel together
it's so important. Absolutely, thankyou dot Com, Thank you, Wendy,
(10:20):
thank you so much. I'm surewe'll talk next year again. Thanks
again. This episode of What's Upwith Wendy's podcast. She made Daytime history
when she became the first African Americanwoman to host the Today Show in twenty
fourteen. Tameron Hall is joining meand not since my days as a television
producer for Phil Donahue and Heraldo Riverahave I ever admired someone. So she's
(10:41):
shedding light on domestic violence and pets. We're going to talk about that.
We're going to talk about her talkshow and so much more. You won't
want to miss my sit down upnext with Tameron Hall, my special guest
Today Award winning TV host, journalist, philanthropist. She is the host and
executive producer at the daytime television show. Tameron Hall joining me to talk about
that and to shine light on domesticviolence and pets. A huge, huge
(11:05):
welcome. I am a huge fan. I was a TV producer for Phil
Donahue and Heraldo Rivera and you aremy favorite. Now welcome Tim Rank you
Well, well, you've got agreat company there, so I take that
as a huge compliment, Thank you, But that was many moons ago.
So now I can tune into youand there's actually a show that I like
that reminds me of those days backthen. Yeah, that's our goal.
(11:30):
When we started the show, wewanted a traditional talk show where we could
talk about everything, including what I'mspeaking with you about today, which is
survivors of domestic violence, and somany parts of the conversation when, as
you know, are not openly discussed. And the issue of pets being left
behind was something I have to admitI was not aware of, even until
(11:52):
about two years ago when the PurpleLeash Project was brought to my attention.
In the number of forty eight percentof survivors of domestic violence delay leaving because
they can't leave their pets behind,it's to me it was just to read
that. I did not know that. And I also one in three women
(12:13):
and one in four men will experiencesome form of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
Many, which is shocking to me, can't don't leave their abuser because
they can't leave their pets behind.It wasn't that. That wasn't even I
didn't even that wasn't even a thoughtto me. About that to think about
this. I know, I lostmy sister in two thousand and four and
(12:37):
I started working on behalf of organizationswho helped survivors of domestic violence WHINNY,
and it was something that never cameup. To be honest with you,
there are so many layers of thisconversation, so many ways that people are
trying to help and learn in thisspace, and it took me aback when
I read that, you know,and it's something that makes perfect sense,
(12:58):
but during this pandemic, it wasa part of the conversation that really rushed
ahead. When you think about allof the people trapped in the home,
all of the additional use. Thereare enduring children, women, men to
your point, and then they decide, even in this pandemic, I have
gone to get out of this home, and there are places who are willing
(13:20):
to help me. Wait a minute, what about my pet? And sadly,
when there are of users who usethat leverage, who threatened the pet,
who threatened to do some of thesame violent things to that innocent family
fur member, and that holds agrip onto that individual. So we,
(13:41):
with Purina and the Purple Leashed Project, have the goal of by the year
twenty twenty five to have twenty fivepercent of the shelters out there become equipped
to take in family members who arefurry. And that means renovation, that
means pet play areas in and outdoors, that means cat bridges, you know,
all of these things that people havein their homes to make their lives,
(14:03):
the pets, their pets lives pleasant. We want to see those very
same things in shelters around the country, which shockingly, there's not right.
There's not right, and it's partyeah, So it's not because they don't
want to help. It's because,as you know, finances, financial aspect
of all of this. So atthe Purple Leash Project, since it is
(14:24):
the National Pet Month, we're justasking people go to Purple Leash project dot
com slash Pet Month to get moreinformation. But there are shelters, as
you know in the all are outof the country they want to help,
and the Purple Leash Project wants toprovide them with the funds to do those
renovations. So it is a winfor everyone. And I know this conversation
is pointed in the right direction.This conversation is absolutely in the right direction,
(14:48):
and I'm sure with the pandemic,more stress, more pressure, more
abuse was happening because, as yousaid, they couldn't nobody could get out,
nobody could leave, so it becamecame worse. So what an amazing
project, the Purple Leach Projects andyour beautiful purple shirt that you're wearing right
now. What a great thing.So they're providing resources to make domestic violent
(15:09):
shelters pet friendly, allowing pets andpeople to heal together. It's a beautiful
thing and we will put that outthere, and that's that's a goal twenty
twenty five, you said, yes, twenty twenty five, twenty five percent
of the shelters in the country becomingequipped to not only take survivors of domestic
(15:31):
violence, but their pets as well. And I'm a pet owner. The
last campaign we had with the PurpleLeach Project actually featured my beloved pet,
may Love had her for over adecade. She moved from Chicago to New
York with me and was at myside when I first learned I was having
my son, and so I knowwhat pets mean. It doesn't matter if
(15:52):
it's a bird or cat, afair at whatever it is, it's the
unconditional love that they offer us,and so for me to partner with Serena
and the Purple Leash Project, it'sjust it really touches my heart in such
a deep way when my sister passed. So I've been very opens thank you.
(16:15):
And one of the things that Istarted to think a lot about once
I partnered with Purina was the factthat her beloved on Minnie Me was right
there with her, and knowing thatbond that I'm breakable and shakable, bond
that we have in our pets,it just ignited another level of fire in
my ballet to do more and tospread the word. And this is a
(16:37):
very special way to do it.So I appreciate you. I'm making the
time to talk with us because itdoes require platforms like yours and voices like
lying to team up to get theword out about the Purple Leash Project.
I absolutely agree. And my belovedLucky, who's a lab he's thirteen plus,
is right here with me and Ican't imagine I could never imagine leaving
(16:59):
him. I can't imagine him leavingme. These pets, they are a
family. They make they make thehouse a home, right, So whatever
I can do for the Purple Leasedproject and for you and to help and
again, I'm so sorry about yoursister, and what a beautiful thing that
you're doing helping everybody. All Right, Tamaron, if you just to know
I'm talking to Tamarin Hall. Youmakee Daytime history when you became the first
(17:22):
African American women to host the TodayShow in twenty fourteen. I'll never forget
that. What was that journey likefor you? Oh, it's been incredible.
I mean my mother, it's anineteen year old single mother. My
grandfather was a sharecropper born in nineteenoh one, and they both poured unconditional
(17:44):
love inside of me and told meI could do anything. Everything that I
try to tell my son today,everything that I'm sure the parents were listening
tell their children every day. Soto have a goal like that accomplished something
that you know, my grandfather nevercould have ever imagined, and certainly not
even myself. It was phenomenal.It was even more phenomenal from that experience,
it gave me the skills and thedrive to push through and create this
(18:07):
talk show that I have, Thetamer Hall Show. It's naturally syndicated against
something I never imagined. But forme, it's less about the things accomplish,
but it's the work to be done. And on our show we try
to talk about at all. Welaugh together, we cry together, we
learn a little bit together, andwe talk about things like domestic violence and
what we can do for survivors ofdomestic violence. So none of it I
(18:30):
could have ever imagined. I couldn'thave there's no script for this, but
I'm grateful to have the platform andthe opportunity and this special place in TV
that I could share these types ofstories. And again, there's not shows.
There's not shows like the ones Iworked on until you. And I
think the reason that people trust youso much is because as of seeing today,
(18:51):
meeting you for the first time,and I can't believe it's the first
time that you are set a real, down to earth person with real experiences
and real life things, and you'rebringing that to television. And I think
that's the bond that people have withyou, because just looking at you right
now, I feel like I couldbe your best friend because just you bring
you bring that out, You bringthat out and everything that you do and
(19:15):
every show that you do, whatdid you've learned from the first season and
from the journey of starting this show. Wow, there's so many lessons I
learned listening. We were only onairror would maybe four months before the pandemic
happened, and we went from youknow, a live studio audience in this
beautiful facility to me doing my showfrom my kitchen like so many other people.
(19:41):
The pivot was one that we couldn'thave ever seen coming. You know,
someone asked me the other day,like, you know, could you
imagine, like if I could haveimagined I would have wanted the lottery or
something have imagined it. But Ithink what the show has taught me and
what I'm sure all of us inreflection looking back these past fourteen months,
we are all far more resilient thanwe could have ever imagined. You know,
I had a nine month old childwhen this started. He's now two
(20:04):
years old, and he's thriving,and we're just now, you know,
spending Gramma time in person. I'mvaccinated, My family members are vaccinated.
And I think that this time lastyear, I remember when you watching television
and doing the show, crying,watching the lines of people just hoping to
get a test whatever that you know, that was only a year ago.
(20:25):
He was hoping to get a testor the lines and lines of people.
There was a shot that I sawin the news. I think it was
in Florida, but the line stretcheddown the freeway, people trying to get
food and all. And so youknow from where we've come from to where
we are now, and we knowthat we still have more to do.
It's just also imaginable. So whenI look at the show, I look
(20:47):
at it under the lens of professionaland personal because we were all going through
this and I learned so much.But the most important thing I've learned is
the story of resilience and all ofus because I had never been met never
either. I would love to spendmore time with you. I will spend
hours with you. Thank you somuch. And the Purple Leash project,
(21:07):
we will put that out there byPyre Orrina. It's National Pet Month,
so we're going to all get involvedin this project and help you and help
everybody out there that needs it.Thank you so much. Maybe a big
hug for me, give your littlefirm babe, who's there with your big
hug for me, and a purpleleash might be on the way, Yes,
Thank you so much. Thanks forjoining me. Take good care.
(21:29):
Thanks for joining me for this episodeof What's Up with Wendy. If you
love this episode, head over toiTunes or your favorite platform to subscribe,
rate, and leave a review.Please also follow me on Instagram, Twitter,
and Facebook at What's Up with Wendy. And you can learn more about
me and my podcast on my website, What's Up with Wendy dot com.
And remember, only you can makeyou happy.
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