Hope Walz Joins The Find Out Podcast

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the find out podcast and as I'm just starting, Rich has joined us. We're starting two minutes after two. So we always have to give Rich a little shift for being late. But anyways, the news has been crazy over the last couple of weeks and we're actually really, really excited about our guest today that I think you all will know. You all know her from the 2024 campaign. It is, do we refer to you as the first daughter of Minnesota, a minutes, yeah, Minnesota. If you want. Hope walls, everybody. Hope is with us. Thanks for joining us. Yeah, I know we are excited as well. And actually, I asked our audience on social. Yeah, some questions for you. But the one that everybody wanted me to ask over and over again is, how are you doing? Yeah, I'm okay. I think, yeah, I'm okay. It's obviously been, I mean, like an insane year and a half, I'd say at this point. And then the past month has been especially bizarre and heavy. And then even this past week has just been a lot. So we're hanging in there. We're hanging in there. Good. Well, I want to go back before we get to all of the stuff that is more recent. But a year and a half ago, you were the daughter of a governor. So obviously there was a bit of a profile associated with that. And then in August, your life, I assume, got turned upside down. So I just would like to kick off with like, yeah, what was that all like? How much of it did you know? And like, how, how did your life change? The second that your dad was picked to be Kamala Harris's vice presidential candidate? Yeah. I think, I mean, it came on like very fast. I remember like where I was when President Biden decided to drop out of the race. And then I remember like, you know, in the next couple of days, getting a text from my dad. And it's like, we've been asked to submit paperwork or, you know, whatever, however that all works. I was in Montana at the time and got like strep throat. So I was like down for the count for Vepesteaks, just like doom scrolling like all day every day. But it just like progressively got more and more real. And then I remember like the day before we still didn't really know anything. But my parents are like, just come home, like just fly home. You gotta put the flight, you know, on on our card or on your credit card. And we'll deal with it later. And so I got home at like midnight the night before my uncle picked me up from the airport. And he's like, there's reporters outside your house. And you can't be seen going into your house because we don't know anything. We don't want anybody to think we know anything because we don't. So you have to hide. So I'm like, crouched in the front seat, like sneaking into my own house. And then I get there. And then the next morning, we get the call from the vice president was like, do you want to join this ticket? And I was like sitting in the room with my dad. And then within like an hour, we're on a flight to Philly. And so it was just like one day I was in my little apartment in Boseman, Montana, on the next day. I'm like, watching my dad give this speech in front of, you know, thousands of people. And it just, it all happened so quickly. And then it didn't slow down until after the election. So. And correct me. I heard reports of this. You can confirm it to die. Did my understanding is that the first time that the vice president called your dad, he actually either sent it to voicemail or just ignored it. Was that was that true? He missed the first call. Yeah. He missed the first call. I think it was a little bit insane. My mom like wasn't home. She was at an event. And I think we were running all over the place. My dad's mom, so my grandma happened to be staying at her house. And so there was a lot going on, but he did indeed miss, missed the first call. And then he made the second one. Thankfully. That's the same. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So what does he say to you? Like when he after the call, is he like, the vice president just asked me to be a running man? Like, like, it just must be such a surreal experience to be standing in the room when something like that happens. Yeah. I mean, it was on speaker to be complete. So I did hear it. But he, you know, kind of got off the phone. And he goes, well, here we go. Like our lives are, they just, it just changed. And let's do it. We're going to do what we're asked to do. And we threw things in suitcases and we're on the road. So there wasn't much time to really like think. But I think, you know, after he got the call, he's like, all right, we're all in. Let's do this. And what like, I mean, it's obviously some people I'm sure. But I would just like, what is your life like from that point and August through through election day? Is it just, do you even remember it? Was it just so crazy? Like, how does that experience go? I think I'm still like kind of processing it all. But I remember we like getting the cars and we like pull out of our house and all of our neighbors and stuff are there with signs and stuff. And that was like very wholesome. And then they drive us in this motorcade to an airport and there's a private plane. And I've never, like, we're coach, we're economy people. So I'm like, oh my gosh, we're in a private plane. Like, this is the craziest thing. And I'm like taking videos and stuff. And then, you know, like two weeks later, we're in a plane with our name on the side of it. So it was like just a big escalation of just everything. I think and you're kind of, you know, all the sudden we have secret service everywhere. All the sudden, there's this entire, you know, infrastructure around you. Like, here's your briefing book. This is what you do. This is what you do. And like, I was around it all. They called me like the morality captain or what, no, what was it? Something, something the morale captain. And because like I kept my dad saying they liked this, like we made things fun. And so just like having the entire infrastructure around you all the sudden when you're, you know, I didn't know what it was like to be on the national campaign. Most people don't. And then all of a sudden it was just there. And it was all like so quick. And we're like, we have to do this, this, this, and this in the next 90 days. So yeah, it was very fast paced. And then, oh, go ahead, Rich. Go ahead. I was going to ask like, hope you've you've you were raised in politics, right? You were born in like 2001, correct? Yes. Yeah. So I mean, that was a year to be born. Certainly one of the years of all time. One of more prominent years. And yet I imagine it was still probably a bit of a like that was that's another step, right? I mean, to go from Oh, yeah, being visible. And then and then for your the really powerful backstory around you're coming to existence to be a central piece in history. On the campaign, by the way, I didn't know I came about in that way until my dad gave a speech on it. So that was a thing. So the birds and the bees for you was just like on a national stage. How did how did you how did you wrap your head around that? Like that's that's probably a lot. Yeah. I mean, I like thought I knew what it was like to be in the political sphere. My dad was a member of Congress since 2006. But I never moved to DC. Like my parents kept us in my hometown. I grew up in the same house, you know, that I was born in. I went to the school. My parents taught at which was a public school. Like things were pretty normal. And then he became governor. And that was like another step up. But I moved out of the house. Like, you know, six months after he became governor. And then all of a sudden, like, we're on this level. And it was like an exponential change. I think I did not expect what it was. It's like, I mean, I guess I sort of expected it, but it was like, it was different than I thought it was going to be. Oh, go ahead. Oh, I'm sorry. I would, I would think because we've not on your level by any stretch of the imagination. But like, all of us have gotten fairly large accounts. And so it happens every once in a while that somebody either shouts out your name or basically goes, are you the guy from this? Which happens more than these guys? But like, so I assume pretty much, well, during the campaign for sure, are you just having people like, like, you know, yelling your name to get your attention and saying hello, like, I have to assume you had some of that when he was governor, but like on a national stage, it's obviously on steroids. Yes. And I think I remember this coffee shop. It's like a mile or two from my parents house. I'm like, let's go get a try. And I'm like going with secret service. And like, that draws attention. So they pull up. I pull up in this like armored SUV to go get my chai. And everyone's like, oh my gosh, that's hope. That's, you know, and it's like, I think they maybe want to have noticed me if I didn't show up with like secret service agents. But that was just kind of what it was. And we, I think, changed our lifestyle a little bit because my, my dad's kind of philosophy with it was like, we don't ever want to ruin anybody else's experience. So if that means we have to order takeout instead of going and sitting at a restaurant where everybody has to be wandered before they walk in. Like we will do that. And so honestly, we didn't do all that much just out of kind of respect for everybody else. Yeah. I mean, I think that's one of the things that like draws people to to your dad and your family is that, you know, the empathetic nature and the like, I don't want to worry anybody else because I'll tell you, you'll be sure you've seen them now. I've been around a lot of politicians that would never think about that, right? They would just do the thing. It's like a bad honor. Yeah. And I mean, I think one of the reasons, and I will say that, you know, when the, when the list of candidates was coming out, I did want your dad to get to get the dumb. And but I think part of it's just like your family just feels very authentic and just very like, American is the best way I can say it, which is like sometimes the left doesn't say that stuff. But like, just like good people trying to do good things for others. And I feel like that has been lost a little bit, but your dad and you all have helped to bring some of that back in a, let's just say, dark period in United States history. Yep. So Congressman Walls was one of the first members of Congress that I ever sat down with as a, as a, as a new advocate. I eventually became a lobbyist working for a major veteran service organization. And Congressman Walls was the lead sponsor of, I think, every single piece of legislation that I ever passed into law. And I sat down with Congressman Walls not knowing what to expect. He was Command Sergeant Major is the highest ranking listed service member ever to be in Congress. And I had left the military in a, you know, less than nice way left with a bad paper discharge. And everyone of a much higher rank that I had up to that point in like, I don't know, 2008 or 2009 had had basically discriminated against me was like, you got bad paper, like you're not a real vet. And I sat down with, with Congressman Walls for, you know, what I expected to be a maybe five minute like say hi, shake hands, and he walks off kind of session. And I think we were probably together for closer to an hour. And I could tell, not just from the time that he was spending with some just random vet who randomly knocked on his door. I could tell that he cared not just from that, but from seeing his eyes well up as I described my, my story. And that is exactly why I was so damn excited to see him get the nomination or get picked as VP. It breaks my heart to see what, what you and your family have, have gone through especially recently. Because I know the goodness in your dad's heart. And it has, and I can say this without his exaggeration, it has improved his work has improved the lives of countless veterans, saved the lives of countless veterans. And there is no one else who's in Congress today or that I ever worked with. Yeah. Who has a better record. And I, I, I wish that that man were, were our vice president today. Because that he radiates goodness in a way that he politicians do. I like him because he called him weird. Yeah. There's Luke. Okay. He's a man of money to him. God damn right. At the end of the day, that's why he does the work. And I think his, you know, authenticity like shows. And that's really who he is. I think sometimes when we meet people, they're like, oh, like, you are cool. You are like kind of what I expected. Not very many people. I meet that are in the political world. They're what you are what they portray. And he is. And I think that's pretty cool. Well, I want to ask you hope because, you know, Chris obviously mentioning your, your father's service. So they, of course, what Republicans during the campaign did, what, or at least tried to do what they did to John Kerry, which you will not remember, but your dad will remember, which is the, I remember John Kerry. Okay. My parents had, well, you remember the 2004 election. Well, like, he had a lasting impact on my dad's politics. And they talked about him and still talk so, so for those you don't know in 2004, the Bush campaign ran these horrible smear, well, a pack, but you know, ran these horrible smears about his service. And he was, if you look at his service, he was nothing short of a hero. And then he came home and, and protested against the Vietnam War. And then with your, with your dad, they tried to trump up this like complete bullshit, like he left on, like left in a bad way or something like that, which most Americans, like myself, I was like, I don't even really know what this sounds like bullshit to me, but whatever. But like, how to, like, so that was one of the first real attacks on, on your family. Like, how did, like, where are you expecting it? Where you like, oh my god, like, what runs through your mind when you hear something, I mean, it was completely false. But like, yeah, how does that at the first time it happens to you feel? Yeah. I mean, I think we knew like when he decided that, you know, when he got asked and decided he was going to join the ticket, they were going to just pull up everything, even if it meant they had to lie. And twist things. And so I think we were expecting it. I think that, you know, is a natural kind of thing that they decided to go after. So I think it was kind, it was sort of expected, but it still like was initially hard to deal with. I'm like, he was deployed when I was alive. Like, there was an entire year where my dad was overseas. He wasn't in combat or whatever, but he was overseas. And like, that was a thing my family dealt with. And to like see people attack him for that, it was hard. And I'm like, the man can't hear. He had surgery on his ears because of the military and all the stuff going off and things. But like, he still can't hear. So like, there's like lasting effects there and to see people just to manage that was hard. But then you're like, you don't, well, I don't, these people aren't going to like you no matter what you do. Right. So just whatever. Hope I have a question. One of the things I loved about Governor Walls so much, I have a lot of family in Minnesota. And so it's, he's, his charm is very familiar to me. I'm like, how fast can we just have a hot dish and talk about football and drink a beer and like, you know, set aside all of that. I think that's something that's been lost in politics is the Midwest nice. But also the fact that he's a governor and not, you know, a DC animal. How, how is that? How is being from the Midwest kept you grounded as you've gone through, you know, everything that you've gone through, you know, since July? Yeah, I think like the word that comes to my mind is like community. In Minnesota, I've lived in the southern part of the state. And then I've lived in Minneapolis and then also in St. Paul. It feels very community based compared to maybe other places I've been or lived and people have each other's backs and the state and like the services the state provides, you know, support the people of the state. And it just breeds this community mindset. And I think even though I don't necessarily live there now, when I go back, I feel at home because I know the people there are going to have my back and are going to be reasonable and are going to be caring. And I think that kind of keeps your feet on the ground when things are maybe pretty insane because you know, you have a place to go back to where there is that support. Minnesota stones way nicer than Iowa. I'm losing my head west nice. I swear it's fading. It's a great I love Iowa city. I will give I do Iowa city as a place in my heart. Yes. Well, I was going to say it's the as the resident main air. I was like, what the hell is a hot dish? But I'm looking at it as a casserole. I would eat the hell out of this. I yeah, this I think you're I think there was actually a video during the campaign where you were dad, because I was like, what's the top hot dish? Yeah, he would like submit it and like the congressional baking off or whatever you want a couple times, I think. Really? You can't miss with with Midwest food. Like it's just a fact. I mean, it kills you really young. But but shit, it's it's so good that it's like, I know this is happening, but I'm just going to end. And COVID just last weekend. Casey's breakfast pizza brought me back. Yeah, Casey's is really good. And quick trip. Have you guys ever been to Oh, yeah. Oh, come and goes gone now, though. It's it's fucking mavericks now. On the campaign trail, because we were just like in a plane. And then we'd drive in this insane motorcade everywhere. And they wouldn't like let us go to gas stations, which was really hard for us because Midwesterners love gas stations. But we'd absolutely we would rank like car washes and gas stations that we saw on the side of the road. Like we had a ranking of like the best the best car washes in the country based off of the seven states we went to. I've never heard of any of this same. You've never been to the Midwest. Yeah, just not long enough. No, no, no, I haven't lived there anything. It's interesting. Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. No, I was going to say, well, I was going to go to a less exciting topic. So I apologize other than this. And I saw when I was saw you were coming on, I looked and you got you did a video on is it culverse, too? I don't know. Yes, either. You know, I mean, it looks great. It looked great. I just, you know, if you have a chance to go to a call, where is going to a call? Okay. Okay. Well, shifting to something less less exciting or fun to talk about. So obviously, there was a lot of excitement, a lot of anticipation about this campaign. As we were talking before, like I was part of the white dudes for Harris stuff, which was really fun because we're seeing and getting involved really for the first time on our side, like in an organized fashion in years. So there's a lot of excitement, you know, a lot of people felt really good going into election day. And then we lost. Yep. It is obvious how you were feeling, but like, what is what is that like? I'm assuming were you with, were you with your family when, you must have been right? So what is I do not your DC? I'd not to make you relive it, but I'm going to your what what was that like? Like, what did you think we were winning going into election day? Or were you like, it's too close? Just walk us through. Yeah. I mean, I think we were a little bit in a bubble, to be honest, like looking back, but I did. I, like, I was also a little bit surprised to be honest, because my dad has like the best political radar I've ever seen. And he, you know, up until then he's pretty much called every election he's been in accurately. And he said in like the weeks leading up to 2016 that we were in trouble. Oh, really? Yeah. Wow. He's really good at that. And he thought we were going to win. And so like, I think it was a little, you know, a bit of a wake up call for everybody. Like, oh, okay. So we were in a bubble. And so I think there was like the surprise. And then it was also like the, okay, so now what do we do? And then also like now, how is this going to affect literally everybody in the country? Right. Yeah. Like, is there a period in which you guys don't talk about it? Or is there like a healing process? Or like, does it just take time? Yeah. Because it's such a unique experience, right? Like most people do not ever experience something like this on this magnitude. I mean, Hillary Clinton is the, is the other. I guess you could throw Mitt Romney in as well. But like over time, you know, I think we all do in 2008 that Obama was going to win that. I don't think McCain was particularly shocked. But, um, but, you know, are those next weeks must be really, really hard. And if they are like, how did you, how do you get out? How do you dig from out? Oh, from under that. Yeah. My dad copes with things by just like, and maybe this isn't the most healthy thing. But he's like, okay, what's next? So he was like, okay, time to get back to Minnesota. And I'm going to do the work I can do to make Minnesota a better end to protection Minnesota. And obviously that's really hard right now in this moment. But like, his initial thought was like, let's get back to work. And I think that's kind of where my mind went to. So like within a week, I was back in Montana. I work at a nonprofit. I do overnight at the homeless shelter. So I was back at work, um, you know, kind of trying to get back into everyday life. But then I also started posting on social media around then. Um, and was kind of using that as an outlet. And then I talked about this on some other stuff. I started going to therapy in the past year. And so just like that sort of stuff. Yeah. But I found like staying engaged and staying involved has helped me feel better and move forward and find hope. How much does life feel different now that it's over compared to when it's like, obviously, it's different. But like, does it feel like it's closer to the way it used to be or does it feel like totally shifted now? Yeah. I think probably it feel, I mean, I thought it was going to go back to how it felt. Um, but it hasn't. I think just with my dad having such a national profile now. Um, and then with what we've seen the administration due to Minnesota as of late, um, it, it's not shocking because I think we knew that this was a possibility in the case when they, you know, when he got picked and got this big national profile. Um, but it is, it's vastly different than it was before. I think you just have more commentary coming from all sides. Minnesota was like, you know, it's a fairly small state and you know, fly over country. And now it seems to be the topic of like everything. Um, and then when you're, you know, your dad's the governor of it, it's just it is another level of kind of notoriety. Hope I want to ask you about, um, specific community in Minnesota that you're probably, yeah, that you're probably aware of. Um, obviously, Trump, ICE, Operation Metro, whatever, um, you know, they're, they're pouring what to 3000, I think federal agents in to investigate, investigate fraud in the Somali community. Um, first off, you know, some statistics, 95% of the people in the Somali community in Minnesota are citizens either by birthright or, or naturalization. ICE has no function in investigating citizens they can't. They, there's nothing they can do. And the people involved in the, in that fraud case, which I think your dad's administration is successfully rooted out, you know, fraud happens and you go after it. There's what 50 or 60 convictions, I think out of a population of a 100,000 people in a state with six million, right, right, right, right, yeah, starting 2019, right? Um, yeah. How? Say, say what needs to be said from your perspective about the Somali community in Minneapolis, specifically, how hard has this been to watch such wonderful people be a, be subject to racist attacks? I think the targeting of this community is bullshit. Um, I went to school at the University of Minnesota for a couple years and the campus is right near kind of the hub of the Somali, Somali community in Minnesota. Um, it's called like Cedar Riverside and they're trying to paint it as this like crime-ridden, dangerous area. I used to line scooter around there like after class. Like, I'm, you know, so to me, I'm like, what are you even doing? Like, I'm, you know, the, the community is so rich and just culture and just the people are amazing and I, you know, I'm friends with people from the community and just like seeing an administration attack an entire group of people because of, you know, things that happened years ago and they say it's an entire community. I'm just like, it doesn't even compute in my brain to be completely honest. I'm like, this is just so bizarre and it's so sad to see because they make Minnesota what it is. Um, and that is, it's hard to kind of grapple with, I think. It, it must be so difficult for these people to be so scared all the time. And I'm talking about like the ICE agents and all of, all of maga who thinks that these places are war zones because they, they don't go out. Like, they don't experience these things. They come to Minneapolis for like a Morgan Wall and concert or something. And they're like, I was scared for my life. No, you weren't like, come on. Racist got to support racist. Well, it's, it's funny because I'm from Maine and there is a small population in Lewiston, which is sort of central Maine. And I know people, I'm obviously not going to say any names, but like, I know people who I like the town I grew up in, who are afraid to go there. Now, they're, they're a very small minority of, of Lewiston. Lewiston is very blue collar, top baits is there. Yeah. And it's because they are told these things on social media, just like what's happening in Minnesota. And actually Maine and Minnesota have a lot of overlaps because there's a lot of aggressivism, but there's also a lot of conservatism as well. But like, this is like denigrating this community. Yeah. I mean, it's just like, they, I think a lot of these people actually believe that they are burning Minneapolis to the ground and that they're doing it in Lewiston as well. And I just like, what do you, you are on social media a lot now? Yeah. You are of a younger generation, clearly than I am. Like, what do you think, like, what do people on the left need to do to fight back against this? Because it's just, it's, as you said, it's completely bullshit. And it's, it's very dangerous now as we're, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it really feels like the administration is trying to get people killed. And I will say my dad included, it feels like the administration is trying to inside violence against my family. And this community. And that is, you know, with that happening, it's, it's easy to kind of slip into hopelessness, I think. But if you really pay attention to what's happening, like, these protests are amazing. They are huge and they are peaceful. And I do think they're making a difference. You have to be really careful here, right? Because I think the administration is just waiting to declare martial law. So like, there's a very fine line to walk. I think seeing people like show up in actual community is giving me a lot of hope. And I think giving other people a lot of hope. There was like a protest here in Bozeman the night, kind of a re re re re re was murdered. Yeah. Like Bozeman Montana, like people. I was sitting at a vigil. Yeah. And so I think, I think it's easy to kind of get in this echo chamber of like, truth doesn't matter anymore. And to a large percentage of the country, it doesn't. Right. But I still think the majority of people see what's happening and are starting to wake up and are starting to show up. And I think like spaces like this are really important. I always say we don't need like a Joe Rogan of the left. We need like many Joe Rogan's left. Yeah. Like to flood the system with a whole bunch of people. So like you guys, people like me, you know, other really strong voices of all different communities, like that's what's going to overpower whatever they have going on. Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's almost like we wrote talking points that gave it to you because that's what we say all the time. But it's true. Like it's not one person. We don't need a monolith. We need because this is also a very diverse party and appeals to a lot of appeals. So before we go, I want to obviously get to this horrific murder of Renee Good, but you mentioned that you, you know, it feels like this administration is putting your lives at risk. So after Donald, after this dick Shirley or whatever's name is video comes out heavily edited and complete bullshit. What, what did you experience online? I don't need, you don't need to get into super details here. But like, did, did you like, if you had not seen that video, would you have noticed a difference on social about people coming after you? Like what was that? Like, I mean, I always know when I like end up on some super right wing site or like something comes out. Because I'll have like people come in my comments and say things. I always know I'm on Fox news because those people are bored and have time. So they come over to my Instagram. They like find my TikTok and come to my Instagram and leave comments. And so I, I do know. And I think I've also seen like a larger print. Maybe you guys can speak to this as well. Larger presence of like bots. Yes. You should be in last month. Like it's insanity. And then I had people like emailing me as well, saying some like really freaky stuff. And I'm like, okay, so you're really bored. Like go do something useful. How are you emailing me? But yeah, it was just like a large influx. And I've dealt with stuff before. But this was like a level I've never experienced. Yeah. And did, did, you know, obviously they were, they were ratcheting it up against your, your dad as well. Did that, was that, did you guys have to take any additional security measures because of this? Or is this a situation where you kind of like, unfortunately, expect this at the moment and you're used to it? Like what does, yeah. I think they like gauge that back in Minnesota. And I think after Melissa Hortman was killed last summer, they kind of amp some stuff up surrounding my dad. But I don't have anything. But they, after I got like this one kind of specific, pretty detailed legit thing. Like the police in Minnesota or state patrol was in contact with people here in Montana. Yeah. I think they're watching that very closely. So I feel fine. But there were conversations that happened. Yeah. Well, I bring it up because I want to, I want it known to folks that like, everyone, you know, the right is always like, we're not stoking violence. We're not stoking violence. And it's of course complete nonsense. And hearing, I mean, we get stuff, but like, it's not that big of a deal. But for you, you know, in your position, I can only imagine some of the awful things. And it's important for us to talk about how dangerous they are making this by ramping up this rhetoric like this, making up these lies. So then I think it's important to shift to this horrible, horrible situation in Minneapolis where it's very clear to us that a nice agent murdered when a good, I mean, we need eyes. We've seen, we've seen 50 different angles of this. And it's very clear that at least two of the shots went through the side window. Like that is not at risk. Also, I don't understand why his, his weapon was drawn when he was also holding his phone at the same time, which is not good. And he also put himself in front. We're obviously hearing a lot of the national story. And I know you're not in the state right now, but yeah, how are, how are Minnesotans like, I mean, obviously rage and anger. But yeah, this is like in their community. And like, I just are everybody okay. I mean, obviously not everyone's okay. But like, yeah, what's the reaction there? I think there's also a lot of sadness. I think it was yesterday, posted a video and I said, Minnesota is being targeted because Minnesota takes care of its people. And they're trying to target states that are vote democratic mostly and do good things. And they're trying to ruin that. And I think that's maybe a common sentiment in Minnesota. Like, we are a good place to live. And they're trying to make it a bad place to live. And they're trying to incite violence in a place that is, you know, wonderful. Manyapolis is a great city. If if you guys have a chance to go, you should go. And I think just immense sadness over that. And like you said, there's a lot of anger and rage. But I also think, you know, it happened. And now people are like, what are we going to do about it? And I think people in Minnesota feel a responsibility to make change out of this and create change and create the necessary things coming from this horrible, horrible situation. Right. Right. Well, I think one of the things that is interesting is that, you know, when you when you think about from their position, like all this anger, and I want to be like, are you angry because Governor Walls passed free school lunches for kids? Are you angry? Because he tightened gun laws after some horrible shootings? Are you angry that he passed paid family leave? I believe just went into effect right now. It's it's it's really interesting is the wrong word. But fascinating to see these these people get very angry about your dad is just a Democrats in general are trying to help people with better lives. And they seem very upset about that. Yeah. But Tim, Tim, there's there's tampons in the boys bathrooms. Oh, god, that's the biggest issue. We're taking care of people. That's the biggest issue. Imagine caring about that. Right. Yeah. I do care. And I'm glad. Like I'm glad they're all it all was like misconstrued. But like the ideas 100% find also like, why is it a bad thing for your son to like maybe have access to that to help a sister or a friend or whatever. It's like so. You have a bloody nose. None of it is bad. None of it is bad. Well, they also think that the, you know, they brought litter boxes into the, you know, which I've had friends Republican friends mentioned that to me and be like, go back and find me one example of that. Yeah. And false park because it's not real. But but Facebook some guy on Facebook said it was there. But I want to ask about Republicans in the state because I think that you sort of again, there's a similarity with Maine where there are still some quote unquote reasonable Republicans and some mega. Did any, have any Republicans, any elected Republicans in the state reached out to you or your dad to say, I'm sorry or anything like that or they completely silent. No, yeah. I think the start to be in which is like the big news paper in Minnesota did an article after Trump tweeted that wildly insane conspiracy theory about my dad having Melissa killed. I mean, there was like two, like one was like current, you know, like currently elected and something and one was like retired. That came out and said, this is insane. No other Republican said anything about it. And then I mean that senator from Utah was the one who initially stroked it when it happened in this summer. So like, oh, Mike Lee, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So no people haven't really said, you know, they haven't said anything. I think, you know, they see it as an opening to win the state, which, you know, careful what you wish for because now Amy Klobuchar is going to destroy you all. Like they are not like it's over for them. And they will. The funny thing about that is that I mean, I wish your dad was staying and it's yeah, I get why he left, but we can talk about that in a second. But you know, Amy Klobuchar is like a stone cold killer. She's an electoral powerhouse. She is going to just shut her own free them and down take it to yeah, any chances they had like the it's gone. And I, I think they're now realizing that and it's like politically, they're just stupid because if they were going to do this, they should have done it in August, but right or just like a better shot with somebody running for a third term than like brand new, right? There's just like it's yeah. And also going to Mike Lee, one of my favorite photos of this year was Senator Tina Smith cornering him on the hill because she made him own it. She went right in his face, which I think Democrats should do more of to be particularly honest. We see more of this recently, but she was like right in his face. And you could see him as a small cowardly. He was just kind of like crouching a little bit like and I'm glad that she did that. And I'm glad it's just like your dad, like everyone always tells me about Minnesota nice, but I've also learned that there could be Minnesota mean, which might be worse than I love New York. He wears some of ours because it's it's more silent, but yeah, the other one I want to ask you and it is this is maybe the most infuriating of all minus the loss of life is when you're when Donald Trump calls your dad, I'm not going to say it, but like he used the slow the R word. And then magas decided it was going to be a genius idea to drive by the governor's mansion and scream that out the window. Yeah. When you saw that, what was your first reactions that? Yeah, well, I think like his initial tweet was that like midnight like the after Thanksgiving. And so I was home in Minnesota and I just remember waking up in my dad walk like I walk in to like our kitchen and my dad like just shows me the thing. And I'm like, what the heck? I'm like, did you did you tweet anything yesterday? Yeah, what you do dad? What's it? What's it? Yeah, no, I literally have no idea. Like I'm just like I'm as confused as you are. And then it like amped up and then my room is like facing the street. And I like heard people in the next couple of days when I was still home like doing that. And I mentioned it to my dad who can't hear, you know, right? Right. Like this is this is happening. And then it just kind of continued to escalate. Now I guess it's like an acceptable insult to call people again, which is the worst part of it all. Like it's one thing, you know, to call my dad or call my family that. But now I see it like back kind of in mainstream type like discourse. And that's what really upsets me. Well, like every right wing fucking shale on Twitter was like, this is exactly what I voted for. And now it seems like every third tweet they've got it in their somewhere. It's it's disgusting. Yeah. I mean, it's the cruel that we talk about this all the time. The cruelty is the point with some of these people. They want to be mean. They want to be cows and they want to put other people down because they want to feel better about their lot in life. Rather than focusing the energy and anger at the people who have done this to them, which are the people that they keep voting for. It is it is one of the great mysteries of this. It is infuriating. But like they are it's all about projection. And yeah, honestly any adult. And I see this on especially on let's be on on Facebook. But you know, I see people I mean, they're calling me that now. And I'm just like imagine being an adult. And I look at some of these profiles sometimes. I've got kids. You know, 50 year old man. You have a child. You have it. Yeah, it's the same guy with glasses and the like Oakley glasses in the hat. But like in the in the go T not be heard, but go T. And but like it's just like it's it just makes me it just infuriates me because it's like putting down people with disabilities is how you make yourself feel good. Yeah, really? Because that's that's what they're trying to do. Well, let's let's be really honest. I mean, every one of these guys peaked in high school and high school was the 90s. And they hate change. And that's all there is to it. They they they want to go back to the 90s so that they can relive the glory days where they were the best where they were the most important people in society in school. Every girl liked them. And that was when you said that things were gay when they when that you didn't like them and you used the R word for everybody. Like we overthink everything with these guys. And really they're just responding to their dads. Yeah, they're they're just responding to how their dads raised them, which is. Everything would be solved if these motherfuckers would just go to therapy therapy. Yeah, that's it. Or get a hug from their dad, right? Like something here, right? It's crazy. Well, it actually I want to ask you about that because you I saw you took a little bit of a social media break recently, which I think was a great idea. And you've talked about therapy. So can you talk a little bit about your self care? Because obviously like, yeah, you know, we've all gotten some of this. You get way more. And especially as a woman, it's completely different. Yeah. How do you take care of yourself? Yeah. Movement is a big thing for me. I'm like, my hair's really gross right now because I just got back from hot yoga. I did not time this well. That's okay. But I, you know, and I run, I'm a runner. I love to ski. I also ski instruct. So if you ever need to learn how to ski, I got you. But I, I like to kind of route things in movement. And then I read a lot. I read a lot of fantasy in romanticcy. And I have no shame about that at all. You shouldn't. And so that has been, and that's been something just in the past year. I've gotten into reading. I was like a kid where my parents would have to take the book away at night. Like not the phone, but the book, because I just stay up all night reading. So it's been fun to like get back in that. And then like work. Like when I, I'm only at the shelter. I'm a couple nights a week. But when I'm there, like I always leave feeling better actually about the state of the world. When I'm, you know, in the, in my community, like doing real work. And I count that as self care. That's great. I mean, but I was told that the children of politicians are supposed to go into crypto. And when are you going to get on that, make deals with the Saudis? You're not, why are you're helping people? Yeah, right. I mean, yeah. I mean, that's part of the book you've read in the last year. What do you got? Ooh, that's really, it's called, it's a part of a series. I think it's like book three or four in the series. It's called Wrath of the Fallen. Totally fantasy. Oh yeah. The, what is the first book is like book of Asriel? Or something like that. So if you need a good fantasy series, that's a good one. It's sort of romantic. But like there's, I'd rather recommend it this series to me. You should read it. It's good. It's actually good. I think sometimes the writing and some of these books can be really bad. This is well written in the plies. Strong. I'm a big fan of reading stuff or watching something that has no educational value. What's that? Absolutely. I don't read anything that's nonfiction. Just great. Like just to shut it off. I mean, I mean, you did rivalry. I was going to ask you really wants me to watch it. Well, you have to watch it. I'm, it's like, I'm one direction level of obsessed right now. Oh, okay. I'm fully like fan-girling for this. I want to get this is the, this show is the test for everyone who says they're an ally because if you were raised in a different time, watch the first watch the watch the pilot episode. Oh, and just watch it. My wife watched it last night actually. And I was like, holy shit. Okay. All right. We're just raw dog in the future via via television show right now. What an unfortunate choice of words. It's an unfortunate choice of words. It's not unfortunate. Yeah. Well, it's down after episode two on that front. I figured it would. Kind of tragic love story. Yeah. But it's like if you have a chance, you should watch it. It's great. I will have to watch it. I'm into the pit. And that just came back. I just, my girlfriend and I binge the pit this last weekend. Actually, I know somebody that's a writer on the show. It's so it's like a little inside scoop. Yeah. Yeah. He's a physician as well. Yeah. That and slow horses are my two, my two gyms. I need to wash slow horses. But you know what? Like, we all should watch that show. Like, why not? Like, what is the like, this is the thing? Like, MAGA loses their mind, right? And it's like, oh, they can't handle it. But we had these. They lost their mind that will was gay on stranger things. There's no way we can handle. Yeah. I thought you were going to say, will and grace. They're still losing their mind over, over people being gay in the 90s. I will still say it till I'm blue in a face that I actually think that will ingraced the show did more for the acceptance of the gay community in this country than pretty much anything else because you they were like in your in your home once or once and it's normal. And I think this this is the same idea. Yeah. More graphic, but like, you know, but still like it's like, but that should be fine. It shouldn't be a shock that like two men love each other and you know, like it's just, you know, so I think people people listening and watching you should you should take a look. And if you feel uncomfortable, you should ask yourself why examine why? Well, hope we really got a couple more minutes with you. So I want to I want to ask. So I want to ask. So obviously last year, everybody got to know you and they got to know your brother Gus. And I think one of the most powerful moments, and I will never forget it from the convention was watching your dad talk to your brother and just seeing the like the pure like love between both of them. And like if there's anything lasting from that horrible election cycle, I hope that people see that and that they say that is the relationship that I want to have with my son or that is the relationship I want to have with your dad. So I just want to ask, how is your brother doing with all this craziness? He's good. He graduated high school last May. And is now he's still living at home. He was going to get an apartment. And I said, do not do that Gus. Like yeah, mom and dad are not charging you rent right now. Like there's groceries always. You can you have the freedom like you're living a lot like just stay. And so he's living at home right now. He coaches volleyball and like works at a coffee shop. And I think he's deciding kind of if he wants to go to school next year or what that looks like. But yeah, that was that was completely out of the blue from Gus. I honest like I did not see that coming. And so I think it was really touching for me to see. And then just like watching him blossom throughout the past year has been really cool. That's so what's it like to have like roughly four million adopted sisters and brothers? Yeah, I know that there are a ton of people who declared your dad their new dad. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I have always felt very lucky like my dad and I are very close and I've always felt very lucky for my parents and for just my relationship with them and my family. But I think after last fall seeing how many people were like I lost my parents to Fox News or watching you and your dad or you and your family like connect like makes me feel hopeful about the family I can have. I really realized how lucky I was and what like a privilege it was. And I still get people commenting like seeing you and your dad's relationship like makes me feel better about the world. And I do not take that lightly. Like I think, you know, I have a responsibility to use my platform for good, but also to like show the normal moment so people can see themselves and find hope in that. And like I think that is a really cool thing. Oh, I have one maybe final question for you. Yeah. Before Tim tells us all the buy hoodies. Yeah, it's coming. Get your merch. Get your merch. This was this was this is coming from my wife. When I told her, yeah, we're booked. We're going to talk to Hope Alley. She said, when is she going to run for something so I can vote for her? Oh, that was going to be my question. You got a damn. Yeah. I so this is I'm stealing a saying from my dad. He goes never say no to a job you haven't been offered yet. Because initially I'm like, fuck no, absolutely not. Why why would I ever do that? But I think if my life takes me to a place where I think I'd be the best person for a certain physician or job, like I would potentially do it. I'm very much figuring out kind of how I want to use my platform still. And I kind of like the flexibility and power I hold in having my own platform in the voice I can have with that and not really being, you know, held back or constrained by anything. And especially now like now that my dad's not running again, watch that. I was going to say, are we getting going to get the unfiltered version? Yeah. And I think you've already seen that from my dad a little bit as well. And like I think that's a cool opportunity for us. And so I'm excited to see what I can do with the platform I have. And I'm hoping to continue to grow. But I think if you know, something comes up in the future, I would think about it. I also would think about working on a campaign and inefficient capacity. So we'll see. I think the goal for me coming off the past year is how do we make the future look more like this versus this looking more like the past, right? Yeah. Because this thing where you got to be vetted and you have to go to this school and this school and this school before you can be this cardboard cut out fucking politician. Nobody likes it. Nobody like on the other side. Nobody likes it. They want authenticity. You've been vetted since you were you were three or whatever. You know, so you know, at least that part's already done. So well, we will we will gleefully welcome you into the political world with open arms if the opportunity or hope you are you are old enough to be a member of Congress. If you. Yeah. So I turned 25 on Friday. I could run for governor of Minnesota. Someone told me. Go. There you go. I wouldn't say you should do it. I'm like, what's our but like I think maybe the next. No, no, no, no, no, no. Well, before we get to me, Hawking shit, where could people follow you if they want to? Yeah. Yeah. I'm on Instagram just at my name. Tiktok just at my name. I'm have a goal of starting to post on YouTube this year. It's also just at my name. And I have blue sky. I think it's just like hope, dash walls. What else? I think that's mostly it. And I'm, you know, I'm excited about this coming year. I think I'll have some different opportunities come up. So that'll be good. Excellent. Excellent. Well, hope. Sorry. Oh, go ahead. Take hope walls on blue sky. You didn't put a dash in. No, maybe I should really know this. Now I'm trying to find my way. And the least influencer influencer ever. I'm like, I don't even know my handles. Even over half a million on TikTok. Yeah, I do. Which is like bizarre to think about. Yeah. Well, I mean, it shows what an effect that your family had on the country in 24. I have to, I was going to say last year and I can't do that anymore. I know, right? It's crazy. But like, I think it really does show like, look, like, you know, we did lose that election. But like, it was very close. It was basically 50, 50. So tens of millions of people were really, really excited about your dad and seeing your family and the authentic dynamic that you guys have. So like, I am not surprised that you have that many. But with that, I just, I want to thank you and I want to thank your, your dad and your family for putting up with the country and going through this, which is not an easy thing to do. And I think you guys all handled it, you know, with grace, you could have done what the other side's kids do, which is basically screaming yell and try to hawk stupid bullshit that nobody wants to buy, except they want to get access to the president. But I think you guys showed what it, like the, the ideal family should be. And we really appreciate it. We really hope you see you, you guys as a model and also step up. And then I'm going to do the worst pivot of all time. Oh boy. Yeah. It's cold outside, guys. It's cold outside. Rich, you got something snugly. You know, I'm going on. I'm almost getting hot. Ever since we started talking about he had a drive, or I'm like, I got to take some layers off. We're getting hot bothered. So guys, and, and, and, and I get a comment on it actually earlier today. They're like, oh, that's your problem. Oh, you did. Well, I have to say, when I don't pitch it, the sales go down. So I have to come back and say, please buy our merchandise are made in America union printed merchandise. And you can get it at findoutpodcast.com. And also get a membership at, at Substack, which is, oh my god, findoutpodcast.substack.com. You got a, well, dot biz. What is it? Oh, yeah. CompuServe. No, findoutpodcast.substack.com. Also our YouTube channel. And also we're getting close to making some big announcements about our new shows that are coming. And the official launch of our company findout media. So that's in a couple weeks. So stay tuned for that. But until then, hope. Thank you again. We really appreciate you taking all the time. And maybe we'll get your dad on sometime. I would love to, I want to, I want to interview the unleashed governor wall. God, I would sell my soul for a get fucked from Tim Walls. I hope so. Do you know that joke? That's Luke's catchphrase if you didn't know it. Yes. Okay. Just checking. Not that we just want him to say that. There's a reason for it. But anyway, so thank you. Thank you to your family. And best of luck with everything. And I'm sure we'll be in touch soon. So thanks again.