Happy New Year! Take a minute to ease into 2023 with our Sunday newsletter. Grab a cup of coffee and catch up on what you may have missed from [un]Divided this week.
Barbara Walters
Any woman working in news today will likely list Barbara Walters as an inspiration. There was simply no one like her, and that’s what made her so special. Her interview style managed to be both disarming, yet refreshingly blunt.
Walters died this week at the age of 93.
“Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones,” her spokesperson said. “She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women.”
Walters started her career in national news in 1961, going on to become a co-host for the Today Show in 1974. She later became the first woman to co-anchor an evening news program in 1976.
While in college studying journalism, I read Barbara Walters’ memoir, Audition. I had hoped to find some tips about succeeding in the industry – but also wound up learning a lesson about myself that still drives me today.
In the book, Walters shared lessons and wisdom from some of the many notable interviews she did throughout the years. Presidents, foreign leaders, celebrities.
Among them was an interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger for her 1990 Oscar Night Special.
Walters asked Schwarzenegger about his upbringing in Austria. His family lived in abject poverty – no indoor plumbing, no refrigerator. Of course, the man sitting before her in 1990 was in a much different station in life. He had gone on to become a worldwide celebrity and married into one of America’s most prestigious families – the Kennedys.
“What makes one man a champion and the other one not?” Walters asked.
“It’s drive. It’s the will,” he said. “When you grow up comfortably – in comfort, and peace and happiness – that will produce a very balanced person and a good person, but it will not create the will, the determination, and the hunger you need to be the best in the world.”
There is a reason Walters chose to share that moment in her book. It goes back to the title, Audition. Walters felt that her entire life – from childhood to adulthood – had been one big audition. She was forced to prove herself every step of the way, often unfairly. If it weren’t for her will and determination, she may not have become one of the best in the world.
Back in 2010, I ripped that page out of her book, folded it up, and put it inside a locket my mom gave me. I still have it today – a reminder that the hardships we face don’t have to hold us back. Quite the contrary. They can strengthen us and give us the motivation we need to succeed.
Resolutions
Ah yes, that age-old tradition, ringing in the New Year with a new list of commitments (or perhaps a list of old ones you never made good on).
While I rarely follow through on resolutions, it never hurts to take a minute to remind yourself of your goals and priorities. As for me, here’s what I hope to accomplish in 2023.
- Be more available. My friends and family will tell you I’m not the fastest texter-backer. It’s something I need to work on. I also want to work on making more time to see the people I love – whether it’s travelling back home to Minnesota or simply seeing a friend for dinner. Work will always be there, friends and family might not.
- Have fun planning my wedding (no bridezilla appearances) and keep the budget in check.
- Keep the weight loss going. I’ve lost a good chunk of my COVID weight over the past two months. 15 more pounds to go!
- Keep growing [un]Divided and work toward daily episodes and expanded content.
- Get outdoors more. There are way too many wonderful hikes and views I’ve yet to experience here. No time like the present! Plus, it would help me fulfill another goal of mine: spend more time with my pups.
Share your resolutions for the New Year in the comments below.
Push for accountability
This week on the podcast, I renewed the call for Democrats in Washington state to seek the resignation of Representative-elect Clyde Shavers. With all the media attention around Congressman-elect George Santos (R) in New York, I think it's only fitting that there be some moral consistency.
I will admit, Santos has just about everyone else beat on the depth of his dishonesty. He worked for Godman Sachs, he graduated from college, he's biracial, he's Jewish, his mom died on 9/11. Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.
While the lies told by Shavers may seem tame in comparison, they are undeniably serious. Shavers, who unseated Republican Greg Gilday in Washington's 10th Legislative District in November, lied about being an attorney (he never passed the bar) and inflated his military service (claimed to have worked aboard a nuclear submarine).
Many commenters this week pointed out that purging liars from politics would be an arduous task, given how much dishonesty we've become accustomed to. While true, the dishonesty of Santos and Shavers is beyond the norm.
Any political candidate who runs for office on material falsehoods should be disqualified. Their political party should not factor into the decision-making process.
I urge you, if you feel inclined, to reach out to Democratic leadership in Olympia and kindly urge them to have moral clarity on this issue. Please keep any emails respectful and to the point.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins: Send a message here.
Senate Leader Andy Billig: [email protected]
Governor Jay Inslee: Send a message here.
Lt. Governor Denny Heck: [email protected]
Housekeeping
None.
Again, Happy New Year and thank you for your commitment to giving common sense a comeback! Have a great week.
