VP Kamala Harris Speaks Freely After the White House

Today, I'm sitting down with former Madam Vice President Kamala Harris. When we first talked in 2023, our conversation centered on Black maternal health, reproductive rights, and why elections matter. Since then, she ran for president, lost an election that would have made history, and began figuring out what comes next. Now, she's campaigning for Democratic candidates ahead of the midterms, while questions about her own political future are getting louder. And for me, these questions hit close to home. I'm a Black woman, a millennial, a business owner, and a working single mom trying to build a life and future for my son. I want to talk about the questions shaping this moment. How much everything costs, whether our rights are protected, whether our voices are heard, and whether showing up still makes a difference. So I want to know, after everything that has happened, what does Madam Vice President Kamala Harris believe now about the country? Her party? And herself? What does she think needs to change? And what does any of it mean for people trying to build their lives right now? And yes, we're going to ask the question everybody wants answered. Is she running for president again? We've got a lot to catch up on. So let's get into it. Because baby, this is Geeky Bomber. No matter what we're doing in the car, just chilling. Pop on Amazon Music, sit back and listen. Life, love, sex, science. We're covering it all. Especially the bad, because money always evolves. No matter what it is, we're going to make it make sense. There's nothing else to do but kick it with the homies and kids. So grab you a drink and a snack you enjoy. And get into the vibe that only focus is on. You know it's your girl. Baby, this is, this is Geeky. Baby, this is Geeky Bomber, yeah. Today's episode is brought to you by Apple Watch. We spend so much time checking in on everybody else. But when's the last time? When's the last time? When's the last time you checked in on your heart? Apple Watch Series 12 has an all-new health sensing system that unlocks even more powerful health insights. In health, heart is everything. Now, let's get into today's show. Come on out, Madam BP. Hello. Hi. Always so good to see you. Hi, honey. How are you? I'm very well. Oh, I'm very well. Oh, it's so good to see you. So good to see you. Look at the studio. I know, it's right. I mean, last time I was here. I was at your building, in your house. That's exactly right. We've got a couple of upgrades over here at Baby, this is Geeky Bomber. Really, this is beautiful. This is incredible. And we did an extra razzle-dazzle for you, of course. Hello. I'm very impressed. Yes. And thank you. And congratulations on all your success and your leadership. Thank you so much. Really. You know, it always means so much when I get that no-caller ID. And I'm like, oh, this must be Madam VP. I got to answer. You know what I mean? I thank you so much for the birthday wish. Of course. And just for always how you're checking in. It really does mean a lot. Of course. It really does. I'm glad we get to have another sit-down. Me too. Yeah. Me too. How's Leo doing? And to share with the audience, Leo is good, getting big as ever. He wanted to come out here, but he makes too much noise. Oh, but that's good. That's good. That's healthy. But I'm going to have him come out when we're done so he can see you. You brought the baby to the White House to visit me. I remember. I remember. That was crazy. That was beautiful. And he's like a little egg in that picture. Uh-huh. Too funny. Uh-huh. Have you been? You've been traveling? I'm very well. I'm very well. I've been traveling, trying to get everybody out for the midterms. Yeah. Yeah. You know, make sure everybody knows the power of their vote. That's right. That's so important. And where were you just? You said you were in Michigan. I was in Michigan. I know you were excited to go talk to some students. I talked to young people. There was one event that is a continuation of a conversation you and I have been having for years around maternal health. Yes. And talking with, I was at, there's this place in Detroit. It's the Detroit Birth Center. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. And what they're doing is it's a model of the idea that we need to have community-based facilities as birthing centers for women. Yeah. So they can be in their own community, being treated in a community that understands and respects them and gives them the dignity they deserve. And so I was visiting with them and, you know, talking about just the work that we still have to do. I mean, Kiki, it's still the case. You and I have talked about this for so long. We talk about it a lot. And I always, you know, I remember. We were talking, we were offline somewhere talking and you were like, you know, it's different when little Johnny is six and when little Johnny becomes little Johnny that's about to serve five to ten. That's right. And it starts with the mother. And I think sometimes, I don't know, you know, how seriously people took it, but immediately, especially because I was becoming a new mother at that time and I was dealing with postpartum and all the things that come with being a new mom and realizing the blessings that I have, having the resources that I have and starting working so young and then realizing, how that is a disadvantage of those that don't have that access. So, you know, it's like you hate, you hate the baby and you hate the mama and you don't support the mama to support the best outcome for the baby. Like Tupac talked about. Like Tupac, come on, it's the Tupac Shakur of it all. That's right. That's right. And so I've always been really just affected by that. Yeah. And all the work that we can do there. I think part of the issue is, one, you know, society tends to judge so harshly. Parents and mothers. And in my experience, the vast majority of parents have a natural desire to parent their children well. Yeah. But in some cases, they don't necessarily have the skills or the resources. But it doesn't mean they don't love their children. Come on, save it, Isaiah. And so what do we need to do? Let's support their natural desire by making sure that we create support systems so that they don't have to try and figure it out on their own. Yeah. And that's part of the work we've done. Part of the work has been about saying, you know, look, to have healthy families, you cannot take care of the child without taking care of the context in which that child is being raised. And, you know, it is the idea that we would know what to do and we're going to judge that parent as though you're going to swoop in and take that child. No. We have to help the child in the context of the family in which that child is being raised. That's right. Right? And understand, like you said, the whole. The whole bit about them being within their communities. That's right. Understand the community that you are observing. That's right. What you deem as something is actually sometimes cultural remnants. But that's. It's lineage. That's right. You know, it's the architecture of those people. So I know we'll get into some more of that. I always like to start the show with a little pre-show pull-up. Because I got to catch up with how things are now that you're a private citizen again. What is one thing you are enjoying more than you expected? I am enjoying. I am enjoying sleep. I bet. I mean, let me tell you. I think it's really. The importance of a good night's sleep is highly undervalued. It is. It is really important. It can honestly drive you crazy if you're not getting enough sleep. Okay. I know you love to cook. Yes. If you could cook for anybody living or dead, who would it be and what would you make them? Oh. Well, you know, it's just going to make me emotional. My mother passed years ago. I would cook for her. You know? Oh, my gosh. Was there something that she loved that you made? Well, you know, my mother was a very, very good cook. Ooh. And when I was very young, my mother looked at me and she said, Kamala, you like to eat good food. You need to learn how to cook. Right. And so I learned how to cook from my mother. And she, as she was getting, you know, as she was getting sick, she had cancer. She really loved for me to cook for her. And it was anything from, like, this pocketbook. Yeah. And this pasta that I make to just, like, soups and. Yeah. Whatever y'all had the feeling for. Yeah, that's exactly right. I love it. And it's about the smell and the taste. And I think there's something so special about the gift you can give somebody that you care about that is about a good meal. And then, you know, and there's nothing like sitting down at a table and somebody to sit down. I'll bring you a plate. There is nothing. And you can talk about all the fancy things that we have done. Yeah. And all the fancy things. All the fancy rooms and the lovely people who want to make our life easier. But having a home-cooked meal by someone that loves you. Okay. And you sit down at the table and they bring you a plate. There is nothing in the world like that. It's so true. That's how I feel with everyone, with my dad. Right. My dad is such a good cook. My mom, however. Uh-huh. No. Your perfect day when there's nothing on your schedule. Are you a walker? Are you in your house? Doug and I love to take walks, so we definitely take walks together. You know, back to the thing, I will be, like, Sunday. Sundays, I try to have clear as much as possible. Sunday family dinner is just non-negotiable for me. Yeah. And so, starting out by taking a walk and then coming back and cooking. I mean, you know what I've been doing recently is Pilates. Ah! So funny you'd mention that. Tell me. We'd love to have you in Palm City over practice by Palmer. You know I am a Pilates instructor. I did not know that. Are you serious? Yes. Seriously. Like, doing all the things. Yes, Cora. Right. Oh, yeah. That powerhouse was powerhousing. So, do you like the mat or do you like the reformer? I like the reformer. Yeah. The reformer's really fun and it really feels like you're really getting into it. Yeah, it is. But the mat, as I started to say, is really fun. to study, the mat became my end-all, be-all. Because I could just do it from anywhere. Everywhere, right. You can't beat that. Do you take the ring with you? I have the ring. I have some toning balls. So when you're traveling, do you take the ring? I do. And you have the mat? Yep, I have the mat. Sometimes I bring my mat. Sometimes I don't. You know, I just lay a towel out in the hotel. There was a period of time where I was rolling around that mat with me everywhere. I said, Kiki, come on now, in the airport. You just put the towel down. Yeah, I just put the towel down in the hotel and call it a day. But I like the fitness circle and I like toning balls. But then sometimes I just like the body. I also like bands, too. Put a little band above the knee. Right. Yes, I did that. You know, just to give a little resistance. And then, oh, that will hurt. Girl. And get some spots that you didn't know that you needed to get. But that's the thing. Yeah. That you realize you've got all these muscles that you otherwise do not use. It's so true. Do you feel like with Pilates, and I say this because I feel like people don't understand how much of what you do in Pilates transfers to life has supported you at all? Yeah. Like just the control. There's so much that happens when you're in these different positions in the repertoire that require you to be more adaptable, that allow you to reflect on your thoughts. I'm curious if with all that you're managing, has there been any support there for you? But yes. And you're exactly right. That's exactly what happens. Because also, I mean, I mentor a lot of people. And there's so much about empowerment that is about knowing your strength and recognizing it. Right? Yes. So we all have strength. But sometimes the issue between actually, you know, demonstrating it is just being aware of it. Yeah. And there's something about physical strength that is connected to that. Yes. And doing Pilates. I mean, I'm just realizing that, you know, there are all of these muscles and areas that I have not been exercising. And there is something that translates into just an overall feeling of well-being. Yeah. Yeah. It like really impacts and changes. Yeah. It changes your posture. Especially when you get it out of the whole thing of I need a six-pack per se. Like, no, I just want to be in my body. I just want to be in my body. That's right. Okay. If Doug, Cole, and Ella had to agree on your most annoying habit, what would they say? Voicemail messages. Don't tell me you give it 20 minutes. No, I just, but I leave voicemail messages. And nobody does these days. Right. I left you one. I got one. I saved mine. Right? But nobody does. So they want me to text. And I call. I like to call. Yes. I want to hear people's voice. And so, you know, they want, especially the kids, they want, you know, a text. Yeah. But I call. I love that. Come on. It's the little voice note or the voicemail. Okay. The one thing that you are, and maybe you're not the word that I'm about to say, but if you are, let us know. The one thing you're surprisingly competitive about. Oh, I don't think any of it would be surprising. I'm serious. I'm serious at Monopoly. Oh, I mean, if we're, you know. If we're playing games, you know, whether it be cards or I recently, I said to Doug, let's, I, my, my uncle Sherman, when we were kids said to my sister, Maya and me, I'm going to teach you girls how to play chess because the world is like a chess board and, and all the different moves and you need to, to understand how these things work in life. Yeah. Yeah. And so recently I said to Doug, let's start playing chess together. Oh. And so the competitive side of both he and I just came out in full, full color. It's also a long game. It's a long game. It's serious. But, and also it is a, it's a thinking game because you have to think about your third step before you take your first step. And then when it becomes obvious that you took, you misstepped. Yes. Then, and, and when your opponent sees it, that's, that can be so frustrating. Yeah. Because they'd be like. Uh-huh, uh-huh. Start laughing and stuff. Right. Why don't you laugh in it? Like, because they saw, they were like, I saw that coming a mile away. But then sometimes it's a mind game. I used to do that to people with chess. Can't believe you just did that. Uh-huh. They did nothing. Right. But you just want to get them off their feet a little bit. Right, exactly. You ever played spades? Of course. Yes! You ever played bit whiz? No, I need to get on that. Oh, you really? That's the OGs. My daddy taught me that, Chad. Uh-huh. But the spades, girl. Yes, I know. We had a spades party ready to go in. It's so fun. It's a lot of fun. I feel like spades hasn't really gotten its universal credentials, but it's like, it's one of those ones. But I love, listen, I love a card game. Yes. A good card game. I mean, you can play it all night. Ah, the best parties. Mm-hmm. Okay, if you could permanently delete one chore from your life, what would it be? Oh, yeah. If there is one, you might be somebody that said, I love it. Washing dishes. You still do it. I'd like a clean kitchen. Maybe that's. That's the thing that annoys everybody. Like, I do not want to wake up in the morning to a dirty kitchen. It's hard to do that, yeah. I do not like leaving dishes in the sink at all. No. Put it in the dishwasher or wash it. Yeah. I can be like that, but it got to the point where it would just be me doing, keep on doing it. But that's why if I could eliminate it, I would. That's exactly why. I see how we've come back around to that. Okay. The last time that you were here, you were the vice president of the United States. What is different, would you say, that you've seen about the Madam Vice President Kamala Harris that I see in front of me today? You know, I've been joking a little bit. I've been on my freedom tour. Come on, freedom tour, yes. There is a freedom that I realize has come with not being in office. Mm-hmm. And with not. Mm-hmm. And with not feeling concerned about the constant, you know, microscope. Yeah. Which parses every word you say in a way that can be very stifling. I'm just, I'm feeling quite unburdened by that at the moment. I can only imagine. Mm-hmm. And it never changes, really, as a public figure. No, it doesn't. But also a public figure with that level of responsibility. Right. It's really insane. And the thing, Kiki, is the awareness, you're right, is natural. It would be foolish not to be aware of the spotlight. Sure. But to the point that it stifles your truth and your expression of truth, that's when it becomes a problem. Right? Yes. Yeah. Yes. There's so much that I want to get on that, but I also wanted to mention this because Mm-hmm. When you were a teenager, you were in a dance group called Midnight Magic. I was. What kind of dancing was Midnight Magic doing? It was called jazz ballet. Come on, jazz ballet. No, we were Midnight Magic. We did, but then, like, we made our own costumes. We sewed our own. So we had, like, these, one costume was this leotard with long sleeves, and then we sewed fringe onto it so that when I would do this. The fringe would go back and forth. Yes. We had to give drama. Midnight Magic. Uh-huh. I love it. Shout out to Midnight Magic. They know who they are. Uh-huh. You've talked about your friend group, the close people that you've had the same friends for a really long time. Yeah. What do they know about you that no one else knows, having seen you grow over the years, obviously? I mean, I think they know that I love very deeply. And I truly love them. And I truly care, you know? And I think that's something that they know and then makes them very protective around, you know, in the arena of politics. Yeah. The kinds of battles you can be in. Yeah. That's very tough on people that you love. Yeah, it can be. Obviously, I've never been in public facing in politics. Yeah. Again, I cannot be remiss not to say that's a different level. Mm-hmm. But even just for me. Being in the public eye, it's hard for our families and friends and loved ones. It is. It is. Is there any preparations that you took to prepare? Because the reason why I say that is because it's hard for somebody not to come out there and be like, stop talking about so-and-so, you know what I mean? But it's like, that'll make you look crazy. Mm-hmm. So was there, you know what I mean? Like, Doug coming out there ready to fight. Well, that did happen once. Doug jumped the stage. Come on, Doug. Doug was in the back of the auditorium. Doug said nothing funny. And I was on the stage. And this fella came on the stage approaching me. Oh, my God. And Doug was in the back of the auditorium, ran down the aisle right down the middle and jumped on the stage. So I guess, so that has happened. Yeah. Yes. But, you know, one of the things that I say to my family, starting with him, do not, don't read the comments. Yeah. Don't read the comments. Like, you know. And you got to be aware enough of how, you know, the work you are doing is impacting people. But sometimes, depending on the outlet, the comments are not, you know, they're not actually authentic in terms of constructive criticism when it is critical. Yes. That's so important. I think that's important for anybody to take away when it comes to online and comments, whether they're an entertainer or they're just somebody online. It's really important to know that it is a difference between constructive criticism and people just talking. And being mean. Yeah. You know, I made a decision a long time ago, at least in my personal life, to really, it's Start to minimize any relationship that is close with anyone who's mean. I just decided I don't want to be, if I can avoid it, around mean people. I imagine that has a lot to do why you've reached so many of your goals. Yeah. Your whole career has been structured around the next thing, the next case, the next race, the next office, the next responsibility. Now there's not necessarily a title telling you what comes next. Do you still feel that tug coming at you or figuring out what you want? Or is that just who you are still? Kiki, the one thing I can tell you, I don't know how to live a life that is not about service. I just don't. I don't. And I wanted to serve, which is why I ran. Yeah. Yeah. And the desire to serve. The desire to serve is still very much in me. I mean, that's why I'm traveling the country to talk with people about the midterms or to elevate certain issues such as those we've discussed. Yeah. I don't know how to live a life that is other than trying to use the gifts God has given me, the platform I have, to lift people up. Yeah. What do you think that that. gift is and I only ask it because I'm always talking about this especially when you know I'm talking to students or people that are creative identifying the function that allows you to serve because I think that all human beings actually you know want to be of service I think it makes us all happy yeah it doesn't necessarily mean being a public servant or you know being charitable but it's like just having a valuable contribution right what would you say you realize was your greatest function to be able to be of service like what would you say it was communication or organizing what would you say let you know and then you decided to put it in being a public servant I think a lot of it had to do with my desire to protect those who are vulnerable or voiceless you know so from the first you know that's one of the reasons I wanted to go to law school my heroes were you know among Thurgood Marshall the people who fought for civil rights in the courtroom yeah to lift up the voices of those in the street right yeah and the work that I did as a prosecutor was focused on crimes against women and children again to give them a voice and to and to give them power in a dynamic that was um denying their power right yeah I mean you you know like you said earlier with the freedom tour of it all you can speak more freely to things that you maybe couldn't have before when you were in you know office going for the campaign um but since then you've been campaigning ahead of the midterms and supportive Democrats what are you saying now more directly that you feel like you weren't able to say then I mean look one of the things I've been talking about is um you know there's this Supreme Court decision that came down um it's called the Calais decision which basically gutted killed the Voting Rights Act which was designed to protect people's rights to have access to the ballot and to vote and since that decision you've seen in particular in the South all these states that are basically depriving people of their ability to have representation um it is estimated that for example you know the Congressional Black Caucus that as many as one-third of them are going to lose their seats because of what has just happened and which means not only certain office holders are going to lose their seat but the voices they represent are going to lose their voice right and we're going to lose their voice and we're going to lose their voice right and we're going to lose their voice in Congress so my work has been about saying we gotta we gotta fight for these issues and we have to call it what it is so part of what I've been talking about is that that decision basically they said well you know it's politics it's okay if they redistrict around race because it's just politics no and so what I've been saying because it is what I absolutely believe no they have backdoored racism through the door of politics and we have to call it what it is they're going back to a Jim Crow South on the issue of voting and you know so the the folks on the other side want to criticize me for saying that I don't care I don't care because I'm calling it what it is because of that decision it is estimated we could lose as many as 200 state black legislators in the South and so I'm going and I'm talking with folks most recently uh you know one of the places I was was Louisiana I'm talking about how we need to be transactional voters meaning let's not only vote because we honor the ancestors and those who lost blood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge but let's vote also because we expect to get something out of it and so I am saying to large groups of people so when you vote yes we will honor the ancestors knowing that they died and fought for our right to vote but we also are going to let everybody know we expect to get something for our vote that relates to the health care we can't afford the child care we can't afford the housing we can't afford it seems like we are up against so much from you who the people all the different people that's in charge we can say we want something but then everything keeps getting backdoored like what is it that actually can be changed today in this moment it feels as if it's the avalanche of stuff that we won't feel the re you know the the the success of of you know three years from now when everything is getting gone like within the snap of a finger on the first Tuesday in November the midterms are going to happen and our ability to put people in Congress who will say no when they do things like cut one trillion dollars out of Medicaid will be powerful and affect people right away our ability to put people in Congress who will say enough of the corruption enough of ending the the the funding for research on issues like fibroids which they have done under the guise of attacking dei can be stopped there are things that are not only about what will be helpful but also stopping what is harmful that we can do right away with these midterm elections it is so important you know one has to ask why are they going through such effort to make it so difficult for people to vote the answer is pretty straightforward in my mind it's because they know your power and they're afraid of it they're afraid of the power of the people when they vote and so let's know let's look at the other side of that they know our power show them our power I believe when you feel powerless you are powerless when you feel powerful you are powerful and we are powerful so look on this election they're cheating sometimes to even think about that I had to think about that when everything happened with this last time you know what I'm saying when we lost out there was what makes people make the decisions that they make and I had to come to myself and say well it's hard to think straight when you hungry it's hard to think about some of these things when you don't when you can't pay your bills it doesn't matter if you're black white gray straight trans anything universally we all connect to some things that as humages we're all human beings that we all agree on when you think about the Democratic Party I had to ask myself this what do you think that they missed in all of that well let me just unpack a little bit of what you're saying part of the what happens is in the dynamic is when folks are so rightly concerned with getting through the week and the month to pay their rent to to child care in many places is as if not in some places more expensive than rent housing so you're right people are so not just overwhelmed but but they're literally trying to survive but one has to ask isn't it convenient for them to cut the funding for all these kinds of things that is about helping people get through the week in the month sending America into a war nobody wanted so that the gas prices are more than people can afford to and to get to work what they're doing with these these random tariffs which is basically a tax on working people so that they can't afford the kind of food and and and regular everyday items that they need because they're so much more expensive but here's here's my point so while we are then so many people overwhelmed by the reality of daily life that's a good way to distract people from the fact that they are corrupt that they are making billions of dollars that they are giving tax breaks to the richest people because who has time to focus on the corruption if you can't pay for groceries and gas yeah and that that's that's that's where i struggle as a person you know in just that cares about connection and it cares about us moving forward is i don't that is my issue is where do we help the destabilized stabilize enough to be able to make conscious decisions what is the work that the party is doing that can be done in in this way that can actually bring people to a point where they feel calm enough, supported enough to be able to even make these decisions. And it sounds crazy, right? Because you would expect people to say, well, hell, you know, I got, of course I got to vote. And of course I got to do it. This is obvious thing that I should do. But we have been so deprived. The country is so deprived. The middle class is so unseen. It's so divided. We're being so demoralized, dehumanized, that people cannot even see, like, like, I'll say this, that just caring about somebody else seems like something only the rich can do. I believe that there is so much that is happening right now that is in many ways designed to make people feel hopeless and isolated and alone and powerless and it is to actually create a path for them to do the kind of corrupt, unconscionable things that they are doing. And what, you know, in the elections, look, when you look at the elections coming up, there are a lot of good people running and they're running for local offices statewide, as well as congressional offices in the House and in the Senate who are committed to raising benefits for people around child care. Putting back in place the work that we did around cutting the cost of premiums for health care. Putting in place very smart legislation around what we need to do to bring down the cost of housing. So there are people who are doing that and running for those offices. And I think it's important that all of us actually try and just pay attention to the power that we have to determine who's in Congress right now as a way to put a backstop over an administration that is cutting services across the board that help people in their everyday lives. I want to talk about some of the things that you did as a vice president. You helped advance major economic and climate legislation and led work, obviously, like we've been talking with the Maternal Health, Reproductive Freedom. And I just want to read some of those things out. I mean, you had a 33 tie-breaking Senate votes, you know, the most by any vice president. Consequential votes included passage of the Inflation Reduction Act with major climate prescription drug and corporate tax provisions. On maternal health, you launched the White House Maternal Health Blueprint, promoted 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage, and supported federal maternal health investments. After Dobbs, you became the administration's most visible advocate for reproductive freedom, oversaw the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, helped implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. And obviously, as a vice president, you know, you can advise, advocate, oversee assigned initiatives, and cast tie-breaking Senate votes. But you cannot independently enact legislation to overrule the president. I want to know from you, out of the things that you did, what are the things that people can see and reflect that they benefited on today? And I also want to know from you, how badly did you feel that your hands were tied in that position? Baby, this is Kiki Palmer, yeah. This message is a production of Iowa Public Television. This is a paid partnership with Apple Watch. Our heart can tell us a lot about our health. And most of us are just out here ignoring it like an unread text from someone who's right. I've learned that one of the best indicators of how you're really doing is your heart. Apple Watch Series 12 has the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable. And the readiness score gives you one simple number every morning that says, yes, go conquer, or maybe sit this one down. It pulls from your recent activity. Your vitality. Your sleep. And it adjusts throughout the day. So you know when to push and when to pull back. Oh, and the Vitals app now tracks HRV, or heart rate variability, which is basically your body's inside scoop on stress and recovery. And you can check Vitals day or night to catch shifts in your health status before they even think about becoming a whole thing. And that's on self-care, honey. Your heart tells the story of your health. And with Apple Watch Series 12, you can understand it. Better than ever. Visit apple.com slash applewatchseries12 to learn more. The features described are for wellness purposes only and not for medical use. iPhone 11 or later required. Heart rate accuracy based on Apple conducted study August 2026. Visit apple.com slash HR accuracy. I've been scrolling Airbnb planning Thanksgiving, and I already know I want to take the family somewhere instead of hosting at home this year. I'm thinking Hudson Valley Orchards. Farm today. Table restaurants. Maybe a cider tasting that turns into a whole afternoon. I want to hit a local market the morning of and get everything fresh. Find a bakery for the pies, because let's be clear, I do not bake. I perform other talents. Walk through town after dinner when everyone's too full to function but too happy to go inside. And then we'll come back to the cozy home at the end of the night to relax, get comfy, and of course, enjoy those leftovers at midnight. That's what I love about booking trips. With Airbnb, you get the comforts of home while exploring new neighborhood, discovering local gyms, and living your best life. If a cozy holiday getaway is in your future, plan your next family gathering with Airbnb. So we did a lot of good work. And I mean, for example, you talked about the Medicaid piece. The majority of maternal health. The majority of maternal health care in America is funded through Medicaid. When I became vice president, I realized that in only three states had they extended Medicaid coverage for postpartum care beyond 60 days. So when I became vice president, I basically embarked on a campaign of shame to shame the states that didn't do it. And as of today. Every state in the union has now extended Medicaid coverage for postpartum care from 60 days to 12 months with the exception of Arkansas. The work that we did in terms of job creation, you know, one of the big areas of focus for me was economic opportunity focused on our entrepreneurs and small businesses and increasing the capacity of community banks. Yeah. To give loans to help people start a business. To give loans to help people start a business and grow a business. We had a lot of success. We raised billions of dollars to do that. The work that we did around, you know, for example, foreign policy, I focused a lot of my resources on what we needed to do to change the narrative between the relationship between America and the continent of Africa. It raised billions of dollars of investment, understanding that the median age on the continent is 19, and by 2050, one in four people on Earth will be on that continent, and so we need to think about partnership in addition to aid. So, there was a lot of good work that we did and a lot of good work that I was able to do and lead. The work that we did and that I did on voting rights, for example, to strengthen what we could do around protections there. Listen, being vice president is being number two. It's not being number one. It was difficult. It was difficult in that way because I've always been number one until then, except when I was in the Senate, and, you know, that's a whole different kind of job. It's a different version of leadership. Yeah, it is a different version of leadership. I mean, when I was in the Senate, I represented one in eight Americans as the senator from California and only the second black woman ever elected to the United States Senate. But there's good work that I'm very proud that we have accomplished and that I led on. Was there ever a moment where you thought to yourself, should I have taken on this role as the VP? No, I was and continue to be very well aware of all the people who charted a path for me to have the distinction of being the highest elected woman in the history of America. I think about my mentor who I never met, Shirley Chisholm. I think about all of those people who fought for and imagined a day that someone like me would be in the White House as vice president. And it was an honor and a weight of duty of recognition that I proudly carried. what could the democrats do if they win the house or senate like what would it require a democratic president to get things back on track you're up against a lot well let's start with congress because look as far as i'm concerned 2028 doesn't matter if we don't win 2026 okay and so you know i'm a big believer and you got to focus on the thing in front of you instead of just focusing on the thing out there because if you focus the thing on there too much you're going to trip over the thing in front of you that's so real though you know i know it is yeah you can't focus always on the big picture you can be zoomed out but the present matters it matters very much because it also you have to center yourself in what are you able to do right now not what i'm going to do yeah you know yeah um and the work that we can do about winning back the house in the senate is going to be on a number of things for example i believe that we need to expand the supreme court we need more justices on the supreme court so that we can have a court that actually reinforces the spirit and principles behind the constitution of the united states i believe that we should be pushing for what is possible around changing the electoral college i right because what's what's going on well it's about you know the popular vote has to matter right um those are the things that make people feel like overwhelmed and and does their vote matter yes um i we have you know listen if if the folks there want it we should be pushing for statehood for puerto rico and dc right these are some of the things that are structural that we need to do but we need to we need to re-establish affordable child care um this administration has turned back the curtain on what obamacare was was able to do cutting the premiums for millions of americans who are now falling out of their insurance which means what taxpayers are going to be paying more money because those folks when they are in a dire straits are going to get their health care through the the emergency room which is much more expensive yeah when we take back control then we can put back in place a step toward getting the john lewis voting rights act passed there's work to be done yeah you've said before that ultimately it comes down to elections and you mentioned it just here before you know moments ago in the conversation of course we know people die for our right to vote but honoring that history doesn't mean just giving a blank check right so what should people expect from candidates what should they be looking out for you know how should they hold elected leaders accountable so part of it is showing up and letting those elected leaders know that we're present and we're watching and and then articulating our needs right and and whether that means attending a town hall whether that means going to a campaign office and letting them know why you're there and what you're requiring um but it is also about organizing around community you know the reality kiki and politics i'm just going to be very straightforward about this is that the constituencies that get um attention are the big check writers and the constituencies or the constituencies that turn out in big numbers to vote oh they vote i better go there and listen to what they're saying and that's a lot of how this thing works and so being present having town halls being active in in where in our church in our in our in our community whatever non-profit we're associated with and and organizing around what we are demanding of the candidates who are running for office and then taking a look at what they stand for and voting consistent with what we need what do you think that they can demand from the parties you know i ask because sometimes you know we speak about the constituent constituents and different things like that there can feel like this fragmented let's do the young people let's do the young people let's do the young people let's do the young people let's let's take care of who we already have let's look for the this group and that group in that group that actually kind of works against the reality that we all having problems with rent groceries gas health care crazy expenses across the board it affects us all regardless of what subgroup we're a part of so when it comes to looking at a party which hey everybody doesn't identify specifically with a party yeah but we know the name of the game when it comes to these parties what can we expect for them when they when when they say this is our person and we're out there and we're talking how can we you get what i'm saying expect them to actually i i think it right i think right now it's important to focus on the candidates and do they speak to you and are they reflective of the community that they want to represent that that's where i would put the attention yeah because that is how we are going to actually influence how politics moves forward right who are the people in office who reflect our values who are or fighting for our needs who understand our dreams and our hopes as well as our fears and stand up for us yeah right i mean i think it's important to to to look at candidates and and figure out you know it are they looking in the mirror more than they're looking at the people yeah i think that's a fair standard yeah among many during the campaign you warned people you know what you believe you know what you believe another trump presidency would be like um what of those things that you said do you believe came true um all of it let's talk about that and obviously if there's anything that you feel that you may be wrong about or that you know um that you hadn't anticipated you know share that too well what i had not anticipated was the capitulation what i'd not anticipated capitulation yes i'm going to explain that the the number of powerful people who have stood quietly by in the face of what they know to be um corruption and and and um behavior and and approaches that are contrary to the best interest of our country um the the powerful people who you know bend the knee at the foot of a tyrant i hadn't anticipated that that was going to happen to the degree it has. You know, I've come to realize that there are some people, and in particular among some of the most powerful, who are purely transactional, Kiki. Purely transactional. They're not pretending to be guided by what's morally right or what's value-based or what's principled. They're in it to get what they can get out of it. Yeah. They're in it to get theirs. I'm going to get mine. When it stops producing for me, I'll move on. And that is part of what we have seen. And I didn't see that coming to the extent that we've seen it happen. I have to admit. But that's why I'm also saying about, well, I think folks should be transactional voters. Get yours. Yeah. Get yours. But don't take yourself out of the game. Don't take yourself out of the game. Because the reality is, to be disappointed, which people have a right to be, there are so many failures of the system. There are so many things about the system that have just not produced for people. And that is a fair point. And I'm not asking anybody to overlook that. There are a lot of things that have worked. But there are many things that have not. But in your disappointment, don't take yourself out of the game by not voting. Because you're then, you're literally, you're being silenced. Yeah, yeah. And this is not a moment where we can afford to be passive. I'm wondering if there's a moment in time, because I'm always, because I get so anxious, I start looking at patterns. Yeah. You know, and that's across the board in any category in my life. And obviously, politics and government history, you know, there's books on those patterns. Yeah, there are. When you think about this time that we're in right now, is there a point of reference that you have? For, you know, you know, Americans to look to as towards the outcome that can happen if not, or the outcome that can happen if we do? I mean, one of the things I do look at, it's, you know, we don't have time for a long discussion about history, but like the 1930s, America, you know, there was a time where America took ourselves out of a conversation. with the rest of the world. We just looked, we looked inwards. It's basically what I have in mind around what we're seeing now is this so-called America first approach by this current administration, which is basically to reject the importance of our friends around the world. Yeah. And the allies, right? And what that means in terms of making America weaker on the global stage. And, you know, you look at it in terms of, for example, the reckless way. That this administration is acting around tariffs and everyone is going to pay. Everyone is paying a price for that at the grocery store. or wherever and and so i do see a historical reference to this moment sometimes we get so desensitized by what we see online too especially if we walk outside our doors depending on who you are where you are you might not see those atrocities right up close but what does it mean for us eventually right if we we don't make this these actions and these choices and we're not paying attention and we're not voting don't want to make you predict something because obviously we're not psychic but where do you see that heading to the person that says well i'm not a mother so maternal health care i'm not i live in america it doesn't matter where the war is going i'm this kind of person that won't really affect me what do you say to that person that feels it doesn't affect it baby this is kiki palma yeah you know how every episode i go deep on whatever i say i'm not paying attention and we're not voting don't want to make you predict something i can't stop thinking about well lately it's been my living room i walked into my local ikea store last week just to look around and left with a whole new vision for my space because here's the thing people don't realize there are hundreds of new products every season new colors new patterns whole new collections i had never seen before it's not just about style for me it's the functionality of it all i found new storage pieces that solve problems i've been ignoring for months plus some design of my own and i've been using them for a long time and i've been using them for a long time updates that made my space feel fresh i feel like every time i go back there's something new waiting for me so if you haven't visited in a while trust me go see what's new discover what's new at ikea shop the latest products in store or online at ikea.us discover new so here's something that genuinely surprised me over 80 of americans are not getting enough omega-3s from food alone 80 that means most of us are walking around with a gap in our nutrition and don't even realize it that's where nordic naturals ultimate omega soft gels come in epa and dha omega-3s support your heart your brain your immune system your eyes your mood these are foundational nutrients that show up everywhere in your body doing important work and most of us are just not getting enough and before you say fish oil no thank you let me stop you nordic naturals has a clean lemon taste plus every batch is thoroughly tested for purity potency and freshness to meet strict international quality standards clean ingredients no drama use promo code nordic n-o-r-d-i-c for 15 off your next order at nordic.com and discover the power of omega-3 with nordic naturals the number one selling omega-3 brand in the u.s supplements are not evaluated by the fda and are not intended to diagnose you treat cure or prevent diseases well i can't tell anybody how they feel i'm not going to do that but i i will say this there are a lot of people who are suffering and even for that person whoever they may be um i have to believe that that person cares about how their neighbor is doing even if they they feel they're okay and um yeah and out of you know out of care and concern for how your neighbor is doing that should compel us to know that that what's happening right now is not good and we have to we have to care about community and neighbors and the neighbor to neighbor approach is probably one of the things that might be missing right now i do fear that that we've reached a point where there's so much distrust not only of government and systems but the distrust that americans have in each other right now it's almost like nobody watched mr rogers and they missed the whole neighbor's bit yeah yeah they really just said to hell with them yeah but we we have the power to to reclaim that and i think it is in all of us i think sometimes people might feel like i what does it matter i don't think i can make a difference and i would say don't let anything that you are feeling or seeing convince you of that yeah because there is so much power even in that neighbor to neighbor approach even i mean here's an example if you're about to do a costco run and you know you've got a neighbor uh who's a single father or a single mother and just calling them up to say hey i'm about to go to costco can i pick up anything for you it's about the strength of community and that we each have to lift someone up it doesn't have to be a whole lot of people yeah each one lift one person up it doesn't have to be a whole lot of people yeah it's about the strength of community and that we each have to lift someone up it doesn't have to be a whole lot of people yeah it's about the strength of community and that we each have to lift one person up it doesn't have to be a whole lot of people ms now and political being barred from the white house obviously there's some federal judge that has temporarily ordered their access uh restored but as someone who's in the media as myself um i think about the public's ability to hear questions asked openly so what does this dispute mean you know for the public's right to know what the government is doing i think it is um first of all it shows the public's right to know what the government is doing and i think it is um first of all it shows the extent to which the current occupant of the white house has such a fragile ego that he can't as president of the united states tolerate major news outlets listening to what he's saying and watch what he's doing right if you can't stand people to watch what you're doing and listen to what you're saying one has to ask what are you doing right and so there is that it is clear that he is afraid that the american people through journalists and the media will see too much to know the incompetence the cruelty and the corruption that is coming out of that administration and that scares them so what's the best way to convince people that everything is okay don't let them know what they're doing what's going on and that is then so bar the media and you know that you're in the wrong place if you want to do things in secret then why don't you just leave the white house uh democrats often talk about the black vote um as if black women men younger voters parents and business owners all want the same thing yeah where has the party misled you mistaken shared identity for guaranteed political loyalty if you feel that you know don't want to put words in your mouth well i mean i think that they're at the party i mean i think that there are people who um who do not understand there are some people who do not understand the diversity within groups um and that there may be shared experiences but there are also there's also diversity of values and and priorities and um to pigeonhole any one group of people is irresponsible and it is counterproductive um i think that look the there are people who have taken the black vote for granted again back to my earlier point who assume okay they're gonna vote because they are honoring the ancestors they know that the people fought and died for the right to vote and so they're gonna vote based on loyalty to the to to what the the fight for democracy yes right yes and i think there are people who take that for granted that black folks gonna vote without necessarily taking it to the next step and ask but what do they need what do they want yeah i think that that does take place i think that's why both of the things that can make it difficult for people to say my candidate but that's also probably your point about why you should focus on your candidate that person yes um you can acknowledge their party but also what are they speaking to but that's right irregardless you know of that i imagine um but let me let me do say i will say this that um i i don't see many examples of those who are not democrats willing in this election cycle to stand up yeah and and be honest about the corruption we are seeing and and be willing to stand up in in um in defense of of the voice of the people and and integrity and and what is right do you think that's been externalized or expressed to the public in a way that they feel well i mean you can see it you can look at there are various races where um there are republicans who who still deny that we won in 2020 yeah so there are many examples of it and um i think that's and you're not you know democrats aren't saying that yeah because you know why because every court that that issue was brought before said that that is false that the election had integrity and that we won yeah yeah um what do you think going back to what we're talking about the idea around people assuming all groups are monolith when we think about all the american people black white gay straight asian latinx I mean, we have such beautiful diversity in our culture. country. What do you think, Madam Vice President, is what uniquely connects to us all? What are the things? Our love of freedom. The priority we place around human dignity. The desire we each have to be treated as equal. I think we have all that in common. We have in common the fact that we want our children and our babies to be healthy and to have access to the resources that will allow them to thrive. We want that our elderly relatives will have the health care that they need so that as they grow old and may become sick, that they are treated with the community that they so rightly deserve and have earned. I think all of those things we all have in common. The vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us. And it is a shame that right now we have powerful forces that are spending full time trying to divide the American people, trying to have Americans point their finger at each other instead of what we know we can do collectively. And also create, point their fingers at each other and create a scenario where it actually becomes, people feel like, well, I've got to protect mine. It's also created this tribalism. Right. Where it becomes. Well, because it's called a zero sum game, right? Which is some people push the idea that if you benefit, I lose. Yes. If you get more, that means you're taking from me and I get less. And that's the whole thing that racism is standing on when the reality is, is none of us are getting anything good. Well, none of us is getting everything we want. But if I treat this group worse than you, then you will at least feel you're not being treated as badly as them. You're exactly right. That it is literally like saying, well, you may be suffering, but at least you're not suffering as bad as they are, so you must be okay. It is a warped way of thinking, and we cannot absorb that way of thinking. Right? And we have to also recognize that when any one of us benefits by smart public policy, we all benefit from it. We all benefit from it. And yeah, I think there's a sickness at play to suggest more than ever that if some people are getting, it's taking away from you. What makes someone feel, and I think anybody that is in a leadership position would take something from this. What makes someone feel that they're leading the way? What makes someone feel that they're for you to see that disconnect from some of the very things you had to learn to get there you know I think that we still have a lot of work to do especially for those who are the first you know I've been the first in almost every elected office I've had and there's something about being the first which means one you're going to be in many rooms to your point where the you're the only one like you the only one who looks like you the only one who has had your experience and in those rooms it is really important to know that there are a whole lot of people who are proud that you are in that room and want you to be chin up shoulders back representing the voices of all those who got you there right and that's the duty that comes with it and and which includes then the duty of being in that room and not feeling alone so that you feel you got to be quiet because that can happen in that dynamic so it's really important to hold on to all the people that walk in that room with you even if you can't see them at the moment it's you know it I say about being the first and breaking barriers you know breaking barriers it's not like you just start on one side of the barrier and you end up on the other right there's breaking involved and when you break things you get cut when you break things you bleed but let me tell you it'll be worth it every time but it is not without pain it is not without pain I wonder how that played into people's interpretation of your joy and I feel like most of my life I learned joy as a sense of rebellion yeah it wasn't until I got older and you know I shared a lot of that you know in my TED talk around the fact that I what my humanity wasn't at all often allowed to breathe yeah I wasn't allowed to be angry yeah I wasn't allowed to be irritated I always had to chin up be happy and before I knew what I was right I think about you every situation every moment of a smile every moment of joy in the midst of yes a world where we should be very angry especially in a person in a position is weaponized against you every acknowledgement to a certain group is pandering you can't even be happy with just so press you know oh but I am you know what I'm saying how much of that is you fighting for your right or fighting against what's being projected upon you how do you balance between who madam VP gets to be as a human and who she has to show up as and what all comes with it it can be difficult it can be very difficult Kiki I mean you know I'm aware of the whatever the memes are about you know my laugh well look I was raised in a family that included very powerful women who laughed from their bellies and powerful I mean they were powerful in their space they were powerful in their family and in their community not necessarily titles and money but you understand my point absolutely and they and would sit around the kitchen table with their coffee laughing loud laughs and I'm I and that's how I laugh and the people that I respected laughed the same way and everybody else you know what they can do you know they there's you I think it's really it is it is an attempt those who tried to take your joy are trying to make you weak and I think that's one of the things that I think is that that's where my fight comes in I know what you're trying to do you're not going to take my joy right you cannot there's nothing you can do to me that will take my joy you are not that powerful powerful you're very brave we all are sweetheart no but it's important to say because bravery doesn't mean everything goes your way yeah it doesn't mean everybody likes you it doesn't mean that everything is in alignment it means that you keep going and that you remain who you are in your core despite what people drag you through yeah and I respect that immensely I could talk to you literally so much but I have to let you go and I respect your time but I just want you to know that that that is meaningful to me and I appreciate you for sitting down and talking to me and all the people that are watching and you know millennials sometimes we feel like the middle child right because we we we know what it's like to be completely idealistic but now so many of us are in the position of being leaders or in whatever our perspective feels are right and we're like you know when y'all gonna talk to us like when is it our time to step in and to be a part of x y and z and so I just appreciate you for taking the opportunity to talk and a lot of different people watch our show um watch the podcast but it means so much to me in many different ways and I just want to say thank you for the time and for the conversation and for your bravery and your courage because it goes without saying it really does so thank you so much thank you thank you appreciate you I appreciate you I really do before I really let you out of here are you ready for president oh girl come on oh just to get as much no no you're not getting out of here we have to know this you know the people want to know are we going to get another moment I haven't decided I haven't decided yet I will I promise you okay we'll be waiting to hear but the midterms and the midterms the midterms okay the midterms 28 doesn't matter if we don't do 26 right that's right in front of us yeah focus on the present baby that was madam vice president kamala harris as a mother I don't experience these issues as political talking points they show up in what it costs to raise a child where the families are healthy and safe whether our rights are protected and what kind of country my son is going to inherit and I know our audience isn't a monolith we don't all agree and we certainly don't all need the same things but we deserve leaders who understand our lives tell us the truth and are clear about what they can actually deliver on maybe choosing to believe doesn't mean giving any politician or political party blind faith maybe it means continuing to ask harder questions demanding better answers and figuring out where our own power is in all of it and as for what's next for madam vp I guess we'll see until next time baby this is kiki palmer baby this is this is kiki baby this is kiki palmer yeah