♪ ♪ WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH'M MAARJA HEWITT.

BRETT: AND I'M BRETT SCOT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT, WE'RE SITTING DOWH ST. LOUIS COUNTY SHERIFF RY TO DISCUSS HIS ROLE IN LOCL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.

MAARJA: WE'RE ALSO HEARINGM A NORTHLAND GUIDE IN THIS'S SNEAK PREVIEW OF NO FILTER.

BRETT: THAT'S COMING UP, BT FIRST -- BRETT: WE WILL SPEAK WITH E ACTORS AND FIND OUT WHY THE THEATER IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THEIR LIVES.

♪ >> MY NAME IS SAM BREWER 'M AN ACTOR.

I PLAY AMBER.

I STARTED DOING THEATER HERE THE SUMMER BEFORE MY KINDERGARTEN YEAR.

SO, BASICALLY MY WHOLE LIF.

MY DAD WHO IS THE DIRECTORF THE SHOW KIND OF GOT ME IO THEATER.

MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THEATER.

SO, I STARTED DOING CHILDRS THEATER HERE.

AND EVER SINCE THEN I FELLN LOVE WITH IT.

IT HAS REALLY BECOME A WAYT I CAN EXPRESS MYSELF AND IE A LOT OF FUN WITH IT.

I MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THH THEATER.

>> MY NAME IS RICK BREWER.

I AM THE DIRECTOR FOR MAKIG SWEET TEA AND OTHER SECRET.

I FELL INTO THEATER THROUGH SOMEONE THAT I WORKED WITHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A MUL WITH COUNTY SEAT.

ONE OF THE MUSICIANS WHO KW TH I LIKED MUSIC AND SAID RICK, YOU SHOULD CHECK OUTE RICK, YOU SHOULD CHECK OUTG AND DANCE AND ALL THAT STU.

SO, I WENT TOTHE THEATER OE DAY ASKING ABOUT A MUSICAL.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A MUSICALN TAP BUT THEY HAD LOST A CAT MEMBER.

AND THE FOUNDER AND ARTISTC DIRECTOR, SAID, I KNOW YOUN TOWN.

AND SHE GAVE ME A SCRIPT AD SAID I WANT YOU AND THAT S. I WASN'T EVEN TRYING.

AND ONCE I DID IT, THEN THG REALLY BIT.

I HAVE BEEN DOING ITVER SI.

>> MY NAME IS MIRIAM EPPIN.

I AM AN ACTOR WHO PLAYS SHA RAY, THE TOWN GOSSIP.

I STARTED HERE AT COUNTY ST THEATER IN THIRD GRADE, THE CHILDREN'S CENTER PRODUCTI.

I HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNITY MR MOST OF MY LIFE.

CAME BACK TO THEATER AS AN ADULT.

I HAVE NOT BEEN ON STAGE FA FEW YEARS.

I HAVE A TWO-YEAR OLD.

COMING BACK AFTER HAVING AD AND REALLY ENJOYING IT.

THIS COMMUNITY HERE IS JUSO INCLUSIVE AND LING.

JUST A PLACE THAT I LIKE TL HOME.

>> MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT G THEATER IS THE PEOPLE.

YOU MEET SO MANY PEOPLE THH THEATER.

AND IT REALLY KINDA BECOMEA FAMILY, BECAUSE YOU SPEND O MUCH TIME WITH THE SAME PEE EVERY DAY AT REHEARSALS.

AND YOU FORM A BOND.

AND IT IS JUST AWESOME TO E ABLE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IH A WAY AND SEE OTHERS EXPRES THEMSELVES.

>> LIVE TATER HAS REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE FROM THE MT I CAME IN TO COUNTY SEAT TS WHERE I MET MY WIFE.

ALL OF MY CHILDREN HAVE PERFORMED ON STAGE, BOTH IN CHILDREN'S THEATER AND FORL BUT ONE IN ADULT THEATER, .

SO, IT HAS GIVEN THEM WONDL OPPORTUNITIES.

IT HAS TAKEN US AROUND THEE COME AROUND THE COUNTRY AND LITERALLY AROUND THE WORLDD WE HAVE PERFORMED INTERNATIONALLY THROUGH THS THEATER.

SO, THINGS THAT I NEVER WOD HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE E CHANCE TO DO, MADE A LOT OD FRIENDS ALL AROUND THE STE OF MINNESOTA AND BEYOND TOE THOSE INTERESTS.

AND REALLY, THAT IS WHAT AT OF THAT IS ABOUT -- THIS IS ABOUT.

YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SHD YOU LOVE DOING THE SHOW, YU LOVE BEING UP THERE BUT YOE A FAMILY, THE CAST AND CRET YOU'RE WITH HER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AT A TIME, YOU SPENA LOT OF TIME TOGETHER.

AND SO, FORMING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS IS PROBABLY F THE BEST PARTS ABOUT BEING INVOLVED.

I'VE OFTEN DESCRIBED BEING INVOLVED IN THEATER KIND OE THE OLD CHRISTMAS SHOW "RUH THE RED NOSE RAIN GEDEER.

"D THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS.

AND THEATER IS LIKE MISFIT.

A LOT OF QUIRKS AND THERE O JUDGMENT.

THERE IS COMPLETE ACCEPTAN.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD EXPERIENCE THEATER BECAUSE IT'S A SAFE SPACE TO GET TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS A SAFE PLACE TO GET O KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WORLD, BEYOND YOUR COMMUNITY AS W. IN A WAY THAT IS NOT PACKAD FOR A NATIONAL AUDIENCE.

IT IS PACKAGED FOR YOU.

IT'S PACKAGED FORN BITE SID PIECES, AND THAT LIGHT PERFORMANCE YOU ARE SEEINGN YOUR SEAT, IS THAT ONE TIM.

WHEN THE WORDS COME OUT OFE ACTORS MOUTH THEY DO NOT CE BACK AGAIN.

EVEN IF THERE IS ANOTHER PERFORMANCE IT HAPPENS DIFFERENTLY.

SO, IT IS A REALLY KIND OF ORGANIC EXPERIENCE.

AND I THINK THAT IS JUST AN ENJOYABLE THING THAT YOU 'T GET AS AN AUDIENCE MEMBER Y OTHER SORT OF PRODUCTION.

>> IF SOMEONE WANTED GET INVOLVED IN THEATER, IT ISR EASY.

THIS REGION IS BLESSED WITA THIS REGION IS BLESSED WITD DIFFERENT VENUES, DIFFERENT SIZES, DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAGES.

COUNTY SEAT THEATER IS A GT COMMUNITY THEATER.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE START T HERE BEHIND THE STAGE.

THEY WORK CREW, THEY WORK H PROPS, THEY WORK LIGHT ANDD AND HELP IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

THEY VOLUNTEER.

AND THEY START GETTING A LE MORE COMFORTABLE.

AND PRETTY SOON THEY MAY CN AND TAKE APART THEY DO NOTE TO MEMORIZE TOO MUCH AND TY FIND THEIR WAY IN MORE ANDE .

BUT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO CON NEW ARE ALWAYS WELL COMPARI KNOW THAT IS THE CASE HERE.

I'M SURE THE OTHER THEATERS WOULD SAY THE SAME THING.

IT IS A GREAT HOBBY, SOMETG YOU CAN DO THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO, E ARE PARTS THAT FIT.

EVERY PERSON OF EVERY AGE U GO ALONG.

I FEEL INCREDIBLY LUCKY TOA PART OF IT.

>> JUST TRY IT.

IT CAN BE NERVE-RACKING ATT IF MAYBE YOU ARE LIKE, OH,I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD BE GT MEMORIZING LINES OR STAGE FRIGHT.

I WAS A VERY SHY KID.

I STILL WOULD CONSIDER MYSN INTROVERT BUT THROUGH ACTIT REALLY GIVES YOU THE OPPORY TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.

AND, EVEN IF THAT IS NOT YR THING, IF YOU DO NOT WANT E UP ON THE STAGE THERE ARE O MANY WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOD WITH THEATER, WHETHER IT IS DOING TECH OR ASSISTANT DIRECTING, STAGE MANAGING, BACKSTAGE, BUILDING SET, 'S VERY.

EASY TO GET INVOLVED SO, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, U SO, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, .

THERE ARE SHOWS GOING ON AL YEAROUND FOR ANY AGES.

AND YEAH, JUST TRY IT.

BRETT: OUR GUEST TODAY ARE DIRECTORS FROM REGIONAL EAY CHILDHOOD HEAD START PROGR, SHERRY WILLIAMS AND DAVE JOHNSON.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH U.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

WE ARE CELEBRATING 60 YEARF HEAD START, A PROGRAM THATS BEEN AROUND FOR MANY YEARSF COURSE.

INSTEAD OF REALLY CELEBRATE ARE RALLYING.

EXPLAIN WHY.

>> WELL, HEAD START FUNDINS EN, IS EXPERIENCING SOME QUESTION GOING FORWARD.

SO, WE ARE DEFINITELY ADVOG TO CONTINUE FUNDING THIS VL PROGRAM.

IT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1.

-- SINCE 1965.

LYNDON JOHNSON'S WAR ON POY WAS A PLACE WHERE HEAD STAT BEGAN.

AND THE PURPOSE OF HEAD STS TO INTERRUPT THE INTERGENERATIONAL CYCLE OF POVERTY.

AND SO, IT'S GOT VERY LOFTY GOALS AND A MEANINGFUL, A MEANINGFUL THING TO WORK TOWARDS.

BRETT: GAVE, CAN YOU SPEAKO THE CORE MISSION OF HEAD ST AND HOW IT IS IMPLEMENTED R REGION?

>> SO, WE WORK FOR SCHOOL READINESS, FOR SCHOOL READS BUT ALSO WORKING ON COGNIT, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL STABIY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FOR OR FAMILIES.

AND THAT IS REALLY WHAT HED START IS ALL ABOUT.

ALONG WITH THE FAMILY PIECD -- WHICH REALLY MAKES A PRM DIFFERENT THAN A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUT THERN THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SUPPORT THE FAMILIES ON THR JOURNEY WITH US THROUGH THS EDUCATION.

BRETT: IN THE PROGRAM IS NT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ALL.

>> ABSOLUTE.

ALL HEAD START PROGRAMS ARE CUSTOMIZED TO MEET THE UNIE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO, A HEAD START GRANT CYCE STARTS WITH A PRETTY IN-DEH COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

AND FROM THAT NEEDS ASSESS, YOU WORK WITH YOUR PARENTSD YOUR POLICY COUNSEL TO IDEY WHAT GOALS YOU WOULD LIKE T FOR YOUR PROGRAM.

FOR THE NEXT FIVE-YEAR YEAS SPIT SO THAT IS HOW THE CYCLICAL NATURE OF THE GRAT CYCLE WORKS.

IT STARTS WITH THE COMMUNIY NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

BRETT: WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THE FAMILY AND CHILDREN ARE FACING WHEN TY ARE BEGINNING EARLY CHILDHN THE REGION?

>> SO, I THINK WE HAD DISCD THIS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE H. AND OUR CHALLENGES ARE VERY SIMILAR IN A LITTLE BIT MOE METRO DULUTH VERSUS THE OUT-OF-STATE AREA.

ANSPORTATION IS A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR AND WE HAVE S TO MEDICAL CARE.

JUST ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE TYPICAL FOR FAMILIES THAT E STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS ME.

THEY INCOME QUALIFY FOR A PROGRAM, SO ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES IS JUST BEING AO PAY THE GROCERY BILL EVERY SINGLE MONTH.

THESE FAMILIES ARE WORKINGY VERY HARD TO TRY TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY ARE WORKING TO TRY TOO THE BEST THAT THEY CAN WHER THEY ARE GETTING AN EDUCATN FOR THEMSELVES OR THEY'RE WORKING AT WHATEVER JOB TH.

BUT THIS PROGRAM HELPS THEO FULFILL THOSE GOALS, TO MAE THOSE ENDS MEET.

BRETT: IN YOUR MANY MANY YS OF EDUCATING WITH THE HEADT PROGRAM HAVE YOU SEEN AN INCREASE IN FAMILIES NEEDIG SUPPORT FROM THE HEAD START PROGRAM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE FAMILIES EXPERIENCE AND POVERTY, WHS THE QUALIFIER FOR HEAD STA.

THERE ARE OTHER AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS FOR HEAD START,H AS IF A FAMILY IS EXPERIENG HOMELESSNESS, IF A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE, IF THEY RECEIE BENEFITS FROM THEOUNTY, THE ARE AUTO-QUALIFIERS FOR HED START.

WE ARE TARGETING THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SERVE WITH HED START.

JUST IN CASE, I SOMETIMES L LIKE THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES ARE A LITTLE MYY FOR PEOPLE.

WE SAY THE WORDS, BUT TO MT THE POVERTY GUIDELINES A FY OF FOUR WOULD EARN $32,000A YEAR.

JUST TO PUT THAT IN PERSPE, WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL POVERY GUIDELINES?

THEY ARE VERY VERY LOW.

AND WE HAVE MANY FAMILIES T MEET THOSE PIN BRETT: AS A REGIONAL DIRECTOR, HOW AREU COMMUNICATING AND WORKING H VARIOUS DIRECTORS SUCH AS Y DURING THIS TRYING TIME?

>> WE HAVE A MINNESOTA HEAD START ASSOCIATION THAT REAY CONNECTS ALL OF US THROUGHT THE AREA.

WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN A GP THAT IS CALLED NORTHERN CL, WHICH IS MORE OF THE NORTH, THE NORTHERN HEAD START PROGRAMS.

AND IT'S NICE TO HAVE BOTH GROUPS BECAUSE WE ARE SEEIT AT A STATE LEVEL BUT ALSO G IT IN THE RURAL AREA, SOMEF OUR CHALLENGES MAY BE A LIE BIT MORE UNIQUE UP HERE, COMPARED TO WHAT MAY BE THE METRO AREAS SEE.

BRETT: AND YOU'RE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THOSE FAMILI.

HOW ARE YOU KEEPING THEM IE LOOP WITH COMMUNICATION AS THINGS CHANGE DAILY?

>> WELL, WE REALLY WANT TO REMAIN STABLE TO OUR FAMIL.

SO, WE ARE EMPOWERING THEMO JOIN US IN ADVOCACY BUT ALO REMINDING THEM THAHEAD STAT HAS HAD BIPARTISANUPPORT FR 60 YEARS AND WE EXPECT THAT CONTINUE -- THAT TO CONTIN.

BRETT: WHAT DOES A TYPICALY LOOK LIKE FOR SOMEBODY WHOS IN HEAD START?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALA LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.

IT SEEMS TO BE PRETTY CONST WITH OUR PROGRAMS.

ONE OF THE BIG AREAS FOR HD START IS THE HEALTH AND NUTRITION.

SO, THEY HAVE A NICE HEALTY BREAKFAST, THEY HAVE A NICE HEALTHY LUNCH, THEY HAVE AE HEALTHY SNACK.

IT LOOKS SIMILAR TO WHAT YU WOULD SEE WITH AYPICAL SCHL DAY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD.

WE'VE GOT, WITH ONE LITTLE TWIST, WE HAVE LITTLE NAP , THAT IS REQUIRED WITH OUR PROGRAM IN ORDER TO BE ABLO MEET THE LICENSING REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE.

BUT WE HAVE A LARGE GROUP D SOME SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIET ARE THERE.

WE HAVE OUTDOOR TIME.

WE HAVE GYM TIME.

WE HAVE GOT DIFFERENT INCORPORATING DIFFERENT ARF SCIENCE AND MATH AND LITERY INTO OUR PROGRAMS.

SOME CCLE TIME THAT IS THEE WITH LARGER GROUPS.

IT'S, IT'S, I THINK IT IS Y SIMILAR TO WHAT I WAS IN IN PRESCHOOL.

>> DWE BRUSH TEETH IN SCHO.

DENTAL HEALTH AS PART OF I.

HEALTH, ONE OF THE CONFEREF SERVICES OF HEAD START.

AND THAT IS THE OTHER UNIQE PART OF OUR PROGRAM.

WE ARE NOT JUST A PRESCHOOL PROGRAM.

WE ARE THERE, WE MAKE SURET OUR KIDS ALL HAVE WELL-CHID CHECKS,HEY HAVE ACCESS TO A DENTIST, THAT THEY HAVE A MEDICAL HOME.

SO, WE ARE LOOKING AT MAKIG SURE THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE HEALTHY.

KIDS ARE AS HEALTHY AND IT FAMILIES ARE AS WELL-INFORS THEY CAN BE AS THEY LAUNCHR ENTRY INTO SCHOOL.

BRETT: AS WE'RE TRYING TO ADVOCATE AND KEEP THE HEADT PROGRAM HEALTHY AND STRONGT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN HELPT WITH THAT EFFORT?

>> WELL, THERE IS A HEAD ST ADVOCACY SITE.

GOOGLE HEAD START ADVOCAC T WILL SET YOU UP WITH SOME E NUMBERS AND EMAILS TO SEND.

THE RECOMMENDATION IS THATF FEMALES ARE BEING SENT THEE SENT WEEKLY FROM YOUR ADDR, JUST TO REMIND YOUR CONGRESSPEOPLE WHAT AN IMPT PROGRAM THIS IS AND HAS BER 60 YEARS.

DULUTH IS AN ORIGINAL GRAN.

WE HAVE BEEN SERVING FAMILS FOR A LONG TIME.

MANY MANY FAMILIES.

AND SO, REACHING OUT TO YOR CONGRESSPEOPLE ANDAKING SUE THAT THEY KNOW.

AND IF YOU HAVE A HEAD STAT STORY, THE DULUTH PUBLIC SS IS COLLECTING ST-- HEAD START STORES.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE POWERFUL D MOVING HEAD START STORIES.

TO KEEP THOSE STORIES ALIVO HELP US KEEP OUR PROGRAM A, AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LID THOSE STORIES, ARE THE ONEO REALLY NEED TO BE SPEAKINGR US.

BRETT: I WAS GOING TO ASK T IMPACT.

WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK I HAVN IN EDUCATION FOR A LONG T. IT IS INVIGORATING TO HAVET OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFE IN CHILDREN'S LIVES.

AND WE DO THIS FROM DIFFERT LEVELS, BUT THIS IS, IT ISA CALLING TO BE ABLE TO HELPO ASSIST FAMILIES THAT ARE RY AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN R ABILITY TO TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION THEY ARE IN.

AND, ANYTHING THAT WE ARE E TO DO TO HELP THESE FAMILIS JUST VITAL TO OUROMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND TO THE HEALTH OF THOSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIE.

BRETT: DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOS A BIG CELEBRATION, 60 YEAR.

HOW CAN FOLKS GET INVOLVEDH THAT CELEBRATION?

>> WELL, I'M -- WE DON'T RY HAVE THAT COMPLETELY FIGUR COMPLETELY FIGURED OUT YET.

TO BE DETERMINED.

IT IS A CELEBRATION IN PRO, YES, EXACTLY.

BRETT: PERFECT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WH US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

MAAJRA: TONIGHT WE ARE EXCD TO SHARE A SEGMENT FROM OUW SHOW NO FILTER WHICH IS A CONVERSATIONAL INTERVIEW SS THAT EXPLORES THE TAPESTRYF NORTHERN LIFE THROUGH INFOL CONVERSATIONS WITH DIVERSED INTRIGUING PEOPLE FROM THE REGION.

BRETT: EACH EPISODE IS BRIG A FRESH VOICE TO THE SCREEN FOCUSING ON THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES, PERSONAL JOUS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES SHAPIE NORTHERN COMMUNITY.

MAAJRA: WE'LL SHARE A SHORT SAMPLE OF OUR CONVERSATIONT WE INVITE YOU TO EXPLORE FL EPISODES ON THE PBS NORTH YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>> HI, I'M KRISTIN, THE HOF NO FILTER.

WE ARE IN MINNESOTA TODAY R WE HAVE A GUESS WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU.

♪ >> ON TODAY'S EPISODE WE AE WELCOMING AND INCREDIBLE W. SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ECOC DEVELOPING, NONPROFIT WORKD SHE HAS RUN FOR PUBLIC OFF.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO WELCOE LORRIE JANATOPOULOS.

>> LORRIE, THANK YOU FOR JG A SIGN NO FILTER.

SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HER.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU HAVE QUITE THE STORD LIFE.

SO WE ARE GOING TO GET INTL OF THAT.

BUT, I REALLY WANT TO START WITH WHEN YOU WERE GROWINGS A KID.

YOU GREW UP IN TWO HARBORS.

>> I DID, WITH MY GRANDMOTR AND MY TWO UNCLES ON MY M'S SIDE.

IT WAS INTERESTING HAVING - TRADITIONAL FAMILY.

WITH MY GRANDMOTHER AND MY UNCLES.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD REMEMBERE GOING TO SCHOOL, RIGHT, WHY GRANDMOTHER WAS NOT LIKE MOTHER-FATHER, IT WAS GUARN AND I WAS THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

SO, I ALWAYS FELT MAYBE A E BIT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER K, YOU KNOW, GROWING UP.

THEN, IN ADDITION, ONE OF Y UNCLES HAD SOME MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

SO THAT WAS ALSO DIFFERENT.

SO,HERE WERE THINGS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE PEOPLE STAY OVERNIGHT BASICALLY.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND SO, IT WAS, IT WAS SOMT DIFFICULT, BUT I GUESS IT E ME REACH OUT MORE.

I'VE ALWAYS KIND OF BEEN AN OUTGOING PERSON.

AND HANGING OUT WITH FRIEN, MAKING SURE THAT I HAD FRI. THAT KIND OF THING.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGR WERE YOU AND ONLY CHILD?

>> I GREW UP ANNLY CHILD.

I HAVE SIBLINGS BUT THEY LD WITH MY MOTHER.

I DIDN'T KNOW MY FATHER ORY FATHER'S SIDE.

AND SO, MY MOTHER HAD, YOU, HAD A SISTER AND TWO BROTH.

>> OK.

I GREW UP WITH THREE SIBLI.

SO, I'M THINKING ABOUT YOU, YOU ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HD FRIENDS AROUND YOU AND THAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU.

AND I WONDER IF BEING THE Y KID PLAYED IN THAT.

>> I'M SURE IT DID.

MY UNCLES WEREN'T REAL OLDN I WAS BORN.

I THINK MY UNCLE JACK WAS PROBABLY 16 OR SO.

AND SO, HE AND I DID A LOTF THINGS TOGETHER, TOO.

WE WOULD GO BIKE RIDING AND WHATEVER, HE WAS A BEST FRIEND-UNCLE.

MY UNCLE JIM.

HE WAS THE ONE THAT HAD SOE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

I SAY THAT WITH SOME LAUGHR ONLY BECAUSE HE WAS REALLY FUNNY, TOO.

U KNOW?

AND YEAH, SO.

>> ♪YOU MENTIONED HE WAS INCREDIBLY SMART.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

HE WAS BRILLIANT.

AND HE WANTED ME TO BE REAY SMART, TOO.

HE WOULD BUY ME BOOKS.

AND WE WOULD STAY UP LATE T NIGHT TO WORK ON MY HOMEWOY GRANDMOTHER WOULD BE SO MAD BECAUSE I SHOULD BE IN BEDU KNOW, THAT SORT OF THING.

ONE THING I REMEMBER MOST T HIM OR ONE OF THE STORIES S WE WERE BIKE RIDING TOGETHN THIS POLICE CARS -- CAR WAS BEHIND US.

MY U UNCLE PICKED UP HIS BE AND STARTED RUNNING THROUGH YARDS.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOI.

SO I GO RUNNING.

THE COPS TURN ON THEIR LIG, THEY GO AROUND IN THERE LI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

HE IS LIKE, IT'S NOT ILLEGL TO BE ECCENTRIC.

SO, IT'S LIKE, I LOVE THAT.

THAT IS ONE OF MY PHILOSOPS ON LIFE.

>> NOT ILLEGAL TO BE ECCEN.

THAT IS GREAT.

AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU REALY KIND OF LIVED BY THAT.

>> YEAH.

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE.

[LAUGHTER] >> DID YOU FEEL AS A KID LE REALLY SUPPORTED AND -- IN WHATEVER IT WAS YOU WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT EXPLORING?

>> YEAH, BECAUSE HONESTLY Y GRANDMOTHER AND BOTH OF MY UNCLES KIND OF, I WAS THE Y KID IN THE HOUSE.

AND SO EVERYTHING WAS REALY MOSTLY ABOUT ME, WHICH I LE THAT.

AND THEY WERE VERY, YOU KN, SUPPORTIVE OF WHATEVER I CE TO DO.

MY UNCLE JIM, WHO WAS AS I, REALLY SMART, BELIEVED I CD DO ANYTHING THAT I WANTED O IF I PUT MY MIND TO IT.

♪ MAAJRA: FROM ALL OF US HERT "ALMANAC NORTH" WE APPRECIE YOUR SUPPORT THANKS FOR WAG AND WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT T. ♪