Kansas City, Baseball and Psych Wards
Jason Kander 'sorta ran for President' in 2020 before checking himself into a military psychiatric ward for PTSD (he served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan.) Jason knows Kamala Harris and is still dialed into Washington politics from his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri where he runs a charity for homeless veterans.
Who is Kamala Harris? | Jason Kander (Part 1)
What is Kamala Harris like? Why do Trump voters believe he's on their side?
US Army veteran and a former Democratic Party wunderkind, Jason Kander ran for Senate along with Kamala Harris so he knows what it's like working with her.
In this episode, Robyn and Jason talk about who their neighbors might vote for (Robyn is in Atlanta, Jason is in Kansas City) and whether Kamala Harris's progressive agenda is a 'bridge to far' for some, and what that might mean for the vote in November.
Walking into a military psych ward | Jason Kander (Part 2)
In a humorous account of when he checked himself into a military psychiatric ward, he explains to Robyn why the doctor thought he was hearing voices (President Obama really did suggest he should run for President.) With the benefit of perspective and a healthy dose of therapy, Kander talks about the army, mental health and fighting for America.
Time Travel and baseball | Jason Kander (Part 3)
Jason Kander is tells Robyn about his uncle who composed the song New York, New York and why his favorite landscape is a baseball field.
Where would you go if you could time travel in american history & other bonus questions
Three words to describe America?
At a crossroads
If you could time travel, which era in American history would you like to visit?
Post-war America. It would be interesting to see a mostly unified version of the country.
Where did you grow up?
Kansas City area
Iconic American landscape that means something to you?
A baseball field.
Dream dinner party guests? Which Americans would you invite to your Thanksgiving celebration (dead or alive?)
Barack Obama, my wife Diana Kander and my Great Uncle John Kander, all of whom are alive.
Is there a piece of American art, film or music that sums up your America?
Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner
Which books or movies explain America?
Tribe by Sebastian Junger
When did your family arrive in the USA? Where are they from originally?
Just after the civil war. Germany and England as far as I can tell.
When was the last time you cried?
Last night I got teary while telling the a story about my dad.
What's your motto?
Try Hard. Never Quit. Have Fun.
Why is America so divided?
A deficit of shared experience.
Have you lost friends or family because of politics?
Yes.
What issues are driving you to vote? Or not?
Democracy
An American president you admire?
Obama
An American president you don't admire?
Trump. Runner-up: George W Bush
Sports team?
Royals and Chiefs
What were your parents' careers? How did they influence your career?
They were juvenile probation officers and my dad was also a police officer. I saw a public service ethic in them first hand even though they left those jobs while I was young.
What can be done to bring Americans together?
Universal Service.
Favorite American meal or restaurant?
Kansas City BBQ
Biggest misconception the rest of the world has about Americans?
That all the cool people live in New York or LA.
Do you listen to, read or watch the news? Where do you get your information?
I read the KC Star, the New York Times, and CNN.com, and I use my apple news app to read a sampling of everything else.
Best advice from a parent or grandparent?
Play the ball, don't let the ball play you. - My dad.
Be an asset to every team you're a part of. - My grandpa.
What does it mean to be an American in 2024?
To me, it means to live in a great country still striving to reach anything close to its potential. To Americans writ large, we don't really know, and that's a problem.
Who do you think will win in November?
Harris/Walz