Steven

And what did you think of him, honestly?

You rejected him at first, right?

You rejected him at first, right?

You both have that through line through your story of ticking the boxes. And then eventually, it's kind of what we were talking about yesterday on your show, where sometimes your preconception has to fail you.

You both have that through line through your story of ticking the boxes. And then eventually, it's kind of what we were talking about yesterday on your show, where sometimes your preconception has to fail you.

And you have to feel it for you to understand that maybe a pivot is needed in your life. And it was the same when I was talking about my early journey. Valerie, this very interesting character in your life. This is the letter, I found it, that Valerie wrote in to me. And she's talking about the pivot you made from being a lawyer to leaving that law firm and going in pursuit of something else.

And you have to feel it for you to understand that maybe a pivot is needed in your life. And it was the same when I was talking about my early journey. Valerie, this very interesting character in your life. This is the letter, I found it, that Valerie wrote in to me. And she's talking about the pivot you made from being a lawyer to leaving that law firm and going in pursuit of something else.

What was the something else you were pursuing before I read what Valerie said to me?

What was the something else you were pursuing before I read what Valerie said to me?

What was the journal question?

What was the journal question?

Well, Valerie said, she said the opposite. I'm joking, I'm joking. The day I met Michelle Obama changed my life forever. I'll never forget the moment she strolled into my office for an interview, dressed in all black, hair elegantly pulled back. I was struck by the confidence that she carried herself with. She looked me right in the eye when she shook my hand. She was so poised and self-assured.

Well, Valerie said, she said the opposite. I'm joking, I'm joking. The day I met Michelle Obama changed my life forever. I'll never forget the moment she strolled into my office for an interview, dressed in all black, hair elegantly pulled back. I was struck by the confidence that she carried herself with. She looked me right in the eye when she shook my hand. She was so poised and self-assured.

that it was hard to believe that she was only 27 years old. Michelle told me about her life, how she grew up in the South Side, how much love and support her parents poured into her and her brother, Craig.

that it was hard to believe that she was only 27 years old. Michelle told me about her life, how she grew up in the South Side, how much love and support her parents poured into her and her brother, Craig.

I asked her why she was considering public service rather than a much more lucrative path as a partner in a law firm, and she said that she had recently lost her dad and her best friend within a year. And their deaths were a painful reminder of the finiteness of life and the importance of making it purposeful.

I asked her why she was considering public service rather than a much more lucrative path as a partner in a law firm, and she said that she had recently lost her dad and her best friend within a year. And their deaths were a painful reminder of the finiteness of life and the importance of making it purposeful.

and how she knew that her abilities could lead her to make a difference in the lives of others, to serve and to give back to the city that she'd grown up. I was so in awe of her clarity of purpose, determination, and vulnerability that I offered her a job on the spot.

and how she knew that her abilities could lead her to make a difference in the lives of others, to serve and to give back to the city that she'd grown up. I was so in awe of her clarity of purpose, determination, and vulnerability that I offered her a job on the spot.

It was like, ooh, what did Valerie say? And at that time in your life, you know, those early 30s, what's going on with Mr. Obama?