Jerica Newby and Wendy Johnson

Wendy (W) shares how being the oldest sibling has shaped her view on life and has made her a problem solver. She also mentions that she has taken a serious role in caring for her parents, who have dementia.

Jerica (J) explains how her family is complicated, noting that she has two sets of parents and many siblings. She also talks about being half-white and half-Latino.

J says her grandmother is her biggest influence. W says her father is her biggest influence. W also reflects on what it’s like to be a grandmother and to be a caregiver for her parents.

J shares her political values, saying she’s a registered Democrat but that she hesitates to share that when meeting people. W says she’s a registered Republican so she can vote in the primaries, but that she doesn’t really align with the Republican Party on social issues.

J and D consider how divisive politics have become. W reflects on the impact that increased public hate and bullying have had on the behavior of the children she works with and their mental health.

J shares how her husband’s side of the family, from the UK, react to American politics.

J discusses an exercise she does in having difficult conversations with folks who have vastly different political views from her, noting that “it’s hard to hate up close.”

J explains why she doesn’t tell people she’s a registered Democrat. She also shares how people limit her because she is a woman.