Jim Waszak and Erika J

J shares his life story. He says his parents came to the United States from Poland and did not get to finish high school. J says he got into accounting and worked for a manufacturing company for a number of years where he eventually became the CFO. J says he later became head of manufacturing. He says he left that and has been doing consulting work since then. J shares that he has also taken some improv classes and describes himself as a big clown.

E shares more about herself. She says she was born and raised in the Central Valley region in California and loves the area. She says her dad came to the United States from Mexico and her mother is a second-generation American. E says her dad started his own landscaping business. She says she was raised Catholic but left Catholicism and went into Lutheranism when she met her husband. E says she studied geography and GIS and now does a lot of computerized mapping. She adds that she is married and has one daughter.

E says her mother is one of the kindest people in her life. She shares that she’s had two miscarriages and explains how her mother supported her throughout those moments. E says she was able to see her mother in a new way and connect deeper with her.

J talks about his sister as one of the kindest people in his life.

J and E recall their earliest memory of politics.

J and E discuss the influence of media and social media on American politics. They talk about how the media has become commercialized.

J and E share their thoughts on minimum wage.

E talks about her father’s small business. She says she sees business owners as community leaders.

J recalls working at the manufacturing plant when they needed more space.

J and E discuss entry-level jobs and wages.