Beverly Vance Won’t Let ANYONE Mess with Her Son’s Family

0:00Yamavav Resortant Casino at Sandman Well is bringing the biggest laughs to the stage. Break Taboos with Ali Wang on August 28th and 29th. Enjoy Ralph Barbosa's Dry Humor on September 18th and 19th. And don't miss Nikki Glazers on Apologetic Comedy November 19th. Tickets on sale now at YamavavTheater.com. Only at Yamavav Resortant Casino, celebrating its 40th anniversary. You in must be 21 to enter. So you may know her from The New York Times bestseller, Hillbilly Elegy, and the critically acclaimed Netflix film that followed. But today she's inspiring so many around this country with her story of recovery, hope, and overcoming addiction. She's also the mother of our vice president, JD Vance. Beverly Vance-Akins, welcome to Nashville. It's so great to have you.

1:00It's so honored to be here. Thank you. It's truly an honor to have you. And as I said in the intro, as soon as JD was selected as the running mate, I wanted to do my due diligence and watch Hillbilly Elegy. And many had watched it before that. But I think a lot of people probably streamed it after he was chosen as the running mate. Because, you know, JD, although he's had an amazing career, a lot of people weren't as familiar with his life story. Because it hadn't read Hillbilly Elegy, so they watched the movie. And they got a good glimpse into your life. Do you feel like they portrayed you accurately in that film? I do. I think they did a really good job. Yeah, I really think they did. What did you think of Amy Adams playing you? Was that a compliment? I loved it. I think she did a great job. She got my wit and my sarcasm down. And we actually, I actually met her prior to filming and we kind of just hung out and chatted and she asked me a bunch of questions. And it was really, she's adorable.

2:02She's a lovely woman. So. I mean, that movie, not only being directed by who was directed by, but also the cast list in there. I mean, Glenn Close. That's an iconic legendary actress. Yes. And the fact that she portrayed, you know, a part of your family. Right. On that film. Yes. What was that like to see Glenn Close? Well, actually in the movie, Glenn actually wore my mom's glasses. Wow. Those were my mom's glasses and Glenn asked if she could borrow them for the film. And the first time that we seen her come out of the dressing room, she looked so much like my mom. It was, it was hard stopping. I mean, I think my sister may have even cried a little bit because she just resembled mom so much and she did such a good job. And it was such not only an amazing story, obviously, but just watching it come to life in that way. It's crazy because since then, you know, you've spent time with these actors and actresses,

3:06it was a Netflix film. That's no small thing, right? And critically claimed, by the way. But then of course, after the fact, people that don't like your son's brand of politics or don't like President Trump, they didn't, I wouldn't say they were loud in trying to distance themselves, but when asked, you know, they have to be like, oh, I don't support that. Did you find that interesting, given that you spent time with these actors and they knew you personally for them to maybe kind of try to shy away just politically? I guess I did find it, I found it odd, but I just think Hollywood in general are liberals. And you know, I'm just, I'll just pray for them. Right. Well, in faith is an important thing to you and to your family. Been through hard times and now I'm sure life has completely changed. What is it like to be the mother of the vice president of the United States? Honestly, Tommy, my life has not changed that much.

4:09Really? I'd live a very simple life. I'd, you know, I got my little condo and I still work as a nurse and I mean, he's my baby. I don't think of him as the vice president of the United States. I just think of him as JD. And, you know, when I call him and talk to him, we don't talk politics. We don't, you know, I don't talk to him about that. You know, we talk about the kids and, you know, he sent me a really cute picture of Alec the other day. And we just talk about life. And, you know, I know he's very proud of me and very proud that I stayed clean and that I'm still clean. That's, you know, that's both my kids are. I have a daughter too or an ex-Lindsay. Well, I mean, it's, it's no small feat what you've accomplished in inspiring so many. And that's really the backbone of Hillbilly, LG and not only that, but a lot of what JD or vice president talked about on the campaign trail,

5:11something that he uses to relate to so many people who have grown up similarly or been through so much. What's it like for you to know, not only that people have seen and heard your story through Hillbilly, LG, but also through the vice president talking about it, really openly and honestly with people around the country who have gone through similar things. Well, I hope that people realize that if I can get clean, they can get clean. I just, my goal is to inspire others and to give hope. And I was, I mean, I was a terrible heroin addict. I didn't speak to my kids for about four years. They, they wouldn't have anything to do with me because of my lifestyle. And, you know, I've been blessed to get them back. And I just, that's why I still work in substance use because I want people to get it so bad. I still think like a drug addict. And one of the things I say is if I could put, put recovery in a pill and sell it, I would.

6:15Because people have asked me, well, what made you finally get clean? And for me personally, I think it was the fact that my kids were no longer speaking to me. And I just wanted them back. So bad. That's, I, that was my rock bottom. But I, I don't know, I don't know the secret. If I knew it, I would give it away because I want everybody to be clean because, you know, I still work with substance users and, and some of them don't realize how, how bad their lives are. I don't know if I'm making sense or not. But I mean, it totally makes sense. Yeah, there was some. And you're in the throes of addiction. Yeah. What worked for you? I honestly, I think it was my rock bottom was that my parents had died. My kids weren't speaking to me. I was homeless. I was literally living out of my car. I had nothing.

7:18The only people that associated with me were other drug users. And that's, they were just as selfish as I was. So we, we couldn't, you know, you can't trust another, you can't trust drug addict in active addiction. And I don't know. Honestly, I think it was just that I just wanted my family back. I just needed them so bad. And I, you know, I used to, my prayers to God used to be, just let me die. I just don't know why you keep me around. I'm good for nothing. I remember when I went into treatment the last time I started praying for peace of mind and peace of mind to me meant lose the desire because all I thought about was getting high and then give me my kids back in any way that you'll give them back to me. And, you know, I'm so fortunate that they both came back. You know, I mean, I talked to my daughter on the phone this morning and, you know, I love

8:18them both so much and I'm so proud of both of them. And I can't believe that, like, you know, now that they're adults and I look at them and I just, I can't believe they're mine. You know, it's like, look like a job I did even though I had a lot of help from my mom. You know, they're just both really good people. And they, they're really not just, you know, thank God they're not drug addicts, but they're just really good genuine caring people. When you were using and living that lifestyle, did you have a fear, a conscious fear of your kids getting into drugs and leading the same life? No, I didn't. When I was in, when I was in active addiction, all I thought about was getting high. That's really all I thought about. Once I got into recovery and I met Dr. Cizette Glasner from UCLA, I don't know if you've ever heard of her. She told me that if a parent or a grandparent is addicted, the child or grandchild is

9:2560% more genetically predisposition to suffer from the disease of addiction. So I'm so fortunate that neither one of my kids have it. And now I'm like watching my grandkids like, you know, wondering, hoping it's going to be none of them. And so far none of them seem to exhibit. I've got three older grandchildren by my daughter. And they don't have any symptoms of addiction. So now I just have to watch JD's little ones in prey and just be there and, you know, let them know. Don't do that. Nana, Nana already did that for you. So for those that have seen what addiction looks like and they've seen it in the movies or they've seen it with people in their communities on Skid Row or in New York City and they can tell that people are addicted to drugs and a lot of them have mental health issues as well. You don't start one day and decide you're going to be a heroin addict. It's not something that you make that conscious decision. Exactly. Like I'm going to shoot up today. Exactly.

10:26How does it start? Is it something that is just in the community or is it, does it start somewhere and then it gets worse for you? How did that come to be? Well, I actually was working as a nurse and I had a headache and this was back in the 1990s and you didn't have to sign 9 million pieces of paper to get out one pain pill and a coworker suggested I take a vikin which is an opiate pain killer and I took it and I think my addiction started right then because I have never felt as good as I felt in that minute and, you know, it was a gradual process. I started getting a lot of headaches at work and started stealing a lot of vikin and then I went to Perkisette and then I went to Morphine and then I eventually lost my nursing license and my job and when I was out on the street, the closest thing to the opiate, I mean, I tried to get opiate pain killers if I could but the next best thing

11:29was heroin and that's what I went to. Wow. Well now not only is heroin a problem for so many but now fentanyl has become the latest scourge and you see people dying from it but you see people that think they're taking one thing and it's got fentanyl in it and they call it the fentanyl fold or people are just zombie-like. Yes. You know, the way that you look at everything now is not only from your experience but also because your son is one of the main people who shapes policy not only for this country but around the world. What do you tell him about how to help people that are in the throes of addiction or people that find themselves homeless because they went through addiction? Is there any conversations that you have with him just from your personal lens to impact how these things are taking care of? I mean, we don't really talk about that. We don't really talk about that. He doesn't really ask my advice and I think he's got professional people that he probably

12:30would talk to before he would talk to me. I think speaking to me about it maybe too personal, maybe too close. But we don't really, we try not to talk about those days. You know, the before, we try to keep it with the after. I remember the first time we watched Hillbilly Elegy, we watched it together as a family before it came out and my daughter primarily was crying through the whole movie and I said, why are you crying? It's just a movie and she said, mom, you don't remember what it was like. We lived through that and you know, I had to set back for a minute and give her a little bit of grace because I didn't. She was right. You know, and I sometimes forget that they were just kids and I should have been better. Is it hard for you to watch? Oh, it's absolutely. Yeah, I can't hardly. There's parts of it I can't watch. Really?

13:30Yeah, I mean, I'd imagine you said that it rang pretty true and they did a pretty good job with it. So I'd imagine reliving that is hard, but it also shows you how far you've come and how many people around the country and especially, you know, in your part of the country that are going through it now and the fact that you can inspire people that they can watch that and see what that does to a person, what it does to a family, but also on the other side, how you can grow from it and that your success is not limited or hampered by the things that you've gone through. I mean, you can go through having a drug addicted parent and become the vice president of the United States. Like, what does that mean to you when you sit back and you look back on it and how far your whole family has come? I'm just very proud and I'm just so blessed. I mean, that's really all I can say is, you know, and I, you made, you said something earlier about fentanyl. I got clean about the time fentanyl hit the street and I honestly believe that had I

14:34not got clean, I'd be dead because I was like I said, a very selfish drug addict and I, I, by the grace of God, never did fentanyl, but I think I would be dead if I had continued to use. You know, president Trump famously doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs. He lives a very straight, arrow lifestyle and when asked about it, he says it's because he's seen it in his family and he never wanted any part of that. Have you ever had any conversations with the president about that or about his family experience? I have not. I have, I've only met president Trump twice and both times he was very, very nice and very genuine, but we, it was just short, you know, introductions. How are you? Hi, and I think you told me you, you got a good boy there talking about JD and so no, I'd love to talk to him if he'd ever, you know, call me and want to talk. I'd chat.

15:35Yeah. It's so funny to me how your life has not been that impacted by the fact that your son is the vice president of the United States. You know, honestly, that's what makes you so relatable. The fact that you say you've met the president twice and, you know, your son's the vice president. That's crazy for a lot of people to hear, but there are others in politics who take shots at your family and for one, we've got a candidate in Michigan, Abdul Al-Sayed, who keeps talking about your family and keeps talking about your son and keeps talking about your daughter-in-law. I want to play those comments and then get your take on them because it's really disturbing. Let's take a look. What do you think is going through Oosh's head when he talks? She's like, damn, I have to sleep with him. I mean, I guess she's pregnant, so I guess I guess something's happening. But like, you've got to imagine, like, truly zero charisma. Yeah.

16:35None, right? And like, you imagine, like, he's got brown kids. At some point, you don't have to have a really awkward conversation, right? It is. You're going to be like, you know, like, you made your career hating people who are into prison. Yeah, they look like his kids. So basically, and I'm sure you've heard this many times, Abdul Al-Sayed is trying to say that because your son and your daughter-in-law have brown kids that somehow that's awkward for your family or not accepted by your family, it's such a weird, disturbing thing to say. But what do you make of that when you hear somebody who doesn't know you, doesn't know your family, doesn't know how you operate within your family, try to make that assessment that somehow having brown grandchildren is somehow weird for you. I think that man's an idiot. Those are my babies. I love those babies and would do anything for any of them. And I love Ousha.

17:36Because if she were my own daughter, she's one of the best, most genuine people I've ever met. And she loves my son and she's a good mother. And I don't pay attention to people like that. Yeah. And it's just this insinuation that somehow, because of where you come from, that somehow you wouldn't be accepting of having a daughter-in-law who is of another race. I mean, it's a disgusting thing to say. I'm sure you've heard it before though. And I'm sure JD has heard it before. Do you ever have conversations about that in your family or is it something you just laugh off? We just laugh off. Yeah. We just laugh off. She's just do shut to us. Yeah. He made another comment about Papa, not how he would react if he could see his daughter-in-law in along the same lines. And your son responded to that. I think this week or last responded to those comments. And again, very graciously responded to it and just laughed it off as you've done.

18:42Yeah. But why do people want to take shots at your family that way? I think they're jealous, honestly. I mean, JD is 42 years old. He's handsome. He's the vice president of the United States. He's got a beautiful wife, four beautiful children. And jealous is the only thing I can think of. So I mean, he can take all the shots he wants. It's going to go, you know, it's going to get no merit from any of us. When you see these things, is it something that you just laugh at? Or does it make you mad? I mean, it makes me mad, honestly, because he doesn't know JD and he doesn't know what type of person he is and I do. But in the long run, I'm not going to do anything about it. I mean, I'd probably punch the guy if I ever seen him. And then that would get me in trouble. So I'll just go with the flow.

19:44Yeah. No, I mean, it's just I can only imagine the number of things that they say about your family and about JD. But you're right. It has come from a place of jealousy. Yes. You know, a lot of folks are saying 2028 is coming up and your son is right there in line to potentially run for president. Have you had any conversations with him about that? Well, I've talked to him a couple a little bit about it, but all he just says is that he just wants to be the best vice president that he can possibly be. And when 2828 rolls around, we'll worry about it then. Yeah. So we'll just let it go. Yeah. How would your life change if your son was the president of the United States? I don't think it would change any. You don't. I don't. I mean, it didn't really change with him being the vice president. So I don't know if it would change. If it would, if you were the president, honestly, I live a very simple life. You know, I think because JD is the vice president, more people are interested in my story

20:48now. So that's changed. I get to go out and talk to people and hopefully share some hope. Better than that really hasn't changed. I think if you were the president, I think your life would change a little bit. I don't think you could be as anonymous with that. I mean, some people would say, wow, my life would change and I'm going to have, you know, access to all of these things. And I'm so excited about it. You seem like maybe you feel the opposite. Like you want to live a simple life that you don't want to be in the spotlight other than sharing your story. Is that true? That's true. Yeah. I just like, I'd like to share my story and hopefully helping one person is my goal. And I'll just do what JD tells me. You know, I pretty much live by what my kids tell me to do anyway. So they kind of kind of run my life, both him and Lindsay. So I just do what they tell me and, you know, that's about it.

21:48That's funny. I mean, you probably wouldn't be able to live as anonymously. But you don't, you don't have to worry about your safety. I know I asked you this off camera, but I just imagine that with a number of threats, I mean, they've tried to kill president Trump five times now. We know that JD, he's gone through his own vandalism and in things and to think goodness not that we know of a targeted attack on his life or your family's life. But given that this president, President Trump has nearly been assassinated at least on two occasions, that doesn't enter your mind at all about your personal safety. Honestly, no. I'm pretty anonymous. I could go to the store and there have been two occasions where people have stopped me and said, are you JD Vance's mom? And I've said yes. And then I thought maybe I should have said that. But other than that, I'm pretty anonymous. Yeah. I have a feeling maybe you shouldn't tell people just because you never know.

22:51It's true. With me, if people don't recognize who I am, I don't offer it up. They say, oh, where do you work? I try not to say because you just don't know. People are crazy now. Exactly. They are. They're just crazy. You don't know what you're going to get. And, you know, I know that as well, JD is very close to Charlie Kirk. And we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk's assassination. And I know that JD has been a great friend to Eric Kirk and to the Kirk family. What did that mean for you? Just your proximity to it when we lost Charlie? Oh, I was heartbroken. You know, I never met him personally, but I think he was a great man and a Christian and loved God. You know, he wasn't about division. He was about bringing people together. Sorry. In faith. No, I mean, I did know Charlie fairly well, pretty well. Over the years, we kind of started together in this career. So coming up on the anniversary, it's horrible.

23:51And, you know, his legacy will live on and he's inspired so many. And you guys have that in common and that what you've gone through has inspired so many. But it really does just bring back home this thought of where we are in 2026 that people feel that, you know, they're entitled to either ruin or end somebody's life because they don't agree with them politically. And it's a sad place to be in. Very sad, yes. I'm happy that you live a simple life and that you're not exposed to that. But it's hard to get away from now. Right. I mean, and people pretty much know, you know, where I stand, I'm conservative and I support Donald Trump and J.E. Vance. But the people that I work with, I work with all different kinds and we work very well together and we just respect each other. And I kind of wish that's what the world would do. It's okay, you know, we're allowed to have differences. That's what makes us the greatest country in the world is that we have differences and we work side by side.

24:53We live side by side. We help our neighbor. That's just kind of my motto or, you know, how I'd like to live my life. So it'd be great if we could get back to that. In general. Yes. I can only imagine what it's like for you and I'm so glad to hear that the people that you work with, they don't treat you a certain way. They're probably a little scared too as well, given that your son is the vice president. I wouldn't want to mess with you. You know, I certainly wouldn't want to do that. It's just really sad where we've come to as a nation in dealing with all of this. I want to get your perspective as well on another Usha question. A beautiful second lady. In an interview, she was dragged for wearing a, I think it was in a very cheap old Navy dress and people said, oh, look at her. She's wearing an old Navy maternity dress. I'm from South Dakota. I love old Navy. I love TJ Maxx. And so when I saw that dress, I thought, first of all, I was like, I'm going to be a baseball.

25:53She looks beautiful. But I thought that makes her even more relatable that she's the second lady in the United States and she's wearing an old Navy dress. You know, the attacker for any reason. It seems like even though you guys might come from different cultures or different religions, it seems like our second lady is pretty humble and pretty normal. She is. She's very humble, very, very, I think she's one of the nicest people I've ever met. I love her. I mean, like I said, I love her like she's my own daughter. I would do anything for her. Yeah. And she seems like a very nice person and she's very, she's very genuine, very authentic. She loves JD. She's a good mom. I can't think of anything. I can't think of anything bad to say about her. Have you learned anything about her culture over the years? Have you eaten any Indian food or done any? Absolutely. Yes, absolutely. I don't know what some of it's called. I know I asked my grandson one time what his favorite food was and he named this Indian dish.

26:57And so we had it and I have to admit it was pretty delicious. I don't think I could cook it, but it was pretty good. Yeah. I love that too. I mean, it really is a modern American family. Yes. And I think it's so relatable to see that and just to see that despite all these people that don't know your family saying all these things that you guys really are a unit and there's so much love there. I think that a lot of people could learn a lot from your family dynamic as well. Thank you. Have you always had a close relationship with Usha? I mean, she's featured, of course, in the movie and she's featured in the book. Have you always been closer even though when they were together early on in their relationship, she probably also saw some of the darker sides of your family? I've always been close to her ever since I met her. I knew she was the one just by the way JD looked at her. And that's, he's my son and he looked at her like he had never looked at anybody else and I just knew she was going to be the one. So I've always been close to her.

27:58That's beautiful. And you have, how many grandkids do you have? I have seven. Seven grandkids. Lindsay has three and JD has four. Wow. So I'm guessing being a grandma has put a lot of things in perspective for you as well. Yes. I love being a grandma. It's the funnest. It's the most amazing thing in the world. Even with my older grandkids, I adore them. All of them. Yeah, they make life pretty fun. So when your grandkids come to stay with you, do you have to have secret service there? Well, now that JD is who he is, I have to go there. Okay. Because the kids have secret service. Right. So they can't just come and stay with me. Are you worried that they're not going to have a normal life? Because that's such a young age, they're going to be surrounded by all of that. They're going to have a normal life because of who their parents are. I love that. Even with everything. It's going to be difficult. Yes. Yes. Most kids don't grow up taking, you know, private military.

29:00Right. Yes. Right. But their parents are going to make sure that they stay humble and grateful and lives normal life as they possibly can. Do you think it's difficult for our vice president and your son to stay humble even with everything at his fingertips? Or is that just how he was raised? I don't think it's hard for him at all. I know my mom would say to him, don't get too big for your bridges. And I know I tell him, don't ever forget where you come from.

30:02And he just laughs and says, okay, mom. And I just don't think he will. He's just, he's got a good heart. He's a good boy. Yeah. That's the thing that comes through too. And I think it's very relatable for people to see somebody go through everything that he's been through and attain the level of success. And you know, it's a testament to you too. You've gone through a lot. But the fact that you were able to get clean and stay clean and reunite with your kids, even if it took a while, that's a huge testament to you. Thank you. And it's got to be something that you look on and feel a lot of pride. I do. Thank you. I do. My life was getting clean from drugs. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. And then getting my nursing license back. So, but I did both of those. So, you did both of those. Yes. Is it still a struggle for you to stay clean? Are you always forever in recovery? I'm always, always in recovery. It's, I mean, it's a day, it's a daily reprieve. I still go to meetings. I still have a sponsor.

31:04I do everything that's suggested. I still read the basic text. I did switch to celebrate recovery, which is a 12-step group. But that's just because I felt like I needed to get closer to God. Right. So, what does your faith mean to you? And did you ever feel like you lost faith when you were in the throes of addiction and all you wanted to do was get high? Was there still, did you still speak to God or did you think you lost your relationship with Him and on that time? This September marks the 25th anniversary of 9-11 and tunnel to towers is marking it in a big way. Our steel across America tour is carrying steel from the World Trade Center to 35 cities nationwide and along the way we're paying off 343 mortgages, one for every firefighter lost on September 11th for Goldstar and Fallen First Responder Families. Help us honor their sacrifice and help America never forget visit t2t.org. I mean, I feel like I lost it at that time.

32:05I know I was angry. I was so angry with God a lot because He just wouldn't let me die. I mean, I was miserable. And at the end of my getting high, I wasn't even getting high anymore. I was just using so I wouldn't get sick. Wow. So, you know, and then I would use and obviously go to sleep and wake up and be angry because then I'd have to do it all over again. But I think through recovery, and I don't know if you know this, but the 12 steps are taken directly out of the Bible. And that kind of reunited me with God. And the further along I get in recovery, the closer I feel like I get to God. And I know that I'm blessed. I'm so blessed. And you know, my kids are healthy. My grandkids are healthy. I'm healthy. I have a job that I love. SOS wellness and middle time in Ohio. I'm told I might give them a shout out. I love that. And I get to travel and speak and meet lovely people like you.

33:09So I'm very blessed. Well, it's an honor to have you. I am from, so I'm not from Ohio, but I'm from middle America too. I'm from Rapid City, South Dakota. And so it's the connection that I feel like I have with you and also with JD just given. I feel like we're often fly over country and people forget about the Midwest a little bit and we're put into a box in a certain way. But having and not only you sharing your story, but also having JD as the vice president, I think that gives a lot of people in middle America just feeling of being seen. And that's really special for a lot of people who think you got to grow up in California or Chicago or DC or New York to be important. Your family has really made it clear that you can be from anywhere in this country and you can go anywhere. And that's your family has done that a lot. Going back to the campaign, when JD was getting a lot of criticism for his comment about

34:12childless cat ladies, what did you think about that? Did it make you laugh or did you call him and say, hey, I just thought it was funny. JD's just, he's got a sense of humor. And he was making a joke and obviously people didn't take it as a joke. But I know JD and he just meant it as a joke. And he wrote about it in his book, of course, saying that it was a mistake. And again, it's nice to hear, there's like an off-handed comment and then some people were took it so seriously. And it became, when you see Taylor Swift posing with cats because she wanted to make a political statement, was that weird for you? You've got Taylor Swift making a political statement about something that your son said in an interview years prior. I had no idea that's what she was even doing. Really? Yeah, didn't even know. Until you just said that. I didn't even put the two together. That's funny. Yeah. We'll see. Listen, even Taylor Swift is watching, right?

35:14You know what? Her husband is from Ohio. I know. He's on that crazy. Yeah. So I don't know. She's probably not. You know what? So even though she's not probably politically aligned, you know, there's a connection there. So I think that that's really interesting. But it's, you know, our president gets himself in hot water with the things he says all the time too. And some people take it so personally and people are upset by the things that he says. But President Trump is very much himself as well. Do you think that President Trump and your son are similar in that way? Do you see similarities? Oh, I think so. I think so. I know JD has a lot of respect for him and has actually said that he's one of the smartest people he's ever met. Yeah. So yeah. The night of the vice presidential debate, where did you watch that from? I was at home. I was there. Really? Were you asked to be there? Did you not want to be there? I wasn't asked. Okay. Usher was there. And I was at home.

36:14And I just, I mean, I thought he killed it. I thought he did a great job. He did do a great job. But what is that like? I mean, the fact that you were at home watching it, I was at home watching it. But the fact that you sit there is like, my son is debating the governor of Minnesota, to become the vice presidents of the United States. When you watch that, is it like watching a football game where you get nervous or were you just so confident that he was going to do well? I was just, so I just, I know JD. And I just, I mean, I mean, I'm obviously his mother because he can't do no wrong in my eyes. I think he's perfect. So I know I sound like a mom, don't I? That's all right. I got a daughter that's pretty perfect too. So I just love them both. And I think they're both good kids. Yeah. Well, you're going to, next time there's going to be more debates, I'm sure more. Would you ever go?

37:15Oh, yeah, I would go. If he asked me to go, I would go. That would be a surreal experience, for sure. But I get it. You want to live a simple life. I think you know, give a lot of credit to you for that because you could have a lot of things and be a lot of places and you just want to live a simple life. And I think that that's really beautiful. And it's, it's really grounding and it's nice to see that, you know, your family really hasn't changed that much. It doesn't seem. No. Well, that's great. And the fact that people come listen to you speak and you inspire a lot of people. Hopefully. Do you think that you made enough money off of Hillbilly energy? I know originally they wanted to lowball you. I'm happy with what I made. Yeah. Well, that's good. Initially, they tried to lowball you. Yes, they did. And you weren't having that. No. Yeah. That's fine. Do you think that you think that you were just going to just take a little amount and be fine with that? Yeah. Yeah, that wasn't going to fly with you. Which totally agree. I mean, listen, you've got Glenn Close playing your mom. Amy Adams playing you. Yes.

38:16I mean, that's a pretty big cast. Yes. You get the money in it. Exactly. Do you think there should be a Hillbilly energy too? Um, I think that should probably be JD's decision since he wrote the book and it's based on his life. That would probably be his call. But whatever he would, whatever he would decide, I would be okay with. I think a Hillbilly energy too would be fantastic. It would be nice for people to see that I got clean and stayed clean, I think. I think that would be great. Well, we'll put it out there and you can tell JD. He's got to either write another book or he just needs to write another, maybe another script because we would all love to see it. Okay. For those that want more ways to hear you and hear your story of recovery and listen to you speak, where can they find you? I know you live a simple life. You still got your nine to five job. But where can they go to learn more about your story that they haven't heard in the media? They can contact Judy Wilkinson and she can take it from there. Is it weird for you to be on a speaking circuit?

39:17Did you ever think in your whole life that you would be speaking to crowds of people? No. Now I do have to tell you that. I've shared my story several times. But of course in the last couple of years, a lot more people have wanted to hear me. And I'm sure it's because of who JD is. And I actually said that to him the other day. I said, you know, I've been clean 11 years and for nine years I was asked to speak three times. Now I've probably spoke three times this week and he said, just go with it, mom here. I'm sure you're inspiring. So. Well, you definitely are. You definitely are. And you know, it's easy to see why JD is the man that he is and you should give yourself a lot of credit for that and you have a beautiful family. Thank you so much. Thank you for being in Nashville. It was an honor to meet you and it was an honor to have you. And I'm just so honored that you came to our little studio at Nashville, Tennessee to share your story. Thank you for having me. I'm honored to be here. And we look forward to seeing you at maybe a presidential debate. I'm going to be counting on it, Ben.

40:18I'm going to be watching for you. Okay. Thank you so much. All right, folks. That does it for this episode of Tommy Lair and his fearless. Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe to support the YouTube channel at Tommy Lair and his fearless. All episodes on outkick.com and Fox Nation and the Instagram pages at Tommy Lair and is fearless, audio available wherever you get podcasts, Spotify, I Heart, Apple. You can listen wherever. And don't forget to watch the big weekend show every Saturday and Sunday, 5-8 PM Eastern on Fox News from Nashville. God bless and take care. For the first time ever, Yamavar Resort and Casino at San Manuel is giving away a new Rolex watch for every Club Serrano card tier. Play with your Club Serrano card and on September 20th, you could be one of five winners of a Rolex watch. Plus, all winners will advance to the finale at Palm's Casino Resort Las Vegas for a chance to take home a rarity. The second Mustang Dark Horse ever produced on September 26th, two properties, six winners,

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