Mick Unplugged - Faith Over Fear: Governor Wes Moore on Service, Patriotism & Moral Leadership

Episode Date: August 27, 2026

Discussion about service, patriotism, faith, leadership, technology, and the responsibility to leave no one behind. Governor Moore explains why "service saved me," beginning with the mentors, teachers, coaches, ministers, aunties, and uncles who saw his potential before he could see it himself. He reflects on losing his father at age three, wearing handcuffs by eleven, being sent to military school, and eventually discovering that leadership is not about individual achievement. It is about lifting as we climb. The conversation then turns to the meaning of American patriotism. Governor Moore draws a sharp distinction between patriotism and nationalism, arguing that faith, not fear, is the foundation of a more perfect union. He and Mick also discuss Maryland's public-safety progress, service-year opportunities, apprenticeships, cannabis pardons, energy affordability, AI, data-center accountability, and why technological progress must include guardrails and public trust. IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 Mick’s most important conversation 02:05 Governor Moore’s “Because”: service saved me 04:39 Running away from military school 06:37 The Unplugged Truth: a speech that moved Mick’s family 08:41 Faith, fear, patriotism, and nationalism 13:22 God’s grace and moral leadership 15:21 Hot Takes: Maryland’s progress through collaboration 20:49 Energy affordability, AI, and data-center guardrails 28:55 The Room: you belong because the room needs you 33:11 The Unplugged Five and a legacy of compassion FEATURED SPEECH Watch Governor Wes Moore's July 4, 2026 address, "The Work of Patriotism": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfLQy82IsWo Read the official transcript: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/work-patriotism Connect & Discover Governor Wes Moore: Website: theofficeofgovernorwesmoore.com LinkedIn: @iamwesmoore X: @iamwesmoore Facebook: @iamwesmoore Instagram: @iamwesmoore FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged

I'm probably the most improbable governor in this country. I'm a kid who watched my dad die in front of me when I was three years old. I had handcuffs from my wrist by the time I was 11. I joined the Army at 17 years old. I graduated from a two-year college, and I now serve as a 63rd governor of the state of Maryland. But the reason that I'm here is because there were people who saw me there before I saw myself. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to I usually say another exciting episode of Make Unplugged, but today I'm going out there and I'm being honest.

And I'm saying this is the most important conversation that I've ever had, you know, almost 300 episodes, 300 guests. But the man that I'm talking to today has inspired me. Someone who's the same age as me has roots to where I live. You all know him as the best governor in these United States. But I know him as one of the best leaders that our country's ever seen. A leader of men, a leader of humans. and just the leader of the great state of Maryland. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm honored to bring to you,

Governor Westmore. Governor Moore, how are you doing today, brother? Nick, listen, I cannot tell you how much, how excited I am right now, how much I appreciate you. And listen, I think one of the things I'm really inspired by you by is it's one thing to be successful. It's another thing to be relevant. You've been successful.

I mean, you have been able to hit, the tops in so many different spaces and, you know, in business. And, and, I mean, like, you, you know, sold two businesses. I mean, it's just like, this is wild. But it's the relevancy. It's the then turning it and doing things that you can say, listen, we can both lift as we climb and making sure that we're not leaving people behind, which is, which is our mantra here in the state of Maryland. So this is an honor for me, man. It really is. So thank you. I'm the honor one. I look at it. like you allow the blueprint for people like me to do what we do. You inspire so many people. And

a lot of what I do, man, it's because I've seen how you do it. And I said in the opener, we're the same age. So to see someone who's so impactful, man, at like all the things that you do, you just inspire me to push too, bro. Thank you, ma. Thank you. Yes. With the fact, with the same age means I got work to do. No, I'm trying to catch up. I'm trying to Catch up. But speaking of that, man, like, I always ask my guest this question about what's your because. That thing that's deeper than your why. I call it your true passion. And for me to ask you this question is so surreal to understand your because that deeper than your why. Like, why does Governor Moore continue to do all the dynamic things in the state of Maryland and in all the communities that you're. part of, man. Like, what's your because? Why do you keep doing the things that you do?

I'd say it's because service saved me. Because I have people who, I mean, like, listen, and I tell people that I'm probably the most improbable governor in this country. You know, I'm a kid who watched my dad die in front of me when I was three years old because he didn't get the health care that he needed. that, you know, my mother did not get her first job that gave her benefits after my dad died until I was 14 years old, that I had handcuffs from my wrist by the time I was 11, because we grew up in a community that was over-policed and we knew it. I joined the Army at 17 years old. I went to, I graduated from a two-year college, and I now serve as a 63rd governor of the state of Maryland. And I think to myself where it's like, but the reason that I'm here is because,

there were people who saw me there before I saw myself. Like, there are people who were willing to serve, and people who were, whether it was coaches and ministers and teachers and aunties and uncles, and, like, you know, people who just were willing to sacrifice for the hope of me. And I take that very seriously where, you know, I think about the work that we do in Maryland. I think about the fact we made Maryland the first day in the country

that has a service year office. for all of our high school graduates. I think about this work because I know that service will save us because service saved me. Wow. That's why you are who you are, man. Like that right there, you talk about service saving you and, you know, I know the story of you trying to leave, right? Trying to leave service for a little bit. Like, like talk to talk about that full.

circle moment of, you know, the importance of service to you now. Yeah. It is true because, like, I was, I was sent to a military school when I was like 13 years old. And people always like, you know, you know, why did you choose to go to military school? I'm like, yo, to be clear, no one chooses to go to military school. We all, we all get, we all get chose to go to military And in those first days, like, I was very clear. Like, I don't want to be here. I'm not going to be here. And so in, you know, in the first, I think four days, I ran away five times from the school.

And I would just keep on trying to run away. And finally, they found me in the middle of the woods because they drove me a map on how to get to the train station. But the map was fake. The map literally took in the middle of nowhere. They just enjoyed watching seeing a, watching a flashlight make circles. And they were getting a laugh out of it. And when I got a chance to talk to my mom. She told me she was like, and this is like, this is, you know, Mick, it's wild.

This was like one o'clock in the morning. Yeah. And so I call my mom and tentatively I wasn't allowed to use the phone, but they said you're allowed to make one phone call. And I called her and I was like, mom, I'm ready to go home. Can you come get me? All the kind of stuff. And she says to me, she's like, too many people have sacrificed in order for you to be there. And you have to understand.

It's not all about you. And I'd be lying if I said anything changed at night because it didn't. But, but eventually, I'd be. began to understand what she was talking about. And I got close to my plea brothers, the people who I was there with. And they gave me a little bit of rank and a little bit of responsibility. So it actually felt good to be in charge of something. And by the end of the first year, I said, if it's okay, I'd like to sit tight. And I ended up, you know, staying there throughout my high school career. But it was definitely something where it didn't happen overnight. And this is why I tell us tell

people, like, nothing worthwhile comes easy to you. The stuff that comes easy, is usually never worth it. The only things that are worth it is stuff you actually have to work for. And, but it was one of the most important decisions that I made when I chose to actually put in the work. Amazing, bro. Amazing.

You know, I have to give you some kudos and some flowers right here. I'm going to try not to get emotional about it because you mean this much to me. And I called this segment the unplugged truth. And this is my unplugged truth for you right here. This year we celebrate. 2050 years of American independence, right? I watched on 4th of July

the top three greatest speeches I've ever heard in my life. Wow. And it was Governor Westmore. I'm, for whatever reason, I'm not even going to lie and say I was seeking it out. But, you know, like I'm flipping through and I'm on C-SPAN,

and I see you announced that you're you're about to do this speech. And I have so many notes here on that speech because I'm with family. You know, we're in the South, got the grill, got the smoker going, maybe got some spades going on over here in the corner. But everybody that I'm with, and it's like 25, 30 people, we all paused everything that we were doing because it was one of the most dynamic speeches in the history of speeches that I've ever heard, man. And so you talked about the work of Patriots. And there's so many quotes that I have, but one of the things that stood out to me was you said that faith is in the foundation of patriotism. And I was so moved for like 15, 20 minutes, man.

Like when you were finished, I wish I would have recorded it for you. Everybody that was in the house stood up clapping. I had uncles that had tears in their eyes, man. like, bro, that was one of the greatest speeches I ever heard of my life. And I'd love to just, when I'm giving you your flowers for that, but talk to us about the work of patriotism, man, and like how all of us are part of it. I'm not even going to give the speech away, but like, just talk to us about that, man. I can't tell you know how much that means me, man.

Sincerely, thank you. And, you know, I, um, when I first decided to do it, um, I wanted to address the fact that I felt like there was a larger bastardization of patriotism that was taking place and how there was also this. People were trying to use patriotism and nationalism like they were the same, like they're interchangeable, and they're not. Because patriotism doesn't mean lying about your history. Patriotism means being willing to be part of the future of what is the greatest experiment in world history. And that's not saying the experiment was always perfect because it hasn't been always perfect.

But what it is saying is that every single generation we have an opportunity to make this a more perfect union, to be better than the generation before, to provide more rights, more freedoms, and protect our values in a way that even maybe historically wasn't done to those who came before us because they were willing to fight for us. And I think about that in context where

when we talk about the difference between my grandfather gave me a Bible right before I left for Afghanistan who was actually my grandfather who was born actually in South Carolina. And in that Bible where he just wrote four words, he said have faith, not fear, in the front of that Bible. And I think about that in context where faith really is the foundation of patriotism, a faith that we can be better than the day before, a faith that we all have an integral role in terms of making us better. Fear is the foundation of nationalism.

And nationalism is not allegiance to a values or a cause. Nationalism is allegiance to a person or a group. And fear is what drives nationalism. And the thing that I ask every day, of myself, of Marylanders, and all of us is every day, let's choose faith. Let's not choose fear. Let's choose faith that we can be an extension of this remarkable journey that this country has been on. And to say that we hope to achieve what even those who wrote those beautiful documents at first knew they would never see for themselves. because they knew that while the document was beautiful,

they as human beings were flawed. And the hope that every generation we can get a little bit better. And that, I think, is our responsibility. And if we choose faith instead of fear, I think we've actually got a chance of accomplishing it. Bro, you just got me emotional as you were just talking because it just brought me back to that moment on Fourth of July. One, I could listen to you all day.

But two, to break it down in that way, man, like, we talk about everything that you are. The pillars of what your core values are to me are always rooted in what we've talked about in the last couple of minutes, right? Service, right? Faith. Understanding the history that brought us here. And then the legacy that you're going to leave forward. And when I heard that speech and you, you know, you opened it so well, you talked about the room and, you know, a couple of stories below where you were standing, what the history was and everything that brought it there, man. And, like, you put it together so well.

And then you talked about what patriotism means and what's required of us. And I was so moved. And it's like full circle for me right now because we're talking about it. So I get to hear the depth of how that speech came together. what's required of us, man? What can all of us do? And it doesn't matter where you live. It doesn't matter race, ethnicity, none of that.

Like there's a requirement of all of us to be better patriots. And I think a lot of times with media, they blow things much more out of proportion than they actually are. And I get everyone has a job, but you just talked about that fear. And I think fear is what everybody sells, right? Like fear is what sells. we don't pay attention to solutions

and the faith to see things completed the right way, man. Like, what can we all do now as humans in this amazing country that we live in to enhance patriots? Listen, well, first, you just hit the nail and the head on it. And I think if everyone understands and embraces that, people will have a better understanding of how to lean forward on this because you're right.

I mean, like, if you listen to folks or, you allow yourself to get inside the rabbit holes and kind of the vortex and stuff, you would think we're just like irreparably broken. You would think no one talks to each other. You think no one communicates. You would think that like the world is just horrific. And I think it takes a real deal of discipline to understand that the world is bigger than what is directly in front of you, particularly if the only thing that's directly in front

of you is a screen. That we live in a big and a beautiful and a bright world and we all have a place. in it, right? And I think the thing that I want everyone to do, and I hope for everyone to do, is I understand there's a lot of people who are very skeptical right now. And I get it. I totally understand it because I think that there have been a lot of promises broken, which only fuels the skepticism that people have. But when we know our history and we know that, Yes, this time has been complicated and yes, our history has been complicated, but the truth is there's only been two things that have gotten us out of difficult moments in our history. And that's been God's grace and moral leadership.

That's it. Every single time, God's grace, moral leadership. And we pray for God's grace right now, but also we seek moral leadership. Because I actually think that if people know our history and can lean on it, and if people are willing to find the thing that makes, their heartbeat a little bit faster and do something about it, then I think we're actually going to be in a much better place. And we will make sure that we're bringing everybody along on this journey and not just some of us,

which is actually what's going to make it sustainable. Amen to that. Amen to that, brother. I want to give you some more shoutouts and some more kudos because you've done so much for the state of Maryland. And I call this segment like hot take. So these are just going to be my hot takes. You don't have to say anything.

This is just me. And I know all of your your brother and sisters that are governors and leaders of all the great states of this nation do amazing jobs. Yeah. They do it. A doggone it, governor more. What you've done with Maryland, bro, is wild. And again, I've got stats here. Unemployment.

historic lows. Violent crimes, all-time low. Increased minimum wage. People are buying homes in the state of Maryland, dude. Like, I don't think people understand the significance of that. Because you got to know Maryland. You got to know the history. And I'm not even, a lot of people think of Baltimore when they think of,

but I'm talking about all of Maryland. People are buying homes. People are prosperous. Dude, you've done so much. in the time that you started, that's so unreal. To get to the numbers, when we talk about violent crimes,

and I'm like, to get to the numbers that you are, when Maryland was what, top two or three, I say top two or three, but ranked one, two or three in violent crimes, and now in the 40s,

like that's insane in a good way. When we talk about the things you do for young people, when we talk about just the vibrance that Maryland has now. A lot is owed to you, man. No, well, honestly, a lot is owed to us. You know, I'm just, I'm blessed that I am one of six and a half million people

who have decided that we're going to really do something that isn't done quite often in this country. We're actually going to work together. You know, there's nothing that we have accomplished by a person or a group or a jury. or whatever. It's like it's because we've actually chosen to build a table that's big enough for everybody. I mean, the fact that Maryland has amongst the fastest drop in violence crime, violent crime anywhere in America, the homicide rate in the state of Maryland is down nearly 60% since we came on board. But I'm very clear. Do you know why? It's because we chose to work with the mayor, chose to work with local law enforcement, chose to work with community violence interruptors,

chose to work with our partners across the board. And that's what's helped to drive, you know, these type of results. You know, the fact that we have been able to, you know, being able to quadruple the amount of apprenticeship and trade slots that we have, in the largest mass pardon in the history of the United States of America, where I pardoned over 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions, because you cannot talk about the benefits of legalization if you don't address the consequences of criminalization.

We made Maryland the first day in the country that has a service year option for all of our high school graduates. Like, we're doing it together. And that's the thing I love so much about this moment is if we think that there is going to be a silver bullet to fix these problems or a single thing that we can do, then I know that we're just sorely mistaking. But I think the reason that we're really proud in Maryland, it's not just what we've done. it's how we've done it. And that is what I think is scalable. Matt, so I'm going to go out on the record and say this. If it didn't get cold in Maryland sometimes,

I think I can make Maryland my home, man. I love where it is knowing where it came from. And again, this isn't to talk negative about anyone that was in place before you. Like, that's not the story here. The story is the change. just that has happened. Yeah. Right.

We talk about being able to walk outside at night, right? Right. We talk about, you know, even little things like the airports, right? Like, like feeling good flying into BWI or flying into wherever because, hey, it feels safe now, right? Like, like, you've done so much with the help. You talked about, you know, local mayors and local city councilmen and, in, in, and, women and like all of that matters. We talk about servicemen and women.

We talk about first responders. And when I am in the state of Maryland and I have a huge passion for our servicemen and women and our first responders, right? To hear them talk about the change is mind blowing. To hear a police chief talk about how proud they are to say that they're the chief of this city or this town and that they really would coward that if they were in another state. Dude, like, you guys have done it. Yeah.

You guys have done it. Together. Together. Yes. Together. Yeah. So here's another hot take. And you've been talking about it a lot recently, man.

Like energy and AI. And I've heard you talk about, you know, your mom calling and say, hey, I went from $100, almost $500 a month in energy, and we're seeing it here in the Carolinas too, man. Like, what's it going to take? Okay, here's something my younger self would have benefited from. Most of us picked a bank at 16 and never looked back,

and it's been nickel and diming us ever since. That's where Chime comes in. Chime is changing the way people bank. They're not like those traditional old banks that gate keep the perks and pile on fees unless you carry some massive balance. Chime is the most rewarding, fee-free banking. No overdrafts.

fees, no monthly fees, no minimum balance fees. Here's where it stacks up. You get 5% cash back on your Chime card in a category you choose, like gas or groceries. You build credit through regular everyday spending with no credit check. Your savings grow at a rate nine times the national average, and if you're ever in a pinch, spot me spots you up to $200 fee free. Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's number one choice for banking. Head to chime.com slash mic. That is chime.com slash mic. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and Mick unplugged listeners can earn up to an extra $350. Chime is a fintech, not a bank, banking services, and chime card provided by Chim's bank partners. Qualifying direct deposits required. Terms and limits apply. Go to chime.com slash disclosures for detail.

What's it going to take for this to get better for us to be able to tolerate it a little bit? from the words of Governor Moore, because as you've eloquently said lots of times, governor can't do it. Right. Right. What is it going to take? I mean, you're right where this is a national phenomenon. There's no state that is not dealing with this issue. And a lot of these things, unfortunately, they're being caused by national forces, right?

I mean, it's not lost on anybody than in the past, you know, we're talking. talking about in the past year and a half, we've now seen energy prices increased by over 17% in my state alone. We're watching gas prices that have absolutely jumped in just the past, you know, in the past 10 weeks because of wars. We're just choosing to fight overseas that I'm still not sure. I do not understand what we're doing. But it's, it's, so this is a national phenomenon. I think the things that we have to be able to do is frankly being able to think about some of the things that we should have been thinking about for years. And I know years before I became the governor is how do we take an all-be-above approach when it comes to our energy? I'm a big

believer that we need to have solar and wind and battery storage and all these other things, nuclear, you know, all these energy frameworks, because these are things that can both, we can strengthen the grid. It's the cheapest, the cleanest, and the fastest way of being able to add more energy assets because part of the problem is that you're getting a greater demand, more people, more people using more energy. But if the supply stays flat, then you're going to watch prices rise. And so we need more supply when it comes to our energy supports. And we need to be very specific about our individual jurisdictions. I say that for this reason. The type of energy that we can benefit from, for example, in the state of Maryland, we can benefit from things like offshore

wind. And that's just simply because of our geography, right? That we actually have to ask us to do that. Iowa can't benefit from offshore wind. And that's okay. So then let's come up with ways that these individual states can have the way, the things that can benefit them most and stop looking at this like it's some kind of ideology. And this is where I think the politics gets in the way of all this, that if we're actually able to invest in the things that in our own individual states and why the governors matter in this, where we can actually speed up our process, add more assets, and do more to be able to provide a strengthening of a grid and get more projects green lit, then we would be able to address a lot of these price increases that we're just seeing all around the country right now,

which are just unacceptable. Yeah, totally unacceptable. And, you know, one of the companies that I own is the AI company in the insurance space. And I've had to deal with data centers and understanding more about data centers now than I ever did before. What can we do there? Like at some point, I'm not going to say something needs to be done because I do think things are being done. I just don't know if they're being done in leaps and balance to keep up with the demand

and how it's going to go at some point. What are your thoughts on data centers and in particular? with AI. Well, and definitely more needs to be done to be able to have guardrails around data centers, you know, and I think about it where when I first became the governor, we had 40 to 50, 40, 50, you know, data centers in Maryland already. So this is not a new phenomenon. But the thing that we have seen, though, is that for the people that came before us, they were basically letting the data centers write their rules and determine where they wanted to be and how much energy they wanted to use and what type of impact in one of the environment. And it's like,

hold on, y'all. Like, we cannot do this. And you cannot write the rules. We have to be the one to write the rules. And we have to be the one to be able to work with local jurisdictions. And so, you know, for example, what we did in the state of Maryland, you know, I basically said for any of these platforms, you know, even ones that were coming on board before I got here, I said, there's a couple guidelines that I have on this, that one, you have to be able to bring your own energy and pay for any other, any other improvements that you had. You are not going to put that on the back of taxpayers in a way that was being done rapidly and randomly before. The second thing is you have to be able to hire local workers and you have to be able to work with local leaders

and local community groups to be able to make sure that they want this. in the first place, that I know there are certain jurisdictions that want data centers, and I get that. And I know there's certain jurisdictions that do not, but you cannot force them to be able to accept this if the local jurisdiction says we do not want that in our jurisdiction, and just because the local jurisdiction wants it, there's still need to be guidelines that the state has to check off on. And the third thing is we have to be able to make sure you're meeting environmental concerns and they're environmental guidelines. And in Maryland we have high environmental guidelines on this, and it is important because we've got one planet. And so let's just

make sure we can do this stuff sustainably. I am very bullish on what I think AI can bring to our society, where I think AI can be revolutionary when it comes to health care. I think it'd be revolutionary for public safety. I think it can be revolutionary for housing policies and permitting. So I am very bullish on what AI can do for us. But the answer, can't be then let's just move forward by all means necessary. There have to be guardrails and guidelines that are laid out that frankly historically and before were not being laid out. And so that's why I think we ended up in the problem that we find ourselves in now where I believe strongly that we've got to be able to move and act aggressively on this.

You have a huge supporter in that, man. If there's anything I can do to help with that message, you just call me and I'm there because I agree with you. an AI company in the insurance space, which is very regulated anyway, right? Like, I think a lot of people miss the intelligence part of AI. Yes. Right? They focus on the artificial,

but they're missing the actual intelligence piece. And to me, and I know most people and entities have good, if not great, amazing intentions. But to your point, the guard rails have to be there. They have. And that starts with infrastructure.

structure, right? That starts with modeling. That starts with, you know, output, algorithms, all the things that really matter, but let's not forget the intelligence. That's right. And to your point, we have to bring the public with us on this. Because for a lot of people, and I understand why. I mean, if you talk to them about AI, they think like Will Smith movies, they think the thing that's going to take my job. Right. Because there has not been a larger education to the public about this and what it means, what's going to be required, what are the benefits and what are the guardrails. And so I do think that it's both for government

and it is for the AI companies. There has to be a larger education that then can take place so people don't feel like they're being hosed by what is happening with this new technology, which is a very, very powerful technology. Again, one that I think can have an absolute, you know, revolutionary impacts on education and health care, public safety, insurance, etc.

But we got to do it smartly. Okay, here's something my younger self would have benefited from. Most of us picked a bank at 16 and never looked back. And it's been nickel and diming us ever since. That's where Chime comes in. Chime is changing the way people bank. They're not like those traditional old banks that gate keep the perks and pile on fees

unless you carry some massive balance. Chime is the most rewarding fee-free banking. No overdraft fees, no monthly fees. no minimum balance fees. Here's where it stacks up. You get 5% cash back on your Chime card in a category you choose, like gas or groceries.

You build credit through regular everyday spending with no credit check. Your savings grow at a rate nine times the national average. And if you're ever in a pinch, spot me spots you up to $200 fee free. Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's number one choice for banking.

Head to chime.com slash Mick. That is chime.com. slash Mick. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and Mick unplugged listeners can earn up to an extra $350. CHIME is a fintech, not a bank, banking services, and CHIMC card provided by CHIMS bank partners. Qualifying direct deposits required. Terms and limits apply. Go to chime.com slash disclosures for detail. Got it to it smartly. Yep. Agree. Governor Moore, again, you're amazing. All the things that you've done that you've accomplished, you are very quick to say that, you know, There's mentors that shape you. We don't do things alone.

We do things together. And in this segment that I called The Room, right? I think back to your grandfather's story here in South Carolina and being run out almost. And he could have not come back, right? Could have not come back. I love to talk about the room for you. Was there to become who you are? Was there a room?

Was there a meeting? Was there a conversation? Was there a dinner? Was there a moment that led you to say that this is going to be my path? And not only that this is going to be my path, but there's the action that's needed to get there. Was there a room, a moment, a conversation that you can remember that's like, I'm going to go do that? You know, it's a great question. I think it actually in many ways comes back to like my grandfather. who eventually became a minister, and my grandmother was a school teacher, and my mom, who was an immigrant single mom

who raised three kids in her own, but they taught me something that I think took a while for me to process, but it's something I believe in deeply and something that I know I share every time, particularly with students that I get a chance to be around, and I tell them it's like, listen, you're never in a room because of someone's kindness

or because of someone's benevolence, benevolence or because someone want to sprinkle diversity into the room or because of some social experiment. You're in that room because the room was incomplete until you showed up. You're in that room because you belong there. And I think that was one of those moments where I felt like it wasn't even just about a room that I was in. It changed my framing for every room that I was in. that when I walk into rooms, I never walk in a room with my head down. I never walk in a room with my shoulders bent.

I never walk in a room. Thank you. I'm so thankful to be here. No, no, no, no. The room was waiting for you. Right. And that's the thing I want for everybody to understand and appreciate is that when we take that as our mentality,

then there is nothing that will feel impossible because now you're just following God's will. Yes, sir. I love that, man. And I know that you also, to your point, are creating those rooms for others now. Amen. Right? And I see the work that doesn't get publicized because you don't want or need it publicized.

But the things that you do in various communities, the mentees that you mentor, the people that you inspire move forward, again, I can't be remissant of that. I have to give you your flowers, man, because it's through those things that you do not in the public, which is hard for a public figure. But it's those things that touch me. And it's those things that when I talk about you to my family, to my friends, to my circle, those are the things that I point to. Right? Like, I don't think people understand your commitment to the youth of Maryland and the doors that you're opening there and the programs that you're building there and the programs that you're building. building there and the books that you've authored that are blueprints for a lot of things, man. I just, I want to appreciate you and thank you for the rooms that you're creating to.

Wow. That's love, man. And I'm grateful for you and how you've done it. And I'm just, I'm grateful for this chance for us to be able to wrap because I have such a deep respect for you and how you use your platform and how you've used your voice. And for you to have me on, I'm serious, Nick, this is a big deal for me. So thank you. It's a bigger deal for me.

Bigger deal for me. I'm not going to get emotional. I'm done. I'm going to get you out of here on my rapid fire quick five. I love it. I love it. All right. Number one, Elvis impersonator at the wedding.

That's not even a question. That's just more of a statement. So I guess the question is how to wifey was okay with that. She was okay with it because, I mean, listen, I told her, I promised her my vows. I said, I'm going to keep it fresh and sexy. And I said, listen, get married by Elvis. If that ain't fresh and sexy, I don't know what it is. That's what's up.

That's what's up. All right. Number two, you're a New Yorker. You live in Maryland. So this is about to be tough. You're going with a slice. You're going with crab cakes. Oh, crackcase.

And that's, like, I very much see myself as a, I'm a, I'm a Marylander who spent a good amount of my childhood in New York. And so, you know, listen, I, in New York, whenever I head up to New York, you know, you got to love the, you know, you got to love the slice with all the oil. The oil that is just dripping off into the, into the paper plate. But let me tell you something. If I had, if I had a chance, someone's like, listen, you got. one bite. And whatever bite you want, you got one bite. I'm going cocoa scrapcakes. Okay. Okay. All right. Now I'm going to spark some controversy. In the household, who's the better cook? Oh, that's not controversy. That's me. Okay. That's me. My wife will tell you.

Because you know why, too, is that she's actually a good cook, but she doesn't love it. Like, I love it. Like I... South Carolina root right there. Yeah. From the heart, right? I mean, like, I am passionate about cooking. Like, it's a whole experience. So she'll tell you, I mean, she's a good cook. Don't get me wrong. But she will tell you that I'm the chef. Not just a cook, but a chef.

Chef. We graduate. Okay. All right. I got something. I'm going to make something happen. You know, Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine is like my best friend in the world. I'm about to make something happen.

I'm going to call him when we're done. Make something happen. Hey now. Make something happen. All right. Most people don't know this. You were an illustrious white receiver in college. You know, you talk about service choosing you.

Well, football chose you too. You didn't choose football. It chose you. So who is your favorite wide receiver of all time? Oh, my favorite wide receiver of all time. I mean, listen, it's, it's tough not to go Jerry Rice. I have a real sauce by my heart for Randy Moss. Because I just think Randy Moss would, like, there was nothing that anyone could do with

Randy Moss. At all. I mean, he was just, it was, I mean, again, when you've turned in, when your name is turned into a verb, right? Like, you got Mossed. Right. Like, you just realize you're on another level. Right.

The thing, the reason that I say, I say Jerry is only for this reason. Randy Moss was physically something that the NFL had never seen before, right? A wire receiver that was, you know, 6-4, 6-5, fast, could just, I mean, just throw the ball up. That wasn't Jerry Rice. Right. Jerry Rice just ran the most beautiful routes where, like, Jerry Rice would run a route that he would get, no matter what type of route it was running, he was going to get five yards of separation on you.

And that in the NFL is, because you're talking about cornerbacks who were, you know, cornerback, NFL cornerbacks, that you're getting five yards of separation on every single play. He just ran beautiful routes. And so I got to go, I got to go, Jerry Rice. Gary Rice, it is. All right, last one. as your story continues to be told and that book continues to be written

what's one word you want to make sure is in there that defines you compassion I love it I love it bro this means the world to me I'm truly honored man truly honored everybody that's watching or listening,

I've got a clip to that 4th of July speech that I'm referencing. I need everybody to do me a favor and watch it. I need you to save it. I need you to continue to come back to it because that is the speech. Like, we haven't had a lot of those in our lifetime. Governor Moore, when I tell you,

that's the one for me and my lifetime. That's the one. I mean, my kids who are in their 20, They're already talking about it. And that touches me to, as a parent, to have something that's so monumental that your kids talk about, I don't think. I'm not going to say I don't think. I need you to understand the breadth of that, bro. I really do.

Wow. That means a world coming you, man. I'm serious. Keep leading. I'm serious. Absolutely. Follow. Absolutely.

Ladies and gentlemen, this has been Governor Westmore. Just follow him, research him, befriend him. If you're in the state of Maryland, you have, these are the words of Mick and McColle, you have the greatest leader. Again, if it didn't get as cold, I would move there. I would move there.

I wish I'd do something about that. It's only a few months of the year, though. It's only a few months of the year. It's still a few of them, though. It's still a few. And as always, to the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleashed it. God bless.