Australia seems like a half a world away as we are back in Chicago and Oprah is having one of those moments. Sheri’s in the office to talk work…but Oprah can’t always be laser focused.  Sadie needs to be fed…Hugh Jackman sent a present… Sadie needing her ball thrown…it’s life people.  It’s real….what was I doing? Alone in the office, Sheri’s pitches the idea of the company going vegan for one week. Oprah signs off…though she knows it will be hard…but she’s ready to lean in and give it a try…

The Bravest Families in America
Producer, Dana Brooks takes on the Military Families show….Tom Brokaw called Oprah and got the ball rolling…to make the world aware of what these families are going through for our country. The First Lady, along with Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodward are all showing up for this incredible story. Senior Associate Producer, Joanna Moel is excited about the show because it’s personal – her brother served in Iraq.

A little about our producer this week…“Dana Brooks is in the category of one of Harpo’s greatest success stories. She started out in the mail room and has worked her way up to being a really fine producer in the 17 years she’s been with the company,” says Oprah.

For this show, Oprah does not want to use her relationship with the President and First Lady for anything ever. Oprah is clear about that. So, when Dana tells her that the First Lady wants to be part of this show, Oprah’s cautious.  Also, what do we want to do with the show? Let’s start a movement…so, that’s as easy sometimes as saying  “Oprah.” Does she realize her own power?

On a very personal note, Joanna Moel shares her story of her brother, who has a brother that was in the military and had an injury – he was in iraq for 14 months and broke his neck in 2 places and his back in 2 places from a Humvee accident and…“the dreams died that day. It’s a new normal and it’s really hard on the family because you have to learn how to go with that new normal and you want to embrace them as who they are and not remind them of who they once were because you can’t go back to that.”  This is what we need to realize and understand…and acknowledge. 

Oprah is hoping that this show…is a sense of validation that you are not alone…to these familes. “I am happiest when this show gets to serve as a platform to get people to think differently, not only about the issue but their relationship to this issue,” Oprah says. Powerful.  To connect yourself…go to Google and type in “wounded soldiers and your town’s name” to get started.  Make your own ripple in the water…and be somebody’s rainbow today!

Going Vegan
Lisa Morin, Sr. Supervising Producer, is taking on the food show…maybe the last one for the Oprah Show.  Autho, Kathy Freston, of “Veganist” is going to help the team with moving toward being vegan…and finding compassion towards animals and how we eat.  Lisa thinks the group is up for the challenge…”because Harpo is a group of over achievers.”  That sounds like a ‘throw-down.’

Over at the café, Lisa and Oprah stop Tommie Skinner, a camera operator, on the street for an impromptu interview. Tommie – Oprah is interviewing you! He’s doing the challenge…and “cleaning out the plumbing.” Michelle Mcintyre in line can’t go vegan. She’s pregnant. Ray Dotch tells us he’s vegan…but not sure we believe him…but we do believe he’s trying. Oprah samples the menu…chili and a muffin and sits down Parker Lee Williams, Don Anderson, and more. Changing lives…one bean patty at a time…

As they tape the vegan challenge, our favorite Joe Terry tells us he’s leaning into it…and making the change. “I have more energy…this really agrees with me,” he says. Leaning in to being more healthy…Oprah certainly thinks it accomplished that. Oprah admits, she’s ‘vegan-ish’…I’m with you Oprah! But I do have to say…I’m leaning more each day…