THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT WHY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH OUR INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD.

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT BRAIN SCIENCE COMING UP.

FIRST TONIGHT, THE MUSICAL CHAIRS OF POLITICAL REDISTRICTING HOW YOUR REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS COULD BE ABOUT TO CHANGE.

JOINING US TONIGHT IS TODD EBERLY PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT ST.MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND.

TODD, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> Jeff: SO THE CURRENT SITUATION AS THINGS HAD STAND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE NARROWEST OF MARGINS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THERE IS AN ELECTION NOT QUITE A YEAR FROM NOW AT THIS POINT AND STARTING WITH TEXAS THE STATES HAVE BEEN REDRAWING THEIR CONGRESSIONAL MAPS AT A TIME WHEN THEY DON'T USUALLY DO IT.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

>> THIS IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN EVERY 10 YEARS AFTER THE SEPSIS.

IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP DIRECTED STATE LEGISLATURES TO REDRAW DISTRICTS TO MAXIMIZE REPUBLICAN ADVANTAGE GOING INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN 2026.

HISTORICALLY MIDTERMS ARE PAD FOR THE PRESIDENT IN OFFICE.

AVERAGE OF 25-30 SEATS WOULD BE THE NORMAL LOSS.

REPUBLICANS CAN AFFORD TO LOSE THREE SEATS AND NOT LOSETER MAJORITY.

SO THEY ARE SEEKING TO TRY TO OFFSET ARE WHAT TO BE DEMOCRATIC GAINS IN 2026.

>> Jeff: AND DEMOCRATIC GAINS WOULD TRUMP INTO A LAME-DUCK, RIGHT?

>> I MEAN AT THIS POINT THERE IS NOT MUCH TO PREVENTED HIM FROM BUDGETING A LAME-DUCK.

IF HE WERE TO LOSE ONE HOUSE OF CONGRESS HIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS OVER.

AND CONGRESS SUDDENLY CAN START TO ENACT ITS OVERSIGHT POWERS AND ISSUE SUBPOENAS AND OLD HEARINGS ALL THE THING THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WOULD NOT DO TO A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.

>> Jeff: IF IT'S THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER IMPEACHMENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE?

>> I MEAN, IMPEACHMENT REQUIRES A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.

AND IT IS NOT OUT OF THE REALM OF IMPOSSIBILITY HE COULD FACE ANOTHER IMPEACHMENT IN THE HOUSE.

>> Jeff: AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE SITUATION IN MARYLAND WHERE WE HAVE EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CURRENTLY SEVEN DEMOCRATS ONE REPUBLICAN.

GOVERNOR MOORE THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES WANT TO CONVENE A SPECIAL SESSION TO REDRAW THE MAP TO MAKE IT EIGHT TOKER ZERO OWE.

THE SENATE NOT ONBOARD.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRAW THE MAP WE SEE ON THE SCREEN IN A WAY THAT HAS ALL DEMOCRATS?

>> IT IS POSSIBLE.

AND, IN FACT, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ATTEMPTED TO DO IT IN THE LAST ROUND OF REDISTRICTING IN 2021.

WHERE THAT FIRST DISTRICT CAME ACROSS THE BAY BRIDGE AND INTO ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION COUNTY AND THEY CHOPPED OFF THE TOP PART AND PUT IT INTO THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THAT MAP WAS CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS AND IT WAS OVERTURNED AS A PARTISAN GERRYMANDER.

AND THE JUDGE IN THAT CASE DETERMINED THAT DRAWING CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TO ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE A POLITICAL PARTY VIOLATED MARYLAND'S DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

NOW, ANY ATTEMPT TO REDRAW THAT MAP TO CREATE EIGHT DEMOCRATIC SEATS WOULD HAVE TO SURVIVE ANOTHER COURT CHALLENGE AND WOULD HAVE TO SURVIVE THE PRECEDENT SET IN THAT 2021-2022 CHALLENGE.

>> Jeff: AND THE CURRENT MAP, I DON'T BELIEVE, WAS ACTUALLY REVIEWED BY THE STATE'S HIGH COURT.

IT WAS JUST SORT OF ACCEPTED.

SO WHO KNOWS WHAT THE OUTCOME MIGHT BE?

>> I THINK THAT THAT'S THE FEAR THAT SENATE LEADER FERGUSON HAS THEY DON'T NOAH THE OUTCOME MIGHT BE.

IT'S UNLIKELY A COURT IMPOSED MAP LIKE UTAH, BUT THE COURT COULD HANDOUT GUIDELINES OR STIPULATIONS FOR WHAT ANY REDRAWN MAP WOULD HAVE TO LOOK LIKE AND THAT OPENS THE DOOR FOR DEMOCRATS TRYING TO CREATE EIGHT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND POSSIBLY LOSING DISTRICTS AND HAVING A PRECEDENT SET FOR THE FUTURE TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO THEM TO REDRAW MAPS IN THE FUTURE.

>> Jeff: IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT REDISTRICTING SEND US AN E-MAIL AT LIVE QUESTIONS AT MPT.ORG.

TODD, LET'S LOOK AT THIS MAP AGAIN FOR A SECOND.

THE ONE REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF CONGRESS IN MARYLAND, ANDY HARRIS REPRESENTS LARGELY THE EASTERN SHORE IN YELLOW.

WHERE ELSE ARE THERE POCKETS OF REPUBLICANS?

>> THERE ARE POCKETS OF REPUBLICANS IN WESTERN MARYLAND ONCE YOU MOVE WEST OF FREDERICK.

DOWN HERE IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND, CALVERT AND ST.MARY'S COUNTY ARE REPUBLICAN.

THE EASTERN SHORE AND ALSO THE NORTHERN PART OF MARYLAND CLOSE TO THE PENNSYLVANIA BORDER.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THOUGH REPUBLICANS ARE ONLY 30% OF REGISTERED VOTERS, GEOGRAPHICALLY THERE ARE HIGHLY CONCENTRATED AREAS OF REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATIC CORE OF THE STATE IS ALONG THAT I-95 CORRIDOR.

DRAWING MAPS THAT BENEFIT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY OF REPUBLICANS BEING ELECTED REQUIRES SOME CREATIVE DRAWING OF DISTRICTS AND MARYLAND IN THE PAST HAS HAD SOME, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE HOW CREATIVELY DRAWN SOME OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN.

>> Jeff: THERE WAS A FEDERAL JUDGE WHO DESCRIBED THE THIRD DISTRICT AS A BROKEN WINGED TEAR DAK TALL.

>> ACROSS THE GROUND.

YEAH.

AND THE MAP PROPOSED IN 2021 I BELIEVE IT WAS THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LOOKED LIKE BIZARRE CONE CREATED BY THE FLINSTONES.

SO THEY HAVE TRIED TO CREATE SOME CRAZY DISTRICTS AND THE FOURTH DISTRICT LOOKED LIKE A PAIR OF EARMUFFS.

IT'S POSSIBLE TO DRAW THEM.

IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD SURVIVE A LEGAL CHALLENGE GIVEN THAT 2022 PRECEDENT.

>> Jeff: IN A PERFECT WORLD, OF COURSE, YOU WANT VOTERS CHOOSING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AND NOT THE REPRESENTATIVES CHOOSING THE VOTERS.

YOU WANT, WELL, LET ME ASK YOU IF YOU CURRENT SYSTEM MAKES THINGS MORE POLARIZED IF YOU WINDUP WITH THE FAR LEFT OR FAR RIGHT DISTRICTS YOU DON'T GET A LOT OF MODERATES OF EITHER PARTY IN CONGRESS?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING ADDS TO THE POLARIZATION BECAUSE IT CREATES SAFE REPUBLICAN OR SAFE DEMOCRATIC DISTRICTS THE CONTEST IS THE BATTLE FOR YOUR PARTY'S NOMINATION IN THE PRIMARY.

PRIMARIES TEND TO BE LOW TURNOUT AND THE FOLKS WHO VOTE IN PRIMARIES TEND TO BE THE MOST PARTISAN MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORATE.

SO YOU WINDUP IN SAFE REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS ARE VERY, VERY CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES AND IN DEMOCRATIC DISTRICTS YOU GET MORE LIBERAL CANDIDATES AND THAT IS A RECIPE FOR POLARIZATION IN CONGRESS AND ABSOLUTELY NO APPETITE FOR COMPROMISE IN A SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE REMINDED WAS DESIGNED TO DEMAND COMPROMISE.

IF WE ARE IN AN ERA, AND I FEAR WE ARE, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS REDISTRICTING AFTER EVERY ELECTION CYCLE, I THINK IT'S ONLY GOING TO MAKE THE PROBLEMS WE'RE SEEING IN OUR POLITICS THAT MUCH WORSE.

>> Jeff: SO YOU THINK THIS WOULD SET A PRECEDENT?

I GUESS IF THE COURTS DO NOT INTERVENE IF THERE IS NO PUSHBACK FROM THE PUBLIC WHY WOULDN'T YOU DO IT AGAIN TWO YEARS LATER?

>> AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THE SUPREME COURT WASHED ITS HANDS OF THIS AND SAID THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

IT WILL COME DOWN TO STATE COURTS AND STATE LAW AND STATE CONSTITUTIONS AS WE SAW IN CALIFORNIA EVEN WHEN THE STATE DOES ENACT REFORMS IF THEY WANT TO RESPOND TO PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING IN OTHER STATES BY THE OTHER PARTY THEY ARE WILLING TO OVERRULE THEIR OWN PRIOR CHIMENT TO NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE WONDERING IF THIS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE U.S.

SUPREME COURT.

THEY LOOKED THE IT BEFORE I SAT IN THE GALLERY FOR ONE OF THOSE HEARINGS.

AND THE CONSENSUS WAS THIS WAS BAD BUT WE DON'T HAVE A WAY TO FIX IT.

AND THE THING THAT IS DIFFERENT NOW, THERE USED TO BE A VERY NEAR WE ARE DRAWING MAPS BECAUSE OF COMMONALITY OF INTERESTS IN THE CAOS, EVERYBODY IS SAYING THIS IS STRAIGHT POLITICS WE ARE GERRYMANDERING AND CAN THE COURTS LOOK THE OTHER WAY?

>> YEAH, THE QUESTION IS WILL THE COURTS GET INVOLVED NOW INSTEAD OF HAPPENING AS THE CONSTITUTION AT LEAST SEEMS TO STIPULATE IT SHOULD HAPPEN EVERY 10 YEARS IF IT BEGINS HAPPENING HALFWAY THROUGH EVERY TWO YEARS AND IT'S VERY CLEARLY BEING DONE TO DISADVANTAGE POLITICAL PARTIES, DOES THIS VIOLATE EQUAL PROTECTION?

DOES IT VIOLATE FREE ASSOCIATION?

UNFORTUNATELY THE REALITY IT WOULD TAKE A FEW YEARS FOR THAT TO PERCOLATE THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM TO BE DECIDED.

AND THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THE COURT WOULD STRIKE IT DOWN.

>> Jeff: VIEWER FROM CARROLL COUNTY WANTS TO KNOW I'M CONCERNED ABOUT NEGATIVE REDISTRICTING AFFECTS ON CARROLL COUNTY CITIZENS.

PLEASE ADDRESS HOW TO GUARANTEE FAIRNESS?

AND I GUESS THAT COULD BE A QUESTION FROM ANY COMMUNITY?

HOW DO WE GUARANTEE FAIRNESS?

>> SO LONG AS WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT DOES ALLOW FOLKS TO DRAW DISTRICTS FOR ANY REASON INCLUDING FOR PARTISAN PURPOSES, THERE'S NO WAY TO GUARANTEE FAIRNESS OTHER THAN THE AT THE STATE LEVEL PASSING A HAUGH THAT MANDATES THAT DISTRICTS CAN'T BE DRAW BASED ON REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT PARTISANSHIP CANNOT FACTOR INTO IT OR A LAW THAT CREE ITS AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION THAT WOULD ESTABLISH THE DRAWING OF DISTRICTS.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOT A LOT OF APPETITE.

IN RED STATES THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE MANDATE TO REDRAW DISTRICTS AND IT'S RESPONDED BLUE STATES IN KIND.

WE ARE IN A GAME OF DESTRUCTION AT THE MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO ALLOWING PEOPLE TO PICK THEIR REPRESENTATIVES INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> Jeff: IS THERE SUCH A THING, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH A THING AS A TRULY INDEPENDENT COMMISSION DEALING WITH THE POLITICAL MATTERS?

SOMEBODY HAS TO APPOINT THESE PEOPLE?

>> RIGHT.

WHETHER IT'S THE MANNER IN WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE APPOINTED IT WILL BE THE POLITICAL MOTIVATIONS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS HAVE IT CLEARLY PRESCRIBED IN LAW THAT AT NO POINT IN THE DRAWING OF THE DISTRICTS CAN YOU CONSIDER THE PARTISANSHIP OF THE VOTERS ARE YOU HAVE LAWS THAT MAKE CLEAR YOU HAVE TO RESPECT EXISTING SCHOOL COUNTY LINES.

WHAT HAPPENS IT BECOMES VERY PRESCRIPTIVE IN HOW YOU SET THE STANDARDS FOR DRAWING THE DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO TRY AND AVOID A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE DOESN'T FIND OUT A WAY TO EEK OUT THE PARTISAN ADVANTAGE.

>> Jeff: TODD EBERLY I BELIEVE IS SAFE FROM THE REDISTRICTING CHANGES?

>> THE 15TH DISTRICT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE TOUCHED MUCH.

ALTHOUGH THESE DAYS WHO KNOWS.

LOOKING AT SOME OF THE MAPS AROUND THE COUNTRY, I THINK, FOLKS WOULD BE AMAZED BY WHAT THE LINES COULD LOOK LIKE.

>> Jeff: WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

[*] >> Jeff: NOW ON THE BOOK BEAT WE'RE JOINED BY LISA LAWSON THE C.E.O.

OF THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION AND SHE HAS WRITTEN "THRIVE: HOW THE SCIENCE OF THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN HELPS US IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL CHILDREN".

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: YOU WERE NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO WONDER WHAT IS WRONG WITH ADOLESCENTS BRAINS.

THE QUESTION IS AS OLD AS MANKIND.

ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS BUT WE SHOULD TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE MORE ABOUT THEIR BRAINS AND PARENTS SHOULD GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADOLESCENTS BRAINS, ACTUALLY SO MUCH INTERESTING HAPPENING IN THAT PART OF A YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THE BOOK.

WHAT AGE RANGE ARE YOU FOCUSED ON?

>> IT'S ABOUT ADOLESCENTSES THE YEARS BETWEEN 14-24.

PEOPLE OFTEN THINK IT'S THE SAME AS PUBERTY.

IT'S NOT.

PUBERTY IS BIOLOGICAL CHANGE IN THE YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE.

ADOLESCENTS LASTS LONGER AND IT IS A PERIOD OF PROFOUND COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT LASTS INTO YOUR MID-20s.

>> Jeff: AND HOPEFULLY AT THE END OF THAT YOU ARE A WELL FUNCTIONING ADULT.

WHAT ARE WE AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT?

KIDS?

>> ADD ADOLESCENCE IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN CHILDHOOD AND ADULTHOOD AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS THAT BRIDGE SAFELY SO THEY CAN ENTER ADULTHOOD WITH INDEPENDENCE.

>> Jeff: THE PROCESS OF ADOLESCENCE WHEN IT COMES TO THE BRAIN DIFFERENT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, MEN AND WOMEN?

>> THEY ARE ALL GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.

IT MIGHT HAPPEN AT A DIFFERENT PACE BUT NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE OF GENDER BUT BECAUSE OF OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES A YOUNG PERSON MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH.

IF THEY ARE GROWING UP IN ADVERSITY, SURROUNDED BY POVERTY THAT IS GOING TO RESTRICT THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY HAVE.

BUT NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE OF GENDER.

>> Jeff: DOES IT HAVE A PHYSICAL IMPACT ON THE BRAIN AND ITS STRUCTURES?

IF SOMEBODY GROWS UP WITH GREAT CHALLENGES?

>> YOU KNOW, THE BRAIN GROWS BACK TO THE FRONT THE LAST PART OF OUR BRAINS TO DEVELOP IS THE FRONT, THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX TONIGHT CONTROLS COGNITIVE THINKING EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND HOW WE BUILD DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS.

IF A YOUNG PERSON GROWS UP IN ADVERSITY IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT DEVELOPMENT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN IT MAYBE DELAYED IN HAPPENING.

AND WE KNOW THAT CONNECTION TO ADULTS WHO CAN HELP GUIDE THEM THROUGH LIFE, ACTUALLY HELPS THE HEALING PROCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH ADULTS SO WE THINK.

>> SO WE THINK.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS NECESSARILY TRUE.

IT IS A TIME WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BUILDING DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PEERS.

BUT THEY ARE ALSO KEENLY AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES AND THE NAVIGATION THEY NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH LIFE.

MAYBE MORE SO NOW BECAUSE OF HOW COMPLEX LIFE IS.

WHILE WE MIGHT THINK YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT LISTENING TO US, THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE AND ARE DESPERATE FOR GUIDES WHETHER IT'S COACHES OR MENTORS IT MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE THEIR PARENTS THEY ARE EXCITED TO LISTEN TO.

BUT THEY WANT THE ADVICE OF ADULTS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE LIFE.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE A BIG TIME FOUNDATION C.E.O.

NOT A SCIENTIST.

WHAT HAS CHANGED ON THE SCIENCE?

HAS ANYTHING CHANGED ON THE SCIENCE SIDE OF THIS?

I'M THINKING ABOUT ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS IN PUT PEOPLE'S BRAINS INTO MRI SCANNERS AND ALMOST TELL WHAT THEY ARE THINKING?

>> I AM NOT A NEUROLOGIST SO I CAN'T ANSWER IT ALL.

BUT WE'VE DONE MORE STUDY TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE CHANGES HAPPEN THE CONTEXT THAT HELPS THEM HAPPEN MORE POSITIVELY.

SIMILAR TO EARLY CHILDHOOD IN 40, 50 YEARS AGO IN THE NEURONS TO NEIGHBORHOODS RESEARCH.

ADD LESS DENSE IS HAVING A MOMENT.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THE MOST INTERESTING COURSE I TOOK IN COLLEGE I DISUM BELLED INTO BECAUSE I NEEDED AN ELECTIVE AND IT WAS DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCH DEALING WITH YOUNG KIDS THE IDEA THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE LANGUAGE ACQUISITION CAN TAKE PLACE.

THE BRAIN IS DESIGNED TO LEARN A LANGUAGE UP UNTIL AGE SEVEN.

YOU CAN DO IT AFTER THAT NOT AS EFFICIENTLY YOU WINDUP WITH AN ACCENT.

THE WHOLE FIELD FASCINATES ME.

>> IT REALLY IS AMAZING TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW WE DEVELOP AS HUMANS.

THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD SCIENCE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

HELPS US KNOW HOW TO GET KIDS OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT BUT YOU CAN'T STOP AT FIVE YOU HAVE TO KEEP GOING AND THAT IS WHERE THE ADOLESCENCE SCIENCE COMES IN AND IT'S EXCITING TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE WHAT IS HAPPEN TO GO GIVES THEM MORE EMPATHY FOR THEMSELVES AND GIVE PARENTS MORE EMPATHY IF THEY UNDERSTOOD.

>> Jeff: DOES ANY ADOLESCENT KNOW THAT YOUR BRAIN IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED YET?

>> SOMETIMES MY DAUGHTER HAD A FORWARD THINKING BIOLOGY TEACHER AND WHEN SHE GOT IN TROUBLE SHE SAID MY PREFRONTAL CORTEX IS NOT DEVELOPED YET.

IT DOES HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHY THEY MIGHT HAVE MORE TROUBLE REGULATING EMOTIONS OR HAVE TROUBLE FOLLOWING MULTISTEP TASKS.

IT'S BECAUSE THEIR BRAIN IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED YET.

>> Jeff: IS THAT IS WHY THEY ARE BAD DRIVERS?

BOYS IN PARTICULAR.

YOU THINK ABOUT BEING LESS RISK ADVERSE THAN OLDER PEOPLE WHETHER THAT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, HORMONES OR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> WELL, THEIR BRAINS ARE WIRED FOR NEW EXPERIENCES.

WE OFTEN CALL THAT RISKY BUT IT'S CREATING NEW CONTEXT FOR THEM TO HAVE EXPERIENCES THAT HELP THEM LEARN.

AND IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE, YOU CAN CREATE POSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO HAVE NEW EXPERIENCES.

NOT NEGATIVE ONES.

>> Jeff: LONG TENSION IN MARYLAND AND OTHER PLACES WHEN IT COMES TO JUVENILE JUSTICE.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT THE CASEY FOUNDATION DEALS WITH AND WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK THERE BUT THERE'S TENSION BETWEEN PROGRESSIVES AND CONSERVATIVES ABOUT HOW LENIENT OR HARSH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OUGHT TO BE.

DOES THIS INFORM YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THAT?

>> IT DOES.

WE WANT YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY MAKE MISTAKES BUT IT IS A GOOD QUESTION OF HOW THAT SHOULD HAPPEN.

AND WE'VE LEARNED A LOT OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS ABOUT WHAT HELPS GET YOUNG PEOPLE BACK ON TRACK AND WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE BRAIN SCIENCE THEY ARE MOTIVATED BY REWARD NOT PUNISHMENT.

CREATING INCENTIVES IS AN IMPORTANT WAY TO HELP THEM GET BACK ON TRACK.

WHEN WE TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MADE MISTAKES IT IS NOT A FACILITY OR PROGRAM THAT HELPS THEM TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND IT'S ALWAYS A PERSON.

WE THINK IT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE CONNECTIONS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO GIVE THEM ACCOUNTABILITY IN RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS.

>> Jeff: THAT PERSON IS PROBABLY AN ADULT.

IT COULD BE A FAMILY MEMBER OR A TEACHER.

HOW IMPORTANT AS A SOCIETY WE FACILITATE THAT EVEN IF THE 18, 19, 22-YEAR-OLD MAYBE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ALL EARS.

>> IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

AS I SAID YOU MAY NOT THINK THEY ARE LISTENING BUT THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE.

AND YOUNG PEOPLE WANT MENTORSHIP, I ALWAYS HEAR THAT.

THEY WANT SOMEONE TO HELP THEM FIGURE OUT WHAT SHOULD I MAJOR IN?

WHAT CAREER SHOULD I PURSUE?

HOW DO I BOUNCE BACK FROM THE SETBACK I'VE HAD?

THEY KNOW ADULTS NAVIGATED PIVOTS IN THEIR LIVES BEFORE.

AND WANT SOMEONE TO HELP THEM FIGURE THINGS OUT.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING CHOICE OF THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE FORWARD TO THE BOOK IS GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND, WES MOORE.

>> HE IS.

A PERSON WHO HIS MOTHER WORKED AT THE FOUNDATION THAT I LEAD.

SO I GOT TO KNOW HIM FIRST AS THE SON OF JOY MOORE WHO WORKED AT THE FOUNDATION.

>> Jeff: HOW OLD WAS THE GOVERNOR?

>> IN HIS TEENAGE YEARS WHEN SHE CAME TO WORK ARE NOT FOUNDATION AND HE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT ADOLESCENCE THE OTHER WES MOORE AND EXEMPLIFIES WHAT THE BOOK IS TRYING TOLE IT US THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN GO IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE SUPPORTS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OPEN DOORS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT GUIDE THEM FORWARD.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT HEARD OF IT BEFORE.

TIED TO THE U.P.S.

FORTUNE.

YOU USED TO WORK FOR U.P.S.

BEFORE YOU CAME TO THIS POSITION WHICH WAS HOW LONG AGO?

>> I'VE BEEN AT THE CASEY FOUNDATION FOR 14 YEARS IT WAS STARTED BY JIM CASEY THE FOUNDER OF U.P.S.

HE STARTED U.P.S.

AS A 19-YEAR-OLD WHO HAD DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL IN THE THIRD GRADE TO SUPPORT HIS MOM AND SIBLINGS WHEN HIS FATHER PASSED AWAY.

THE WORK WE DO AROUND ADOLESCENCE CANNOT BE THE TESTAMENT TO THE 19-YEAR-OLD WHO CREATED THE WORLD'S LARGEST LOGISTICS COMPANY.

HE CARED DEEPLY ABOUT TEENAGERS.

THE FOUNDATION HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE FOCUS ON A BRIGHT FUTURE AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO MAY FACE CHALLENGES, JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM GROWING UP IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE FAMILIES HAVE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER, HEALTHIER PLACES FOR THEM TO GROW UP.

WE WORK ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE SITED IN BALTIMORE?

>> FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS.

WE WERE FOUNDED IN SEATTLE AND MOVED TO NEW YORK AND THE COMPANY MOVED TO ATLANTA AND WE MOVED TO BALTIMORE.

>> Jeff: IN WHAT WAY DO YOU FEEL YOU'VE MADE THE GREATEST IMPACT?

SO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AND YOU HAVE A CLEAR MISSION.

AND WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT BRAIN SCIENCE NOW.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROGRAM THAT YOU'VE FUNDED?

>> THAT IS A HARD QUESTION.

60 YEARS.

>> Jeff: WHAT WORKS?

MAYBE WHAT DON'T YOU FUND ANYMORE?

>> THE WORK WE'VE DONE TO ONE PROVIDE DATA THROUGH OUR KIDS COUNT DATA REPORT TO HELP ALL OF US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE HAD A FOCUS ON BASIC NEEDS FOR FAMILIES FOR THE ENTIRETY OF OUR EXISTENCE AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR KIDS TO HAVE SAFE HOUSING, TO HAVE FOOD, TO HAVE HEALTHCARE.

THAT CONTINUES TO BE IMPORTANT.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A PATHWAY TO INDEPENDENCE WITH JOBS AND EDUCATION.

>> Jeff: IN A COUPLE SECONDS WOULD YOU WANT TO BE AN ADOLESCENT TODAY?

>> IT'S HARD.

LIFE CHANGED A LOT BUT I THINK WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS WE NEED TO BUILD A STRONGER BRIDGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: LISA LAWSON IS THE AUTHOR OF THRIVE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" FOR ALL OF US AT MPT HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[*]