>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": I'LL BE JOINED BY TWO OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND A MAJOR PUSH TO MAKE EXPENSIVE PHONE CALLS FREE FOR PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN MASSACHUSETTS, PEOPLE TRYING TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THEIR LOVED ONES OUTSIDE.

PLUS, WE WERE HOPING TO GET A STATEMENT FROM WELLESLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEFORE OUR SEGMENT ABOUT ACCUSATIONS AND ISSUES OF RACISM AND BULLYING THERE.

INSTEAD WE HAVE THAT FOR YOU TONIGHT, ALONG WITH A RESPONSE FROM THE MOTHER WHO TOLD US LAST NIGHT ABOUT THE TOLL BULLYING HAS TAKEN ON HER BIRACIAL SECOND-GRADE DAUGHTER.

THEN, LATER, HOW THE PANDEMIC OFFERED UP A NEW SOLUTION FOR ONE MOM TRYING TO BALANCE A CAREER AND KIDS.

AND, FINALLY, SHE WAS PERFORMING A JOHN LEGEND SONG OUTSIDE FANEUIL HALL WHEN JOHN LEGEND HIMSELF SHOWED UP.

LOCAL SINGER AND B.U.

GRAD RADHA RAO JOINS ME ON THE DETAILS OF THE ENCOUNTER AND WHETHER IT JUST MIGHT BE A CAREER CHANGER.

♪♪ >> Braude: FOR PEOPLE LIVING BEHIND BARS, IN PRISONS AND JAILS, PHONE CALLS CAN BE A LIFELINE, PARTICULARLY IN THE ERA OF COVID, AS VISITS HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY LIMITED AND CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR OR ARE WORKING TWO JOBS.

BUT THOSE CALLS CAN COME AT A STEEP COST.

>> FOR ME TO CALL MY FAMILY, IT COSTS ME OVER $3.00 A PHONE CALL.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

AND IT'S, LIKE, NOW ME AND MY FAMILY ARE ENDING UP SPENDING $400 OR $500 A MONTH.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT PUTS STRESS ON RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHEN YOU CALL THEM AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

I KNOW A GIRL RIGHT NOW THAT JUST FOR HER TO CALL -- BECAUSE SHE HAS TWO BABY SISTERS -- TO CALL ONE OF THEM JUST TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE DOING, SHE HAS TO PICK WHETHER SHE WANTS DEODORANT, TOOTHPASTE, OR PHONE CALLS.

>> Braude: IT'S AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE FOR MANY INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHICH IS WHY NEW YORK CITY LAWMAKERS VOTED TO MAKE INMATE CALLS FREE IN 2018, LATER FOLLOWED BY SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN DIEGO.

AND IN JULY, CONNECTICUT VOTED TO BECOME THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO DROP THE PHONE CALL FEES IN ALL OF ITS PRISONS.

BUT THAT'S CONNECTICUT.

SO LOCAL ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR FULLY FREE CALLS HERE, TOO, IN A BILL ON BEACON HILL, CALLED "KEEPING FAMILIES CONNECTED," WHICH WOULD ALSO MAKE VIDEO CALLS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION FREE.

I'M JOINED NOW BY TWO OF THOSE LEADING THIS CHARGE, LESLIE CREDLE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JUSTICE 4 HOUSING AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BUILDING UP PEOPLE NOT PRISONS COALITION; AND BONNIE TENNERIELLO, WHO IS A STAFF ATTORNEY WITH PRISONERS LEGAL SERVICES OF MASSACHUSETTS.

>> Braude: BONNIE AND LESLIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

¿POR>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JIM.

>> Braude: LESLIE, CAN I SPEAK WITH YOU.

A FEW PEOPLE IN THE RECORDINGS WERE TALKING ABOUT $300, $400, $500 A MONTH THAT FAMILIES ARE HAVING TO PAY TO STAY IN TOUCH.

IS THAT TYPICAL?

>> YES, IT IS.

I, MYSELF, SPENT UP TO $350, SOMETIMES $400, A MONTH.

MY FAMILY SPENT TO COMMUNICATE WITH MYSELF WHILE I WAS HELD AND INCARCERATED.

>> Braude: AND HOW CRITICAL WAS THAT FOR YOU WHEN YOU WERE APART FROM THEM?

HOW CRITICAL WAS IT NOT JUST FOR THEM, BUT FOR YOU?

>> WELL, AS A MOTHER, YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE YOU GO TO PRISON DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU STOP BEING A PARENT.

WE'RE STILL MOTHERS.

WE STILL HAVE CHILDREN THAT WE WORRY ABOUT.

80% OF THE WOMEN WHO ARE INCARCERATED ARE PARENTS, ARE MOTHERS, AND THAT CONNECTION, HAVING TO PARENT FROM JAIL, IS CRUCIAL FOR THE CHILD AND FOR THE MOTHER.

SO MYSELF, I HAD TO -- MY DAUGHTER WAS IN COLLEGE.

MY SON WAS JUST BECOMING TO BE ON HIS OWN.

SO KEEPING THAT CONNECTION AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY WERE SAFE, THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WORRY ABOUT, WHICH IS YOUR PARENTAL INTUITION AS A MOTHER.

ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN, YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT THEM.

IT WAS VITAL FOR ME TO SPEAK TO MY KIDS AND MY LOVED ONES, AND MY FAMILY, EVERY DAY.

>> Braude: AND THEY DON'T NEED YOU ANY LESS, EITHER.

IT IS NOT JUST A ONE-WAY STREET.

IT IS OBVIOUSLY A TWO-WAY STREET.

YOU MAY ARGUE THEY NEED YOU MORE.

BONNIE, THE PROPOSAL ON BEACON HILL IS TO MAKE ALL OF THESE KINDS OF COMMUNICATIONS FREE.

AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, JIM.

TO LIFT THE BURDEN THAT LESLIE WAS JUST DESCRIBING FOR ALL OF THESE FAMILIES.

>> Braude: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SOME OF THE SHERIFFS, SOME OF THE COUNTIES, HAVE IMPLEMENTED A PLAN WHERE AT LEAST THE FIRST "X" NUMBER OF MINUTES IS FREE.

IS THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENING, OR WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT?

>> RIGHT NOW I BELIEVE THERE IS, UNDER THE CURRENT CONTRACTS, PEOPLE GET 10 MINUTES A WEEK FREE.

AND YOU HEARD WHAT LESLIE WAS JUST SAYING, AND CAN YOU IMAGINE TRYING TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH A KID IN 10MINUTES A WEEK?

THAT'S NOTHING.

>> Braude: LESLIE, I READ THIS MORNING THAT A STUNNING NUMBER, WHICH WON'T SURPRISE YOU -- IT JUST SURPRISED ME -- 3% OF THE KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE A PARENT WHO IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED.

MORE THAN 10% OF BLACK KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE A PARENT WHO'S INCARCERATED.

AND I'M ASSUMING THAT THE AVERAGE INCOME OF SUCH A FAMILY IS SUCH THAT A LOT OF THEM DON'T EVEN HAVE CARS OR TRANSPORTATION TO GET OUT TO A FACILITY TO SEE A PARENT.

IS THAT FAIR?

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> THAT IS TRUE.

THE D.O.C.

CAPITALIZES OFF OF FAMILIES WHO ALSO, WHEN LOVED ONES GO TO PRISON, YOU LOSE ONE SOURCE OF REVENUE.

>> Braude: OF COURSE.

>> SO THE REVENUE FOR -- I WAS THE REVENUE FOR MY FAMILY.

SO WHEN YOU LOSE THAT ONE PARENT, THAT'S A SOURCE OF REVENUE.

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT PARENT PROVIDING, YOU'RE REALLY STRUGGLING TO KEEP YOUR HOUSEHOLD.

AND SO FOR THEM TO CAPITALIZE OFF OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR BILLS, PAY THEIR MORTGAGE, KEEP A CHILD IN COLLEGE, IT IS TYPICAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY EMPATHY OR HUMANITY AROUND THESE SOCIAL ISSUES.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BUSINESS.

>> Braude: I WANT TO GET TO THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF THIS IN A MINUTE.

I WORRY, BONNIE, THAT A LOT OF THE PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF EMPATHY.

THERE IS NOT A HUGE CONSTITUENCY.

I'M SURE YOU HERE ALL HEAR ALL OF THE TIME, WELL THE SOLUTION IS DON'T COMMIT CRIMES YOU YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED, DON'T CARE ABOUT THE KIDS LEFT BEHIND, THERE IS SOME HARD AND CONVINCING DATA ABOUT WHAT IMPACT OF THESE KINDS OF TELL PHONIC!TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATIONS HAVE, ABOUT RECIDIVISM, WHICH THE AVERAGE PERSON CARES ABOUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN CONSISTENTLY THAT FAMILY CONTACT IS KEY TO SUCCESS WHEN YOU GO BACK FROM PRISON TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND IF WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, IF WE CARE ABOUT OUR TAX BILLS, THIS SHOULD MATTER TO US BECAUSE WE PAY, ON AVERAGE, SOMEWHERE AROUND $70,000 A YEAR FOR EVERY PERSON WE SEND BACK TO PRISON.

SO IT IS COMMON SENSE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF DEPRIVING PEOPLE OF THIS BASIC LEVEL OF HUMANE CONTACT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, IN DOLLARS AND CENTS, EVEN IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE, IT IS NOT GOING TO COST THAT MUCH MONEY TO PROVIDE THESE CALLS.

>> Braude: BONNIE, I WANT TO STAY ON DOLLARS AND CENTS FOR A MINUTE.

IT SEEMS TO ME AS AN OUTSIDER ON THIS ISSUE, ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T MOVED ONON THIS YET BECAUSE THE SHERIFFS HAVE A PRETTY POWERFUL LOBBY, AND THE SHERIFFS MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF THESE CALLS.

AND THE TWO OR THREE PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT PAROLE VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE PHONE OPERATIONS, THEY KICK BACK -- NOT ILLEGALLY, I WANT TO BE CLEAR -- THEY KICK BACK HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SOME CASES TO THESE FACILITIES.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WORRY ABOUT WHEN I WAS READING ABOUT THIS IS: IF THESE CALLS ARE MADE FREE AND THESE PHONE COMPANIES DON'T KICK BACK REVENUE TO SHERIFFS, THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO THE SAME LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE TO VOTE ON YOUR BILL AND SAY, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE ME WHOLE.

YOU'VE GOT TO USE TAXPAYER MONEY TO FUND THE THINGS THAT I WAS USING THESE PHONE FEES TO PAY FOR.

IS THAT -- THAT'S THE REALITY, ISN'T IT?

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.

IT'S NOT JUSTIFIED.

>> Braude: WHY ISN'T IT JUSTIFIED?

>> OKAY.

FROM, LET'S SAY, FROM 2014TO 2019, AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION IN THE PRISONS WENT DOWN IN THE COUNTY THAT IS -- WENT DOWN CLOSE TO 20%.

DURING THE SAME PERIOD THEIR BUDGETS INCREASED 15.7%, THEIR OPERATIONAL BUDGETS.

THEY'RE BLOATED.

AND THEY SPEND -- YOU KNOW -- THE IRONIC THING IS THEY SAY THEY NEED THESE COMMISSIONS, THESE KICKBACKS, AS YOU RIGHTLY CALLED THEM, THOUGH THEY ARE LEGAL, AND THEY SAY THEY NEED THEM TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND TREATMENTS.

FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THIS MONEY BECAUSE THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THEIR BUDGETS IS THEY SPEND ABOUT 3% ON PROGRAMS AND TREATMENTS.

SO THEY'RE BLOATED.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE USING THE MONEY.

AND, ALSO, HOW IRONIC TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE MONEY FROM THESE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, LARGELY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, AND WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE TREATMENT TO OUR INCARCERATED PEOPLE WHEN CONNECTING WITH YOUR FAMILY IS PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST HUMANE, MOST IMPORTANT WAY THAT PEOPLE SURVIVE IN PRISON.

>> Braude: LESLIE, DO YOU FIND -- AM I BEING UNDULY PESSIMISTIC ABOUT HOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC FEELS ABOUT ISSUES LIKE THIS?

WE ALL LIKE TO SAY WE'RE PRO-FAMILY.

WE ALL CARE ABOUT KIDS.

MY RADIO COLLEAGUE SAYS IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN, WHICH IS ALWAYS THE LAST REFUGE OF SCOUNDRELS.

THEY SAY IT AND THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT.

IS THERE A CONSTITUENCY FOR THIS?

OR IS THIS JUST A RIDICULOUSLY UPHILL FIGHT, DO YOU THINK?

>> NO.

PARTICULARLY BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ARE UNDERFUNDED, OVERPOLICED.

THEREFORE THE RESOURCES ARE NOT GOING TO THE COMUNITY.

IF YOU'RE CONSTANTLY BEING TARGETED BY POLICING EVERY DAY, UM...THERE IS GOING TO BE A MAJORITY OF MINORITIES IN PRISON BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS BUILT.

AND IT COMES FROM SLAVERY.

IT COMES FROM WAY BACK TO THE JIM CROW ERA.

AND IT IS STILL GOING ON TODAY.

SO INCARCERATING BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS IS A BUSINESS.

OUR BODIES ARE FOR PROFIT FOR THE SYSTEM.

AND THIS IS WHY I DO THE WORK THAT I DO.

WE HAVE TO BREAK THAT SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND BRING THE RESOURCES FROM POLICING AND PRISONS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY BELONG.

TO FUND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS.

AND SO THAT WE CAN DO THE WORK TO PROVIDE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN THE COMMUNITY.

MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE DOESN'T BELONG IN A PRISON.

IT BELONGS WITH GETTING HELP FOR OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED RESOURCES FOR SO LONG.

>> Braude: I WISH YOU SUCCESS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT, TO KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER WHEN THEY'RE APART.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Braude: YESTERDAY WE HAD MARY GODWYN ON THE SHOW, THE MOTHER OF A SECOND GRADER AT BATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN WELLESLEY.

SHE TOLD US OF WHAT HER DAUGHTER, AUGUST, HAS BEEN ENDURING SINCE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, INCLUDING ANOTHER CHILD SPITTING GRAVEL ALL OVER HER LUNCH -- AMID COVID -- MORE THAN ONCE, ROCKS BEING THROWN AT HER, GETTING PUSHED, KICKED, AND HIT.

AT ONE POINT, SHE TOLD US AUGUST PICKED UP A VINE AND RAISED IT TO DEFEND HERSELF BUT THEN PUT IT DOWN, AND THE OTHER STUDENT PICKED IT BACK UP AND WHIPPED HER TO THE POINT IT LEFT A WELT.

BOTH STUDENTS WERE EQUALLY PUNISHED, ACCORDING TO GODWYN, WHO ASKED FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENTS, AND THIS IS WHAT SHE TOLD US HAPPENED AFTER: >> THE PRINCIPAL SAID TO ME FLATLY, "THIS ISN'T BULLYING -- I DON'T CONSIDER THIS BULLYING."

AUGUST IS MY MOST SOCIAL, MY HAPPIEST CHILD.

AND SHE WENT FROM A KID WHO SO LOVED SCHOOL, AND WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, TO A KID WHO STOPPED EATING AT SCHOOL.

SHE STARTED WAKING UP AT NIGHT WITH BAD DREAMS, DREAMS ABOUT SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO COME AND HURT US, SOMEBODY SET OUR CAR ON FIRE.

>> Braude: AS I SAID YESTERDAY, WE INVITED SOMEONE FROM THE SCHOOL TO GIVE US A STATEMENT, WITH NEARLY 24 HOURS NOTICE.

AND WE DID END UP GETTING A STATEMENT AFTER WE FINISHED TAPING LAST NIGHT, WHICH READS: "THE WELLESLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS STRONG POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING STUDENT BEHAVIOR, AND WE TAKE ANY ALLEGATION OF BEHAVIOR THAT RISKS THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY.

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT GIVES TOP PRIORITY TO THE SAFETY, WELLNESS, AND SECURITY OF ITS STUDENTS AND STAFF.

WHENEVER THERE IS AN ALLEGATION OF BULLYING, AT ANY GRADE OR LEVEL, AN INVESTIGATION IS INITIATED, STARTING WITH THE SUBMISSION BY AN ADMINISTRATOR OF A BULLYING REPORT INTAKE FORM AND CULMINATING WITH A DETAILED MEETING WITH THE PARENTS INVOLVED.

IN CASES OF BULLYING, INVESTIGATIONS ARE DETAILED AND RESULT IN APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND THE CREATION OF A STUDENT SAFETY PLAN INTENDED TO PROTECT THE VICTIM."

NOW, I JUST WANT TO STOP FOR A SECOND HERE AND PLAY ANOTHER PIECE OF YESTERDAY'S INTERVIEW.

>> AUGUST HAS ASKED HER TEACHER, EVERY DAY, IF SHE CAN SIT NEXT TO HER, AND EVERY DAY HER TEACHER REFUSES.

AUGUST HAS ASKED IF SHE COULD SIT CLOSE TO THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN KIND TO HER, AND HER TEACHER WROTE ME AN E-MAIL SAYING, "THAT WOULD BE A SAFETY PLAN, AND THAT IS UP TO THE PRINCIPAL."

>> A SAFETY PLAN.

THE SCHOOL'S STATEMENT GOES ON TO SAY: "THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PARENTS IS CRITICAL TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PROCESS.

WE CANNOT COMMENT ON THE SPECIFIC CASE YOU MENTION DUE TO FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS INVOLVING SCHOOL CHILDREN.

HOWEVER, I MUST REITERATE THAT EVERY ALLEGATION OF BULLYING -- OR ANY OTHER VIOLATION OF OUR CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT -- IS TREATED WITH THE UTMOST SERIOUSNESS AS EVERY STUDENT AND FAMILY IN THE WELLESLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD EXPECT."

AS FOR MARY GODWYN'S RESPONSE TO THAT, SHE TOLD US VIA E-MAIL: "I CAN SAY WITHOUT A SCINTILLA OF DOUBT THAT THE BULLYING POLICY WAS NOT FOLLOWED IN OUR CASE.

EVEN AFTER WE INSISTED THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATE, AND THE OTHER CHILD CONFIRMED THE EVENTS, THE PRINCIPAL DENIED BULLYING, WRITING THAT WHILE THE INCIDENTS WERE SERIOUS, THEY DO NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF BULLYING AT THIS TIME.

THE SCHOOL DENIED MY DAUGHTER THE BASIC SAFEGUARDS AS OUTLINED IN THEIR BULLYING POLICY, AND THEY DID NOT HONOR HER REQUEST TO SIT CLOSE TO HER CLASSROOM TEACHER, WHICH FALLS SQUARELY WITHIN THE REMEDIES OUTLINED IN THE POLICY.

THE BULLYING POLICY IS IMPRESSIVE ON PAPER, BUT IN OUR EXPERIENCE HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON THE DAILY LIVES OF THE CHILDREN IN WELLESLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS."

>> Braude: AND, ONCE AGAIN, IF SOMEONE FROM THE WELLESLEY SCHOOL SYSTEM WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS IN PERSON, THEY'RE WELCOME ON THE SHOW ANY TIME.

OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'RE BEEN BRINGING YOU STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE RE-EXAMINED THEIR LIVES AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC AND DECIDED TO MAKE A CHANGE.

IT'S A SERIES WE'RE CALLING THE "BIG QUIT," AND OUR LATEST STORY IS THAT OF TECH MANAGER AND MOM JESS ROBISON.

>> BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, IF YOU WANTED TO WORK AT ONE OF THE BIG TECH COMPANIES, YOU HAD TO BE IN-PERSON.

THEY WANTED BUTTS IN SEATS, AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.

THERE ARE MORE OPTIONS OUT THERE, AND THAT'S GREAT FOR MOTHERHOOD.

>> I HAVE TWO BOYS.

THEY'RE THREE AND SIX, MAX AND THEO, AND ME AND MY HUSBAND LIVE IN ACTION, MASSACHUSETTS, ALONG WITH 10 CHICKENS AND OUR DOG WALTER.

>> HERE, YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM SOME TREATS?

I HAVE A SLIGHT GARDENING ADDICTION THAT'S SPIRALED INTO A MINI FARM.

I'VE BEEN KNOWN TO GO OUT THERE WITH A HEADLAMP AND GARDEN AT NIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE GOT BREAKFAST.

>> HERE.

>> I HAD STARTED A NEW JOB NOVEMBER, BEFORE WE SHUT DOWN.

PRETTY QUICKLY AFTER TAKING THE NEW JOB I REALIZED THAT IT WASN'T THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT I CARED ABOUT.

I DIDN'T HATE MY JOB.

I JUST WANTED TO WORK IN SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> I HAVE A GRAPHIC DESIGN BACKGROUND, AND I DESIGN FOR WEB APPLICATIONS.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, I THINK FINDING A REMOTE JOB LIMITED YOUR OPTIONS A LOT, BUT I LIKE SEEING MY KID GET OFF THE BUS.

I LIKE BEING ABLE TO ASK HIM ABOUT HIS DAY RIGHT WHEN HE GETS HOME.

AND I KNEW I DIDN'T WANT TO BE HOME FULL-TIME.

I ENJOY BEING IN THE OFFICE AND BRAINSTORMING.

>> IS A MARIGOLD A KIND OF WILD FLOWER?

>> I FEEL LIKE WITH MOTHERHOOD YOU ALWAYS WANT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO ON MY WAY INTO CAMBRIDGE.

IT'S 7:31 A.M., AND I'M ABOUT TO HIT THE ROAD.

>> SEE YOU THERE.

>> WHEN I STARTED LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB, THE LANDSCAPE WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

NOW IT WASN'T LIKE FINDING THAT PARTIALLY REMOTE JOB WAS A NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK.

THAT WAS THE NORM.

>> THIS NEW JOB WORKS WITH MACHINE LEARNING, AND I'M IN-PERSON TWO TO THREE DAYS A WEEK, AND I'M TWO I LOVE DESIGNING AND I LOVE WHAT I DO, AND NOW THAT I'M A MANAGER AND I GET TO BUILDS A TEAM, IT'S EVEN MORE FUN BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGNERS.

>> PARENTHOOD IS NO LONGER LOOKED AT AS SOMETHING THAT DETRACTS FROM WORK BECAUSE SUDDENLY EXECUTIVES HAD KIDS RUNNING AROUND IN THE BACKGROUND AGAIN.

IT WASN'T JUST PEOPLE AT MY LEVEL, AND I'M HOPING THAT BECAUSE NOW EVERYBODY HAD TO DO IT, EVERYBODY EMBRACES IT.

>> TO THE SUN!

>> I'M GOING TO PLUTO.

>> TO PLUTO?

>> Braude: YOU CAN FOLLOW THE "BIG QUIT" STORIES AT www.gbhnews.org/thebig quit AS WELL AS GBH RADIO 89.7, AND HERE ON GBH 2.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US AT www.gbhnews.org/thebigq uit TO SHARE YOUR STORY.

>>> NEXT UP, I'VE NEVER BEEN BRAVE ENOUGH TO TRY AND SING A SONG I LOVE IN PUBLIC.

BUT I CAN IMAGINE IF I DID,AND SUDDENLY LOOKED UP AND SAW THE ORIGINAL, GRAM GRAMMY-WINNING ARTIST WHO WROTE AND PERFORMED IT STANDING AND WATCHING, I MIGHT BE MORE THAN A LITTLE UNNERVED.

♪♪ BUT NOT RADHA RAO, AS SHE SANG JOHN LEGEND'S "ALL OF ME" OUTSIDE FANEUIL HALL THIS PAST SUNDAY -- TO JOHN LEGEND.

>> ALL OF YOU...GIVE IT UP FOR JOHN LEGEND.

>> Braude: LEGEND GAVE HER A TIP -- I SHOULD HOPE SO -- AND A HUG WHEN SHE FINISHED.

RADHA RAO JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: HEY, RADHA, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, JIM, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: YOU PLAY REGULARLY AT FANEUIL HALL.

THIS WASN'T A ONE-OFF KIND OF THING.

WHAT DO YOU PLAY?

>> I DO PLAY PRETTY REGULARLY FOR THE PAST TWO TO THREE MONTHS.

I'M PRETTY NEW TO THE STREET PERFORMER GAME, TO BE HONEST.

I TEND TO PLAY R & B, SOUL AND POP COVERS, AND I PLAY MY OWN ORIGINALS, WHICH ARE FALLING INTO THE R & B UNPLUGGED CATEGORY.

>> Braude: THIS WHOLE THING IS SUR SURREAL.

YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SONG, YOU'RE PLAYING "ALL OF ME," A FABULOUS SONG, AND IT WAS PART OF YOUR SET.

AND YOU SEE A GUY IN A TRENCHCOAT, AND AT FIRST YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE HIM, AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW JOHN LEGEND WAS PLAYING DOWN THE STREET?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE AND VERY, VERY SHOCKED.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU FINALLY REALIZED STANDING 20 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU WAS THE LEGEND HIMSELF, WHAT DID YOU FEEL INSIDE?

YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR SONG, AND WHAT WERE YOU FEELING?

>> I WAS DEFINITELY IN A STATE OF SHOCK.

I WAS STUNNED BECAUSE I COULDN'T FATHOM THE FACT THAT HE WAS IN BOSTON, FIRST OF ALL, ESPECIALLY IN THE PRESENCE -- OR IN FANEUIL HALL AT ALL AS I CHOSE TO SING HIS SONG.

SO IT WAS UNREAL.

IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE.

>> Braude: DID YOU HAVE A HARD TIME FINISHING -- I KNOW YOU'RE A PERFORMER, BUT DID YOU HAVE A HARD TIME FINISHING?

OR DID YOU JUST DO WHAT YOU DO WITH HIM LOOKING AT YOU?

>> IN THE MOMENT, I TOLD MYSELF JUST KEEP GOING AND KEEP GIVING THIS YOUR ALL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO CHOKE.

I WANTED TO KEEP IT MOVING AND MAKE IT A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Braude: I'M SURE EVERYBODY SEEN WHEN IT IS OVER, HE WALKS OVER, APPROPRIATELY DROPS SOMETHING IN THE TIP JAR, AND HE COMES OVER TO YOU AND THE TWO OF YOU HUG.

WHAT DO YOU SAY DURING THAT EMBRACE?

>> WOW.

I WAS DEFINITELY STAR-STRUCK.

HE CAME OVER AND GAVE ME A HUG AND GAVE ME VERY ENCOURAGING WORDS ABOUT HOW MY VOICE IS QUITE BEAUTIFUL AND HOW HE WAS QUITE HONORED FOR SINGING HIS SONG AT FANEUIL HALL.

AND I THANKED HIM FOR BEING SUCH AN INSPIRATION.

>> Braude: RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND TELL THE TRUTH, YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TIP IS THAT HE LEFT YOU?

>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

>> Braude: COULD YOU SING FOR US FOR JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS, WHAT YOU SANG FOR JOHN LEGEND AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE AROUND YOU?

>> SURE.

>> Braude: I'D LOVE THAT.

>> I HAVE MY KEYBOARD.

>> Braude: GREAT.

♪♪ >> CAN YOU HEAR THIS ALL RIGHT?

>> Braude: OH, YES.

♪♪ ♪ ALL OF ME LOVES ALL OF YOU ♪ ♪ LOVE YOUR CURVES ♪ ♪ ALL OF PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS ♪ ♪ BECAUSE I GIVE YOU ALL OF ME ♪ ♪ AND YOU GIVE ME ALL OF YOU ♪ ♪ OF YOU ♪ >> Braude: WOW!

♪♪ POSITIVE.♪ OF YOU ♪ >> Braude: WOW.

LET ME TELL YOU, IF THERE WAS A TIP JAR IN THE STUDIO, I'D BE DROPPING SOMETHING IN IT MYSELF.

THAT WAS FABULOUS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: THIS IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

JEANNIE MOST AT CNN DID A PIECE ABOUT THIS, IT IS A NATIONAL STORY.

WHAT IS THIS DOING FOR YOU?

WHAT DO YOU HOPE IT WILL DO FOR YOUR CAREER?

>> WELL, THIS EXPERIENCE HAS DEFINITELY GIVEN ME A LOT OF EXPOSURE AS A LOCAL ARTIST, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND FOR JOHN LEGEND'S HUMILITY AND STANDING AND LISTENING AND SUPPORTING SUCH TALENT.

SO THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

MOVING FORWARD, I'M JUST RELLY PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING MUSIC AND CULTIVATING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE LIMELIGHT.

IT IS JUST ABOUT THE ART.

AND I PLAN TO CONTINUE RELEASING MUSIC AND PERFORMING IN PUBLIC PLACES AND SHARING GREAT MOMENTS WITH PEOPLE.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS, WHO I LOVE BUT WHO IS REALLY A CYNIC, WAS WATCHING THE VIDEO TODAY AND SAID, C'MON, THIS IS GREAT BUT IT WAS ALL STAGED.

THIS WAS ARRANGED; IT IS TOO PERFECT.

DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO HIM, PLEASE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE SEREN DIPDIPPITY.

I TRIED TO HOLD IT TOGETHER AS BEST AS I COULD IN THE MOMENT.

>> Braude: I THINK YOU DID.

>> PEOPLE THOUGHT, SHE DIDN'T FREAK OUT, AND JAW INTERNALLY.

>> Braude: WHEN ARE YOU BACK AT FANEUIL HALL?

>> I'LL BE THERE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN THE EVENING TIME.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, IF YOU SING "THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE," MAYBE ALICIA KEYS WILL SHOW UP.

KEEP AT IT.

THAT WAS GREAT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOU SING MORE IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

COME BACK TOMORROW FOR "BOSTON'S RACE INTO HISTORY," CHIEF JOHN BARROS, AND PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE BLACK COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS WILL JOIN ADAM REILLY TO DISCUSS THE CANDIDATES' DIFFERENT ECONOMIC VISIONS FOR THE CITY.

THAT AND MORE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

I'LL LEAVE YOU MORE WITH WITH A LITTLE MORE FROM RADHA RAO.

♪♪ ♪ IT'S JUST A MEMORY ♪ ♪ I KNOW ♪ ♪ JUST WHAT YOU'RE FEELING NOW ♪ ♪ I FIND IT ALL ♪ ♪ GOING ROUND ♪ ♪♪ ♪ BECAUSE I GAVE YOU ALL MY TRUE LOVE ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Captioned by Me