J.D Vance, Best-Selling Author Opens Up About His Painful Childhood And The Future Ahead | NBC News

From a troubled childhood in the rust belt to success in Silicon Valley, J.D. Vance, best-selling author of "Hillbilly Elegy" opens up about his story to Megyn Kelly.
» Subscribe to NBC News: nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC
» Watch more NBC video: bit.ly/MoreNBCNews
NBC News is a leading source of global news and information. Here you will find clips from NBC Nightly News, Meet The Press, and original digital videos. Subscribe to our channel for news stories, technology, politics, health, entertainment, science, business, and exclusive NBC investigations.
Connect with NBC News Online!
Visit NBCNews.Com: nbcnews.to/ReadNBC
Find NBC News on Facebook: nbcnews.to/LikeNBC
Follow NBC News on Twitter: nbcnews.to/FollowNBC
Follow NBC News on Google+: nbcnews.to/PlusNBC
Follow NBC News on Instagram: nbcnews.to/InstaNBC
Follow NBC News on Pinterest: nbcnews.to/PinNBC
J.D Vance, Best-Selling Author Opens Up About His Painful Childhood And The Future Ahead | NBC News

[@MTknitter22]

He was blessed to have Mamaw and Lindsey - many abused kids didn’t have that. God bless the rescuers.

[@donnaparks1919]

3 of us were in orphanage 2 in private homes and all 5 in foster homes and children's mom got us back 2 times

[@carriefox1146]

God bless all those who rescue.

[@no-one3296]

And Usha

[@brandyjean7944]

His mamaw reminds me of my grandma the way she is shown in the show is pretty spot on to my gma and my gma is the one who I saw as taking care of me and she is truly my best friend

[@-norsecode-]

Not all heroes wear capes.

[@ithacacomments4811]

It takes a lifetime to overcome your childhood.

[@michaeld.williamsiii9026]

I’m adopted and was abandoned by my mother and loss my father to an overdose... You are indeed right I’m thirty two now and there are still scars.🥀😢💔

[@Loriannlk]

Ithaca Comments Yes

[@sparklingdaisy3169]

I'm only 4 years removed from childhood. I'm working on trying to recover. It is rough especially with little to no support.

[@vegan4life302]

@@sparklingdaisy3169 read the book 'Autobiography of a Yogi'. It will change ur life!

[@waltdisney5687]

Oh yes the my mom watched the movie and it made her cry so bad. It was spot on. She has to deal with the trauma for the rest of her life.

[@PEGGYHART]

It is crazy how people have to make a victory into something else. This man is very real in a world of fake. A champion for every child caught in a bad situation.

[@jenniferlawrence9473]

Really? Just look at the reviews of his book on Amazon and you will see that he's anything but a 'champion for every child.'

[@PEGGYHART]

@@jenniferlawrence9473 haters gonna hate. Jealousy is a wasted emotion. This guy made lemonade out of lemons and you want to take that from him? Wow, really??

[@fleebertreatise1063]

@@PEGGYHART It's jealous to point out the problems with someone, that go ignored by others? If you like him, that's up to you. Don't pretend criticism is personally offensive or something.

[@bhazerelli7611]

@@fleebertreatise1063 what are the problems with him?

[@fleebertreatise1063]

@@bhazerelli7611 Well, it's nothing about him personally. It's that his book and the movie from it gives a lot of the wrong messages. It makes everything about personal failing, and completely ignored systems that contribute to poverty in rural areas. The kind of capitalism that we have in the US has done a huge number in the rural areas of the country, and led to people leaving in droves. It is his personal story and that's fine, but some people are taking a message from it that doesn't make sense. Also, he could have helped his mother in a better way (from what happened in the movie). She's having a drug issue, and anyone going through that is going to have some struggles getting past it. Here's one criticism of his book and the surrounding conversation: www.dissentmagazine.org/article/leaving-conservatism-behind-blue-collar-republican-progressive

[@Katherine-zk5zj]

What a beautiful young man 😢😊

[@berthaaustin6993]

I absolutely love this movie. I could not recognize Glenn Close who I love as an actress. The entire cast is phenomenal.

[@rolson1695]

Totally Agree

[@joshstigen8750]

That makeup was insane, she looked just like her!

[@Crystalian432]

Agreed she did excellent omg 😱

[@Crystalian432]

My fav character was mamaw you have a problem with that you can see the barrel of my gun epic

[@hello.1847]

@@Crystalian432 she must've been such a sweet human in real life

[@jenigonzalez1349]

this movie made me cry so much.

[@Daisy-ym1ql]

So do i

[@foxbodyblues6709]

I was balling 30 minutes in. It reminded of my and my family’s childhood.

[@car1995x]

Most of us can relate. Tears flowing hard.

[@minim6981]

I grew up around these people. My family was like this. But I found the movie to be so cringey. The acting was bad. It felt completely inauthentic

[@ESPONET]

Me too.

[@susanelmer1550]

I can totally relate. I grew up in Middletown Ohio with a messed up family also. Like him, I got lucky. Now live buffalo NY. A retired rn and a grandmother of 4.

[@MrBUBBAKY]

You weren’t lucky, ...you did it! Give yourself a lot of credit.👍🇺🇸

[@vickimore5954]

Come here after the netflix movie. Mammaw saved him. Glenn Close did a awesome job portraying that old feisty Kentucky woman.

[@jlrob85]

Fellas, Choose your partners in life carefully and think long and hard before having children. Be the best example to your kids, stick around and be present.

[@maggiepearson2598]

Critics are just jealous. Out of brokeness comes beauty. JD you are awesome❣️ We loved the movie. Many of families go through this. It needs to be heard, not swept under the rug. Narcissists are jealous people. U don't owe them any explanation.

[@edwardreynolds3242]

So running for senate and bragging about the endorsement of an anti semite while being funded by billionaire Peter Thiel to then give him tax cuts and then screwing over people in Appalachia is awesome? Have you changed your opinion on Vance?

[@JustinHenryfan]

This was planned. The whole thing. The fact that he's now running for senate means that NBC, NY Times and even Ron Howard and Netflix were all (albeit unwittingly) working for his campaign. And he's in it for himself, not for helping others. He wants to make himself and his republican friends richer by pushing this republican trope of picking yourself up by your bootstraps. If he was serious, he'd be fighting to get serious legislative changes to the U.S: to actually help the poor and the middle class but alas he's not. Republican tax cuts do not help the poor. Nor does their war on drugs help solve the opioid crisis.

[@yongj]

His grandma made a big difference in his life, it really can go either way

[@krista8920]

I have been through a lot of what he has and my Grandmother played a HUGE role in why I didn't end up pregnant as a teenager and/or a drug addicted/alcoholic or dead.

[@yongj]

@@krista8920 I’m so proud of you cos you listened to your amazing Grandma

[@gracecheri997]

The Book covers the Struggle of Poor Disenfranchised White people who are regularly neglected and ignored.

[@michelleadams3722]

I hate that Lindsey feels guilty. Their sibling realationship brought me to tears in the book.

[@katierojas8066]

A lot of older siblings that grow up in these situations tend to blame themselves for not doing more to protect their younger siblings. I’m a counseling intern working w a client who blames herself for not protecting her younger siblings from their father molesting them.

[@Blackcatsaregoodluck11]

I cried all throughout this movie and then cried for 20 mins after watching. Wow what an incredible movie. 💖

[@KetoStyle]

I want to read this book, but I know I would just cry, cry cry. I think I'll just watch the movie and cry, cry.

[@Maria.9094]

Wow. Glenn Close really transformed into the grandmother

[@alecneate76]

Yeh it amazed me when I saw the real woman at the end of the film. They even walked the same

[@CherokeeFlutist59]

I watched the movie last night after finishing it on Netflix. Never read the book, but I wanna now. The movie, if I'm interpreting correctly, really did remind me of how my grandparents and my old man pushed me to try hard to succeed in life. I never suffered abuse, but I've seen the typical dysfunction in my family. I never really cry much, but a lot of the film had me in tears.

[@smokeydawgtv]

Mammaw looks exactly how I imagined her in my head upon reading his book.

[@liliannamathers3428]

I don't think I ever got a good visual on her, just knew she wouldn't look like my grandparents. Thank God for grandparents, BTW! I don't know if they're so awesome because they learned from raising kids or what, but every positive thing I ever heard about myself? It was from my Grands. My Mom's mom was shocked and she cried when I mentioned this once. I think my parents were worried that telling us we were smart or pretty or even just loveable would make us "stuck up" or something. I know parents are usually doing the best they can, but it sucks to never hear kind words. Tell someone they're "crazy" or "stupid" from Day One? I don't know why my parents thought that was a good idea.

[@MargaretJEllis]

Me too!

[@Ericah81]

She looks just like my Mamaw!

[@michelled5056]

This guy is great, loved the book.

[@ginaharris5793]

I cannot understand why he would be a Trump supporter. Trump doesn’t care about the poor and disadvantaged. The GOP never has either. They’re a party for the rich and the white.

[@tuckpoint0]

The Dems gained with the rich and white this election while the GOP gained with every minority group. get a new angle

[@scratchpenny]

@@ginaharris5793 It's really changed. When I was growing up, everyone I knew voted for Democrats because they were for the working class and unions. However, those days are long gone. The working class is now severely split politically, with more and more of them now voting Republican. With globalism and international trade agreements, the unions have been drastically weakened and those jobs don't really cut it anymore. Many people long for the past, when jobs were plentiful and things made sense. When everyone was proud to be an American. The majority of the Democratic Party has embraced corporatism and globalism, while forgetting about the working class in favor of identity movements and the like. Economically, it seems like they've embraced some of the ideas of Reagan. Democrats have become the status quo (the 'man' so to speak), supported by MSM and big business. And while there is still a minority of the Democrats who don't subscribe to those politics, they don't have any power to stop that trend. The Republican Party is inheriting these people, not because they themselves are conservatives, but because it's the only viable alternative to Democrats. This is not to say that the Republican Party is really any better, but they are embracing more populism and working class issues with the likes of Trump. I think there is a major shift occurring within both parties.

[@chentayy4309]

The movie for this story is so good I’m not the type of guy to get too into movies or shows but this is one of the best stories I’ve heard in awhile

[@Blackcatsaregoodluck11]

I wish Lindsay wouldn’t feel so guilty. Their relationship is beautiful. 💕

[@user-wr4uz8pg7m]

Just finished the book. A good read. Reminded me of much of what my father described before we immigrated. Our family's from N Ireland. My Dad often spoke about the culture of accepting failure, the concept of not bothering to make an effort because the system is stacked against the down-trodden (in our case Irish Catholics). Why try in school? Why apply for jobs? Why ... anything? This resonated with me through Hillbilly Elegy, the culture of defeat, which ensures no success when effort is never made.

[@fleebertreatise1063]

Solidarity with other people is one way to work through these problems. It's like looking at the situation and seeing that many people share in struggles, and if we can work together we can find solutions to them where we help not only ourselves, but others in the same situation. I'm not saying this is an obvious or easy thing. It really isn't. But it can be a helpful alternative to think and talk about when people bring this kind of thing up in a conversation at least.

[@Claudia-es8jv]

I’m here because of Megyn recommending this as her favorite interview on her podcast - she’s not wrong, it’s an amazing interview.

[@renan.csmaia]

I'm reading his book now in Brazil.

[@cmartichick]

How was it?

[@hames1977]

I actually cried a lot, I love this movie so much, it is real as it gets, I understood the society in his eyes 👍

[@MsBerna]

As a child of an alcoholic, what he went through was so admirable. You're right, you work through all the "stuff" from childhood and overcoming all that to become a success is even more of a celebration. I loved the book!

[@alanlake-ef6df]

Vance was in great part able to overcome his past because he is highly intelligent and highly educated. There are many reasons people overcome their past but it helps to be so intelligent and good-looking and articulate. Some would give up because they are not of good IQ or looks or articulation and so many other things. Though most people have no idea how they looks and other things about themselves. So they get ahead through ignorance.

[@dangunwangum]

My eyes welled up watching this video. It reminded me of my own childhood...

[@Extys]

Same here...

[@liliannamathers3428]

How are you guys doing now? Did you get out of it?

[@stopgettingtriggered]

you grew up in rural Appalachia also?

[@iddeenvaulx5717]

Mammaw looks exactly how I imagined her in my head upon reading his book.

[@cindyparton453]

Same girl. It was like I already watched the movie so many times before.

[@shavannya]

watching this after the Netflix Trailer .

[@MermaidCore_]

Loved it!

[@maryhammer5296]

The movie was really good and emotional. A slice of life and sad that so many go through hardships. Cast was fantastic and Ron Howard knows how to make a good film.

[@willm678]

This story somewhat reminds me of how my grandfather once told my mom that his mother used to chase them around the house and try to hit them while she was in a rage and he’d hide under the bed with his little siblings. Later on in life, my mom said my grandpa would also get angry and into a rage but never try to hit them. He’d get searing angry and then after a while he completely over it. He told her that his mom doing that to him and his little sisters really impacted him. He also went to war at 18, and served in three wars for 26 years. He started to cry when he told her that because of how proud he was of the parent she is. He was a wonderful man and was always loved. He died at age 92 three years ago. He went through a rough childhood with being dirt poor and having a troubled mother, but grew up into a great man

[@jenniferlawrence9473]

I also saw the movie and thought it was amazing, but what troubles me is that someone that grew up 'dirt poor' has chosen to be a Republican which traditionally is someone that supports the rich and corporate interested rather than the poor and disenfranchised. Sorry, I don't buy the good guy act for one second. It makes a good story though.

[@PhilipSteeves]

Good answer when he was asked about whether he had dealt with it all. It’s just your life, deal with every thing that comes up to be healed. Enjoy the process and be happy.

[@jnhung]

I admired him! Rised above misery ,troubles to become a successful, happy person!

[@gisellegonzalez2628]

You really never get over a childhood of different forms of abuse, you do learn how to cope, you develop your tenacity muscle and with some good therapy you live your own semblance of life.

[@hurstma59]

So true!

[@videojunkie1981]

I’ve watched this movie 4 times in 3 days. I have never seen a movie that can relate to my childhood than this.

[@alfredomoris5008]

drugs destroy families but I am glad J.D didn't lost track of the road of life.

[@silentrain9708]

This is where I grew up and in similar a situation, my family came from Campton Ky. My dad was a severe alcoholic and abused my mom. We grew up poor and with the same “inferiority” mentality. My mom was a very caring and patient mother to eight children despite all she endured.. brings me to tears.

[@agricolaregs]

West Virginia, here. With you, babe. ❤️

[@laurafedora5385]

I have no idea why reviews were so harsh on this movie, I thought it was great.

[@Frederick0220]

The left hates seeing their racist “white privilege” narrative dismantled. According to their worldview, only black people can experience hardship.

[@jiminy_cricket777]

@@Frederick0220 it was panned because the story was written badly and the main character is a self-absorbed, unlikeable dweeb who excels in blaming his mother and his circumstances for his problems and not helping her when he's later able to and she's still struggling. He has a chip on his shoulder, but he really needs to get over it already, he "made it" and still wants to whine about how hard it was for him to get there.

[@Frank_Cohen]

@@jiminy_cricket777 So, why does the public love it? Curious about your answer

[@jiminy_cricket777]

@@Frank_Cohen read Christopher Lasch's book, The Culture of Narcissism, and you'll have your answer. Both to why some people apparently loved it and others hated it.

[@Frank_Cohen]

@@jiminy_cricket777 Homework? Gee, thanks 😉

[@personofinterest8731]

I just watched the movie with Glen Close as Mamaw. Loved it. 💜🇿🇦

[@rolson1695]

The movie was heart breaking to watch, but what an amazing story. What an amazing young man J.D. is! Wishing him full healing from his agonizing childhood, and continued success in the future.

[@juju1896]

Loved the book, love this guy and praise his courage. Of COURSE it’s a lifetime process dealing with old wounds. There’s no magical finish line to dealing with your stuff. You just get better at catching it when you get triggered and you get better at moving through it. Speaking from my own experience.

[@mississippimud7046]

I can relate to that .

[@diannebuckhout9298]

Very well articulated

[@juju1896]

@@diannebuckhout9298 thank you!

[@tamelabeckman3559]

When we saw the film at the theatre...all the people in attendance clapped and cheered at the end...it was so full of hope that no matter what your childhood...if you can survive it...you can make it in the world!!

[@tamelabeckman3559]

@J Walker it was playing in some theatres,, we saw it in Landmark theatres chain

[@Justice55339h]

I.e., in America!!

[@jujumomo99]

I just finished reading his books 2 days ago and “ force “ my 10 year old son to read some pages , I cried during the movie too ; I love this story !

[@kangyedu4545]

I feel the struggle / story is universal. The books talk about Appalachia, America. Swathes of mountain areas in West China, where far away from Metropolis, shanghai, Beijing, are trapped too. They see no real economic hope as only way out is to work as low-level labours in the city, no way to get good education because there is no good teacher, school as a result of resource skewed to city, brain drain. We have their own problems that has a lot in common with what the author talked out in Middletown. Inequity and its complications are big issues.

[@fleebertreatise1063]

Yes this is a problem with many urban-rural divides around the world. Electric cooperatives, postal service, public banks, and other investments in communities have been some of the most important ways quality of life improves in rural areas (well, from what I have read about. I'm sure there are other things). The market leads investors to ignore rural areas with lower population, so public investment in all parts of a country are important. I think this kind of thing is ignored with the current economic ideology of leaders.

[@car1995x]

Beautiful made movie. Broken chains. Life got better because of a personal responsibility. God bless mamaw and the whole family.

[@diedrichdove]

He seems like a really nice and level headed guy. Good for him.

[@katalac]

He "seemed" like

[@emakoo01]

Having Freida Pinto depict you in a movie seems like a far fetched dream but actually it makes total sense. Usha is adorable.

[@jimmywayne623]

At 6yo I remember my police car ride. So many young lives still living this nightmare. A great read. A tough read. Bad memories.

[@DRCRANKNSTEIN]

I really like J.D.'s book..it's a good moving read.

[@ericddenison4016]

Lindsay did her best (the best she knew) and J.D (J Dot) was always thankful. She was one of the "adults" in his life who always cared for him and was always there for him; even though she was a child herself - even when she left home, got a job, got married, and had a child. Family bonds are so important and too many of us take them for granted, don't we?

[@robinbutler4515]

I watched his story on Netflix, and thought to myself, this is an extraordinary man. He succeeded, overcoming abuse, and dysfunction in his family. I love the way he still shown that regardless of what we endure within our family at the end of the day they’re still our family. JD Vance story is inspirational. One can overcome surmountable odds, and triumph regardless of what they came from with determination.

[@richardmessinajr2166]

i can relate 100%. born in Ohio, raised in Logan, WV dirt poor and in nashville today. Loved this film. never knew his life and mine were so identical. I grew up with all that. Amen JD.

[@ganskeaz]

One of the best memoirs I’ve read. Eye-opening. Valuable information for all.

[@michellee6812]

Healing takes a lifetime. Love him and love his book 🙌

[@raymondkymsuttle]

He has such beautiful eyes.

[@brandiguarino1778]

I wish I would have had a Lindsay.

[@agricolaregs]

I did. I was lucky.

[@annsmith7207]

JD : Childhood emotional scars are with each of us for a lifetime. Sometimes we will trip over the old wounds -but you now have the opportunity to stop the cycle of abuse, etc. that you grew up with in your family by becoming the Dad you never had but always wished you did. Excellent book and keep writing -but if you find you are tripping over old wounds -yet again- please have the courage to speak with a professional -it is the work over a lifetime -I speak from experience and I have no shame that I am not "past it" and proud of everything I have done and accomplished - despite the odds to the contrary ✨

[@folofus4815]

Next Senator from Ohio!

[@Z1MiXi4]

It’s so hard to overcome that internal feeling of not being good enough. Even when you find a way out.

[@mztweety1374]

The movie was really real...Hits home for a lot of people. Middle America is not all home baked cookies and baseball games. And that was before heroin became more than “an urban problem “

[@freddyfaze25tiktok48]

❤️wow sad story but....So proud of JD now... GOD BLESS you , your wife and your new born❤️

[@MisterstereoOso]

What an incredibly powerful story, hats off to Megan Kelly for the humanity in her questions...

[@melissaciantar3614]

The movie was amazing loved it cried my eyes out

[@Ash-lq9cr]

Toughest childhood make great characters....kind of how diamonds are made under lot of pressure....cheers mate....lots of live and power to you and yur family

[@user-hf2dr7sh4y]

I like this man. Wild tangent to your comment, however, Ive always wondered if given the carbon content of turds, enough time and pressure, whether or not they could one day be polished into diamonds. lol

[@jeanettenaumiec7784]

Or break you. Not everyone comes out of a abusive upbringing intact !

[@Ash-lq9cr]

Agree...can go either way....but characters stick out from the general crowd

[@jeanlanz2344]

So glad you are alive, JD! My youngest son and I read your book and cheer you on. You and your family are in my prayers every day. I'm glad you're our US Senator! God bless you always.

[@cindybuck6963]

Thank God for grandmas. My grandma raised me or I probably would have ended up in foster care.

[@NaomiChambers]

I really loved the movie. So much of it resonated with me. It made me think of my grandmother and great aunts.

[@tap0019]

This story represented the lives of thousands of good people who left the hills of Kentucky to get higher paying jobs in Hamilton, and Middletown, Ohio. They called these towns Hamiltucky and Middletucky because almost everyone you met there was from Kentucky. Except for the terrible amount of swearing, and drug abuse, this story was like the story of my wife's family. They came from Corbin, and I went to a funeral of a family member in Corbin, and the grave was dug by two men with shovels and a wheel barrow.

[@patriciaelder6656]

Thank you JD for sharing your story. It’s not about what happens to you but it’s how you respond.

[@springtime3771]

Yes JD, you will deal with your childhood the rest of your life & you will continue to rise above your raisin' . There are MANY of us all around you who have dealt with much of the same, yet have broken through into the light of a very good & happy life. It's our stories that make a difference to others for the greater good. Our experiences are truly important.

[@klt8388]

A few episodes ago, Megan told us to check out this interview, so here I am 😊 and I'm glad I did.

[@truthisland56]

Just finished reading the book. One thing that I can’t stop thinking about, is the fact that we make it so hard for the people who want to succeed, to succeed but keep trying to uplift the lowest common denominator. I think JD represents one of those silent kids stuck on the middle that stays clean, plays by the rules, and yet society does very little to help the guy trying to make it through Ohio state, it’s not until he reaches Yale that people start paying attention to him. It’s like we are conditioned to only pay attention to the people in the worst of situations or at the top of society, never the poor guy in the middle grasping for air.

[@LoW_CHeEesSse]

I saw,your movie. Omfg !! Painful, sad, but amazing to watch you thrive through everything!!!. Thos movoe made me cry and i loved the real pictures in the end!!!! Amazeballz VANCE!!! AND GOOD ON YUR MOM FOR HER BEING SOBER and FINALLY! WINNING at her own life!!!!:) GOOD ON YOU for being selfish for once and making your own life. I believe that mustve helped your mother as well but I'll never know m the people you got to play your famoly. WOW!!! BUT IM SO THANKFUL YOU SHARED YOUR LIFE WITH US!!!

[@christopherspringmann]

Powerful stuff! Kelly is a great interviewer. This is the first time I've seen her work - she's very good. Vance is a piece of work, too, with his heart firmly on the sleeve. Yes, I read the book, which is extraordinary but I am skeptical about Ron Howard's movie version. Just mark me down as: I'll stay tuned.

[@mochopz]

awesome book, crazy how much it reminded me of my family.

[@liliannamathers3428]

I'm sad that this is true for so many. But I hope so much that his honesty and bravery help others know that we don't have to be stuck in bad cycles we learned as kids. Lindsey is also such an impressive lady. What I know of her story is more like mine, which is do the opposite of what hurt you, but keep any and all good things learned. She's an awesome lady, and what a great, loving sister!

[@carltonwomble9038]

@@liliannamathers3428 6

[@coreycokepolk9483]

So many tears after I saw this movie.

[@tunasamich8571]

Good book. Glad my English teacher required it

[@JPMJPM]

I want to meet this man. I want to do for my Southern town what he is trying to do in his Ohio town. His story is my story. I also escaped via college and a Master's degree. But I need to make my life's work into contributing to the common good. J.D. Vance, if you're out there, please reply.

[@resireg]

Jen P. Mitts he is helping himself essentially. i am reading his book, and I have the opinion he is a sell-out

[@JPMJPM]

resireg Dang. Really?

[@resireg]

yes, he talks about the importance of "hilbilly values" such as honor, extended family, informality, while in his own life he lives in San Francisco, and is part of the coastal Elite. His message is essentially that if you are from Appalachia, you can only succeed by abandoning your lifestyle, your traditions and your accent, and moving to the urban liberal world.

[@resireg]

Jen P. Mitts despite moving to Ohio, he is kind of avoiding his easter Kentucky roots

[@JPMJPM]

resireg But isn't Eastern Kentucky a pretty tough place to thrive and have a happy life?

[@oliviaslusser]

I'm from Appalachia Ohio too, closer to WV than to KT, but still, his book could have taken place in my town. It's crazy to me that people can't believe that people in my neck of the woods live like this. My people have been written off by society

[@agricolaregs]

West Virginia (not anymore) and yep, it’s overlooked. Abuse and poverty.

[@GregSmithPhD]

Can't wait to see it.

[@jih.6344]

Seeing the pictures of people in the book was great. They quite looked like what I had imagined while reading the book.

[@CarolDee61]

ji H. Listening to the audio book. Wondered about pictures. Now to find the book!

[@jomarielopez2229]

Saw the movie last night.....very good!

[@nartarlyiatremaynne1239]

J D Vance that you turned your life into a victory is Beyond fabulous that you have the success in your lifetime is heart warming. That you had Lindsay and Grandma must have been of comfort to you. I read his book in one sitting in front of a roaring fire. I wept and smiled and his words touched my Heart and my Soul. Fabulous news that he has a beautiful wife and a new bubba. Australia 1.54am

[@belamoure]

Great interview. Great guy the book marked me so moving.

[@DAVEJJR]

What an amazing man!!!!

[@nanadonna775]

I loved this movie. I have also had to deal with addiction in my family and we share the same birthday!

[@charlottelong7655]

Just watched this film and loved the power of his story thank you for sharing your life with us all this is real life very powerful

[@GuppyPal]

Excellent book. Highly recommend.

[@jenineayres173]

I loved this movie it's so much like my life with my boy he joined the army I wasn't like his mom but I had issues I got it together and he made it my family helped me but I made the choice to put him first best thing I ever did it was not easy show this movie to all young ppl it truly an inspiration today my boy is in army going to college because I think him and I were a team he is my greatest supporters in this life I ever had I choose not to give up I knew my boy was going to extra special and he is he is the man of my life that I always wanted except he is my Son so you do get what you want just not in the way you want it

[@alecneate76]

Amazing guy, amazing film. I'll have to order his book soon 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@heidimueller1039]

He has beautiful eyes!

[@Cupidville]

Great interview⭐️

[@salientmajority7073]

If I lived in Ohio...I would vote for him.

[@99luftwaffles]

Maria L me too

[@jkoyle]

I really enjoyed the book

[@MermaidCore_]

Such a deep story.

[@techtaley]

J.D. your book was amazing and inspiring. I understand your story and feel I can relate on so many levels. Even when the world crashes down on you if you have a Mamaw, her shotgun, Papaw, and Lindsay in your corner you survive those vulnerable years. From my perspective, now that you have opportunity, knowledge, the right circumstances, and good people in your life you will be just fine. Determination will get you to your next step. Mamaw and Papaw would be so proud. All the best!

[@lilbertsmom3561]

The truth about a background like this is that you're never *done* working through everything. You don't wake up one day and say, "I'm DONE! It's all behind me now." Over your life you get surprised over and over again by all the ways you didn't realize your past was affecting your present. You deal with them as they reveal themselves.

[@sexyredapple1999]

What an inspiration

[@joshualilly19]

Such a great book! I'm on chapter 12 at the moment. It feels as if you're growing up with him and experiencing his life as the reader. Would definitely recommend!

[@MsLemon1971]

Cheers JD! Enjoy your family. We need leaders like you and your beautiful wife.

[@janiemccaskill8996]

Healing from the past is a lifetime endeavor.

[@electricave4180]

He’s an incredible human. His book really hit home for me. I’d love to meet him.