Reflecting on the things that matter most.

At a time when politics can feel consumed by division and the “small” nature of daily fights, Jake Tapper directs this episode of The Whole Story toward something much bigger: mortality, meaning, faith and how we choose to spend the time we have left.

Tonight, Jake sits down with former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse as he faces terminal cancer and reflects on family, faith and the life he has lived. Tapper says he was especially struck by the way Sasse and his wife, Melissa, are confronting this chapter with both sorrow and hope. Ahead of the broadcast, we asked Tapper what stayed with him most from the conversation and what he hopes we can all learn from Ben's story.

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Why do you think Ben Sasse’s story connects right now beyond politics?

Ben is pushing us all to confront mortality and meaning. He may be best known for politics on a national level, but he is a big believer that there are so many things that are more important in our world than that. At a time when so many of us are grappling with how small our politics has become, he is pushing us to embrace that which is larger.

What struck you most about the way he and his family are facing this?

It’s impossible to talk to Ben and his wife Melissa and not be struck by how confident they are in their faith, how assured they are of what comes next and the meaning behind it. It doesn’t negate the sorrow they feel, but it is remarkable.

In such a divisive political moment, was there a moment that felt especially powerful or hopeful about this conversation?

It’s amazing to me that he is spending so much of his final days talking to all of us about these weightier issues, pushing us all towards a kinder and more loving place.

What do you hope viewers take away from the interview?

I hope people hear his message and think about the fact that he’s right: we are all facing a death sentence. So, how are we spending the time we have left?

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