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Note from Josh Skinner:

September 17, 2011

Eleanor Mondale will always be a hero of mine. She was brave, genuine and had a spunky energy that could set water on fire. She invited me into her home and allowed me to conduct what would now be her final interview. I can’t believe she’s gone but her life and her fight against cancer will inspire many. She changed so many lives, including my own.

Eleanor, everyone has a story and thank you for being a part of ours. I can never thank you enough. You forever changed my life and how I conduct interviews. You will always be remembered and loved.

Josh Skinner

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Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, recently invited me to spend a few days at her Minnesota farm. Mondale has traded her years in the political and entertainment arenas for a quieter, more private life with her musician husband, Chan Poling (of The New Standards). Together they raise champion miniature horses and enjoy staying close to their families. I have to be honest, I wasn’t too sure how “cool” the farm life would be, but the moment I drove down their private road (see picture!), I knew I was about to experience something special.

Just like Eleanor, everything about the Mondale farm is quirky, beautiful, and thought-provoking. She took me around the compound to introduce me to her animals. I first met Gordie and Owen, the two enormous dogs that she had rescued from an animal shelter, and then I met the miniature horses, a donkey, and the chickens. One of her chickens is named “Kate Monster” from Eleanor’s favorite musical, “Avenue Q.” After we enjoyed home-made pizza and a bottle of wine, she asked if I wanted to know more about her family. I spent the next hour watching an unbelievable 2008 feature documentary “Fritz: The Walter Mondale Story,” which details the life of her father and her childhood. Eleanor also serves as the narrator on the film. I made her pause the DVD several times because I wanted more information about her life and the political history she lived. It was surreal.

Eleanor Mondale was just seventeen years old when her father became vice president under the Carter administration. A few years later, Ms. Mondale decided to head west to California for an internship at the Burbank Studios and to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. She eventually nabbed a few supporting roles in feature films and even had a guest starring role on “Three’s Company.” But America didn’t want to see Mondale act as someone else, they just wanted to see Eleanor. Mondale’s popularity grew when she accepted a job as a television personality for E!. She hosted “Sex On” (now known as “Wild On,”) “E! News Live” and several events for the cable network. She later served as an entertainment reporter for the CBS show “This Morning.”

Eleanor also worked for ESPN and ESPN2 covering horse racing and the Professional Cowboys Association. After ESPN, Mondale worked as a reporter covering auto shows around the world for the Speed Channel. She is currently a co-host of WCCO Radio’s midday show, but has been on a medical leave since March, 2009.

In 2005, Eleanor Mondale was diagnosed with brain cancer. After rounds of chemotherapy, brain surgeries and the false sense of remission, the cancer has returned for a third time. Mondale suffers from constant head aches and is fatigued from her new chemotherapy, Avastin.

My interview with Ms. Mondale was a life-changing experience for me. I didn’t know Eleanor Mondale before this past week; I was familiar with her work, but didn’t know the courageous, intuitive, and charming woman behind the Mondale legacy. I may have been worried about my farm experience not being “cool” enough, but what I take away from this interview has nothing to do with the “cool” factor but solely with the genuine heart felt love, compassion and complete openness that is and always will be Eleanor Mondale.

Go to Carring Bridge for updates on Eleanor’s recovery

Eleanor Mondale picture courtesy of Jessica Hegland Photography

Posted by Josh on October 29, 2009 @ 6:38 PM