In this heartfelt episode of BACKtalk, host Janice Robinson-Celeste sits down with Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock to discuss his new children’s picture book, We’re In This Together: Leo’s Lunchbox. Inspired by the biblical story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, this modern parable follows a young boy named Leo who learns that sharing—even when you don’t have much—can lead to unexpected abundance.

Together, they dive into topics like food insecurity, the threats to free lunch programs and SNAP benefits, the importance of early childhood education like Head Start, and why faith, compassion, and community must guide the way we raise our children—especially in today’s divided climate.

Senator Warnock also opens up about his inspiration for Leo’s story, his memories as a “free lunch kid,” and how parenting his two young children shapes his values and vision for the future.

Tune in for a conversation full of truth, tenderness, and purpose.