When I was 17, I listened to reggae music. I loved Bob Marley. I started growing dreadlocks. It's always been my way, that the outside matches what's going on with me inside.

Growing up, the way that I looked was very important to me. I was always trying to impress people, and when I grew my beard there was a certain freedom, a separation, getting past this the way I looked, identify myself as a spiritual seeker.

Every record I do is a learning process for how I want to do the next one.

I think when you're a fan of music - at least the way I've been a fan to artists that have really touched me - you're with them for the long haul. They might do things that you don't understand or agree with, but I think I've always tried to hold my judgment and give them the space to do what they need to do.

Don't try to be somebody you're not because it doesn't work. If you try to be this perfect person or perfect persona of what you think that somebody should be when they're involved in public office, it's just not going to work. Just be yourself, stay true to your core values, and really just stay abreast of the issues.

It's just too much if you make your career everything. It is everything when you're doing it. But you have to find things you love just as much.

Just as Parkinson's isn't a big topic of conversation in my house, neither is my career.

I hope maybe somehow I won't be in this business all my life, and I won't be one of those women that's trying to, you know, save what she looks like... My work is about something completely different. It's about what's inside.