I'm Elizabeth Slattery and welcome to SCOTUS 101, where we break down what's happening at the Supreme Court,

what the justices are up to, and other things related to our favorite branch of government.

This week, I'm sharing an interview with Judge Don Willett from the Fifth Circuit.

We talked about Twitter, the best barbecue in Austin, and the transition

from serving on a state Supreme Court to a federal appeals court. I'll be back soon with regular

programming, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this special episode. Don Willett is a judge

on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Welcome to Scotus 101, Judge Willett.

Hi, I'm delighted to join you. Thanks so much for having me.

So you have quite an inspiring personal story. You grew up in a tiny town in North Texas, raised by a single mom, first in your family to go to college where you triple majored in economics, finance, and public administration.

And then you went on to Duke Law School.

As a Kentuckian, I will try not to hold that against you.

Fair.

But in all seriousness, how did your upbringing shape your career?

And did it have any impact on how you approach the law?

Great question.

I've definitely had an uncommon and roundabout journey to my current job,

and I understand full well that I've been extravagantly blessed by serendipity and by divine

happenstance. And because of that, because I know that I'm the beneficiary of these blessings that are innumerable, they're immeasurable.

I'm really determined not to squander those abundant breaks I've been given.

But you're right.

I was born to an unwed teen mom, sickly, frail, not expected,

frankly, to make it until Christmas. And I was adopted by this loving couple unable to have

...