Kevin Scattum, a long-time media professional, knows what’s key to produce quality content. He and his wife, Leela, have included Twin Cities PBS in their estate plans to grow their current named fund supporting the organization’s work. Kevin reflected on the role donors play in upholding public media and shared why he and Leela treasure Twin Cities PBS.

Some years ago, a book called An Incomplete Education set out to help readers become more broadly educated and culturally sophisticated, covering everything from the arts and humanities to the social and natural sciences. It was ambitious, expansive, and deeply enriching.

I often think of Twin Cities PBS (TPT) as the living, breathing version of that book—an audiovisual guide to the world, narrated by real people, unfolding in full color and motion. But unlike commercial media outlets that promise the world while chasing profit, TPT (and PBS) has remained true to its founding mission: to bring the world, in all its diversity, into our homes with integrity, curiosity, and respect.

For more than half a century, PBS has done just that. It introduced us to the cosmos, explored the depths of human experience, and opened doors to knowledge we didn’t even know we were missing. And here in Minnesota, TPT has been just as committed—unearthing local stories and crafting programs like “Minnesota Experience”, “Almanac”, “Relish”, and “Skillsville”, which helps young people imagine new futures.

It’s easy to fall into a routine with our favorite programs and forget the sheer breadth of what’s available. But with tools like PBS Passport, the depth becomes astonishing. From children’s programming to investigative journalism, from orchestras to career exploration, TPT offers a catalog of learning and discovery that rivals any university—and it’s available to everyone.

Once you really begin to grasp what’s there, it no longer becomes a question of “what’s on public television?” but “what’s not there?” Your television screen becomes the lens of an underwater camera, an exploratory scope for diagnosing disorders, a microscope, a telescope.

And that’s where members and donors come in.

Behind every program is a team of passionate creators working tirelessly—often under intense pressure—to deliver excellence. Television is a demanding medium, and PBS, TPT and other independent creators meet that challenge every single day, 365 days a year. But sustaining this flow of high-quality content requires more than admiration—it requires support.

Your donations aren’t just appreciated, they’re essential. They allow TPT to plan, innovate, and respond to the needs of our community. Sustained support makes possible what sporadic funding cannot: long-term vision, strategic growth, and the ability to keep telling the stories that matter.

We may not all be producers or editors, but we are part of the creative process. Every gift is a spark that fuels the next idea, the next breakthrough, the next moment of wonder. And in return, TPT offers something extraordinary: a liberal education in the truest sense—not political but rooted in the idea of educating free citizens to be thoughtful, informed, and engaged.

So, if you’ve ever found yourself inspired by a TPT documentary, moved by a local story, or simply grateful for a quiet moment of learning or awe—know that your support makes it all possible. And the best part? You get to choose your level of “tuition,” and in return, receive a lifetime of continuing education, curiosity, and connection.

No diploma may arrive in the mail—but what you gain is far more valuable: the joy of becoming a more well-rounded, interesting person, and the satisfaction of knowing you helped make that possible for countless others.

Let’s keep the promise of public television alive. Let’s keep learning, exploring, and growing—together.