Episodes
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Madame President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a true trailblazer — she served as the president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and was the first elected female head of state in Africa. And now she’s dedicated to helping other women ascend to leadership roles through her work at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development.
President Sirleaf joined the Bush Institute’s Natalie Gonnella-Platts and host Andrew Kaufmann for a conversation with our staff about leading her country after years of division, the need for gender equity, and why young Africans give her hope about the future of the continent and the world.
Hear more from Madame President Sirleaf on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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Mary Tobin is the Director of Brickyard Chapters and Programs for nonprofit More Perfect Union, which aims to bring people together through social connection, service, and civic engagement events in order to build stronger and more resilient communities.
She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Jason Galui for an impactful conversation on More Perfect Union’s mission, how her experiences in the military helped her grow, and the importance of human connection.
Hear more from Mary on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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More Perfect UnionLearn more about the Bush Institute's work to support veterans and their families -
Episodes manquant?
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Rena Pederson is a true trailblazer in journalism. During her storied career, she interviewed five U.S. presidents and countless history makers including Margaret Thatcher and Fidel Castro. Texas Monthly described her as one of the most powerful women in Texas during her time serving as vice president and editorial page editor at The Dallas Morning News.
Rena has left the newsroom, but her love of words continues in her next chapter. She recently released The King of Diamonds: The Search for the Elusive Texas Jewel Thief, a book about the infamous thief who stole millions of dollars in jewels from some of Dallas’ wealthiest residents in the 1960s.
She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKenzie to discuss her time in the newsroom, what inspired her new book, and how to consume news in the age of growing disinformation.
Hear more from Rena on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Related content:
The King of Diamonds -
Mere months ago, Russian activist and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza thought he would die in Siberia, where he was imprisoned for speaking out against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.
This week, he sat with his wife Evgenia and staff at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas as a free man, where he told us about his experiences in prison, his joy when released, and his fight for democracy in Russia — a country he loves and refuses to give up on.
His wife Evgenia bravely advocated for Vladimir’s release during his more than two years in prison, and her efforts undoubtedly played a pivotal role in her husband’s release from prison in the August 2024 prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia.
Hear more from Vladimir and Evgenia on his struggle for freedom and their fight for democracy in Russia on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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John J. Sullivan is the former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, former Deputy Secretary of State, and author of Midnight in Moscow, a memoir of his experiences in Russia.
Ambassador Sullivan joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Natalie Gonnella-Platts to discuss what he witnessed ahead of Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine while he was stationed in Moscow, what he experienced as Putin’s army began its catastrophic war in the country, and how his time working as a diplomat in authoritarian Russia shaped his unique worldview.
Hear more from Ambassador Sullivan on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Related content:
Engage Nexpoint Lecture: The Russia-China ChallengeMidnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia's War Against the West -
John Blake is not only the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the 2023 world champion Texas Rangers, but he is also a docent at the George W. Bush Presidential Museum, where he has volunteered since the museum opened its doors in 2013.
John joined host Andrew Kaufmann to talk about his deep-rooted love of presidential history, his feelings when the Texas Rangers finally took home a World Series trophy last year, and why he loves spending his Saturdays volunteering at the Bush Museum.
Hear more from John on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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Volunteer at the Bush Museum -
The North Korean regime is one of the most brutal on Earth. Executions, torture, and arbitrary detention are commonplace. Many lose their lives attempting to escape. For those who do make it out of the hermit kingdom, many difficulties remain.
But how can we help the people of North Korea?
The answer is that the issues on the Korean Peninsula won’t be easily solved. But many are working hard to help North Koreans.
Ambassador Julie Turner, the U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, is working diplomatically through her role in the U.S. government.
Hannah Song, CEO of non-profit Liberty in North Korea, brings boots-on-the-ground support through LiNK’s modern-day underground railroad.
And Joseph Kim, Research Fellow at the Bush Institute and North Korean escapee himself, is telling his story of survival and supporting his people through his powerful words.
The three experts joined host Andrew Kaufmann for an important conversation about how the U.S. can support North Koreans still in the country, the state of human rights in North Korea, and the work they do to advocate for North Koreans living in the U.S.
That’s on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Related content:
Escapees develop leadership skills at the Bush Institute's North Korean Human Rights WorkshopThe Bush Institute's work supporting freedom in North Korea -
During Dr. Robert Roncska’s impressive 28-year career in the Navy, he commanded a nuclear-powered submarine, led the largest submarine squadron in the U.S. fleet, and even carried the nuclear football for President George W. Bush, who affectionately named him “Navy Bob.”
Recently, he authored his debut book — Beyond the Sea: Leading with Love from the Nuclear Navy to the White House and Healthcare — in which he offers insights from his career and shares his own unique outlook, which blends military precision and execution with compassionate understanding.
Navy Bob joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Center’s Robert Favela to discuss his book, his experience carrying the nuclear codes, and his insights on how to lead with love.
Hear more from Navy Bob on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Related content:
Beyond the Sea: Leading with Love from the Nuclear Navy to the White House and Healthcare -
Cullum Clark serves as Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative and is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at SMU. He leads the Bush Institute’s work on domestic economic policy and economic growth and recently released a report on how education and medical institutions can become more powerful drivers of prosperity in America’s cities.
Cullum joined host Andrew Kaufmann for an engaging conversation about his report, the importance of economic growth in all areas of Dallas, the impact his mother and Dallas legend Lee Cullum has had on his work, and why he’s hopeful about the future of our country.
Hear more from Cullum on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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How Eds and Meds Institutions Can Become More Powerful Drivers of Prosperity in America's CitiesUniversity research delivers surprising real-world benefits -
Penelope Muse Abernathy is a visiting professor at Northwestern University and a former senior executive at The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She specializes in researching local journalism and is the author of two books and five reports, including The State of Local News.
She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKenzie to discuss news deserts, the importance of quality journalism, and why local reporting is essential to our democracy.
Hear more from Penny on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Related content:
The State of Local News
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Pashtana Durrani is an Afghan feminist, activist, and educator. She founded Afghanistan’s first-ever digital school network, LEARN Afghanistan, and is still providing education for hundreds of girls in the country today despite being exiled after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
Pashtana joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Natalie Gonnella-Platts at the 2024 Forum on Leadership to discuss her work educating Afghan girls, her experience escaping the country after the Taliban takeover, and her hope for the future of Afghanistan.
Hear more from Pashtana on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Related content:
LEARN Afghanistan
2024 Forum on Leadership
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Ambassador Mark Green serves as President, Director, and CEO of the Wilson Center — a nonpartisan organization that provides research, analysis, and independent scholarship on global affairs.
Before leading the Wilson Center, his distinguished career in public policy included key roles at USAID, the International Republican Institute, the McCain Institute, and four terms as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 8th District. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation during both the Obama and Trump Administrations.
Ambassador Green joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Center’s Bill McKenzie at the Forum on Leadership to discuss the mission of the Wilson Center, the positive impact of U.S. foreign aid both at home and abroad, and the importance of healthy disagreement.
Hear more from Ambassador Green on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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Wilson Center2024 Forum on Leadership -
The Stewpot is a ministry that serves those in poverty or experiencing homelessness in Dallas. The organization was founded nearly 50 years ago and provides resources for basic survival needs as well as opportunities for the people they serve to start a new life.
The organization was awarded the 2024 George W. Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation for its work to inspire change and enrich the quality of life in North Texas.
Executive Director of The Stewpot Brenda Ewing Snitzer joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKenzie at the Forum on Leadership to discuss the organization’s unique enrichment opportunities — including its art program and writing workshop — and the important impact The Stewpot is making in the Dallas community.
Hear more from Brenda on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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The Stewpot2024 Forum on Leadership -
Creamos is a non-profit organization working to support the community surrounding Guatemala City’s garbage dump in achieving economic self-determination.
The organization was awarded the 2024 George W. Bush Institute Citation for its impactful work in its community and for inspiring others to take action to solve today’s most pressing challenges.
Executive Director of Creamos Hannah Sklar joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Laura Collins at the 2024 Forum on Leadership where she discussed the impacts of gender-based violence, the importance of mental health, and the work of Creamos.
Hear more from Hannah on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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Creamos
Mi eelo
2024 Forum on Leadership
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Active duty military service members make up less than one percent of the U.S. adult population. For the other 99% of us, the actions and complexities of our nation’s Armed Forces can be hard to understand, which is why quality journalism on the military is essential.
Thom Shanker’s decades-long career with The New York Times included 13 years as Pentagon correspondent, where he covered the Department of Defense, combat operations, and national security policy. His extensive reporting helped the American people understand the actions and policies of the U.S. military.
He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Jason Galui to discuss his remarkable career as a journalist, his book Age of Danger, the importance of fighting climate change, and why the U.S. must continue to support Ukraine.
Hear more from Thom on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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Age of Danger: Keeping America Safe in an Era of New Superpowers, New Weapons, and New Threats
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We all seek happiness, but few of us know the science behind it. Author, Harvard professor, and philosopher of happiness Arthur Brooks is changing that through his insights, teachings, and best-selling books on how we can all build happy lives.
He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Anne Wicks to discuss why happiness is a direction, not a destination; how healthy regret can be productive; why love is so important in our lives; and how to put happiness into practice.
Hear more from Arthur on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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2024 marks 20 years since the Millennium Challenge Corporation was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Since its inception, MCC has partnered with and invested in countries around the world that are committed to democracy and economic freedom.
CEO of MCC Alice Albright joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Hannah Johnson to discuss the immense impact MCC has made over the past two decades.
Hear more from Alice on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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When Heather Morris sat down with Holocaust survivor Lale Sokolov, she didn’t know what to expect. As she listened to his story, she knew that the world needed to hear his experiences of love and hope set in the midst of one of humankind’s worst moments.
Heather traveled to Dallas for the sixth Laura Bush Book Club edition of Engage at the Bush Center, presented by NexPoint and supported by H-E-B. Before the event, she joined host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss her novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, the importance of remembering the lives lost in the Holocaust and the stories of those who did survive, and the lessons she learned from Lale Sokolov.
Heather takes us through her journey of getting to know Lale — and reminds us why we can’t waste a moment in capturing the stories from generations before us.
Related content:
Laura Bush Book Club with "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" author Heather Morris
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Anita McBride, who served as chief of staff to Mrs. Laura Bush during her time as first lady, and Gahl Hodges Burt, who served as social secretary for President and Mrs. Reagan, recently visited Dallas for an Engage at the Bush Center event presented by Nexpoint.
They joined host Andrew Kaufmann beforehand to discuss the responsibilities of their roles, their memories working in the Reagan and Bush administrations, and the significance and importance of White House events.
Hear more from Anita and Gahl on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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A Conversation with White House Social Secretaries
Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women
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Thomas Jefferson made a lasting impact on our country as the third president of the United States and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He recently visited Texas and joined host Andrew Kaufmann, the Bush Institute’s Jason Galui, and students from Walnut Grove High School to discuss the birth of our nation, the lessons we can learn from our Founding Fathers, and his thoughts on the future of the United States.
Later in the conversation, Kurt Smith, who portrays Jefferson as a nation builder at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses his experiences researching and embodying such an iconic historical figure.
Hear more from President Jefferson and Mr. Smith on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
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