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Overheard at the Bush Center

Join George W. Bush Presidential Center experts as they talk to leading policy makers, business leaders, and people on the front lines of change about issues like immigration, economic opportunity, education, democracy and the importance of free societies.

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Episodes

June 7, 2022

Fatherhood and Community: A Conversation with Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman, the Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL broadcaster, joined the Bush Center for an Engage at the Bush Center event, presented by NexPoint. Aikman reflected on what matters most to him: fatherhood and community. ABC Dallas' main sports anchor, Joe Trahan, led this special conversation, which also included some football talk and discussion of Aikman's recent move to ESPN.

May 20, 2022

Advancing Democracy at Home and Abroad

Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution; and Natan Sharansky, Honorary Member of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel, discuss the experience of elections in other countries and how America’s commitment to the peaceful transfer of power play in inspiring and advancing democracy abroad.

May 20, 2022

Restoring Trust in Our Elections

On May 18, the Bush Institute and four partner organizations hosted Elections – A More Perfect Union. In this panel discussion, experts share how the integrity of elections is being protected in various states and conveying the threats currently facing election administration and workers.

May 20, 2022

The Story of Our Elections

In this episode, experts and analyst discuss the role of elections in a democratic society, how they have evolved over time, and how important it is to safeguard elections against challenges of the day.

April 22, 2022

Opening the Door of Opportunity

Kenneth Hersh, President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center shares opening remarks at the 2022 Forum on Leadership, highlighting leadership domestic and abroad. In a conversation, Mitch Daniels, President of Purdue University, discusses  the changes need to be made to ensure opportunity for all students and How institutions, including higher education,  can better serve the public.

April 22, 2022

Leadership in Afghanistan -- Dr. Sakena Yacoobi

Dr. Sakena Yacoobi received the 2022 George W. Bush Institute Citation for her decades of work empowering women and providing leadership and education to her fellow citizens in Afghanistan. In this conversation at the 2022 Forum on Leadership, she shares how her efforts to cultivate love and respect across the deep divisions made throughout history gives hope to generations of women and children.

April 22, 2022

A Growing Economy is a Changing Economy

Sustained and robust economic growth in the United States will require bold and innovative solutions. In a candid conversation at the 2022 Forum on Leadership  with Secretary Elaine Chao, 24th United States Secretary of Labor, and Gary Cohn, IBM Vice President, they discuss what it will take from public and private sector leaders to put all Americans on the path to opportunity.

April 22, 2022

Courage and Compassion: America's Leadership in Global Health

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the lessons learned to address public health challenges? Amid vaccine diplomacy efforts abroad, why is American leadership so critical to address these challenges around the world? In this Forum on Leadership conversation, Dr. Deborah Birx, Senior Fellow at the Bush Institute and former White House coronavirus response coordinator, and Harbinger Health CEO Dr. Stephen Hahn address these questions and more. 

April 22, 2022

A Nation Called to Great Responsibilities -- Gen. James Mattis

At the 2022 Forum on Leadership, Bush Center President and CEO Ken Hersh sat down for the keynote conversation with General James Mattis, 26th United States Secretary of Defense. He discussed how vital America’s voice is in advancing freedom and prosperity at home and around the world.

March 11, 2022

The Future of American Cities

Cullum Clark, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, and Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, discuss how America can create more cities of opportunity.

March 11, 2022

The Power of Laughter in Leadership

In our democracy, humor remains vital as a tool of both diplomacy and leadership. It’s also a way to hold our leaders accountable. On March 8, 2022, Bush Center President and CEO Ken Hersh moderates a panel discussion about humor in the Nation’s highest office.

February 15, 2022

The Path Towards the American Dream

Cullum Clark, sat down with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith; Jorge Lima, who is the senior vice president of policy at Americans for Prosperity and leads immigration efforts at the nonprofit, Stand Together; and Dionne Gumbs, CEO and Founder of GenEQTY, to discuss the path to faster, more inclusive growth and opportunity.

September 1, 2021

Perspectives from the Border -- Dee Margo, Former Mayor of El Paso

Former Mayor of El Paso Dee Margo shares insights on education, commerce, culture, and history from the context of the largest southern border city in the United States.

August 25, 2021

Is the Last Frontier Also the Last Great Market?

What was born out of a race between governments to explore the frontier of space has shifted to a competition between private companies. As the frontier continues to change, what is a realistic expectation for the future of space? 

August 25, 2021

The Spirit of Liberty -- President George W. Bush

In 2017, President George W. Bush delivered a powerful speech at the Bush Institute's Spirit of Liberty event in New York. He discussed the importance of the United States' role in the world, and stressed that we should not become an isolationist, nationalist, or protectionist Nation. 

August 25, 2021

The Land of Opportunity -- Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of Chobani

At the 2021 Forum on Leadership, Bush Center CEO Ken Hersh sat down for the keynote conversation Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani. He shared his inspiring story, including the experiences that brought him to America and eventually led him to create Chobani.

August 25, 2021

Understanding the Impact of Invisible Wounds -- President Bush and Prince Harry

Prince Harry joined President Bush for a conversation about the importance of reducing the barriers to care and the role of sport in recovery.

August 25, 2021

Immigration Insights -- Sec. Carlos Gutierrez

Holly Kuzmich, George W. Bush Institute Executive Director, sat down with Carlos Gutierrez, former Secretary of Commerce, to discuss the impact immigrants have on the United States.

June 21, 2021

Understanding the Border: A Conversation on Life, Culture, and Commerce

A panel of experts examine the incredible biodiversity, agricultural strength, and beauty of our southern border. The conversation tackles how to thoughtfully secure and manage a diverse border region, and how to protect and preserve the land itself.

June 21, 2021

Immigration and Border Security -- Sec. Michael Chertoff

Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security and Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Chertoff Group, discusses the U.S.-Mexico border and what it will take to address immigration reform that also tackles border security.

May 12, 2021

A Vision for the Future -- Jeff Bezos and Ken Hersh

In 2018, Amazon Chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos sat down with Ken Hersh at the Bush Center’s first annual Forum on Leadership. They discussed his approach to entrepreneurship and his vision for Amazon in the early days, how he led his company to be the one of the largest retailers in the world, and his vision for the next frontier – space.

May 12, 2021

Education Leadership in 2021 -- Sec. Spellings and President Bush

In December at ExcelinEd’s EdPalooza, President Bush shared his insights on leadership in education, how to ignite change, and on the post-pandemic road ahead for education in America with former Secretary of Education and Texas 2036 CEO Margaret Spellings.

May 12, 2021

Immigration Insights -- Dr. Condoleezza Rice

Former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice joined Holly Kuzmich, Executive Director of the Bush Institute, to discuss immigration -- "America's secret weapon."

May 12, 2021

Investing in Our Future -- Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush

In 2014, First Ladies Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Michelle Obama were joined by moderator Cokie Roberts to discuss their unique and powerful platform -- empowering young girls and women around the globe.

May 11, 2021

Saving Lives on the African Continent -- U2's Bono and President Bush

In 2018, President Bush sat down with Bono from U2 to chat about life, leadership, and PEPFAR -- what Bono called “the greatest health intervention in the history of medicine.”