The Strategerist

May 19, 2020

Mark Suzman - Leading the Gates Foundation Fight Against Coronavirus

Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is leading the organization as it goes all-in on helping find ways to fight the coronavirus — and he’s more than optimistic about the progress.

May 12, 2020

Anne Chow - Keeping People Connected

As CEO of AT&T Business, Anne Chow is leading an organization that is playing a big role in many of our daily lives. And she is doing so from a place of optimism about what the world can accomplish when we work together.

May 5, 2020

William McNulty - Veterans with a New Mission

Just because a veteran has left active duty military service doesn’t mean that they’ve given up their sense of duty. As communities struggle with the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, Team Rubicon volunteers are building field hospitals, delivering food to neighborhoods in need, and doing everything they can to help. Team Rubicon USA co-founder and Team Rubicon Global CEO William McNulty tells us more.

April 28, 2020

Sherrie Westin - Sesame Street's Work Around the World

Sesame Street has been using its special brand of magic to teach kids everywhere important lessons for decades. We go behind the scenes of Sesame Street with Sherrie Westin, President of Social Impact and Philanthropy for Sesame Workshop.

April 21, 2020

Dr. Matt Mishkind - Mental Health Care Without Leaving Home

Sheltering in place doesn't mean you can't get mental health care -- in fact, we all likely need it more than ever. We talk to Dr. Matt Mishkind about the world of mental healthcare, delivered remotely.

April 14, 2020

Episode 06: Holly Kuzmich- Education in the COVID-19 Era

Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute Holly Kuzmich spent 7 years working on policy in the Bush Administration — particularly education policy. And as we wade into uncharted waters with so much classroom time being missed by students, she explains what federal, state, and district education leaders have to be thinking about — both for the future when schools reopen, as well as how to tackle problems in the here and now.

April 9, 2020

Episode 05: Get Shift Done - Innovation and Problem Solving

Americans everywhere are finding ways to help their communities during the coronavirus pandemic. And problem solvers like Anurag Jain and Patrick Brandt are even forming partnerships across industries — on the fly — to deliver solutions quickly. Get Shift Done pairs out of work hospitality workers with nonprofits who have lost their volunteer workforce.

April 7, 2020

Episode 04: Jan Langbein - Supporting Community Resources

Nonprofit organizations that directly help people in need are still tirelessly working to continue to support their communities. Jan Langbein, CEO of the Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support in Dallas, returns as a guest on the Strategerist to detail how increasingly dangerous the situation is for those in an abusive home. But she also reminds us how people and communities are pulling together to support each other.

March 31, 2020

Episode 03: Bill McKenzie — The Media's Role in a Crisis

Bill McKenzie’s career in journalism has taken him from the backroads of Texas covering George W. Bush’s gubernatorial campaign to a Pulitzer Prize-winning series of editorials on economic disparity in Dallas. Now a senior fellow at the Bush Institute, Bill was in the newsroom on 9/11 — and shares that experience as we face another national emergency.

March 24, 2020

Keith Hennessey — Leadership in Difficult Times

Keith Hennessey was director of the U.S. National Economic Council and a key advisor to the president as the financial crisis hit the U.S. economy in 2008. He’s been inside the White House during a major crisis — and has seen a recovery.

March 17, 2020

Jean Becker — Barbara Bush's Pearls of Wisdom

Jean Becker spent almost 30 years working alongside Mrs. Barbara Bush. She recently reached out to Bush family and friends to collect the advice that Mrs. Bush had given them over the years, which turned into Pearls of Wisdom.

December 10, 2019

Sgt. First Class Michael Rodriguez— From Special Forces to CEO

Sgt. First Class Michael Rodriguez is a Green Beret that grew up in a military family, is now a military parent, and is even a military spouse -- and he's currently President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.

December 3, 2019

Episode 12: Mrs. Laura Bush

First Lady Laura Bush shares memories from her childhood that led to her passion for conservation, memories from Christmas at the White House, and her recent trip to Jordan.

November 19, 2019

After Hours: The Duties of Citizens

As a part of our democracy, our rights as citizens also come with responsibilities. How can we as individuals make our union a stronger one?

November 12, 2019

Episode 11: Alexander McCall Smith

November 5, 2019

Episode 10: Congressman Dan Crenshaw

Congressman Crenshaw went from Texas to Venezuela as a kid, the Middle East and Afghanistan as a Navy SEAL, and recently to SNL and Capitol Hill. We discuss Central America and his transition from the military.

November 5, 2019

Episode 09: Dylan Tête— Building A Community of Resilience

Dylan Tête is building the Bastion Community of Resilience, a community in New Orleans where military families who need assistance can find the support they need.

October 29, 2019

Episode 08: General Peter Pace— Lessons in Leadership

General Peter Pace  shares with us what he learned from the battlefields of Vietnam to his post as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

October 22, 2019

Episode 07: Margaret Spellings— A Life in Education Policy

Former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings shares what she would focus on if she was running for president and the nickname she got saddled with in the 90’s.

October 15, 2019

Episode 06: Admiral James Stavridis— The Voyage of Character

What can we learn about ourselves in this era of social media by reading the stories of past admirals and seafarers? We talk leadership with Admiral James Stavridis.

October 8, 2019

Episode 05: Karen Hughes— Clarity, Conviction, and Compassion

Karen Hughes was a key counselor to President Bush, but is proudest of the titles wife and mother. She shares how she balanced it all and found ways to put family first.

October 1, 2019

Episode 04: Marne Levine— From D.C. to Silicon Valley

Facebook's Marne Levine shifted from D.C. to Silicon Valley in 2010 and had to learn to put her love of paper and memos aside. But her D.C. experience has helped her in the tech-driven world.

September 24, 2019

Episode 03: Justice Neil Gorsuch

Justice Neil Gorsuch takes us behind the scenes of the Supreme Court and discusses his New York Times bestselling book, A Republic, If You Can Keep it.

September 17, 2019

Episode 02: Ambassador Deborah Birx— Creating an AIDS-free World

Deborah Birx serves as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator -- and talks about her unique career path and how the U.S. has helped save millions of lives in Africa.

September 10, 2019

Episode 01: Dana Perino

After her time at the White House, Dana Perino became comfortable speaking on behalf of others – including the 43rd president. But as she transitioned into TV roles, she had to develop her own voice.

August 15, 2019

After Hours: Technology for Good

Has technology revolutionized our education system and job market for the good? Bush Institute experts to discuss technology’s influential role in our everyday lives.

August 2, 2019

After Hours: Millennials— America’s Bridge Builders

A panel of Bush Institute millennials discuss how this generation wants to be bridge builders during a tumultuous time, and, of course, avocado toast.

July 5, 2019

Episode 29: Ed Lazear— America's Economy

We go in-depth on economic policy with Stanford economist Ed Lazear, who worked on the 2017 tax reform bill. He explains how it has helped put the country on a faster growth track.

June 28, 2019

Episode 28: Byron Sanders— Helping Youth Chart Their Path

After his time as a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Byron Sanders became CEO of Dallas nonprofit Big Thought. He tells us about Presidents Bush and Clinton’s visit to Big Thought -- and how PLS changed his life.

June 21, 2019

Episode 27: Ian Bremmer— Around the World

June 14, 2019

Episode 26: Dr. Robert Gates— Former Secretary of Defense

Dr. Robert Gates made history by serving as Secretary of Defense for both Presidents Bush and Obama. He talks about the transition and what he learned while serving under eight presidents.

June 6, 2019

Episode 25: Mark Updegrove— LBJ's Legacy

LBJ unexpectedly became 36th president at a pivotal moment in American history. We explore his leadership with the CEO of the LBJ Foundation Mark Updegrove. 

May 31, 2019

Episode 24: Jan Langbein— CEO of Genesis Women's Shelter and Support

Jan Langbein discusses how she transformed Genesis from a seven-room shelter to a full-service response center for victims of domestic violence.

May 24, 2019

Episode 23: Nate Boyer – U.S. Army Green Beret and Former Football Player

Before famously suggesting to Colin Kaepernick that he kneel instead of sit for the national anthem, Boyer had been an actor, joined the military, and played football. We chat his life journey and taking risks.

May 17, 2019

Episode 22: President George W. Bush

We sat down with President George W. Bush to discuss leadership, humor, and even the arts – specifically, his painting and dancing.

May 13, 2019

Episode 21: Jimmy Walker

Six-time PGA Tour winner Jimmy Walker talks about his time playing at the Warrior Open and his passion photographing the night sky.

May 10, 2019

Episode 20: Medal of Honor Recipient Sal Giunta

We sat down with the Medal of Honor recipient and Team 43 golfer to talk about his experience at the Warrior Open and the unique healing properties of golf.

May 3, 2019

Episode 19: Richard Casper

Marine Richard Casper got in touch with his creative side to battle PTS and traumatic brain injury. The co-founder of Creativets talks veteran transition -- and performs a song.

May 3, 2019

Episode 18: Secretary Michael Chertoff

What do companies do with data they collect? Former U.S. Secretary Michael Chertoff answered our questions, including why businesses are interested in your grocery shopping and fitness habits. 

April 26, 2019

Episode 17: Dan Gilbert

Detroit native Dan Gilbert was forced to watch his hometown become a shell of its former self. But as his businesses saw success, he became a central figure in Detroit's revitalization.

April 26, 2019

Episode 16: Anne Finucane

Societies are stronger when women have access to the tools and financial resources they need. Bank of America's Anne Finucane is working to move the world toward that goal. 

April 19, 2019

Episode 15: Gary Sinise

Award-winning actor and director Gary Sinise, famous for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, shares how he found his calling: to see that those who defend this country are never forgotten.

April 12, 2019

Episode 14: Joshua Bolten

Joshua Bolten served as White House Chief of Staff from 2006 to 2009. We chat about why laughter was key to making the job feel less heavy and how he decompressed after the White House.

April 5, 2019

Episode 13: #SabotagingDemocracy

We chat with the German Marshall Fund's Laura Rosenberger and Jamie Fly, who have done extensive research on why the U.S. and other countries are under attack from Russia and China.

March 29, 2019

Episode 12: Ambassador Roya Rahmani

We chat with the first female ambassador of Afghanistan to the U.S. about her childhood prior to Taliban rule and her optimism for a peaceful future for Afghanistan.

March 22, 2019

Episode 11: Congressman Will Hurd

We chatted with Congressman Will Hurd about immigration, the CIA, and why he decided to Facebook Live a 36 hour road trip with Democrat Beto O’Rourke.

March 8, 2019

Episode 09: Connie Duckworth

In 2004, the former Goldman Sachs exec founded ARZU Studio Hope, an organization empowering women in Afghanistan by providing jobs, education, and healthcare.

March 1, 2019

Episode 08: Bill Browder

Bill Browder is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s number one enemy. We chat about his campaign to expose Putin and Russian government officials for  corruption and human rights abuses.

February 22, 2019

Episode 07: Ambassador Antonio Garza

Former Ambassador to Mexico Garza discusses trade and immigration with our southern neighbor, having grown up along the Texas-Mexico border the grandson of Mexican immigrants.

February 15, 2019

Episode 06: Cokie Roberts

Cokie Roberts chats about the transformation of D.C. and journalism — for the better and worse — and how she ended up in Tanzania interviewing First Ladies Bush and Obama.

February 6, 2019

Episode 05: Henry Cisneros

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros discusses what makes San Antonio special and how its welcoming culture can be a model for the nation.

January 23, 2019

Episode 04: Niloofar Rahmani

Like all women under Taliban rule, Captain Rahmani was forbidden basic rights. But her story is one of courage, as she became the first female fighter pilot in the Afghan military after the fall of the Taliban. 

January 23, 2019

Episode 03: James Farmer

The conservationist, interior designer and best-selling author is saving the world one plant at a time. We chat robotic bees, the beauty of native plants, and life as a business owner.

January 23, 2019

Episode 02: Harris Faulkner

Fox News' Harris Faulkner is a proud military brat. We chat about her father’s time serving in the Army, which included three tours in Vietnam, and how her mom was a pillar of support and strength.

January 23, 2019

Episode 01: Carly Fiorina

Carly Fiorina rose from secretary to CEO of a Fortune 50 company. We discuss her childhood and how living in Ghana influenced her perception of democracy.

January 23, 2019

The Strategerist: Introduction

Inspired by "strategery," a term coined by SNL and embraced by the George W. Bush Administration, The Strategerist podcast highlights leadership and compassion through thought-provoking discussions.