The Strategerist podcast highlights compassion and optimism through conversation with newsmakers, leaders, and people working to change the world. Listen as five inspiring leaders discuss the importance of pluralism and civility and the state of our democracy.
David French: On Polarization, Purpose, and America’s Future
David French is a writer and columnist for The New York Times. His career began as a litigator, turned to the Army as a JAG officer and then Bronze Star awardee after volunteering to deploy to Iraq as part of the Surge, and finally to journalism.
He joined The Strategerist podcast at the 2024 Forum on Leadership to discuss the “exhausted majority” of Americans today who are tired of toxic polarization, the sometimes dangerous reactions he’s received from his writing, and why instilling a sense of purpose in citizens is essential.
Daniel Lubetzky: KIND Snacks Founder Talks Pluralism, Immigration, and Magic
Daniel Lubetzky, founder and executive chairman of KIND Snacks, envisions a world with more kindness and empathy. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Daniel strives to channel business and citizenry toward building bridges rather than conflict.
He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh to discuss his civic movements OneVoice and Starts With Us, as well as his family’s journey, the importance of pluralism, and his love of magic on this episode of The Strategerist.
Steve Ballmer: Accountability, Democracy, and USA Facts
When Steve Ballmer retired from Microsoft after a long and storied career, he realized that he didn’t know exactly how and where U.S. tax dollars got spent. And it wasn’t as easy to find as he had hoped. So he set out to solve the problem — and founded USA Facts, which consolidates available data and makes it accessible to citizens.
Steve joined The Strategerist podcast to discuss why having that data easily accessible is so important to our democracy.
Valerie Jarrett: How Presidential Centers are Working Together to Affirm Democracy
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, joined Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute David J. Kramer and host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss the collaboration between the Bush Center, the Obama Foundation, and 11 other presidential centers to affirm the principles of democracy.
Hear more about the progress of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, the importance of principled leadership, and how to stay optimistic when the news of the day always seems tough on this episode of The Strategerist.
Alexandra Hudson: The Soul of Civility
Alexandra Hudson is the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh to discuss the difference between civility and politeness, why civility is a duty of citizenship, and how we can flourish across deep differences.
