Best Bush Institute Podcasts (2024)

1
Pashtana Durrani -- Educating Afghan Girls Despite Taliban Rule 24:12

44m ago24:12

24:12

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 G…

1
The Magician’s Twin, with David Berlinski, Stephen Meyer, and James Orr | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:11:59

16d ago1:11:59

1:11:59

In his 1943 book The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis wrote: “The serious magical endeavor and the serious scientific endeavor are twins: One was sickly and died, the other strong and throve. But they were twins. They were born of the same impulse.” In this Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson, mathematician and philosopher David Berlinski, intellig…

1
Ambassador Mark Green -- The Wilson Center, U.S. Foreign Aid, & Healthy Disagreement 24:08

20d ago24:08

24:08

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 In…

1
Unpacking the mysteries of productivity 45:46

11d ago45:46

45:46

Leading economist Chad Syverson speculates about the ingredients in productivity’s secret sauce. In this episode of the McKinsey Global Institute’s Forward thinking podcast, co-host Janet Bush talks with Chad Syverson. Syverson is George C. Tiao Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His …

51
Brenda Ewing Snitzer -- Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation Recipient for The Stewpot 22:46

1M ago22:46

22:46

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 fo…

1
Doing “The Best Things First,” with Bjorn Lomborg | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 43:46

1M ago43:46

43:46

Bjorn Lomborg is president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, a think tank dedicated to applying economic analysis, including cost-benefit analysis, to proposed policies around the issues of the day. He’s also a visiting professor at Copenhagen Business School and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He's the author of…

51
Hannah Sklar -- Bush Institute Citation Recipient for Creamos 30:43

25d ago30:43

30:43

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. E…

51
Thom Shanker -- The Role Journalists Play in the U.S. Military 34:39

30d ago34:39

34:39

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 P…

1
Delivering services to the public—digitally—with Jennifer Pahlka 49:47

2M ago49:47

49:47

A former US deputy chief technology officer talks about how digitization can be used to create a government that works for the people. Jennifer Pahlka is the founder of Code for America, served as the United States government’s deputy chief technology officer, and is author of the book Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age …

1
Arthur Brooks -- The Science of Happiness 30:22

1M ago30:22

30:22

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 directio…

1
A Dangerous Moment, with Douglas Murray | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 58:33

2M ago58:33

58:33

Author and columnist Douglas Murray has spent much of the past few years reporting from battlefields in Ukraine and Gaza. His reporting on the harrowing conditions in those wartorn locations make his journalism a must-read. In this wide-ranging conversation, Murray describes what he has witnessed, why the West must ensure victories in both wars, an…

1
Alice Albright -- 20 Years of the Millennium Challenge Corporation 34:53

2M ago34:53

34:53

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 …

1
Heather Morris -- Author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz 37:50

2M ago37:50

37:50

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 Cen…

1
Anita McBride & Gahl Hodges Burt -- Behind the Scenes of White House Events 24:52

3M ago24:52

24:52

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 r…

1
The Laura Bush Book Club with “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” Author Heather Morris 57:29

3M ago57:29

57:29

Recently, the Bush Center hosted author Heather Morris for the Laura Bush Book Club as part of Engage at the Bush Center series presented by NexPoint, with support from H-E-B. In her conversation with Bush Institute’s Anne Wicks, Morris discussed her No. 1 international bestselling novel and new original series, The Tattooist of Auschwitz – a story…

1
Thomas Jefferson & Kurt Smith -- Lessons From Our Nation's Third President 56:10

3M ago56:10

56:10

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 le…

1
“The End of Everything,” with Victor Davis Hanson | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:05:46

3M ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Classicist Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and the author of hundreds of articles, book reviews, and newspaper editorials on Greek, agrarian, and military history and essays on contemporary culture. He has written or edited twenty-four books, the latest of which is The End of Everything: …

1
Steve Ballmer -- Accountability, Democracy, and USA Facts 28:41

3M ago28:41

28:41

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. He joined host …

1
Paul Wolfowitz on the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars and a Life in Foreign Policy | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:01:52

3M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Currently a fellow at the Hoover Institution, Paul Wolfowitz previously served as director of policy planning at the State Department, as US ambassador to Indonesia, as under secretary of defense for policy, as dean of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, as deputy secretary of defense, and as president of the W…

1
David French -- On polarization, purpose, and America's future 22:56

3M ago22:56

22:56

David French is a writer and columnist for The New York Times – informed by a career that 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 host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh at the 2024 Forum o…

1
Protecting Religious Liberties 30:48

4M ago30:48

30:48

While foundational to the beliefs of our nation, religious freedom is still denied to many around the globe. This conversation dives into the global significance of this liberty and its domestic importance for our pluralistic society. Panelists: Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director, Campaign for Uyghurs David French, Opinion Columnist, The …

1
Challenges Facing a World Transformed -- Keynote Conversation with William J. Burns 40:32

4M ago40:32

40:32

William J. Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, was the keynote speaker at the Bush Center’s 2024 Forum on Leadership. Burns was joined by David J. Kramer, Executive Director of the Bush Institute, for a conversation on how the CIA assesses challenges facing the United States from Russia and China to the Middle East. Related: 2024 Fo…

1
Human Rights and the New Global Order 43:59

4M ago43:59

43:59

America's role in the world leads to competition and clashes with Russia and China, including when it comes to promoting values of human dignity and personal freedoms. Top minds on this issue will discuss how human rights and democracy factor into the great power competition. With an introductory testimonial by Seohyun Lee, North Korean Human Right…

1
Voices of Freedom 50:31

4M ago50:31

50:31

When freedom is under attack, oppressed people’s most powerful tool is often their voice and the voices of others. Global activists Pashtana Durrani, Joseph Kim, and Alice Zhuravel, joined Bush Institute’s Director of Global Policy, Natalie Gonella-Platts, for a panel discussion at the 2024 Forum on Leadership on how they are pushing back against a…

1
Forum on Leadership 2024 -- Indra Nooyi in conversation with Ken Hersh 34:34

4M ago34:34

34:34

Indra Nooyi is the former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, where she led a push toward sustainable growth emphasizing more nutritious products, a smaller environmental footprint, and empowerment for employees and communities served. She has been recognized for her achievements by both the governments of the United States and India and has been inducted…

1
The Rise of the Machines: John Etchemendy and Fei-Fei Li on Our AI Future | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:00:29

4M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

John Etchemendy and Fei-Fei Li are the codirectors of Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), founded in 2019 to “advance AI research, education, policy and practice to improve the human condition.” In this interview, they delve into the origins of the technology, its promise, and its potential threats. They also disc…

1
What’s the future for cities in the postpandemic world? 37:04

3M ago37:04

37:04

Co-host Janet Bush talks with Ed Glaeser, the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics and the chairman of the Department of Economics at Harvard University. His latest book, coauthored with health economist David Cutler, is Survival of the city: The future of urban life in an age of isolation, written to make sense of what might be the impact…

1
Amy Zantzinger & Jeremy Bernard -- White House Social Secretaries 31:46

4M ago31:46

31:46

Former White House Social Secretaries from multiple administrations recently traveled to Dallas for a special Engage at the Bush Center, presented by NexPoint event. Amy Zantzinger, social secretary for President and Mrs. Bush, and Jeremy Bernard, social secretary for President and Mrs. Obama, joined host Andrew Kaufmann beforehand to discuss the r…

1
Andrew Roberts on “Conflict: The Evolution of War from 1945 to Ukraine” | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:03:42

4M ago1:03:42

1:03:42

Historian Andrew Roberts is the author of more than a dozen major works of history, including Napoleon: A Life, Churchill: Walking with Destiny, and The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of George III. His latest book, coauthored with General David Petraeus, is Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, which provides the …

1
Chuck Salter -- News Literacy Project 35:23

4M ago35:23

35:23

Chuck Salter is the president and CEO of the News Literacy Project, an organization that’s on a mission to create better informed, more engaged, and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger democracy. He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKenzie to discuss the organization’s work to help students become news l…

1
Entertaining at the White House 1:02:44

5M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

As part the Engage at the Bush Center series presented by Nexpoint, a panel of former White House Social Secretaries shared insights and behind-the-scenes stories about entertaining at the White House. Moderated by Anita McBride, the panel featured Jeremy Bernard, former White House Social Secretary to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle…

1
Why Bitcoin Will Take Over The World: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:05:12

5M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

Despite a tumultuous and volatile marketplace; scandals, arrests, and bankruptcies at rival digital exchanges; and social issues disrupting his own company, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is a devout believer in digital currencies and the power of the blockchain. In this interview, Armstrong describes how he co-founded Coinbase, explains the basics o…

1
Valerie Jarrett -- How Presidential Centers are Working Together to Affirm Democracy 35:08

5M ago35:08

35:08

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…

1
Alexandra Hudson -- The Soul of Civility 41:26

5M ago41:26

41:26

Alexandra Hudson is the author of new book 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. Hear more from Ale…

1
Growing Up Segregated: Three Witnesses To The Struggle For Civil Rights, Part 2 | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson, Condoleezza Rice, Mary Bush, and Freeman Hrabowski| Hoover Institution 56:55

5M ago56:55

56:55

Mary Bush, Freeman Hrabowski, and Condoleezza Rice grew up and were classmates together in segregated Birmingham, Alabama, in the late 1950s and early ’60s. After taking a brief visit with Rice to her childhood home, we gather them again for a second conversation in Birmingham’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Rice’s father was pastor during…

1
Governor Spencer Cox -- How to Disagree Better 37:56

6M ago37:56

37:56

Governor Spencer Cox currently serves as the 18th governor of Utah and as chair of the National Governor’s Association, where he launched the Disagree Better initiative. Governor Cox joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the George W. Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh for a conversation about listening, tough discussions, and, yes, disagreeing – and why disag…

1
The State of American Democracy 58:09

6M ago58:09

58:09

In the Winter 2024 edition of The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute, our contributors look at the current condition of American democracy. This virtual conversation will focus on how the United States has reached this point. Guests Jane Dailey of the University of Chicago and Ryan Streeter of the Civitas Institute joined The Cata…

1
Birmingham, 1963: Three Witnesses to the Struggle for Civil Rights | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson, Condoleezza Rice, Mary Bush, and Freeman Hrabowski| Hoover Institution 1:02:19

6M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Mary Bush, Freeman Hrabowski, and Condoleezza Rice grew up and were classmates together in segregated Birmingham, Alabama, in the late 1950s and early ’60s. We reunited them for a conversation in Birmingham’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Rice’s father was pastor during that period. The three lifelong friends recount what life was like for…

1
Democracy, Authoritarianism, and Foreign Affairs -- After Hours Roundtable 45:46

6M ago45:46

45:46

Three George W. Bush Institute experts gathered for a thought-provoking discussion on the state of democracy – both here at home and abroad. Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow and Executive Vice President for Strategy and Programs at Freedom House Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, the Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director of Global Policy Igor Khrestin, and Directo…

1
Uncommon Knowledge Archive: Oppenheimer’s Edward Teller and Sid Drell on ICBM Defense Systems | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 28:08

6M ago28:08

28:08

With the recent announcement that Oppenheimer, the film directed by Christopher Nolan, had garnered 11 Academy Award nominations, it seemed timely to pull from the archives this rarely seen episode of Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson from 1996 (the third episode ever shot), featuring nuclear physicists and Hoover senior fellows Edward Teller …

1
The Art of Disagreeing Better 53:37

6M ago53:37

53:37

At a recent Engage at the Bush Center event presented by NexPoint, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, had a highly entertaining conversation on the art of disagreeing better. This lively conversation was held in collaboration with KERA and the National Governors Association's Disagree Better Initia…

1
Forward Thinking on Europe’s existential crisis with Marco Buti 34:49

6M ago34:49

34:49

Co-host Janet Bush talks with Marco Buti. Buti holds the Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa Chair in European Economic and Monetary Integration at the European University Institute. They cover topics including the following: The evolution of European policy coordination European competitiveness Whether Europe’s business model is sustainable The need of more sp…

1
“The Treason Of The Intellectuals,” With Niall Ferguson | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 48:19

6M ago48:19

48:19

Niall Ferguson is the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and a senior faculty fellow of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University. In this interview, Ferguson discusses his stunning essay “The Treason of the Intellectuals,” published in December 2023 in the Free Press. The …

1
Donald Trump and The Supreme Court | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson, Richard Epstein, and John Yoo | Hoover Institution 54:28

7M ago54:28

54:28

Between now and the spring, the Supreme Court will rule on at least three cases involving Donald Trump. Two questions: What should the Court’s rulings be? What will they be? To answer those questions and more, we turn to our in-house legal experts: NYU Law School’s Richard Epstein and Berkeley Law School’s John Yoo.…

1
Ambassador Michael Froman -- Trade, Globalism, and the U.S.-China relationship 24:44

8M ago24:44

24:44

Ambassador Michael Froman served as United States trade representative under President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017. Today, he’s the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan organization and think tank that aims to help leaders and citizens better understand the world and the foreign policy decisions facing the U.S. and other …

1
100% Cotton: The Senator from Arkansas On Issues Domestic And Foreign | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 57:44

8M ago57:44

57:44

Tom Cotton has been a US Senator since 2015. Before that he served for two years in the US House of Representatives from the Arkansas Fourth District, after defeating a two-term Democratic incumbent. Cotton served in the US Army, where he was stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. In this wide-…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Bush Institute Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide