Podcast Episodes

Emily Hanford -- Our Nation's Reading Crisis

Season 5 Episode 25

Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for American Public Media and the 2023 George W. Bush Institute Citation recipient for her coverage of our Nation’s reading crisis.  She joined ho…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Scott Carpenter -- Technology's Role in Freedom and Democracy

Season 5 Episode 24

Scott Carpenter is the managing director of Jigsaw, a unit within Google that explores threats to open societies, and builds technology that inspires scalable solutions to these threats. 

He discusses…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Secretary Elaine Chao -- Transportation, Technology, and Public Service

Season 5 Episode 23

Secretary Elaine Chao immigrated to the U.S. when she was just eight years old without knowing any English -- and with hard work and determination, went on to lead a distinguished career in public se…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Florencia Velasco Fortner -- Bush Institute Trailblazer Award recipient for The Concilio

Season 5 Episode 22

Florencia Velasco Fortner is the CEO of Dallas-based nonprofit The Concilio, an organization that helps North Texas families striving to create strong futures for themselves and future generations. F…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Mary Badham -- Oscar-Nominated Scout Finch

Season 5 Episode 21

In 1962, Mary Badham made her big-screen debut in the classic film To Kill a Mockingbird as the beloved Scout Finch, opposite Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. 

Today, she has returned to Harper Lee's ic…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Masih Alinejad -- 2023 Time Woman of the Year and Iranian Freedom Fighter

Season 5 Episode 20

Although Masih Alinejad was exiled from Iran in 2009, she continues to fight for the people of her country — and was named one of Time Magazine’s 2023 Women of the Year.  And even though she has to u…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

Senator Rob Portman -- Public Service, Compromise, and Haunted Hotels

Season 5 Episode 19

As a legislator, Senator Portman believed in working across the aisle — and believes Americans want just that.  He offers advice to young people who are frustrated by politics today, talks about the …

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

Ken Hersh -- The Fastest Tortoise

Season 5 Episode 18

Ken Hersh, President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, has never shied away from raising his hand and taking on new opportunities. From launching his career by picking up the phone a…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

Sharon McMahon -- SharonSaysSo and History, Teaching, and the Way of the Governerd

Season 5 Episode 17

Sharon McMahon -- @SharonSaysSo -- is a teacher to her core. From podcasts to Instagram feeds, she's dedicated to bringing more fact-based content into the American experiment. In this episode, Sharo…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Fran Townsend -- Opportunity, Security, and the American Dream

Season 5 Episode 16

Fran Townsend was a pubic servant for decades, from the courtroom, to the Justice Department, and eventually to the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. In 2004, she was appointed Homeland Sec…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago