From the White House and Wall Street to World Whistling Champion | Chris Ullman

Host Jane Khodos Beyer welcomes Chris Ullman to The People You Meet In Old Town Podcast. Chris shares his communications career spanning Capitol Hill, the SEC, the White House, and 18 years building Carlyle Group’s communications function, including working closely with Glenn Youngkin and philanthropist David Rubenstein. He discusses Rubenstein’s “patriotic philanthropy,” including the new museum space under the Lincoln Memorial funded by an $18.5 million gift. Chris also reveals his other life as a four-time international whistling champion—whistling for presidents and vice presidents, performing with orchestras, and whistling “Happy Birthday” daily (about 700 times a year!). He highlights lessons from his books “Find Your Whistle” and “Four Billionaires and a Parking Attendant” and whistles on show. To learn more about Chris and to purchase his books, visit: https://chrisullman.com/. 00:00 Meet Chris Ullman01:24 Old Town Connection01:48 Career in Communications03:10 Building Carlyle Comms04:35 Advising After Carlyle05:41 Working With Youngkin06:49 Rubenstein Philanthropy08:23 Lincoln Memorial Museum09:55 Champion Whistling Origin11:42 Whistle Meets Day Job13:25 Find Your Whistle Message16:27 Oval Office Whistling19:02 700 Birthday Whistles21:09 Success Lessons Book23:16 Purpose And Bridges25:25 Raise Your Hand27:08 Go Into Office28:07 Whistling Warmups30:35 Happy Birthday Bit32:01 Anthem And Jazz33:24 Old Town Lightning Round35:50 Symphony Season Update37:01 Wrap Up And SupportAround Old Town and Beyond:Misha’s Coffee: mishascoffee.com | IG: @mishascoffeeLandini Brothers: landinibrothers.com | IG: @landinibrothersincAlexandria Symphony Orchestra: alexsym.org | IG: @alex_symphonyGeorge Washington Masonic National Memorial: 101 Callahan Dr. | gwmemorial.org | IG: @gwmemorialRachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall: 4915 E. Campus Dr. | nvcc.edu/schlesinger | IG: @schlesinger_centerCall Your Mother Deli: callyourmotherdeli.com | IG: @callyourmotherdeliStay ConnectedEmail us at [email protected] stay up to date with The People You Meet In Old Town, and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe/ follow, leave a rating and a review.Instagram: @peopleyoumeet.oldtownalx The People You Meet in Old Town AlexandriaThe People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria is a podcast that explores the people, places, and ideas that shape the historic district. Hosted by Jane Khodos Beyer, the show features wide-ranging discussions with local leaders and experts who bring practical ideas on how to preserve our heritage and build a vibrant community.© 2026 The People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria. All rights reserved.