The Strategerist

On this episode of The Strategerist, Walter Isaacson, known as one of America’s pre-eminent biographies joins host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss some of the world's greatest innovators: Steve Jobs. Elon Musk. Benjamin Franklin. Jennifer Doudna. Albert Einstein. Even Leonardo DaVinci. His most recent work takes a look not at a person, but at a turning point in history: The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, a small but inspiring book that analyzes the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.

New Strategerist podcast episode featuring father-daughter duo Governor George Pataki and New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki discuss public service, family, and the leadership.

Eboo Patel is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s best leaders as the founder of Interfaith America. At the Bush Center’s 2026 Forum on Leadership, Eboo has just received the George W. Bush Institute Citation, which reads: Eboo Patel understands the power of pluralism. Through his leadership and writing, he encourages others to find the dignity in their fellow man regardless of religion or practice. His commitment to mutual respect strengthens our country by demonstrating how profound differences can coexist with shared democratic values.

Bestselling author, Fox News host and former White House press secretary Dana Perino stopped by the Bush Center for a Live recording of The Strategerist to discuss her new novel, Purple State.

The U.S. economy is driven largely by businesses — from new entrepreneurs to the largest companies in the world. And each of these businesses is affected by the policy choices government makes. The Business Roundtable, an association made up of more than 200 CEOs, follows these policies closely. President and COO Kristen Silverberg sat with Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss business and the U.S. economy.

Dr. Jessica Gomez is the Executive Director of the Momentous Institute, established in partnership with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. They've been an important part of this community for 106 years -- evolving with the times and focusing on two topics that touch everyone: education and mental health.

The Bush Center welcomed Joni Carswell, the newest recipient of the George W. Bush Institute’s Trailblazer Citation award at our 2026 Forum on Leadership to The Strategerist. She is the president and CEO of Texan by Nature, a nonprofit founded by Mrs. Laura Bush with a goal of uniting conversation leaders and business leaders who believe that Texas’ prosperity depends on our natural resources.

Jeff Reinbold is the president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, leading the non-profit arm that helps care for one of America’s greatest resources: our national parks and historic sites. Our national parks are a treasure but would not be able to operate without the support of Americans everywhere. And with more than 30 years' experience in our parks, Jeff Reinbold has also served as superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in DC, and oversaw the creation of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, which commemorates the lives lost stopping the flight from reaching the Pentagon on 9/11.

Host Andrew Kaufmann and Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, joined Bush Institute experts Chris Walsh and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca for a Strategerist After Hours roundtable on pluralism: what it is, how it can be applied in daily life, and their hopes for our great nation.

Bush Institute Senior fellow of Freedom and Democracy Dr. Victor Cha joins Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to unpack China's growing economic grip on the world, the chaos rippling through global supply chains, and why the West needs a united front to push back against their coercion.

Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer prize-winning historian and author of The Revolution Trilogy and The Liberation Trilogy, sat down with Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to reflect on the idea of perspective and history; how to make judgment calls with 250-year-old material; and how to approach the cliff hanger when the story has already been told many times before.

The Bush Center welcomed Dallas Mavericks legend and NBA Hall of Fame inductee, Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk joined us for a live recording of The Strategerist podcast to share with us memorable stories from the court, his new role as an NBA analyst, and his foundation’s work to provide positive experiences for children around the world.

Dr. Jenner joined the Bush Institute’s Robin Berkley, the Ann Kimball Johnson Director of Education, and Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss Indiana’s innovative leadership in education reform. The state’s record gains in reading and college credit achievement showcase how community collaboration and bold policies are driving significant improvements in student outcomes.

From state dinners with the Queen of England or the Pope, to regular meetings with our nation’s leaders, to special events inviting hundreds of guests like the Easter Egg Roll, and to memorable moments for presidential pets like Barney Bush, the White House is always abuzz with activity. This week, The Strategerist meets with a couple of people who quietly kept the People’s House working: Dori Thornton Waller, former Deputy Social Secretary, and Susan Whitson, former Press Secretary to Mrs. Bush, for a behind-the-scenes look inside the East Wing during the Bush Administration.

Founder of Spirit of America, Jim Hake, joined Strategerist host Andrew Kauffman and the Bush Institute’s Director of Veterans and Military Families, Jason Galui, to discuss the spirit of the American people that comprises the heart of Spirit of America.

As we gather, travel home, or pause for a quiet moment, Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down and focus on what matters most. In today’s Strategerist After Hours episode, we’re embracing the spirit of gratitude — not just during the holidays, but as an everyday practice of noticing the good, acknowledging the people who lift us up, and finding meaning even in challenging times.

Fox News senior medical analyst and NYU clinical professor of medicine, Dr. Marc Siegel, joins The Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to share the inspiration behind his latest book, The Miracles Among Us. Dr. Siegel explores the intersection of faith and medicine, reflecting on how true healing engages both body and soul. He introduces the idea of “soft miracles” — the small, interconnected moments of grace, coincidence, and human connection that together create extraordinary outcomes — and shares moving stories from his book that bring this concept to life.

Every year, President Bush invites some of the men and women of our armed forces to his ranch in Crawford, Texas to spend Veterans Day in nature and on mountain bikes. The weekend of camaraderie is a celebration of the brave folks who raised their hand to defend our nation.Minutes after they got off their bikes, we sat down with three of those veterans -- Leslie Zimmerman, Brian Flom, and Josh Stanwitz -- to hear about their experience on the trail and as they transitioned from military to civilian life.Related:Veteran Check-In -- high-quality care for the invisible wounds of war

On this episode of The Strategerist, Lisa and Francis Molinari joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Jason Galui, director of veterans and military families at the Bush Institute, to discuss how their family’s own journey sparked the idea of Orion Military Scholars. Together, they talk about seeing the difference stability made in their own family, and wanting to make that a possibility for other families.

In this episode of The Strategerist, Katrin Katz, Adjunct Fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Korea Chair, joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Joseph Kim, the Bush Institute’s program manager of global policy, to unpack the research behind her COVID-19 report on North Korea. Joseph, himself a refugee from North Korea, offers personal insight into life under the regime and the ongoing oppression faced by its people.

In this episode, old friends Patrick Wilson, President and CEO of Little League International, and Jim Wilkinson, former White House Deputy Director of Communications and senior advisor at the NSC, State Department, and Treasury sit down with Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann. Together, they talk tee ball on the White House lawn and why Little League matters — not just for kids, but for their parents, too.

From walk-off home runs to game-winning touchdowns, Joe Buck has narrated many of the defining moments in sports — and is a fixture in America’s living rooms. But broadcasting is a family business. Joe Buck is the also the son of the late Jack Buck, another iconic broadcaster. And following in his father’s footsteps wasn’t a coincidence: Joe Buck was raised in broadcast booths and locker rooms. In this episode, Buck joins Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Bush Center President and CEO Shilo Brooks to explore what makes “greatness”, how competition brings people together, and how sports can teach us life lessons along the way.

Bob Costas is more than a sports broadcaster—he’s a storyteller and trailblazer who shaped how Americans experience sports. Having been voice of the Olympics, the World Series, and countless other events, he defined how we remember these moments --blending history, storytelling, and context, making sports feel bigger than the score. In this episode, Costas joins Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Kevin “Sully” Sullivan, senior advisor at the Bush Center, to discuss what went on behind the scenes of those broadcast moments. He reflects on the art of the introduction and explains why sports continue to bring us together.

Vice President Mike Pence surprised guests at the Bush Center and sat down for a special taping of The Strategerist podcast before a live audience. He discussed his views on divisiveness in country, leadership, America’s role as a global leader, and his own new role as a professor.

Rushan Abbas is a leading Uyghur human rights activist whose exercise of free speech in the United States led to the imprisonment of her older sister in China, now for seven years. In response, she left her career to become a full-time activist and founded Campaign for Uyghurs — an organization nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice. Through her work, Abbas shines a light on the Uyghur genocide and the repression of the Chinese government.

Monica Paul has been a driving force in making sure the world knows Dallas as a premier sports destination. She led the bid strategies and marketing efforts for nearly 600 events in our region. These events generated $4 billion in economic impact. Her leadership was key in securing Dallas as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dallas landed the most games—nine—of any host city. She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Kevin “Sully” Sullivan, Senior Advisor at the Bush Center and former White House Communications Director. Together, they recorded a special live taping at the Bush Center. They discussed the countdown to the 2026 World Cup, the beginnings of her sports career, and her hopes for the metroplex region.

Salim Asrawi is President and co-founder of Texas de Brazil and appears on the cover of President George W. Bush’s Out of Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants. Born in Lebanon, Salim immigrated to the United States at the age of 14, fleeing war in his country. He worked his way up at a hotel after getting his master’s degree in restaurant hotel management and later, with his family, invested in opening Texas de Brazil, now the largest steakhouse chain in the world. Salim joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and U.S. Navy Reserve Lieutenant Commander D’Juan Wilcher, Deputy Director of Veterans and Military Families at the Bush Institute, to discuss his journey from immigrant to successful entrepreneur, his dedication to community service and helping others, and his hope for the future.

Shawn VanDiver, founder and President of the Afghan Evac coalition, which works to build coordination and collaboration between civil society groups and U.S. government agencies in support of Afghan relocation and resettlement, joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Director of Global Policy, Natalie Gonnella-Platts to discuss the dire situation in country for at-risk Afghans, the expiration of TPS and other immigration challenges, and why all Americans should care about what is happening in Afghanistan today.

Jessica Yellin founded News Not Noise to do what the title implies separate the important news from the noise. Her goal is to “give information. Not a panic attack.” With over 193,000 Substack subscribers and 792,000 followers on Instagram, Jessica has become a trusted voice in a chaotic media environment—breaking down what matters, why it matters, and what you can safely scroll past. She’s part of a new movement of independent journalists that are taking advantage of platforms that allow individuals to build an audience of their own, without having to rely on traditional news networks. At the Bush Institute’s 2025 Forum on Leadership, she joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to unpack the evolving media landscape—and how to stay informed without getting overwhelmed.

Michael Giorgione joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Lieutenant Commander, USNR D’Juan Wilcher, Deputy Director of Veterans and Military Families at the Bush Institute, to discuss his time at Camp David and how his 29 years of military service helped him there and continues to inspire his teachings today.

As a young officer in the U.S. special forces, Blayne Smith faced the difficult realities of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. And while not everyone will experience war first-hand, the lessons that Blayne learned apply to all of us. Today, he’s helped build the Bush Institute Veteran Wellness Alliance’s Check-In program that helps veterans get connected to mental health care. He joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Jason Galui, Director of Veterans and military Families at the Bush Institute to discuss the lessons he’s shared in his new book, Perseverance > Resilience, as well as why Check-In is such an important program.

Jenny Dyer, founder of the 2030 Collaborative and artist and music producer Charlie Peacock were part of a coalition of experts, artists, and policymakers such as Bono, Senator Bill Frist, and many others that were instrumental in building the awareness around the AIDS epidemic in Africa, and the consensus needed to keep the President’s Emergency for AIDS Relief Plan or PEPFAR, which has saved over 26 millions lives from HIV/AIDS since its inception in 2003 moving forward. Dr. Dyer and Charlie joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss PEPFAR’s success and how art can truly help change the world.

Learn about the Bush Center's Forum on Leadership: https://www.bushcenter.org/events-and-exhibits/forum-on-leadership-2025

To learn more about the work the Tocqueville Foundation does, click here. 

Dr. Turner served as SMU’s president for 30 years. During his impressive career, he achieved significant milestones from being a key player in bringing the George W. Bush Presidential Center to SMU’s campus to getting SMU into to the ACC. He has left quite a legacy. Dr. Turner visited the Bush Center for the annual Forum on Leadership and met with Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss his thirty years at SMU along with the story of bringing the Bush Center to SMU’s campus — which had some fierce competition!

To learn more about the Bush Center’s work on Advancing Free Societies, visit bushcenter.org/topics/freedom-and-democracy. And learn more bout the National Endowment for Democracy at https://www.ned.org/

Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Devon Yarbrough, Communications Manager at the George W. Bush Presidential Center sat down with Milauna Jackson who portrays Captain Abby Campbell in the 2024 Netflix film, “The Six Triple Eight” and Retired Army Col. Edna Cummings, a passionate advocate whose work led to two crucial recognitions for the 6888. Milauna discusses what it was like working on the Netflix film while Col. Cummings shares the behind-the-scenes bipartisan advocacy for the battalion who played a critical role in World War II.

To learn more about the incredible heroes of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion like Dennis' grandmother, Sylvia Armstrong, watch the documentary The SixTriple Eight. 

Order a copy of Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom and a Forever Promise Forged in World War II on the Bush Center's website.

Dr. Jeffrey Engel is an award-winning presidential historian and the David Gergen Director of the SMU Center for Presidential History. He’s authored or edited thirteen books on American foreign policy and spent a good part of his career at the Bush School of Government and Public Service in College Station before coming to SMU. He joins host Andrew Kaufmann and Kevin “Sully” Sullivan, former White House Communications Director under President Bush and Senior Advisor to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, to discuss his passion for presidential history, the shift in legacies post-presidency, and why we need to continue learning about our past to build our future.

Retired U.S. Army Captain Florent Groberg is one of 3,528 recipients of the Medal of Honor—the highest military honor awarded to those who serve in the United States armed forces. Flo joins host Andrew Kaufmann and Michael Bailey, Deputy Director of the Leadership Programs at the Bush Institute to discuss his service to our country and what leadership means both in the uniform and as a civilian.

Chuck Todd is an Emmy award-winning journalist while NBC’s Chief Political Analyst and former moderator for Meet the Press, which he stepped away from in September 2023. Although he stepped away from the moderator’s chair, he still covers politics this his podcast, The Chuck Toddcast. He joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and Senior Editorial Advisor at the Bush Institute Bill McKenzie to discuss how the journalism ecosystem has changed and evolved and how local news should be driving national news (not the other way around).

If you enjoyed this episode, watch Purpose Beyond the White House: A Conversation on the Post-Presidency, an Engage at the Bush Center event presented by NexPoint featuring Jared Cohen. 

The Honorable James D. Rodriguez served as Assistant Secretary within the Biden administration Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service from January 2021 until January 2025 where he served 440,000 veterans annually. He is an accomplished executive leader with over 30 years experience across the government and corporate landscapes and over 20 years in the United States Marine Corps in numerous leadership and management positions. Last year, he joined Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Casey Rodriguez, the Senior Program Manager of Leadership Programs. But not only is Casey managing the operations of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, she’s the daughter of Secretary Rodriguez.

To learn more about Natalia's work at the Free Russia Foundation click here. 

Limited signed copies of Larry Thompson’s book ”The Quiet Counsel Looking Back on a Life of Service to the Law” are available for purchase at the Bush Museum here.

Ambassador Nicole Avant is a critically acclaimed producer of the Netflix film The Six Triple Eight, bestselling author of Think You’ll Be Happy, and former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas under President Obama. We discuss Ambassador Avant’s contributions and what led her to the Netflix film “The Six Triple Eight”, the influence of her incredible parents — which inspired her book “Think You’ll Be Happy” — and how to live out our freedom every single day.

Related linksTexas Education AgencyEducation and Opportunity at the Bush Institute 

Madame President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a true trailblazer — she served as the president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and was the first elected female head of state in Africa. And now she’s dedicated to helping other women ascend to leadership roles through her work at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development.President Sirleaf joined the Bush Institute’s Natalie Gonnella-Platts and host Andrew Kaufmann for a conversation with our staff about leading her country after years of division, the need for gender equity, and why young Africans give her hope about the future of the continent and the world.Hear more from Madame President Sirleaf on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Mary Tobin is the Director of Brickyard Chapters and Programs for nonprofit More Perfect Union, which aims to bring people together through social connection, service, and civic engagement events in order to build stronger and more resilient communities.She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Jason Galui for an impactful conversation on More Perfect Union’s mission, how her experiences in the military helped her grow, and the importance of human connection.Hear more from Mary on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content:More Perfect UnionLearn more about the Bush Institute's work to support veterans and their families