Overheard at the Bush Center

Latest Episodes:

Deck the Halls: Holiday Traditions at the White House Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

In this special Engage at the Bush Center event presented by NexPoint, Dori Thornton Waller, former White House Deputy Social Secretary, Sara Armstrong, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Mrs. Laura Bush, and Susan Whitson, former Press Secretary to Mrs. Laura Bush, shared memorable stories and cheerful moments from their holidays in the People’s House.

NexPoint Lecture: America's Economic Realignment Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Keith Hennessey, the Bush Institute’s David Rubenstein Fellow, Kristen Silverberg, Business Roundtable President and COO, and Marc Sumerlin, former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, joined Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative Cullum Clark for a thought-provoking and timely conversation on the condition of the U.S. economy, the role of the Federal Reserve, the relationship between the U.S. government and private businesses, the impact of tariffs, the state of international trade, technology’s impact on the economy, and more.

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How Sports Bring Us Together: A Conversation with Bob Costas & Joe Buck Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

As part of our Engage at the Bush Center series presented by NexPoint, legendary sportscasters Bob Costas and Joe Buck came to the Bush Center and shared unforgettable stories, reliving the most transformational and unifying moments in sports history.

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Watch the Engage at the Bush Center program presented by NexPoint here
View special exhibit Game Changer: United by Sports, presented by Garry Weber

Laura Bush Book Club with Author Amor Towles May 19, 2025

Show notes

The Seventh Annual Laura Bush Book Club proudly featured Amor Towles. One of Mrs. Bush’s favorite authors, Towles’ novels Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway, and his collection of shorter fiction Table for Two have all been New York Times bestsellers.

Restoring Trust in the Media Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

The Bush Center held its eighth annual Forum on Leadership, a landmark event that develops, recognizes, and celebrates leadership by bringing together notable voices for in-depth discussions on today’s pressing issues.

Freedom of the press is foundational to our nation. Martin Baron, Former Executive Director of The Washington Post, and Jessica Yellin, Founder of News Not Noise; joined in discussion with the Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, the Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the Bush Institute, to dive into the challenges facing media in America and its role for a thriving democracy.

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Higher Education and Democracy Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Ben Sasse, former U.S. Senator from Nebraska and former President of the University of Florida; Dr. R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Melva Wallace, President and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University, discussed the role of higher education within American democracy. Moderated by Robin Berkley, the Ann Kimball Johnson Director of Education at the Bush Institute, the conversation focused on how colleges and universities are vital to preparing young adults to contribute to society.

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Only in America Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

In a panel discussion, entrepreneurs Salim Asrawi, Co-Founder and President of Texas de Brazil, and Daniel Lubetzky, Founder of Builders Movement and KIND, shared how they’ve made the most of opportunities in America with moderator Anne Wicks, the Don Evans Family Managing Director of Opportunity and Democracy at the Bush Institute. They discussed the American Dream and how giving back strengthens our democracy.

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2025 Forum on Leadership

Senatorial Insights on Geopolitics & Foreign Policy Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Topics of geopolitics have been increasingly prominent in the U.S. government in recent years, and no one knows the struggles of maneuvering through these discussions better than a member of the United States Congress. The Engage at the Bush Center program presented by NexPoint brought Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) to discuss these topics and get their thoughts on not only navigating policies, but the challenges they may bring.

Related:

Navigating Turbulence: Senatorial Insights on Geopolitics & Foreign Policy
Policy Recommendations from the Bush Institute

The Six Triple Eight: Quiet Heroism in WWII Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

The incredible story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the Six Triple Eight, recently came to the Bush Center. The program followed the release of Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight, a film that tells the story of WWII’s only Women’s Army Corps unit of color.

The Engage at the Bush Center program presented by NexPoint featured, former U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant, best-selling author and critically acclaimed producer of the Netflix film; Milauna Jackson who portrays Captain Campbell in the Netflix film; and Retired Army Col. Edna Cummings, a passionate advocate whose work led to two important recognitions: the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Monument and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Food, Family, & Holiday Fun with The Pioneer Woman Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Ree Drummond, star of the long running hit Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman, joined us for a festive Engage at the Bush Center event presented by NexPoint. In a conversation with lifestyle expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Drummond shared stories about her favorite family traditions, tips for gift giving, and of course, the right food for every holiday occasion.

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