The Strategerist

Latest Episodes:

How to Support Freedom in North Korea & Advocate for Escapees -- Expert Roundtable Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

The North Korean regime is one of the most brutal on Earth. Executions, torture, and arbitrary detention are commonplace. Many lose their lives attempting to escape. For those who do make it out of the hermit kingdom, many difficulties remain.

But how can we help the people of North Korea?

The answer is that the issues on the Korean Peninsula won’t be easily solved. But many are working hard to help North Koreans.

Ambassador Julie Turner, the U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, is working diplomatically through her role in the U.S. government.

Hannah Song, CEO of non-profit Liberty in North Korea, brings boots-on-the-ground support through LiNK’s modern-day underground railroad.

And Joseph Kim, Research Fellow at the Bush Institute and North Korean escapee himself, is telling his story of survival and supporting his people through his powerful words.

The three experts joined host Andrew Kaufmann for an important conversation about how the U.S. can support North Koreans still in the country, the state of human rights in North Korea, and the work they do to advocate for North Koreans living in the U.S.

That’s on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska -- From the Nuclear Football to Nuclear Submarines Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

During Dr. Robert Roncska’s impressive 28-year career in the Navy, he commanded a nuclear-powered submarine, led the largest submarine squadron in the U.S. fleet, and even carried the nuclear football for President George W. Bush, who affectionately named him “Navy Bob.”

Recently, he authored his debut book — Beyond the Sea: Leading with Love from the Nuclear Navy to the White House and Healthcare — in which he offers insights from his career and shares his own unique outlook, which blends military precision and execution with compassionate understanding.

Navy Bob joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Center’s Robert Favela to discuss his book, his experience carrying the nuclear codes, and his insights on how to lead with love.

Hear more from Navy Bob on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Related content:

Beyond the Sea: Leading with Love from the Nuclear Navy to the White House and Healthcare

Cullum Clark -- Innovation, Opportunity, and Economic Growth Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Cullum Clark serves as Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative and is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at SMU. He leads the Bush Institute’s work on domestic economic policy and economic growth and recently released a report on how education and medical institutions can become more powerful drivers of prosperity in America’s cities.

Cullum joined host Andrew Kaufmann for an engaging conversation about his report, the importance of economic growth in all areas of Dallas, the impact his mother and Dallas legend Lee Cullum has had on his work, and why he’s hopeful about the future of our country.

Hear more from Cullum on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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Penelope Muse Abernathy -- The State of Local News Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

Penelope Muse Abernathy is a visiting professor at Northwestern University and a former senior executive at The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She specializes in researching local journalism and is the author of two books and five reports, including The State of Local News.

She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKenzie to discuss news deserts, the importance of quality journalism, and why local reporting is essential to our democracy.

Hear more from Penny on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Related content:

The State of Local News

Pashtana Durrani -- Educating Afghan Girls Despite Taliban Rule Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

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 Gonnella-Platts at the 2024 Forum on Leadership to discuss her work educating Afghan girls, her experience escaping the country after the Taliban takeover, and her hope for the future of Afghanistan.

Hear more from Pashtana on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Related content:

LEARN Afghanistan

2024 Forum on Leadership

Ambassador Mark Green -- The Wilson Center, U.S. Foreign Aid, & Healthy Disagreement Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

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 Institute, and four terms as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 8th District. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation during both the Obama and Trump Administrations.

Ambassador Green joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Center’s Bill McKenzie at the Forum on Leadership to discuss the mission of the Wilson Center, the positive impact of U.S. foreign aid both at home and abroad, and the importance of healthy disagreement.

Hear more from Ambassador Green on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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Brenda Ewing Snitzer -- Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation Recipient for The Stewpot Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

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 for its work to inspire change and enrich the quality of life in North Texas.

Executive Director of The Stewpot Brenda Ewing Snitzer joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Bill McKenzie at the Forum on Leadership to discuss the organization’s unique enrichment opportunities — including its art program and writing workshop — and the important impact The Stewpot is making in the Dallas community.

Hear more from Brenda on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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Hannah Sklar -- Bush Institute Citation Recipient for Creamos Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

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.

Executive Director of Creamos Hannah Sklar joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Laura Collins at the 2024 Forum on Leadership where she discussed the impacts of gender-based violence, the importance of mental health, and the work of Creamos.

Hear more from Hannah on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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Creamos

Mi eelo

2024 Forum on Leadership

Thom Shanker -- The Role Journalists Play in the U.S. Military Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

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 Pentagon correspondent, where he covered the Department of Defense, combat operations, and national security policy. His extensive reporting helped the American people understand the actions and policies of the U.S. military.

He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Jason Galui to discuss his remarkable career as a journalist, his book Age of Danger, the importance of fighting climate change, and why the U.S. must continue to support Ukraine.

Hear more from Thom on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Arthur Brooks -- The Science of Happiness Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

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 direction, not a destination; how healthy regret can be productive; why love is so important in our lives; and how to put happiness into practice.

Hear more from Arthur on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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