All the Best

This week's episode of All the Best features Andy Card, former deputy chief of staff to George H. W. Bush and former chief of staff to George W. Bush. Andy Card reflects back on the 1980 presidential election, George H. W.'s role as Vice President and relationship with Ronald Reagan, the accomplishments of George H. W. Bush's four years as president and Barbara Bush's impact as first lady. Andy Card also shares candid details around the sometimes burden of the role of a commander in chief and an exciting special upcoming project for the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

September of 2019, marked the 75th anniversary of the bombing of the Pacific Island of Chi Chi Jima. On George H. W. Bush's 18th birthday he enlisted in service and became the youngest naval pilot out in the Pacific Island. During a mission to bomb the radio station at Chi Chi Jima, George H. W. was shot in the plane he was controlling, but survived and later became the president of the United States. Listen as renowned historical author James Bradley recounts the defining moment in history and his special friendship with George H. W. Bush. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

This week's episode of All the Best features President George H. W. Bush's longtime chief of staff, Jean Becker. The former journalist took on the role of chief of staff beginning in 1994. Jean Becker supervised George H. W. Bush's office in both Houston and Kennebunkport, Maine, and oversaw the opening of the George Bush Presidential Library Center in 1997. Jean took a leave of absence in 1999 to edit and research "All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings." Previously, Jean served as deputy press secretary to first lady Barbara Bush from 1989 to 1992 and helped Mrs. Bush with the editing and research for her books "Barbara Bush, A Memoir" and "Reflections." Enjoy listening to Jean share how she became chief of staff, favorite memories with George and Barbara, defining moments during George H. W. Bush's presidency and more. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Over 30 years ago — on November 9, 1989 — the Berlin Wall technically became obsolete or "fell" when an East German bureaucrat declared that Germans could freely pass between borders. The question at that uncertain moment then became: how would the superpowers react, and would this hopeful moment lead to more freedoms … or end in a bloody crackdown? In November of 2019, together with the Ronald Reagan Institute, Georgetown University and the Atlantic Council, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation hosted "30 Years Later: Lessons From the Fall of the Berlin Wall." This event explored the enduring lessons that the Fall of the Berlin Wall continues to teach. Listen now to former White House Press Secretary to both Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, Marlin Fitzwater; former members of the White House press corps, Peter Maer and Gene Gibbons; and presidential historian, Jeffrey Engel, as they share more insight on the lessons stemming from that historic day. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

In this episode of All the Best, we celebrate the inaugural presentation of The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards, which took place in September of 2019 in New York City. Neil Bush, who chairs the Points of Light Board of Directors, speaks on the importance of the organization and continuing the legacy of his father. Gala co-chair Lauren Bush Lauren shares a few special moments from this year's event. You will also hear from two of the very first George H. W. Bush Points of Light Award recipients, Khloe Thompson and Maria Rose Belding. Khloe was just eight years old when she started Khloe Kares to address the issue homelessness in Los Angeles. Maria Rose Belding, meanwhile, created the MEANS Database as a freshman at American University — and has since helped reroute nearly 2.8 million pounds of excess food to communities in need across the United States. To learn more about these inspiring Points of Light, listen now and then visit https://www.pointsoflight.org/. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

In this episode of "All the Best", Sam LeBlond is joined by Dr. Roger B. Porter. From 1989 to 1993 Dr. Porter was the former Assistant to President H. W. Bush for Economic and Domestic Policy. Dr. Porter reveals how the 41st president came to be known as the "education president," including his spearheading of the historic 1989 education summit, how his legacy inspired the recent celebration of the education summit's 30th anniversary and the influence Barbara Bush had on education policy. Dr. Porter also shares his perspective of how President Bush's 1990 budget deal put the United States on a glide path to the last balanced budget this country has seen. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

In June of 2019, members of the George H. W. Bush family gathered at the Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas to celebrate what would have been the 41st president's 95th birthday. There, over a dozen of the Bushes' grandkids planned to continue a special family tradition — a birthday skydive! With November 30, 2019 marking one year since the passing of George H. W. Bush, listen as host Sam LeBlond and cousins George P. Bush, Jeb Bush Jr., Pierce Bush, and Lauren Bush Lauren reflect on their grandfather's funeral, favorite family memories at Walker's Point, George H.W. and Barbara's Bush's commitment to service, and more. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

In this episode of All the Best, Sam LeBlond is joined by his uncle (the youngest son of George H. W. and Barbara Bush), Marvin Bush. In addition to remembering his favorite personal memories with both George H. W. and Barbara Bush, Marvin recalls how his father was the inventor of "quality time" and the devotion and admiration his parents had for each other. Marvin also recounts the events that led up to George H. W. Bush accepting the position of Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China and says what he believes to be George H. W. and Barbara Bush's greatest legacies. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Sam LeBlond welcomes his uncle (and son of George H. W. and Barbara Bush), Neil Bush, to this episode of All the Best. Neil talks about how he attributes everything he learned about service to his parents, George H. W. and Barbara Bush, and currently serves as the chairman to both the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Points of Light (who just celebrated the first annual George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Gala). Neil also reminisces about how his parents always made family a priority — especially during the White House years — and shares some of his favorite memories with George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

In the inaugural episode of All the Best, Sam LeBlond sits down with his mother (and daughter of George H. W. and Barbara Bush) Doro Bush Koch. Doro reveals what it was like to be the only woman in American history to have both her father and brother serve as president of the United States. She also discusses her journey to write, My Father, My President, her personal account of her father's life, which in many ways acted as George H. W. Bush's memoir. Doro also remembers how her parents instilled the importance of service in their family growing up, which continues to inspire her to live a service-filled life to this day anchored in her chairing the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.