All the Best

This week on "All the Best", Sam LeBlond talks with former New Hampshire Governor, John H. Sununu, who also served as George H. W. Bush's Chief of Staff. Listen as Governor Sununu reflects back on his years as Chief of Staff, one the greatest comebacks in political history (in the 1988 GOP Primary), and why the George H. W. Bush administration was one of the best this country has ever seen. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

On Sunday August 5th, 1990, President George H. W. Bush boarded Marine One and flew from Camp David to the White House South Lawn after an intense 72 hours of international consultations concerning Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. Though it was still early in the crisis, the President had already decided Iraq's aggression could not be rewarded, and after crossing the White House lawn that day famously declared to the White House Press Corps, "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait." In this episode, host Sam LeBlond recounts that historic day with Dr. Richard Haass, who served as Special Assistant to President George H. W. Bush and Senior Director for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the National Security Council. Listen as Dr. Haass reflects on the planning that became Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the legacy of the Bush Administration, plus a rare recording of the President aboard the Marine One helicopter on August 5, 1990. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Host Sam LeBlond welcomes Andy Card back to "All the Best"! In addition to being President George H. W. Bush's former deputy Chief of Staff and Secretary of Transportation, Sec. Card currently serves as the interim CEO of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Listen as he shares the wonderful history of how College Station, Texas, and Aggieland came to be the home of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Center — which comprises the George Bush School for Government and Public Service at Texas A&M, the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Plus, Sec. Card gives an inside look at the upcoming plans for the Bush Center, including the arrival of the retired Union Pacific Engine 4141. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Ambassador C. Boyden Gray, who served as Chief Legal Counsel to Vice President and President George H. W. Bush, joins host Sam LeBlond for the latest edition of All the Best. Listen as Ambassador Gray shares his unique insights into George Bush's many contributions as Vice President during the Reagan administration — including his pivotal role in the Pershing missile deployment in West Germany in the early 1980s. Here on the eve of the 30th anniversary, Boyden also discusses the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other key accomplishments of the first Bush administration. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Join host Sam LeBlond and University of North Carolina Head Football Coach Mack Brown for this episode of "All the Best." Listen as the two talk about what a "new normal" will possibly look like for this upcoming college football season and Coach Mack Brown's commitment to service and giving back. Plus, Coach Brown recounts the moment when President George W. Bush called him to congratulate the Texas Longhorns on their NCAA Football Championship win in 2005 and their subsequent team visit to the White House. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Former NFL pro-bowl running back Jonathan Stewart and his wife Natalie Stewart are our guests in this "All the Best" episode. The two own and manage a local media company, Charlotte Lately, and also serve their community through a variety of organizations including Inspire the Fire, Convoy of Hope, and Elevation Church. It's their commitment to service that truly keeps them grounded. The Stewarts share with host Sam LeBlond the myriad of service projects they are involved with, how they are advancing the interests of their community in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role that faith plays in their lives. Plus, Jonathan and Natalie share their favorite memory of George H. W. Bush. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

NFL Pro Bowler Wade Smith has long valued the importance of literacy and in 2012 he started the Wade Smith Foundation focusing on education, advancing literacy, and providing scholarships to kids in both Dallas and Houston. Speaking of Houston and literacy, Wade and his Foundation have teamed up many times with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, as he discusses with Sam LeBlond on this week's episode of "All the Best". As an added bonus, Wade recounts his favorite NFL experience and gives his thoughts about the upcoming season. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

Sportscaster and International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Pam Shriver joins our host Sam LeBlond for this week's episode of All the Best. Listen as Pam shares how she came to know President George H. W. Bush and his family, along with some of their most memorable tennis matches — including discussion of the President's infamous "Ranking Committee." Plus, Pam remembers the highlights of her remarkable tennis career, what it was like to make the switch from athlete to broadcaster, and how tennis lends itself to service. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

In this episode of "All the Best," we commemorate the 30th anniversary of Barbara Bush's historic commencement speech at Wellesley College in June of 1990. Host Sam LeBlond is joined by Ed McNally, former speechwriter for both President and Mrs. Bush, who recounts the lead-up, the delivery, and the universally positive reaction afterwards. (Spoiler Alert: NBC anchor Tom Brokaw called it "the best commencement speech I've ever heard.") Don't miss this special, behind-the-scenes look at history in the making. To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.

As we celebrate President and Mrs. Bush's birthdays, this very special episode looks back at some favorite memories shared by friends, colleagues and family on "All the Best". To read the full transcript of this episode visit https://www.georgeandbarbarabush.org/podcast-transcript/.