Send me a Text Message about the show!

Cody Keenan rose from a campaign intern in his hometown to become the chief speechwriter at the White House and Barack Obama’s post-presidential collaborator- and he is here to share his experiences with Jess and Jess. In particular and of most interest in this conversation are the ten days in June of 2015, following the mass murder of nine Black worshipers in a Charleston, South Carolina by a white supremicist.  In the days that followed, America – and its first Black president – went through a profound reckoning with race and the legacy of the Confederate flag, while the families of the victims perform an extraordinary act of grace. Meanwhile, two consequential Supreme Court decisions loomed that would decide more than the fate of a presidency, but the fate of millions: the right to health care for working families and the right for same-sex couples to marry.

In this episode, Cody shares his front seat reflections on what has always meant to craft and collaborate on work with President Obama, and how it has shaped how he sees himself, his work, and his country.

A different conversation, but authentic and curious, Jess and Jess are able to reminisce some incredible "Glory Days" with the person who helped pen them.

Meet Cody:
Born and raised in Chicago, Cody Keenan rose from a campaign intern in his
hometown to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Barack Obama’s
post-presidential collaborator. A sought-after expert on politics, messaging, and
current affairs, he is now a partner at leading speechwriting firm Fenway
Strategies and teaches a popular course on political speechwriting to
undergraduates at his alma mater Northwestern University. Cody lives in New
York City with his wife Kristen and their baby daughter Grace.

Support the show

Keep up with all things WeSTAT on any (or ALL) of the social feeds:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westatpod/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@westatpod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westatpod/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westatpod/
Twitter: https://x.com/WeSTATpod

Have a topic or want to stay in touch via e-mail on all upcoming news?
https://www.westatpod.com/

Help monetarily support the podcast by subscribing to the show! This is an easy way to help keep the conversations going:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/768062/supporters/new