The Strategerist

Garry Kasparov is a democracy activist and Russian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. He is the founder and chair of the Renew Democracy Initiative, a nonprofit with the goal of uniting Americans across the political spectrum in defense of democratic ideals.

He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute David J. Kramer for a live recording to discuss the importance of teaching young people chess, his work to defend democracy, and why Ukraine has prevailed against Russia’s unprovoked invasion. 

Hear more from Garry about the state of worldwide democracy and how life imitates chess on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 

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Sebastien Lai is a democracy advocate and son of jailed Hong Kong businessman and publisher Jimmy Lai. He and Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy’s international legal team, joined the George W. Bush Institute while in Dallas raising awareness about why Jimmy is jailed. 

They spoke with host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Igor Khrestin about Jimmy’s upcoming trial, Sebastien’s advocacy, and why the case matters across the globe. 

Hear more from Sebastien and Jonathan about the devastating effects of the National Security Law on freedom in Hong Kong on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 

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Problems and pessimism tend to overwhelm the daily news cycle. What gets less attention are the incredible solutions governments and organizations have devised to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. 

That’s why Senior Fellow and Editor-in-Chief of The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute Jonathan Tepperman set out to release an issue dedicated entirely to exploring solutions to problems around the globe called The Fix. 

The Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh and Hannah Johnson authored pieces for the issue, and they joined Jonathan and host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss success stories and the lessons we can all learn on working across divisions — and even what we can learn from the Barbie movie on this episode of The Strategerist After Hours presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 

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• The Catalyst: A Journal of Ideas from the Bush Institute -- The Fix

Hector Rodriguez, known online as H3CZ, is the founder and CEO of OpTic Gaming, an organization that maintains some of the most competitive esports teams in the world. Through video games, Hector became part of an online community and built something unique — and is now living the American Dream.

Hector joined host Andrew Kaufmann for a live conversation in the Bush Museum’s Freedom Hall, where he discussed gaming, content creation, his journey as an entrepreneur, and even a few of his favorite eateries on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Daron Babcock is the CEO of Bonton Farms, an organization that started as a small garden serving the food deserts in South Dallas that has grown into a movement working alongside residents to transform the community. 

Daron joined the Bush Center for the Forum on Leadership, where he received the Bush Institute Trailblazer Citation for his impactful work at Bonton Farms. He spoke with host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Anne Wicks about the mission of the organization. 

Hear more from Daron about the innovative and meaningful work of Bonton Farms on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

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• 2022 Forum on Leadership
• Bonton Farms

Dan Bartlett is the executive vice president of corporate affairs at Walmart and longtime key advisor to President George W. Bush.  

He joined former White House colleague and current Bush Center senior advisor Kevin Sullivan, and host Andrew Kaufmann, to share advice for up-and-coming leaders and their lessons from D.C.

Hear from Dan about his career progression from Austin to the White House to one of the biggest corporations in the world on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.  

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• Presidential Leadership Scholars

Meghan Ogilvie is the CEO of Dog Tag Inc., a non-profit with the goal of empowering veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers to find renewed purpose and community through an unexpected combination: a bakery and a classroom. 

Meghan joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Eva Chiang at the 2022 Forum on Leadership to discuss Dog Tag Bakery's mission and her experience as a Presidential Leadership Scholar. 

Hear from Meghan about her growth as a leader, the importance of a good network, and Dog Tag's famous baked goods on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 

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• 2022 Forum on Leadership
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Manu Meel is the CEO of BridgeUSA, a nonprofit organization that creates spaces on high school and college campuses where students can have open discussions about political issues.

He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Chris Walsh in April to discuss BridgeUSA’s mission, how to disagree, and the importance of diversity of thought and opinion.

Listen as Manu discusses how to build bridges with people of differing viewpoints and provides a sneak peek of his podcast The Hopeful Majority – which has launched since the recording of this episode – on The Strategerist.

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Dave Copps is the CEO and co-founder of Dallas-based technology company Worlds, where they’ve created an artificial intelligence platform for building the industrial metaverse. He joined the George W. Bush Institute in April at the Forum on Leadership, where he participated in a conversation on the co-evolution of humans and machines.  

He joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Cullum Clark to discuss Worlds, how technology is changing education, and the future of AI.

Hear more from Dave about his experience in the technology sector, AI Chatbot ChatGPT, and his collection of rare electric guitars on The Strategerist.

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Ambassador Shin-wha Lee serves as South Korea’s ambassador for international cooperation on North Korean human rights. In her role, she coordinates international efforts to improve human rights conditions in North Korea and raise global awareness about the inhumane conditions faced by North Koreans.  

She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute’s Dr. Victor Cha to discuss how denuclearization and human rights are connected and what she predicts for the future relationship between North and South Korea.  

Hear from the ambassador about the history of the North Korean Human Rights Act in South Korea and the U.S. and opportunities for the international community to make progress on North Korean human rights.

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• The Bush Institute's work on freedom in North Korea