The Strategerist

After spending seven years in the White House and two of those years as Press Secretary, Dana Perino became comfortable speaking on behalf of others – including the 43rd president. But as she transitioned into roles on Fox News after the White House, Dana had to develop her own voice.

Has technology revolutionized our education system and job market for the good? Inspired by season 1 of The Strategerist podcast, The Strategerist After Hours brings together Bush Institute experts to discuss technology’s influential role in our everyday lives.

• The Fast and Slow Worlds are Colliding- and We Need Leaders
• Lifelong Learning is the Way to Overcome Disruptive Economic Forces
• America's Urban Challenge

Inspired by dialogues during season one of The Strategerist, The Strategerist After Hours brings together George W. Bush Institute experts to discuss hot topics and news of the day. In this episode, we talk with millennials about TV’s Lost, how this generation wants to be bridge builders during a tumultuous time, and avocado toast.

• Millennials Reinvent Localism in Their Search for Community
• Pew Poll: The Partisan Divide on Political Values Grows Even Wides

We go in-depth on economic policy with Stanford economist Ed Lazear who worked on the 2017 tax reform bill. He explains how changes to the legislation have helped put the country on a faster growth track. Ed also chats about becoming the head of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Bush Administration, and how immigration is still a positive economic factor. 

The Presidential Leadership Scholar program gives rising leaders the edge they need to make a difference in the world. After participating in the program, Byron Sanders became President and CEO of Big Thought– a Dallas educational nonprofit. Byron is leading an organization that is breaking a tragic cycle seen in too many communities. He tells us about President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton’s visit to one of Big Thoughts safe spaces and how the Presidential Leadership Scholar program changed his life journey.

Ian Bremmer’s story began on a college trip to Russia as a 16-year-old. There, he learned the world is a complicated global community. We chatted with Ian about that life changing trip, foreign affairs, and how puppets can help us understand what is happening around the globe. 

Dr. Robert Gates made history when he was asked to stay on as Secretary of Defense when President Barack Obama was elected into office. He shares details about the transition from serving President George W. Bush to President Obama, what he learned about leadership serving under eight presidents, and how his many governmental roles impacted his children.

Lyndon B. Johnson suddenly became 36th president at a pivotal moment in American history. President John F. Kennedy had just been assassinated, and the country was embroiled in divisive rhetoric surrounding race relations. We explore LBJ’s leadership with president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation Mark Updegrove. 

CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support Jan Langbein transformed Genesis from a seven-room emergency shelter to a full-service response center for victims of domestic violence. Jan shares how she first learned about Genesis as a volunteer and how she later became CEO.

Before Nate Boyer penned a letter to former San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick about his decision to sit in protest during the national anthem, Boyer tried acting, joined the military, walked on to the University of Texas’ football team, and became a professional athlete. We chatted with Boyer about his life journey and taking risks.