Overheard at the Bush Center
Join George W. Bush Presidential Center experts as they talk to leading policymakers, business leaders, and people on the front lines of change about issues like immigration, economic opportunity, education, democracy and the importance of free societies.
Episodes 74
Sep 11, 2026
A Legacy of Service: America at the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
Sep 3, 2026
The Mission of Air Force One
Jun 16, 2026
A Conversation with Justice Amy Coney Barrett
May 21, 2026
A Conversation with Walter Isaacson on “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written”
Apr 16, 2026
Forum on Leadership 2026: At Liberty to Speak
Apr 16, 2026
Forum on Leadership 2026: The Land That Unites Us
Apr 16, 2026
Forum on Leadership 2026: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union
Mar 27, 2026
Ellen & Clayton Kershaw on the Power of Sports to Lift Communities
Mar 11, 2026
A Nation Begins: A Conversation with Ken Burns and Rick Atkinson
Dec 11, 2025
Deck the Halls: Holiday Traditions at the White House
Oct 28, 2025
NexPoint Lecture: America's Economic Realignment
Sep 25, 2025
How Sports Bring Us Together
May 19, 2025
Laura Bush Book Club with Author Amor Towles
Apr 25, 2025
Restoring Trust in the Media
Apr 25, 2025
Higher Education and Democracy
Apr 24, 2025
Only in America
Mar 26, 2025
Senatorial Insights on Geopolitics & Foreign Policy
Feb 21, 2025
The Quiet Heroism of The Six Triple Eight
Dec 6, 2024
Food, Family, & Holiday Fun with The Pioneer Woman
Nov 1, 2024
A Conversation on Post-Presidency
Sep 26, 2024
The Russia-China Challenge
Sep 13, 2024
A Conversation with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch
May 16, 2024
Laura Bush Book Club with “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” Author Heather Morris
Apr 18, 2024
Protecting Religious Liberties
Apr 18, 2024
Challenges Facing a World Transformed -- Keynote Conversation with William J. Burns
Apr 18, 2024
Human Rights and the New Global Order
Apr 18, 2024
Voices of Freedom
Apr 18, 2024
Forum on Leadership 2024: A conversation with Indra Nooyi
Mar 19, 2024
Entertaining at the White House
Feb 9, 2024
The State of American Democracy
Jan 26, 2024
The Art of Disagreeing Better
Oct 12, 2023
How China and Russia Facilitate North Korea’s Human Rights Abuses
Oct 10, 2023
How governments around the world have solved supposedly impossible problems
Leaders around the country and the globe have found successful solutions to tackling economic inequity, political polarization, health care, and many other challenges.
Jun 20, 2023
How COVID and Ukraine Have Changed Beijing’s Strategy
Apr 21, 2023
Man vs the Machine
In this Studio 43 panel discussion for the 2023 Forum on Leadership, Dave Copps, CEO and Co-Founder of Worlds Inc.; John Donovan, CEO of Qudit Investments; and Cullum Clark, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, explored the co-evolution of humans and machines.
Apr 21, 2023
Is the American Dream at Risk?
The 2023 Forum on Leadership panel discussed where job opportunities, readiness to work, and regional strength connect in a post- COVID America.
Apr 20, 2023
The Future of American Capitalism
A panel discussion from the Bush Center's 2023 Forum on Leadership that explored what’s next for our economy.
Apr 20, 2023
A Conversation with Governor Glenn Youngkin
Governor Glenn Youngkin discusses governing in a purple state, the health of our Nation's democratic spirit, and how we can unite the American people.
Feb 24, 2023
PEPFAR at 20: A Conversation with Bill Gates
How PEPFAR’s successful program model can inform U.S. engagement in global health and development more broadly.
Feb 24, 2023
PEPFAR at 20: A Conversation with President Bush, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
The trio discussed the inception of PEPFAR, its enormous impact, and how the program is a win for both partner countries and for U.S. foreign policy.
Nov 18, 2022
A Commitment to Freedom and Democracy
On November 16, President Bush and David J. Kramer, Executive Director of the Bush Institute, sat down at The Struggle for Freedom conference hosted by the Bush Institute in partnership with Freedom House and the National Endowment for Democracy. They discussed the importance of U.S. support for democracy and freedom around the world, especially in places like Ukraine.
Nov 18, 2022
The Struggle for Freedom: The Intersection of Sports and Human Rights
Nov 18, 2022
The Struggle for Freedom: How the United States Can Help Support Democracy and Human Rights
Nov 18, 2022
The Struggle for Freedom: Emerging Technology and the Future of Freedom
The Bush Institute, in partnership with Freedom House and the National Endowment for Democracy, hosted a conference on The Struggle for Freedom. The event gathered activists, experts, and leaders who assessed threats to freedom and offered recommendations for the cause of liberty.
Nov 18, 2022
The Struggle for Freedom: The Global Struggle For Freedom
The Bush Institute, in partnership with Freedom House and the National Endowment for Democracy, hosted a conference on The Struggle for Freedom.
Nov 11, 2022
The Struggle for Freedom: Pushing Back Against Authoritarian Threats
Leaders and activist examined the global struggle for freedom, pushing back against the authoritarian threat and how the U.S. can help support democracy and human rights abroad.
Oct 5, 2022
Looking to the Future: Bold Ideas from Bold Leaders
The Bush Center welcomed Dr. Deborah Birx, the former U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator and former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as part of the Engage at the Bush Center series, presented by NexPoint.
Sep 23, 2022
NexPoint Lecture -- Author Bill Browder on Russia
Author and Russian corruption fighter Bill Browder joined the Bush Center for a special NexPoint Lecture edition of Engage at the Bush Center. In this conversation, he discussed his harrowing story exposing President Vladimir Putin’s corruption; the real situation on the ground in Russia; as well as the latest developments of the conflict in Ukraine.
Jul 1, 2022
Creating Opportunity in Education
Recent eighth grade graduates will be entering the workforce in 2030. Is your state preparing them appropriately? Governor Bill Haslam, the Sammons Enterprises Fellow at the Bush Institute, and Anne Wicks, the Ann Kimball Johnson Director of Education and Opportunity at the Bush Institute, discuss how we can support our kids and create opportunities for them.
Jun 7, 2022
Fatherhood and Community: A Conversation with Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman, the Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL broadcaster, joined the Bush Center for an Engage at the Bush Center event, presented by NexPoint. Aikman reflected on what matters most to him: fatherhood and community. ABC Dallas' main sports anchor, Joe Trahan, led this special conversation, which also included some football talk and discussion of Aikman's recent move to ESPN.
May 20, 2022
Advancing Democracy at Home and Abroad
Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution; and Natan Sharansky, Honorary Member of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel, discuss the experience of elections in other countries and how America’s commitment to the peaceful transfer of power play in inspiring and advancing democracy abroad.
May 20, 2022
Restoring Trust in Our Elections
On May 18, the Bush Institute and four partner organizations hosted Elections – A More Perfect Union. In this panel discussion, experts share how the integrity of elections is being protected in various states and conveying the threats currently facing election administration and workers.
May 20, 2022
The Story of Our Elections
In this episode, experts and analyst discuss the role of elections in a democratic society, how they have evolved over time, and how important it is to safeguard elections against challenges of the day.
Apr 22, 2022
Opening the Door of Opportunity
Kenneth Hersh, President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center shares opening remarks at the 2022 Forum on Leadership, highlighting leadership domestic and abroad. In a conversation, Mitch Daniels, President of Purdue University, discusses the changes need to be made to ensure opportunity for all students and How institutions, including higher education, can better serve the public.
Apr 22, 2022
Leadership in Afghanistan -- Dr. Sakena Yacoobi
Dr. Sakena Yacoobi received the 2022 George W. Bush Institute Citation for her decades of work empowering women and providing leadership and education to her fellow citizens in Afghanistan. In this conversation at the 2022 Forum on Leadership, she shares how her efforts to cultivate love and respect across the deep divisions made throughout history gives hope to generations of women and children.
Apr 22, 2022
Courage and Compassion: America's Leadership in Global Health
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the lessons learned to address public health challenges? Amid vaccine diplomacy efforts abroad, why is American leadership so critical to address these challenges around the world? In this Forum on Leadership conversation, Dr. Deborah Birx, Senior Fellow at the Bush Institute and former White House coronavirus response coordinator, and Harbinger Health CEO Dr. Stephen Hahn address these questions and more.
Apr 22, 2022
A Growing Economy is a Changing Economy
Sustained and robust economic growth in the United States will require bold and innovative solutions. In a candid conversation at the 2022 Forum on Leadership with Secretary Elaine Chao, 24th United States Secretary of Labor, and Gary Cohn, IBM Vice President, they discuss what it will take from public and private sector leaders to put all Americans on the path to opportunity.
Apr 22, 2022
A Nation Called to Great Responsibilities -- Gen. James Mattis
At the 2022 Forum on Leadership, Bush Center President and CEO Ken Hersh sat down for the keynote conversation with General James Mattis, 26th United States Secretary of Defense. He discussed how vital America’s voice is in advancing freedom and prosperity at home and around the world.
Mar 11, 2022
The Power of Laughter in Leadership
In our democracy, humor remains vital as a tool of both diplomacy and leadership. It’s also a way to hold our leaders accountable. On March 8, 2022, Bush Center President and CEO Ken Hersh moderates a panel discussion about humor in the Nation’s highest office.
Mar 11, 2022
The Future of American Cities
Cullum Clark, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, and Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, discuss how America can create more cities of opportunity.
Feb 15, 2022
The Path Towards the American Dream
Cullum Clark, sat down with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith; Jorge Lima, who is the senior vice president of policy at Americans for Prosperity and leads immigration efforts at the nonprofit, Stand Together; and Dionne Gumbs, CEO and Founder of GenEQTY, to discuss the path to faster, more inclusive growth and opportunity.
Sep 1, 2021
Perspectives from the Border -- Dee Margo, Former Mayor of El Paso
Former Mayor of El Paso Dee Margo shares insights on education, commerce, culture, and history from the context of the largest southern border city in the United States.
Aug 25, 2021
Is the Last Frontier Also the Last Great Market?
What was born out of a race between governments to explore the frontier of space has shifted to a competition between private companies. As the frontier continues to change, what is a realistic expectation for the future of space?
Aug 25, 2021
The Spirit of Liberty -- President George W. Bush
In 2017, President George W. Bush delivered a powerful speech at the Bush Institute's Spirit of Liberty event in New York. He discussed the importance of the United States' role in the world, and stressed that we should not become an isolationist, nationalist, or protectionist Nation.
Aug 25, 2021
The Land of Opportunity -- Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of Chobani
At the 2021 Forum on Leadership, Bush Center CEO Ken Hersh sat down for the keynote conversation Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani. He shared his inspiring story, including the experiences that brought him to America and eventually led him to create Chobani.
Aug 25, 2021
Understanding the Impact of Invisible Wounds -- President Bush and Prince Harry
Prince Harry joined President Bush for a conversation about the importance of reducing the barriers to care and the role of sport in recovery.
Aug 25, 2021
Immigration Insights -- Sec. Carlos Gutierrez
Holly Kuzmich, George W. Bush Institute Executive Director, sat down with Carlos Gutierrez, former Secretary of Commerce, to discuss the impact immigrants have on the United States.
Jun 21, 2021
Understanding the Border: A Conversation on Life, Culture, and Commerce
A panel of experts examine the incredible biodiversity, agricultural strength, and beauty of our southern border. The conversation tackles how to thoughtfully secure and manage a diverse border region, and how to protect and preserve the land itself.
Jun 21, 2021
Immigration and Border Security -- Sec. Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security and Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Chertoff Group, discusses the U.S.-Mexico border and what it will take to address immigration reform that also tackles border security.
May 12, 2021
A Vision for the Future -- Jeff Bezos and Ken Hersh
In 2018, Amazon Chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos sat down with Ken Hersh at the Bush Center’s first annual Forum on Leadership. They discussed his approach to entrepreneurship and his vision for Amazon in the early days, how he led his company to be the one of the largest retailers in the world, and his vision for the next frontier – space.
May 12, 2021
Education Leadership in 2021 -- Sec. Spellings and President Bush
In December at ExcelinEd’s EdPalooza, President Bush shared his insights on leadership in education, how to ignite change, and on the post-pandemic road ahead for education in America with former Secretary of Education and Texas 2036 CEO Margaret Spellings.
May 12, 2021
Immigration Insights -- Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice joined Holly Kuzmich, Executive Director of the Bush Institute, to discuss immigration -- "America's secret weapon."
May 12, 2021
Investing in Our Future -- Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush
In 2014, First Ladies Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Michelle Obama were joined by moderator Cokie Roberts to discuss their unique and powerful platform -- empowering young girls and women around the globe.
May 11, 2021
Saving Lives on the African Continent -- U2's Bono and President Bush
In 2018, President Bush sat down with Bono from U2 to chat about life, leadership, and PEPFAR -- what Bono called “the greatest health intervention in the history of medicine.”