Straight Talk with Hank Paulson

Paulson Institute

From growing up in the Midwest to leading Goldman Sachs and then serving his country as Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson offers a unique point of view and a life experience unlike many Americans. With Straight Talk, Hank brings this experience to his conversations with the world’s prominent leaders and thinkers, exchanging a lifetime of stories and lessons from both the private and public sectors. Each episode reveals compelling viewpoints, topical discussion, and behind-the-scenes stories. A podcast by the Paulson Institute

  1. Episode 91: Rahm Emanuel

    07/23/2024

    Episode 91: Rahm Emanuel

    Hank welcomes Rahm Emanuel (31st US Ambassador to Japan, 55th Mayor of Chicago, and former White House Chief of Staff) to the podcast to discuss his upbringing and how it shaped his interests and values, his start in local politics, working in Washington, and the difference between working in the Clinton and Obama administrations. He delves into his tenure as Mayor of Chicago, the US-Japan relationship and the goals of the alliance. Rahm Emanuel: https://jp.usembassy.gov/ambassador-rahm-emanuel/

    44 min
  2. Episode 90: Melissa Kearney

    09/26/2023

    Episode 90: Melissa Kearney

    Hank welcomes Melissa Kearney (Director of The Aspen Economic Strategy Group and Economics Professor at University of Maryland) to the podcast to discuss her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege, which explores the rise of single-parent households and the benefits two-parent homes provide for children. Kearney looks at widening inequality, eroding social mobility, divergent family structure, and why marriage is so important for children. They talk about potentially controversial takes in the book, the social and economic reasons for declining marriage rates, and the importance of investing in America’s youth. Melissa Kearney previously appeared on the second season of Straight Talk with Hank Paulson, stream that episode here: https://soundcloud.com/user-544863960/episode-38-melissa-kearney The Two-Parent Privilege: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo205550079.html

    43 min
  3. Episode 89: Hillary Clinton

    07/26/2023

    Episode 89: Hillary Clinton

    Hillary Clinton (67th US Secretary of State and former US Senator) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss the state of American democracy, political polarization, and US-China relations. She shares insights into leadership and civic responsibility, America’s role in the world, her advice for young people, and the importance of education in navigating a rapidly changing world. Hillary Clinton: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/ Clinton Foundation: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/

    32 min
  4. Episode 88: Bob Rubin

    07/11/2023

    Episode 88: Bob Rubin

    Hank welcomes Bob Rubin (Chairman Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations and 70th US Treasury Secretary) back to the podcast to discuss his new book The Yellow Pad: Making Better Decisions in an Uncertain World. Rubin shares his insights on decision-making, the importance of free expression and unfettered discussion, and leadership. They dive into climate policy, the state of politics today, and America’s current fiscal situation. The Yellow Pad: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706876/the-yellow-pad-by-robert-e-rubin/

    47 min
  5. Episode 87: George W. Bush

    03/28/2023

    Episode 87: George W. Bush

    In this episode of Straight Talk, President George W. Bush (43rd President of the United States and Founder, George W. Bush Institute) joins Hank to discuss the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR and more. They examine the financial crisis, increasing calls for isolationism, building relationships across the aisle, and the need to work together to accomplish things. Bush shares insights into tackling the AIDS epidemic through the successful program PEPFAR, his crisis management style, the importance of culture in business and politics, and his sense of optimism and what gives him hope about America today. George W. Bush Institute: https://www.bushcenter.org/ PEPFAR: https://www.state.gov/pepfar/

    27 min
  6. Episode 86: Stephen Hadley

    03/13/2023

    Episode 86: Stephen Hadley

    Hank welcomes Stephen Hadley (Principal at Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC and Former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs) to the podcast to discuss his new book Hand Off and the Bush Administration’s accomplishments and missteps. He shares insights into China in the Bush era and the China of today, national security, and America’s trade policy. Stephen Hadley: https://www.rhgm.com/stephen-hadley/ Hand Off: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780815739777/Hand-Off-The-Foreign-Policy-George-W-Bush-Passed-to-Barack-Obama

    56 min
  7. Episode 85: Bono

    02/27/2023

    Episode 85: Bono

    On the heels of releasing his book, Surrender, Bono (Lead Singer, U2 and Cofounder, ONE and (RED)) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss creating award-winning music with U2 while advocating for causes affecting the world's most vulnerable people. From advocating for AIDS relief in Africa and fighting poverty to addressing climate change and the importance of inclusive growth, Bono talks about how vital it is to surround yourself with a diversity of ideas and people in order to tackle complex issues. Listen in as he shares insights into his activism, the radical center, prayer, how he thinks about creativity, and how Dublin shaped him. U2: https://www.u2.com/band Surrender: https://surrendermemoir.com/

    55 min
  8. Episode 84: Jim Steinberg

    01/25/2023

    Episode 84: Jim Steinberg

    Jim Steinberg (Dean, Johns Hopkins SAIS and Former US Deputy Secretary of State) joins Hank on the podcast to discuss growing up in Massachusetts and being inspired to pursue public service by the Kennedys, his pivotal shift to foreign policy, and his philosophy of education. They delve into US-China relations, the meeting between Biden and Xi, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    33 min
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4.8
out of 5
65 Ratings

About

From growing up in the Midwest to leading Goldman Sachs and then serving his country as Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson offers a unique point of view and a life experience unlike many Americans. With Straight Talk, Hank brings this experience to his conversations with the world’s prominent leaders and thinkers, exchanging a lifetime of stories and lessons from both the private and public sectors. Each episode reveals compelling viewpoints, topical discussion, and behind-the-scenes stories. A podcast by the Paulson Institute

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