Dr. Jessica Gomez is the Executive Director of the Momentous Institute, established in partnership with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. They've been an important part of this community for 106 years -- evolving with the times and focusing on two topics that touch everyone: education and mental health.

The Bush Center welcomed Joni Carswell, the newest recipient of the George W. Bush Institute’s Trailblazer Citation award at our 2026 Forum on Leadership to The Strategerist. She is the president and CEO of Texan by Nature, a nonprofit founded by Mrs. Laura Bush with a goal of uniting conversation leaders and business leaders who believe that Texas’ prosperity depends on our natural resources.

Jeff Reinbold is the president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, leading the non-profit arm that helps care for one of America’s greatest resources: our national parks and historic sites. Our national parks are a treasure but would not be able to operate without the support of Americans everywhere. And with more than 30 years' experience in our parks, Jeff Reinbold has also served as superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in DC, and oversaw the creation of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, which commemorates the lives lost stopping the flight from reaching the Pentagon on 9/11.

Host Andrew Kaufmann and Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, joined Bush Institute experts Chris Walsh and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca for a Strategerist After Hours roundtable on pluralism: what it is, how it can be applied in daily life, and their hopes for our great nation.

Bush Institute Senior fellow of Freedom and Democracy Dr. Victor Cha joins Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to unpack China's growing economic grip on the world, the chaos rippling through global supply chains, and why the West needs a united front to push back against their coercion.

Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer prize-winning historian and author of The Revolution Trilogy and The Liberation Trilogy, sat down with Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to reflect on the idea of perspective and history; how to make judgment calls with 250-year-old material; and how to approach the cliff hanger when the story has already been told many times before.

The Bush Center welcomed Dallas Mavericks legend and NBA Hall of Fame inductee, Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk joined us for a live recording of The Strategerist podcast to share with us memorable stories from the court, his new role as an NBA analyst, and his foundation’s work to provide positive experiences for children around the world.

Dr. Jenner joined the Bush Institute’s Robin Berkley, the Ann Kimball Johnson Director of Education, and Strategerist host Andrew Kaufmann to discuss Indiana’s innovative leadership in education reform. The state’s record gains in reading and college credit achievement showcase how community collaboration and bold policies are driving significant improvements in student outcomes.

From state dinners with the Queen of England or the Pope, to regular meetings with our nation’s leaders, to special events inviting hundreds of guests like the Easter Egg Roll, and to memorable moments for presidential pets like Barney Bush, the White House is always abuzz with activity. This week, The Strategerist meets with a couple of people who quietly kept the People’s House working: Dori Thornton Waller, former Deputy Social Secretary, and Susan Whitson, former Press Secretary to Mrs. Bush, for a behind-the-scenes look inside the East Wing during the Bush Administration.

Founder of Spirit of America, Jim Hake, joined Strategerist host Andrew Kauffman and the Bush Institute’s Director of Veterans and Military Families, Jason Galui, to discuss the spirit of the American people that comprises the heart of Spirit of America.

As we gather, travel home, or pause for a quiet moment, Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down and focus on what matters most. In today’s Strategerist After Hours episode, we’re embracing the spirit of gratitude — not just during the holidays, but as an everyday practice of noticing the good, acknowledging the people who lift us up, and finding meaning even in challenging times.