"a Reagan Forum" Podcast

Tim Tebow is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Tim Tebow Foundation which works to bring faith, hope, and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.  He has granted close to 100 official W15H experiences through his W15H program, which fulfills the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Working with so many special children inspired Tim to write his first children’s book, Bronco and Friends: A Party to Remember.  Each character in the book is named after one of the W15H kids he has met, children who have since passed away.  In a recent interview in People Magazine, Tim said that these children have had such an impact on his life, so it was important to him to honor them, their memory, and how much they meant to him. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Tim Tebow discusses his new book, a book that he hopes inspires children to appreciate that they are unique, special and wonderful. Let’s listen.

In this week’s A Reagan Forum we bring you one of the world’s best selling authors and trusted storytellers – James Patterson - who joined us on February 17, 2021 for conversation on his latest book, Walk in My Combat Boots.  Joining us in the conversation was the book’s co-author, First Sergeant Matt Eversmann who’s story of survival during a combat in Mogadishu in 1993 is told in the epic film, Black Hawk Down. James Patterson’s writing career is characterized by a single mission: to prove that there is no such thing as a person who “doesn’t like to read,” only people who haven’t found the right book. He has given over three million books to schoolkids and the military, donated more than seventy million dollars to support education, and endowed over five thousand college scholarships for teachers. With over 150 millions copies of his book in print, and over 180 titles printed, James Patterson recently called Walk in My Combat Boots the most important book of his career.  The book is a powerful collection, c

President Reagan loved his birthday.  He always joked it was an anniversary of his 39th birthday.  This February 6th would have marked the 71st anniversary of his 39th birthday. In honor of this week commemorating the 110th anniversary of his birth passing, this week’s “Reagan Forum” podcast is a compilation of past birthday events as a tribute to our nation’s 40th president. Let’s start with Secretary James Baker and his remarks honoring what would have been President Reagan’s 107th birthday, on February 6, 2018:

In this week’s A Reagan Forum we bring you Senator Connie Mack, who joined us in conversation on January 19, 2021 for his recent, Citizen Mack: Politics, an Honorable Calling. Cornelius McGillicuddy III, popularly known as Connie Mack, is a Republican politician who served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (between 1983 and 1988) and two terms in the U.S. Senate (between 1989 and 2001) before announcing his retirement in 2000. Throughout his service in both the House and Senate, Connie Mack supported the passage of legislation related to health care, financial modernization, modification of the tax code, and public housing reform. A cancer survivor, Senator Mack was a strong advocate for cancer research, early detection, and treatment, co-founding the Senate Cancer Coalition.Fun fact?  His paternal grandfather was Connie Mack, former owner and manager of baseball's Philadelphia Athletics and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Ex

In this week’s A Reagan Forum we bring you American speechwriter Mark Salter, who joined us in conversation on December 7, 2020, for his brand-new book, The Luckiest Man: Life with John McCain. Governor and Mrs. Reagan first came to know John McCain as a returning prisoner of war whose POW bracelet they had worn. That bracelet has been on display in the Reagan Library since its opening in 1991. In the years after, he became a deeply respected and cherished personal friend. Senator McCain was an inspiring risk-taker. Time and again, he demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice for his country and his beliefs. From his extraordinary courage in a Hanoi dungeon to his practice of putting principle over political expediency, he consistently modeled character and conviction. Mark Salter’s Luckiest Man is a deeply personal and candid remembrance of the late Senator John McCain from one of his closest and most trusted confidants, friends, and political advisors who worked with the Senator on several nonfiction books

In this week’s A Reagan Forum, we bring you bestselling author and humorist Dave Barry, who joined us in conversation on December 1, 2020. According to his website, Dave Barry has been a professional humorist ever since he discovered that professional humor was a lot easier than working. For many years he wrote a newspaper column that appeared in more than 500 newspapers across the country, winning the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1988.  He has also written more than 30 books. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Dave Barry discusses his writing career and his love of dogs, not to mention the softcover release of his latest book, Lessons from Lucy, the Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog, in which Dave decides that his dog is aging better than he is, and it’s time to figure out why. Let’s listen.

Although we’re two months past the event, we wanted to share with you today our November 11, 2020 Veterans Day Ceremony which was very special to us at the Reagan Foundation.  Veterans Day is always special to us – as it’s a day to thank our nation’s heroes for our freedom – but this year was even more special because it was the first in-person event we have held since the COVID19 shutdown of our campus.  We were only permitted to host 100 people on our campus, and those 100 people were made up of veterans, active military and their families, and then the event was livestreamed to anyone else who wanted to watch. Our program had two keynote speakers – Congressman and former fighter pilot – Mike Garcia, and Congressman and former Navy Seal, Dan Crenshaw. Congressman Garcia represents California’s 25th congressional district – which is home to the Reagan Library.  He’s also a highly decorated United States Naval officer and leader who served his country with distinction and is lauded as one of the most talented

In this week’s “A Reagan Forum” we bring you Fox News Host Maria Bartiromo and the Wall Street Journal’s James Freeman, who joined us in a virtual conversation on November 18, 2020. Maria Bartiromo joined FOX Business Network as the Global Markets Editor in January 2014.  She is the anchor of Mornings with Maria and Sunday Morning Futures on that channel.  James Freeman is assistant editor of The Wall Street Journal's editorial page and author of the weekday Best of the Web column. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Maria Bartiromo and James Freeman discuss their brand-new book, “The Cost: Trump, China, and American Revival,” which explains why, in the wake of the coronavirus—which clearly has had an effect on the economy—now, more than ever, strong leadership is critical for American revival and recovery. Let’s listen.

Candace Owens is the founder of the BLEXIT Foundation, which is dedicated to the advancement of urban and minority communities by encouraging youth to seek and take advantage of opportunities in 21st Century America..  She is also the host of “The Candace Owens Show” on PragerU which airs every other Sunday. In describing herself, she has said: Choosing to think has been one of the most transformative secrets of my life. It’s brought me closer to others and has opened the world up to me in a way that I never knew was possible. I believe if we can turn the dial on the way people view themselves, we can change the world instantly – for the better. I am a fighter. And right now, I’m fighting for the heart and soul of a country I love. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Candace Owens discusses her brand-new book, “Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape From the Democrat Plantation, “ which she says lays bare the myth that all black pe

During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Judge Ginsburg discusses his new book, Voices of our Republic, is a companion piece to his 3-part 2020 PBS Series, A more or less perfect union, which he also talks about with us today.  Voices of Our Republic features thoughts about the Constitution from personalities, dignitaries, and everyday heroes, who help answer the question of why the Constitution is so important and how it can be applied to political discourse today. Each person emphasizes a different part of the Constitution―from the Bill of Rights to the 19th Amendment and beyond―and why those particular passages are important, serving as a key resource for those looking to better appreciate the foundation of American government and to increase our understanding of its application during its initial creation and still today. Let’s listen.

In this week’s “A Reagan Forum” we bring you Jewish dissident Natan Sharansky and American Historian Dr. Gil Troy, who joined us in a virtual conversation on November 2, 2020. Natan Sharansky was convicted in 1978 on trumped-up charges of treason and spying for the United States, sentenced to 13 years in prison. After spending 16 months in Moscow’s LEF-OR-TOVO prison, frequently in solitary confinement and in a special torture cell, Natan Sharansky was transferred to a notorious prison camp in the Siberian gulag.  During the years of his imprisonment, Sharansky became a symbol for human rights in general and Soviet Jewry in particular. Natan Sharansky joins us in conversation today to discuss his new book, Never Alone: Prison, Politics and My People, which is co-written by Gil Troy, an award-winning American presidential historian and a leading Zionist activist, who was recently named as one of the top 100 people “positively influencing Jewish life. They are joined in conversation by Roger Zakheim, director o

In this week’s “A Reagan Forum” we bring you Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who joined us in a virtual conversation on October 27, 2020. Matt Gaetz is currently serving his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. His work in Congress focuses on national security, veterans’ affairs, and adherence to constitutional principles. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Congressman Gaetz discusses his new book, “Firebrand,” a book he is quoted as saying is “your invitation to the front lines of our fight.”  He goes on to say, “This is not my chronological diary. You can watch me on television for that. This is how we prevail with joy—and exactly how an exciting president is leading the way against all odds.” Let’s listen.

During the virtual conversation, we discussed a brand-new book published by the White House Historical Society called, Wine and the White House: A History.  The first book of its kind, Wine and the White House is a comprehensive journey through the history of White House hospitality that explores every president’s experience of wine. The fully illustrated pages also feature memorable presidential toasts, menus from historic White House gatherings, a catalog of vintages served, and spectacular new photography of the White House glassware collection. Early presidents recognized the important function wine played in entertaining at the White House. While some appreciated and enjoyed wine, others considered it merely a ceremonial necessity. Still, others campaigned to outlaw wine and banned it from the White House; their successors celebrated its return. More recently, all presidents, regardless of whether they enjoyed wine themselves, have used the White House as a venue to showcase the fine wines produced in th

LtGen McMaster was the 26th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018. He is currently the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, HR McMaster discusses his brand-new book, “Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free world” which is a bold and provocative re-examination of the most critical foreign policy and national security challenges that face the United States, and an urgent call to compete to preserve America’s standing and security. Let’s listen.

Sean Spicer is a lifelong Republican. His role in reshaping the Republican National Committee’s PR strategy helped the party rebuild after losses in 2012. He implemented his same strategies in 2014 and lead the party to sweeping victories. In 2016 prior to the must-see Republican primary debates, Sean worked on behalf of the party to restructure debate formats creating more informative and fair debates. Sean’s efforts as the RNC’s Chief Strategist and Communications Director landed him a spot in PR Week’s Power 15 list for 2016. During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Sean Spicer discussed his brand-new book, “Leading America,” which examines the upwards battle conservatives have to face from the media, Hollywood, academia, and big tech. Let’s listen.

New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser has written an unmatched case study in the acquisition, exercise, and preservation of power told through an account of one of the most significant and influential leaders in modern American government never to serve as president of the United States in their new book, The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker, III.   The book is the byproduct of more than two hundred interviews with sources including three former presidents, two former vice presidents, and a variety of former secretaries of state. James Baker has provided significant access to himself and his family members, along with never-before-revealed documents, memos, diaries, and letters. During today’s conversation with Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute executive director John Heubusch, Peter and Susan discuss the man who ran Washington. Let’s listen.

Matt Pottinger currently serves as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor under Donald Trump. He was the Senior Director for Asia in the Trump Administration since January 2017. In that role, Mr. Pottinger advised the President on Northeast and Southeast Asia, and coordinated U.S. policy for the region. Mr. Pottinger lived and worked in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China from 1997-2005, reporting for Reuters and The Wall Street Journal. He then joined the US Marines, at age 32, with active duty in Japan and three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, followed by reserve duty at the Pentagon and the Defense Intelligence Agency. In a 2005 essay in the Wall Street Journal about his career change from journalism to the military, he said, “living in China … shows you what a nondemocratic country can do to its citizens.  I’m not an uncritical, rah-rah American.  Living abroad has sharpened my view of what’s wrong with my country, too.  It’s obvious that we need to reinvent ourselves in vari

Gerald Seib is the executive Washington Editor of the Wall Street Journal.  He joined the Dallas bureau of the WSJ as a reporter in 1978 and transferred to the DC bureau in 1980.  He covered the Ronald Reagan White House in 1987 and 1988 and won the Aldo Beckman award for coverage of the White House and the presidency.  Mr. Seib was also part of the team from the Wall Street Journal that won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in the breaking news category for its coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks. On August 25, 2020, Gerald Seib’s book, “We Should Have Seen It Coming; From Reagan to Trump – a Front Row Seat to a Political Revolution” was published.  The book chronicles the rise, climax, and decline of one of the great political movements in American history—the forty-year reign of the conservative movement, from the election of Ronald Reagan to the Republican Party's takeover by Donald Trump During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute executive director, John Heubusch, Gerald Seib discu

During today’s conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Executive Director John Heubusch, Sarah Huckabee Sanders discusses her new memoir, “Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House,” a book she summaries as the story of her challenges of being a working mom at the highest level of American politics, and her role in the historic fight raging between the Trump administration and its critics for the future of our country.” Let’s listen.

In this week’s “A Reagan Forum” we bring you Dr. Jamel Wright, who joined us in a virtual conversation on September 4, 2020.Dr. Jamel Wright is the 27th President of Eureka College, Ronald Reagan’s alma mater. She is also the first woman and African American to lead the 165-year-old institution. Dr. Wright has led the effort to update Eureka College’s strategic plan, enhance communications, overhaul the Title IX policy and processes on sexual discrimination, work collaboratively with human resources to examine and refine hiring practices and establish strategic community partnerships. During the virtual conversation with Ronald Reagan Institute Director of Learning and Leadership, Janet Tran, Dr. Wright discusses President Reagan’s formative years at Eureka, President Reagan’s early advocacy for racial equality, and the challenges posed by COVID19 to higher education.