Straight Talk with Hank Paulson cover art

Deborah Lehr

Straight Talk with Hank Paulson

John Podesta on Divisions in Politics, Policy, and US-China Relations

Paulson Institute Nature’s Ledger explores how business and conservation can work together for a sustainable and prosperous future. Host Deborah Lehr, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute, speaks with inspiring guests to spotlight people, projects, and solutions that prove nature is an asset we can’t afford to lose. Grounded in the belief that valuing nature is key to resilient economies, the podcast shares bold ideas and real-world actions to regenerate the planet.

Hank welcomes John Podesta (Former White House Chief of Staff and Founder, Center for American Progress and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth) to Straight Talk. They discuss division in politics, the role of think tanks in the policy world, the risks and challenges of climate change, and the biodiversity crisis. Podesta shares insights into how politics has changed since he first headed to Capitol Hill in the 80s, his theory of change, and strategic competition between the US and China.

Host

Henry M. Paulson Jr.

Henry M. Paulson Jr.

Founder and Chairman | Paulson Institute

Henry M. Paulson, Jr., is a business leader, conservationist, statesman, and author who is the founder and chairman of the Paulson Institute and executive chairman of TPG Rise Climate. He served as the 74th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 2006 to 2009, where he led the response to the...
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Episode Guest

John Podesta

John Podesta

Founder and the Chairman of the Board of Directors | Center for American Progress

John David Podesta Jr. is an American political consultant who served as Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy from 2024 to 2025, having previously served as Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation from 2022 to 2025.
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