Straight Talk with Hank Paulson cover art

Hank Paulson

Straight Talk with Hank Paulson

David Axelrod on Politics, Governing & Campaigning with Obama, & Journalism

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.

Hank welcomes David Axelrod (Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN Senior Political Commentator) to Straight Talk to discuss his experience in journalism, how he met Barack Obama and was inspired to work on his campaigns, and the shift from advising in politics to governing. He shared insights into Obama’s historic presidential run, navigating the financial crisis, polarity and the state of US democracy, and the impact of social media on politics and division in our country.

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

David Axelrod

David Axelrod

Senior Advisor to the President of the University | University of Chicago

David Axelrod is a preeminent American political strategist and commentator and the former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Axelrod was the founding director of the University of Chicago’s non-partisan Institute of Politics. He currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Chicago and as...
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