ReThinking cover image

ReThinking

Power, purpose, and the American presidency with Jared Cohen

Feb 6, 2024
Jared Cohen, an expert in global affairs and innovation, shares fascinating insights from his career at the State Department and Google, along with his upcoming book, Life After Power. He dives into the lives of former presidents, examining how figures like John Quincy Adams and George W. Bush found new fulfillment post-office. The discussion also covers the psychology of the founding fathers, the pursuit of legacy, and the emotional challenges leaders face after leaving power, offering valuable lessons on purpose and personal growth.
34:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Former presidents face challenges adjusting to life after office, including loss of power, purpose, and relationships.
  • Successful transitions for former presidents involve embracing the present, focusing on relationships, and pursuing passions outside of politics.

Deep dives

Life after the presidency is a challenging transition

Life after the presidency presents numerous challenges for former presidents. They lose the immense power and platform they once had, and often feel lost without a clear sense of purpose. Many presidents struggle with issues like health, finances, broken relationships, and lack of purpose after leaving office. Transitioning to a lower station in life can be disorienting as they navigate a world where they are no longer in the spotlight. However, some former presidents manage to find a way to overcome these challenges and discover a new sense of purpose.

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