Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and current director of Stanford's Hoover Institution, shares her inspiring journey from a segregated childhood to becoming a powerful political leader. She discusses pressing issues like race, immigration, and the future of democracy in America. Rice reflects on the impact of Trump's rise in the GOP and emphasizes the need for diverse opinions in politics. She also analyzes U.S.-China relations and the geopolitical tensions with Russia, advocating for America’s role in promoting global democracy.
58:53
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Santa Claus Incident
Condoleezza Rice's father threatened to expose a Santa Claus who treated children differently based on race.
This early encounter highlighted the absurdity of segregation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Career Shift
Condoleezza Rice initially pursued a career as a concert pianist.
A music festival experience led her to switch to international affairs after realizing others were far more advanced.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Bridging Differences
When you're the "different one", actively bridge the gap.
Condoleezza Rice embraced her role as a black, female, civilian amidst military men, finding common ground.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This biography by Walter Isaacson chronicles the life of Benjamin Franklin from his early days as a runaway apprentice to his later years as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers. The book explores Franklin's contributions to science, politics, and literature, including his work on the Declaration of Independence, his diplomatic efforts in France, and his inventions such as bifocal glasses and the lightning rod. Isaacson also delves into Franklin's personal life, including his relationships and his philosophical underpinnings that shaped American society. The narrative highlights how Franklin helped forge the American national identity and his enduring relevance in the twenty-first century.
Extraordinary, Ordinary People
A Memoir of Family
Condoleezza Rice
This memoir by Condoleezza Rice is a personal account of her childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, during the tumultuous 1960s. It highlights the extraordinary love, sacrifice, and educational values of her parents, John and Angelena Rice. The book details her experiences growing up in a segregated society, her early interests in music, ice skating, and academics, and how these influences shaped her future career. Rice also reflects on the broader social context, including the civil rights movement and its impact on her family and community[2][4][5].
The icon and the axe
An Interpretive History of Russian Culture
James H. Billington
This book provides a detailed interpretive history of Russian culture, delving into the country's complex historical, religious, and artistic heritage. It uses the symbols of the icon and the axe to illustrate the dual nature of Russian society, where the icon represents spiritual and artistic expression, and the axe symbolizes the practical and often harsh realities of Russian life. The author, James H. Billington, examines various aspects of Russian culture, including its religious history, intellectual and philosophical developments, and the contributions of Russian artists, writers, and composers. The book is praised for its rich detail and insightful analysis, making it a valuable resource for scholars and anyone interested in Russian culture and history.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is one of those pioneering American leaders whose story is for the history books. Born in the segregated south in the 1950s, Rice couldn’t step foot in certain movie theaters and restaurants when she was a little girl. By the time she stepped foot in the White House as a National Security Advisor and then Secretary of State, she was one of the most powerful people in the world—and the highest ranking black woman in the history of the United States.
On today’s episode, a conversation with Secretary Rice, who now serves at the Director of Stanford's Hoover Institution, about the most pressing issues facing the country: the future of the GOP, the continued popularity of Donald Trump, the state of our democracy, the culture wars on race and identity politics, immigration, the rise of China, possible war in Russia … and much more.
Honestly with Bari Weiss 
