Mark K. Updegrove

Mark K. Updegrove, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation and author, dives deep into the character of U.S. presidents. He discusses the importance of seeing political leaders through a lens of growth and complexity rather than cynicism. Highlighting figures like Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, Updegrove unveils how even flawed leaders impart valuable lessons. He examines pivotal moments like Gerald Ford’s pardon of Nixon and the evolving perception of presidential legacies, emphasizing the impact of character on national discourse and identity.