Hank welcomes Rahm Emanuel (31st US Ambassador to Japan, 55th Mayor of Chicago, and former White House Chief of Staff) to the podcast to discuss his upbringing and how it shaped his interests and values, his start in local politics, working in Washington, and the difference between working in the Clinton and Obama administrations. He delves into his tenure as Mayor of Chicago, the US-Japan relationship and the goals of the alliance. Rahm Emanuel: https://jp.usembassy.gov/ambassador-rahm-emanuel/

Hank welcomes Melissa Kearney (Director of The Aspen Economic Strategy Group and Economics Professor at University of Maryland) to the podcast to discuss her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege, which explores the rise of single-parent households and the benefits two-parent homes provide for children. Kearney looks at widening inequality, eroding social mobility, divergent family structure, and why marriage is so important for children. They talk about potentially controversial takes in the book, the social and economic reasons for declining marriage rates, and the importance of investing in America’s youth. Melissa Kearney previously appeared on the second season of Straight Talk with Hank Paulson, stream that episode here: https://soundcloud.com/user-544863960/episode-38-melissa-kearney The Two-Parent Privilege: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo205550079.html

Hillary Clinton (67th US Secretary of State and former US Senator) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss the state of American democracy, political polarization, and US-China relations. She shares insights into leadership and civic responsibility, America’s role in the world, her advice for young people, and the importance of education in navigating a rapidly changing world. Hillary Clinton: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/ Clinton Foundation: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/

Hank welcomes Bob Rubin (Chairman Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations and 70th US Treasury Secretary) back to the podcast to discuss his new book The Yellow Pad: Making Better Decisions in an Uncertain World. Rubin shares his insights on decision-making, the importance of free expression and unfettered discussion, and leadership. They dive into climate policy, the state of politics today, and America’s current fiscal situation. The Yellow Pad: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706876/the-yellow-pad-by-robert-e-rubin/

George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States and founder of the George W. Bush Institute, reflects on leadership during crises. He discusses the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR and its impact in combating the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Bush emphasizes the importance of building relationships across party lines and shares insights on crisis management and strategic delegation. He also highlights the necessity of optimism and collaboration in addressing today's challenges, particularly for the younger generation in a post-COVID society.

Hank welcomes Stephen Hadley (Principal at Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC and Former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs) to the podcast to discuss his new book Hand Off and the Bush Administration’s accomplishments and missteps. He shares insights into China in the Bush era and the China of today, national security, and America’s trade policy. Stephen Hadley: https://www.rhgm.com/stephen-hadley/ Hand Off: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780815739777/Hand-Off-The-Foreign-Policy-George-W-Bush-Passed-to-Barack-Obama

On the heels of releasing his book, Surrender, Bono (Lead Singer, U2 and Cofounder, ONE and (RED)) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss creating award-winning music with U2 while advocating for causes affecting the world's most vulnerable people. From advocating for AIDS relief in Africa and fighting poverty to addressing climate change and the importance of inclusive growth, Bono talks about how vital it is to surround yourself with a diversity of ideas and people in order to tackle complex issues. Listen in as he shares insights into his activism, the radical center, prayer, how he thinks about creativity, and how Dublin shaped him. U2: https://www.u2.com/band Surrender: https://surrendermemoir.com/

Jim Steinberg (Dean, Johns Hopkins SAIS and Former US Deputy Secretary of State) joins Hank on the podcast to discuss growing up in Massachusetts and being inspired to pursue public service by the Kennedys, his pivotal shift to foreign policy, and his philosophy of education. They delve into US-China relations, the meeting between Biden and Xi, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Hank Paulson welcomes Nicholas Stern (Chair of the Grantham Research Institute, Chair of the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, and IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the LSE) to the podcast. They discuss takeaways from COP 27, carbon markets, and the opportunity for the US and China to work together to address climate change. Stern shares insights into the intersection of economics and climate change, his transition from economics and academia to public service and climate policy, resolving tensions over who sets global climate standards, and implications for Europe-China relations after the 20th Party Congress. Nicholas Stern: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/profile/nicholas-stern/

Hank welcomes Paul Ryan (54th Speaker of the US House of Representatives) to the podcast to discuss how his upbringing in Wisconsin shaped his values and beliefs, his approach to policymaking, fixing political polarization in the US, and the role and challenges of being Speaker. He shares his advice for the new GOP Speaker, insights into his principles of leadership and his new book: American Renewal. Paul Ryan: https://www.speakerryan.com/ American Renewal: https://www.americanrenewalbook.com/