Kate Gordon (Senior Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom & Director, Governor's Office of Planning & Research) joins Hank on the podcast to discuss her dedication to furthering climate policy, defining climate change as a science problem with a policy solution, the latest developments in California's climate planning efforts, and her case for climate optimism. Kate Gordon: http://www.opr.ca.gov/about/staff/director-bio.html

David Wallace-Wells (Author, The Uninhabitable Earth and Deputy Editor, New York Magazine) joins Hank on the latest episode of Straight Talk to discuss the role of journalism in the climate crisis, the implications of the rise in global temperatures, the threat of increased zoonotic pandemics, how global stimulus spending provides an opportunity for a green recovery, and the hope he sees for the future. More from David Wallace-Wells: https://nymag.com/author/david-wallace-wells/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586541/the-uninhabitable-earth-by-david-wallace-wells/

Hank welcomes David Keith (Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School) to Straight Talk to discuss his physics background, how he would define the climate challenge, climate diplomacy and addressing the global governance problem, what is needed to truly achieve carbon neutrality, solar geoengineering, and the next technologies in the energy industry. David Keith: https://keith.seas.harvard.edu/people/david-keith

Melissa Kearney (Director of The Aspen Economic Strategy Group and Economics Professor at University of Maryland) joins Hank Paulson to discuss how she got involved in economics, the economic impact of the pandemic on women, the importance of policy that recognizes children as the future of our country, the mission of the Aspen Institute Economic Strategy Group, and how the US can ensure better economic literacy. Melissa Kearney: www.econ.umd.edu/facultyprofile/kearney/melissa Aspen Economic Strategy Group: www.economicstrategygroup.org/

Hank Paulson welcomes Grammy award winner Maria Schneider (composer, jazz musician, and orchestra leader) to the podcast. She shares insights on writing music and the creative process, building a business in a tough industry. They discuss intellectual property and the free market, their shared passion for birding, and Schneider talks about collaborating with David Bowie. Maria Schneider: https://www.mariaschneider.com/

Robert Zimmer (President of The University of Chicago) joins Hank to discuss leadership that improves an already great institution, creating a healthy environment for free speech, the importance of international talent to higher education and innovation in America, and managing the University through the current pandemic. Robert Zimmer: https://president.uchicago.edu/page/about-president-zimmer

Hank is joined by Jennifer Hillman (Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations and Professor, Georgetown Law) and Daniel Price (Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors). They discuss how they started their careers in trade policy, the importance of trade to America’s well-being and standing in the world, how the US can balance China in the international economic system, and how the global trading system could help in the fight against climate change. Jennifer Hillman: www.cfr.org/expert/jennifer-hillman Daniel Price: https://rockcreekadvisors.com/daniel-m-price/

Hank welcomes Jeanne Gang (Founding Principal and Partner, Studio Gang) to Straight Talk. She shares insights on her approach to design and architecture, envisioning the creative process, integrating sustainable/nature-friendly design into the built environment, and discusses growing the global architecture firm Studio Gang and inspiring the next generation of architects. Jeanne Gang: https://studiogang.com/people/jeanne-gang Studio Gang: https://studiogang.com/

Hank welcomes Kevin Rudd (26th Prime Minister of Australia and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute) to the podcast to discuss how he went from a small town farm in Queensland to a career in foreign service and politics, his perspective on the social and political divisions in the US, advocating for climate action, preventing US-China conflict, and his expert prognosis for the future of China's ambitions. Kevin Rudd: https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/honorable-kevin-rudd https://kevinrudd.com

Paula Johnson, President of Wellesley College, joins Hank Paulson to discuss her mother’s influence on her career, women in STEM and obstacles she’s faced in medicine and academia, the benefits of a women’s college, her management style, what has driven her throughout her career, and leading Wellesley College amidst the pandemic. Paula Johnson: www.wellesley.edu/about/president/biography