Straight Talk with Hank Paulson

Hank speaks with Erskine Bowles, Co-Chair of the Aspen Economic Strategy Group and President Emeritus of the University of North Carolina. Bowles details how he built a successful boutique investment bank, ended up as White House Chief of Staff, and worked across the aisle to balance the budget. He also shares insights on how we can move the US economy forward and delves into what he learned about higher education, drawing from his six years leading the University of North Carolina system. Erskine Bowles: economicstrategygroup.org/members/erskine-bowles/

Bob Rubin (Chairman Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Secretary of the US Treasury) joins Hank Paulson on Straight Talk and shares insights on questioning the seemingly obvious, addressing difficult challenges as Treasury Secretary, developing a generation of economic policymakers, and his advice for those beginning their careers during the pandemic. Bob Rubin: www.cfr.org/expert/robert-e-rubin

Mario Draghi, a prominent economist and former President of the European Central Bank, shares his insights on how his family shaped his career in economics. He reflects on the ECB's crucial role during the financial crisis and the eurozone's recovery. Draghi contrasts U.S. and European pandemic responses, discussing their implications for economic stability. He emphasizes the need for global collaboration to address inequalities and prepares for future challenges in a post-pandemic world.

Hank speaks with John Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Fitzpatrick details the importance of bird conservation worldwide, what it's like to discover a new species, how technology is improving our ability to study nature, and what makes him hopeful for the future of biodiversity. John Fitzpatrick: birds.cornell.edu/home/staff/john-fitzpatrick/

Ken Caldeira, Senior Scientist (Emeritus) at Carnegie Institution for Science and Senior Advisor (Climate Science) at Gates Ventures, joins Hank Paulson to discuss the latest climate science, how to get policymakers to act on climate change, and how geoengineering may be vital to ensuring a livable planet. Ken Caldeira: carnegiescience.edu/scientist/ken-caldeira-emeritus

On Monday, November 16, Hank Paulson, Chairman of the Paulson Institute and 74 U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, addressed the 2020 Bloomberg New Economy Forum. In the speech, Paulson lays out his recommendations for President-elect Biden’s China policy, arguing that competition without unnecessary confrontation should be our goal—because confrontation without effective competition has produced some poor results for the American people. He further recommends that the US pursue a self-interested policy that he terms “targeted reciprocity.”

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates and author of 'Principles,' shares his journey through finance, beginning as a caddy in the 1960s. He discusses the importance of finding opportunities in setbacks and his thoughts on current monetary policy since COVID-19. Dalio dives into how inflation shaped market recovery and the dynamics of U.S.-China relations. He also reflects on historical patterns of governance, revolutions, and democracy, highlighting the critical need for collaboration in overcoming economic challenges.

Luis Alberto Moreno (Former President, Inter-American Development Bank) talks about his time leading the IDB and the global importance of Latin America—including opportunities for green growth in the area, how COVID is affecting the region, and its role in fighting climate change.

Hank speaks with journalist and producer Josh Tyrangiel about the evolving media landscape, coverage of the pandemic and the 2020 election, and his new HBO film on cyber warfare and misinformation - "The Perfect Weapon." The Perfect Weapon on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-perfect-weapon

Ruth Porat (Chief Financial Officer, Alphabet and Google) joins Hank Paulson to discuss tech's role in sustainability, how Google has responded to COVID and the challenges facing minority-owned businesses, the power of AI to democratize health care, and lessons learned during the 2008 financial crisis. Ruth Porat: https://blog.google/perspectives/ruth-porat/