Overheard at the Bush Center

About Overheard at the Bush Center

Overheard at the George W. Bush Presidential Center brings you the latest conversations about the world’s most pressing challenges. Join Bush Center experts as they talk to leading policy makers, business leaders, and people on the front lines of change about issues like immigration, economic opportunity, education, democracy and the importance of free societies.

Publisher

George W. Bush Presidential Center

Category

government · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 May 2021

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

30 of 76 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A Conversation with Allen Levi, Author of "Theo of Golden"

   Host interviews author Allen Levi about his resilient journey and the inspiration behind his bestselling novel "Theo of Golden."

2. 

   11 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A Legacy of Service: America at the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

   The Bush Center commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with an Engage at the Bush Center program presented by NexPoint. The evening opened with a moderated conversation between General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and former Deputy National Security Advisor J.D. Crouch. Their discussion highlighted the courage and accomplishments of the United States military in the Global War on Terror. Following that moderated discussion, 43rd President of the United States, President George W. Bush, and 66th United States Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice shared their reflections on 9/11. The program also featured voices from the post-9/11 generation of veterans, including Jared Lyon and Melissa Stockwell, whose service and continued contributions embody the resilience, courage, and unity that emerged from the tragedy. Together, these conversations offered a thoughtful reflection on a defining moment in American history.

3. 

   3 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Mission of Air Force One

   The Bush Center recently hosted The Mission of Air Force One – part of our popular public programming series, Engage at the Bush Center, presented by NexPoint. The conversation featured retired Colonel Mark Tillman — President George W. Bush’s pilot and commander of Air Force One; Reginald “Reggie” Dickson, who served nineteen years as a flight attendant to the nation’s highest leaders, including two Vice Presidents and three Presidents; and Chief Master Sergeant Rick Holley, a veteran Communications Systems Officer who served aboard Air Force One during the administrations of Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton. The discussion, moderated by Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary for President Bush, offered an inside look at the people and protocols that keep the presidency connected, protected, and moving around the world. Related: Watch the Engage program (https://www.bushcenter.org/events-and-exhibits/the-mission-of-air-force-one/)

Inside a recent episode

A Conversation with Allen Levi, Author of "Theo of Golden"

Published 22 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Why did this book resonate right now, this year in America? What is it about that book that's just reaching all these folks? I would really like to ask you that question. And maybe we will talk about it. You know, I think, Shiloh, in a word, the answer is weariness. I think we are so tired of being told that there is no hope. That we're tired of it. And to use Lincoln's beautiful phrase, the better angels of our nature are still in us. And I think maybe that Theo, as poorly written as it might be, is clear enough to help us believe I can be somebody like this. But I would also add to that, I don't know that it's just a book for this moment or the present climate. […]

Who has been a guest on Overheard at the Bush Center

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Allen Levi
• Walter Isaacson
• Amor Towles
• Salim Asrawi
• Daniel Lubetzky

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

70

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

92

Contact Overheard at the Bush Center

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Overheard at the Bush Center