Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala, joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss how UAE has developed over its first 50 years and where the country is headed in the next 50, investing in the future of the UAE through Mubadala, how UAE is working to meet the climate change threat, the strength of the US-UAE relationship and how UAE is approaching its relationship with China, and what he's learned while leading Manchester City Football Club.

Khaldoon: www.mubadala.com/en/who-we-are/investment-committee/khaldoon-al-mubarak 

Mubadala: www.mubadala.com/

Episode 42: Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak

Hank Paulson welcomes Gillian Tett (Moral Money Co-Founder and Chair of the Editorial Board and Editor-at-Large, US of the Financial Times) to the podcast to talk about what drew her to anthropology, her transition to journalism and economics, covering climate change and green finance, pandemic beards, and her new book.

Gillian Tett: www.ft.com/gillian-tett 
Anthro-Vision www.simonandschuster.com/books/Anthro-Vision/Gillian-Tett/9781982140960 
Financial Times: www.ft.com/ 
Moral Money: www.ft.com/moral-money

Episode 46: Gillian Tett

Anja Manuel (Cofounder of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC and Director of Aspen Strategy Group) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss US-China and frictions in tech, actions the US should take to lead in STEM, the importance of welcoming scholars and researchers from around the world, and public service. Manuel shares lessons she learned from living abroad and what inspired her to go to law school and then transition to Wall Street.

Anja Manuel: http://anjamanuel.com/anjamanuelbio
Aspen Strategy Group: www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-strategy-group/

Episode 48: Anja Manuel

Hank welcomes Larry Fink (Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of BlackRock) to Straight Talk to discuss carbon, private sector action on climate change and the need for governments to step up. He also talks about his interest in capital markets, the genesis of BlackRock, and how they are addressing greenwashing.

Larry Fink: www.blackrock.com/corporate/about-us/leadership/larry-fink 
BlackRock: www.blackrock.com/corporate

Episode 52: Larry Fink

Ray Dalio, Founder of Bridgewater Associates, joins Hank to discuss what motivated him to write his latest book where he looks at history to help predict the future and the three modern phenomena to watch: social dysfunction, polarization, and the rise of China. He also shares his insights on the current economic situation, US-China relations, and the most important principles for our world leaders.

Ray Dalio: https://www.bridgewater.com/people/ray-dalio
Principles: https://www.principles.com/
Straight Talk with Hank Paulson Episode 15 with Ray Dalio: https://soundcloud.com/user-544863960/episode-15-ray-dalio

Episode 53: Ray Dalio

Maryanne Hancock (CEO, Y Analytics) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss social impact investing, the trajectory of ESG investing, breaking new ground in impact analytics and how Y Analytics creates decision tools, and carbon markets. She shares insights into the formative example of her parents’ social justice work, learning from Justice Kagan, and how her work at McKinsey shaped her view of the good the private sector can do in the world.

Episode 57: Maryanne Hancock

Jeremy Grantham, CBE (Co-Founder and Long-Term Investment Strategist of Grantham, Mayo, & van Otterloo) joins Hank Paulson on Straight Talk to discuss growing up in the UK in the backdrop of World War II, starting his own investment firm, and making sense of today’s market. He shares insights into combining philanthropy with his investment principles to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, greening the energy system, and the need for capitalism reform to increase equity, growth, and advancement.

Jeremy Grantham: https://www.gmo.com/americas/people/firm-management/ 
GMO: https://www.gmo.com/americas/

Episode 65: Jeremy Grantham

Sara Menker (Founder and CEO, Gro Intelligence) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss the impact growing up in Africa had on her, global food security and climate change, and founding Gro Intelligence to address the fundamental flaws in our food system. She shares insights into how data and information become infrastructure to drive systematic change in the agriculture industry, measuring climate risks in agricultural supply chains, and her advice for governments dealing with climate change and food security.

Gro Intelligence: https://gro-intelligence.com/

Episode 67: Sara Menker

Hank welcomes Jim Coulter (Executive Chairman and Director, TPG) to Straight Talk to discuss private equity performance, the evolution of the finance industry and his career, leading on climate and social impact investing, and lessons from the global financial crisis. He shares his principles for successful business leadership and how his early job running his family’s farm shaped him.

Jim Coulter: https://shareholders.tpg.com/board-member-management/jim-coulter
TPG: https://www.tpg.com/

Episode 68: Jim Coulter

Neel Kashkari joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss how studying engineering was fundamental to his career trajectory, public service and working at the Treasury, education, and crisis management. He shares insights into current economic concerns, including inflation and secular stagflation, and how lessons learned from managing other crises can be applied to addressing climate change.

Neel Kashkari: https://www.minneapolisfed.org/people/neel-kashkari

Episode 69: Neel Kashkari

Henry Kissinger (Chairman of Kissinger Associates, Inc. and 56th Secretary of State) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss how coming to America after fleeing Nazi Germany shaped his worldview, getting his start in politics, and working with the world’s most consequential leaders—something he delves into in his latest book. He shares insights into US-China relations, US diplomacy today, and technology and the challenges and opportunities emerging from AI.

Episode transcript: http://www.paulsoninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HP-with-HK-transcript.pdf 
Henry Kissinger: https://www.henryakissinger.com/
Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Six-Studies-World-Strategy/dp/0593489446/

Episode 70: Henry Kissinger

Evan Medeiros (Professor and Penner Chair in Asian Studies (China), Georgetown University) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss US-China relations and balancing the world powers’ intensifying competition with economic interdependence. He shares insights on the rapid decoupling between the West and Russia and potential impacts on the US-China relationship, expectations for China’s 20th Party Congress, and America’s economic and diplomatic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Evan Medeiros: https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/0033600001FP3ogAAD/evan-medeiros

Episode 71: Evan Medeiros

Hank welcomes Walter Isaacson (Former Chair and CEO, CNN and Editor, Time Magazine) to Straight Talk to discuss lessons from his books, innovation and climate change, and bipartisanship and increased ideological polarization. He shares insights into creativity, his writing process, and the gift of storytelling.

Walter Isaacson: https://liberalarts.tulane.edu/departments/history/people/walter-isaacson

Episode 73: Walter Isaacson

Hank welcomes Austan Goolsbee (Professor and Economist, University of Chicago and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Obama Administration) to Straight Talk to discuss his talent for and enthusiasm while public speaking, the economy today, and demand and supply shocks. He shares insights into how he ended up in the field of economics, advising Barack Obama, and interest rates and the chance of recession.

Austan Goolsbee: https://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/austan-goolsbee

Episode 74: Austan Goolsbee

Hank welcomes David Axelrod (Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN Senior Political Commentator) to Straight Talk to discuss his experience in journalism, how he met Barack Obama and was inspired to work on his campaigns, and the shift from advising in politics to governing. He shared insights into Obama’s historic presidential run, navigating the financial crisis, polarity and the state of US democracy, and the impact of social media on politics and division in our country.

David Axelrod: https://news.uchicago.edu/profile/david-axelrod

Episode 76: David Axelrod

Hank welcomes Hal Harvey (Chief Executive Officer of Energy Innovation) to the podcast to discuss the influence of his mother’s environmentalism on his career, his knack for innovation in the energy space, and his new book—The Big Fix. He shares insights into what he’s working on and his goals for Energy Innovation, how we can keep from losing ground in the fight against climate change as we navigate the current energy crisis, and a path forward for US-China cooperation on tackling climate change.

Hal Harvey: https://energyinnovation.org/team-member/hal-harvey/ 
The Big Fix: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Big-Fix/Hal-Harvey/9781982123987

Episode 77: Hal Harvey

Admiral Mike Mullen (17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and retired US Navy Admiral) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss how his distinguished career in the Navy unfolded, the role of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and advising both presidents Bush and Obama. He assesses the status of the war in Ukraine and shares insights into nuclear risks and the threat of nuclear proliferation, US-China relations, and executing the plans that led to the death of Osama Bin Laden, and current terrorist threats to the US.

Episode 79: Admiral Mike Mullen

Cristián Samper (Managing Director, Bezos Earth Fund and tropical biologist) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss his upbringing in Colombia and the importance of the country in preserving biodiversity, how he developed his connection with nature, COP 15 and important agenda items and challenges. He also shares insights into the approach and priorities of the Bezos Earth Fund, tipping points in vital ecosystems, biodiversity financing gap, and creating the next generation of conservationists.

Cristián Samper: https://www.bezosearthfund.org/our-team/cristian-samper

Episode 80: Cristián Samper

Minouche Shafik (Director, London School of Economics) joins Hank on Straight Talk to discuss her philosophy of education and her vision for the London School of Economics, the role the IMF and Central Banks should play in the transition to a green economy, and her acclaimed book. She shares insights into growing up in the American South, economics and public policy, and how governments can navigate economic growth, national security, and climate change.

Minouche Shafik: https://www.lse.ac.uk/about-lse/lse-leading-women/biographies/minouche-shafik
What We Owe Each Other: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691204451/what-we-owe-each-other

Episode 81: Minouche Shafik

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/

Episode 82: Paul Ryan

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/

Episode 83: Nicholas Stern

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.

Episode 84: Jim Steinberg

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/

Episode 85: Bono

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

Episode 86: Stephen Hadley

In this episode of Straight Talk, President George W. Bush (43rd President of the United States and Founder, George W. Bush Institute) joins Hank to discuss the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR and more. They examine the financial crisis, increasing calls for isolationism, building relationships across the aisle, and the need to work together to accomplish things. Bush shares insights into tackling the AIDS epidemic through the successful program PEPFAR, his crisis management style, the importance of culture in business and politics, and his sense of optimism and what gives him hope about America today.

George W. Bush Institute: https://www.bushcenter.org/ 
PEPFAR: https://www.state.gov/pepfar/

Episode 87: George W. Bush

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/

Episode 88: Bob Rubin

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/

Episode 89: Hillary Clinton

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

Episode 90: Melissa Kearney

Episode 4 was recorded on Friday, July 10.
 
Hank is joined by his friend & former colleague Lloyd Blankfein (Senior Chairman, Goldman Sachs) to discuss impostor syndrome, the past, present, and future of markets, as well as economic changes due to the COVID pandemic.

Lloyd Blankfein: www.goldmansachs.com/our-firm/leadership/lloyd-blankfein.pdf

Episode 4: Lloyd Blankfein

Tim Geithner (President, Warburg Pincus and 75th United States Secretary of the Treasury) joins Hank to discuss his experience as US Treasury Secretary, lessons learned from prior financial crises, his efforts to combat the global refugee crisis, and his advice for the incoming Biden Administration.

Tim Geithner: warburgpincus.com/team/timothy-f-geithner/

Episode 25: Tim Geithner

From growing up in the Midwest to leading Goldman Sachs and then serving his country as Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson offers a unique point of view and a life experience unlike many Americans. With Straight Talk, Hank brings this experience to his conversations with the world’s prominent leaders and thinkers, exchanging a lifetime of stories and lessons from both the private and public sectors. Each episode reveals compelling viewpoints, topical discussion, and behind-the-scenes stories.

A podcast by the Paulson Institute

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