A Reagan Forum Podcast

Raymond Arroyo

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we back to March 29, 2023 for our in-person event with New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo for his new family book, The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison. Raymond Arroyo sat down in conversation with Reagan Foundation and Institute Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Giller.

Governor Glenn Youngkin

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast, we go back 10 days to May 1, 2023 for our in-person event with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who was a speaker in the Reagan Foundation’s Time for Choosing Speaker Series, a forum for leading voices in the conservative movement. Glenn Youngkin is an American businessman and politician, currently serving as the 74th governor of Virginia since January 15, 2022. Prior to entering politics, Glenn Youngkin spent 25 years at the private-equity firm the Carlyle Group, where he became co–CEO in 2018. During his Time for Choosing Speech at the Reagan Library, Governor Youngkin addressed additional critical issues facing the future of the Republican Party.

David Lenga

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we back two weeks to April 17, 2023 for our in-person event with Auschwitz Survivor David Lenga; a program held on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day. This program was in conjunction with our recently opened exhibition, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. No book, no podcast, nor history lesson can prepare you for the power and impact that this collection of artifacts holds. Speaking specifically about this exhibition opening at the Reagan Library, David Lenga said, “for the holocaust deniers and doubters, this exhibit is a stark reminder that truth cannot be compromised but must be faced head on and defended in every generation.” During this program, David shares his compelling and traumatic story as a German Jew during the darkest days of the Third Reich.

Ronna McDaniel

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast, we go back one week to April 20, 2023 for our in-person event with Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel. She was a speaker in the Reagan Foundation’s Time for Choosing Speaker Series, a forum for leading voices in the conservative movement. Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is the second woman ever elected as Chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the longest-serving RNC Chair since the Civil War. Under her leadership, the RNC raised record funds, made its largest ever ground game investment, and retired Nancy Pelosi by winning back the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. Prior to her tenure at the RNC, Chairwoman McDaniel served as the Chair of the Michigan Republican Party. During her Time for Choosing Speech at the Reagan Library, Chairwoman McDaniel addressed additional critical issues facing the future of the Republican Party.

Tova Friedman

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast, we go back just over one week to April 2, 2023 for our in-person event with Auschwitz Survivor Tova Friedman. This event was our first event as part of our new special exhibition, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. which runs through August 13, 2023. Information on this exhibit can be found at ReaganLibrary.com/Auschwitz. Last November, we were contacted by the amazing staff of Holocaust Museum LA. They recommended we speak with Dr. Maria Zalewska, Executive Director of the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial Foundation about a book she had put together called Honeycake and Latkes. The book is a beautiful collection of heirloom recipes and stories from Auschwitz-Birkenau survivors. She connected us with Tova Friedman whose New York Times bestselling memoir, The Daughter of Auschwitz, shares her string of near-death experiences in a Jewish Ghetto, a Nazi labor camp and Auschwitz. One of her recipes is also in Honeycake and Latkes. Tova is one of the very few Jews to have entered a gas chamber and lived to tell the tale. Tova has been quoted as saying, “I am a survivor. That comes with a survivor’s obligation to represent one and a half million Jewish children murdered by the Nazis. They cannot speak. So I must speak on their behalf.” Maria and Tova sat down in conversation to discuss Honeycake and Latkes, as well as The Daughter of Auschwitz.

Dave McCormick

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we go back a few weeks to March 16, 2023 for our in-person event with American businessman and politician Dave McCormick. Mr. McCormick served as President Bush’s Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and served as the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, from 2020-2022. He joined us at the Reagan Library to discuss his newest book, Superpower in Peril: A Battle Plan to Renew America, which is Dave McCormick’s vision for how to unlock America’s full potential for greatness. He sat down in conversation with Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim.

Auschwitz Exhibition Opening

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we go back just one week to March 23, 2023 for our private evening program to commemorate the opening of our special exhibition, “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” which opened to the public Friday, March 24, 2023. The West Coast debut of the 12,500 sq. ft. exhibition is the first of three final North American stops. Created by Spanish company Musealia together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland, and now being toured through North America by World Heritage Exhibitions, the exhibit displays the largest and most comprehensive collection of artifacts linked to the history of this German Nazi concentration and extermination camp.

Condoleezza Rice

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast, we go back two weeks to March 8, 2023 for our in-person event with Dr. Condoleezza Rice who was a speaker in the Reagan Foundation’s Time for Choosing Speaker Series, a forum for leading voices in the conservative movement. From January 2005 to January 2009, Dr. Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first black woman to hold the post. Dr. Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor from January 2001 to January 2005, the first woman to hold the position. She is currently the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and a Senior Fellow on Public Policy. During her Time for Choosing Speech at the Reagan Library, Dr. Rice addressed additional critical issues facing the future of the Republican Party.

Governor Ron DeSantis

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast, we go back just over one week to March 5, 2023 for our in-person event with Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis. He joined us as part of his Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival book tour and the program sold out in just over 12 hours. Governor DeSantis’s book reveals how he successfully implemented his goals for Florida, which he says is now a winning blueprint for patriots across the country. His book is a rallying cry for Americans who wish to preserve our liberties.

2023 Medal of Honor Forum

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we go back one month to February 15, 2023 for our in-person event with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. For over a decade the Reagan Foundation has partnered with the Medal of Honor Society to hold their annual Medal of Honor Forum whereby Medal of Honor recipients speak with students about their stories of courage and sacrifice, exploring such themes as patriotism, citizenship, and integrity. During this year’s program we heard from Sergeant First Class Gary Littrell, US Army, Retired, who received the citation for his Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War after fighting in Kontum Province in April, 1970. The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. It is awarded for gallantry and bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.