How Valerie Jarrett became Obama's most trusted adviser, and outlasted all her predecessors

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How Valerie Jarrett became Obama's most trusted adviser, and outlasted all her predecessors

FromCapehart

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34 minutes

Released:

Dec 20, 2016

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Podcast episode

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Valerie Jarrett is the longest-serving senior adviser to President Obama. She has survived Washington by being proud of her accomplishments, but never forgetting for whom she worked.

Released:

Dec 20, 2016

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Opinion writer Jonathan Capehart talks with newsmakers who challenge your ideas on politics, and explore how race, religion, age, gender and cultural identity are redrawing the lines that both divide and unite America. "Cape Up" is a podcast from Washington Post Opinions, with conversations adapted from Washington Post Live events.

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Wes Moore on becoming Maryland’s first African American governor: In this conversation first recorded for Washington Post Live on Nov. 30, Maryland Gov.-elect Wes Moore discusses his victory over Republican Dan Cox, his plan for his first 100 days, the state of national politics and whether the Washington Commanders should keep playing football in Maryland. by Capehart
28 min listen
April Ryan on racial invisibility: April Ryan, Washington Bureau Chief and White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Network, discusses the need to be visible and vocal in upcoming years and discusses her latest book, ‘At Mama’s Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White’. by Capehart
25 min listen
Darren Walker: Using privilege to fight privilege: Jonathan talks to Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation about how his being African American, openly gay and raised poor inform his work in the rarefied air of philanthropy, and more including privilege, black lives matter and dancing. by Capehart
27 min listen
Lonnie Bunch: Even if you're white, "the story of slavery is still your story": Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture talks about the museum from idea to completion, including his initial reaction to a man claiming to have Harriet Tubman's shawl. by Capehart
14 min listen
Elizabeth Way and Elena Romero on how hip-hop transformed fashion: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 16, Elizabeth Way and Elena Romero, co-curators of the “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous” exhibition at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, discuss hip-hop’s enduring influence on fashion, the history of high-fashion brands appropriating streetwear and what it really means to wear your “Sunday best.” by Capehart
29 min listen
Former Obama official on the Trump cabinet picks that are actually good hires: Derek Chollet, former Obama defense department official discusses Obama's foreign policy, Syria and the infamous red line and why some of President-elect Trump's picks to head the Pentagon and Homeland Security are actually good hires. by Capehart
27 min listen
Michael Steele, Part 2: What Republicans need to do about all "the KKK stuff": In part two of Jonathan's conversation with the Michael Steele, former chairman of the RNC, Steele expands on his explanation of how the country got here in the first place and why black Americans didn't show up for Hillary Clinton. by Capehart
21 min listen
Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Doing what needed to be done: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz talks about the DNC email hack, her decision to resign as chair and the rumors around it, her recent primary victory and more. by Capehart
33 min listen
If you still hate Clinton and Trump after the debate, here's Evan McMullin: Evan McMullin, independent presidential candidate talks about his dim view of Donald Trump and the politicians who support him, the need for a new conservative party, Black Lives Matter and the movie that inspired him to join the CIA. by Capehart
36 min listen
Preview: The mic check: Get a flavor for the Washington Post’s newest podcast as Jonathan Capehart does a mic check with former chairman of the Republican Party Michael Steele. by Capehart
2 min listen
Richard Branson on Trump’s coal plans: ‘I can’t think of anything more stupid’: Sir Richard Branson talks about climate change, space travel, and his kite boarding contest with his best bud Barack Obama. This interview comes from Washington Post Live and has been edited here for time and clarity. by Capehart
34 min listen
Lena Epstein: "I am a Jewish, millennial female, who is supporting Trump.": Former co-chair of President Trump's Michigan campaign, Lena Epstein, explains why she supports Trump and how she navigates being a minority in her party. by Capehart
32 min listen
Nancy Pelosi: Never bogged down: House minority leader Nancy Pelosi talks about why Donald Trump will never be president, the fight for Zika funding, and how she made it as a woman in politics. by Capehart
23 min listen
Michael Steele is no 'Pied Piper.': Jonathan talks with former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, about why Trump is good for Republicans, the party's problem with race and Steele's time studying for the priesthood. by Capehart
19 min listen
A call to arms from Attorney General Loretta Lynch: Loretta Lynch, Attorney General of the United States, discusses Russian involvement in the US presidential election, the rise of hate crimes in the US and calls for private citizens to keep protecting the civil rights of Americans. by Capehart
24 min listen
Michael Steele, Part 1: "Donald Trump is the freest president we've had in a generation": In part one of a two-part conversation with Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, talks about why President-elect Donald Trump will govern as a pragmatic populist. by Capehart
21 min listen
The everyday trauma of being a black man in America: As a mother who lost her son over "loud music" and a young man who survived being shot in the head, Lucy McBath and DeJuan Patterson discuss the pain of coping with the violence they've endured. This episode contains explicit language. by Capehart
35 min listen
Rob Reiner: We are living 'All in the Family' and Trump is Archie Bunker: Rob Reiner, director, actor and activist, discusses how he thinks the media has failed, the position he dreamed about having in a Clinton administration and whether he's planning a move from entertainment to politics. by Capehart
29 min listen
Final election predictions, with Dr. Larry Sabato and his Crystal Ball: Sabato’s Crystal Ball analyzes and predicts election outcomes and has been named as one of the most accurate predictors. Dr. Larry Sabato walks us through what to expect on election night. by Capehart
24 min listen
This is the perfect escape from the insanity of our politics today. Meet Franklin Sirmans.: Franklin Sirmans, director of Perez Art Museum Miami, talks about what it takes to build a 21st century museum and breaking down the walls that separate the museum from the community it inhabits. by Capehart
28 min listen
Dr. Anthony Fauci: Forced to rob cancer research to pay for Zika vaccine push: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses the urgency of funding Zika vaccine research and the possibility of an AIDS-free generation. by Capehart
26 min listen
Wendy Sherman: The world can't believe Donald Trump: Jonathan talks with Wendy Sherman, former U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, about Donald Trump's potential impact on US foreign policy, the U.S. president's unrivaled ability to launch nuclear weapons and more. by Capehart
18 min listen
Keith Ellison: The Democratic Party isn't only for Democrats: Rep. Keith Ellison wants to be the next chair of the of the DNC and true to his progressive roots, Ellison also believes “the Democratic Party should always be the party that stands with the aspiring working people of America.” by Capehart
26 min listen
Knight Foundation president: We're in the biggest disruption to information since the printing press: Alberto Ibarguen, president of the Knight Foundation, explains why the first amendment doesn't apply to the internet and what the foundation is doing about it. by Capehart
28 min listen
Professor Daina Ramey Berry: Professor Daina Ramey Berry, discusses how she wrote about slavery from the slaves perspective instead of writing about them as objects, and why doing that is so important. by Capehart
26 min listen
Arthur Brooks explains how dignity links Trump and Obama: There's no one better to talk to about now President Trump than Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute. As the Author of "The Conservative Heart", Brooks discusses how dignity won Donald Trump the White House. by Capehart
26 min listen
R. Eric Thomas is the escape from politics that you need right now: The man who gave us the phrase "Auntie Maxine" has Jonathan completely shook. R. Eric Thomas discusses Emmanuel Macron, Barack Obama and who in the Trump administration he’d like to meet. by Capehart
33 min listen
Export-Import Bank chief Fred Hochberg on jobs, 'good feet' and congressional hurdles: Fred Hochberg, chairman of the Export-Import Bank, talks about Congress stalling the bank's reauthorization and being one of the highest ranking openly gay members of the Obama administration. by Capehart
28 min listen
How Valerie Jarrett became Obama's most trusted adviser, and outlasted all her predecessors: Valerie Jarrett is the longest-serving senior adviser to President Obama. She has survived Washington by being proud of her accomplishments, but never forgetting for whom she worked. by Capehart
34 min listen
Ambassador Susan Rice on the challenges of national security: Susan Rice, national security advisor to President Obama, talks about the challenges of national security policy-making including Syria, Russia and Benghazi. She also discusses having the talk about race with her children. by Capehart
22 min listen

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The state of global press freedom and the threats to democracy: During Washington Post Live's World Press Freedom Day event on May 3, Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF USA and president and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Stephen Capus assess the state of global press freedom, ensuring the safety for journalists around the world, the technological shifts reshaping the industry and what's at stake as billions around the world head to the polls this year. by Capehart
25 min listen
Percival Everett on reimagining ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’: Acclaimed author Percival Everett joins The Post’s Jonathan Capehart for a conversation about Everett’s latest novel, “James,” which reexamines Jim from Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in an attempt to give the character “control of his own story.” Everett also tackles the issue of book bans across the country, Twain’s use of the n-word in his literature and why Everett believes “it belongs there.” Conversation recorded on Thursday, April 25, 2024. by Capehart
28 min listen
Jon Bon Jovi on a new Hulu docuseries and the 40th anniversary of his band's debut album: Legendary musician Jon Bon Jovi of the band Bon Jovi, joins The Post’s Jonathan Capehart for a conversation about the group’s new Hulu docuseries, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” which chronicles their journey from Jersey Shore clubs to some of the largest stages in the world, their trials and triumphs, what their legacy means and the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. Conversation recorded on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Motion Picture Association. by Capehart
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Best Of: Colin Jost on his journey to SNL and the power of comedy: Longtime SNL cast member Colin Jost will be hosting this year's White House correspondents’ dinner. We revisit a 2020 conversation with Jost about how he has used the power of the written word and comedy to get through life’s challenges and some of the poignant events that have shaped him. Conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on July 20, 2020. by Capehart
26 min listen
Alex Edelman on ‘Just for Us’ and the state of Jewish comedy: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on April 3, comedian Alex Edelman talks about his HBO comedy special “Just for Us,” how it became “conversant with the times” in the aftermath of Oct. 7, the mechanics of his comedy and why he’s decided to stop doing the routine. by Capehart
35 min listen
Adam Bry on the future of drones at home and in the battlefield: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 21, Skydio CEO Adam Bry talks about the prominence of China in the drone industry, why it threatens U.S. national security, and how the company’s drones are being used both in Ukraine and here in the United States. by Capehart
24 min listen
Regina King on bringing groundbreaking lawmaker Shirley Chisholm to the big screen: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 22, actor Regina King breaks down her starring role as Shirley Chisholm in the new biopic, “Shirley,” talks about why the film took 15 years to make and explores the lawmaker’s enduring legacy. by Capehart
32 min listen
Julio Torres on his surrealist take on the U.S. immigration system, ‘Problemista’: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 13, actor and comedian Julio Torres talks about his directorial debut, “Problemista,” which he also wrote and stars in, digs into how his own experience with the U.S. immigration system informs the film and explores the importance of the protagonist Alejandro being a fully fleshed character. by Capehart
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Rep. Ro Khanna on why he’s calling for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza war: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March. 6, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) breaks down why he’s worried President Biden’s support for Israel is fraying the Democratic coalition, how Congress should investigate the administrations steady and quiet transfer of arms to Israel, how activists’ calls for a permanent cease-fire have affected White House messaging, and what he hopes to hear from the president’s State of the Union address. by Capehart
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Michele Norris shines light on ’Our Hidden Conversations’: In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Jan. 19, Post columnist Michele L. Norris discusses her new book, “Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity,” how she got people to open up about such a fraught topic, and the difference between “race” and “racism.” by Capehart
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How Valerie Jarrett became Obama's most trusted adviser, and outlasted all her predecessors

How Valerie Jarrett became Obama's most trusted adviser, and outlasted all her predecessors

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Capehart