Word to LIve by & Reagan Forum

Words To Live By – Kennedy Center Honors

Every December, Americans celebrate their memorable cultural icons when the Kennedy Center bestows its annual honors to those in the performing arts for their lifetime contributions. Since 1978, the Honors have been presented annually each December to five honorees followed by a gala celebration. The original strategy was that these unique individuals were people who have contributed to society, not someone who happens to have a pop record hit at the moment. The intention was not to do just another award show. Do you recall the first host? It was Leonard Bernstein in 1978. And the White House got involved by inviting the Honorees first to the White House for an initial presentation by the President. For 2022, who are the Honorees? Well, George Clooney, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, Tania Leon and U2. In this podcast, we’ll focus on two ceremonies held at the White House. The first, 40 years ago in 1982 honored George Abbott, Eugene Ormandy, Lillian Gish, Benny Goodman, and Gene Kelly. Then, in the second half of the podcast, the President honored in 1984, Lena Horne, Arthur Miller, Gian Carlo Menotti, Isaac Stern and Danny Kaye. And in the second half of the podcast, I’ll share a bit about those who were offered the honor but declined.

A Reagan Forum – Gordon Sondland

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we go back one month to November 10, 2022 for our in-person event with former Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland for his new book, The Envoy: Mastering the Art of Diplomacy with Trump and the World. In 2018, Gordon Sondland, the Founder and CEO of Provenance Hotels, was appointed to serve as the 20th U.S. Ambassador to the European Union by President Donald Trump. He was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2018 and served as Ambassador to the E.U. until February 2020. As Ambassador, Gordon Sondland was one of the highest-ranking U.S. officials in Europe and his portfolio included trade, energy, national security, defense, agriculture and several other files.

Words To Live By – Voting

As this podcasts airs, the 2022 November election results have been in the books for 3 weeks. At least most of the results are in the books. As the contentious debates continue, let’s go back over 40 years to some of Ronald Reagan’s thoughts expressed in his radio addresses on…voting – and on another issue – the possibilities of voter fraud with postcard registration.

A Reagan Forum – Mike Pence

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we go back just one week to our in-person event on November 17^th with former Vice President Mike Pence for a program on his newest book, So Help Me God, an inside story of the Trump Administration by its second-highest ranking official and of a profound faith that has guided him throughout his life. Mike Pence served as the 48^th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, as the 50^th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017, and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. Fun fact: when he was sworn in as our nation’s Vice President, he did so with President Reagan’s mother’s bible, which the Reagan Library loaned to him for the occasion.

Words To Live By – 11-22-22 – Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, a time when we take stock of our many blessings and take an extra moment to let our loved ones know our deepest feelings of appreciation. As you recall, President Reagan was a deeply grateful man, who told the American people in his first Thanksgiving proclamation, that, “America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this Nation throughout its history. In keeping with America's heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings.” Another example of his commitment to gratitude occurred when the hostages held in Iran for 444 days were freed in January 1981, President Reagan created a special national day of Thanksgiving to honor their sacrifice and safe return.

A Reagan Forum – Veterans Day 2022

Last week was Veterans Day – a day to honor our nation’s military veterans. Commemorating this day on November 11^th each year not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but also helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. In this week’s Reagan Forum Podcast we go back on week to the Reagan Library’s Veterans Day Program, which included an honor guard, live music, and keynote remarks by US Army Veteran Brad Taylor. Brad Taylor served for 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel, with his final assignment as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. He is now the New York Times bestselling author of his Pike Logan series; with more than 15 installments and more than 3 million copies sold.

Words To Live By – Brezhnev v. Putin

On November 10, 1982 – 40 years ago – the leader of the Soviet Union, Leonid Brezhnev, died. Immediately after his passing, Yuri Andropov succeeded him as General Secretary. But our subject today is Brezhnev and the hauntingly similar ways both Brezhnev and Putin have ruled.

A Reagan Forum – Steve Case

In this week’s Reagan Forum podcast we go back just three days to our virtual event on November 7^th with one of America’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, Steve Case. Mr. Case joined us to discuss his latest book, The Rise of the Rest, which shows how the new generation of American business leaders is taking shape in cities across our heartland.

Words To Live By – Tom Brokaw Interviews Ronald Reagan

In today’s podcast, we’ll focus on a wonderful interview conducted by Tom Brokaw just 3 days before the President left office. This is not a gotcha interview or a hard-hitting challenge to the president – rather, Brokaw decided to focus on personal issues. You’ll hear the President reflect on his mother’s religious beliefs, his father’s alcoholism, careers in radio, acting, and politics, and reflections on his eight years as president. As for Brokaw, he was a longtime news anchor and senior correspondent who spent his entire career with NBC news. Beginning the Los Angeles Bureau where he covered Ronald Reagan’s first run for public office, he moved to the nation’s capital in 1973. Ultimately after 55 years with NBC news he retired at the age of 80.

A Reagan Forum – Thanksgiving

It’s November, and, of course, November is the month to celebrate Thanksgiving. And from all of us at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, we wish you and your family the happiest and healthiest of Thanksgivings later this month. In this week’s A Reagan Forum Podcast, we’re going to go back to 2018’s “Words to Live By” podcast featuring President Reagan’s thoughts and messages to the American people on Thanksgiving.