Latest Interviews
Showing 16–19 of 19 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- Goldman Sachs46 min
Talks at GS – Ron Chernow: Lessons in Leadership – The Unlikely Rise of Ulysses S. Grant
Ron Chernow, Ulysses S. Grant, Lloyd Blankfein
Biographer Ron Chernow reconstructs Ulysses S. Grant's arc from a failed businessman and dismissed officer to a strategic genius who secured Union victory and championed Reconstruction through the Department of Justice. Chernow utilizes Grant's presidency to challenge the "Lost Cause" narrative, highlighting the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and the unprecedented political representation of African Americans before the era's eventual collapse. While documenting Grant's tragic financial ruin and his unique psychological capacity for calm under fire, the work reframes the general as a modernizing leader whose legacy has surged from historical obscurity to the center of civil rights history.
- Goldman Sachs21 min
Lessons from Lloyd: Advice to Our Summer Interns
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon reflects on his 35-year tenure, tracing his path from a Harvard law graduate who rejected initial offers to a strategic leader who leverages the firm's risk management expertise for its new consumer lending division. He champions diverse corporate policies, including support for marriage equality, while addressing global economic resilience and the market anxieties surrounding an extended economic cycle. Solomon concludes by warning of geopolitical tensions like the Thucydides Trap and emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded background alongside technical acumen for long-term professional success.
- Goldman Sachs39 min
Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan and Lloyd Blankfein: Talks at GS Session Highlights
Timothy Dolan, Lloyd Blankfein, Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Archdiocese of New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan leads a strategic restructuring that closes 55 parishes and 59 schools to redirect $392 million toward active social services while managing a linguistically diverse flock across three boroughs. Facing tensions between traditional doctrine on marriage and modern pastoral needs, Dolan balances doctrinal integrity with Pope Francis's inclusive approach to ensure the church remains spiritually vibrant despite demographic shifts. Concurrently, he champions religious freedom against government mandates and establishes new communication offices to engage younger generations, aiming to strengthen faith communities by prioritizing dynamic ministry over maintaining vacant facilities.
- Goldman Sachs24 min
Congressman John Lewis & Lloyd Blankfein: Talks at GS Session Highlights
Former civil rights leader John Lewis traces his journey from a sharecropper's son in rural Alabama to a central figure in the 1960s nonviolent movement, detailing his collaboration with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and pivotal events such as the Freedom Rides, the 1963 March on Washington, and the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" confrontation in Selma. These struggles directly catalyzed landmark federal legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which Lewis credits for enabling the presidencies of Carter, Clinton, and Obama while warning that the unfinished work of racial and LGBTQ+ justice demands continued vigilance against modern legal setbacks.