Alex Witt
Showing 1–10 of 10 transcripts.
- Milken Institute58 min
Modern Solutions for Parenting and Work-Life Balance | Global Conference 2025
Alex Witt, Jeanette Betancourt, Becky Kennedy, Alexis Ohanian, Eve Rodsky, Maaren Shah
A panel of five experts, including Reddit co-founder Alexis Rohanian and author Eve Rodsky, convened to address the systemic burnout and declining birth rates plaguing modern dual-income households. The discussion emphasized that parenting requires formal education and structural support, urging a shift from vague "helping" to clear ownership of domestic mental loads and advocating for universal paid leave policies. Consensus emerged that achieving true equity involves men transitioning from assistants to owners of household labor, while society must view child-rearing as a collective responsibility rather than an individual burden.
- Milken Institute31 min
A Conversation with Deepak Chopra and Seth Rogen | Milken Institute Global Conference 2023
Deepak Chopra, Seth Rogen, Alex Witt
Deepak Chopra and Seth Rogen discuss a holistic approach to extending health span over mere lifespan, emphasizing that lifestyle factors outweigh genetic predispositions in preventing Alzheimer's disease. They outline actionable strategies ranging from epigenetic regulation through emotional states to specific daily protocols involving meditation, exercise, and nutritional adjustments. The dialogue concludes by highlighting the work of Hilarity for Charity in educating youth about brain health while challenging conventional definitions of success in favor of joy and timeless awareness.
- Milken Institute1h 10m
Risks and Rewards: Accelerating Climate Change Solutions
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Gina McCarthy, Nat Simons, John Kasich, Sheldon Whitehouse, Alex Witt
Moderated by Alex Witt, a bipartisan panel including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and former Governor John Kasich identified the $600 billion annual fossil fuel subsidy as the primary barrier to climate action while advocating for carbon pricing and the elimination of such subsidies to force market correction. Despite audience sentiment favoring the private sector, speakers emphasized that systemic government intervention is necessary to address health inequities, counter industry-funded misinformation, and achieve the emission reductions required within the next decade. The discussion concluded by calling for a "World War II-level mobilization" driven by media accountability and public pressure to restore bipartisan cooperation on practical environmental solutions.
- Milken Institute45 min
Threats Aren’t Partisan: Securing the Health and Safety of a Nation
Alex Witt, Jane Harman, Jeh Johnson
Representative Jane Harmon and Secretary Jay Johnson critique the Trump administration's flawed Afghanistan strategy, insufficient North Korea preparations, and the failure to account for deep-seated tribalism while emphasizing the pandemic's status as a national security crisis. The panelists further condemn the use of force at Lafayette Square, the erosion of Department of Justice integrity following John Bolton's disclosures, and the challenges posed by domestic terrorism and gun violence amidst pandemic-related social unrest. Both experts conclude that these non-partisan threats demand a unified governmental response to preserve democratic institutions and prevent the resurgence of terrorist organizations.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
How I Did It: Profiles of Next-Generation Leadership Strategies
Alex Witt, John Roberts, Igor Tulchinsky, Cormac Whelan
John Roberts, Igor Tolchinsky, and Cormac Whelan discussed how sustainable leadership balances financial viability with long-term talent development and organizational culture. The panelists detailed their respective strategies for scaling global impact, including WorldQuant's free online university, AO World's process-elimination initiatives, and Roberts' youth crime reduction projects. They further explored the nuanced relationship between risk management, innate ability, and the critical role of preparation in capitalizing on luck to achieve measurable societal and corporate success.
- Milken Institute56 min
What's Next: Harnessing the Momentum of #MeToo and #TimesUp
Alex Witt, Ashley Judd, Kerry Kennedy, Catharine MacKinnon, Stacy Smith, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Caroline Biden
Moderated by Alex Witt, the "What's Next" panel convened leading advocates including Ashley Judd, Alyssa Milano, and Catherine McKinnon to evaluate the post-Cosby landscape of the Me Too and Time's Up movements. The discussion highlighted critical gaps in legal recourse and industry representation while detailing specific strategies such as the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, the WOKE committee's #MuteRKelly campaign, and Stacey Smith's inclusion rider proposal to combat harassment and bias. Speakers also addressed the necessity for institutional courage and legislative reforms like the Equal Rights Amendment, citing global initiatives and successful worker-driven models as blueprints for systemic change.
- Milken Institute28 min
MIc'd Up | Part 1: A Conversation with Norman Lear and Ava DuVernay
Norman Lear, Ava DuVernay, Alex Witt
Hosted by Alex Witt, legendary television producer Norman Lear and filmmaker Ava DuVernay discussed the role of entertainment as a catalyst for radical justice and the enduring reality of systemic oppression. Lear detailed his strategy for centering Black life through sitcoms like *The Jeffersons* and his recent Latin American adaptation of *One Day at a Time*, while DuVernay explained her vision for Array as a long-term institution challenging Hollywood's distribution barriers with her upcoming film *A Wrinkle in Time*. The speakers concluded that true progress requires moving beyond symbolic milestones, such as the Obama presidency, to actively dismantle intersecting privileges and hold society accountable for equal opportunity.
- Milken Institute1h 4m
Tech vs. Talk: Is Technology Changing Human Relationships?
Alex Witt, Genevieve Bell, Linda Burch, Sherry Turkle, Sam Yagan
Hosted by Alex Witt at the Milken Institute Global Conference, panelists including Sherry Turkle, Genevieve Bell, and Sam Yagan examined how smartphone proliferation erodes empathy, disrupts family dynamics, and alters the landscape of romantic relationships. Experts highlighted a sharp decline in human connection metrics alongside rising anxiety over the "always-on" culture, noting that children are increasingly driving the establishment of new social boundaries regarding device use. The discussion concluded with a call for intentional design and parental modeling to preserve the friction necessary for deep human interaction while navigating the inevitable evolution of technology.
- Milken Institute56 min
2014 London Summit - U.S. Overview: Business and Ballots
Alex Witt, Eric Cantor, Ross DeVol, William Kahane, Alan Schwartz, Gene Sperling
Experts convened to analyze the U.S. economy's recovery, with Ross Milken identifying a trajectory toward 3% "escape velocity" growth driven by robust auto sales and small business hiring alongside Jean Soltis's critique of overly tight housing credit standards. While Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is expected to maintain accommodative policies until labor market sub-indicators improve, panelists warned that geopolitical risks and regulatory uncertainty regarding mergers and tax reform continue to stifle corporate investment and equity stability. The discussion further highlighted that resolving housing finance ambiguities could boost GDP, whereas achieving comprehensive immigration or energy infrastructure legislation remains hindered by legislative gridlock despite bipartisan support for incremental reforms.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Living Healthy: Education, Access and Activity
Alex Witt, Robert Egger, Sam Cass, Michel Nishan, Rachel Poplack, Larry Soler, Robert Blendon, Natasha, Harlan Weissman
A coalition of federal agencies and major corporations is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to reverse obesity trends by codifying SNAP incentives, mandating healthy options in schools and vending machines, and reformulating product lines to remove trillions of calories. Simultaneously, innovative programs are expanding food access in underserved communities through technical aid for corner stores, mobile produce vendors, and culinary education initiatives that leverage cultural relevance and entertainment partnerships. Despite these advancements, stakeholders warn that without shifting financial sector priorities to long-term health strategies and addressing the projected diabetes crisis among seniors and youth, the current healthcare economic model remains unsustainable.