WeSTAT, Memorial Day, Patriotism and The Fight for America with President Obama's Speech Writer, Cody Keenan

We Should Talk About That

JessK and JessB are taking the day off- but they do have a few reflections to share regarding patriotism, America, and the distinction between patriotism and politics. And this is just the intro! The rest of this episode shares a highlight interview with the incredibly intelligent and open, Cody Keenan who rose from a campaign intern in his hometown to become the chief speechwriter at the White House and Barack Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. We are sharing this conversation again, in celebration of Memorial Day, to reflect, in particular, on the this conversation regarding the ten days in June of 2015, following the mass murder of nine Black worshipers in a Charleston, South Carolina by a white supremacist. This conversation centers around the days that followed America – and its first Black president – and the profound reckoning with race and the legacy of the Confederate flag, while the families of the victims perform an extraordinary act of grace.
In this episode, Cody shares his front seat reflections on what has always meant to craft and collaborate on work with President Obama, and how it has shaped how he sees himself, his work, and his country.
A different conversation, but authentic and curious, Jess and Jess are able to reminisce some incredible "Glory Days" with the person who helped pen them.
Meet Cody:
Born and raised in Chicago, Cody Keenan rose from a campaign intern in his
hometown to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Barack Obama’s
post-presidential collaborator. A sought-after expert on politics, messaging, and
current affairs, he is now a partner at leading speechwriting firm Fenway
Strategies and teaches a popular course on political speechwriting to
undergraduates at his alma mater Northwestern University. Cody lives in New
York City with his wife Kristen and their baby daughter Grace.

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