Back in January, my friends Rachel and John Paz invited me to something called HistoryTalks and casually mentioned that four former presidents would be there, taking the stage for interviews. Of course I said yes.
HISTORYTalks isn’t a one-off, it’s a touring speaker series produced by History Channel that’s been popping up in major cities over the past few years. The format has stayed pretty consistent, but the tone and lineup shift depending on the moment.
The event was held in honor of America’s 250th anniversary a reminder that, despite our ups and downs, we’re always moving toward a more perfect union. That spirit carried throughout the day, along with a simple message: talk to your neighbors. We have far more in common than what divides us.
For some reason, I had it in my head that this one felt almost top secret, probably because of the level of people involved, including former presidents. So I made a point not to say anything publicly. As the date got closer, it became even more noticeable that no one was talking about it.
Later I learned that many people involved in the production had signed NDAs. I’m not sure what, if anything, guests were told as I was guests of guests, but it explained the silence. I only mentioned it to three people ahead of time, and one of them was my husband.
I told Mike I wanted to get there right when it started with breakfast, and he said it’d be great to beat the crowd, LOL
Last week I was asked if I wanted to shoot the Red Carpet, but I declined. I wanted to enjoy the program. It was the right move, as no one outside of the theater could hear the show. I did score a great celebrity shot during the 30 minute lunch break…more on that later.
I made my way inside to Orchestra Row L, seat 13. Then the curtain lifted and President George W. Bush took the stage, interviewed by his daughter Jenna Bush Hager. Before it began, a message flashed across the screens: no photos, no video, no note-taking. Hmm.
Later, when I read coverage in the The Philadelphia Inquirer, it mentioned the conversation was off the record. As a guest, that wasn’t something I had been aware of at the time. Nothing particularly earth-shattering was said, which makes me think it may have been saved for a future interview or segment with Jenna.
President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden sat down with Jay Shetty. I’ll admit, I was hoping to hear a bit more of Shetty’s philosophy on life, but instead we got a really touching story about how the Bidens met. Joe actually proposed five times before Jill said yes. Her hesitation came from a very real place, she knew his sons had already lost their mother in a tragic car accident, and she wanted to be absolutely certain that she and Joe were the right match so the boys wouldn’t risk losing another mother, this time to divorce.
One of the highlights was Tom Brady and Jason Kelce interviewing each other. There was real mutual respect between them. Best moment, when Brady walked out, he joked that he’s not used to a Philadelphia crowd cheering for him and asked them to boo instead… and they did.
I later learned that conversation was also off the record, though I had already shared it by then. That night, the Pazs hosted a dinner with friends, and I had a chance to chat with one of the show’s producers, who told me it was fine to leave it up since it was already out there. Honestly, it made the whole thing even more interesting, hearing a bit about the behind-the-scenes and how they pulled off a production like this with most of the public having no idea it was even happening.
At lunchtime, I made my way over to the stage door and was lucky enough to spot Nicole Kidman heading inside. Later, she took the stage and spoke beautifully about women supporting one another in community, the profound influence her mother had on her life, and what she hopes to pass on to her daughters. She also shared that the loss of her mother inspired her interest in becoming a death doula, a deeply personal path that added another layer to her conversation. Hoda Kotb interviewed Nicole Kidman
Everyone was welcomed warmly, and each president received a standing ovation. But when Barack Obama and Michelle Obama came out separately, the crowd reaction hit another level the loudest of the day, and yes, a few people couldn’t resist sneaking photos of Michelle Obama, who was interviewed by 83 year old Doris Kearns Goodwin and spoke mostly about her time as First Lady, her role as a mother, and how intentionally she worked to shield her daughters from the pressures of White House life so they could have as normal an upbringing as possible. You could feel how proud she is of them.
President Barack Obama was interviewed by historian Jon Meacham.
When Barack Obama spoke about America moving toward “a more perfect union,” he wasn’t suggesting perfection, but progress. For someone like Obama, looks like a country that keeps expanding opportunity, where access to education, healthcare, and economic mobility isn’t uneven. It’s a democracy where participation is broader and more representative, institutions are trusted and functioning, and disagreement doesn’t erode respect for one another. It also points to a continued effort to reckon with the country’s history honestly, while still believing in its ability to improve. In his framing, it’s less about arriving at a final destination and more about the ongoing work of becoming better, together. (We later learned that Obama headed to NYC for an appearance with Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his 1pm interview)
When Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton took the stage with their longtime friend Ted Danson, the tone shifted into something more personal and reflective. It didn’t feel like a political talk, it felt like a conversation between people who have lived through decades of public life and still choose to stay engaged. They spoke about resilience, about continuing to show up through criticism and change, and about their belief in the country’s institutions, even when tested. There were also moments that felt more intimate, stories about their partnership and life after the White House – walks, going to the movies, Hillary trying to get Bill to take better care of himself, which gave the whole exchange a relaxed, human feel. At times they held hands, and always looked at each other with admiration.
It really fit the spirit of the day, less about politics, more about experience, endurance, and where we go from here.
OK I snuck a few photos….at the end of segments, I was in good company with folks nearby who also wanted to remember….
She’s done Hillary Clinton, Kellyanne Conway, Rudy Giuliani, Sean Spicer, Jeff Sessions, Angela Merkel, Elizabeth Warren, and lots more. Jost just had his first outing, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “I’m probably 200 behind you.”
And finally I am going to wrap this day up with the final speaker, although I did skip a few: Garth Brooks, when he took the stage, he shared a thought that really stayed with me, comparing music to a democracy. Not in a political way, but in the sense that it belongs to everyone. He talked about how the audience has just as much of a role as the performer, how songs take on new life depending on who’s listening, and how, in those moments, everyone in the room is part of the same experience. It was a simple idea, but powerful, especially in a room that had spent the day talking about connection, reminding us that sometimes the strongest common ground is something as universal as a song. He sang a few covers connecting each generation ending with a beautiful cover of Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
Thank you to the History Channel, to Comcast, and to my longtime friends John and Rachel Paz for such an incredible experience. I later learned that while portions were taped for television, the event itself was really designed as a series of in-person, live conversations with leaders and history makers. Only select moments from the six-hour program were recorded, so there’s hope that some of it may eventually see the light of day. I know that Jenna Bush did back stage interviews which will be broadcasted on the Today Show Monday.
WOW what an experience…. socially yours, xoxo HughE
