Join Michael as he sits down with bestselling author and American financier David M. Rubenstein to discuss his latest book, The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency. Rubenstein’s new work offers a fascinating exploration of the U.S. presidency through the lens of conversations with both presidents and renowned historians, capturing the essence of America’s highest office and the individuals who have shaped it.

In this episode, Rubenstein will delve into the journeys of our nation’s leaders, their vision for America’s future, and the lasting impact of their decisions on the global stage. Drawing from his own experience in the Carter administration, Rubenstein weaves together history, personal anecdotes, and exclusive interviews with living U.S. presidents and notable historians like Annette Gordon-Reed and Ron Chernow.

Join us as we explore the political genius, challenges, and legacy of America’s presidents, seen through Rubenstein’s unique perspective.

About Our Guest

Mr. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board of The Carlyle Group. He was elected to the Board of Directors effective July 18, 2011. Previously, Mr. Rubenstein served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Carlyle.

Mr. Rubenstein is a Baltimore native and is the Chairman, CEO, and principal owner of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles.

Prior to forming Carlyle in 1987, Mr. Rubenstein practiced law in Washington, D.C. with Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge LLP (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP). From 1977 to 1981, Mr. Rubenstein was Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. From 1975 to 1976, he served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments. From 1973 to 1975, Mr. Rubenstein practiced law in New York with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

Among other philanthropic endeavors, Mr. Rubenstein is Chairman of the Boards of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Gallery of Art, the Economic Club of Washington, and the University of Chicago; a Trustee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Institute for Advanced Study, the National Constitution Center, the Brookings Institution, and the World Economic Forum; and a Director of Moderna, Inc., the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Rubenstein is a member of the American Philosophical Society, Business Council, Harvard Global Advisory Council, Madison Council of the Library of Congress, Board of Dean’s Advisors of the Business School at Harvard, Advisory Board of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, and Board of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community.

Mr. Rubenstein is a magna cum laude graduate of Duke University, where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa. Following Duke, Mr. Rubenstein graduated from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review.