This week Andrew talks with former Chief White House Speechwriter Cody Keenan. Cody went from a campaign intern in Chicago to President Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter at the White House. Post-presidency, the two continued to collaborate and today Cody is a sought after expert on politics, communication, & current affairs. Cody is also the author of the instant New York Times bestseller "Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America." In this conversation, Cody shares what it’s like to get feedback on your work from Barack Obama — and how to “manage up” when your boss is the President of the United States. You’ll also hear powerful lessons on how to grow your career, navigate times of crisis, communicate ideas that stand the test of time, & more. This episode is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to work alongside a U.S. President and shape the ideas & moments forever cemented in our history books.
Show Highlights:
(0:00) - Intro
(2:47) - Cody’s childhood
(3:49) - Reading as a kid
(7:15) - Interning for Senator Ted Kennedy
(9:31) - Powerful early career feedback
(13:49) - “I’ll always be a career staffer”
(14:48) - Getting into speechwriting
(16:27) - Joining Obama campaign
(16:48) - Preparing to be Obama’s speechwriter
(17:52) - Meeting President Obama for the first time
(20:16) - Planning for Presidential speeches
(21:52) - Getting edits from President Obama
(23:10) - “For him it was like sheet music”
(26:18) - Managing up to the President
(29:05) - Life lessons from President Obama
(30:53) - Communication lessons from jazz music
(32:46) - Cody’s bestselling book
(38:50) - Chicago Cubs White House visit
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