Ken Hersh, energy entrepreneur and current CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, shares his unconventional journey from liberal arts major to pioneering a whole new industry in energy private equity. From early business failures and bold pivots to investing with Richard Rainwater and creating Natural Gas Partners, Ken breaks down the highs, lows, and lessons learned. He also dives into public policy, the evolution of America’s energy landscape, and the fine line between good ideas and good investments.

In This Episode

[00:00] Intro: Who is Ken Hersh?

[01:07] Early Days and Business Plan Origins

[02:00] Founding NG Partners in a Pre-Private Equity World

[05:00] Resilience, Background, and the Fastest Tortoise

[07:30] Education, Princeton, and Finding His Own Path

[10:00] Morgan Stanley, Energy Markets, and Breaking In

[13:00] The Fortuitous Call from Richard Rainwater

[16:00] Bold Moves and Moonlighting with McKinsey

[20:00] Birth of Natural Gas Partners and First Investments

[24:00] Pivoting Strategy When the Market Shifted

[28:00] Betting on People vs. Assets

[30:00] What Makes a Good Founder?

[34:00] Investing Philosophy and Risk Alignment

[36:00] The Energy Transfer Home Run

[41:00] Mentorship from Richard Rainwater

[45:00] Reflections on Energy Policy and Public Perception

[50:00] U.S. Energy Independence and Shale Revolution

[55:00] The Realities of Energy Transition and Clean Tech

Resources Mentioned

• The Fastest Tortoise by Ken Hersh

• Natural Gas Partners (NGP Energy Capital)

• George W. Bush Presidential Center

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In this conversation, we take a deep dive into R. Gerald Turner’s remarkable 30-year run as president of Southern Methodist University. We cover everything from faith and small-town values to high-stakes athletics and billion-dollar fundraising campaigns. Turner reflects on leadership decisions, including firing a popular football coach at Ole Miss, building SMU’s academic and athletic infrastructure, securing the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and navigating the politics of higher education. It’s a masterclass in values-based leadership, institutional transformation, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation.

In This Episode

[02:00] Leadership and LongevityWhy being on the same page with trustees was the cornerstone of Turner’s legacy.

[03:30] From New Boston to AcademiaHow a small Texas town, sports, and family shaped his early years.

[06:00] Faith and LeadershipTurner’s lifelong spiritual foundation and its impact on academic life.

[09:00] Decision Making Under PressureFrom Ole Miss controversies to student development during COVID.

[13:30] The Death Penalty & Rebuilding SMU FootballThe long road back and why facilities, traditions like the Boulevard, and student experience matter.

[20:00] Athletic and Academic RebuildHow sports success translates into applications and why facilities are investments.

[25:00] The ACC LeapBehind the scenes of SMU’s jump to the ACC and alumni stepping up with $100M.

[32:00] Winning the Bush LibraryPolitics, land deals, and strategic influence that brought a presidential library to campus.

[38:00] The Value of Higher Ed TodayWhy college still matters and the myths about billionaire dropouts.

[41:00] Free Speech & Campus PoliticsThe influence of critical theory, Trump-era backlash, and balancing academic perspectives.

[47:00] SMU’s Future & Next Leadership What’s next under President Hartzel and the importance of continuity with vision.

Resources

The Bush Library

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Commissioner John Wiley Price, often dubbed “Our Man Downtown,” sits down with Tom and Kyle for a wide-ranging conversation on his four decades of service in Dallas County. As the longest-serving commissioner in Texas—and possibly the nation—Price offers a unique, unfiltered perspective on the intersection of policy, race, faith, and leadership.The episode digs deep into the structural issues that continue to shape life in Dallas: inequities in infrastructure, disparities in healthcare access, the troubling state of public education, and the persistent challenges of criminal justice.

He doesn't shy away from controversy, either. From views on the intentional underfunding of public schools to breaking down how book bans and voucher programs threaten generational progress, Price challenges listeners to confront their held beliefs. Whether you agree with him or not, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and not backing down from the fight.

In This Episode

[01:10] A Legendary Run: 41 years as commissioner and why he's just getting started

[04:00] The Origin of “Our Man Downtown”

[06:00] Infrastructure & Equity: Roads, Water, and the Politics of Development

[08:15] Minority Contracting and Measured Progress

[12:00] Education as Civil Rights: From Rosenwald Schools to Modern-Day Bans

[18:00] Why Third Grade Reading Scores Predict Prison Populations

[20:00] Charter Schools, Vouchers, and the Erosion of Public Education

[29:00] Parkland Hospital, UT Southwestern, and Healthcare Deserts

[38:00] Fair Park, FQHCs, and the Role of Churches in Community Health

[44:00] National Healthcare Needs and Dying of Whiteness

[52:00] Inside the Jail System: Management, Mental Health & Gender Dynamics

[58:00] Criminal Justice Creativity: Burglar Court and Behavioral Pods

[01:04:00] Homeward Bound: Local Models That Work

[01:08:00] Leadership by Presence: Why JWP Shows Up Every Day

Resources Mentioned

Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzl

A Better Life for Our Children by Julius Rosenwald

Black Labor, White Wealth by Dr. Claud Anderson

Watermark Church South Dallas

Homeward Bound Inc. - Behavioral Health Agency

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Rob Kaplan, former President of the Dallas Federal Reserve, takes us through his remarkable journey across three major arenas: finance, academia, and public service. From his days on the Goldman Sachs management committee to shaping U.S. monetary policy, Kaplan shares powerful lessons on leadership, economic foresight, mentoring future leaders, and the strategic risks facing the U.S. economy today. He unpacks everything from Fed decision-making and global competitiveness to AI, tariffs, and why listening might be the most underrated skill in business.

In This Episode

[00:45] From Markets to Mission: Kaplan’s early fascination with finance and his journey through Goldman Sachs

[06:50] Learning to Lead: The importance of mentoring, listening, and building strong teams

[15:30] Harvard Years & Learning to Teach: Why academia changed how he managed economists at the Fed

[20:00] Inside the Fed: What really happens in those high-stakes policy meetings

[26:10] Structural vs. Cyclical Thinking: Why this distinction matters in economic forecasting

[32:00] Tariffs, Tax Bills & Tension: Breaking down current U.S. fiscal and trade policy moves

[38:20] Global Economic Risk & Reserve Currency Reality

[43:00] Productivity, AI, and the Long Game for Growth

[48:00] Education, Skills Training & What Keeps Rob Up at Night

[53:40] Trust, Institutions, and America's Competitive Advantage

Guest Resources

Follow Robert Kaplan

Robert Kaplan’s Books

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Kyle and Tom take a step back to tell the story of their friendship and what sparked the Intersections podcast. What began as bi-weekly breakfasts evolved into a deep friendship spanning generations, perspectives, and life experiences. From entrepreneurship to public service, from personal struggles to professional milestones, they share the story behind the mic—and why this podcast aims to humanize leadership, elevate diverse voices, and explore the issues that shape lives and culture.

In This Episode

[01:20] Pancakes, Bacon, and the Start of a Mentorship

[04:05] Generational Differences & Family Foundations

[06:45] Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, and Resilience in Your 20s

[09:50] Learning from Failure and the Importance of People

[13:20] The Influence of a Single Mom

[15:55] Perseverance, Faith, and the Power of Encouragement

[18:40] A Chance Encounter that Changed Everything

[22:00] Unexpected Doors: From Junior College to the White House

[26:30] Experience as a Gateway to Empathy

[29:00] The Podcast Idea: A Wild-Haired Moment[

31:25] What Makes Intersections Unique

[33:40] The Power of Stories, Not Outlines

[36:00] Our Guests: From Beat Cops to Fed Chairs

[41:15] Leadership, Education, and Servant Influence[45:00] Looking Ahead: More Voices, More Stories

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Admiral Pat Walsh, the only person to serve as both a Blue Angel and a four-star admiral, joins the show to share wisdom forged in the skies, at sea, and through global crises. From commanding the Pacific Fleet during the 2011 Japan earthquake and Fukushima disaster to leading major educational reform today, Pat’s story is one of humility, service, and mission-driven leadership. Whether flying fighter jets or reshaping underserved communities, his approach blends servant leadership with deep cultural insight and a relentless pursuit of growth.

In This Episode

[00:00] Intro to Admiral Walsh & his Navy legacy

[01:30] Most satisfying assignment: Commanding an F-18 squadron

[05:00] The power of the all-volunteer force & White House Fellowship

[07:00] Aviation, Top Gun, and the Blue Angels

[12:00] Life in Bahrain & insights on majority/minority dynamics

[16:00] Lessons in leadership from the Blue Angels: Critique & team trust

[20:00] Midway & the importance of honest reflection in national defense

[24:00] Operation Tomodachi: Responding to Japan’s 3/11 disaster

[31:00] Real-time crisis communication and social media’s unexpected role

[34:00] Impact of the mission on U.S.-Japan relations

[36:00] The rules-based world order & its modern challenges

[39:00] Strategic threats: Strait of Hormuz, South China Sea, and Taiwan

[45:00] Cyber warfare and U.S. vulnerability

[52:00] Christo Rey: Building generational change through education

[59:00] From Pleasant Grove to College Degrees: Changing a community

[1:03:00] The Guantanamo report: Moral courage in service

[1:10:00] Final thoughts on service, sacrifice, and transformational leadership

Guest Resources

• Cristo Rey School Dallas

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Chris Young, President of Baseball Operations for the Texas Rangers, shares a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation about leadership, resilience, and the state of the game. A Dallas native who went from Highland Park to Princeton, from player to exec, Chris opens up about navigating setbacks, building a winning culture, and the 2023 World Series run. He also reflects on his faith, family, and what truly matters beyond the scoreboard.Whether you're a diehard baseball fan or just someone interested in integrity-driven leadership, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and wisdom from one of MLB’s most respected voices.

In This Episode

[01:10] Baseball's Rollercoaster: Chris talks about the ups and downs of a long season, tight margins in baseball, and the mental grind of leadership.

[04:00] The Levers of Leadership: Internal discussions, accountability, and managing a team of high-earning pros—what changes can you actually make?

[07:30] Building Culture Over Talent: Why character comes first and how Chris’s leadership philosophy is shaped by team-first mentality.

[09:40] World Series Flashback: From Game 5 heartbreak to ALCS victory—Chris shares the behind-the-scenes message that helped rally the Rangers.

[14:20] Comeback Player of the Year: Chris details his injury battles, emotional lows, and the surgery that reignited his career—and the lesson he wanted to teach his kids.

[20:00] Princeton, Perspective & North Texas Roots: On his college decision, raising his family in Dallas, and why Ranger pride needed a reboot.

[24:10] NIL & Baseball's New Era: The college sports shake-up, shifting developmental paths, and its impact on the draft and minor leagues.

[29:40] Baseball vs. Basketball: Why Chris picked the diamond over the court despite an offer from the Sacramento Kings—and what legendary coach Pete Carril told him.

[34:30] Faith, Family & What Grounds You: Chris on humility, identity, and staying centered through the chaos of pro sports.

[38:00] Competing with the Giants: Why market size doesn’t guarantee success—and how Dallas can become a true baseball town.

[41:30] The Future of the Game: From pitch clocks to expanding globally, Chris gives an insider's view on what MLB needs to thrive.

[47:30] Social Media & Player Pressure: Today’s athletes live in a different world—Chris reflects on mental health, identity, and what he tells minor leaguers.

[51:00] Youth Sports & The Right Lessons: A candid take on participation trophies, failure, and what makes a great youth coach.

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Chief Brown is the former Police Chief of Dallas and the former Police Superintendent of Chicago. His career spans 30+ years with a commitment to viewing his work through the lens of truth and grace. Chief Brown grew up in Dallas and was the first police chief to utilize an explosive armed robot to eliminate a suspect during the deadly July 7th, 2016 attack that killed 5 DPD officers. Chief Brown is credited with strengthening DPD’s ties to the community, lowering violent crime, and making Dallas a safer city.

In This Episode

[02:45] Losing a Partner and Finding Purpose: The traumatic loss of his partner and how it shaped his path to leadership.

[05:00] July 7, 2016 – A Chief’s Toughest Day: An in-depth account of the Dallas protest shooting, decision-making in crisis, and use of a robot bomb—unprecedented in U.S. policing.

[13:50] Growing Up in South Oak Cliff: The role of family, the crack epidemic, and why he chose a career in law enforcement despite personal and family resistance.

[17:40] Discretion, Compassion, and Policing with Heart: A powerful story of showing grace to a young man that changed how he approached community policing.

[20:55] Policing Philosophy & Challenges with Police Culture: Pushing back on union dynamics, promoting community accountability, and the evolution from arrest-focused to community-focused.

[24:10] George Floyd & Police Reform: Insights into systemic issues, internal discipline, and the delicate balance leaders must strike.

[26:20] The Future of Policing: Challenges recruiting young people, political influence, and his hope for moderation in policing narratives.

[30:00] Leading in Dallas vs. Chicago: Cultural, political, and structural differences between the two cities—and his mission to develop local leadership in Chicago.

[37:10] Strategic Police Growth in Dallas: How increased staffing under Mayor Rawlings led to crime reduction and better response times.

[39:50] Community Restoration & Economic Framing: Why framing police investment as economic development helped foster support in historically underserved areas.

[41:00] Faith, Service, and the Role of the Church: Chief Brown shares the spiritual foundation behind his resilience and why personal relationships matter more than policy.

[43:40] “Defund the Police” & Prosecutorial Agendas: His critique of the defunding movement, policy failures, and the downstream effects on neighborhoods that need protection the most.

[48:45] Investing in Young People & Leadership Diversity: A call to raise up new leaders—especially women—and why he believes servant leadership is still the path forward.

[50:45] Legacy, Estate Planning, and Family Impact: Chief Brown reflects on giving back intentionally.

Resources Mentioned

• Called to Rise: A Life in Faithful Service to the Community That Made Me by David O. Brown

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