Live from the LBJ Library with Mark Updegrove

LBJ Foundation CEO, author and historian, Mark Updegrove interviews preeminent thought leaders—historians, authors, journalists, filmmakers, and others—about issues vital to America's future, including the state of our democracy and the importance of strong leadership.

Live from the LBJ Library with Mark Updegrove Season 1 release dates →

1. E8

   8. Jonathan Eig

   2 years ago

   Best-selling author Jonathan Eig discusses his acclaimed book King: A Life, the first major biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. in nearly two generations.

2. E7

   7. Julian Zelizer

   2 years ago

   Julian Zelizer, professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University and CNN political analyst, puts the challenges we face as a nation today into historical context.

3. E6

   6. Nicole Hemmer

   2 years ago

   Vanderbilt University history professor Nicole Hemmer discusses her latest book, Partisans, on the marked changes the GOP has undergone since the celebrated presidency of Republican icon Ronald Reagan nearly 40 years ago.

4. E5

   5. Melody Barnes

   2 years ago

   Melody Barnes, Executive Director of the Karsh Institute for Democracy and former director of the White House Domestic Policy Council for Barack Obama, offers her thoughts on civics education, faith in government, and the presidency of Joe Biden.

5. E4

   4. Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (Part II)

   2 years ago

   In part 2 of the two-part interview, renowned reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein compare how the political and media landscapes of today differ from the time of the Watergate scandal they investigated over 50 years ago.

6. E3

   3. Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein (Part I)

   2 years ago

   In part 1 of a two-part interview, legendary Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein reflect on their early careers and how they came to report on the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to President Nixon’s resignation 50 years ago.

7. E2

   2. Bill McRaven

   2 years ago

   Admiral William McRaven, Navy Seal and leader of the U.S. Special Operations Command that oversaw the raid that led to the killing of Osama Bin Laden in 2011, offers advice on leadership from his best-selling book, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog.

8. E1

   1. Heather Cox Richardson

   2 years ago

   Heather Cox Richardson, Boston College professor, author of Democracy Awakening, and writer of the daily newsletter, “Letters from an American,” outlines the threats to American democracy throughout history and provides insight on how the nation can overcome its current challenges.

LBJ Foundation CEO, author and historian, Mark Updegrove interviews preeminent thought leaders—historians, authors, journalists, filmmakers, and others—about issues vital to America's future, including the state of our democracy and the importance of strong leadership.

Live from the LBJ Library with Mark Updegrove Season 2 release dates →

1. E12

   12. Peniel Joseph

   1 year ago

   Historian Peniel Joseph discusses his book, Freedom Season, which delves into 1963 as an inflection point for civil rights—exploring the Birmingham campaign, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s evolving leadership, and John F. Kennedy’s seminal framing of civil rights as a “moral issue.”

2. E11

   11. Jonathan Alter

   1 year ago

   Veteran journalist Jonathan Alter reflects on interviewing nine presidents and turning points in American history—offering insight on power, policy, and how history ultimately judges our leaders.

3. E10

   10. Jake Tapper

   1 year ago

   CNN anchor Jake Tapper discusses his unconventional path to journalism, his experience moderating the pivotal 2024 presidential debate, and what readers can glean from his best-selling book “Original Sin” on the presidency of Joe Biden.

4. E9

   9. Ali Velshi

   1 year ago

   Journalist Ali Velshi shares the inspiring story of his family’s journey from India to Canada, their ties to Mahatma Gandhi, and his mission to protect democracy through civic engagement.

5. E8

   8. David Hogg

   1 year ago

   Activist David Hogg talks about surviving the Parkland school shooting, founding March for Our Lives, and the challenging fight for sensible gun reform while reflecting on why Gen Z refuses to give up on democracy.

6. E7

   7. Lawrence Wright (Part 2)

   1 year ago

   Lawrence Wright offers his insights into the political challenges in the Middle East— exploring US policy toward Israel, Iran’s role in the Israel-Hamas War, and whether peace might be achieved in the region.

7. E6

   6. Lawrence Wright (Part 1)

   1 year ago

   Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright discusses his novel The Human Scale, a timely exploration of the nuances and complexities of the Middle East as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to rage.

8. E5

   5. Gretchen Whitmer

   1 year ago

   Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer talks about her rise in politics, the story behind her campaign slogan “Fix the Damn Roads,” and her emotional quest for reproductive rights—sharing insights on bipartisanship and leadership.

9. E4

   4. Doris Kearns Goodwin (Part 2)

   1 year ago

   Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses her book, An Unfinished Love Story, on her relationship with her husband Richard Goodwin, whose soaring speechwriting for JFK, LBJ, and RFK helped to shape the idealism of the 1960s.

10. E3

    3. Doris Kearns Goodwin (Part 1)

    1 year ago

    Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses her path to documenting history—from childhood baseball scorekeeping to definitive works on the lives of Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt[MOU1] , FDR, and LBJ—and what makes compelling historical storytelling.

11. E2

    2. Andrew Young

    1 year ago

    Ambassador Andrew Young reflects on his legendary life, from the lessons he learned from his father while growing up in New Orleans to those he derived on the front lines of the civil rights movement working alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., while offering his take on race in America today.

12. E1

    1. Bryan Cranston

    1 year ago

    Emmy and Tony-winning actor Bryan Cranston discusses his journey from modest Hollywood beginnings to TV icon; his portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad and LBJ in the Broadway play and film, All the Way; and how he has navigated the complexities of fame.

LBJ Foundation CEO, author and historian, Mark Updegrove interviews preeminent thought leaders—historians, authors, journalists, filmmakers, and others—about issues vital to America's future, including the state of our democracy and the importance of strong leadership.

Live from the LBJ Library with Mark Updegrove Season 3 release dates →

1. S3 E9

   E9

   9. Jonathan Capehart

   2 months ago

   Jonathan Capehart is a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, co-host of MS NOW's The Weekend, and author of the 2025 memoir, Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man's Search for Home. He discusses his unlikely journey to becoming a journalist and the state of race and democracy today.

2. S3 E8

   E8

   8. T Bone Burnett

   2 months ago

   In part one of this episode, legendary drummer, Ringo Starr, and Grammy and Oscar-winning music producer, T Bone Burnett, talk to Mark about their collaboration on Starr's album, 'Long, Long Road' and why the Beatles continue to capture our imagination. In part two, Burnett discusses playing guitar for Bob Dylan, what characterizes American music, and changes in the music industry today.

3. S3 E7

   E7

   7. Ringo Starr

   2 months ago

   Ringo Starr is, well, Ringo Starr. The legendary drummer talks to Mark about his 2026 album, 'Long, Long Road,' his deep-rooted love of country music, the magic of the Beatles, and memories that stand out from those storied Beatles years.

4. S3 E6

   E6

   6. Amy Coney Barrett Pt 2

   3 months ago

   In part two of our interview with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, conducted in front of a live audience at the LBJ Library around her book, Listening to the Law, Justice Barrett talks to Mark about the court's decision-making process, the dramatic rise of "shadow dockets," and why she believes Americans should have faith in our government.

5. S3 E5

   E5

   5. Amy Coney Barrett Pt 1

   3 months ago

   In this two-part interview, conducted in front of a live audience at the LBJ Library, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett talks to Mark about her book, Listening to the Law, her background in New Orleans, what she learned from her Supreme Court clerkship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia, and why, despite differences, the Supreme Court remains an example of bipartisan civility.

6. S3 E4

   E4

   4. Stanley McChrystal

   3 months ago

   Stanley McChrystal served in the U.S. Army for 34 years, rising to the rank of Four-Star General. He was the Commander of International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan and Joint Special Operations Command. His expertise in leadership has led to six books. He discusses his latest, On Character, and the choices we make that reflect who we are and define our lives.

7. S3 E3

   E3

   3. Richard Linklater

   3 months ago

   For over 40 years, Richard Linklater has made eclectic and iconic movies including 'Dazed and Confused,' 'School of Rock,' and 'Boyhood,' and his latest acclaimed films, 'Nouvelle Vague' and 'Blue Moon.' He reflects on his approach to filmmaking, the places and people that have inspired his craft, and his thoughts on the distinct character of the American film industry.

8. S3 E2

   E2

   2. America 250 Compilation

   4 months ago

   'Live from the LBJ Library' celebrates America's 250th birthday by looking back at moments in the show that shed light on the American experience and our nation's rich history with reflections from Doris Kearns Goodwin, Andrew Young, Heather Cox Richardson, Bryan Cranston, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, and others.

9. S3 E1

   E1

   1. Stacey Abrams

   4 months ago

   Stacey Abrams became the first African American to serve as Georgia House Minority Leader, ran a historic campaign in the Georgia gubernatorial race, and continues to be a guardian of voting rights. She discusses the decades-long effort to dismantle the Voting Rights Act, the dangers of creeping authoritarianism, and what we can do to protect our fragile democracy.