Coffee with Ken

What does real American progress look like today? Ken Biberaj sits down with Neera Tanden, CEO of the Center for American Progress and former senior advisor to three U.S. presidents, for a candid conversation about policy, power, and the people public service is meant to serve. From helping pass the Affordable Care Act to shaping landmark legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Sci...

What if the buildings around us are shaping our health—without us even realizing it? Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona joins Ken Biberaj live at Georgetown University during International WELL Building Institute DC Policy Day to unpack the hidden crisis of indoor air quality. From COVID-era HEPA filters to healthier building design, Dr. Carmona explains why “the environment is never neut...

What does it take to thrive in the Age of AI? Ken Biberaj sits down with Jason Palmer — AI innovator, investor, and former presidential candidate — for a candid, fast-moving conversation about the future that’s already here. From EdTech to entrepreneurship, policy to productivity, Jason breaks down the opportunities and risks shaping our next decade. He also shares how he built an AI-powered versi...

As America’s demand for energy surges—from AI data centers to advanced manufacturing—a once-forgotten power source is making a comeback. Juliann Edwards , Chief Development Officer at The Nuclear Company and Chair of Women in Nuclear, joins Ken to explore how nuclear innovation is shaping the future of American power, competitiveness, and clean energy leadership.

What happens when art becomes the bridge between culture, community, and conversation? In this special episode of Coffee with Ken —guest-hosted by Ernie Jarvis — Sheila Johnson (Founder of the Middleburg Film Festival , Co-Founder of BET , and Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts ) joins Susan Koch (Emmy & Peabody Award–winning filmmaker and Executive Director of the Middleburg...

How are Apple’s supply chains, China’s rise, and the “offshore world” redefining the global economy? Recorded live in Washington, D.C. at the 25th Annual National Book Festival , Financial Times journalist Patrick McGee ( Apple in China ) and historian Ian Kumekawa ( Empty Vessel ) join Ken Biberaj for a fascinating discussion on globalization, technology, and the unseen forces shaping our interco...

Andrew Roberts , President of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy , joins Coffee with Ken to explain why literacy is the foundation of economic mobility, workforce readiness, national security, and public health —and how coordinated action across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors can scale proven solutions. From one-to-one and small-group tutoring to family literacy programs a...

Ahead of UN Climate Week , Coffee with Ken sits down with Rachel Hodgdon , President & CEO of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) , to discuss the launch of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air —a multi-year, multi-country effort to make clean indoor air a public-health priority. They explore why indoor air quality is finally front and center, how a coalition of 100+ commis...

Recorded live at the Virginia Consultants Forum , Coffee with Ken talks with Jason El Koubi , President & CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) , about how the Commonwealth is building one of America’s most competitive economies. They unpack Virginia’s formula for attracting global brands like Amazon HQ2 , advancing manufacturing, investing in talent, and ensuring reliabl...

How do you turn a bold idea into a brand that’s changing an entire industry? Ken Biberaj sits down with Lindsey Davis Stover and Shivam Mallick Shah , co-founders of 1953 Tequila , for a conversation about vision, grit, and building a first-of-its-kind, women-led tequila company. From careers in politics and advocacy to creating a premium, additive-free tequila founded, farmed, distilled, and led...

At the North Fork TV Festival, Ken Biberaj sits down with actress Jenn Lyon (Claws, Sirens) for an open, funny, and deeply human conversation about storytelling and self-discovery. From her comedic roots in church plays to powerful roles on screen and stage, Jenn reflects on the grind of acting, embracing failure, leaving social media behind, and finding purpose through service and self-awareness....

What if the Department of Defense didn’t just buy weapons and emerging technologies—but helped fund the factories and innovation that make them? Ken talks with Will Quinn , Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) , about how the DoD is rebuilding America’s industrial base through a new model of strategic lending. They discuss why OSC was created, the $4 billion strategy supp...

What if trains didn’t just move freight—but cleaned the air while doing it? Ken Biberaj sits down with Paul Gross , Co-Founder & CEO of carbon capture startup Remora , and Josh Raglin , Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern , to explore how industrial innovation is reshaping the future of freight. Remora has raised $117 million to develop technology that captures CO₂ directly from t...

What if America could lead the future of advanced manufacturing—again? Ken Biberaj travels to North Carolina’s Research Triangle to meet John Maslin , CEO of Vulcan Elements —a Navy veteran and Harvard MBA on a mission to rebuild U.S. manufacturing from the ground up, starting with rare earth magnets . Magnets might not make headlines, but they power everything—from fighter jets and drones to EVs,...

Ken Biberaj visits Warrior Canine Connection in Boyds, Maryland to sit down with founder Rick Yount and explore how this pioneering nonprofit is transforming the way we support veterans. Through an innovative model, Warrior Canine Connection enlists service members to help train future service dogs—giving them purpose, connection, and a path to healing from PTSD and combat-related trauma. This isn...

Can the West catch up in the race for critical minerals? Andrew Miller , CEO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence , sits down for a front-line look at how lithium, supply chain transparency, and geopolitics are shaping the future of power. From skyrocketing EV demand to China’s dominance in mineral processing, Miller unpacks the hidden forces driving the global energy transition. He explains why Benc...

Senator Joe Manchin joins to discuss Dead Center , bipartisanship, and leadership in American politics. From his early days in a West Virginia coal town to 14 years in the U.S. Senate, Manchin reflects on a career defined by relationships, results, and refusing to be pulled to extremes. He shares behind-the-scenes moments from negotiating the Inflation Reduction Act , explains how party politics h...

I am going with this: How can America win the future? In this episode of Coffee with Ken, we sit down with Will Hurd —former CIA officer, U.S. Congressman, and Chief Strategy Officer at Chaos Industries—for a candid conversation about trust, technology, and leadership in an era of rapid change. From his early days in the CIA to shaping AI policy in Congress and now leading innovation in defense te...

Coffee with Ken heads to Audi Field for a live conversation with NFL legend and UFL Executive Vice President Daryl “Moose” Johnston and DC Defenders Vice President Kate Greenberg . Together, they explore how the United Football League (UFL) is reimagining professional football—from game-day rules and player development to community engagement and fan experience. From mic’d-up players and innovativ...

In this episode of Coffee with Ken, we sit down with Clayton Mitchell , Senior Vice President of Corporate Real Estate at Yale New Haven Health System—and a retired U.S. Navy Civil Engineer—to explore how leadership, mentorship, and the built environment intersect. From overseeing large-scale military infrastructure to transforming hospital systems nationwide, Clayton shares lessons on leading wit...

What’s next for WeWork? In this episode of Coffee with Ken , Ken sits down with John Santora , the company’s new CEO, for a candid look at WeWork’s next chapter following one of the largest real-estate restructurings in history. They explore how WeWork is redefining flexible workspace—partnering with landlords, supporting startups, and finding fresh ways to help companies grow in a competitive mar...

From trade tensions to leadership lessons, Marcus Wang joins Ken to explore what separates the U.S. and China—and how understanding China’s long-term strategy can reshape the way we think about business and innovation.

What does longevity really mean in 2025—and how can you live not just longer, but better? Ken Biberaj talks with Jesse Levey , founder of Longevity Health , about personalized medicine, prevention, and how sleep, stress, and purpose shape your long-term vitality.

What does national security mean in 2025? Ken Biberaj talks with Tony Johnson , CEO of the Truman National Security Project , about the future of defense, diplomacy, and American leadership. From clean energy to community resilience, Tony shares how innovation and diversity are reshaping what it means to keep America safe.

With new tariffs and trade tensions rising, what’s next for U.S.-Canada relations? In this episode of *Coffee With Ken*, Ken Biberaj sits down with Beth Burke , President of the Canadian American Business Council, to discuss the economic and political challenges facing both nations.