Heard On West Exec Podcast

Former NEC Deputy Chief of Staff Brittany Baker joins Irv Dennis to explore the intricacies of the National Economic Council, the economic policy council at the White House. Sharing her journey from a small Alabama town to the White House, Brittany delves into her roles and challenges at the NEC, providing insights on deregulation, policy coordination, and the transition between administrations. T...

Brian Jack shares his journey from the 2016 campaign trail to serving as White House Political Director, highlighting the importance of political and policy expertise with Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He discusses the intricacies of campaign strategies, compliance challenges with the Hatch Act, and maintaining relationships with political entities. Jack also emphasizes how President Trump's active invo...

Dive into this episode of Heard on West Exec as Sarah Huckabee Sanders sit down with Dr. Ben Carson, focusing on the American Cornerstone Institute and its mission to uphold foundational principles like faith, liberty, and community. Dr. Carson discusses the importance of understanding government structures through the Executive Branch for America program and the educational initiative, Little Pat...

Discover the intricacies of working in the executive branch with Alex Flemister, former White House Public Liaison. Host Irv Dennis discuss the challenges and triumphs of government service. The episode delves into the pivotal role of the Office of Public Liaison in shaping and communicating presidential policy, while sharing heartwarming anecdotes and insights into the daily life at the White Hou...

Brad Bishop joins the podcast this week to talk about his extensive experience in the executive branch of the U.S. government. Brad discusses his roles at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the White House, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He highlights the differences between these roles, emphasizing the importance of understanding policy for effective communicat...

In this episode of the "Heard on West Exec," host Irv Dennis, CFO of the American Cornerstone Institute (ACI) and former CFO of HUD, discusses his experiences in the executive branch and the significance of understanding government operations. He is joined by HL McCullough, an intern at ACI and a student at Pepperdine University, who shares his journey and aspirations for public service. The conve...

In this episode of "Heard on West Exec," host Evelyn Lim from the American Cornerstone Institute (ACI) speaks with Irv Dennis, former CFO of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Irv, who spent   38 years at Ernst and Young, shares his experience addressing HUD's financial challenges. They discuss some of the themes in Irv's book, "Transforming a Federal Agency: Management Less...

Former HUD General Counsel Paul Compton joins Irv Dennis to delve into the complexities of the regulatory environment at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They discuss the intricacies of rule-making, the challenges of interagency cooperation, and the significance of the confirmation process. Compton also reflects on the dynamic and diverse nature of HUD's mission, the imp...

Join host Irv Dennis along with Reid Wilson as they explore the intricacies of public service in the executive branch. Irv, former CFO at HUD, and Reid, former special assistant to Secretary Ben Carson, share their journeys, highlighting the dynamic nature of political appointments, the essential role of interagency collaboration, and the rewarding aspects of serving the American public. Reid's tr...

Evelyn Lim welcomes Chad Wolf, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, to discuss his career path from Capitol Hill to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and then leading the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They delve into the challenges and opportunities of setting up TSA post-9/11, managing a large and diverse department, and forming effective leadership teams. Wolf gi...

In this episode of Heard on West Exec, host Irv Dennis has a dynamic conversation with Troy Edgar, former CFO of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Irv and Troy dive deep into the complexities of managing a vast organization like DHS, which employs over 280,000 people and has a $90 billion budget. From navigating the intricacies of federal budgeting to managing multiple DHS components such...

Join Irv Dennis from the American Cornerstone Institute as he sits down with Gabe Sherman, former Chief of Staff of NASA. They discuss the inner workings of NASA, its complex missions, and its crucial partnerships with commercial and international entities to fulfill its mission of returning to the moon. The episode delves into the significance of the Artemis program, the intricacies of space dipl...

Andrew Hughes, CEO of the American Cornerstone Institute, speaks with Kash Patel about his varied career in the executive branch. From his start as a public defender to roles at the Department of Justice, Congressional staffer, and as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Patel shares insights on government corruption, effective leadership, and the importance of service. They discuss the ma...

  In this episode, host Todd Thurman from the American Cornerstone Institute's Executive Branch of America program interviews Seth Appleton, former Assistant Secretary at HUD. Seth shares his career transition from working in Congress as Chief of Staff to Assistant Secretary at HUD, detailing the challenges and lessons learned, particularly regarding interagency collaboration. He emphasizes the im...

Join Evelyn Lim as she talks with Ambassador Richard Grenell about his distinguished career in the executive branch. From his pivotal role as the spokesman at the UN to being the US Ambassador to Germany and Acting Director of National Intelligence, Grenell shares insightful lessons on diplomacy, implementing reforms, and representing America. Discover his views on the bureaucracy, his approach to...

Sean Spicer joins Irv Dennis on the Heard on the West Exec podcast to discuss his journey in White House communications, emphasizing the dynamic complexity of the role. Sean shares experiences from his tenure as White House Press Secretary under President Trump, offering insights into daily communication strategies, dealing with the press, and tips on network-building in Washington, DC. Hear Sean'...