10 American Presidents Podcast EP:4 – Powell – Micheal Goldwasser – How the shows are made
8 snips
Jul 25, 2015 
Colin Powell, a retired four-star general and former Secretary of State, shares captivating moments from his life, from his military career to his reflections on September 11 and the Iraq War. He discusses his surprising decision against a presidential run and emphasizes America’s diversity. Joining him is Michael Goldwasser, a producer passionate about podcast creation, who reveals insights about sound design and the genesis of this podcast series. Their conversation sheds light on the intricate process of storytelling in American history.
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From Combat Officer To Senior Advisor
- Powell describes service in Germany, Vietnam, and Korea, then transition to civilian roles in Washington including White House fellowship and National Security Advisor.
- He links those experiences to later selection as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989.
Coalition Focus Defined Gulf War Strategy
- Powell highlights Desert Storm as a successful coalition operation led by General Schwarzkopf with Powell as the senior military supervisor.
- He emphasizes achieving objectives without overreaching beyond the mission given by Congress and allies.
Declined 1996 Run, Chose Civic Work
- Powell recounts retiring, writing a memoir in 1995, and being urged to run for president but declining in 1995 for family reasons.
- He redirected efforts to youth programs and volunteer work focused on inner-city education.