President Obama: Inspiring Future Leaders

President Barack Obama unpacks his hopes for inspiring a new generation of changemakers.

Barack Obama speaks with Trevor Noah about his book “A Promised Land” and the Obama Foundation, the ways America’s position on the world stage has evolved, and why the fight for justice calls for a variety of voices.

“The goal of the book was to give people a sense of what it’s like to be in the White House as a normal person finding themselves in extraordinary circumstances,” President Obama explained. “And I think part of the goal, particularly for young people, [was] I wanted them to get a sense that not everybody’s going to end up being president. But if you decide that your voice makes difference, if you decide that you can have an impact—then through the ups and downs, you will end up having some pretty extraordinary experiences. I wanted it to be an encouragement. For people to say ‘eh, the guy, he’s okay. He’s not so special and look what he ended up doing. Maybe I can do something as well.’”

0:00 Intro
2:45 Why Young People Should Be Optimistic and Impatient
5:40 Keeping in Touch with World Leaders
7:47 Importance of Cultivating Leaders Around the Globe
10:39 Why Americans Shouldn’t Fear a Multipolar World
13:12 Inheriting Legacies as an American President
18:08 On Police Reform and Persuading the Public
25:41 The Republican Party’s Built-In Advantage
28:14 Why Pres. Obama Should Be Careful Who He Roasts
29:17 Life as a Former U.S. President