# Aspen Institute on The No Agenda Show

Aspen Institute comes up in 11 chapters across 9 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from July 2011 to October 2026.

- **Chapters:** 11
- **Episodes:** 9
- **Discussed:** July 2011 – October 2026
- **Related topics:** [Madeleine Albright](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/madeleine-albright.md), [Thomas Friedman](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/thomas-friedman.md), [Al-qaeda](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/al-qaeda.md), [Amazing Grace](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/amazing-grace.md), [Andrea Mitchell](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/andrea-mitchell.md), [Anti-semitism](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/anti-semitism.md), [Barack Obama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/barack-obama.md), [Carbon Tax](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/carbon-tax.md), [Cnn](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/cnn.md), [Condoleezza Rice](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/condoleezza-rice.md)

## Chapters 1–11 of 11

### Democracy Works Leadership and Nonpartisan Claims

- **Episode:** [1912: Chaos Dynamic](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1912-chaos-dynamic.md)
- **Published:** 2026-10-15
- **Time:** 1:06:43–1:08:52
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1912-chaos-dynamic/chapter/democracy-works-leadership-and-nonpartisan-claims.md

The hosts examine "Democracy Works," the organization behind the Turbo Vote tool, questioning its nonpartisan status. By reviewing the board of directors, they highlight connections to the Aspen Institute, Harvard Kennedy School, and YouTube, suggesting a left-leaning bias in the organization's leadership.

Keywords: democracy works, turbo vote, [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [harvard kennedy school](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/harvard-kennedy-school.md), [election integrity](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/election-integrity.md)

### David Brooks Resigns from Aspen Institute

- **Episode:** [1327: China Chopper](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1327-china-chopper.md)
- **Published:** 2021-03-07
- **Time:** 2:35:20–2:39:08
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1327-china-chopper/chapter/david-brooks-resigns-from-aspen-institute.md

New York Times columnist David Brooks resigned from the Aspen Institute following revelations of a conflict of interest involving a Facebook-funded initiative called "Weavers." Brooks reportedly received a second salary for the role while writing favorable articles about his benefactors in the Times.

Keywords: [david brooks](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/david-brooks.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [new york times](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/new-york-times.md), [conflict of interest](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/conflict-of-interest.md), [facebook](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/facebook.md)

### Walter Isaacson's Leonardo da Vinci Biography, Rhodes Scholar Spookage

- **Episode:** [979: Donna Gate](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/979-donna-gate.md)
- **Published:** 2017-11-05
- **Time:** 2:04:33–2:08:47
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/979-donna-gate/chapter/walter-isaacson-s-leonardo-da-vinci-biography-rhodes-scholar-spookage.md

Walter Isaacson, former CEO of CNN and a Rhodes Scholar, has released a 652-page biography of Leonardo da Vinci. The book is criticized for "redesigning" Da Vinci as a flamboyant gay misfit to suit modern cultural narratives. Isaacson's background with the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Aspen Institute is cited as evidence of his "spook" and globalist credentials.

Keywords: [walter isaacson](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/walter-isaacson.md), [leonardo da vinci](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/leonardo-da-vinci.md), [rhodes scholar](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/rhodes-scholar.md), [cnn](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/cnn.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [globalist](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/globalist.md)

### Special Prosecutors, J. Edgar Hoover and FBI Term Limits

- **Episode:** [928: Watergate II](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/928-watergate-ii.md)
- **Published:** 2017-05-11
- **Time:** 23:18–26:28
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/928-watergate-ii/chapter/special-prosecutors-j-edgar-hoover-and-fbi-term-limits.md

The historical context of the 10-year FBI director term limit is examined, refuting the claim that it was designed for "integrity." Instead, the limit was established to prevent a repeat of J. Edgar Hoover's era of political blackmail. Comparisons are drawn between current events and the Watergate era, while noting that former Director Robert Mueller's term was uniquely extended by the Obama administration.

Keywords: [j. edgar hoover](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/j-edgar-hoover.md), [robert mueller](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/robert-mueller.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [special prosecutor](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/special-prosecutor.md), [watergate](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/watergate.md)

### Marty Baron on Political Bias at The Washington Post

- **Episode:** [880: Promise to Prosecute](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/880-promise-to-prosecute.md)
- **Published:** 2016-11-24
- **Time:** 2:10:36–2:14:38
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/880-promise-to-prosecute/chapter/marty-baron-on-political-bias-at-the-washington-post.md

Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron speaks at the Aspen Institute about maintaining objectivity. He claims the paper has layers of editing to check for bias but emphasizes that their primary mission is to report "what the evidence shows." The hosts characterize his defense as a "fake news" wrapper for inherent institutional bias.

Keywords: marty baron, [washington post](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/washington-post.md), [political bias](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/political-bias.md), [journalism](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/journalism.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md)

### Loretta Lynch at the Aspen Institute

- **Episode:** [742: A.Q. in the Maghrim](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/742-a-q-in-the-maghrim.md)
- **Published:** 2015-07-26
- **Time:** 1:56:12–2:07:00
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/742-a-q-in-the-maghrim/chapter/loretta-lynch-at-the-aspen-institute.md

Attorney General Loretta Lynch is interviewed by Andrea Mitchell at the Aspen Institute. The hosts mock Lynch for mispronouncing "Maghreb" as "Magrim" and using the term "splinting" instead of "splintering." Lynch discusses the "morphing" threat of terrorism and the rise of "independent contractors of terrorism" associated with ISIL.

Keywords: [loretta lynch](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/loretta-lynch.md), [andrea mitchell](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/andrea-mitchell.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [isil](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/isil.md), [al-qaeda](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/al-qaeda.md), maghreb

### Barack Obama, Amazing Grace and Valerie Jarrett

- **Episode:** [740: Losers to Lions](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/740-losers-to-lions.md)
- **Published:** 2015-07-19
- **Time:** 1:35:43–1:40:00
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/740-losers-to-lions/chapter/barack-obama-amazing-grace-and-valerie-jarrett.md

Valerie Jarrett confirms at the Aspen Institute that President Obama's singing of "Amazing Grace" at the AME church was pre-planned, despite media portrayals of it being a spontaneous moment. Jarrett describes the internal discussions in the helicopter and the "miscue" with the band. The hosts use this to illustrate the manufactured nature of the President's public performances.

Keywords: [barack obama](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/barack-obama.md), [valerie jarrett](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/valerie-jarrett.md), [amazing grace](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/amazing-grace.md), ame church, [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md)

### European Unrest and the Aspen Institute Meeting

- **Episode:** [642: Walking Bear](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/642-walking-bear.md)
- **Published:** 2014-08-10
- **Time:** 1:10:04–1:12:48
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/642-walking-bear/chapter/european-unrest-and-the-aspen-institute-meeting.md

A report on civil unrest in Europe being framed as anti-Semitism, which the hosts interpret as a tool for creating chaos. This leads into a discussion of the Aspen Institute's annual security forum, featuring high-level globalists like Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice.

Keywords: [europe](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/europe.md), [anti-semitism](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/anti-semitism.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [madeleine albright](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/madeleine-albright.md), [condoleezza rice](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/condoleezza-rice.md)

### Madeleine Albright and the Business of Border Disputes

- **Episode:** [642: Walking Bear](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/642-walking-bear.md)
- **Published:** 2014-08-10
- **Time:** 1:12:48–1:16:01
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/642-walking-bear/chapter/madeleine-albright-and-the-business-of-border-disputes.md

A critique of Madeleine Albright's comments at the Aspen Institute, where she admits that creating "border disputes" is what diplomats like her "do for a living." The segment also mentions the presence of Victoria Nuland and the lack of mainstream coverage regarding the US role in the Ukrainian Maidan protests.

Keywords: [madeleine albright](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/madeleine-albright.md), [zbigniew brzezinski](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/zbigniew-brzezinski.md), [victoria nuland](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/victoria-nuland.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), border disputes

### Thomas Friedman, Third Party Political Predictions

- **Episode:** [320: Dead Man Walking](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/320-dead-man-walking.md)
- **Published:** 2011-07-10
- **Time:** 15:12–19:52
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/320-dead-man-walking/chapter/thomas-friedman-third-party-political-predictions.md

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman discussed the potential for a third-party presidential run led by Michael Bloomberg during an appearance at the Aspen Institute. Friedman argues that a hyper-connected world will eventually flatten the two-party duopoly, though he suggests such a movement might primarily serve to implement policies like a carbon tax.

Keywords: [thomas friedman](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/thomas-friedman.md), [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [michael bloomberg](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/michael-bloomberg.md), [ross perot](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ross-perot.md), [carbon tax](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/carbon-tax.md)

### Aspen Institute, Social Media and Tech Founders

- **Episode:** [320: Dead Man Walking](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/320-dead-man-walking.md)
- **Published:** 2011-07-10
- **Time:** 1:49:12–1:51:19
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/320-dead-man-walking/chapter/aspen-institute-social-media-and-tech-founders.md

During a discussion at the Aspen Institute, Thomas Friedman was questioned about his refusal to use Twitter or Facebook despite his focus on hyper-connectivity. The segment mentions Friedman's interactions with Twitter founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone, whom the hosts mock for their perceived "douchebag" behavior.

Keywords: [aspen institute](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/aspen-institute.md), [thomas friedman](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/thomas-friedman.md), [jack dorsey](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/jack-dorsey.md), [evan williams](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/evan-williams.md), biz stone

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