Obama Presidency Oral History

Incite at Columbia University
The Obama Presidency as told by 450+ officials, activists, organizers, and extraordinary people from all walks of life.

  • Arun Majumdar

    ARPA-E Director

  • Lisa Jackson

    EPA Administrator

  • Heather Zichal

    Energy and Climate Advisor

  • Jeanne Lambrew

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Christy Goldfuss

    Environmental Policy Official

  • Bill McKibben

    Environmental Activist

  • Elizabeth Fowler

    Health Policy Official

  • Sandra Fluke

    Reproductive Health Advocate

  • Tom Harkin

    US Senator from Iowa

  • Zeke Emanuel

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Sarah Holway

    School Teacher and Food Policy Activist

  • Michael Minor

    Pastor and Healthcare Advocate

  • Gina McCarthy

    EPA Administrator

  • Cecile Richards

    Planned Parenthood President

  • Bob Kocher

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Don Verrilli

    Solicitor General

  • Nancy Sutley

    Environmental Policy Official

  • Art and Helen Tanderup

    Farmers

  • Regina Benjamin

    Surgeon General

  • Nancy-Ann DeParle

    White House Deputy Chief of Staff

Arun Majumdar
ARPA-E Director
43

Interviews released

Explore a special preview of interviews related to climate, energy, the environment, and healthcare.

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Since 2019, Incite at Columbia University has interviewed hundreds of people to produce the official oral history of the Obama presidency. These in-depth interviews, conducted with those inside and outside of the administration, represent roughly 1,100 hours of audio and video that together form a comprehensive record of the Obama years.

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Stories

Each oral history interview contains dozens of stories. Explore these stories through prepared playlists—or save stories to make your own.

  • go to the interview
    Obama administration's response to Chinese espionage and development of a five-point protocol Max Baucus
    02:19
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    The importance of engaging with Congress and preparing for hearings as Secretary Sylvia Burwell
    02:31
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    SEIU's campaign for universal healthcare and strategy during presidential primaries Andrew Stern
    02:54
  • go to the interview
    Background and early environmental appreciation growing up in Miami Carol Browner
    01:13
  • go to the interview
    Reaction in Portland to being recognized at the State of the Union Jim Houser
    02:19
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    Investigative reporting on a federal program for nuclear test site workers Robert Trapp
    05:52
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    Reflections on gender dynamics and the Me Too movement from a female leader's perspective Carol Browner
    01:20
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    Challenges in promoting energy efficiency and clean-energy jobs through home retrofits Nancy Sutley
    03:01
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    Overcoming personal challenges and writing to President Obama for support Destiny Blackmon
    04:01
  • go to the interview
    Role of the Department of the Interior in climate change and renewable energy transmission Steven Chu
    03:53
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Topics

From healthcare to the financial crisis to nuclear nonproliferation, each topic explored in this collection is brought to life by narrators from both inside and outside the Obama administration.

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Navigate

Navigate the interconnected events and places that make up this history, narrated by the stories of the people who lived it.



2009-17

Timeline
Map

News& Events

  • read full text: What a New Oral History Reveals About Obama, and the Tradeoffs He Made
    Peter Baker in The New York Times.
    NewsRead more
  • read full text: An Expansive View Into Obama’s Transformative Presidency
    Caroline Harting in Columbia News.
    NewsRead more
  • read full text: The Obama Presidency Inside-Out: A Conversation About Climate
    New York City
    On May 31, 2023, we gathered in New York City to celebrate the completion of the Obama Presidency Oral History project's fieldwork.
    EventRead more
See more news