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.

  • Sylvia Burwell

    OMB Director and HHS Secretary

  • Max Baucus

    Ambassador and US Senator from Montana

  • Bob Kocher

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Christy Goldfuss

    Environmental Policy Official

  • Bill McKibben

    Environmental Activist

  • Andrew Stern

    Labor Leader

  • Joe Del Bosque

    Farmer

  • Frances Beinecke

    Environmentalist and Nonprofit Executive

  • Lisa Jackson

    EPA Administrator

  • Neera Tanden

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Gina McCarthy

    EPA Administrator

  • Aneesh Chopra

    US Chief Technology Officer

  • Nancy Sutley

    Environmental Policy Official

  • Don Verrilli

    Solicitor General

  • Nancy Nielsen

    American Medical Association President

  • Heather Zichal

    Energy and Climate Advisor

  • Jeanne Lambrew

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Carol Browner

    Energy and Climate Policy Director

  • Melanie Bahnke

    Alaska Native and Arctic Issues Advocate

  • Cecile Richards

    Planned Parenthood President

Sylvia Burwell
OMB Director and HHS Secretary
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
    Importance of healthcare data availability and its impact on reducing costs Zeke Emanuel
    04:36
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    Choosing Georgetown University for President Obama's climate action plan speech Heather Zichal
    01:21
  • go to the interview
    Reflections on meeting President Obama and its impact on Alaska Native leadership Melanie Bahnke
    02:15
  • go to the interview
    Reflections on the "keep your doctor" promise and its impact on the AMA membership Nancy Nielsen
    01:10
  • go to the interview
    Reflections on the role of scientists in government and advising administrations Steven Chu
    05:05
  • go to the interview
    Adjusting to the political dynamics of climate and energy policy Steven Chu
    02:25
  • go to the interview
    Impact of trade agreements on US agriculture and almond exports Joe Del Bosque
    03:50
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    Evaluating natural gas's role in the energy mix and its impact on the economy and communities Heather Zichal
    07:38
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    Challenges faced by states in adopting Medicaid expansion Kathleen Sebelius
    02:44
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    Journey from EPA to White House and focus on climate change Gina McCarthy
    05:16
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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