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What Would Ike Do Today? Susan Eisenhower on Leadership, Civic Duty, and the Lessons of History
Episode 1 • 27th August 2025 • The Civic Brief • Dr. Isaiah (Ike) Wilson III
00:00:00 01:09:36

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What would President Dwight D. Eisenhower say about today’s leadership? Susan Eisenhower joins The Civic Brief to explore Ike’s legacy, moral clarity, civic duty, and lessons for modern leadership.

From the frontlines of World War II to warning America about the military-industrial complex, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s legacy is more relevant than ever. In this episode of The Civic Brief, host Dr. Isaiah “Ike” Wilson sits down with Susan Eisenhower, strategist, author of How Ike Led, and granddaughter of the former president, for a powerful conversation on civic duty, reflective leadership, and what it means to lead with moral clarity in times of disruption.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How Dwight D. Eisenhower's leadership principles apply to today's fractured civic and political landscape
  • Why Susan Eisenhower believes restraint, reflection, and responsibility are essential for modern leadership
  • What Eisenhower's farewell warning about the military-industrial complex means in an age of AI and big tech
  • The importance of civic engagement, taxation as service, and reviving American resilience
  • How strategic empathy shaped Eisenhower’s foreign policy and why it’s urgently needed today

Susan Eisenhower shares intimate stories and sharp insights drawn from her grandfather’s presidency, military command, and personal legacy. Dr. Ike Wilson guides this timely Civic Brief conversation, unpacking lessons in civic virtue, foreign policy foresight, and the enduring power of American resilience. If you’re wondering what real leadership looks like in times of uncertainty this episode delivers.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Welcome to The Civic Brief: Why Eisenhower still matters
  • (02:06) Why Susan wrote How Ike Led and its eerie relevance today
  • (10:10) Eisenhower’s forgotten pandemic leadership and parallels to COVID-19
  • (17:30) Moral authority, economic discipline, and national unity
  • (23:00) Taxation, philanthropy, and civic responsibility
  • (28:01) Strategic empathy and global foresight in Eisenhower’s foreign policy
  • (35:00) Reflection, resilience, and hobbies as leadership tools
  • (42:04) Reframing the military-industrial-technological complex
  • (44:00) Hidden-hand leadership and governing with integrity
  • (47:50) Final reflections: What America must remember from Eisenhower’s legacy

Key Takeaways:

  • Leadership grounded in moral authority and moderation-Dwight Eisenhower's leadership style emphasized reflection and restraint over reaction, a model worth reviving today.
  • Civic duty is a form of taxation- Susan argues that civic engagement, not just financial contribution, is essential to a functioning democracy.
  • History is our roadmap through complexity- The leadership lessons from Eisenhower’s presidency, including his handling of pandemics and foreign alliances, hold surprising relevance today.
  • Strategic empathy creates stronger global policy- Understanding adversaries like the Soviet Union helped Eisenhower craft policy grounded in reality, not ideology.
  • Beware the expanded military-industrial-technological complex- Eisenhower’s farewell warning about unchecked power has grown to include big tech and AI, making civic awareness more vital than ever.


Resources & Mentions:

Guest Bio:

Susan Eisenhower is a distinguished author, consultant, and public policy expert known for her work on international security and leadership. As the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, she brings rare insight into presidential history and civic life. Her book How Ike Led offers an intimate yet analytical portrait of Eisenhower’s presidency and the principles that defined his legacy. Susan is the Chairman Emeritus of the Eisenhower Institute and a frequent contributor to major publications and policy panels.

Keywords

Civic Engagement Podcast, National Security and Public Policy, Leadership and Strategy Podcast, Dr. Ike Wilson Podcast, The Civic Brief, Eisenhower legacy, civic education, leadership values, Cold War strategy, strategic empathy, political polarization, national security, military industrial complex, AI and defense, reflective leadership, presidential history



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