# Ben Rhodes on the Speeches That Shaped America

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kqed-s-forum-910728/ben-rhodes-on-the-speeches-that-shaped-america
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kqed-s-forum-910728/ben-rhodes-on-the-speeches-that-shaped-america.md
Podcast: [KQED's Forum](https://stenobird.com/podcast/kqed-s-forum-910728)
Published: 2026-06-10T18:50:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC6429159906.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC6429159906.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3285

## Resource

What does it mean to be American? That’s the question that animates Ben Rhodes’s new book “All We Say: The Battle for American Identity.” Drawing on 15 speeches spanning more than two centuries, the former Obama speechwriter and national security adviser looks at how they shaped and reflected competing visions over race, democracy, belonging and power. We talk to Rhodes about the speeches he chose and what they say about American identity today. Guests: Ben Rhodes, author, "All We Say: The Battle for American Identity;" deputy national security advisor and speechwriter under President Obama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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