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Description

This show is a conversation that focuses on the struggle, the success, and the story in between. 

In today’s conversation, I talk with Maju Varghese. Maju is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and has previously served as a key senior White House staff member for both the Obama and Biden administrations.

We talk about his upbringing, his journey during his tenure at the White House, and many important lessons he’s learned along the way. 

Maju has experienced struggle and success, and this is his story!

What We Discuss:

Intro

1:34 - The story of his parents 

3:01 - Childhood and upbringing

4:50 - The struggles during the early part of his career 

5:34 - How becoming a lawyer prepared him for the White House 

8:37 - The reality and perception of a presidential campaign

9:56 - Overcoming defeat 

11:31 - Being a trailblazer in the community 

14:08 - The pressures of the White House 

15:00 - How to sustain yourself in your career 

17:21 - The 2020 pandemic 

21:09 - The proudest moment from his tenure at the White House 

22:56 - What he learned about himself that he didn't know before

26:19 - Deciding to leave the White House 

27:49 -  Looking at things from the outside in 

28:17 - Success 

28:56 - Talking to his younger self 

30:06 - His advice to others 

32:38 - Outro

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