What will America look like in the next decade? How will AI reshape the workforce? And what role should universities play as campuses across the country struggle with polarization, antisemitism, and the limits of free expression?
In today’s conversation, I sit down with Jeanette Nuñez, President of Florida International University and former Lieutenant Governor of Florida. She shares her journey as the daughter of Cuban immigrants, the values that shaped her, and the lessons she’s learned from decades of public service and leadership.
This episode goes deeper than politics, it’s about resilience, opportunity, freedom, education, and what it means to lead during one of the most divided cultural moments in recent memory.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why resilience is the single most important skill young people need
- How FIU became the #1 university for social mobility
- What Miami’s explosive growth means for students and employers
- How universities must navigate free speech, polarization, and safety
- The real impact of AI on jobs and students
- How immigration shapes leadership, identity, and gratitude
- What FIU teaches about upward mobility and the American Dream
- Why Florida is becoming a global magnet for talent and innovation
- What Gen Z needs most to thrive in a rapidly shifting world
If this conversation gives you a new perspective on leadership, education, or the future of America, share it with a friend.
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Timestamps:
00:00 – Take the Shot: Opening Message on Leadership & Failure
01:06 – Introducing President Jeanette Núñez
02:15 – What Inspires a Life in Public Service?
02:56 – Early Career: FIU to Jackson Memorial to Public Office
04:10 – Saying Yes to the DeSantis Ticket
04:34 – Transitioning from Politics to University Leadership
04:55 – A Cuban-American Childhood in Miami
07:35 – Building Resilience in the Next Generation
10:21 – Social Mobility, Miami’s Melting Pot, and FIU’s Mission
11:00 – How Her Leadership Style Has Evolved Over Time
13:05 – Free Speech vs. Polarization After the Kirk Tragedy
13:48 – Creating the FIU Presidential Speaker Series
16:55 – Bringing More Ideological Diversity to FIU’s Campus
19:30 – Rising Anti-Semitism on Campuses Nationwide
23:12 – Supporting Jewish Students and Responding to Incidents
26:05 – Campus Security Measures & Threat Prevention
27:00 – The Role of University Leadership in Times of Crisis
29:30 – Why Universities Must Model Civil Disagreement
30:10 – Parents, Students & Community Expectations of FIU
31:35 – The Importance of Critical Thinking in Higher Education
32:20 – How FIU Equips Students for a Complex Workforce
33:55 – Leadership Lessons from a Life in Politics
34:40 – What Keeps Her Motivated in Times of National Division
35:20 – The Role of Education in Healing a Fractured Society
36:50 – Encouraging Students to Take Risks & Seek Purpose
37:30 – Faith, Community & Responsibility in Modern Leadership
38:00 – Looking Ahead: The Future of FIU and Florida’s Workforce
Learn more about Jeanette's work: president.fiu.edu
Follow @fiupresident: https://www.instagram.com/fiupresident/
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