So much here in this conversation.<p>First, this reminds me of Obama&#x27;s hourlong conversation with the podcaster Marc Maron (this past June 22) in which he visited Marc&#x27;s garage in a very ordinary neighborhood in LA for the podcast.  During the podcast, which is 100% worth listening to if you are interested in the president, he touched on the theme of reaching around the media, which apply a filter that really forces much political dialogue into a rut.  This is also how he opens this conversation.<p>Another theme that interests me is Obama&#x27;s growing confidence, born out of wiping the competition out in two consecutive elections, and weathering a lot of political storms with, really, very little in the way of huge mistakes.  I know it&#x27;s possible to critique his presidency, but, using the last few presidents as a yardstick -- fewer self-inflicted wounds.<p>Finally, Obama&#x27;s return to the theme of &quot;homespun values.&quot;  I find it quite charming, while also being, honestly, somewhat puzzled.  This is a quite sophisticated intellect (e.g., editor of Harvard Law Review, etc., etc.) to be appealing to some sort of &quot;well-understood&quot; system of values.